October 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publications on marine mammal bycatch & abundance tools
by Rob Williams 03 Oct '17

03 Oct '17

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I would like to report two linked publications about marine mammal bycatch and conservation assessment. The first relates to a new US trade rule requiring countries to assess and mitigate marine mammal bycatch as a condition of exporting seafood products to US markets. The original paper is available here: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6318/1372.summary Non-subscribers can find a free PDF of the paper on our nonprofit's publications page: http://oceansinitiative.org/publications/ Next, a few of us published an Animal Counting Toolkit to help countries build capacity for marine mammal surveys: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v34/p149-165/ The paper outlines practical methods for generating rough abundance estimates using small-boat line transect surveys, which can help fill in knowledge gaps on cetacean abundance and distribution in coastal waters, and also serve as a low-cost platform for training observers to work on more expensive ship-board or aerial surveys covering a country's EEZ. This paper's supporting information file contains material to help novice users define a survey region using free GIS tools, design a systematic survey in Distance, collect data using CyberTracker, and analyze data in Distance. Thank you, Rob Williams

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Full-time Veterinarian/Post-doc position
by Noel Wingers 03 Oct '17

03 Oct '17

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) seeks a full-time veterinarian and research post-doc to join our dedicated team of staff, students, researchers and volunteers as part of the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN). The candidate filling this 12-month, full-time research-based position would be eligible to seek research assistant faculty status or adjunct appointment at DISL and any of the 22 consortial schools in the state of Alabama. The successful candidate will assist with stranding response, lead live animal response, lead necropsy sessions and oversee writing necropsy reports, make diagnostic assessments, assist with training support staff in stranding and necropsy techniques, and conduct independent research projects related to pathology, diagnostic assessments, or other relevant topics that lead to peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will co-mentor students and interns to assist with research. Teaching is not mandatory, but the candidate may opt to develop and teach courses as part of the DISL undergraduate summer or year-round graduate programs. The candidate will be encouraged to attend relevant scientific and professional meetings to share data and for career development. The ideal candidate has flexibility and desire to respond to and consult on strandings on short notice, often during non-business hours including nights, weekends and holidays. Applicant should be able to conduct a thorough physical examination (including blood draws and administration of medications) and assess the status of a live stranded marine mammals. Applicant must communicate well with volunteers, technicians, the public and media. The candidate will work closely with the Stranding Coordinator and Primary Investigator (Dr. R.H. Carmichael) and in collaboration with the Southeast Region Stranding Network, state and local partners under NOAA NMFS and USFWS. *Requirements:* Applicant must be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD); have prior experience in zoological medicine, including work with marine mammals; hold a valid U.S. veterinary license; qualify for Alabama Veterinary and DEA licenses; and have a clean driving record. Applicants must be familiar with and able to comply with all policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines applicable to marine mammals in the U.S and be willing to gain specific knowledge needed to successfully accomplish professional tasks in the southeast region and in the state of Alabama. *Preferred Qualifications: *Applicant should be (or plan to be) a member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine; additional medical training in an Aquatic Animal Medicine Program such as Aquavet, Seavet, or Marvet etc.; experience conducting independent research in a relevant field, including peer-reviewed publications; experience with statistical methods. Public speaking and teaching. Training will be provided to further develop project management, research, leadership and teaching skills, obtain stranding network certification, and enhance ongoing career development. The position is salaried with full benefits, with initial contract for 2 years with possibility of extension. Application deadline is *November 5, 2017*, with a preferred start date in early 2018. To apply, please send a cover letter, including a research statement and potential collaborators, CV and list of three references to *vetpostdoc(a)disl.org <vetpostdoc(a)disl.org> *If you have questions or would like further information about the position, please contact *Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael *at 251-861-2141, x7555 or rcarmichael(a)disl.org.

