March 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Acoustic Monitoring (PODs) training workshop
by Chelonia Limited 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Acoustic Monitoring (PODs) training workshop We are writing to invite interested parties to a training workshop covering the use of Chelonia PODs, static acoustic monitoring instruments. We are holding a workshop on May 18th, 19th and the morning of 20th (optional) in Cornwall, south-west England and invite you to join us. The workshop is suitable for users, present or potential, of the C-POD or the new C-POD-F instrument. It will cover: - Some theory: how cetaceans can be detected and how the C-POD works. - Practical: operating the C-POD and C-POD-F. - Data interpretation and analysis: this is the main content, and you will be able to assess the validity of your data. - Project design: what question are you trying to answer? What do you need to achieve your aims? - Data export and advanced data analysis. - User-defined topics: the last morning will be reserved for these topics. About half the time you will be working on data on your own computer, either singly or in pairs. The workshop offers a chance to meet others working on similar issues. The cost for attending the workshop is GBP 200 (Euros 234) - plus VAT where applicable - half price for students in full time education. 25% of the fee will be used to provide acoustic equipment at cost to 'RASI', a conservation group in Borneo working on, among other things, the Irrawaddy Dolphins of the Mahakam River. If you would like to attend, or require more information, please contact us at: team(a)chelonia.co.uk. Nick Tregenza

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Conspicuous solitary dolphin in Baltic, Celtic and North Sea
by Boris Culik 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Dear all, Please share the following lines with your friends around the Irish, North and Baltic Seas, thank you. *Do you have news about dolphin Fiete or information about other cases of conspicuous dolphins?* In early February 2017, an unusual bottlenose dolphin visited Saint-Malo (Brittany, France). He was very friendly with divers and boats and fearlesslywent in and out of basins of the harbor through the locks. He disappeared around February 17 and we haven't had any news about him since. The same dolphin was previously observed in August 2016 in the Baltic Sea off Fredericia, Denmark, and in Kiel Fjord, Germany between August and December 2016, as established through meticulous comparison of scars and other skin features. In Kiel, the dolphin was named Fiete. He swam with people, repeatedly passed the double locks into Kiel Canal and was fearless of small and large ships and ship traffic. He went as far as 40 km up the canal, to Rendsburg, before returning to the Baltic Sea via the locks. This unusual behaviourmade him conspicuous and led us to compare photographs between Kiel and St. Malo. Fiete is a male, about 3.50 m long, it has a well marked “mask “, with 5 tooth scars in front of his left eye, a 3 cm scar on the throat below the left eye, 2 notches on the right part of his caudal fin and a few marks on his dorsal fin. Fiete was seen last time in Kiel December 8 and appeared in Saint Malo February 4th. So he did a 2,000 km journey in 2 months !More: http://www.al-lark.org/2017/03/fiete-a-great-traveler-dophin.html Thank you very much for your help in keeping track of Fiete, Kind regards, Morgane Perri, Al Lark, St Malo and Boris Culik, F3, Kiel contact(a)al-lark.org <mailto:contact@al-lark.org> bculik(a)fh3.de -- Neuer Webauftritt: www.fh3.de ___________________________________ Boris Culik Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. F³: Forschung . Fakten . Fantasie Am Reff 1 D- 24226 Heikendorf Tel.: +49 (0)431 2378 588 Fax.: +49 (0)431 2378 589 Mobil.: +49 172 750 4192 Email bculik(a)fh3.de Web.: www.fh3.de ___________________________________

