October 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

National Aquarium Position Announcement: Rehabilitation Biologist
by Shaffer, Kate 23 Oct '18

23 Oct '18

The National Aquarium is seeking a Rehabilitation Biologist to provide excellent day-to-day husbandry and medical care of marine turtles and marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation for the purpose of release back to the natural environment. The Rehabilitation Biologist will keep rehabilitation pools, equipment, and workspaces well maintained to National Aquarium and NOAA Fisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service standards. The person in this role is fully accountable for the patients and systems under their care. They will participate in planning and implementation of special projects (renovations, enrichment, animal transports & releases) as assigned. They will also train and mentor volunteers and interns. This position is grant funded for 1-year with possibility of extension dependent on available funding. Rehabilitation Biologist Essential Functions: * Organizes the day to day husbandry and feeding of sea turtles and marine mammals in rehabilitation. * Completes inspection rounds of patients, life support systems, and enclosures daily to check status and identify and report any potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible. * Prepares daily diets and feeds patients according to their medical plan and dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, equipment and utensils. * Prepares diets, supplements, and medications according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to improve animal health. * Follows established feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Develop strategies to get inappetent patients to eat. Monitor patient weights. * Administers oral supplements and medications. * Utilizes various feeding techniques and develop new strategies to overcome the challenges of getting the correct diet and medications to the appropriate patients when animals are housed together. * Monitors health of patients, and works with manager and Animal Health staff to implement treatment plans as instructed. * Observes and recognizes changes in patient behavior, medical condition, and appetite and reports observations. Discusses best course with the senior Animal Rescue staff and Animal Health & Welfare staff as appropriate. * Administers medications and maintains quarantine protocols when working in and between animal rescue workspaces. * Provide safe restraint and handling of animals during husbandry and clinical procedures. * Maintains detailed, daily animal and medical records in accordance with federal and aquarium standards using computerized medical system and hardcopy files. Reviews records regularly to identify important trends and reports them to the Rehabilitation Manager. * Develops basic understanding of behavioral models to accomplish conditioning, enrichment, and husbandry goals for animals in rehabilitation, with an emphasis on ensuring releasable animals maintain natural behaviors. * Plans and conducts enrichment sessions and opportunities as assigned. * Participates in the admission, rehabilitation, transport, and release of patients. * Monitors patient food supply and ensures proper food rotation. Orders food, hardware, husbandry supplies, medical treatment supplies, and supplements as needed. * Observes animal behavior such as intra- species aggression, feeding, habitat use, etc., and gathers data to advise on management decisions. * Responds to animal emergencies, at times after hours. * Provide daily cleaning and maintenance of rehabilitation facilities, life support, animal enclosures, & equipment. * Services and cleans rehab enclosures and pools daily. * Monitors and records temperature and water chemistry data, etc. * Monitors, operates, and maintains life support equipment. Performs water changes, backwashing and other procedures necessary to care for pumps, filters, and maintains water quality standards. * Maintains current knowledge of all pumps, valves, filters, and chillers dealing with the life support of rehabilitation areas * Maintains cleanliness and organization of workspaces, rehab facilities, food prep, and support equipment. * Assists with enclosure improvements and implementing new enrichment. * Maintains safety, animal, and response equipment as directed. * Gives input to rehabilitation protocols and procedures to help improve the program. * Assists in pest control. * Participates in outreach and continuing education. * Supports collection of digital content (photos, videos, etc) as directed. * Provides back-up tours, presentations, and guest engagement as directed * Participates in and presents at workshops, lectures, seminars, trainings, and other continuing education opportunities. * Participates in formal and informal public presentations * Represents NA in partnerships with outside organization working on common projects or goals. * Participates in research projects * Maintains established Aquarium protocols, policies, and quarantine. * Coordinates departmental volunteer and intern support. * Assists with the training of less experienced staff, new staff, volunteers and interns * Acts as section liaison and lead in the absence of managerial staff as assigned. * Attends weekly staff department meetings, committee meetings, and quarterly full staff meetings * Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures * Other duties as assigned or required. * Assists with necropsy of animals, including collection and distribution of samples. Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements: Required: * Bachelor’s degree in biology, aquatic sciences, environmental or related science or equivalent experience. * Minimum one year previous professional work experience with a rehabilitation, and or stranding response organization with preference to those with experience with both pinnipeds and sea turtles (especially cold stunned sea turtles) * Experience with animal husbandry, diet preparation, life support and record keeping in a professional setting * Must be able to apply solid knowledge of biology, and zoology to a rehabilitation setting. * Competent regarding wound treatment, administration of oral medications, and familiar with quarantine protocols * Adept at observation and the ability to watch for changes in patient health, monitor eating patterns, and any changes in behavior. * Must be able to follow established safety protocols. * Ability to communicate effectively with aquarium visitors, and staff at all levels verbally or in writing. Must have the ability to follow the directions of supervisors, and work as a team player. * Ability to mentor and train interns and volunteers. * Must have keen observation skills, should be highly detail orientated and adept at problem solving. * Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks). * Necropsy experience a plus Competencies * Must have basic knowledge about marine biology and have an affinity for animals, including a reasonable comfort level around large and/or aggressive animals. Must be able to work productively in a teamwork environment. * Must have the capacity to make decisions, based on the best interest of the animals, public health, and staff safety. Familiarity with computers is necessary, including MS Office software (Word/Excel) and Adobe; ability to learn & effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software. * Must be able to follow established policies and protocols. Must be able to work well under direction and have capacity to absorb feedback from manager or staff, and have the capacity to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation from manager. * Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends, holidays and possible evening hours. The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply. ABOUT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM Recently named one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work, the National Aquarium opened in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city’s Inner Harbor redevelopment. SmartCEO Magazine honored the National Aquarium with the Healthiest Workplace award and the Corporate Culture award in 2016. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked one of the nation’s two top aquariums and has hosted over 51 million guests since opening. Today, the National Aquarium builds on a 37-year history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine life, ecosystems and aquatic communities. Its Animal Rescue team has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Its Animal Welfare and Science teams participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels. Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet. HOW TO APPLY Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website http://aqua.org/jobs. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made by e-mailing HR(a)aqua.org [http://www.aqua.org/-/media/Aquarium/Global/Logo/shareThis97x97.ashx]<http://aqua.org/jobs> National Aquarium | Working at the Aquarium<http://aqua.org/jobs> aqua.org Find an inspiring job, career, internship or volunteer opportunity. Work for an organization that is fun, fast-paced, and focused on inspiring conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. KATE SHAFFER Rehabilitation Manager 410-986-2378 410-986-2362 KShaffer(a)aqua.org aqua.org We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. National Aquarium 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202 (Aquarium) 111 Market Pl, STE 800, Baltimore, MD 21202 (Office) Please consider our ocean planet before printing. [NAISIG1]

