April 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Seeking volunteers for research on humpback whales in Western Australia
by Kate Rose-Ann Sprogis 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

Seeking volunteer research assistants in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, for a research project to evaluate the underwater noise effects of boats on humpback whales. Project Outline: We are seeking full-time volunteers for assistance on a post-doctoral research project. The project aims to investigate the underwater noise effects of boats on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae): https://marinebioacoustics.wordpress.com/people/kate-sprogis/ Primary Investigators: Dr Kate R. Sprogis and Prof. Peter T. Madsen. Location: Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Exmouth is a small, remote town with limited shops that is ~16hrs drive north of Perth. Timing: We are seeking 2-3 volunteers for dedicated, full-time assistance for 4 week and 6 week blocks during August 5th to November 1st 2019 (block one: ~3rd August- ~19th September, block two: ~19th September- 1st November). Specifics: You will be assisting on the research project, which is field and office based. Each day or half day that the weather permits we go on the boat (6m rigid hull, centre console) to collect data. To collect data we conduct controlled exposure experiments, which involves boat driving, assistance with acoustic equipment, assistance with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), laser range finder measurements, photo-identification of dorsal fins and behavioural data note taking. Data collection also involves acoustic calibration tests, received noise experiments, ambient noise measurements and boat acoustic signature data collection. When the weather does not permit, we work on data entry, UAV video processing, photo-id from dorsal and aerial photos, photogrammetry measurements, equipment maintenance, project organisation and logistics (e.g. weather checking for timing for boating and acoustic experiments). We live in a research house with team members (5 on the team). Preferred skills and traits: We seek hard-working, motivated, friendly people that are willing to give it their all to achieve a great research output. We seek people who are attuned to the intensities of fieldwork and research. Prior field experience with cetaceans and small-boats is preferred. Assistants should be adaptable and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent (e.g. any day with <15knt winds, including weekends, on consecutive days and can be 10hr long days). As many days are office days, we seek an individual that has initiative, but will also work diligently on routine tasks. We are seeking people that have a genuine interest in wildlife and conservation research, so please note that you will not be on the Ningaloo Reef side so will not be seeing whale sharks etc. unless you go on a paid tour. As field researchers, our lives consist of living in a house with assistants for extended durations, so we seek easy-going, positive, kind, team-players with a mature attitude. The assistant will need to be fluent in English. What will you gain?: In the field you will gain knowledge on the behaviour of humpback whales, how to conduct field experiments (acoustics, playbacks, UAV data collection), field skills (reading weather, driving boat, using SLR camera), and how to collect data on ambient noise. In the office you will learn about using different software programs and data organisation/processing. Costs of food, accommodation, and limited work wi-fi will be covered during the research season. Research assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Exmouth, Western Australia (coach buses and direct flights from Perth are available). If you are interested, please provide a short CV (3 pages, including the emails of two academic referees) and a one-page cover letter in a single PDF to kate.sprogis(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:kate.sprogis@bios.au.dk>. The application deadline is 23 May 2019. Kate Sprogis, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Post-doctoral Fellow Marine Bioacoustics Lab<http://www.marinebioacoustics.com/>, Dept. of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark kate.sprogis(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:kate.sprogis@bios.au.dk> Twitter, Instagram: @KateSprogis [cid:image001.jpg@01D4F9DF.31C256B0]

