December 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

River dolphin internships in the Brazilian Amazon
by Tony 08 Oct '19

08 Oct '19

RIVER DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN BRAZIL STARTING SOON Once again, Projeto Boto is recruiting for 9-month internships in the Mamirauá Reserve, Amazon State, Brazil. We require fit, enthusiastic, hard-working fieldworkers who will carry forward our long-term study of botos (Amazon river dolphins). Due to close involvement with local communities, interns are required to have at least moderate Portuguese language skills, or to speak excellent Spanish, in addition to English. There can be no exceptions. In previous years we have received many applications from people who do not fulfil these language criteria, and this is counter-productive. Please only apply if you have the necessary skills. Projeto boto was established in 1994. To date it has hosted more than 60 interns of many different nationalities. The Project's objective is to conserve the boto, and the sympatric tucuxi, through research leading to greater understanding of the biology and ecology of these dolphins. In recent years we have also spent considerable time investigating the impacts of fisheries on these species, and especially a harpoon hunt, in which thousands of botos are killed each year for fish bait. We are seeking two people to commence work as soon as possible, and we would also like to hear from people available in mid-late 2016. Our work is centred on a floating lab/accommodation base, moored in the flooded forest. The research team comprises 3-5 people, who maintain daily observational boat-based research effort year-round. The basis of the work is the piecing together of the lives of over 600 individually recognisable dolphins, to provide publishable information on such diverse topics as growth, reproduction, habitat use, social system, seasonal movements, survival rates, causes of mortality etc. Interns are provided with free accommodation and food, and receive a small monthly stipend (approx $150 US). Transportation to the fieldsite (near the town of Tefé, Amazonas) from Manaus is provided, but interns must arrange and pay for their own transportation to Manaus. They must also have adequate medical insurance. Please do not apply unless you know that you can obtain the airfare to reach Manaus. All necessary training is provided on site. Internships offer the opportunity of a lifetime. They reward hard work and dedication with unique experiences and a chance to stand out from the crowd in subsequent applications for higher degrees and employment. Successful applicants will: be aged 21-35 speak at least moderate Portuguese or fluent Spanish, in addition to English be available for 9-12 months have completed a university degree, preferably in zoology or biology preferably have some fieldwork experience, especially in the use of photo-ID Applicants should please provide: Full CV, complete with age, nationality, linguistic skills, educational and fieldwork experience A letter explaining why you are prepared to dedicate 9 months of your life to this study. The names and email addresses of 3 referees who are familiar with you and your work. The date on which you would be available to start work in the Amazon. Send this information by email to both of the Project co-ordinators, Prof. Tony Martin (boto(a)live.co.uk) and Dr Vera da Silva (vmfdasilva(a)gmail.com) Closing date is 24 November 2015. Applications fulfilling the above criteria will be acknowledged within 4 days of the closing date, but there will be no further communication unless the applicant is short-listed. Short-listed applicants will be notified by 30 November latest.

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New publication: From the pool to the sea: Applicable isotope turnover rates and diet to skin discrimination factors for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
by Joan Giménez Verdugo 01 Mar '19

01 Mar '19

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology": Giménez, J., Ramírez, F., Almunia, J., Forero, M. G., de Stephanis, R. (2016) From the pool to the sea: Applicable isotope turnover rates and diet to skin discrimination factors for bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 475:54-61. *Abstract:*One of the most common applications in isotopic ecology is the assessment of animal's assimilated diet through mass-balance mixing models. Its applicability relies on the use of accurate diet to tissue discrimination factors and turnover rates, which are known to vary as a function of several factors including taxon or tissue type. To date, few studies have assessed isotopic discrimination factors and turnover rates in cetacean species under controlled conditions. Previous experimental studies focused on blood, a difficult sample to obtain in the wild, or on a more appropriate tissue, the skin, but assessed in short experimental trials without arriving to the isotopic equilibrium. We carried out the longest controlled feeding experiment available (350 days) in bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) in order to assess discrimination factors and turnover rates in skin. Animals' isotopic composition was first stabilized by maintaining individuals under an isotopically constant diet during 172 days. Afterwards, diet was shifted and maintained during 178 days to calculate isotopic discrimination and turnover rates. Estimates for isotopic discrimination factors were 1.01 ± 0.37‰ (mean ± sd) for *δ*13C and 1.57 ± 0.52‰ for *δ*15N. Half-life turnover rates were estimated to be 24.16 ± 8.19 days for carbon and 47.63 ± 19 days for nitrogen. This is the first time that applicable values are available to assess the diet of free ranging small cetaceans through stable isotope mixing model analysis. You can download the paper in: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098115300514 or visit my ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Gimenez2) Kind Regards, Joan Giménez -- *Joan Giménez Verdugo* *PhD Student* *Severo Ochoa* Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) Department of Conservation Biology Americo Vespucio Ave, s/n 41092 Sevilla (Spain) www.ebd.csic.es --- Research Gate: Joan Giménez <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Gimenez2> Phone: +34 619 176 849 ü Please consider the environment before printing this E-mail

