July 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Vacancy: 1 x dual MMO/PAMO for Scottish windfarm
by Recruitment 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Dear MMOs and PAMOs, OSC has a contract vacancy for one dual MMO and PAMO to work with another dual MMO and PAMO (i.e. 2-person team) on a geophysical survey on a windfarm project in Scotland, with vessel mobilisation around 5th August for a potential 6-week duration. This vacancy is restricted to EU citizens, or overseas applicants in possession of a current UK work visa. If you have not worked for OSC previously, we will require scans/copies of your CV, passport, degree certificate(s), MMO and PAM, survival and medical. OSC also has numerous short-notice vacancies at present, some with only 1-2 days' notice, with durations varying from a few days to months, so if personnel are available and seeking work for any duration, it's worthwhile dropping us an email to see if any projects are aligned. 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<http://www.osc.co.uk>

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New Publication on fin whales off Juan Fernandez, Chile
by Susannah Buchan 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share the publication of our new paper "Seasonal occurrence of fin whale song off Juan Fernandez, Chile, by Susannah Buchan, Laura Gutierrez, Naysa Balcazar-Cabrera and Kathleen Stafford, in Endangered Species Research. The abstract can be found following this meesage, and an open access copy of the full paper can be dowloadad at: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v39/p135-145/ . All the best, Susannah *Abstract* Fin whales (*Balaenoptera physalus*) were the most widely caught species of baleen whale by commercial whaling fleets off the Chilean coast and are globally classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, however very little is known about the present distribution and seasonal movements of fin whales off the coast of Chile. Passive acoustic data collected at the HA03 station of the *Preparatory Commission* for the *Comprehensive Nuclear* *Test* *Ban* Treaty Organization off the Juan Fernandez Archipelago (JFA) between 2007 and 2016 were analyzed. The temporal occurrence of fin whale song was examined using automatic detection via spectrogram cross-correlation of song pulses, and by calculating the average acoustic power in the frequency bands of fin whale song. Fin whale song off JFA was composed of regular ~17 Hz pulses associated with pulses at ~86 Hz, with singlet phrasing at an inter-pulse interval of ~14.4 s. There was a clear seasonal pattern in acoustic presence that was consistent across all years: low or no song occurrence in the austral summer and a peak in song occurrence during the austral winter. A propagation loss model estimated detection range at this site to be 50 km. Where the fin whales that are heard off JFA spend the summer months remains an open question. Possible locations include the Western Antarctic Peninsula and/or northern-central mainland Chile. Further studies should be pursued to better understand the distribution and seasonal movements, and support the conservation of this Endangered species. -- Susannah J. Buchan, PhD Associate Researcher, COPAS Sur-Austral, University of Concepción Researcher, CEAZA Research Center Guest Investigator, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Email: sbuchan@udec.cl/sjbuchan@gmail.com Cel. Chile: +56 9 6646 8466/ Cel. USA: +1 323 571 7641 Skype: susannah.buchan

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IMMS Animal Training Internship (Winter)
by Jeanette Gramm 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

Looking for a Winter internship? The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Mississippi is accepting applications for our Winter term. The application deadline is September 1st, 2019. For further information, please visit our website at https://imms.org/internship/ . The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist interns in suggesting suitable housing and locations. The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Enrichment is very important to the well-being of our animals and interns will be asked to design and implement an enrichment device for our dolphins and/or birds. Because we want interns to have a well rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Interns must be: • 18 years or older. • A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences. • Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position. • Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. • Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. • Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions. • Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn. • Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements. • Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations. To Apply: Please send the following documents to: jgramm(a)imms.org with “Animal Training Internship” in the subject line. * IMMS Animal Training Internship Application * Resume with cover letter. * Two letters of recommendation – Provide at least one academic, and one work/volunteer- related reference if applicable. Letters may be emailed from the applicant or the person providing the recommendation letter. * A copy of your current official college transcript. Applicants may submit an unofficial copy. * Full photograph Documents must be in one of the following formats – PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together with your first and last name and the date in the file name. Ex)2019Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume, 2019Aug_Jane_Doe_Application, 2019Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript Jeanette Gramm Marine Mammal Trainer Animal Care Internship Coordinator The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies Gulfport, Mississippi