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Job Announcement USFWS Alaska Region
by Putnam, Christopher 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Region is currently advertising for Fish and Wildlife Biologist / Wildlife Biologist GS-0401/486-11-12 positions in the Marine Mammals Management Program. We are currently advertising for a biologist within the Polar Bear program. The successful applicant will work with a team of dedicated professionals to better understand the status of the polar bear. This exciting position will include biological field investigations on the polar bear, working with State and local agencies, Alaska Native organizations and communities, and other stakeholders representing a broad cross-section of interests to further the Service’s management effort of this important Arctic species. As part of the polar bear team you will also be developing and reviewing biological study proposals and survey designs and analyzing the results of research. We are also currently advertising for a biologist within the Regulatory program. The successful applicant will work with a team of dedicated professionals to implement portions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act for the conservation and management of polar bears, northern sea otters, and Pacific walruses in Alaska. This position will include working with the oil and gas industry, State and local agencies, Alaska Native organizations and communities, and other stakeholders representing a broad cross-section of interests. We seek candidates with strong writing and analytical skills and the desire to work in a fast paced, interdisciplinary environment. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. For further information please see the announcements at: R7-19-10480361-AV <https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/531130100> DE R7-19-10480362-AV <https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/531129200> MP If for some reason, the link doesn't work, you can find the announcement by going to http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov and searching for the job announcement numbers. Christopher Putnam Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist Marine Mammals Management U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1011 East Tudor Rd, MS 341 Anchorage, AK 99503-6199 907-786-3844 office 907-268-0577 mobile 907-786-3816 fax "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." -- J.R.R. Tolkien

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“2nd announcement - Workshop on "Arts" as a tool for communicating marine mammal science to the general public -World Marine Mammal Science Conference - Joint SMM and ECS conference in Barcelona, Dec 2019”.
by Volker Smit 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Dear MARMAMers! We are finishing the draft programme for our 7th workshop proposal on Communicating marine mammal science to the general public. The workshop will be within the World Marine Mammal Science Conference that will take place in Barcelona in December 2019 jointly organized by the European Cetacean Society (ECS) and the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM). This year sub-theme will be centred on “Arts as a tool for communication”. With "Arts" we include all forms of expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, including the various branches of creativity such as painting, music, literature and dance, technology….. We have already received very interesting contributions to the program, however, we are still open to incorporate more contributions. If you are interested please contact us shortly since the deadline of the workshop submission is approaching (30.04.19). Many regards, Luigi and Volker Dr. Luigi Bundone: luigibundone(a)tiscali.it <mailto:luigibundone@tiscali.it> or Volker Smit: smit(a)m-e-e-r.de <mailto:smit@m-e-e-r.de> -- Volker Smit 2.Vorsitzender - vice-president T +49-(0)2041-4629243 smit(a)m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org

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Marine Mammal and Acoustics Project Assistant(s) Vacancies for Seiche Environmental Ltd
by Nick Robinson 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

In order to support Seiche Environmental Limited’s continued growth strategy and the delivery of expanding portfolio of services, opportunities have become available for the position of Marine Mammal and Acoustics Project Assistant(s). Project Assistant(s) will be expected to support the Seiche Environmental Project Managers in the supply of quotes, tenders, Risk Assessments and Procedures and the coordination of projects for the Company with specific reference to marine mammal and acoustics projects. Project Assistant(s) will also be expected to be proficient in MS office, in particular excel, word and outlook. The nature of the role will mean that you will be expected to respond to requests outside of standard business hours. Seiche are looking for confident individuals with a can-do attitude who enjoy being challenged. Enthusiastic individuals with a real passion for the marine environment, especially marine mammals, seabirds, fisheries, EIA production and underwater acoustics are encouraged to apply. Ideally candidates will have a degree in a marine sciences related subject as well as experience in the field of marine mammals or underwater acoustics. Previous offshore experience in an environmental role would be hugely advantageous. These are office-based position(s) in Seiche’s Norwich office. Travel between the various company sites is to be expected and there may be the requirement to undertake occasional travel around the world. As well as a competitive salary, that reflects experience and qualifications these roles will also offer annual holidays of 25 working days, plus UK Bank Holidays and a company pension contribution of 5% of gross salary. If you believe you have the experience and skills for this role, please e-mail your CV and covering letter to k.holder(a)seiche.com<mailto:k.holder@seiche.com>. Closing date: Noon on Wednesday, 24th April, 2019. Nick Robinson Business Manager Seiche Environmental Ltd Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom T: +44(0)1409 404050 M: +44(0)7590 844363 Registered in England & Wales No. 10612696, Registered Office: The Custom House, The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon The information contained in this e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, is privileged and confidential, and solely intended for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you should not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use the information, and you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete this e-mail and attached documents.