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New publication on humpback whale acoustic ecology
by Michelle Elizabeth Fournet 22 Oct '18

22 Oct '18

Hello All, We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published online in Marine Mammal Science: Incorporating tides into the acoustic ecology of humpback whales Dawn R. Barlow*, Michelle EH Fournet*, Fred Sharpe <https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12534>https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12534 Abstract: North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually to foraging grounds in Southeast Alaska that are characterized by semidiurnal tidal cycles. Tidal activity is an important driver of marine mammal behavior on foraging grounds, but is often omitted in studies of acoustic ecology. To better understand the role of sound in this vocal species we investigated the influence of tidal height and direction on humpback whale nonsong calling behavior in Frederick Sound and described new call types for this population. The likelihood of detecting a call from the low�\frequency�\harmonic, pulsed, or noisy�\complex call classes was independent of tidal activity. The likelihood of detecting a call from the tonal call class, and a feeding call in particular, was 2.1 times higher during flood tides than during ebb tides (95% CI 1.1�C4.4). This likely reflects an indirect relationship between humpback whale foraging and tides. Please don't hesitate to contact myself (michelle.fournet(a)cornell.edu) or Dawn Barlow (dawn.barlow(a)oregonstate.edu) with any questions. -- Michelle E.H. Fournet, PhD Postdoctoral Research Associate Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bioacoustics Research Program 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY, 14850-1999 michelle.fournet(a)cornell.edu (907) 723-2752 mfournet.wordpress.com<http://mfournet.wordpress.com/>

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MMO vacancies for USA citizens, and permanent positions for MMOs and PAMOs
by Recruitment 22 Oct '18