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FW: Dr Dave Johnston (Duke) Oceans Day Lecture online- Drones and Marine Mammals
by Godley, Brendan 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

Dear Colleagues Our third and final World Oceans Day lecture is now online. Dr Dave Johnston, Duke University, "Fast Forward: Drones are revolutionizing the study and conservation of marine mammals" On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExeterMarine/videos/2557441267654094/?t=27 Please give it a view and share widely in your networks. The other two talks on the day are outlined below Best Brendan For World Oceans Day, recently completed PhD Dr. Sarah Nelms bravely volunteered to present in a special session we had as part of our ExeterMarine Initiative AND allow it to be filmed/edited for broadcast. "Microplastics and Marine Mammals: Current Knowledge and Next Steps" Our mission is to develop processes in sharing knowledge in an ever more global way, promoting accessibility without the travel! Please Like, Share and leave an encouraging Comment for Sarah. This will also mean many thousands more people will see the film. Her lecture (15 mins) is available to stream on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExeterMarine/videos/936853000003641/?t=0<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceb…> And YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFMpDQSHHB0&feature=youtu.be<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtu…> Lets share knowledge more freely! FYI: The first such talk by Dr Ruth Thurstan (on historical ecology) has been viewed >50k times since release last week. https://www.facebook.com/ExeterMarine/videos/478797082691114/?t=5 Best B Brendan Godley Chair in Conservation Science #ExeterMarine Strategy Lead Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) University of Exeter, Penryn Campus https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/marine/researchthemes/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.exete…> Twitter: @BrendanGodley Twitter: @ExeterMarine I recently gave a TEDx Talk "Sea Turtles: United by Oceans" You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT3PQN9bojc<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtu…>

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Seattle-based Marine Mammal Monitors Needed
by Glenn Johnson 28 Jul '19

28 Jul '19

Experienced marine mammal monitors needed for occasional or consistent on-call work in Seattle: I am managing a couple projects requiring marine mammal monitors in the Puget Sound area. If you meet all of the following criteria please send a resume ASAP detailing your experience, education, relevant certifications, etc: -Has prior experience monitoring marine mammals for construction/industrial projects (ideally) or research, -Will not typically need lodging or travel expenses (beyond local daily mileage), ideally I'd like to find biologists that already have a base in the greater Seattle area -Available August-September, at least, and specify which dates/windows in your email you can certainly show up for. Project goes till February so if you're available after Sept let me know that too. -Communicates clearly in English, has a collaborative spirit, and is a problem solver, -Will take and pass a drug and alcohol test prior to starting position -Has excellent references that can speak to your biological observation skills and work ethic (send 3 who are available to be contacted) Please define all acronyms, and send a brief email introduction with dates of availability and resume attached to: Glenn Johnson <gjohnson(a)heg-inc.com> . Thank you! Glenn Johnson, Senior Biologist and Project Manager Harris Environmental Group, Inc. | Tacoma, WA officewww.heg-inc.com

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New publication: Insights into the Use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Investigate the Behavior of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga
by Lorenzo Fiori 27 Jul '19

