May 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Reminder - Summer Manatee Health & Conservation course
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 03 May '19

03 May '19

Hi All, This is just a quick reminder that registration is open one more week for our Summer 2019 semester. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program, is offering the Manatee Health and Conservation course for those that may be interested. Class begins May 13th. Registration will remain open until May 16th. Manatee Health and Conservation is an online course (3 academic credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. A separate International CE short course is also available for international students with closed captioning in French and Spanish. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Iske Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu> ). Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [Description: AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Interim Director Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________ Please note that Florida has a broad public records law, and that all correspondence to or from University of Florida employees via email may be subject to disclosure. ________________________________

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New publication: Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) intra/inter-seasonal Exchanges Between Puerto Rico and the Southeastern Caribbean
by Mithriel MacKay 02 May '19

02 May '19

We are very happy to announce our new publication: Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) intra/inter-seasonal Exchanges Between Puerto Rico and the Southeastern Caribbean MacKay, M. M., Bacon, C. E., Bouveret, L., Fossette, S., & Stevick, P. T. (2019). Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) intra/inter-seasonal exchanges between Puerto Rico and the southeastern Caribbean. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 6(2), 98-104. The publication is available from the authors or at the link below. http://animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=1170&fbclid=IwAR16VDOn… Abstract – A study of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae, Borowski, 1781) was conducted off Puerto Rico, from 2012 through 2016, in an attempt to understand the spatial and temporal connection among current low density areas throughout the southeastern Caribbean. Six hundred and sixteen animals were sighted, of which 87 (14%) were individually identified. Seventeen individuals (20%) were re-sighted in one or more of the North Atlantic Caribbean breeding areas. Two newly reported inter-seasonal re-sightings (between Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe), and one intra-seasonal exchange (including the only reported match between Puerto Rico and Anguilla) between Puerto Rico and the southeastern Caribbean are reported here. A paucity of data failed to confirm that humpback whales are repopulating their full extent of the historical range, including Puerto Rico; however, these observations may provide a glimpse of the future importance of the southeastern Caribbean. It is especially important to understand the occupancy, movements, and habitat use throughout the entire winter range as sources of anthropogenic impacts (including vessel traffic from the growing cruise ship industry) increase throughout the Caribbean. Please feel free to contact us with comments and any interest in related discussion. Cheers, Mithriel Mithriel(a)Marine-Eco.org

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Cetacean Programme Assistant
by Dylan Walker 02 May '19

02 May '19

Dear Marmamers, We would like to request applications for the role of Cetacean Programmes Assistant (volunteer); 27 May – 26 July 2019. *Overview* The World Cetacean Alliance is looking for up to three volunteers to join a busy and dynamic team working across WCAs current cetacean programmes. Based at our Headquarters in Brighton, UK, successful candidates will assist with: · Developing the programme for the 2019 World Whale Conference. · Assessing applications for Whale Heritage Sites. · Assisting with training course development. · Promoting responsible whale watching certification. · Networking and provision of information resources across the partnership. · Expanding WCAs research programme. The successful candidates will report directly to the CEO, receive in-situ training, and work closely with colleagues at WCA Headquarters. The roles are available from 27 May – 26 July 2019, and will take place at WCA Headquarters, Brighton, United Kingdom. The WCA is unable to cover personal expenses. *Responsibilities* 1. Build relationships, and engage stakeholders and partners working across WCAs programmes. 2. Encourage and support collaborations between experts, advisors, and participants from within and outside the World CetaceanAlliance. 3. Develop and provide resources to assist WCA partners. 4. Communicate progress across the network through media, social media, and direct communication. 5. Work alongside WCA staff to set strategy and guide current programmes. 6. Liaise with WCA staff to ensure coordinated planning, collaborative work efforts, integrated programming and shared success towards agreed goals. *Knowledge* 1. Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to advance the mission. 2. Experience and knowledge of cetaceans, whale watching, and marine conservation issues preferred. 3. Highly organized and detail-oriented with a strong ability to prioritize and deliver against responsibilities and duties. 4. Ability to thrive in a multi-tasking, high energy environment. 5. Ability to excite and engage stakeholders through meetings and personal outreach. *Qualifications* 1. Degree or higher qualification. 2. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to multitask. 3. A proven track record of communicating with different audiences. *Benefits* 1. Gain experience of marine conservation projects. 2. Learn about and network with WCAs 100 partners in 40 countries. 3. Gain insights in ecotourism practices and cetacean welfare issues. 4. Learn new skills and techniques to deliver collaborative projects. 5. Develop media and social media skills. 6. Build on your network of contacts for career development / research or voluntary opportunities. 7. Gain insight into the activities of our local research and outreach project - the Brighton Dolphin Project. TO APPLY: Please send your C.V. and a cover letter to: Julie Jankowiak: julie.jankowiak(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org Applications must be sent in electronic form no later than Friday 17 May 2019. For more information go to: http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/ Regards, *Dylan Walker *Chief Executive Officer *World Cetacean Alliance* Studio 3, Lower Promenade Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK. t: +44 (0) 1273 355011 c: +44 (0) 7900 471490 e: dylan(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org <sophie.lewis(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org> World Whale Conference 2019 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQClwulOi8> The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a Partnership of over 100 organisations and individuals in 40 countries worldwide working collaboratively to protect cetaceans and their habitats. World Cetacean Alliance, the Secretariat to the Partnership, is a UK registered Charity no. 1160484. The content of this e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this communication in error, be aware that forwarding it, copying it, or in any way disclosing its content to any other person, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the author by replying to this e-mail immediately. Please consider the environment before printing this email or it's attachments.

