July 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

FWC Manatee Internship availability
by Howell, Amber 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

The Southeast manatee field station is currently seeking candidates for one Fall/Winter 2017 and one Winter/Spring 2018 internship! Application deadline is Monday, August 7th Interns will assist with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research in South Florida. The Southeast Field lab is offering two internships: one 6 month term for the fall/winter 2017 session and one 3-6 month term for the Winter/Spring 2018 session. The expected start date for the Fall/Winter 2017 internship will be around October 2nd and January 2nd for the Winter/Spring 2018 internship. Start dates will be flexible. Working hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some nights and weekends required. The position is located in Tequesta (east coast of Florida, just north of Palm Beach). The intern's duties include assisting with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research in South Florida. Interns will assist with manatee and cetacean field necropsies, temperature monitoring research, and conduct manatee photo ID. Interns will also complete mortality and rescue reports and assist with other office and public outreach work as needed. To perform the duties of the position, interns will operate trucks, trailers, and boats up to 22' in length. The intern is required to complete a project and present a 10-15 minute presentation at the end of their internship. Qualifications: Junior or senior college students and recent graduates are eligible. Applicants should have some research field experience; be able to drive large trucks; be computer literate; be comfortable speaking to the public; and be proficient in the use of digital cameras, telephoto lenses, and filters. Previous animal-handling experience is desirable. Ability to trailer flatbeds and boats, as well as operate watercraft up to 22' in length is desirable. Interns must possess a valid driver's license, be able to lift 50 pounds, and be able to swim. Applicants should understand that this internship will require them to be wet, dirty, and outdoors in all weather conditions. This position is unpaid and housing is not provided. Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the field station. If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required: * A cover letter describing area(s) of interest and the dates, days, and hours of availability * A résumé describing training and experience * A list of three references * An unofficial copy of your academic transcript Please send these items as e-mail attachments to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Interns@MyFWC.com> Or mail hard copies to: Internship Coordinator Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020 http://myfwc.com/research/manatee/research/internships-volunteers/se-fl-int… Amber Howell Research Associate - Marine Mammals Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Mammal Section 19100 SE Federal Highway, Tequesta, FL 33469 561-398-5914 Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922

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22nd Biennial Marine Mammal Conference Workshop Announcement
by Frances Robertson 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

Hello! We are excited to be bringing the following full day workshop to the 22nd Biennial Marine Mammal Conference. *Women in marine mammal science: Breaking down barriers to success. * *Saturday October 28* *8 am - 5 pm * A full summary of the workshop is below, in addition further information is available on our workshop website http://wimms.weebly.com/ We will post news and updates to the website throughout the next few months. For more information please contact us at womeninmmsci(a)gmail.com We look forward to meeting you and engaging with you in Halifax, Erin Ashe, Amanda Bradford, Frances Robertson, Mridula Srinivasan, and Maria Constanza Marchesi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Women comprise approximately half of the Society of Marine Mammalogy’s (SMM) membership and a similar proportion are first authors in Marine Mammal Science. However, like other STEM fields, women continue to be underrepresented in career positions within the field of marine mammal science, in the SMM, and similar professional societies. In addition to challenges faced by women seeking higher positions in STEM fields, women face unique barriers to success when advancing in marine mammal science. This workshop seeks first to identify these barriers to success and then to present strategies that individuals and institutions (including the SMM) can implement to break the barriers down. Each of the two workshop components will include a combination of presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions that will feature a diverse group of women from a range of career stages and countries working in different sectors of marine mammal science, who can speak to the challenges and successes they have experienced advancing in the field. The specific topics will be refined by a survey in advance of the workshop, but are likely to cover external and internal barriers to seeking professional opportunities, grant writing, publishing, conducting fieldwork, science communication, and - building on the foundation established by Hooker et al. 2017 <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12407/full> - career-life balance. The goals of the workshop are to: 1. Provide a set of tools that women can use to advance their careers in marine mammal science, 2. Create a virtual international network for women in marine mammal science to offer support and mentorship, 3. Make recommendations to the SMM on formalizing a statement and programs related to diversity and inclusion, 4. Prepare a paper for submission to Marine Mammal Science summarizing the content and outcome of the workshop. While the workshop will focus on women’s leadership in marine mammal science, all conference participants are welcome to attend. -- Frances C. Robertson, PhD *Marine Mammal Biologist* *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* *Research Scientist SMRU ConsultingElevate Post Doctoral Fellow Simon Fraser University~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* c: (+1) 360 819 9821 e: frances.c.robertson(a)gmail.com t: @distantfins www.distantfin.net www.northeastpacificminke.org www.coastalconnectionvancouver.com

