June 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Fauna Observers / South America
by Geo-Marine Consultants 30 Jun '17

30 Jun '17

Marine Fauna Observers required for offshore seismic survey starting early August 2017. Must be *Colombian nationals *who meet the following criteria: *Qualifications* Major in Marine Science, Marine Biology or a related field. University degree as Biologist of related field for Latin-American projects. *Experience* Minimum 8 campaigns ~8 months experience as marine mammal observers. JNCC Marine Mammal Observer training course or any other recognised MMO certificate. *Additional* Valid medical issued in 2017. Valid BOSIET certificate Visa and valid passport (with validity up to early 2018) Please send CVs and relevant certificates to: info(a)geo-mar.com Thanks *GMC Recruitment *

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IndoCet Consortium and Inception workshop at the 2nd HWWC
by Salvatore Cerchio 29 Jun '17

29 Jun '17

Dear Colleagues, We wish to announce the creation of the IndoCet Consortium, an effort to formalize a Southwest Indian Ocean network for cetacean research. In order to officially launch IndoCet, we will be holding an Inception Workshop during the 2nd Humpback Whale World Congress on Reunion Island, July 3-7, 2017. As the time for the HWWC rapidly approaches we are sending this announcement to provide some brief information on the workshop, which is funded by the Indian Ocean Commission Biodiversity Program and hosted by the HWWC. The IndoCet Inception workshop will be held on the last day of the HWWC meeting, on the afternoon of July 6, 2017, and is open to all whom wish to attend. The purpose of the workshop is to officially launch the IndoCet Consortium and start the process of building membership in the Consortium. IndoCet was first conceived in November 2014 during a workshop on satellite telemetry of humpback whales in the Southwest Indian Ocean, held on Reunion Island and supported by a grant from the European Commission BEST program. Over a 2 year period the Consortium steadily developed with the efforts of a steering committee named at the original workshop and through support from the IOC and the 1st HWWC. The Consortium has now finally reached a point to officially launch and announce broadly to the marine mammal research community, and open membership to all researchers and conservationists that are interested in being involved. At the IndoCet Inception workshop, we will describe the history of the Consortium and how it developed, introduce the Memorandum of Understanding that was developed by the Steering Committee, introduce the current and the prospective members attending the workshop, and discuss the future direction and opportunities for the Consortium. If you have interest in participating in IndoCet, or attending the Inception Workshop, please send an email to info(a)indocet.org. Best regards, Salvatore Cerchio Violaine Dulau ********************************** Salvatore Cerchio, Ph.D. www.omuraswhale.org New England Aquarium scerchio@ <scerchio(a)gmail.com>neaq.org Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scerchio(a)whoi.edu +261-32-47-549-93 (Madagascar mobile) +1-917-796-3363 (USA mobile) +1-508-289-3677 (WHOI) Skype: scerchio

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Assistant Scientist position
by Bahamon, Nathalia 29 Jun '17

29 Jun '17

Good Morning, We would like to draw your attention to the following job posting for an Assistant Scientist: https://um.hodesiq.com/job_detail.asp?JobID=5467753&user_id=&ViewAll= The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) of the University of Miami invites applicants for an Assistant Scientist position in Marine Biology and Fisheries. This position is situated at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center Protected Resources and Biodiversity Division located in Miami, FL. We seek an experienced and productive researcher to join our group and participate in a project to assess the abundance and spatial distribution of marine mammals along the Gulf of Mexico coasts. The SEFSC Marine Mammal Program conducts intensive data collection using aerial and large vessel surveys to obtain data on the seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles. The incumbent will use this newly collected data and historical databases to develop seasonal spatially explicit habitat models for marine mammals to support environmental planning and impact assessments by a variety of agencies. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Biology, Oceanography, Ecology, Statistics or other related fields along with at least 1 year of post-doctoral experience. The position requires experience with statistical analysis to investigate species-environment relationships, management of large datasets, and production of GIS products. Applicants with experience in conducting studies of marine mammal habitats and abundance are preferred. Apply on line at: www.miami.edu/careers<http://www.miami.edu/careers>. Curriculum Vitae and the contact information for 3 people who can provide letters of recommendation are required. Thank you.