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Last-minute call for internship with CIIMAR-MADEIRA
by Rita Ferreira 03 Oct '17

03 Oct '17

Dear all, We have a last minute opening for ONE internship in FALL SEASON – November & December 2017 in Project CETUS-Madeira, for conducting surveys onboard a ferry boat in Madeira Island. CIIMAR-Madeira is a private, non-profit organization based in Madeira Island, Portugal. It is a unique organization specialized on insular environments, which is currently involved in the development of fundamental and applied scientific research, both in atmospheric and marine sciences. For more information about CIIMAR-Madeira and our research please visit http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/ Internship Details: The interns will be enrolled in data collection onboard ferries with a fixed route between Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island. Food on board is provided. These positions are unpaid but we encourage candidates to seek grants where we can post as host institution. In order to cover for logistic expenses, there is a monthly fee of 75eur. Non-European candidates must cover their own insurance expenses. Internship description: - An intensive training on monitoring protocol, cetacean identification and data processing and analysis; - Sea surveys Madeira-Porto Santo; - Data processing and analysis; - Educational activities in local schools or to the general public (when possible); - Free time to visit Madeira and Porto Santo; - Accident insurance. Successful applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology or related, be reliable, dedicated, adaptable and patient, as this work is highly weather dependent and requires consecutive days of work at sea. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience at sea. If you are interested in interning with CIIMAR-Madeira, please send a CV and a letter of interest to rita.ferreira(a)oom.arditi.pt. The deadline is next Monday 9th October. Cheers, Rita Ferreira, MsC OOM-ARDITI http://oom.arditi.pt/

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New publication on sightings of cetaceans in the Western Antarctic Peninsula
by Arda M. Tonay 03 Oct '17

03 Oct '17

Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. We would like to inform you that the new paper on sightings of cetaceans in the Western Antarctic Peninsula has been published in the Turkish Journal of Zoology. The pdf copy is available online via the following link. Öztürk, B., Tonay, A.M., Öz, M.İ., Yılmaz, I.N., Ergül, H.A., Öztürk, A.A. 2017. Sightings of cetaceans in the Western Antarctic Peninsula during the first joint Turkish-Ukrainian Antarctic Research Expedition, 2016. Turk J Zool 41: 955-961. https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/abstract.htm?id=21245 Abstract During the cetacean surveys of the first Turkish-Ukrainian Antarctic Research Expedition conducted on 5-8 April 2016 in Lemaire Channel, Penola Strait, Flanders Bay, southern Gerlache Strait, and southern Neumayer Channel in the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 74 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in 24 sightings and 11 Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in 6 sightings were recorded. The overall encounter rate (number of sightings/survey effort in nautical miles) was 0.333 (0.266 for humpback whale, 0.066 for Antarctic minke whale). According to the sighting distribution, the Lemaire Channel and Penola Strait are important migration and feeding habitats for whales. Five humpback whales were photo-identified individually by natural features on their flukes; one of them had a match in the Antarctic Humpback Whale Catalogue. The matched individual was first recorded on 30 August 2007 at Salinas, Ecuador. Alternatively, pdf requests can be sent to atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Fisheries, İstanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Ordu Cad. No:200 Laleli, 34480 İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 212 455 5700/16434 Fax: +90 212 514 0379 <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr <http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/> http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771

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Internship opportunity with Mote Marine Lab Stranding Investigations Program
by Gretchen Lovewell 03 Oct '17