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Online PSO/MMO training course from RPS Training offers CEUs
by PSO Training 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Online Protected Species Observer/Marine Mammal Observer training course from RPS Training now offers CEUs! The course is offered for $395 and consists of 12 graded lessons, a practical species identification quiz designed to simulate real in-field detection events, and a comprehensive final exam. The training program was created by instructors whom are accepted trainers by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), in collaboration with experienced PSOs, degreed biologists, educators, and industry professionals. Successful completion of the program results in a professional certification that distinguishes you as a PSO. RPS Training is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Please note that full attendance of an experience is required in order to be eligible to earn CEUs Participants who complete the training program will earn two CEUs. If you are looking to fulfill required environmental CEUs, this course is your answer! Enjoy expanding your knowledge of marine mammals and sea turtles, protected species regulations, marine environmental issues, and geological and geophysical regulations, all while earning CEUs! Register today at PSOeTraining.com<http://psoetraining.com/register.aspx>! RPS Group has been the leading provider for PSO services in the Gulf of Mexico for over a decade and we are proud to present this high-quality, convenient, and effective online certification program. Doctors, engineers, pilots, and other professionals complete certification and/or degree programs that are available online, and now PSOs join the ranks of those benefiting from online learning! Our intensive e-training program will engage and instruct you with informative videos, interactive quizzes, and stimulating content. The combination of a fun, interesting program and self-paced learning has been proven to facilitate learning and increase retention of the material-leading to better, more qualified PSOs! Learn more at PSOeTraining.com<http://psoetraining.com/coursedetail.aspx>! This e-mail message and any attached file is the property of the sender and is sent in confidence to the addressee only. Internet communications are not secure and RPS is not responsible for their abuse by third parties, any alteration or corruption in transmission or for any loss or damage caused by a virus or by other means. Any advice contained in this e-mail is for information purposes only. RPS Group Plc, company number: 208 7786 (England). Registered office: 20 Western Avenue Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SH. RPS Group Plc web link: <http://www.rpsgroup.com>

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New paper about Nontargeted Analysis of Halogenated Organic Compounds in Bottlenose Dolphins from Brazil
by Mariana Alonso 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Dear all, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Mariana B. Alonso, Keith A. Maruya, Nathan G. Dodder, José Lailson-Brito, Jr., Alexandre Azevedo, Elitieri Santos-Neto, Joao P. M. Torres, Olaf Malm and Eunha Hoh (2017) “*Nontargeted Screening of Halogenated Organic Compounds in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”* *Environ. Sci. Technol. 51, 1176−1185* DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04186 *Abstract:* To catalog the diversity and abundance of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) accumulating in high trophic marine species from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, tissue from bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) stranded or incidentally captured along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by a nontargeted approach based on GCxGC/TOFMS. A total of 158 individual HOCs from 32 different structural classes were detected in the blubber of 4 adult male* T. truncatus.* Nearly 90% of the detected compounds are not routinely monitored in the environment. DDT-related and mirex/dechlorane-related compounds were the most abundant classes of anthropogenic origin. Methoxy-brominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs) and chlorinated methyl- and dimethyl bipyrroles (MBPs and DMBPs) were the most abundant natural products. Reported for the first time in southwestern Atlantic cetaceans and in contrast to North American marine mammals, chlorinated MBPs and DMBPs were more abundant than their brominated and/or mixed halogenated counterparts. HOC profiles in coastal *T. truncatus* from Brazil and California revealed a distinct difference, with a higher abundance of MeO-BDEs, mirex/dechloranes and chlorinated bipyrroles in the Brazilian dolphins. Thirty-six percent of the detected HOCs had an unknown structure. These results suggest broad geographical differences in the patterns of bioaccumulative chemicals found in the marine environment and indicate the need to develop more complete catalogs of HOCs from various marine environments. The full text and pdf are available from: *http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.6b04186 <http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.6b04186>* The Supporting Information (Mass Spectral Library) is available free of charge: *http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.est.6b04186/suppl_file/es6b04186_si_002.pdf <http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.est.6b04186/suppl_file/es6b04186_…>* For any questions or pdf requests please email: Mariana Alonso: alonso.mb(a)gmail.com <skj3(a)st-andrews.ac.uk> Best regards, *Mariana Batha Alonso, PhD* Biophysics Institute Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil Aquatic Mammal and Bioindicator Laboratory Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), RJ, Brazil