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Seattle-based Marine Mammal monitors needed
by Glenn Johnson 28 Jun '17

28 Jun '17

Marine mammal and marbled murrelet monitors (>10) needed for a project based in Seattle starting in August and continuing through mid November. I am building a pool of qualified staff to call upon for a Seattle project and others in the Puget Sound region. If you are interested in the work, please send me a resume with 3 references to gjohnson(a)heg-inc.com. Please include a short summary biography in your resume or email, overall your resume should highlight your marine mammal and/or marbled murrelet monitoring and research experiences (e.g., approximate number of hours of observation, etc), as well as education, relevant trainings, which clients projects were for (e.g. agencies) and which company/organization you worked for, and dates you did the work. Let me know if you will need lodging to work in the Seattle area. Typical hourly pay will be $20-$30/hour and will depend on experience; staff need to be available and able to remain on site (typically shore or ferries) for long days (up to 11 hours) with minimal breaks; overtime will be paid; some accommodation (mileage, lodging, modest per diem) for those needing to travel to work sites is available but preference given to Seattle-based monitors. I will be on vacation the week of July 4th, best to reach out ASAP and start the conversation. Thanks, Glenn Glenn Johnson, Senior Biologist and Project Manager | Harris Environmental Group, Inc. Tacoma, WA 98406 Email: gjohnson(a)heg-inc.com (work) and glennjo(a)yahoo.com (where I get list serve emails) Office: 253-533-7760 | Cell/Direct: 520-237-8653 | www.heg-inc.com SBA 8(a) #305299 | HUBZone #45147 | EDWOSB | Washington DBE/WBE, Oregon DBE/WBE, California DBE, Nevada DBE, ADOT DBE.

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New Publication Announcement
by Bromaghin, Jeffrey 28 Jun '17

28 Jun '17

Colleagues, I am pleased to announce the availability of an early-view paper that presents a new model for the estimation of consumer diet composition using quantitative fatty acid signature analysis, a method commonly used in studies of marine species. Citation: Bromaghin, J. F., S. M. Budge, G. W. Thiemann, and K. D. Rode. 2017. Simultaneous estimation of diet composition and calibration coefficients with fatty acid signature data. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3179 Abstract: Knowledge of animal diets provides essential insights into their life history and ecology, although diet estimation is challenging and remains an active area of research. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) has become a popular method of estimating diet composition, especially for marine species. A primary assumption of QFASA is that constants called calibration coefficients, which account for the differential metabolism of individual fatty acids, are known. In practice, however, calibration coefficients are not known, but rather have been estimated in feeding trials with captive animals of a limited number of model species. The impossibility of verifying the accuracy of feeding trial derived calibration coefficients to estimate the diets of wild animals is a foundational problem with QFASA that has generated considerable criticism. We present a new model that allows simultaneous estimation of diet composition and calibration coefficients based only on fatty acid signature samples from wild predators and potential prey. Our model performed almost flawlessly in four tests with constructed examples, estimating both diet proportions and calibration coefficients with essentially no error. We also applied the model to data from Chukchi Sea polar bears, obtaining diet estimates that were more diverse than estimates conditioned on feeding-trial calibration coefficients. Our model avoids bias in diet estimates caused by conditioning on inaccurate calibration coefficients, invalidates the primary criticism of QFASA, eliminates the need to conduct feeding trials solely for diet estimation, and consequently expands the utility of fatty acid data to investigate aspects of ecology linked to animal diets. Regards, Jeff ----------------------------------------------- Jeffrey F. Bromaghin, PhD Research Statistician USGS Alaska Science Center Marine Ecosystems Office 4210 University Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7086 jbromaghin(a)usgs.gov *http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/quantitative_ecology/index.php <http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/quantitative_ecology/index.php>*

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Publication of US Animal Welfare Act standards policy paper
by Naomi Rose 28 Jun '17

28 Jun '17

Dear Marmamers: I would like to announce the publication of a paper in the Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy, based on the May 2016 comments my organization submitted to the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, during the public comment period for a proposed rule to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations governing the care and handling of captive marine mammals. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880292.2017.1309858 It is open access. There is no abstract, but in summary it outlines deficiencies in the proposed rule and recommends changes for the agency to consider when finalizing it. The recommendations are based on the best available science and industry best practice. Regards, Naomi Rose ____________________________ [13_AWILogo_ONLY] NAOMI A. ROSE, PH.D. Marine Mammal Scientist ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE 900 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Washington, DC 20003 naomi(a)awionline.org<mailto:naomi@awionline.org> T: +1 202 446 2120 ~ F: +1 202 446 2131 ~ C: +1 240 401 4269 www.awionline.org<http://www.awionline.org/> P Please consider the animals and their habitat before printing.