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Killer whale call catalogue from Iceland
by Filipa Samarra 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to inform you that the following call catalogue is now available: A catalogue of pulsed calls produced by killer whales (/Orcinus orca/) in Iceland 2008-2016 Anna Selbmann, Volker B. Deecke, Ivan D. Fedutin, Olga A. Filatova, Patrick J. O. Miller and Filipa I. P. Samarra Report of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute HV2019-23 It is freely available for download on the following link: https://www.hafogvatn.is/static/research/files/hv2019-23pdf This research is part of the Icelandic Orca Project (www.icelandic-orcas.com) an ongoing long-term research project dedicated to studying the killer whales that occur in Icelandic waters. The catalogue is the result of dedicated research by the project and includes acoustic recordings conducted between 2008 and 2016 in Vestmannaeyjar and Snæfellsnes. It aims to provide the first detailed description of the Icelandic killer whale call repertoire to provide insights into the acoustic behaviour of this population and facilitate comparisons with other regions. For any further enquiries please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at icelandorca at gmail.com Best regards, Filipa -- Filipa Samarra ResearchFellow Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun) Skúlagata 4 121 Reykjavík, Iceland Tel: +354-5752082 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9909-0565 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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MARINE MAMMAL INTERNSHIP IN PORT CHARLOTTE, FL
by Schubert, Molly 20 Apr '19

20 Apr '19

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 fall interns. The Southwest Field Lab is offering two internships to driven, self-motivated individuals for the Fall 2019 season. The expected start date for the internship is mid to late August, 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. Unfortunately, this is an unpaid position and FWC cannot provide housing or transportation. Qualifications: * College juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students 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 US 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 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

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RARE MARINE MAMMAL BOOKS AVAILABLE
by Thomas Jefferson 19 Apr '19

