February 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Science Internships and Research Experiences in Spain
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Dear all, The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) <http://www.thebdri.com/>, a marine science and education centre, offers unique hands-on research experiences as a marine mammal scientist in the NW coast of Spain. BDRI scientists conduct research across a wide range of subject areas that link marine top predators (cetaceans and marine birds) ecology with their physical environment, society and population dynamics; explore their interactions with human activities (such as fisheries, aquaculture and marine traffic); and investigate their behaviour and acoustic communication. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - This internships program enables aspiring marine scientists to work in conjunction with leading marine biologists as they undertake ground-breaking research on the charismatic marine mega-fauna in one of the most productive oceanic regions on the world (Galicia, North-western coast of Spain). An incredible diversity of cetaceans is present in these waters. In 2017, the BDRI team had the opportunity to study bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, killer whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and even blue whales. During the internship period participants will be working side by side with the chief biologist, and other experienced researchers. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants will be trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. Laboratory work days typically last six hours and field days typically exceed seven hours and occur several times per week (weather dependent). There will be two days off per week. HOW TO APPLY – Research experiences are open to all applicants 18 years of age or older. An academic background in biology, veterinary or natural science, coupled with motivation and interest in marine research make the most qualified individuals. Start and end dates are flexible but the position requires a minimum of 30 days continuous (internships) or 5 days (volunteering) commitment sometime between February 2018 through to end November 2018. The BDRI is a private and self-funded centre, hence, this research experience requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation in an apartment, training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, and other expenses (access to wifi in the apartment, kitchen utensils, electricity, taxes, etc). Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research centre (O Grove, Galicia, Spain). Interested candidates should submit an e-mail to severine(a)thebdri.com, and we will provide you further information about the program. Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Positions are open until filled. For more information about BDRI's research projects, please visit <https://www.thebdri.com> or our Facebook page (BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BDRI). Scientific articles published by the BDRI in 2017 (for a full list of publications please visit: <http://www.thebdri.com/research/papers.html>) - Díaz López, B., López, A., Methion, S., & Covelo, P. (2017). Infanticide attacks and associated epimeletic behaviour in free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 1-9. doi:10.1017/S0025315417001266 - Diaz Lopez B. and Methion S., 2017. The impact of shellfish farming on common bottlenose dolphins’ use of habitat. Marine Biology 164: 83. - 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 - Diaz Lopez B., 2017. Temporal variability of predator presence around a fin fish farm in the North-western Mediterranean Sea. Marine Ecology 38(1), e12378. Best regards, and see you in Galicia! Bruno Díaz López Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684 248552 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.

1 0

New publication: increased sightings of subArctic cetaceans (humpback, fin, and minke whales) in the eastern Chukchi Sea
by Amelia Brower 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Dear MARMAM readers, We are pleased to announce the following paper has been published online in the journal Polar Biology: Brower, A.A., Clarke, J.T. & Ferguson, M.C. 2018. Increased sightings of subArctic cetaceans in the eastern Chukchi Sea, 2008-2016: population recovery, response to climate change, or increased survey effort? Polar Biology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-2257-x Abstract:Cetacean occurrence in the Chukchi Sea is seasonal and primarily driven by annual sea ice retreat and prey occurrence in spring through fall. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), although often found in polar waters elsewhere, are not common in the eastern Chukchi Sea, and here are referred to as “subArctic” species. Increasing numbers of these subArctic cetacean species were documented during aerial surveys in the eastern Chukchi Sea (67°-72°N, 157°-169°W) in July-October 2008-2016. The majority (78%) of these sightings occurred on the continental shelf in the south-central Chukchi Sea (67°-69°N, 166°-169°W) in August and September. During similar aerial surveys in 1982-1991, there was a complete lack of sightings of subArctic species. The disparity in sightings between the two time periods could be due to increased marine mammal survey effort in recent years during the months when subArctic cetacean species would be expected to occur, population recoveries from commercial whaling, climate change, or, most likely, a combination of all three. Link to full text article:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-2257-x If you would like a copy of the full text pdf, please contact me at: amelia.brower(a)noaa.gov Sincerely,Amelia BrowerJoint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and OceanUniversity of Washington, andCetacean Assessment and Ecology Program Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries