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Volunteer Research Assistants/Interns - Summer 2017 Florida, USA and Bimini, The Bahamas
by Kelly Melillo Sweeting 25 Feb '19

25 Feb '19

Dolphin Communication Project (DCP) - Volunteer Research Assistants/Interns - Summer 2017 Florida, USA and Bimini, The Bahamas The Dolphin Communication Project (DCP, www.dolphincommunicationproject.org) is currently seeking two interns for the summer of 2017. These internships have field and office components, both of which are mandatory, and total 9-12 weeks, depending on DCP's schedule. DCP looks at how dolphins communicate and attempts to shed more light on the meaning of their interactions. With research ongoing since 1991, our questions focus primarily on communication and behavior among dolphins. Interns will spend the field portion of this internship at our Bimini, Bahamas, research site, where we study wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. An abbreviated publication list is available at the end of this post. Responsibilities In the field: --Travel to and assist for approximately 6 weeks at our Bimini research site (exact dates TBD, likely beginning in late, following the office component) --Assist gathering data (general observations, photographs) during 4-6 hour/day boat excursions (weather and schedule dependent) --Complete photo-identification of dolphins from still photography and video as well as other data entry and analysis tasks --Assist with on-board and outreach education as well as web-based projects --Represent DCP in an enthusiastic, responsible, mature and respectful manner At the office: --Travel to and assist for 4-5 weeks at our Port Saint Lucie, Florida (FL) office (exact dates TBD, likely prior to field component, beginning in late May) --Process and analyze data, including, but not limited to: photo-identification of individuals from other DCP research sites, event sampling from video data for behavioral analyses, and acoustic analysis of dolphin sounds --Assist in the development and implementation of education programs for schools and the general public, as needed Requirements Successful interns must have basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Current enrollment in a degree-seeking program, background in science and/or animal behavior and experience on boats and/or with photo-identification are all desired, but not necessarily required. The successful candidates will be comfortable on a boat for several hours at a time in varying conditions, including extreme heat. They will also be proficient swimmers with the desire to improve snorkeling and free-diving skills. They will be able to work as a team both in a small office and in a fairly remote and isolated field setting. Good writing and public speaking skills are a must, as is attention to details. Interns must be at least 18 years of age. Although international applicants are invited to apply, all applicants should know that interns are responsible for their own daily transportation to/from the FL office and public transportation is limited in this area; therefore, all interns should have their own transportation while in FL. Expenses and Compensation This is an unpaid internship. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to Bimini and Florida. There is a $1,100.00 fee that will cover housing in the field (on-island transportation not needed). Room, board and transportation while in Florida are the responsibility of the intern. Although assistance in finding housing may be available, the ability to find suitable housing in Florida is ultimately the interns’ responsibility. We recommend all applicants complete a preliminary housing search in advance of submitting their applications. Interested applicants should review information at this link: http://dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.php/get-involved/internships. Please read this page thoroughly before applying or emailing questions . Send a completed application (downloadable and detailed at the link above) to kelly(a)dcpmail.org. Applications are due 28 February 2017. Due to field schedules, only electronic applications will be accepted. Interviews (via telephone or Skype) will be arranged for selected candidates in early March. For more information, please contact Kelly Melillo Sweeting at kelly(a)dcpmail.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Selected Refereed Publications: (for a full list of publications by DCP researchers, please visit: http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.php/about-dolphins/scienti…) Dudzinski, K.M., Clark, C.W., Würsig, B. 1995. A mobile video/acoustic system for simultaneously recording dolphin behavior and vocalizations underwater. Aquatic Mammals 21(3): 187-193. Dudzinski, K.M. 1998. Contact behavior and signal exchange among Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Aquatic Mammals 24(3): 129-142. Dudzinski, K.M., M. Sakai, M., Masaki, K., Kogi, K., Hishii, T., Kurimoto, M. 2003. Behavioral observations of adult and sub-adult dolphins towards two dead bottlenose dolphins (one female and one male). Aquatic Mammals 29(1): 108-116. Gregg, J.D., Dudzinski, K.M., Smith, H.V. 2007. Do dolphins eavesdrop on the echolocation signals of conspecifics? International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 20: 65-88 Dudzinski, K.M., Thomas, J. Gregg, J.D. 2008. Communication. In (W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig, H.C.M. Thewissen, eds) Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, second edition. Academic Press, Inc. Melillo, K.E., Dudzinski, K.M., Cornick, L.A. 2009. Interactions between Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) dolphins off Bimini, The Bahamas, 2003-2007. Aquatic Mammals, 35:281-291 Dudzinski, K.M., Gregg, J.D., Paulos, R.D., Kuczaj, S.A. 2010. A comparison of pectoral fin contact behaviour for three distinct dolphin populations. Behavioural Processes, 84: 559-567. Greene, W., Melillo-Sweeting, K., Dudzinski, K. 2011. Comparing object play in captive and wild dolphins. International Journal of Comparative Psychology 24(3):292-306. Dudzinski, KM, Gregg, JD, Melillo-Sweeting, K, Levengood, A, Seay, B., Kuczaj II, SA. 2012. Tactile contact exchanges between dolphins: self-rubbing versus inter-individual contact in three species from three geographies. International Journal of Comparative Psychology 25:21-43. Dudzinski, KM, Danaher-Garcia, N, Gregg, JD. 2013. Pectoral fin contact between dolphin dyads at Zoo Duisburg, with comparison to other dolphin study populations. Aquatic Mammals. 39(4): 335-343. Melillo-Sweeting, K, Turnbull, S and Guttridge, T. 2014. Evidence of shark attacks on Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Bimini, The Bahamas. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12082 Melillo-Sweeting, K., Yeater, D., Dudzinski, KM. 2015. Dolphin sightings near the coast of Bimini, The Bahamas, 2003 – 2013. Aquatic Mammals 41.3: 245-251. DOI: 10.1578/AM.41.3.2015.245. _______________________________ Kelly Melillo Sweeting Bimini Research Manager Dolphin Communication Project www.dolphincommunicationproject.org