19 Apr '19

RARE MARINE MAMMAL BOOKS AVAILABLE ¡VIVAVaquita! (a non-profit organization) has hundreds of marine mammal books,reprints, monographs, and journals that are available for a donation to theorganiation. All funds raised will beactively used for research and conservation work on the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), the world’s mostendangered marine mammal species. The globalpopulation of this species now numbers less than 22 individuals and is nearingextinction. Visit our website at www.vivavaquita.org for more details. Below is asample of some of the rarer items we have price listed is suggested donation),but there are many, many more and suggested donation amounts range from US$1-150. For a a list of additional books available(and photos), check this link: http://www.vivavaquita.org/assets/vv-bookstore2.pdf. For more info, or to request books, pleasecontact Tom Jefferson at sclymene(a)aol.com. Beddard, F. E. 1900. A Book of Whales. G. P. Putnam's Sons. HC. $20. Flower, W. H. 1866. Recent Memoirs on the Cetacea byProfessors Eschricht, Reinhardt and Lilljeborg. 312 pp. + plates. Ray Society,London. HC later bound in buckram. $100. Goode, G. B. 1884, 1887. The Fisheries and Fishery Industriesof the United States (section on marine mammals and fisheries). GovernmentPrinting Office. HC. $85. Hawley, F. 1958. Whales and Whaling in Japan (separate ofwhaling section). Kyoto. HC. $65. Kleinenberg, S. E., A. V. Yablokov, B. M. Belkovich and M.N. Tarasevich. 1964. Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas): Investigation of theSpecies. Israel Program for Scientific Translations. HC. $20. Lamont, J. 1861. Seasons with the Sea-Horses; or, SportingAdventures in the Northern Seas. Harper and Brothers. HC. $10. Mchedlidze, G. A. 1986. General Features of thePaleobiological Evolution of Cetacea. A.A. Balkema. HC. $18. Mitchell, E. D. 1975. Porpoise, dolphin and small whalefisheries of the world. IUCN Monograph 3:129 pp. PB. $6. Mitchell, E. 1975. Review of biology and fisheries forsmaller cetaceans. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 365 pp. (Specialissue on small cetaceans). PB. $10. Norris, K. S. 1966. Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. 789 pp.University of California Press, Berkeley. HC. First edition ($40), reprintedition ($30). Ridgway, S. H. 1972. Mammals of the Sea: Biology andMedicine. 812 pp. Charles C. Thomas. HC. $110. Ridgway, S. H. and R. Harrison. 1994. Handbook of MarineMammals, Vol. 5: The First Book of Dolphins. 416 pp. Academic Press. HC. $100. Scammon, C. M. 1874 (1969). The Marine Mammals of theNorthwestern Coast of North America Together with an Account of the AmericanWhale-Fishery. Manessier Publishing Co. (reprint edition). HC. $95. Scheffer, V. B. and J. W. Slipp. 1948. The whales anddolphins of Washington State, with a key to the cetaceans of the west coast ofNorth America. American Midland Naturalist 39:257-337. PB. $10. Schevill, W. E. 1974. The Whale Problem: A Status Report.Pages 419 pp. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. HC. $18. Tomilin, A. G. 1967 (1957). Mammals of the U.S.S.R. and Adjacent Countries, Vol. IX:Cetacea. Nauk USSR (translated from Russian to English by Israel Program forScientific Translations). HC. $18. Townsend, C. H. 1935. The distribution of certain whales asshown by logbook records of American whaleships. Zoologica 19:3-50 (with 4 foldout maps). PB. $10. True, F. W. 1904. Whalebone Whales of the Western NorthAtlantic Compared with Those Occurring in European Waters with SomeObservations on the Species of the North Pacific. Smithsonian Contributions toKnowledge. 332 pp. + plates. HC. First edition ($95); reprint edition ($45). True, F. W. 1910. An account of the beaked whales of thefamily Ziphiidae in the collection of the United States National Museum, withremarks on some species in other American museums. Bulletin of the UnitedStates National Museum 73:42 pp. + plates. HC. $42. Winge, H. 1921 (1918). A review of the interrelationships of the Cetacea. SmithsonianMiscellaneous Collections 72:97 pp. HC($16); PB ($10).

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Several Fall 2019 Internships still available in Homer, Alaska
by K Frost 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

Several undergraduate internship opportunities are still available for the Fall 2019 semester in conjunction with *Semester by the Bay* in Homer, Alaska at University of Alaska Anchorage-Kenai Peninsula College-Kachemak Bay Campus! *Semester by the Bay* offers undergraduate courses in marine biology (marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, tide pool invertebrates, etc,) with unique hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in the lab and field, such as behavioral ecology of beluga whales, sea otters, and harbor seals, acoustics of harbor porpoises, marine mammal skeletal articulation/museum preparation, marine debris assessment, seining and identification of estuarine fishes, behavior of seabirds at island rookeries, among others. In addition, most students participate in community-based internships and/or volunteer opportunities with governmental or non-governmental researchers while studying with us. Remaining internship opportunities include: - Center for Alaska Coastal Studies (Environmental Educator Intern) - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (Visitor Outreach and Environmental Education Intern) - Winged Whale Research (Cetacean Identification Data Entry/Catalog Interns) - Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Alaska Anchorage Natural Heritage Program/NOAA(Oceanography Intern) *This opportunity is reserved for undergraduates.* Interested juniors and seniors should submit an application of interest. Please see www.semesterbythebay.org <https://owa.uaa.alaska.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> and/or contact Kim Frost at kafrost2(a)alaska.edu <nejohnson2(a)alaska.edu> for more information.