1 0

new open access publication on dolphin echolocation
by Laura Kloepper 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Dear colleagues, We are happy to share our new open access publication "Off-axis targets maximize bearing Fisher Information in broadband active sonar" which combines mathematical predictions with empirical measurements of a bottlenose dolphin. We derived the bearing Fisher Information encoded in the frequency-dependent transmitted beam of a bottlenose dolphin and found that the optimal strategy for obtaining target information is to direct the beam slightly askew of the target. We also recorded the echolocation behavior of dolphin and found the dolphin behaved in agreement with our predictions. This paper is open access and is available at the following link: http://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.5021709 Cheers, Laura Kloepper Dr. Laura Kloepper Assistant Professor Department of Biology Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, IN 46556 lkloepper(a)saintmarys.edu 574-284-4668 @ProfLKloepper laurakloepper.net <http://laurakloepper.net/> Lab Webpage: smcbellebats.wordpress.com @smcbellebats

1 0

New publication: Common dolphin diet off the the Western Iberia and correlation with sardine decline
by Ana Marçalo 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Dear All, We are pleased to announce the online publication of our paper in Marine Biology. Marçalo A., Nicolau L., Giménez J., Ferreira M., Silva, A., Vingada J., Pierce G.J. (2018). Feeding ecology of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in Western Iberian waters: has the decline in sardine (Sardina pilchardus) affected dolphin diet? Marine Biology, 165: 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-018-3285-3 Abstract: Predator diet is expected to respond to changes in the abundance of important prey items. We investigated whether common dolphin diet has changed with changes in the pelagic ﬁsh community oﬀ the Iberian Peninsula in recent years, in particular with reference to the decline of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and the increase of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) and scads (Trachurus spp.), and estimated how much ﬁsh was removed by common dolphins in coastal waters of mainland Portugal. Based on analysis of stomach contents of stranded animals from 2010 to 2013 (n=150), we related diet composi- tion to sardine abundance, dolphin size and sex, season and region. Despite the decline in sardine stocks in recent years, sardines were the most important prey of common dolphins, as was previously reported in the 1990s, followed by chub mackerel and scads. However, small sardines have disappeared from the diet, consistent with recent poor recruitment to the stock. The relative importance of these pelagic species in the diet increased signiﬁcantly with increasing dolphin length. The dietary importance of chub mackerel also varied regionally, with higher intake on the southern coast. Finally, we compared the estimated biomass of ﬁsh removed by dolphins with that taken by ﬁsheries. We found that even with the severe quota restrictions on sardine catches, total biomass removed by ﬁsheries was over ﬁve times greater than the estimated removal by common dolphins. Our results conﬁrm the previously reported preference for energy-rich prey, especially sardine, suggesting that common dolphins in Portuguese waters specialise in feeding on this species. The paper is fully available via this shared link made available by Springer Nature: http://rdcu.be/GhX6 Best wishes to you all, Ana -- Ana Marçalo, PhD (Bióloga de Pescas/Fisheries biologist) CCMAR - Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal http://ccmar.ualg.pt Coastal Fisheries Research Group Office: L 23 Tlf: +351 289 800 051 (ext. 7394) email: amarcalo(a)ualg.pt; amarcalo(a)gmail.com ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0485-341X ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana_Marcalo2

1 0

New publication: Genetic study of Japanese harbour seals (Mariko Mizuno)
by m m 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new publication in PLOS ONE: Mitochondrial DNA reveals secondary contact in Japanese harbour seals, the southernmost population in the western Pacific. Full citation: Mizuno, M., Sasaki, T., Kobayashi, M., Haneda, T., & Masubuchi, T. (2018). Mitochondrial DNA reveals secondary contact in Japanese harbour seals, the southernmost population in the western Pacific. PLOS ONE, 13(1), e0191329. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191329 Abstract: In this study, we used relatively large number of samples (n = 178) and control region of mtDNA (454bp) to clearify the divergence history of Japanese harbour seals (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) and phylogenetic relationship between the seals in Japan and other countries. Our results suggested that Japanese harbour seals possibly consisted of more than two lineages and secondary contact of populations after a long isolation. Furthermore, one of the lineage was made only by Japanese harbour seals (Group P1). The proportion of Group P1 was the highest at the South West and gradually decreased towards the North East of Hokkaido, Japan. On the other hand, the haplotypes do not belonged to Group P1 showed close relationship to the seals in the North Pacific. Based on the fossil record of harbour seal in Japan and the range of sea ice during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Group P1 might have entered Japan before the LGM and became isolated due to the geographical boundary, and gradually extended its range from the South West towards the North East of Hokkaido after the disappearance of the sea ice, while the seals which are not in Group P1 immigrated into Japan from the North Pacific. You can download the full article at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.01913… or feel free to email me to request a PDF copy: m_mizuno88(a)yahoo.co.uk<mailto:m_mizuno88@yahoo.co.uk>. Best regards, Mariko Mizuno