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Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life 2019 conference announcement
by Christine Erbe 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the Fifth International Conference on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life (AN2019), which will take place during the week of 7-12 July, 2019, in Den Haag, The Netherlands. The conference will follow from, and build upon, the earlier meetings, the most recent of which took place in Dublin in 2016. We are very excited about the location and the venue. The meeting will be held at the Grand Hotel Kurhaus of Scheveningen, a building dating back to 1884. The hotel presents itself with grandeur and flair. It is right at the sea with a wonderful beach. The boardwalk features numerous restaurants and cafes. The venue is easily reached from Amsterdam. It provides exceptional accommodation, meeting rooms, and places for informal discussions. At this point we are in the early planning stages and it will be very helpful for us to have some sense of interest in the meeting from potential participants. Therefore, we have set up a short online survey to get your thoughts on the meeting and to keep a list of interested participants so that we can keep you informed of major progress in planning. In addition, please share the link with others who might be interested in attending the meeting: https://goo.gl/xY6BKr <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rNKaBXU9D2o6Uz?domain=goo.gl> We have also begun to develop the conference website: http://www.an-2019.org <http://www.an-2019.org/> Please visit the web site regularly so you will be aware of important information about the meeting. Also, both Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AquaticNoise2019/ <https://www.facebook.com/AquaticNoise2019/>) and Twitter (@AquaticNoise) have been set up, so please follow us for updates. Over the coming months, we will set up our Technical Advisory Board, raise funds, and develop a tentative program. We will be announcing calls for papers as well as how to sign up to attend the meeting and make hotel reservations. We are hoping to have sufficient funding to provide some support to students and younger colleagues, and so if anyone knows of (or controls) funding opportunities please contact Christine Erbe or Joe Sisneros. Stay tuned and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to another outstanding meeting on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life in July, 2019. And, of course, if you have any questions and/or suggestions about AN2019, please contact any of the organizers. Christine Erbe, c.erbe(a)curtin.edu.au Tony Hawkins, a.hawkins(a)btconnect.com Paul Lepper, P.A.Lepper(a)lboro.ac.uk Art Popper, apopper(a)umd.edu Joe Sisneros, sisneros(a)uw.edu Frank Thomsen, frth(a)dhigroup.com