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LAST OPPORTUNITY: STUDY FIN WHALES IN SPAIN (BARCELONA)
by Myriam Rius 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

*LAST OPPORTUNITY: STUDY FIN WHALES IN SPAIN (BARCELONA)* *--* >From February to June, an extraordinary phenomenon occurs along the coast near to Barcelona: the presence of fin whales that are observed very close to the coast while traveling and feeding. EDMAKTUB Association has been running the *Fin Whale Project* since 2013 with the double objective of increasing the knowledge regarding the presence of these whales and to encourage their preservation in the area*.* This involves a long-term period of study which will entail several years of research work. *DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE AS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN OUR STUDY ON FIN WHALES AROUND THE BARCELONA COAST? STILL FEW PLACES AVAILABLE.* >From March to June 2017 you can join our 7-days practical program, specially developed for newly graduated students in biology, oceanography, veterinary science or other areas related to the sea and cetaceans. Our program gives you the opportunity to gain field experience in cetacean study, and specifically on whales while participating during your seven day stay as part of our scientific team. For us, it means more support and help to continue researching fin whale for further knowledge. *Summary of main features*: • Duration:* 7 days* • Dates for the 2017 participation: *from the 4th of March to the 2nd of June* • Donation: *800€* (includes training, research material, accommodation and food) You will find all the details about the participation: information, dates, conditions and application form on EDMAKTUB website: http://www.edmaktub.org/en/rap/ -- Myriam Rius Marketing Asociación Edmaktub Móvil: (+34) 658 963 836 Mailto: mrius(a)edmaktub.org www.edmaktub.org

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Workshop application deadline extended to 31st March 2017 for World Whale Conference 2017
by Nikola Oliver 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) have extended the application deadline for receipt of workshop proposals for the World Whale Conference 2017. Applications may now be made until 31st March 2017. (Successful applicants will be informed by 14th April 2017.) Applications should be made online at: http://worldwhaleconference.org/programme/workshops/ Date: Sunday 25th June 2017 Event: World Whale Conference 2017 www.worldwhaleconference.org Venue: Protea Hotel Edward: Durban, South Africa Workshop proposals are open to all conference delegates addressing any subject relating to cetaceans. If space becomes limited, priority will be given to workshops focused on African cetaceans or of likely interest to African participants. It will be the responsibility of the workshop organiser to collect participant fees and pass them over to the Conference Organiser. It will also be the responsibility of the workshop organiser to provide receipts to attendees and create a list of attendees – copy to the Conference Organiser. Workshop fees: Full Day: South African Rand (ZAR) 500 per attendee Half Day: South African Rand (ZAR) 300 per attendee (Minimum number of attendees = 10) The fee includes use of venue, wireless HD projector, pointers/presenters, complimentary 500MB voucher per a delegate, conference stationery, 1 x flip chart with markers, refreshments on arrival/mid-morning/afternoon, bottled water, cordials, sweets and lunch (full day only). The workshop organiser may look for sponsors to cover these costs. Contact: admin(a)worldwhaleconference.org For more information please visit our website at: www.worldwhaleconference.org Nikki Oliver Events Coordinator World Cetacean Alliance T +44 (0)1273 355011 M +44 (0)7595 902489 E nikki(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org W worldcetaceanalliance.org W2 whaleheritagesites.org A Studio 3, Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a Partnership of over 70 non-profit organisations, whale and dolphin watching tour operators and individuals in 35 countries worldwide working collaboratively to protect cetaceans and their habitats. World Cetacean Alliance, the Secretariat to the Partnership, is a UK registered Charity no. 1160484. The content of this e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this communication in error, be aware that forwarding it, copying it, or in any way disclosing its content to any other person, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the author by replying to this e-mail immediately. Please consider the environment before printing this email or its attachments.