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New publication about humpback dolphins abundance, distribution and group dynamics in the Middle East.
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce that our latest article about humpback dolphins has been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (JMBA). Díaz López, B., Grandcourt, E., Methion, S., Das, H., Bugla, I., Al Hameli, M., Al Hameri, H., Abdulla, M; Al Blooshi, A; Al Dhaheri, S. (2017). The distribution, abundance and group dynamics of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 1-9. doi:10.1017/S0025315417001205 Abstract: The Arabian Gulf is one of the most heavily impacted water bodies raising serious concerns about the conservation status of many marine species. A limited coastal range and near-shore distribution make Indian Ocean humpback dolphins particularly vulnerable to mortality and traumatic injuries from heavy maritime traffic and gill-netting practices. Prior to the present study, no research had focused on the ecology of this species in the Arabian Gulf, despite the potential for human impacts. The mark–recapture method of photo-identification, undertaken during 55 boat-based surveys conducted between 2014 and 2015, was used to assess the occurrence, abundance and use of habitat of this endangered species along the coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE). In all, 368 h and 6703 km of observation were carried out over a period of 5 months, and 54 encounters were made with humpback dolphins. The group size ranged from 1 to 24 individuals and group composition showed that 79% of the observed dolphins were adults. Abundance estimates were calculated and fitted with open population models. A review of all available data indicates that the studied population is the largest reported in the world with 701 (95% CI ¼ 473–845) individuals. While their occurrence within Abu Dhabi near-shore waters is frequent, the survey area appears to be only a part of a much larger home range for this humpback dolphin population. The observation of multiple threats derived from anthropogenic activities increases our concerns regarding the conservation of this important dolphin population. You can access the article at: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417001205 If you cannot download the publication, you can request a pdf by emailing to: bruno(a)thebdri.com Best wishes, Bruno Díaz López Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 605 52 1441 This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.

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New publication on performance of new devices called Motes to enhance Argos message recovery.
by Tiphaine Jeanniard du Dot 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

Dear all, I am pleased to announce the publication of the article entitled "Motes enhance data recovery from satellite-relayed biologgers and can facilitate collaborative research into marine habitat utilization" in Animal Biotelemetry. The article is open access so the full text can be downloaded from the following links: Direct link: https://animalbiotelemetry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40317-017-01… Shortened link: http://rdcu.be/t76N <http://em.rdcu.be/wf/click?upn=KP7O1RED-2BlD0F9LDqGVeSMYOKaEdAgOsTyVdi133e-…> Citation: Jeanniard-du-Dot, T., K. Holland, G. S. Schorr and D. Vo (2017). "Motes enhance data recovery from satellite-relayed biologgers and can facilitate collaborative research into marine habitat utilization." Animal Biotelemetry 5(1): 17. DOI: 10.1186/s40317-017-0132-0 Abstract: Background: The fields of biologging and telemetry have triggered significant advances in the understanding of animal behavior, physiological ecology and habitat utilization. Biologging devices (“tags”) can also measure aspects of the physical and biological characteristics of the animals’ environment. As marine ecosystems are less accessible than terrestrial ones and marine animals more elusive and difficult to study, data collected by tags attached to marine animals often have to be relayed via satellite. However, satellite availability is not continuous and decreases with decreasing latitude. Consequently, collection of sufficient data is even more challenging in the tropics and mid-latitudes than at the poles. To overcome this limitation and increase data throughput from biologgers, new land-based receiving stations (called Motes) that can receive, log and relay messages from devices transmitting on the Argos satellite frequency have been developed. Methods: We investigated the performance of Motes as enhancers of recovery of signals transmitted by tags normally destined for satellite relay. We quantified Mote reception range, coverage area, data throughput and data corruption rates and examined factors that might impact these parameters. To do so, we used all signals detected by two arrays of Motes installed in the Hawaiian Islands and in Southern California between latitudes 22 and 33°N. Second, using data from 12 sharks and 12 whales tagged near the two Mote arrays, we assessed how increased data recovery translated into improved ability to interpret the behavior of the tagged animals. Results: Motes were capable of receiving up to 100% of messages transmitted within their reception range and overall presented a ~three- to fivefold increase in data message recovery compared to satellites alone. Message reception performance of Motes depended on their coverage area which in turn was affected by station elevation, the presence or not of obstacles within their line of sight, and the directionality of antennas. Conclusions: The increased quantity of data enabled improved biological interpretation of the animals studied. As such, Motes can improve our knowledge of marine animals’ ecology in relation to their physical and biological environments. Large-scale Mote arrays could potentially facilitate collaborative multi-disciplinary research projects, resulting in better ecosystem conservation and management. We hope you'll enjoy the reading and don't hesitate to spread the word! Cheers, Tiphaine Jeanniard-du-Dot -- Tiphaine Jeanniard-du-Dot, PhD Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Marine mammal biology and conservation Institut Maurice-Lamontagne 850 Route de la Mer, P.O. Box 1000 Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, CANADA Cell:+1-604-724-4230 / Fax: +1-418-775-0740