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New paper on Pleistocene blue whale and mysticete body size evolution
by Felix Marx 02 May '19

02 May '19

Dear colleagues, please find below the abstract and link to our recently published paper on the discovery of a Pleistocene blue whale from Italy, and the implications of this new fossil (and additional specimens from Peru) for the evolution of mysticete gigantism. Bianucci G, Marx F G, Collareta A, Stefano A D, Landini W, Morigi C, and Varola A. 2019. Rise of the titans: baleen whales became giants earlier than thought. Biol Lett, 15: 20190175. Link: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0175 Abstract: Baleen whales (Mysticeti) are major ecosystem engineers, thanks to their enormous size and bulk filter feeding strategy. Their signature gigantism is thought to be a relatively recent phenomenon, resulting from a Plio-Pleistocene mode shift in their body size evolution. Here, we report the largest whale fossil ever described: an Early Pleistocene (1.5–1.25 Ma) blue whale from Italy with an estimated body length of up to 26 m. Macroevolutionary modelling taking into account this specimen, as well as additional material from the Miocene of Peru, reveals that the proposed mode shift occurred either somewhat earlier, or perhaps not at all. Large-sized mysticetes comparable to most extant species have existed since at least the Late Miocene, suggesting a long-term impact on global marine ecosystems. Kind regards, Felix Marx _____________________________ *Felix G. Marx* PhD | FNRS Postdoctoral Fellow *University of Liège, Belgium *Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium *Monash University, Melbourne, Australia *Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Address: Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique D.O. Terre et Histoire de la Vie, Evolution de la Paléobiosphère 29 rue Vautier, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone: +32 (0)488 897314

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL - Last minute deal!
by AIMM Internships 02 May '19