22 Oct '18

Dear MMOs, OSC seeks MMOs for a project in the USA, with an estimated duration of 1-2 weeks. The survey vessel is Jones Act Compliant, so anyone who boards must be a US citizen; consequently, we are only looking for US-citizen applicants on this particular project. To minimise mob/demob costs, we are ideally looking for applicants who are based in Louisiana or have regular and competitively priced flights from their local airport to New Orleans International Airport - it would be helpful if applicants could indicate how long it takes to travel from your home to New Orleans. Rates are negotiable and on a door-to-door policy plus logistical (travel) expenses. If you are interested and available, and not already on OSC's database, please provide copies of your CV, passport, driving licence (probably not needed, but useful for future reference), offshore survival and medical certificates, MMO and/or PAM and degree certificates. For documents not already in electronic format, please scan these, ideally using a flat-bed scanner (but a camera scanner will suffice), as photographs of documents are not often accepted due to suboptimal quality - presentation is everything, and clients are more likely to select applicants who take the time to properly scan documents. Please use relevant software programmes to minimise any scanned file sizes so that they remain clearly legible, yet easy for us to share by email with stakeholders. In this day and age, most of us receive emails on our mobile/cell phones, and most of us do not want to use our monthly mobile/cell data allowance to receive unnecessarily large documents that could have easily been resized using software programmes that are available online free of charge. If a flat-bed scanner creates PDF format only, which can be excessively large, open these documents in an image processing programme (free software available), and save in a different format such as JPEG, then use a suitable programme to reduce the file size - also available for free download online. PDF format is acceptable, but large file sizes are unnecessary. We still receive application emails with documents attached to several different emails on account of file size, which was normal in 1998, but not in 2018, hence this advice. Please apply by email only to recruitment(a)osc.co.uk<mailto:recruitment@osc.co.uk> - recruitment enquiries to other OSC email addresses will not be considered. Also, OSC will shortly be advertising permanent employment positions for MMOs and PAMOs, and interested candidates are welcome to apply sooner. These positions are for UK and EU citizens only, and successful candidates will need to relocate to Dunbar or nearby. In due course, further details will be available on various online locations and social media and on our website: http://www.osc.co.uk/careers Please feel free to circulate this email amongst colleagues seeking contract (freelance) and permanent employment. Thanks and kind regards, -- Recruitment Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk

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Cetacean course at SOLAMAC, Peru: Methods of acoustic and visual studies for the conservation of cetaceans
by Sonia Español Jimenez 22 Oct '18

22 Oct '18

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the next course in the 2018 SOLAMAC, Lima, Peru: " Métodos de estudios acústicos y visuales para la conservación de cetáceos. " This course will be imparted in Spanish. Here there are more details: Taller: Métodos de estudios acústicos y visuales para la conservación de cetáceos Si eres estudiante, egresado y te gustaría investigar sobre la ecología comportamental y poblacional de cetáceos aplicando métodos visuales y acústicos. Te invitamos a participar en el presente taller que se impartirá en colaboración con las siguientes instituciones: - Laboratorio de Ecología Acústica e Comportamiento Anima, Universidade Federal do Reconcavo da Bahia, Brasil - Fundación MERI, Santiago de Chile. - Madre Agua Ecoturismo e Investigación, Colombia. - Proyecto CETACEA Ecuador, USFQ. ¡Te esperamos el sábado 03 de Noviembre en Lima, Solamac 2018! Inscripciones en: http://solamac2018.com/xii-congreso-y-xviii-reunion-de-trabajo-de-la-socied… Thanks, Dra. Sonia Español-Jiménez Investigadora Asociada Fundación MERI sespanol(a)fundacionmeri.cl

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Extended to 31 October: IUCN call for applications - WGWAP Chair 2019-2021 - due 21 October 2018
by BERZINA-RODRIGO Anete 19 Oct '18