03 Oct '17

Mote's Stranding Investigations Program provides response to reports of marine mammal and sea turtle strandings 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Our response area is within the coastal waters of central southwest Florida. The program offers logistical support and assistance to state biologists in the verification, rescue and recovery of sick, injured or dead manatees. Live and dead cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and sea turtles are rescued and/or recovered and transported to Mote for rehabilitation or detailed post-mortem examination. Interns will assist in responding to stranding calls, documenting stranding events and collecting samples and data. Interns will also assist researchers and program staff with other projects, such as sample processing, assisting in the Ruth DeLynn Cetacean Osteological Collection and general maintenance of stranding equipment. This position will involve both laboratory and field work assisting in the recovery and examination live and dead stranded animals. The majority of stranded animals reported are dead, beach-cast animals. Stranding response often occurs after hours and weekends, so interns should be prepared to work outside of normal business hours. Basic skills required are the ability to work independently, lift 50 pounds comfortably, follow procedural instructions and collect and record detailed information. Field and laboratory work will involve strenuous working conditions, including working in close proximity to and assisting with the sampling of large dead animals. In office 5 days per week (including at least one weekend day), 8 hours per day (with occasional longer hours). If you're interested, please begin your application process here: https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview and email glovewell(a)mote.org and rhazelkorn(a)mote.org. The deadline on the website has passed, but we have extended it for our program. We are looking for interns to start in December 2017 or January 2018. -- Gretchen Lovewell Program Manager Stranding Investigations Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34236 Office: 941-388-4441 ex 239 Cell: 941-374-3425 Pager: 941-988-0212 Fax: 941-388-4317 We are an independent, nonprofit, marine and estuarine research and education facility. Opinions expressed here are not MML policy unless so indicated.

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Northwest Training and Testing Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
by Murray, Sheila A CIV Navy Region NW, N00P 02 Oct '17

02 Oct '17

Good afternoon. I am re-sending the attached (and pasted below) press release for consideration in your news format, as a reminder for the public that all comments on this supplemental environmental impact statement must be postmarked or received online by Oct. 6, 2017, for consideration in the development of the Supplemental EIS/OEIS. Comments may also be submitted online at www.NWTTEIS.com, or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest Attention: NWTT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager 3730 North Charles Porter Ave., Building 385 Oak Harbor, WA 98278-3500 For your convenience, see full press release pasted release below. Very Respectfully, Sheila Murray ############################################################################################################ U.S. NAVY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON THE NORTHWEST TRAINING AND TESTING SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SILVERDALE, Wash - The U.S. Navy is preparing a supplement to the 2015 Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Final Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to assess the potential environmental effects associated with ongoing and future at-sea military readiness activities conducted within the NWTT EIS/OEIS Study Area (hereafter referred to as the "Study Area"). Military readiness activities include training and research, development, testing, and evaluation (hereafter referred to as "training and testing"). The Navy is requesting public comments on the scope of the analysis, including potential environmental issues and viable alternatives to be considered during the development of the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS. The Navy previously completed an EIS/OEIS in 2015, for which a Record of Decision was signed in October 2016, for at-sea training and testing activities occurring within the Study Area. The supplement to the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS is being prepared to support ongoing and future activities conducted at sea within the Study Area beyond 2020. Proposed training and testing activities are generally consistent with those analyzed in the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS and are representative of activities the Navy has been conducting in the Study Area for decades. The Supplemental EIS/OEIS will include an analysis of training and testing activities using new information available after the release of the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS. New information includes an updated acoustic effects model, updated marine mammal density data, and evolving and emergent best available science. As part of this process, the Navy will seek the issuance of federal regulatory permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act to support ongoing and future at-sea military readiness activities within the Study Area beyond 2020. Proposed Action: The Proposed Action is to conduct at-sea training and testing activities within the Study Area. Activities include the use of active sound navigation and ranging (sonar) and explosives while employing marine species protective mitigation measures. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to maintain a ready force, which is needed to ensure the Navy can accomplish its mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas, consistent with Congressional direction in section 5062 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code. To achieve and maintain military readiness, the Navy proposes to: .Conduct at-sea training and testing activities at levels required to support military readiness requirements beyond 2020; and .Accommodate evolving mission requirements, including those resulting from the development, testing, and introduction of new vessels, aircraft, and weapons systems into the fleet. The Study Area remains unchanged since the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS. The Study Area is comprised of established maritime operating areas and warning areas in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, including areas within the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and the Western Behm Canal in southeastern Alaska. The Study Area includes air and water space within and outside Washington state waters, air and water space outside state waters of Oregon and Northern California, and Navy pierside locations where sonar maintenance and testing occur. In the supplement to the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS, the Navy will only analyze those training and testing activities conducted at sea within the Study Area. Scoping Comment Period for the Supplemental EIS/OEIS: The 30-day scoping comment period begins Aug. 22, 2017 through Sept. 21, 2017. Comments must be postmarked or received online by Sept. 21, 2017 for consideration in the development of the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS. Comments may be submitted online at www.NWTTEIS.com, or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest Attention: NWTT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager 3730 North Charles Porter Ave., Building 385 Oak Harbor, WA 98278-3500 Scoping meetings are not being held at this stage of the process because the Proposed Action does not differ substantially from the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS. However, public meetings are planned to occur following the release of the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS in early 2019. For additional project information, please visit the project website at www.NWTTEIS.com. Please help inform your community by sharing the information in this press release. Should you have trouble accessing the project website, please email ProjectManager(a)nwtteis.com for assistance. For other information about your Navy in the Northwest Region, please visit the Navy Region Northwest website at www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrnw. -USN- Sheila Murray Deputy, Public Affairs Navy Region Northwest 1100 Hunley RD, Rm 213 Silverdale,WA 98315- 1100 (360) 396-4981 (w) (360) 340-5398 (c)

