July 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Mammal Team Assistant Supervisor Position AT ARCHIPELAGOS INSTITUTE OF MARINE CONSERVATION IN GREECE http://archipelago.gr/en/
by archi admissions 25 Jul '19

25 Jul '19

To whom it may concern, I'm writing you on behalf of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Greece. Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is looking for a “Marine Mammal Team Assistant Supervisor” to join us as soon as possible at our research bases, located in the NE Aegean islands. *ESSENTIAL REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:* • MSc Degree in a related field. • Managing and training students and volunteers and demonstrated leadership, supervision, and team building skills. • Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis, in particular: P-ID, behaviour, bioacoustics technics, GIS, data analysis and modelling. • Previous experience in research conservation projects and field surveys on marine mammals. • Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions. • Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships. • Organizational and coordinating skills. • Excellent verbal and written English communication skills and good computer skills. • Ability to write scientific reports and papers. • True interest in issues related to the protection of the environment. • Work during weekends and holidays when required. • Drive license. *PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:* Experience in field research projects on marine mammal, boat-based survey and other language as Greek. Location: Lipsi and Samos Islands, Greece. We offer: Initially we offer accommodation and full board, and this can be later extended to also include financial compensation. *APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:* Please submit a current resume (maximum 5 pages), list of three references, and a cover letter expressing your interest to Dr Guido Pietroluongo guido.p(a)archipelago.gr and info(a)archipelago.gr Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you may need. Kind regards Admissions Team Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation Marine Research Base: P.O. Box 42, Pythagorio, Samos 83103 @ admissions(a)archipelago.gr; http://archipelago.gr/en/ Tel. +30 2273061147, +30 2273061191

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Marine Mammal Ecologist positions in Alaska
by Emma Dvorak 24 Jul '19

24 Jul '19

Integrated Statistics is looking for two Ecologists to work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service Marine Mammals Management Office’s Regulatory program. The Marine Mammal Industry Liaison position will work with oil and gas industry companies to identify information gaps and areas of collaboration to inform the development of MMPA incidental take authorizations. The Marine Mammal Mitigation Measures position will work to identify, evaluate, and analyze the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented as part of MMPA incidental take authorizations. The full job postings are located on the Integrated Statistics website. To read them and to apply, visit www.integratedstatistics.com and click Job Opportunities in the left pane. Click the job name to see the description, qualifications, and online application. -- Integrated Statistics, Inc. 16 Sumner Street Woods Hole, MA 02543 Tel: (508) 540-8560 Fax: (508) 721-6841

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FW: Dr Sarah Nelms Oceans Day Lecture online- Microplastics and Marine Mammals
by Godley, Brendan 24 Jul '19

24 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM Colleagues 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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Volunteer positions available in Cape Town - Sep-Nov 2019 - Sea Search
by Simon Elwen 23 Jul '19

23 Jul '19

Sea Search Research & Conservation is a research focused NPO based in Cape Town, South Africa. We currently have openings for 2 long-term volunteers for the period 01 Sep to 30 Nov 2019 to assist with data processing, outreach activities and ad hoc field work focusing on humpback whales and humpback dolphins. As an integral part of a small team working with the project directors and post graduate students - this is a great way to get a wide range of research experience. Volunteers will be directly involved in all day to day activities including data input, photo ID and/or acoustic data processing, public outreach and equipment maintenance but will mainly work on a dedicated data set or project. We welcome participants who might be interested in working on a specific project with the possibility of continuing this as part of their own studies. Placement may be undertaken as credit towards your under- or post-graduate degree (course dependent). Please note, there is an associated fee which covers supervision, training and a contribution to the project for the period. Additionally - volunteers maybe interested in joining the marine mammal research techniques course being run in Nov (see website for details) Please contact info(a)seasearch.co.za with a CV and brief motivation by email. More information about our group is available on our website here: www.seasearch.co.za or facebook/seasearch Kind regards Dr Simon Elwen

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New publication: Defining areas of intensive foraging activity for a top marine predator, the Antarctic fur seal: Compromises between effort and accuracy
by Fabien Vivier 23 Jul '19

23 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following note in Marine Mammal Science: Vivier F, Guinet C, Jeanniard-du-Dot T. Defining areas of intensive foraging activity for a top marine predator, the Antarctic fur seal: Compromises between effort and accuracy. Mar Mam Sci. 2019;1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12635 Abstract Conservation of species requires knowledge of their feeding and breeding habitats to implement effective protection plans, often based on tracking of animals’ movements and behaviors. Recent progress in biologging resulted in availability of finer-scale information of at-sea behaviors, but with greater time and resource costs. We thus question whether such data pinpoint significantly more accurate ecologically-relevant areas than traditional tracking to define Marine Protected Areas (MPA). To do so, we equipped 18 female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) with biologgers that recorded GPS locations, dive depths and tri-axial acceleration. We then estimated geographical occupancy from GPS locations at different resolutions (min 3/day), diving locations from depth, and locations of feeding events from acceleration, and spatially determined Areas of Ecological Significance (AES) for all parameters. We then compared their performance using a Fuzzy-Kappa approach. Our results revealed high correlations between spatial structures of each AES defined (> 0.95). We conclude that geolocation data from GPS provided sufficient information to accurately infer AES and that allocating more time and resources for finer-scale foraging data is not necessary in the context of defining MPA for a top marine predator. Download here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mms.12635 For any questions, you may also contact me at fvivier(a)hawaii.edu. Kind regards, Fabien Vivier, MSc in Marine Biology PhD. Student, https://www.mmrphawaii.org/fabien-vivier Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawaii at Manoa,