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Australian Marine Biodiversity Hub online survey
by Phil Bouchet 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, Apologies for any cross-postings. Faced with rapid biodiversity loss, marine researchers and practitioners constrained by both diminishing budgets and rising pressures to build accountability must now more than ever design monitoring programmes that are not only robust but also cost-effective. A vast array of modern tools are available for surveying ocean habitats and wildlife (incl. marine mammals), however choosing among them can be difficult as most differ widely in costs, accessibility, capabilities, mobilisation constraints, resolution or sensitivity, and are evolving rapidly without always being critically evaluated or compared. In response to this, scientists from the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Programme (NESP)'s Marine Biodiversity Hub (http://www.nespmarine.edu.au) are undertaking a detailed comparative assessment of field approaches to marine monitoring. Key to achieving this objective is a fundamental understanding of the current patterns of use, perceptions, and awareness of various sampling gears. We would like to cordially invite you to take part in a short online questionnaire relating to your experience and familiarity with a variety of pelagic platforms (e.g. aerial/vessel surveys, underwater videography, animal-borne tags, environmental DNA, drones, etc. amongst many more). This work is part of ongoing efforts to develop standard operating procedures for the collection of consistent, comparable, interpretable and fit-for-purpose empirical evidence useful in assessing status and trends in ocean ecosystems. More information on the project can be found here: https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/project/project-d2-analysis-methods-and-softwa re-support-standard-operating-procedures-survey-design The survey is completely anonymous, and will take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. Only aggregated responses will be used in analyses and reports. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nespd2-pelagic Our aim is to get a broad cross-section of the scientific community, so please feel free to also disseminate this link through your own professional networks. Any questions or concerns can be directed to phil.bouchet(a)uwa.edu.au With many thanks in advance for your contribution. Best regards, Phil ----------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Phil Bouchet | Postdoctoral Fellow National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) | Marine Biodiversity Hub Centre for Marine Futures & UWA Oceans Institute School of Biological Sciences (M092) - The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009 Australia T +61 8 6488 3590 M +61 406 811 113 E phil.bouchet(a)uwa.edu.au Twitter @phbouchet Web http://phbouchet.github.io ResearcherID K-5365-2012 ----------------------------------------------------------- Recent papers: Abundance and fidelity of dolphins associated with a trawl fishery (2017). http://rdcu.be/t5Y2 Review of sampling methods for mobile oceanic fishes and sharks (2017). http://bit.ly/2onPlBd Sampling pelagic wildlife using drifting video cameras (2015). http://bit.ly/29qhAab -----------------------------------------------------------

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WORKSHOP: Developing Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) to improve decision-making during mass stranding events
by Stockin, Karen 11 Jul '17