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SMM2017 Conference Merchandise Sale!
by Katherina Audley 02 Oct '17

02 Oct '17

Greetings from your conference co-chairs! We're only a few weeks away from SMM2017! To celebrate this year's biennial conference, we are offering a variety of SMM2017 merchandise <http://smmconference.org/merchandise> , including t-shirts, hats and hockey jerseys, that captures the look and feel of the conference and this year's destination - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada! See it all here: http://www.smmconference.org/merchandise If you want to guarantee you'll get some of this awesome swag, you must pre-purchase items by October 6 at 12 (noon) ADT - yes that's noon, Halifax time. After that point, your only chance to purchase merchandise will be at the conference and this will be a limited selection of remaining stock and at a first-come, first-served basis. All prices for these items are in USD. You can purchase any of these items through the smmconference.org registration menu <https://www.xcdsystem.com/smm/attendee/attendee_registration.cfm> . Scroll down the page under registration / workshops to select your items. Note that you must complete payment for merchandise you have selected before the October 6 deadline for the order to be considered competed incomplete order/payments will not be counted when we tally our merchandise quantities. See you all soon! Cheers, Tonya and Hilary

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IMMS Animal Training Internship (Spring)
by Katherine Burton 02 Oct '17

02 Oct '17

IMMS Animal Training Internship Spring: February 2018 - April 2018 Deadline: December 1, 2017 The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies ("IMMS") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 for the purposes of public education, conservation, and research on marine mammals in the wild and under human care. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, IMMS has been an active participant of the National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the premier stranding organization in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region of the Gulf Coast with the capability and expertise to care for sick and injured marine mammals. IMMS serves as an important educational outlet for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, incorporating programs for conservation, education and research of marine mammals and their environment. Program Description The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Duties The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Interns will also complete a project during their internship, give educational presentations to guests before they interact with our animals, as well as help staff with daily water quality. Because we want interns to have a well-rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. . Eligibility Requirements Interns must be: * 18 years or older. * A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences. * Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position. * Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. * Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. * Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions. * Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn. * Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements. * Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations. To Apply Please send the following documents to: kburton(a)imms.org<mailto:kburton@imms.org> with "Animal Training Internship" in the subject line. * IMMS Animal Training Internship Application<http://www.imms.org/downloads/applications/AnimalTrainingInternApplication.…> * Resume with cover letter. * Two letters of recommendation - Provide at least one academic, and one work/volunteer- related reference if applicable. Letters may be emailed from the applicant or the person providing the recommendation letter. * A copy of your current official college transcript. Applicants may submit an unofficial copy. * Full photograph Documents must be in one of the following formats - PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together with your first and last name and the date in the file name. Ex) 2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume, 2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Application, 2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript. Katherine Burton Marine Mammal Trainer Rescue and Rehab Specialist Animal Training Internship Coordinator Institute for Marine Mammal Studies 10801 Dolphin Lane Gulfport, MS 39503