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New publication: Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat use of cetaceans in Algoa Bay, South Africa
by Plon, Stephanie (Dr) (Summerstrand Campus South) 28 Jun '17

28 Jun '17

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following paper recently published in Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK: Melly, B. L., McGregor, Hofmeyr, G. and Plön, S. (2017). Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat use of cetaceans in Algoa Bay, South Africa. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the U.K. doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417000340<https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417000340>. Abstract Increasingly, baseline knowledge of habitat preferences and movement patterns of marine species is required to inform anthropogenic developments. The aim of this study was to determine baseline spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preference of cetaceans in the coastal waters of Algoa Bay. Areas of potential conflict with anthropogenic activities were also assessed. Monthly sea-based surveys were conducted between June 2008 and May 2011. A total of 500 cetacean sightings comprising six species were recorded in 106 surveys. Tursiops aduncus (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin), Sousa plumbea (Indian Ocean humpback dolphin), Delphinus capensis (long-beaked common dolphin) and Balaenoptera brydei (Bryde’s whale) were observed year-round, while Eubalaena australis (southern right whale) and Megaptera novaeangliae (humpback whale) were recorded from May to December. A large portion of sightings were associated with a Marine Protected Area and shipping zones. Eubalaena australis, T. aduncus and S. plumbea were found inshore (water depths , 12 m), while the other species were associated with deeper waters. Tursiops aduncus were most commonly seen (233 sightings). Megaptera novaeangliae were sighted often in austral winter, with 113 sightings. Only nine D. capensis sightings were recorded. Spatial distributions of species were corrected for search effort to identify habitat preferences. A number of key observations were made, including opportunistic foraging in M. novaeangliae, and the expansion of nursery grounds for E. australis, to include Algoa Bay. Four preferred habitat areas are proposed, providing important information for conservation and management of cetaceans in Algoa Bay. The spatial approach can be used to inform future relevant management decisions elsewhere. The paper can be downloaded at https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-as… or contact me for a pdf copy. Dr. Stephanie Plön African Earth Observation Network (AEON)- Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute (ESSRI) Nelson Mandela University South Campus Building 12, Ground Floor, Rm 032 Port Elizabeth, 6031 South Africa Tel: 041-5042877 Cell: 076-3791067 Fax: 041-5832317 e-mail: stephanie.plon(a)nmmu.ac.za<mailto:stephanie.plon@nmmu.ac.za> ________________________________ NOTICE: Please note that this eMail, and the contents thereof, is subject to the standard NMMU eMail disclaimer which may be found at: http://www.nmmu.ac.za/disclaimer/email.htm

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Re: [MARMAM] Last of the Free Wildlife Journals MARMAM
by Jay R Cordeiro 27 Jun '17

27 Jun '17

Marmam group. I still have a few wildlife journals remaining to those who want them. If anyone is interested, contact me at unonid(a)comcast.net<mailto:unonid@comcast.net> Thanks Jay Jay Cordeiro Northeast Natural History & Supply Middleboro, MA unionid(a)comcast.net<mailto:unionid@comcast.net> From: Jay R Cordeiro Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 12:10 AM To: 'marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca' Subject: Last of the Free Wildlife Journals MARMAM Hi, folks. The last of the free natural history and wildlife journals are being disposed of next week. These include Condor, Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Society, Ecological Monographs, Ecology, Geoscience Canada, International Waterfowl Research Bureau, Journal of Wildlife Management, and Systematic Zoology; among others. If anyone is interested in any, please contact me at unionid(a)comcast.net<mailto:unionid@comcast.net> for the full list. Thanks Jay Jay Cordeiro Northeast Natural History & Supply Middleboro, MA unionid(a)comcast.net<mailto:unionid@comcast.net>

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Bioacoustic Internship at University of South Carolina Beaufort
by MONTIE, ERIC 27 Jun '17