02 May '19

*BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists for a period of time. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an environmental friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from 1st of May to 31st October 2019. The minimum internship attendance is 7 days, preferably starting on a Monday. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos, or in opportunistic platforms (commercial dolphin-watching boats). Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions and seat availability in the dolphin-watching boats. Field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer, but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: · Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; · Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; · Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; · Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos while on-board; · Secchi disk methodology; · Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2019 season, please contact: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org We have a special deal for you book the internship in May or June 2019. *Included* in the fee is: · Accommodation in the research house; · Transportation to/from the marina; · Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); · Fieldwork in the research vessel or commercial dolphin-watching vessels. *Not included* in the fee is: · Transportation to/from Albufeira; · Meals in restaurants and snacks; · Free time activities; · Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); · Personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* · Be above the age of 16; · Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; · Be autonomous and flexible; · Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; · Speak English; · Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: · Relevant marine mammal field experience · Working experience on research vessels · Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms · Experience in photo-identification · Professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID · Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: * Applicants should fill up the online application at: http://www.aimmportugal.org/dolphin-research-internship AIMM will send a confirmation e-mail with all the details about the internship and asking for your Resume/CV, motivation letter (small statement on which are your expectations and why do you want to work with AIMM) and the period of time that you want do the program. OR Applicants should send an e-mail to: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org, with the subject “*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*”. You will receive and e-mail with the availability and all the others details. Applications will be accepted during all season, however, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. The follow link is a short video about the internship in Albufeira. You get a different perspective and feedback from old participants about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTIEQEsftA *Contacts*: interns(a)aimm-portugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | -- *AIMM Portugal* - Ass. Investigação do Meio Marinho | Marine Environment Research Association *Website*: www.aimmportugal.org [image: AIMM Portugal | facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/AIMM.org/> [image: AIMM Portugal | twitter] <https://twitter.com/AIMMPortugal> [image: AIMM Portugal | instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/aimmportugal_org/> [image: AIMM Portugal | youtube] <http://www.youtube.com/c/AimmportugalOrg>

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PhD/MSc Opportunity: Knowledge co-production on beluga movement ecology
by Loseto, Lisa 01 May '19

01 May '19

Graduate Research (MSc/PhD) Opportunity: Knowledge co-production on beluga movement ecology in the Eastern Beaufort Sea May 1st 2019 - Applications accepted until suitable candidate is identified Location: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada Program Overview: Under the ArcticNet funded project "Using Co-Produced Knowledge to Understand and Manage Subsistence Marine Harvests in a Changing Climate" we are looking for a graduate student (MSc/MA and PhD) to be part of a collaborative research team working to bring together western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to characterize the movement of several marine species including beluga whales, Arctic char and Greenland cod in western Canadian Arctic largely focused in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The program is using multiple pieces of data including telemetry, photosurveys, local observations and TEK, together to describe the movement and habitat use of species. This program is led by Lisa Loseto (University of Manitoba) with co-leads Tristan Pearce (University of Northern British Columbia), Nigel Hussey (University of Western), Marianne Marcoux (University of Manitoba) and Heidi Swanson (University of Waterloo). Graduate Student: The project(s) for graduate research will draw upon both western science and TEK under a co-management framework to understand beluga whale movement and activities across space, time and life stages. The beluga whale population of study is the Eastern Beaufort Sea population. Projects will use data collected from current and past telemetry, photo surveys, local observations and TEK spatial mapping, thus skills with GIS are recommended. The position will require travel and time spent in Arctic communities. Applicants: Please submit your CV, and research intention to Dr. Loseto Lisa.Loseto(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:Lisa.Loseto@dfo-mpo.gc.ca> Thank you ____________________________________________________________________ Lisa Loseto, Ph.D. Research Scientist, Ecosystem Studies and Biotracers Arctic Aquatic Research Division | Division de la recherche aquatique de l'Arctique Central and Arctic Region | Région du Centre et de l'Arctique Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Oceans Canada Freshwater Institute | Institut des eaux douces 501 University Crescent | 501, croissant University Winnipeg MB R3T 2N6 Phone Number: 204 983 5135 Fax: 204 984 2403 email: lisa.loseto(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:lisa.loseto@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>

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New publication on life expectancy of bottlenose dolphins
by Kelly Jaakkola 01 May '19