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New paper on man-made disturbances in cetaceans
by Andreas 17 Jan '18

17 Jan '18

Dear All, We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published which may be of interest to people interested in the effect of man-made disturbances on marine mammals (cetaceans). This is a different initiative of the journal Frontiers, a European open access journal which is growing rapidly. The paper is a review/revision of some work we have done in an attempt to define risk of gas emboli and decompression sickness in large whales exposed to sound. It is written for a younger audience and something we wanted to share. Fahlman, A., Tyack, P. L., Miller, P. J. M. and Kvadsheim, P. H. (2017). Human Disturbances Might Cause Dangerous Gas Bubbles to Form in Deep-Diving Whales. Frontiers Young Minds 5, 62. DOI:10.3389/frym.2017.00062 URL: https://kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2017.00062 Abstract: Over millions of years, whales have evolved for diving in the ocean to obtain food while holding their breath. Because whales are air-breathing mammals, they eventually have to return to the ocean surface to get more oxygen. However, the air in the lungs also contains nitrogen, a gas that is taken up but not used by the body. As the whale dives deeper, the pressure from the water increases and more nitrogen is taken up by blood circulating from the lungs to other tissues. When the whale returns to the surface and the water pressure decreases, the nitrogen gas is returned to the lungs. If the whale spends too much time in the zone where nitrogen is taken up at elevated pressure, bubbles may form when the whale returns to the surface; similar to what happens when you open a soda bottle. The bubbles can cause many different problems inside the whale’s body and even cause death. Whales normally do not experience problems caused by bubbles. In recent years, scientists have discovered that when humans disturb whales, their dive behavior or their bodily functions may change in ways that increase the risk of formation of bubbles that could cause problems and death. A better understanding of whale behavior and how the nitrogen bubbles form may help scientist develop tools that can prevent these problems in whales. Please email me if you would like a PDF copy of the paper or if you have any questions regarding the work. Best regards, Andreas

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New paper: estimation of grey seal predation mortality on cod, haddock and whiting in the West of Scotland
by Vanessa Trijoulet - NOAA Affiliate 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the online publication of the following paper: Trijoulet, V., Holmes, S. J., and Cook, R. M. 2018. Grey seal predation mortality on three depleted stocks in the West of Scotland: What are the implications for stock assessments? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2016-0521. The paper is available at: http://www.nrcresearchpress. com/doi/full/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0521 <http://el.nrcresearchpress.com/wf/click?upn=dP8dcZ0aLvymtkMq0Fq2-2BcuLXxICr…> . *Abstract*: The decrease in groundfish stocks in the North Atlantic since the mid-1900s coupled with increases in grey seal (*Halichoerus grypus*) populations is responsible for an enduring controversy between fishers and conservationists regarding the role seals have played in stock declines. We used a Bayesian state-space model to investigate stock trends in the presence of grey seals and associated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) reference points in the West of Scotland. This study provides new estimates of seal predation mortality on haddock (*Melanogrammus aeglefinus*) and whiting (*Merlangius merlangus*) and updates the estimates for cod (*Gadus morhua*), which together form the traditional main components of the mixed demersal fishery in this area. Grey seal predation mortality is greatest on cod, resulting in estimates of total natural mortality higher than those used in the current ICES assessments. Seal predation mortality is low for haddock and whiting. Considering seal predation in stock assessments changes the scale of biomass and fishing mortality estimates for the three stocks. The estimates of F0.1 and FMSY are sensitive to seal predation for cod and whiting but not for haddock. In all cases, MSY decreases with increased seal predation. Best regards, Vanessa Trijoulet ------------------------------ Vanessa Trijoulet, PhD. Postdoctoral Fisheries Biologist Contractor with Integrated Statistics in support of NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center U.S. Department of Commerce *Population Dynamics Branch* *166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA* *Office*: +1 508-495-2018 *Fax*: +1 508-495-2335 *Email*: *vanessa.trijoulet*(a)noaa.gov <vanessa.trijoulet(a)noaa.gov> *Website*: https://vanessatrijoulet.wordpress.com <http://vanessatrijoulet.wordpress.com/> www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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John Reynolds
by Robert Suydam 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Dear Friends and Colleagues of John Reynolds, It is with great sadness that we are sending this message. John Elliot Reynolds, III passed away on 23 December 2017 after many years battling cancer. John contributed to the science and conservation of marine mammals in many ways. Among other positions and roles, he chaired the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission from 1991 to 2010 and was President-elect and President of the Society of Marine Mammalogy from 2004 to 2008. He was a Professor of Marine Science at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida from 1980-2001. Since 2001, John was a Senior Scientist and Program Manager at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. He won many awards for teaching, conservation, and science. He also published over 300 books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed and popular articles. John was a friend, mentor, and collaborator of many. He was always a champion of using knowledge, whether science or traditional knowledge, for informing decisions about the conservation of marine mammals. His strength, passion, and extraordinary optimism are an inspiration to all who knew John. We will miss him greatly. We plan to set up a scholarship in John’s name to support a student in marine policy for the conservation of marine mammals. We’ll provide more information about this effort as it becomes available. Please remember John’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Robert Suydam (North Slope Borough) and Dana Wetzel (Mote Marine Lab)

