August 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on large whale entanglements
by Diane Borggaard - NOAA Federal 01 Aug '17

01 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper: Diane L. Borggaard , David M. Gouveia , Mary A. Colligan , Richard Merrick , Kathryn S. Swails , Michael J. Asaro , John Kenney, Glenn Salvador, and John Higgins. Managing U.S. Atlantic large whale entanglements: Four guiding principles. Marine Policy, Volume 84, October 2017, Pages 202–212. Abstract: Fatal entanglements in fishing gear threaten marine mammal populations worldwide. The management of entanglements of large whales, such as the North Atlantic right whale (*Eubalaena glacialis*), with commercial fisheries, is a challenge given the species’ small population size, economic consequences of regulations, and the general lack of data on entanglements. The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires development of programs to limit marine mammal entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Following a retrospective look at implementing aspects of the MMPA, a set of guiding principles were developed with associated best practices useful in reducing fatal large whale entanglement in fishing gear. Among these are: 1) involve stakeholders early in the decision making process; 2) establish a transparent management strategy that includes critical needs to guide research; 3) use a variety of tools such as an established process for receiving new information and ideas; and 4) incorporate adaptive management which considers the constraints of dynamic (rapid) changes to some fixed fishing gear. Efforts to reduce worldwide marine mammal bycatch will typically occur in a data limited environment as experienced with U.S. Atlantic large whale entanglements. The guiding principles will remain as key tools for reducing large whale bycatch in fisheries as they build upon common practices. These insights developed over two decades of management can potentially help others to address similar bycatch problems. The paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.06.027 Best, Diane Borggaard NOAA Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Region Protected Resources Division 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 978-282-8453

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Volunteer Research assistant - Cetacean Conservation of Nicaragua
by Joëlle De Weerdt 01 Aug '17

01 Aug '17

*Volunteer - Cetacean Research Assistant * *About ELI-Scientific* ELI-S is a small nonprofit organization composed of a team of three volunteers based in France that has been created in 2013. Our organization aims at promoting, protecting and conserving cetaceans. We have set up the research project “Cetacean Conservation in Nicaragua” in 2015. This pioneer project aims to generate knowledge on cetacean presence, population size, distribution and habitat use patterns. The expected output is to generate: 1) scientific data on cetaceans in Nicaragua, 2) environmental awareness to the local communities in order to create a socio-economic relevance in conserving and protecting their natural environment and 3) responsible eco-tourism. ELI-Scientific is recruiting volunteer research assistants for field work, photo-identification and data entry from January 22nd to April 22nd 2018 in Padre Ramos and San Juan del Sur. All team members will have a training beforehand on the field methodologies and protocols as well as on data entry and management. Research assistants should expect to spend time on the computer for data analysis but also to spend some days on the field to gather data during the 12-week field study. The Research Assistant have a unique opportunity to participate to a pioneer research project under the supervision of experienced marine biologists, which gives the opportunity for the assistant to develop both professionally but also personally thanks to the unique experience to live within local communities. A commitment of 3 months is expected. *Locations: *Padre Ramos North-West of Nicaragua San Juan del Sur South-West of Nicaragua *Period: *22 of January to 22 of April (3 months commitment) *Type of agreement: *Full time. *Duties:* - Assist in Boat based and land based surveys in collecting data on cetaceans - Photo-identification of whale and dolphin species - Update photo-ID catalogue - Data entry of collected data - Participate to public outreach and events *Skills and qualifications:* - *Bsc or Mc in biology / environmental sciences* - *Fluency in Spanish (!)* - *Enthusiastic, conscientious and hard working* - Experience of working in developing countries - *Experience in delivering educational activities* - Proactive with ability to work unsupervised - Interest in wildlife and conservation - Being comfortable on a small boat and spend long hours on a boat in the sun - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Being able to work in a small team - Being able to live in basic living conditions *Desirable skills :* - Have background in cetacean ecology - An interest and knowledge of marine life - A background in marine biology - Be able to swim *Successful candidate will:* - Gain valuable experience in cetacean survey techniques and behavioral studies - Work in a very dynamic environment - Get insight in running a research project in developing countries This position is an *unpaid position* and requires a contribution fee of 500 euros per month (converted in dollar according to the exchange rate). *This fee includes:* - Accommodation - All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and cook - Water and electricity - Fieldwork expenses - Training to marine mammal survey material and methodologies - Membership to the organization for a year - 2 t-shirts *Fee does not include:* - Travel expenses to come to the study site - Personal expenses: restaurants, bars, telephone, internet, cleaning clothes, etc. *To apply:* Please email a CV, 2 references and cover letter outlining your experience and motivations. Send this to joelle.deweerdt(a)eli-s.com with “Research assistant 2018” in the subject line. Interviews via Skype. Deadline: 15th of September 2017. *Contact:* For further information and any queries, please contact *Joëlle De Weerdt, Project Director* Email: joelle.deweerdt(a)eli-s.com More information? Website of Non profit: www.eli-s.com Website of Project: www.nicacetacea.org Facebook: ELI-Scientific