11 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a full day workshop entitled " Developing Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) to improve decision-making during mass stranding events” at the upcoming 22nd Biennial Conference of the Marine Mammal Society. The workshop will take place on Sunday 29th October from 0800 to 1700h and assemble scientists, vets, NGOs, government agencies and other stakeholders whom have experience and/or vested interest in (mass) stranding events. The workshop will engage expert opinion on the different parameters that can affect the likelihood of survivorship of refloated individuals and work towards establishment of predicted probabilities that can affect the outcome of rescue attempts. The overarching goal will be to prepare a submission for publication that addresses the application of BBNs to assess probability of survivorship in refloated whales. Background Despite costly, and often logistically challenging attempts to rescue live whales, there is often a lack of scientific evaluation underpinning current decision-making processes. Notably, matters of conservation (survivorship/fitness) and animal welfare (impacts of refloatation), remain largely undetermined. Historically, animal welfare science and conservation have been regarded as separate disciplines, with dissimilar objectives that often conflict. However, the newly emerging field of conservation welfare integrates synergies between two scientific disciplines with the aim of improving outcomes for both the species (conservation) and individual animals (welfare). This workshop addresses the issue of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the form of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) to challenge the human perceptions and psychology associated with whale mass strandings, while incorporating scientific evaluation into decision-making processes. AI tools are becoming increasingly popular to address an array of complex environmental problems, but have yet to be applied effectively at the interface between science and public interaction. The overarching goal is to apply recent technological innovations to an age-old problem, in order to provide a vital nexus between conservation and animal welfare sciences. Workshop Summary Decision-making processes required by authorities during live stranding events are typically fraught with difficulties due to complicated, often interlinked variables, including but not limited to logistics, ethics, public perceptions and animal welfare. Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) are a graphical rule based modelling technique that have recently emerged as a useful research and management tool. BBNs can provide a visual depiction of the causal linkages between multiple environmental drivers and ecological state. Notably, in the absence of empirical data, BBNs can be constructed solely upon expert opinion, with subsequent independent assessment applied to assess the prediction accuracy of the model. This workshop aims to convene and engage individuals with relevant live stranding event experience to determine as a collective, key parameters and their predicted probability of influence on survivorship of refloated cetacea post-stranding event. Cost: $80 (Before July 13th) or $90 (After July 12th). Registration for the workshop can be completed via the conference website (https://www.xcdsystem.com/smm/member/index.cfm) We look forward to seeing you in Halifax! Best wishes, Karen Stockin & Emma Betty Karen A Stockin, PhD Director, Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore Auckland 0745 Tel: 09 4140800 ext 43614 Tel: 09 2136614 (direct dial) Mobile: 021 423 997 Email: k.a.stockin(a)massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.a.stockin@massey.ac.nz> Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz<http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz/> https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-sciences/staff…

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SMM 2017 WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Identifying research challenges and solutions for the lesser known blackfish
by Elizabeth Zwamborn 11 Jul '17

11 Jul '17

Dear All, We are pleased to announce the following workshop to be held on Saturday October 28th, 2017 at the upcoming SMM conference in Halifax. Title: Not all is black and white: Identifying research challenges and solutions for the lesser known blackfish Summary: This workshop will facilitate a gathering of scientists who study blackfish species (pilot whales, false killer whales, pygmy killer whales, melon-headed whales, and lesser known killer whale populations). Innovative technology and study methods are leading to exciting new research possibilities within this group of cetaceans. However, given their generally pelagic or rural distribution, many populations of blackfish species are poorly understood.The goal of this workshop is threefold: to identify common challenges that arise while researching these species, to present new and exciting observations, and to encourage collaboration amongst the scientists who study them. This day will consist of series of presentations (morning – 20 minutes in length by invited speakers and 5 minutes by additional workshop participants) and a group discussion identifying common research challenges and possible solutions (afternoon), with time allotted for networking (late afternoon). The outcome of this workshop will be a document outlining the research challenges discussed - with the goal of publication - as well as working collaborations amongst those who study these species worldwide. We invite researchers involved in work with blackfish species around the world to come and join in this discussion of the challenges we face when studying these species. In addition to the invited speakers, we will have a few 5 minute presentation slots open for other workshop participants to share their current research. Please email elizabeth.zwamborn(at)dal.ca if you would be interested in one of these. Please remember that the early registration deadline is quickly approaching and workshop costs will increase slightly after that. All the best, Elizabeth ********************************* Elizabeth Zwamborn MSc PhD Student Whitehead Lab Dalhousie University