01 May '19

Dear All, We are pleased to announce our new publication: Jaakkola, K., & Willis, K. (2019).How long do dolphins live? Survival rates and life expectancies for bottlenose dolphins in zoological facilities vs. wild populations. /Marine Mammal Science/. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12601 Abstract: Survival rates and life expectancies are commonly agreed upon indicators of well-being for animals in zoological facilities, but even the most recent survival statistics for bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops truncatus/) in marine mammal parks and aquariums use data that are now more than 25 yr old. The current study provides a comprehensive assessment of life expectancy and survival rates for bottlenose dolphins in U.S. zoological facilities from 1974 to 2012, utilizing three different analyses (annual survival rate, age-at-death, and Kaplan-Meier), examining historical trends, and comparing to comparable data from wild populations. Both survival rate and life expectancy for dolphins in zoological facilities increased significantly over the past few decades, with a modern ASR of 0.972, and mean and median life expectancies calculated via Kaplan-Meier of 28.2 and 29.2 yr, respectively. Survival rates and life expectancies for dolphins in U.S. zoological facilities today are at least as high as those for the wild dolphin populations for which there are comparable data.** The paper is open access and can be found here: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mms.12601 Cheers, -- Kelly Kelly Jaakkola, Ph.D. Dolphin Research Center 58901 Overseas Hwy. Grassy Key, FL 33050

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First Call: GIS Training Courses July 2019 - 'An Introduction To Using GIS/QGIS In Biological Research' and 'An Introdution To Species Distribution Modelling In The Marine Environment'
by Colin D. MacLeod 01 May '19

01 May '19

This is the first call for attendees for our upcoming GIS training courses in July 2019. These courses are ‘An Introduction To Using GIS/QGIS In Biological Research’ and ‘An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling In he Marine Environment’. They will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, between the 29th of July 2019 and 1st of August 2019. 1. An Introduction To Using GIS/QGIS In Biological Research, Glasgow, Scotland, 29th – 30th July 2019: This introductory training course for those who wish to learn how to use GIS in any area of biological research, and it will provide an introduction to using GIS in a wide variety of biological research situations, including marine mammal research, and the course includes two marine-mammal-specific practical exercises (one based around calculating the observed abundance per unit survey effort of dolphins using a grid-based approach, and one based around mapping species richness for North Atlantic beaked whales). It is primarily based around a GIS software package called QGIS, which is free to use. As a result, it is one of the best options for doing GIS for self-employed MMOs, small environmental consultancies, NGOs, those working on small marine mammal research projects with limited budgets for purchasing software licences and students working at universities who do not have access to commercial GIS software packages. This course aimed at both those with no GIS experience, but wish to learn how to do GIS with QGIS, and also those who are familiar with using commercial GIS software, such as ArcGIS, but who wish to learn how to use QGIS as an alternative. However, this course is taught using software-independent approach, and it is also open to those who wish to learn how to use ArcGIS to do biological GIS. The course will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, and it will be taught by Dr Colin D. MacLeod, who has more than 15 years experience in using GIS for a wide variety of biological purposes. For those who cannot attend this course in person, a shorter online course based on the same materials is available from our sister site www.GISforBiologists.com. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 16 people, and the course will cost £295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, visit http://gisinecology.com/an-introduction-to-using-gis-in-biological-research/ or email info(a)GISinEcology.com. 2. An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling In The Marine Environment, Glasgow, Scotland, 31st July – 1st August 2019: This two day course follows on from the introductory GIS course and provides all the information required to start using Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) in the marine environment in a practical and biologically meaningful way. In a series of background sessions, case studies and practical exercises, it covers how to create data layers of species distribution, how to select and create raster data layers of environmental variables, such as water depth, how to join information on species distribution to environmental information, how to export data from a GIS project for analysis in a statistical package, such as R, how to create spatial visualisations based on a statistical model and how to validate the spatial predictions of a model. The practical sessions work through a species distribution modelling project based on real marine survey data from start to finish. This course can be done with either QGIS (our recommended option) or ArcGIS. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 16 people, and the course will cost £295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, visit http://www.gisinecology.com/an-inroduction-to-species-distribution-modellin… or email: cdmacleod(a)GISinEcology.com. Note: This course requires a basic knowledge of GIS (as covered in the above introductory GIS course) and how to use ArcGIS or QGIS GIS software. Both these courses will be held at the Mackintosh at the Willow, 215 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EX, Scotland. Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four hours. Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets. ================================================================================== GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS In Ecology Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: info(a)GISinEcology.com Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm Books From GIS In Ecology Staff: GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates; RRP: £24.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: £44.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: £19:99 If you wish to purchase these books, visit: http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is unavoidable. ================================================================================== --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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