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Variability in sea ice cover and climate elicit sex specific responses in an Antarctic predator
by Sara Labrousse 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to bring to your attention the following publication : Sara Labrousse, Jean-Baptiste Sallée, Alexander D. Fraser, Rob A. Massom, Phillip Reid, William Hobbs, Christophe Guinet, Robert Harcourt, Clive McMahon, Matthieu Authier, Frédéric Bailleul, Mark A. Hindell & Jean-Benoit Charrassin. V*ariability in sea ice cover and climate elicit sex specific responses in an Antarctic predator*. *Sci. Rep. 7*, 43236; *doi: 10.1038/srep43236* (2017). Abstract Contrasting regional changes in Southern Ocean sea ice have occurred over the last 30 years with distinct regional effects on ecosystem structure and function. Quantifying how Antarctic predators respond to such changes provides the context for predicting how climate variability/change will affect these assemblages into the future. Over an 11-year time-series, we examine how inter-annual variability in sea ice concentration and advance affect the foraging behaviour of a top Antarctic predator, the southern elephant seal. Females foraged longer in pack ice in years with greatest sea ice concentration and earliest sea ice advance, while males foraged longer in polynyas in years of lowest sea ice concentration. There was a positive relationship between near-surface meridional wind anomalies and female foraging effort, but not for males. This study reveals the complexities of foraging responses to climate forcing by a poleward migratory predator through varying sea ice property and dynamic anomalies. A PDF may be obtained from http://www.nature.com/articles/srep43236 Best regards, -- Sara Labrousse, Dr. UPMC - LOCEAN 4 place Jussieu Boite 100 - 45-55 4ème étage 75252 Paris cedex 05

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MARINE MAMMAL PLACEMENT IN THE SOUTH ADRIATIC SEA
by aylin akkaya 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

Spring and Summer Marine Mammal Placement in the Southern Adriatic SeaWe are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for a marine mammal placement under the Marine Mammals Research Association and National History of Montenegro in Montenegro for spring and summer 2017. Montenegro Dolphin Project is the first year round study and aim to address the questions on cetacean abundance, distribution and behaviour through boat and land surveys. The project provides an excellent opportunity for post-grads, students and individuals interested in getting more experience and knowledge in the field of marine mammal research, with courses on ArcGIS, theodolite operation, DISCOVERY and behavioural sampling. VOLUNTEERS are primarily responsible for behavioural data collection, theodolite operation, photographing cetacean individuals and cataloging dolphin pictures, data entry. Training will be provided beforehand. The land surveys will be min of twice a week and boat surveys will be once a week, depending on the weather. There will be an opportunity to undertake a personal research project and write a publication supervised by the project director. REQUIREMENTS Knowledge on marine mammal species is advantage. Practical experience of photo-identification (both photography and matching) and theodolite operation is desirable. The applicant must be fluent in English, proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Volunteers must be self-motivated, with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly, and with a true interest in marine conservation. The minimum duration of the placements is normally 2 complete months. We may make exceptions for potential participants to apply for a shorter placement. PROJECT FEE This position is unpaid and requires a contribution fee of 550 euro per month, which covers the accommodation, equipment, training and working expenses for the participants. Participants should cover their own travel expenses to Montenegro where all projects start/end. To follow our activities online please follow us in facebook; https://www.facebook.com/DMAD-Marine-Mammals-Research-Association-157422324… TO APPLY Send CV and cover letter by e-mail to akkayaaylinn(a)gmail.comDr. Aylin Akkaya BaşProject DirectorDeniz Memelileri Araştırma Derneği (DMAD)Marine Mammals Research Association+90 5337739867info@dmad.org.trthttp://www.dmad.org.tr/

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Workshop "Enforcing cetacean conservation through modelling of population dynamics and distribution"
by Giovanni Bearzi 07 Mar '17