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL
by AIMM Internships 10 Jul '17

10 Jul '17

*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL* *BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists for a period of time. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an environmental friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from May 1 - October 31, 2017. The minimum internship attendance is 7 days, preferably starting on a Monday. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos, or in opportunistic platforms (commercial dolphin-watching boats). Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions and seat availability in the dolphin-watching boats. Field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer, but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: · Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; · Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; · Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; · Collection of photo to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos while on-board. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2017 season, please contact: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org *Included* in the fee is: · Accommodation in the research house; · Transportation to/from the marina; · Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); · Fieldwork in the research vessel or commercial dolphin-watching vessels. *Not included* in the fee is: · Transportation to/from Albufeira; · Meals in restaurants and snacks; · Free time activities; · Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); · Personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* · Be above the age of 16; · Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; · Be autonomous and flexible; · Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; · Speak English; · Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: · Relevant marine mammal field experience · Working experience on research vessels · Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms · Experience in photo-identification · Professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID · Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: * Applicants should fill up the online application at: http://www.aimmportugal.org/#!internship-aimm/cw7b After the confirmation e-mail, send your Resume/CV with updated photo and personal statement on which are your expectations and why do you want to work with AIMM to: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org with the subject “Internship 2017”. Applicants will be contacted to arrange internship dates and details. Applications will be accepted during all season, however, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. *Contacts*: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | -- AIMM - Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho / *Marine Environment Research Association* w <http://aimm-marineresearch.blogspot.pt/>ww.aimmportugal.org

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Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
by Aaron N. Rice 10 Jul '17

10 Jul '17

Edward W. Rose III Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology The Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites applications for our Edward W. Rose Postdoctoral Fellowships. These competitive postdoctoral fellowship awards (www.birds.cornell.edu/postdoc<http://www.birds.cornell.edu/postdoc>) support innovative, independent research by early career scholars of exceptional promise. Multiple Rose Fellow positions are available annually, with applications due on September 8. All Rose Fellows join a vibrant community of more than a dozen concurrent postdocs within the Rose Postdoctoral Program and interact with many other scholars across a wide range of disciplines. These Rose Postdoctoral Fellowship awards support individuals pursuing cutting-edge scholarship, while fostering intellectual interaction with multiple Lab programs and Cornell scholars. Any area of inquiry related to the Lab’s mission “to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds” is appropriate. Potential applicants are encouraged to learn more about the Cornell Lab and our formal programs in Bioacoustics, Bird Population Studies (avian ecology), Citizen Science, Conservation Science, Communication, Education, Evolutionary Biology, Information Science, Macaulay Library (animal behavior), Multimedia Productions, and Public Engagement in Science. Activities involving research and/or outreach spanning several of these areas are particularly encouraged, and therefore each postdoctoral scholar may be co-mentored by two senior Cornell scholars. Projects that foster links to people and units from across Cornell University are likewise welcome. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the most relevant faculty and staff at the Lab to brainstorm about areas of mutual interest and synergistic projects. We are especially interested in supporting the independent research of individuals who can bring new ideas, approaches, and connections to the Lab, while simultaneously leveraging our existing tools, data, and expertise in science, education, and communication. Each Rose Postdoctoral opportunity spans up to 24 months via two consecutive year-long appointments at the Lab. Located at the Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity in the 220-acre Sapsucker Woods sanctuary, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a vibrant unit within Cornell's University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. More than 200 faculty and staff work at the Lab within our 10 mission-driven programs. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work. These appointments provide a competitive salary, Cornell health and other benefits, and funds to help support the Scholar’s research and other professional needs. Start dates are usually flexible within the year following the application. Interested applicants should visit the Annual Rose Postdoctoral Fellowship Competition web site(www.birds.cornell.edu/postdoc<http://www.birds.cornell.edu/postdoc>) for more information about the overall Program and about the Rose Fellow selection process. The application package consists of a cover letter, CV, two-page research proposal, pdfs of up to three representative publications, and names and contact information for three references. Applicants must have received their PhD before beginning their postdoctoral appointment at Cornell. Application materials should be sent as a single pdf file to the attention of Sue Taggart (SET2(a)cornell.edu<mailto:SET2@cornell.edu>). Applications for the multiple positions available in 2018 will be accepted until September 8, 2017. The selection committee is chaired by Dr. Irby Lovette (IJL2(a)cornell.edu<mailto:IJL2@cornell.edu>), Fuller Professor of Ornithology and Associate Director for Academic Affairs at the Lab. Edward W. Rose, known by family and friends as “Rusty,” joined the Lab’s Administrative Board in 1993 and served as its Chairman from 2004 to 2014. Rusty was a brilliant man who inspired everyone at the Lab, not only through his infectious laugh but even more by asking tough questions, expecting excellence, and seeking global impact. Rusty had a deep conservation ethos which he exemplified both in his own actions and through his support of the Cornell Lab and kindred institutions. He was among the Lab’s most enthusiastic promoters of early career scientists, and he always relished learning about their discoveries and accomplishments. Rusty passed away in January 2016, but his legacy endures in many contexts, including the Edward W. Rose Postdoctoral Fellowship Program which brings together the Lab’s entire postdoctoral community. Through the generosity of Rusty and his wife Deedie, together with that of fellow board members Larry and Nancy Fuller, Russ and Carol Faucett, and Imogene Powers Johnson, the Lab shall award multiple Edward W. Rose Postdoctoral Fellowships annually. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in Doha, Qatar, as well as the new Cornell Tech campus to be built on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City. Diversity and inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We’re an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and individuals with Disabilities.