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New publication on Diving Behavior of Sei Whales Relative to the Vertical Distribution of Their Potential Prey
by Yoko Mitani 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Dear MARMAM, On behalf of the first author, I would like to announce a new publication. Ishii, M., Murase, H., Fukuda, Y., Sawada, K., Sasakura, T., Tamura, T., BANDO, T., Matsuoka, K., Shinohara, A., Nakatsuka, S., Katsumata, N., Okazaki, M., MIYASHITA, K., Mitani, Y., 2017. Diving Behavior of Sei Whales Balaenoptera borealis Relative to the Vertical Distribution of Their Potential Prey. Mammal Study 42(4), 1–9. doi:10.3106/041.042.0403 Abstract. In this study, we investigated the diving behavior of sei whales relative to the vertical distribution of their potential prey in the western North Pacific during the summer of 2013. Acoustic time-depth transmitters were attached to two sei whales for 10.2 and 32.0 h, respectively. The vertical distribution and density (expressed as the volume backscattering strength, SV) of their potential prey were recorded by an echosounder. Diving behavior was classified into two shapes: U-shaped and V-shaped. For both individuals, U-shaped diving was associated with higher SV values than V-shaped diving and the frequency of U-shaped diving increased from late afternoon until sunset. During the daytime, dense scattering layers (presumably zooplankton) were distributed at approximately 40 m and they then migrated toward the surface around sunset. The diving depth of the whales followed the diel migration of the scattering layers and the diving was concentrated in these layers when the density became high. The results of this study indicate that sei whales change their diving depth and shapes in response to the diel vertical migration of their potential prey. http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.3106/041.042.0403 To request a pdf copy please email Midori Ishii at: midoriishii0527(a)gmail.com All the best, Yoko -- 三谷曜子　Yoko Mitani 北海道大学北方生物圏フィールド科学センター水圏ステーション函館臨海実験所生態系変動解析分野〒040-0051 北海道函館市弁天町20番5号函館市国際水産・海洋総合研究センター内219号室 Tel: 0138-85-6558; Fax: 0138-85-6625 Email: yo_mitani(a)fsc.hokudai.ac.jp Yoko MITANI Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Change Analysis Hakodate Marine Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University Hakodate Research Center for Fisheries and Oceans 20-5 Benten-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0051, JAPAN TEL: +81-138-85-6558; FAX: +81-138-85-6625 E-mail: yo_mitani(a)fsc.hokudai.ac.jp