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Marine Mammals Research and Conservation Course
by ana dinis 01 Aug '17

01 Aug '17

Dear Marmam community, CIIMAR-Madeira(Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of Madeira) incollaboration with the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira, is offering acourse on Marine Mammals Researchand Conservation. This course is directed to students or anyoneinterested in learning more about marine mammals, aiming to gain valuableresearch experience on the field. This5 days course includes lectures, field trips out to sea, data handling, coursematerial and certificate, and will cover a wide range of topics like photo-ID,distribution, abundance, behavior, habitat use, human interactions, socialstructure, conservation, education and more. On each field trip, the studentswill learn how to collect data, sampling techniques and behavioralobservations. Dates October2nd -6th 2017 Fee: 500€ Thefee includes - Accommodation in shared room; - Insurance during the course; - Course material; - Certificate. Duringyour free time you can enjoy exploring the beautiful island of Madeira, locatedin the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with its breathtaking landscapes andsights! Formore information, please contact: marine.mammals(a)ciimarmadeira.org Ana Dinis, PhD CIIMAR-Madeira, ARDITI-OOM Phone:+351291721216http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=anadinis

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New article on the demographic consequences of fisheries interaction on killer whales
by Paul Tixier 31 Jul '17

31 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, we are happy to announce the publication of the following article in Marine Biology: "Demographic consequences of fisheries interaction within a killer whale (*Orcinus orca*) population" Tixier, P., Barbraud, C., Pardo, D., Gasco, N., Duhamel, G., and Guinet, C. You can access the paper online at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-017-3195-9. You can also email me at paul.tixier(a)gmail.com to request a copy or if you have questions about the study. This work was conducted at the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chize (CEBC - CNRS) - Marine Predators unit, as part of Dr Christophe Guinet's research team on marine mammals interactions with demersal longline fisheries in the Southern Ocean. http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/GB_index.htm Abstract Individual heterogeneity in foraging behavior has been widely documented within predator populations. In highly social apex predators such as killer whales (*Orcinus orca*), specialization may occur at the matriline level. A small population of killer whales has been documented to occur around the Crozet Islands. These whales feed on a wide range of prey items including seals, penguins and large whales, as well as depredate the local Patagonian toothfish (*Dissostichus eleginoides*) longline fishery. The level of interactions with fisheries varies greatly between matrilines. Here, we present the results on the effects of such behavioral heterogeneity on the demographic trends of this killer whale population. We used photo-identification data from 1977 to 2011 in a mark–recapture framework to test the effect of varying levels of fisheries interactions on adult survival. We documented significant differences in survival between depredating and non-depredating whales, resulting in divergent intra-population demographic trends. These differences showed low survival, and thus a negative effect, for depredating whales when illegal fishing occurred (poachers used lethal methods to deter killer whales from depredating longlines). After illegal fishing stopped (2003–2011), the survival rates of depredating individuals exceeded the survival rates of non-depredating individuals, suggesting a positive influence of “artificial food provisioning”. This effect was further supported by a higher population growth rate for depredating whales. This study highlights the potential demographic costs and benefits that cetaceans face from depredating fisheries and addresses the demographic consequences of both intra-population feeding specialization and the influence of anthropogenic changes in resource availability. Kind regards Paul *Paul Tixier, PhD * Postdoctoral fellow ARC Linkage Project 2016 – 2020 “Developing global solutions to marine mammals – fisheries interactions” School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment *Deakin University* Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125 Tel: +61 (0)4 84 122 796 Email: p.tixier(a)deakin.edu.au <p.tixier(a)deakin.edu.au> Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Tixier Google Scholar Citations: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=mwCnhR8AAAAJ&hl=en

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Sea Life Park Hawaii Internship Fall 2017
by Kandace Campbell 31 Jul '17