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New study investigating the movements of killer whales in Iceland
by Filipa Samarra 10 Jul '17

10 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of the following paper in Marine Biology: Movements and site fidelity of killer whales (/Orcinus orca/) relative to seasonal and long-term shifts in herring (/Clupea harengus/) distribution Filipa I. P. Samarra, S. B. Tavares, J. Béesau, V. B. Deecke, A. Fennell, P. J. O. Miller, H. Pétursson, J Sigurjónsson and G. A. Víkingsson Marine Biology 164: 159 The paper is available online at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-017-3187-9 or you can contact me at fipsamarra(a)gmail.com <mailto:fipsamarra@gmail.com> for a reprint or if you have any questions. This study is part of the Icelandic Orca Project, a long-term research project dedicated to the study of killer whales in Iceland. You can find out more about the project on www.icelandic-orcas.com <http://www.icelandic-orcas.com> Abstract Predators specialising on migratory prey that frequently change migration route face the challenge of finding prey with an unpredictable distribution. Here, we used photo-identification data to investigate whether killer whales observed in herring overwintering and spawning grounds off Iceland follow herring year-round, as previously proposed, and have the ability to adapt to long-term changes in herring distribution. Of 327 identified whales seen more than once, 45% were seen in both grounds, and were thus presumed herring-specialists, likely following herring year-round, while others were only seen on one of the grounds, possibly following herring to unsampled grounds or moving to other locations and exploiting different prey. High seasonal site fidelity to herring grounds, long-term site fidelity to herring spawning grounds, and matches of individual whales between past and recently occupied herring overwintering grounds showed an ability to adapt to long-term changes in prey distribution as well as diversity of movement patterns which are maintained over time, likely as socially-learnt traditions. Such population structuring shows that the movement patterns and foraging ecology of herring-eating killer whales are more complex than previously assumed and must be taken into account in future population assessments. Identifying the factors driving these differences in movements and resource use will be relevant towards our understanding of how prey predictability may drive specialization in this and other top predator species. Best regards, Filipa -- Filipa Samarra Postdoctoral Researcher Marine and Freshwater Research Institute Skúlagata 4 121 Reykjavík, Iceland Tel: +354-5752082 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Filipa_Samarra Follow us on: www.facebook.com/icelandic.orcas www.icelandic-orcas.com https://icelandic-orcas.blogspot.com

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