27 Jun '17

2017-2018 USCB Bioacoustic Research Experience Need: One marine bioacoustic intern needed for 2017-2018. Organization: Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab at USCB, Dr. Eric Montie, Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort. Stipend and housing: A $600 monthly stipend is included. In addition, the internship provides housing with all utilities (electric, water, and internet). Position Information: 40 hrs per week; Monday through Friday. Position is for 6 months minimum starting in August 2017. Start data is negotiable but candidates who can start August 1st, 2017 are preferred. Position may be extended for another 6 months pending performance and funding. Location: This position is located at the University of South Carolina Beaufort at the Bluffton campus. Bluffton, SC is located only 20 minutes from Hilton Head Island, SC. The campus is 10 minutes from the May River and 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. About Our Lab: Our research lab strives to understand the sensory and neurobiology of marine organisms. Specifically, we are interested in brain architecture, hearing of fish and marine mammals, and acoustic communication of aquatic vertebrates. The more applied part of our research program focuses on studies that investigate how natural and man-made stressors impact the brain, hearing, and acoustic communication. These stressors include man-made chemicals, harmful algal blooms, noise pollution, and climate change. Much of our current funding is focused on soundscape ecology and the impacts of noise pollution on marine organisms. Please see the following website for more information: http://www.uscb.edu/montie and check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MarineNeuroLabAtUSCB/. Duties Include: (1) Estuarine soundscape research. (2) Sound production studies with fish and bottlenose dolphins. (3) Impacts of dredging on marine organisms. (4) Active acoustics to study fish spawning aggregations. (5) Juvenile fish sampling using seine nets. (6) Bottlenose dolphin abundance, distribution, and photo-identification. (7) Participation in dolphin research excursions aboard an ecotourism boat. The internship will focus on analyzing and interpreting previously collected acoustic data using our DSG-Ocean Recorders. The intern will participate in juvenile fish sampling through the use of seine nets. In addition, the intern will participate in one field trip per week aboard an ecotourism vessel performing bottlenose dolphin abundance and photo-ID surveys. There will be some opportunities for additional field work, including dolphin surveys, deployment and retrieval of stationary and towed acoustic recorders, and participation in active acoustic surveys. Qualifications: The internship is designed for undergraduates who have recently graduated and are interested in gaining experience in marine bioacoustics. Experience with Adobe Audition, Excel, and MATLAB preferred. Students in computational science majors are urged to apply. Boat experience is preferred but not mandatory. Evidence of good communication skills through interaction with public is also a bonus. Good organizational and writing skills are a necessity. Pending performance, the intern has the option to apply to the College of Charleston Graduate Program in Marine Biology since Dr. Montie is an adjunct and can serve as a primary adviser. How to Apply: Please email a C.V. with GPA, a writing sample, and two reference contacts to Dr. Eric Montie (emontie(a)uscb.edu<mailto:emontie@uscb.edu>). If you have questions concerning the position, please email or phone (843) 208-8107. Eric W. Montie Associate Professor of Biology Department of Natural Sciences University of South Carolina Beaufort Science and Technology Building Office: Room 103 Lab: Room 116 One University Boulevard Bluffton, SC 29909 Office Phone: (843) 208-8107 Fax: (843) 208-8294 Email: emontie(a)uscb.eu https://www.uscb.edu/montie https://www.facebook.com/MarineNeuroLabAtUSCB/

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Vaquita Awareness Film Campaign
by Sean Bogle 27 Jun '17

27 Jun '17

Good day MARMAMers, International Save the Vaquita Day is coming up on July 8, 2017. Wild Lens, Inc is a nonprofit conservation media company and has released a half-hour award-winning documentary film about the plight of vaquita and efforts to save it from the brink of extinction. The film has been used by the Mexican government for diplomatic screenings with Chinese officials, and is now available to the public to help raise awareness about both local and international challenges to protecting vaquita. You can view and share the film here: http://vaquitafilm.com/watch-int <http://vaquitafilm.com/watch-int> You can view and share the PSA here: http://vaquitafilm.com/psa <http://vaquitafilm.com/psa> Vaquita are the world's most endangered marine mammal, with less than 30 remaining. This small cetacean is endemic to the Gulf of California, where they are under serious threat of extinction due to human activities. Illegal gill netting for totoaba, an endangered fish whose swim bladder sells for thousands in Asian medicine markets, is the greatest threat to vaquita. The Mexican government, marine biologists and conservation agencies are undertaking an ambitious and uncertain plan to capture the remaining vaquita this October, and move them to protected offshore sea-pens, where it is hoped vaquita will reproduce and begin the road the recovery. More than 35 international organizations will be hosting events for International Save the Vaquita Day. Wild Lens is partnering with Discovery Center Boise, the Mexican Consulate in Boise, and JUMP to host a multi-day, multi-venue event featuring film screenings, family activities and conservation actions. Please help us spread the word about vaquita on July 8! You can support our efforts by sharing the link to our film, visiting our Facebook page "Souls of the Vermilion Sea," and visiting us at www.vaquitafilm.com <http://www.vaquitafilm.com/> to learn more about how to help vaquita, including hosting your own screening event and community campaign. For more information contact: Sean Bogle, Eyes on Conservation Project Director Email: sean(a)wildlensinc.org <mailto:sean@wildlensinc.org>

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