07 Mar '17

International Workshop Enforcing cetacean conservation through modelling of population dynamics and distribution Galaxidi, Gulf of Corinth, Greece — 20-26 August 2017 http://www.dolphinbiology.org/workshop/ INSTRUCTORS Giovanni Bearzi and Olivier Gimenez Giovanni Bearzi, PhD, Pew Marine Conservation Fellow, has been studying Mediterranean cetaceans since 1986. President of Dolphin Biology and Conservation, Italy, and associate research scientist with Texas A&M University and OceanCare. Olivier Gimenez, PhD, is an ecological statistician studying animal demography. CNRS senior research scientist at the Biostatistics and Population Biology group and head of the Biodiversity and Conservation department at Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology in Montpellier, France. Co-instructors: Silvia Bonizzoni, MSc Marine Biology; Nina Luisa Santostasi, MSc Eco-biology; Lavinia Eddy, DVM WORKSHOP TOPICS Individual photo-identification: tools and workflow Photographs as samples: use of metadata to empower image-based analyses Capture-recapture analyses Understanding matrix models Analysis of counts Population Viability Analyses Quantification of species distribution (accounting or not for species detectability) Modelling habitat use of marine mammals Using science to support cetacean conservation: Mediterranean case studies Noticing change: shifting perceptions of whales and dolphins The workshop will include time for the assisted analysis of own datasets as well as Q&A sessions. Workshop participants: max 10 / minimum 5 To cover the costs of the workshop we request a minimum contribution of €650 + €40 membership for students (a proof of student status is required). Non-students €750 + €40 membership. The contribution includes: all the teaching at the Galaxidi field station, boat trip in the Gulf of Corinth, accommodation (double rooms in shared self-catering apartment), breakfast and lunch (every day), and two dinners. Booking deadline: 30 April 2017 For more information: http://www.dolphinbiology.org/workshop/ or write to admin(a)dolphinbiology.org

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Early View Version of Paper on Acoustic Density Estimation of Minke Whales
by thomas.f.norris 07 Mar '17

07 Mar '17

On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce the early view version of the online paper to be published in the next issue of Marine Mammal Science: Estimation of Minke Whale Abundance from an Acoustic Line-Transect Survey of the Northern Mariana Islands Authors: Thomas F. Norris, Kerry J. Dunleavy, Tina M. Yack & Elizabeth L. Ferguson Link to online article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12397/abstract <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12397/abstract> DOI: 10.1111/mms.12397 Article ID: MMS12397 Abstract: The minke whale is one of the most abundant species of baleen whales worldwide, yet is rarely sighted in subtropical waters. In the North Pacific, they produce a distinctive sound known as the ³boing,² which can be used to acoustically localize individuals. A vessel-based survey using both visual and passive acoustic monitoring was conducted during the spring of 2007 in a large (616,000 km2) study area encompassing the Mariana Islands. We applied line transect methods to data collected from a towed hydrophone array to estimate the abundance of calling minke whales in our study area. No minke whales were sighted, but there were hundreds of acoustic detections of boings. Computer algorithms were developed to localize calling minke whales from acoustic recordings, resulting in over 30 independent localizations, a six-fold increase over those estimated during the survey. The two best estimates of abundance of calling minke whales were determined to be 80 and 91 animals (0.13 and 0.15 animals per 1,000 km2, respectively; CV = 34%). These are the first density and abundance estimates for calling minke whales using towed hydrophone array surveys, and the first estimates for this species in the Mariana Islands region. These are considered minimum estimates of the true number of minke whales in the study area. Sincerely, -Tom Norris Chief Scientist BioWaves Inc. Bio-Waves Inc. 1106 2nd St. #119 Encinitas, CA 92024 Tel: 760-230-1604 Cell: 858-361-5656 Fax: 619-436-4743 thomas.f.norris(a)bio-waves.net <mailto:thomas.f.norris@cox.net> http://www.bio-waves.net <http://www.bio-waves.net/>

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