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Shark Bay Dolphin Project field assistant positions
by Molly McEntee 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

The Shark Bay Dolphin Project (SBDP) is seeking several dedicated research assistants for the upcoming fall field season (late July or early August through mid-December, 2019) in Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. The SBDP is a long-term research project run by Professor Janet Mann of Georgetown University, and is one of the longest running marine mammal research projects in the world. The SBDP has been collecting behavioral, life-history, ecological, and genetic data on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins since the mid 1980s. This field season is part of an ongoing PhD project studying the costs of reproduction to female dolphins in the face of allied sexual harassment and coercion, as well as the behavioral strategies females use to mitigate these costs. Field work is demanding and requires long hours both on and off the water, but spending time with the dolphins is incredibly fun and rewarding. Field assistants will gain valuable research experience and may have the opportunity to contribute to co-authored publications. We particularly encourage those interested in pursuing graduate school in behavioral ecology or marine mammalogy to apply. Timeframe: ~5 months Field site: Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Monkey Mia is approximately 900km north of Perth and is part of the largest World Heritage site in Western Australia. Our field site is beautiful, and includes incredible wildlife such as sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, whales, and of course, resident bottlenose dolphins. Monkey Mia is remote, but we do have amenities including electricity and running water, reliable cell phone service, and limited internet. Housing will be provided, and the research team will share cooking responsibilities in a communal kitchen. Job responsibilities: Research assistants will help collect extensive behavioral data from the boat, including surveys and 3-hour focal follows on individual dolphins. Boat work is dependent on weather, but even on windy days we need to be ready to pack up and quickly get out on the water if the wind drops. Days on the water can be consecutive, long, and tiring in variable environmental conditions. This season, we will also be conducting opportunistic genetic biopsy sampling, and we may use drones to collect video footage of the dolphins. Days on land require extensive, and tedious, data entry and processing. Most of your time will be spent: -Searching for and spotting dolphins -Photographing dolphins -Driving the boat -Scribing data during surveys and focals -Entering dolphin sightings and environmental data into the computer -Doing basic maintenance and equipment prep and cleaning Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate with a science background and a genuine interest in marine mammal science and behavior. This position is well suited for recent graduates of marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, ecology, genetics, or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical and in-field experience. Applicants must be able to work closely with a small team (3-4 people). We not only work together, but also live, cook, and eat together, so being mature and a strong team player is critical. The candidate must: -Possess basic computer skills -Be detail oriented, flexible, and patient -Possess excellent verbal and communication skills -Work well both independently and in a team -Be fluent in English -Have prior research experience (preferably fieldwork) -Be comfortable on a boat -Be prepared to work long, consecutive days, including weekends The most essential qualifications are that you are flexible, conscientious, and hard-working, and are excited about the research. Salary/funding: This is an unpaid, volunteer position. However, all travel and living expenses (flights, visas, housing and food) will be fully covered by the project. If you have any student loans, or other moderate monthly expenses, that could prevent you from accepting this position, please apply anyway. If you are selected we may be able to use other sources of funding to cover those expenses so that you can take the job. We particularly want to encourage candidates from groups that are underrepresented in STEM fields to apply. If interested please email Molly McEntee at mhm95(a)georgetown.edu with the subject line Research Assistant Last_Name. Application review will begin in early May, and candidates will be evaluated until the position is filled. In the email, please include: 1. A cover letter describing your research interests, the skills and strengths that you will bring to the position, and what you hope to gain from the project and apply to your career. Please list the full range of your skills, both practical (boat handling, photography, etc.) and academic (statistics, computer programming, etc.). 2. CV 3. A copy of your unofficial transcript 4. Email contacts for 2 references

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Te Papa natural history jobs: technician & vertebrate curator
by Ewan Fordyce 17 Apr '19

17 Apr '19

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand, has advertised 2 jobs which may be of interest to Marine Mammalogists: https://jobs.tepapa.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organ… https://jobs.tepapa.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organ… Regards, Ewan R Ewan Fordyce FRSNZ Professor, Department of Geology University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin 9054, NZ tel 3-4797510, paleo lab 3-4794575, cell 021-0373964, fax 3-4797527 web: http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/staff/academic/ewan-fordyce.html orcid.org/0000-0002-2656-730X<http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2656-730X> Senior Editor, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand Honorary Associateships: Paleobiology and Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa; Museum Victoria; Fukui Dinosaur Museum; Michigan State University Museum.

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