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LAST CHANCE: SMM MASTER WORKSHOP
by Jason Bruck 02 Oct '17

02 Oct '17

Some space still available Date Saturday October 28-All day SMM Master Workshop: Experimental Science in wild and captive animals Format: We will have nine 30-minute presentations (25 min lecture and 5 min questions), each from world renowned senior marine mammal scientists with experience conducting experiments on wild as well as managed care animals. We have planned two panel discussions each of one hour to discuss past, current and future opportunities for marine mammal research and how to find ways to connect work on animals under managed care with those in the wild Schedule 8:00-8:10, Intro: Jason Bruck, 10 min overview A) Experimental Animal Welfare Science (What is it and what is it not) 1) 8:15-8:45 Xavi Manteca: Welfare of marine mammals: what is it and how can be assessed? 2) 8:45-9:15 Kathleen Dudzinski: Understanding tactile dyadic exchange in both wild and captive dolphins – how they are similar and what we can learn to elevate animal welfare in both settings 3) 9:15-9:45 Michael Moore: Experiments that enable conservation and welfare of Anthropocene cetaceans 9:45-10:00 Questions 10:00-10:30 Break B) Studies on managed care animals to help conservation efforts 4) 10:30-11:00 Vincent Janik: How does zoo research support conservation efforts in the wild? 5) 11:00-11:30 Terrie Williams: Creating a Conservation Toolbox for Winning the Race Against Marine Mammal Extinctions 11:30-12:30 Panel Discussion 12:30-13:30 Lunch C) What can we learn from marine mammals in multiple settings 6) 13:30-14:00 Sam Ridgway: The Navy's fastest divers and what they can teach us 7) 14:00-14:30 Peter Tyack: Synergy between studies of vocal learning in wild and managed populations of marine mammals 14:30-14:45 Questions 14:45-15:00 Break 8) 15:00-15:30 Paul Ponganis: Medical technology to study marine mammal diving physiology 9) 15:30-16:00 Gerry Kooyman: Tales from the past about “bends”, lung function and HPNS 16:00-17:00 Panel discussion Talk Abstracts: -Xavi Manteca Title: Welfare of marine mammals: what is it and how can be assessed? Synopsis: The objectives of this presentation would be (1) to define the concept of animal welfare, (2) to discuss how welfare of marine mammals can be assessed using science-based indicators, (3) to discuss how poor / good animal welfare can affect the quality of research conducted on marine mammals, and (4) to discuss how studies on managed animals can help inform us about welfare in free-ranging populations. -Kathleen Dudzinksi Title: Understanding tactile dyadic exchange in both wild and captive dolphins – how they are similar and what we can learn to elevate animal welfare in both settings Synopsis: To gain insight into the behavioral exchanges and relationships in dolphin dyads requires long-term observations over years to begin to decipher patterns in interaction and social behavior. With more than two decades of observations on several study populations of both wild and captive dolphins, we have the data to tease out individual differences in behavioral patterns. Comparison with other social animals allows science to put dolphin signal exchange (e.g., tactile contact) along the continuum of our understanding of how individual relationships are formed and maintained to yield a cohesive, complex society in these non-human animals. Armed with this insight, we can better manage human behavior around wild animals and also elevate our care and welfare standards for captive individuals. -Michael Moore Title: Experiments that enable conservation and welfare of Anthropocene cetaceans Synopsis: Few cetaceans escape the heavy hand of man in today’s world. We need all possible perspectives to better understand human degradations on cetaceans. Industrial impacts include vessel collision, fishing gear entanglement and acoustic stressors. Experiments with cadavers, animals in managed care and swimming at sea have all yielded important perspectives on the costs of human activities to cetacean health. This talk will review data from: cadavers that have informed diving physiology, and vessel, implantable tag and entanglement trauma, managed care on tag drag, and free ranging animals on entanglement drag. -Sam Ridgway/Cynthia Smith: Title: The Navy's fastest divers and what they can teach us. Synopsis: Norris award winner Sam Ridgeway and Cynthia Smith will highlight the research achievements of the storied U.S. Navy marine mammal program and what we have learned from animals under human care. -Vincent Janik Title: How does