31 Jul '17

Become a Sea Life Park Intern Sea Life Park Hawai'i offers several types of un-paid internship opportunities near Honolulu, including: Marine Mammal Care & Training, Seabird Care & Rehabilitation, Veterinary Technician, and Educator Experiences. We will be happy to work with your college or university to develop a program tied to your academic goals. Our internships are ideal for students who love marine animals and want hands–on experience working with them. Our interns will also have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of animal training through a unique phase training program. All of our internships require our interns to participate in food preparation for the animals of the park, so applicants must be comfortable working with frozen fish. Internship Opportunities Aloha Experience Aloha interns will get to work primarily with dolphins. These interns have the opportunity to assist with dolphin training, husbandry, interactive programs, and observe some of our younger dolphins learning new behaviors. If your main focus is dolphins and learning about guest interactions, this is the internship for you! Lagoon Experience Dolphin Lagoon interns will work with dolphins and sea lions involved in our shows, exhibits, and interactive programs. These interns get to assist in training, husbandry, and interactive sessions with dolphins; as well as learn basic showmanship and show production skills during the daily Sea Life Park Hawai'i Dolphin Lagoon Show. Interns also assist in the daily training, care, and educational presentations with our sea lions and penguins. Hawaiian Experience Interns in the Hawaiian Experience get to assist with husbandry, training, and shows involving our dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. Interns may also assist with basic husbandry of our Hawaiian monk seal, and help trainers during our sea lion interactive program. If you are interested in shows, and have a love for sea lions this is the internship for you! Educator Experience Education interns will work with our in-house and outreach education programs. In our classroom, interns have the opportunity to assist with program instruction and curriculum development at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Interns also participate in park activities, the development of educational and interactive displays, and community programs. This experience allows interns to participate in a wide variety of activities, as well as learn all of what Sea Life Park Hawaii has to offer. Veterinary Technician Experience Interns will work with a large variety of marine mammals, as well as penguins, sea turtles, reef fish, and seabirds. In our veterinary department, interns assist our staff with the husbandry and treatment of all animals housed in the park. Interns also help with lab procedures, sample processing, and record keeping. Wings Experience Interns work with a large variety of healthy and rehabilitating seabirds. At our Seabird Sanctuary, interns assist in the husbandry and treatment of non-releasable species of seabirds. At our Seabird Rehabilitation Center, interns help our veterinary staff with seabird medical treatments, husbandry, and reintroduction into the wild. Internship Program Candidate Requirements Candidates must: 1. Be at least 18 years of age 2. Be enrolled in or have graduated from a university or college 3. Commit to the full internship time period 4. Be able to financially support her or himself (Internships are un-paid, but lunches are included daily). 5. Have strong swimming skills and be physically able to work in in-water interactive programs with marine mammals and other species 6. Be comfortable with public speaking 7. Be comfortable handling frozen fish Accepted applicants must: 1. Attend all required seminars and training courses 2. Commit to a minimum of 40 hours per week (including nights and weekends) 3. Be able to lift 50lbs. Applications Submissions Application Packets must include: 1. Application 2. Two letters of recommendation 3. College transcript(s) – an unofficial copy is fine 4. Statement of interest: 5. CV or resume Statement of Interest Please include a 1–2 page typed statement of interest that explains your reasons for applying, your background information, your interests, your academic and field related experiences, and your personal goals for the Sea Life Park Hawai'i internship. Submission Instructions To apply for a Sea Life Park Hawai'i Internship Program, download and complete the application below, attach all required materials, and mail to the address below or to: education(a)sealifeparkhawaii.com <mailto:education@sealifeparkhawaii.com> . Download Internship application<http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/sites/sealife.com/files/2017%20Intern%20Ap…> Education Supervisor Sea Life Park Hawai'i 41-202 Kalaniana'ole Highway #7 Waimanalo, Hawai'i 96795 Internship Availability Dates:January 2-May 25, 2018 Application Deadline:September 29, 2017 Respectfully, Kandace Campbell Education Supervisor Sea Life Park Hawaii 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy #7 Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 Office: 808.259.2512 Fax. 808.259.7373 Email: kandace.campbell(a)sealifeparkhawaii.com<mailto:kandace.campbell@sealifeparkhawaii.com> [HeartDolphinLogo] P E mālama `āina ma mua o kau pa`i `ana i kēia leka uila. Care for the land before you print this electronic message. 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