27 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM-Subscribers, We are pleased to announce that the following new article has been published online: "Insights into the Use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Investigate the Behavior of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12637/abstract>" Fiori L, Martinez E, Bader MK-F, Orams MB, Bollard B. Insights into the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to investigate the behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga. Mar Mam Sci. 2019;1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12637 ABSTRACT: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming invaluable data collection platforms for cetacean research. In particular, multi-rotors can be used to measure whales and investigate their behavior. Moreover, VTOL UAVs are increasingly accessible for recreational and commercial pilots, and close encounters with whales are widely documented. Unfortunately, quantitative assessments of potential disturbance for the targeted animals are not yet published and guidelines for responsible use of UAVs around cetaceans are still under development. We conducted VTOL UAV surveys on humpback whales in Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga. Interestingly, whale behaviors such as socializing and nurturing were not detected by trained observers on board the research vessel, but were evident from the UAV. Nevertheless, no significant differences were detected in diving and swim parameters between absence and presence of UAV flying at 30 m altitude. These results suggest that VTOL UAVs can be a noninvasive tool to gather morphometric and behavioral data on baleen whales. However, further research is necessary to establish whether applications that require flight altitudes lower than 30 m and targeting different species may elicit behavioral responses. For any questions do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Lorenzo Fiori Lorenzo Fiori, MSc in Marine Biology PhD Student | +64 27 3658099 | Skype: aye.aye-83 New Zealand Institute of Applied Ecology | School of Sciences Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences | Auckland University of Technology

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New publication: Frequent encounters with the seafloor increase right whales’ risk of entanglement in fishing groundlines
by Philip Hamilton 26 Jul '19

26 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Endangered Species Research: Hamilton PK and Kraus SD. Frequent encounters with the seafloor increase right whales’ risk of entanglement in fishing groundlines. ESR Vol. 39: 235–246. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00963 Abstract North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis utilize the entire water column and are frequently entangled in ropes from fishing gear. Data from telemetry tags have shown that right whales can swim/feed at or near the seafloor. Because those data are limited, some uncertainty remains regarding the frequency of dives to the seafloor and thus the likelihood of right whale encounters with fishing ropes there. The North Atlantic right whale photo-identification catalog was used to determine the number of sightings of right whales with seafloor sediment on their bodies and the relative frequency and geographic location of those seafloor encounters. Between 1980 and 2016, there were 2053 detections of right whales with ‘mud’ on their bodies, which represents 2.9% of all sightings (n = 70 593), or 58.2% of all cataloged whales (n = 730). Although muddy right whales were found throughout their range and in all months, 92.7% of all detections occurred in the Bay of Fundy in the summer where there was an average annual detection rate of 7.3%, with a maximum of 26% of sightings in 2010. Mud was found on whales of all age classes including calves of the year, and equally among males and females. These seafloor encounters suggest that any rope resting on, or floating above, the seafloor could pose an entanglement hazard. The use of sinking groundlines likely reduces the risk of entanglements for whales swimming near the seafloor, but may not eliminate the risk for whales making contact with the sediment. Download here: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v39/p235-246/ Kind regards, Philip Hamilton Philip Hamilton Research Scientist Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110 (617) 973-5253 (802) 387-5277 [cid:image001.png@01D53503.A3683FF0]

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LAST CALL - Internship in Marine Mammals in Madeira (CETUS Project)
by Anja Badenas 26 Jul '19

26 Jul '19

Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM/ARDITI) is currently opening INTERNSHIPS in Madeira Island (Portugal) The Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM) is a research unit within the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), located in Madeira Island, Portugal. OOM seeks to become a centre of excellence dedicated to research and permanent monitoring of the ocean. This initiative brings together a multidisciplinary scientific community, joining several institutions with the aim of promoting cooperation and resource optimization. http://oom.arditi.pt *OOM/ARDITI is looking for interns to help with our marine mammals’ research project (CETUS project) based in Madeira Island, Portugal.* We are currently filling *positions* for *September – October *and* a position *for *November - December 2019* Priority will be given to those interns who are available both periods. *Internship Details:* In the Madeira Archipelago, located in Macaronesia (NE Atlantic), 29 species of cetaceans have been recorded. There is a daily ferry boat that conducts trips between the 2 main islands of the archipelago, Madeira and Porto Santo. Interns will be onboard the ferry boat and will be enrolled in data collection through visual surveys 3 days per week. Interns must cover all their accommodation, travel and food expenses. These positions are unpaid but we encourage candidates to seek grants where we can post as host institution. To cover for logistic expenses, there is a monthly fee of 75eur, paid fully upon arrival. Non-European candidates must cover their own insurance expenses. *Internship description:* - Training on monitoring protocol and cetacean identification; - Sea surveys Madeira-Porto Santo; - Educational activities in local schools or to the general public (when possible); - Free time to visit Madeira and Porto Santo; - Accident insurance. Successful applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology or related, be reliable, dedicated, adaptable and patient, as this work is highly weather dependent and requires consecutive days of work at sea. Interns should be independent and proactive. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience at sea. *Applications will be accepted until the postions are filled*. If you are interested in interning with OOM/ARDITI, please send a CV and a letter of interest to anja.badenas(a)mare-centre.pt . Thank you, Anja Badenas, MSc OOM-ARDITI-MARE Phone: +351291721246 <+351%20291%20721%20246>