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New publication - Whale distribution in a breeding area (humpback whales)
by Guilherme Augusto Bortolotto 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Dear MARMAM colleagues, The following article was just published in MEPS: Bortolotto GA, Danilewicz D, Hammond PS, Thomas L, Zerbini AN (2017) *Whale distribution in a breeding area: spatial models of habitat use and abundance of western South Atlantic humpback whales*. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 585:213-227. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12393 The western South Atlantic humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae population was severely depleted by commercial whaling in the late 19th and 20th centuries, and today inhabits a human-impacted environment in its wintering grounds off the Brazilian coast. We identified distribution patterns related to environmental features and provide new estimates of population size, which can inform future management actions. We fitted spatial models to line transect data from 2 research cruises conducted in 2008 and 2012 to investigate (1) habitat use and (2) abundance of humpback whales wintering on the Brazilian continental shelf. Potential explanatory variables were year, depth, seabed slope, sea-surface temperature (SST), northing and easting, current speed, wind speed, distance to the coastline and to the continental shelf break, and shelter (a combination of wind speed and SST categories). Whale density was higher in slower currents, at shorter distances to both the coastline and shelf break, and at SSTs between 24 and 25°C. The distribution of whales was also strongly related to shelter. For abundance estimation, easting and northing were included in the model instead of SST; estimates were 14264 whales (CV = 0.084) for 2008 and 20389 (CV = 0.071) for 2012. Environmental variables explained well the variation in whale density; higher density was found to the south of the Abrolhos Archipelago, and shelter seems to be important for these animals in their breeding area. Estimated distribution patterns presented here can be used to mitigate potential human-related impacts, such as supporting protection in the population’s core habitat near the Abrolhos Archipelago. *Article access options:* 1) Please send pdf requests to bortolotto.ga(a)gmail.com (*preferred option!*) 2) Alternatively, a pre-print can be downloaded here: https://goo.gl/gqdmCR 3) MEPS subscribers can access the pdf in this link: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12393 I'm happy to discuss this work, so please get in touch if you're interested. Have a great end of 2017 - beginning of 2018, Gui -- *Guilherme A. Bortolotto | *PhD Student SMRU • CREEM • School of Biology University of St Andrews *http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo <http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo>* Mobile UK: (44) 0 7884 398394 R3 Animal Association (http://en.r3animal.org/)

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National Marine Life Center's Marine Animal Rehabilitation & Environmental Education Internship Opportunity
by Katherine McKenna 26 Dec '17

26 Dec '17

National Marine Life Center's Marine Animal Rehabilitation & Environmental Education Internship The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation. Animal Care Responsibilities- Depending on need and case load, interns will assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles. Animal care duties will include animal restraint, cleaning, disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices, food preparation, administering feeds including tube feeding, data entry, maintenance and water quality testing. Interns may also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, necropsies and release events. Education Responsibilities- Interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, fairs, and festivals. Interns will assist in giving public presentations to guests of NMLC and educate them on marine animals and conservation. Interns will assist in the gift shop, with various office projects, event promotions and fundraising events. Other Responsibilities- At the end of the internship, the intern will present to the staff, volunteers, and other interested parties an overview of their time spent at NMLC. Each intern will also be assigned a weekly chore to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment, and will be required to attend regularly scheduled intern meetings. Positions are unpaid, interns must have their own transportation, and housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer housing and job suggestions. Qualifications: * The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. * Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields. * Intern should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. * Students that are adaptable, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply. * Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. * Summer interns should be available to work from May 22nd, 2018 to August 21st, 2018 however start and end dates can be flexible. * Interns should expect to work up to 40 hours per week but not less than 30 hours, which will include early morning and/or late night seal pup feedings. * If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. To Apply- Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Katherine McKenna at apply(a)nmlc.org or PO Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532. Applications must be received by February 20th for the summer semester. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling bases until the deadline. For more information visit our website at http://nmlc.org/about/staff/job-opportunities/ Katherine McKenna Animal Care and Necropsy Technician National Marine Life Center P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269 office <tel:%28508%29%20743-9888%20X307> (508) 743-9888 X307 cell <tel:%28214%29%20226-9634> (214) 226-9634 fax <tel:%28508%29%20759-5477> (508) 759-5477 <http://www.nmlc.org> www.nmlc.org <mailto:kmckenna@nmlc.org> kmckenna(a)nmlc.org Office Hours: Sunday - Thursday --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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