19 Oct '18

Dear colleagues, I am writing to raise your attention that IUCN has extended the deadline for applications to 31 October 2018. Please see https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.offline.download&offline_va… (same link as before). Kind regards, Anete From: BERZINA-RODRIGO Anete Sent: 15 October 2018 16:03 To: 'marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca' <marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca> Cc: CARBONE Giulia <Giulia.CARBONE(a)iucn.org> Subject: IUCN call for applications - WGWAP Chair 2019-2021 - due 21 October 2018 Dear colleagues, I would like to raise your attention to the IUCN's Call for Applications for a Chair's position of IUCN's Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP). The position will run for a 3 year period, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. All interested and qualified experts for the Chair's position are encouraged to submit their application in English by 21 October 2018. The interviews of the short-listed candidates will be conducted on Skype between 19-23 November 2018, and the final selection will be made in early December 2018. The post will then be active as of January 2019. For more details, please see the full Call for Applications on the IUCN Human Resources Management System: https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.offline.download&offline_va…. Once the Chair has been appointed, the recruitment of the members of the Panel will follow (also for a 3 year period, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021). We are proud of the WGWAP accomplishments over the last 14 years and look forward to receiving expressions of interest. Therefore, please feel free to share this Call for Applications widely within your networks. To learn more about the Panel's work, please see www.iucn.org/wgwap<http://www.iucn.org/wgwap>. Kind regards, Anete Berzina-Rodrigo Manager - Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel Global Marine & Polar Programme & Global Business & Biodiversity Programme IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. +41 22 999 0703; Fax +41 22 999 0002 www.iucn.org<http://www.iucn.org/> [cid:image001.png@01D467FE.325D33B0] [cid:image002.jpg@01D22541.8305C0E0]<http://twitter.com/iucn> [cid:image003.jpg@01D22541.8305C0E0] <http://www.facebook.com/iucn.org> ________________________________ This communication, together with any attachment, may contain confidential information and/or copyright material and is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or if you received it in error, you are asked to kindly delete it and promptly notify us. Any review, copying, use, disclosure or distribution of any part of this communication, unless duly authorized by or on behalf of IUCN, is strictly forbidden.

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New Publication: Implications of survey effort on estimating demographic parameters of a long-lived marine top predator
by John Symons 18 Oct '18

18 Oct '18

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following paper published in Ecology and Evolution: Title: Implications of survey effort on estimating demographic parameters of a long�\lived marine top predator Authors: John Symons, Kate R. Sprogis, and Lars Bejder. Abstract: Effective management of wildlife populations rely on knowledge of their abundance, survival, and reproductive rates. Maintaining long�\term studies capable of estimating demographic parameters for long�\lived, slow�\reproducing species is challenging. Insights into the effects of research intensity on the statistical power to estimate demographic parameters are limited. Here, we investigate implications of survey effort on estimating abundance, home range sizes, and reproductive output of Indo�\Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), using a 3�\year subsample of a long�\term, capture�Crecapture study off Bunbury, Western Australia. Photo�\identification on individual dolphins was collected following Pollock's Robust Design, where seasons were defined as ��primary periods��, each consisting of multiple ��secondary periods.�� The full dataset consisted of 12 primary periods and 72 secondary periods, resulting in the study area being surveyed 24 times/year. We simulated reduced survey effort by randomly removing one, two, or three secondary periods per primary period. Capture�Crecapture models were used to assess the effect of survey intensity on the power to detect trends in population abundance, while individual dolphin sighting histories were used to assess the ability to conduct home range analyses. We used sighting records of adult females and their calving histories to assess survey effort on quantifying reproductive output. A 50% reduction in survey effort resulted in (a) up to a 36% decline in population abundance at the time of detection; (b) a reduced ability to estimate home range sizes, by increasing the time for individuals to be sighted on ��30 occasions (an often�\used metric for home range analyses) from 7.74 to 14.32 years; and (c) 33%, 24%, and 33% of annual calving events across three years going undocumented, respectively. Results clearly illustrate the importance of survey effort on the ability to assess demographic parameters with clear implications for population viability analyses, population forecasting, and conservation efforts to manage human�Cwildlife interactions. Reference: J Symons, KR Sprogis, and L Bejder (2018) Implications of survey effort on estimating demographic parameters of a long-lived marine top predator. Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.1002/ece3.4512. The full text can be downloaded at the following link and is open access: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.4512 Kind regards, John Symons

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New Publication: High latitude winter sightings of common minke whale calves (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Northeast Atlantic
by Kavanagh, Ailbhe 18 Oct '18