zoo research support conservation efforts in the wild? Synopsis: Zoos play an important role in research to assess the impact of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on populations, since experimental approaches are often more powerful than observational studies in the wild. For example, studies on temporary hearing threshold shifts are only possible when animal hearing can be measured repeatedly before and after noise exposure. Furthermore, baseline hearing thresholds of marine mammals are needed as key information to assess the effects of noise on different species. Almost all published hearing curves of marine mammals come from studies in captive facilities. To assess the effects of noise on hearing curves in wild harbour seals, we recently used auditory evoked potential methods to compare hearing in wild seals with a noise exposure history to those of seals in zoos that were not exposed to noise. Zoos also provide important opportunities to develop and test new methods to study marine mammals in the wild. Studies at Zoo Duisburg allowed us to test the passive acoustic localization abilities of DTAGs on their bottlenose dolphins before we used them on wild animals to monitor acoustic activity over time. This provided cue rates that are key for assessing animal abundance from acoustic monitoring equipment in the wild. Similarly, work on bottlenose dolphins in zoos allowed us to develop a novel method to recognise signature whistles. This identification method allows us now to explore mark-recapture studies on wild populations where visual surveys are not possible or too cost intensive. Our work on the startle reflex in marine mammals has also used animals in human care to establish startle thresholds in seals and delphinids. Together with hearing thresholds, startle thresholds determine how animals react to impulse sound as is common in sonar use and during pile driving. These examples highlight the role of zoos in conservation efforts and highlight the importance of experimental work to implement successful conservation measures in the wild. -Peter Tyack Title: Synergy between studies of vocal learning in wild and managed populations of marine mammals. Synopsis: Some of the first evidence for vocal learning in marine mammals came from Payne, Tyack and Payne (1983), who showed that humpback whales within a population sing very similar songs at any one time, but that the song changes progressively from month to month and year to year. This pattern of change was hard to explain by any mechanism other than whales copying one another, including copying changes to the song, but this evidence from wild animals was less direct than the classical test where an animal learns a new human-generated signal that was not part of its pre-exposure repertoire. The first direct evidence that marine mammals can modify their vocalizations based upon auditory input came from animals that were taken care of by humans. Ralls et al. (1985) reported that a harbor seal raised by humans imitated phrases from human speech. Richards et al. (1984) studied dolphins in a research lab and showed that they could imitate computer-generated whistle sounds and could use these learned vocalizations to label arbitrary objects such as balls, pipes, and Frisbees. Soon after this demonstration of mimicry of artificial signals, Tyack (1986) demonstrated that a pair of dolphins that shared a pool could imitate one another’s individually distinctive signature whistles. Signature whistles were initially described for dolphins maintained in pools where one could identify each individual’s vocalization. Working with wild dolphins temporarily restrained in a net corral, Sayigh et al. (1990) were able to demonstrate that wild dolphins also have signature whistles that are stable for decades. Mother-offspring comparisons suggested that whistles might be learned, but comparison of whistles of wild dolphins to those born in aquaria where they heard the trainer’s whistle was what demonstrated that young dolphins incorporate elements of sounds they hear into their signature whistles (Miksis et al. 2002). This history of research on vocal learning in marine mammals demonstrates the importance of controlled settings for some critical experiments and for the ability to discover new patterns. Once discovered in controlled settings, the patterns could be found in the wild, with comparisons between the two settings improving our understanding of vocal development and vocal learning. -Terrie Williams Title: Creating a Conservation Toolbox for Winning the Race Against Marine Mammal Extinctions Summary: Today, scientists are in a desperate race against animal extinctions. More than half of the world’s most iconic wild mammals either extinct, going extinct or so poorly studied that the level of population risk cannot even be determined (www.iucnredlist.org/<http://www.iucnredlist.org/>). More than 73% of cetacean species fall into the latter category, with the real prospect of disappearing before we even know what we have lost. Human-driven habitat destruction resulting from climate change, our development, pollution, and the degradation of critical resources is the reason behind these losses. However, our limited understanding of both the environmental demands required for survival by most species of marine mammals, and of our impacts on those demands is hindering timely conservation efforts. A new model for rapidly conducting conservation science is needed if we hope to preserve marine mammals. This will require the integration of science at all levels from model species in zoos and aquariums to work with wild counterparts, an approach that was effective during the rescue of sea otters following the Exxon Valdez oil spill and during assessments of anthropogenic noise on deep-diving whales. In addition, a new level of informed public engagement and governments willing to uphold and protect its support for marine conservation innovation is needed. For it is through these partnerships and the toolbox of methods that they create that the science of saving species will be most effective. -Paul Ponganis: Title: Medical technology to study marine mammal diving physiology Summary: Application of advanced medical technology (i.e., functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), computerized tomography (CT)) for physiological and anatomical investigations of marine mammals are only feasible with captive or trained animals. Similar arguments apply to the development and calibration of techniques for physiological investigations on animals at sea. Examples include a) NMR spectroscopy to evaluate myoglobin desaturation during sleep apnea and the biophysics of myoglobin in intracellular oxygen transport, b) fMRI measurements of blood flow and cardiac function, c) PET investigations of brain blood flow and glucose uptake, d)3-dimensional anatomical reconstructions from CT scans, and e) development of arterial and venous catheterization techniques. -Gerry Kooyman Title: Tales from the past about “bends”, lung function and HPNS Summary: Forty-five years ago the first measurements of blood nitrogen from wild northern elephant seals at Guadalupe Island were reported. Then there was a gap of nearly 20 years before any new physiological information trickled in about life at extreme high pressure for marine mammals. Revision of anatomical models evolved because of pulmonary function tests obtained from trained animals, which offer alternative explanations of lung structure. The advancement of behavioral ecology studies show a need for and lack of hypotheses regarding high pressure nervous syndrome. Life under extreme pressure remains a mystery Look forward to seeing you in Halifax! Jason N. Bruck, Ph. D. Teaching Assistant Professor Curatorial Associate: Collection of Vertebrates Oklahoma State University Department of Integrative Biology Ph: +1 (405) 744 5882 E-mail: jbruck(a)okstate.edu<mailto:jbruck@okstate.edu> Office: 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater OK, 74074. Room 514D Editorial Board Member Journal of Animal Behavior and Cognition<http://animalbehaviorandcognition.org/index.php> Consider submitting your next manuscript to ABC

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Study Abroad In Bimini, The Bahamas
by Deirdre Yeater 02 Oct '17

02 Oct '17

Hello! Enjoy a hands-on learning course, examining the behavioral and social ecology of Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. You will also learn about ecotourism and human impacts on the marine environment. Receive 3 credits; visiting students welcome! Sacred Heart University and Dolphin Communication Project are offering a study abroad course for Biology or Psychology course credits this summer 2018. The course will be in offered in The Bahamas on 18 May – 24 May, with an online learning component before and after the travel abroad. Check out the website and apply for Bahamas Program here: http://studyabroad.sacredheart.edu/ Applications and deposits are due by 15 December 2017! Cheers! Deirdre Yeater yeaterd(a)sacredheart.edu -- Deirdre Yeater, PhD Associate Professor Sacred Heart University Department of Psychology

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