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New Paper: Slowing deep-sea commercial vessels reduces underwater radiated noise
by Alex MacGillivray 25 Jul '19

25 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM-Users, We are pleased to announce that we have published a new paper on the effectiveness of slowdowns for reducing underwater radiated noise from shipping in Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat: MacGillivray, Alexander O., Zizheng Li, David E. Hannay, Krista B. Trounce, and Orla M. Robinson. 2019. 'Slowing deep-sea commercial vessels reduces underwater radiated noise', 146: 340-51. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5116140 Abstract: During 2017, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation program carried out a two-month voluntary vessel slowdown trial to determine whether slowing to 11 knots was an effective method for reducing underwater radiated vessel noise. The trial was carried out in Haro Strait, British Columbia, in critical habitat of endangered southern resident killer whales. During the trial, vessel noise measurements were collected next to shipping lanes on two hydrophones inside the Haro Strait slowdown zone, while a third hydrophone in Strait of Georgia measured vessels noise outside the slowdown zone. Vessel movements were tracked using the automated identification system (AIS), and vessel pilots logged slowdown participation information for each transit. An automated data processing system analyzed acoustical and AIS data from the three hydrophone stations to calculate radiated noise levels and monopole source levels (SLs) of passing vessels. Comparing measurements of vessels participating in the trial with measurements from control periods before and after the trial showed that slowing down was an effective method for reducing mean broadband SLs for five categories of piloted commercial vessels: containerships (11.5 dB), cruise vessels (10.5 dB), vehicle carriers (9.3 dB), tankers (6.1 dB), and bulkers (5.9 dB). Alexander MacGillivray, M.Sc. Senior Scientist ________________________________ JASCO Applied Sciences (Canada) Ltd 2305–4464 Markham Street Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8 Canada Tel: +1-250-483-3300 x2011 Fax: +1-250-483-3301 Cel: +1-250-507-6490 www.jasco.com<http://www.jasco.com/> Subscribe to the JASCO Newsletter<http://eepurl.com/cY6b5v> An ISO 9001 certified company CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain proprietary information and, unless expressly stated otherwise, all content and attachments are confidential. This e‑mail is intended for the addressee(s) only and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete all copies from your system. Thank you.

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Protected Species Observer Positions
by Maxx Van Waeyenberghe 25 Jul '19

25 Jul '19

Dear All, Vantage Observing, LLC is seeking experienced National Marine Fisheries Service approved PSO’s for upcoming dredging projects. Candidates with previous Manatee observing experience preferred. Requirements: - Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology or related field. - 2 Years of protected species observing experience during dredging, or marine construction projects. - Previous experience monitoring for Sea Turtles, Sturgeon, and marine mammals. - Excellent communication and report writing skills. - Work independently and in a team environment. - Work outdoors in the elements for long periods of time. For more information or to submit your resume email VantageObserving(a)gmail.com Best Regards, Maxx Van Waeyenberghe Vantage Observing, LLC Manager

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