18 Oct '18

Dear MARMAM-Users, We are pleased to announce the following publication in Marine Biodiversity Records: " High latitude winter sightings of common minke whale calves (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Northeast Atlantic” Kavanagh AS, Kett G, Richardson N, Rogan E, Jessopp MJ. High latitude winter sightings of common minke whale calves (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Northeast Atlantic. Marine Biodiversity Records. 2018;11(1):22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-018-0157-y Abstract: Although common minke whales occur in relatively high numbers in the North Atlantic, relatively little is known about their seasonal movements or the location of their breeding and calving grounds. This lack of knowledge compromises our ability to protect potentially important areas for this species. Here we report high latitude winter sightings of unweaned minke whale calves recorded in offshore waters in the Northeast Atlantic. We discuss how such sightings may contribute to our understanding of the winter distribution and movements of this species; raising the possibility that a proportion of the population may over-winter at high latitudes in offshore waters, and that calving may occasionally occur in the warm North Atlantic Drift waters of western Europe’s continental shelf. The article is open access and available online: https://mbr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41200-018-0157-y For any questions do not hesitate to contact me at: ailbheskabvanagh(a)gmail.com<mailto:ailbheskabvanagh@gmail.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Ailbhe Kavanagh Post Doctoral Researcher MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy Environmental Research Institute Beaufort Building University College Cork Haulbowline Rd | Ringaskiddy Co. Cork | Ireland P: +353 (0)21 486 4359 P: +353 (0)21 486 4300 ailbhe.kavanagh(a)ucc.ie<mailto:ailbhe.kavanagh@ucc.ie> ailbheskavanagh(a)gmail.com<mailto:ailbheskavanagh@gmail.com> http://marei.ie/ https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2DMLafAAAAAJ&hl=en }( ._)˚˚°°˚ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Long term pathological studies (06.12)(99-05) Canary Islands
by Antonio Jesús Fernández Rodríguez 16 Oct '18

16 Oct '18

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper: Díaz-Delgado, J., Fernández, A., Sierra, E., Sacchini, S., Andrada, M., Vela, A.I., Quesada-Canales, Ó., Paz, Y., Zucca, D., Groch, K., and Arbelo, M. (2018). Pathologic findings and causes of death of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands (2006-2012). PLOS ONE 13, e0204444. This represents (PhD work) a the second long term systematic pathological study (06-12). The article is open access, and available from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0204444 Abstract: This study describes the pathologic findings and most probable causes of death (CD) of 224 cetaceans stranded along the coastline of the Canary Islands (Spain) over a 7-year period, 2006–2012. Most probable CD, grouped as pathologic categories (PCs), was identified in 208/224 (92.8%) examined animals. Within natural PCs, those associated with good nutritional status represented 70/208 (33.6%), whereas, those associated with significant loss of nutritional status represented 49/208 (23.5%). Fatal intra- and interspecific traumatic interactions were 37/208 (17.8%). Vessel collisions included 24/208 (11.5%). Neonatal/perinatal pathology involved 13/208 (6.2%). Fatal interaction with fishing activities comprised 10/208 (4.8%). Within anthropogenic PCs, foreign body-associated pathology represented 5/208 (2.4%). A CD could not be determined in 16/208 (7.7%) cases. Natural PCs were dominated by infectious and parasitic disease processes. Herein, our results suggest that between 2006 and 2012, in the Canary Islands, direct human activity appeared responsible for 19% of cetaceans deaths, while natural pathologies accounted for 81%. These results, integrating novel findings and published reports, aid in delineating baseline knowledge on cetacean pathology and may be of value to rehabilitators, caregivers, diagnosticians and future conservation policies. The first long term systematical study (99-05) is also avaliable here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236099462_Pathology_and_causes_of_… Regards, Dr. Antonio Fernández (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Antonio_Fernandez6) Dr. Manuel Arbelo Institute of Animal Health University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. www.iusa.eu Antes de imprimir este correo electrónico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuestión de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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FWC MARINE MAMMAL INTERNSHIP IN PORT CHARLOTTE, FL
by Schubert, Molly 16 Oct '18