1 0

Animal Care Manager position at The Marine Mammal Center - Ke Kai Ola (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA)
by Claire Simeone 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawai’i hospital, Ke Kai Ola is hiring an Animal Care Manager. Animal Care Manager The Animal Care Manager is responsible for the husbandry of Hawaiian monk seals in rehabilitation at The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawai’i hospital, Ke Kai Ola, and implementing recruitment and training of animal care volunteers for the monk seal program. The Animal Care Manager reports to the Ke Kai Ola Hospital Director. This position supports the Hospital Director to ensure adequate facilities are available at the Ke Kai Ola hospital for animal care; works closely with other members of the Ke Kai Ola team to provide up-to-date patient care information and to collaborate on community engagement opportunities; and supervises and trains volunteers and visiting staff in the husbandry of seals in accordance with TMMC protocols. To learn more, and to apply, click on the link: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/about-us/organization-information/jobs/ ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The Marine Mammal Center is an internationally renowned marine mammal hospital, research center and educational facility—the largest of its kind in the world. Since 1975, the Center has rescued more than 20,000 sick, injured and orphaned marine mammals, with an average of 600–800 rescues per year, primarily seals and sea lions. Professional staff at the Center collaborate with more than 30 different scientific, educational, federal, state and nonprofit organizations from around the world, and the Center’s formal and informal education programs reach 100,000 children and adults each year. The Center’s headquarters overlooks the ocean in the Marin Headlands of Sausalito, California, within the Golden Gate National Parks. Additional satellite facilities in Morro Bay and Moss Landing support the Center’s rescue efforts in California along its 600-mile range from San Luis Obispo to Mendocino counties. In 2014, the Center opened Ke Kai Ola, a hospital for the rehabilitation of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Claire Simeone, DVM Hospital Director, Ke Kai Ola The Marine Mammal Center 73-731 Makako Bay Drive Kailua Kona, HI 96740 simeonec(a)tmmc.org<mailto:simeonec@tmmc.org> (808) 326-7325 KeKaiOla.org If you spot a Hawaiian monk seal, call our 24-hour hotline to report the sighting at 808-987-0765.

1 0

office-based photo-ID research assistant position in Olympia, WA
by Robin Baird 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Cascadia Research Collective has an entry-level office-based research assistant position available in Olympia, Washington. This position will be full-time (up to 40 hours per week) for a minimum of six months. Continuation after that date is contingent on performance and availability of funds. The applicant will work within our Hawai‘i research program, and primary duties are photo-identification matching of odontocetes (e.g., false killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins) for contribution to our Hawai‘i photo-ID catalogs. Duties will include sorting of photos within encounters, matching between encounters, grading photos for photo quality and individual distinctiveness, and entering match information into an Excel or Access database. This position also involves assisting interns with questions, confirming potential matches made by interns, assisting with preparation for field projects, and other duties to be specified. The successful applicant will be expected to provide weekly written updates on progress. Skills and qualifications: Applicants must have demonstrable proficiency with odontocete photo-identification matching. Familiarity and/or experience with Cascadia’s Hawai‘i odontocete photo-identification studies is beneficial. A Bachelor’s degree or above in biology is preferred. The applicant should have some experience with Access databases. The position requires the ability to manage multiple tasks at one time, work independently, and maintain strong communication with staff. Applicants should either be U.S. citizens or be able to obtain an appropriate work visa. A valid driver’s license and a vehicle is preferred. This position is a Monday-Friday, office-based position in Olympia, Washington. The position will be paid hourly, with an expected starting rate of between $13 and $15 per hour. Medical and dental coverage will be provided. To apply, please send an up-to-date CV and a cover letter that addresses the above-noted skills and qualifications, and includes names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references, to rwbaird(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:rwbaird@cascadiaresearch.org> with the subject line “Research assistant application”. Applications must be received by February 10th. All applications will be reviewed but only the top few applicants will be interviewed. The start date is flexible but the successful applicant is expected to start no later than April 15th. Cascadia Research Collective (a 501(c)3 non-profit research and educational organization) is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on Cascadia Research Collective’s Hawai‘i odontocete research program see http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/projects/hawaii Robin =============================================================================== Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective Affiliate Faculty, Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology Mailing address: Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA Follow Cascadia on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cascadia-Research-Collective/110495958982184> Cascadia's Hawai'i web page<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii.htm> New book on Hawai'i's whales and dolphins<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/Hawaii/HawaiiDolphinsandWhales.htm> Updates from our Feb/Mar 2018 Lāna‘i field project<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaiian-cetacean-studies/FebMar2018>

1 0

New publication: Whale-vessel collisions in Hawaii
by PWF Research Department 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new article in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management: Currie, J.J., Stack, S.H., Kaufman, G.D. Modelling whale-vessel encounters: the role of speed in mitigating collisions with humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) 17 (2017): 57–63. *Abstract:* Increasing whale populations and vessel traffic worldwide has led to an increase in reported whale-vessel collisions. This paper reports on factors that affect the rate of whale-vessel collisions in the four-island region of Maui, Hawai’i. More specifically, it aims at quantifying the probability of a whale-vessel collision with varying vessel speeds using encounter distances as a proxy. A change point model was used to identify a speed threshold of 12.5kts (6.4m/s), which showed a significant change in the relationship between speed and mean sighting distance. A 3.4-fold decrease in close encounters with humpback whales was observed when vessels traveled at speeds of 12.5kts (6.4m/s) or less. Furthermore, results indicate that lone adult whales and calves are the most likely to be involved in a collision. A speed limit of 12.5kts (6.4m/s) is warranted in areas and/or during seasons where a high density of whales occurs. This limit aligns with a reduction in lethal vessel strikes with speed from previous studies which found a significant increase in the likelihood of mortality when vessel speed exceeds 12kts. The full article is available online at https://archive.iwc.int/?r=6607 or email us to request a PDF copy: research(a)pacificwhale.org *Research Department* Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Ma'alaea Rd., Suite 211 Wailuku, HI 96793, USA Phone: +1 808-856-8338 Email: research(a)pacificwhale.org Website: www.pacificwhale.org -- mauiwhalefestival.org CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission and any accompanying attachments contain information belonging to the sender which may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail transmission was sent as indicated above. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this transmission and all attachments. Thank you!

1 0

Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy annual meeting
by Barlow, Dawn Renee 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Dear all, The annual meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) will take place on May 12-13, 2018. The chapter encompasses students who are based in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California, or who conduct research in these locations. We are excited to announce that this year's conference will be held at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon! Saturday, May 12th will be filled with student oral and poster presentations, a philosopher's cafe where students can engage in discussions with established researchers in the field, and a group dinner. Sunday, May 13th we will have the option for students to participate in a necropsy (space limited) or take a tour of the Oregon Coast Aquarium (additional fee may apply). Registration is now open! The cost for attendance is TBA (max $20), and will be due at the beginning of the conference. Please register using the following link: http://bit.ly/2nwpOGq Abstract submissions will be accepted through Friday, April 6th. Guests (students or non-students) who are are not interested in presenting but would like to attend are still encouraged to register and join us for the conference! Registration will be accepted at any time, including the day of the meeting. However, please keep in mind that early registration is appreciated so that we can ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We look forward to seeing you on the Oregon coast in May! Dawn Barlow and Michelle Fournet NWSSMM 2018 conference organizers Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/180826859347101/ Dawn Barlow MSc Student and Graduate Research Assistant Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Institute Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab<https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab> dawn.barlow(a)oregonstate.edu

1 0

Alaska Whale Foundation is looking for volunteers for the 2018 field season
by Andy Szabo 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) is seeking volunteers to participate in a series of research, monitoring and data analysis projects at its remote field station on Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska (latitude 57.0877 N, longitude 134.8342 W). Volunteers will assist primarily in collecting and/or analyzing data for: · Research on humpback whale social structure, abundance patterns and health trends; · Long-term landbird acoustic monitoring; and, · Terrestrial habitat mapping The CCC is a cooperative living environment so, in addition to assisting in field sampling and data analyses, volunteers will be responsible for cooking, cleaning and basic equipment maintenance. Volunteers are expected to cover their own costs of getting to/from Petersburg AK and to supply their own foul-weather gear appropriate for work in the Southeast Alaskan temperate rainforest (rain gear, boots, etc.). In return for participation, AWF will provide transportation between the field station and Petersburg and room and board. Volunteers are expected to arrive in Petersburg by noon on June 23 and will be returned on the morning of August 17. Because of travel logistics within Southeast Alaska these dates are not flexible. All applicants will be considered; however, preference will be given to individuals that are/have: · Pursuing or recently awarded a BA/BS degree in biology, environmental science or similar field; · Boating experience; · Experience working in remote field settings; · Experience with terrestrial and/or marine sampling; and, · An ability to work well with colleagues in both research and cooperative living situations Interested individuals should apply online at www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/volunteer<http://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/volunteer>. Applications must be submitted no later than February 16 @ 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time. For more information on Alaska Whale Foundation and the Center for Coastal Conservation, please visit: www.alaskawhalefoundation.org<http://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org>.

1 0