16 Oct '18

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Mammals section at the Charlotte Harbor Field Lab in Port Charlotte, FL is accepting applications for winter/spring interns. The Southwest Field Lab is offering two internships to driven, self-motivated individuals for the Winter/Spring 2019 season. The expected start date for the internship is early-mid January, however, start dates will be flexible. Working hours are typically four to five days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some additional night and weekend hours may be required. The position is located in Port Charlotte on the west coast of Florida, just north of Fort Myers. The intern's duties would include assisting with manatee and cetacean carcass salvage, necropsies, research projects (temperature monitoring, Photo ID, etc.), public outreach, and occasional rescues. The intern will also assist with office duties including mortality reports, upkeep of databases, and other office work as needed. To perform the tasks mentioned, interns will operate FWC trucks and dependent upon experience, trailers and boats up to 22' in length. At the end of the internship, interns are required to complete a project and a 10-15 minute presentation on a marine mammal topic of their choosing. Qualifications: * College juniors, seniors, and recent graduates are eligible * Interns must have some research field experience * Interns must be comfortable operating large trucks and speaking to the public * Familiarity with digital cameras, telephoto lenses, and filters is preferred, but can be trained * Computer literacy * Previous animal handling experience is desirable but not necessary * Ability to trailer and operate watercrafts up to 22' in length and experience with radio telemetry tracking gear is desirable, but not necessary * Interns must be able to lift 50 lbs., swim, and possess a valid driver's license * Interns should understand that this job will require them to be wet, dirty and outdoors in all weather conditions for long periods of time Application Process: If you are interested in applying for an internship with the FWRI, please provide the following information: * A cover letter describing area(s) of interest and the dates, days, and hours of availability * A resume describing training and experience * Names and contact information for at least three references * An unofficial copy of your academic transcript Please send these items as e-mail attachments to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to: Internship Coordinator 585 Prineville Street Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Molly R. Schubert Marine Mammal Biologist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Southwest Field Lab 585 Prineville St Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Office:(941)613-0946 ext 115 Fax:(941)613-0948 Molly.Schubert(a)myfwc.com<mailto:Molly.Schubert@myfwc.com> Manatee Hotline:1-888-404-3922

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New ESR paper: Entanglement risk to western gray whales from commercial fisheries in the Russian Far East
by BERZINA-RODRIGO Anete 15 Oct '18

15 Oct '18

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the following new Open Access scientific paper: Lowry LF, Burkanov VN, Altukhov A, Weller DW, Reeves RR (2018) Entanglement risk to western gray whales from commercial fisheries in the Russian Far East. Endang Species Res 37:133-148. The full text of the paper and a link to the Russian translation (commissioned by IUCN) is available at https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00914 ABSTRACT: Western gray whales Eschrichtius robustus (WGWs) are endangered, and their range overlaps areas where several important commercial fisheries operate in the Russian Far East (RFE). Throughout their range, gray whales commonly become entangled or entrapped in fishing gear. In the western North Pacific, they have been killed in set nets and seen entangled with ropes and float lines. Signs of fishery interactions on 28 of 150 living whales photographed near Sakhalin Island were reported in a published study. We describe characteristics of RFE fisheries that might entangle WGWs, including fishing effort based on daily catch reports from 2010-2014. We make a preliminary qualitative assessment of entanglement risk, taking into account factors including (1) evidence that the gear type has entangled large whales, (2) fishing effort, and (3) geographic and temporal overlap between WGWs and fishing activity. Fishing for salmonids with pelagic gillnets is no longer allowed in the RFE, and as long as the prohibition is being followed such fishing poses no risk to WGWs. In contrast, the coastal salmon set net fishery poses a high entanglement risk off northeastern Sakhalin and Kamchatka where WGWs feed very close to shore, and that situation should be mitigated. Bottom-set gillnet, demersal longline, snurrevad (also called Danish seine), and trap and pot fisheries overlap substantially with WGW distribution, and bycatch in those fisheries should at least be monitored. More rigorous risk assessment would require additional information on WGW distribution and movements. The associated IUCN news in English and Russian can be found at https://www.iucn.org/wgwap or directly here: https://www.iucn.org/news/business-and-biodiversity/201810/western-gray-wha… Please do share widely within your networks as you see fit. Kind regards, Anete Anete Berzina-Rodrigo Manager - Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel Global Marine & Polar Programme & Global Business & Biodiversity Programme IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. +41 22 999 0703; Fax +41 22 999 0002 www.iucn.org<http://www.iucn.org/> [cid:image001.png@01D4649E.0C999870] [cid:image002.jpg@01D22541.8305C0E0]<http://twitter.com/iucn> [cid:image003.jpg@01D22541.8305C0E0] <http://www.facebook.com/iucn.org> ________________________________ This communication, together with any attachment, may contain confidential information and/or copyright material and is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or if you received it in error, you are asked to kindly delete it and promptly notify us. Any review, copying, use, disclosure or distribution of any part of this communication, unless duly authorized by or on behalf of IUCN, is strictly forbidden.

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