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FWC-MMPL Job Announcement has posted: #77902156 - OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I- St. Pete
by Garrett, Andy 22 Jul '19

22 Jul '19

Hello all, An announcement for a OPS Biological Scientist I at the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg, FL has been posted. Direct link to the job posting in People's First: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/SAINT-PETERSBURG-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-… ________________________________ OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77902156 Date: Jul 15, 2019 Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, US, 33711 Apply now ><https://jobs.myflorida.com/talentcommunity/apply/574402100/?locale=en_US> Requisition No: 67672 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77902156 Position Number: 77902156 Salary: $14.00/hr Posting Closing Date: 08/02/2019 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Section: Wildlife Research-Marine Mammals This is OPS (Other Personal Service) position. It is considered a full-time position, working 40 hrs/week. Occasional overtime hours may occur. Hours worked over 40 per week, Friday to Thursday, are considered overtime and are paid @ 1.5 times the regular wage. DESCRIPTION This position will assist in the coordination of salvage and recovery of marine mammal carcasses for the Northwest field station (Northwest region: coastal and inland waterways of Manatee County to Escambia County) and assist with carcass and necropsy responses statewide as needed. This position will serve as member of FWC's marine mammal necropsy team conducting field and laboratory necropsies on marine mammals, record observations and complete associated necropsy reports. The incumbent will be responsible for carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. The position will assist in marine mammal rescue and transport operations in the Northwest region and assist with marine mammal rescue and capture operations in other regions as needed. This position will be responsible for the management of Marine Mammal Pathology Laboratory (MMPL) volunteers and interns, including recruitment, scheduling, and assignment of tasks. This position will be responsible for downloading and logging images (photos/video) taken during MMPL necropsies, rescues, captures, and other field activities and will oversee repairs and general maintenance of all photography equipment at MMPL. This position will work holidays in rotation with other MMPL staff members for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies as needed or assigned and will respond to marine mammal stranding's outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned. Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. **Preference may be given to individuals who have live and dead marine mammal stranding/necropsy experience. Experience with dissection, pathology, and/or animal necropsies is preferred. Preference may also be given to those with experience with live marine stranding responses. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan and state and federal legislation protecting manatees * Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis * Knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques * Knowledge of digital SLR cameras, filters, and lenses * Knowledge of marine mammal capture, handling, and transport techniques * Able to trailer flatbeds/utility trailers and watercraft vessels * Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26' in length and smaller * Be capable of daily manual labor requiring handling of heavy and sharp objects and working under unpleasant conditions * Must be physically fit, able to vertically lift at least 75 lbs., and be able to swim sufficiently to save oneself * Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions * Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships * Be comfortable speaking to the public * Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Florida driver's license within a month of employment WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee. WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? * State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory * Workers' Compensation - mandatory * Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory * Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.) * Deferred Compensation - voluntary * Employee Assistance Program - voluntary WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? * Any form of paid leave * Paid holidays * Participation in the Florida Retirement System * Reinstatement rights or retention rights The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Nearest Major Market: Tampa Apply now ><https://jobs.myflorida.com/talentcommunity/apply/574402100/?locale=en_US>

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New publication: Humpback whales New Caledonia
by Solène Derville 21 Jul '19

21 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in Aquatic Conservation: Derville, S, Torres, LG, Dodémont, R, Perard, V, Garrigue, C. From land and sea, long‐term data reveal persistent humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breeding habitat in New Caledonia. Aquatic Conserv: Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 2019; 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3127 Abstract 1. Long‐term monitoring is a prerequisite to understanding and protecting long‐lived species such as cetaceans. In New Caledonia, South Pacific, an endangered sub‐population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) seasonally congregates for mating and nursing during the austral winter. For more than two decades, dedicated surveys have been conducted at sea and from land to monitor humpback whale presence in a coastal breeding site, the South Lagoon. 2. Methods were developed to investigate space use patterns and their temporal variations over the long term using a joint dataset of boat‐based and land‐based observations (1995–2017). A total of 2651 humpback whale groups were observed, including 1167 from land and 1484 at sea (of which 30% were initially detected by the land‐based observers). 3. Humpback whales displayed a persistent space use pattern over this 23 year period, consistent social composition over the years, and an increase in the group encounter rates from land and at sea. The core area of use by humpback whales was characterized in the austral winter by stable and relatively low sea surface temperature (22°C). Whales consistently occupied nearshore waters from 10 to 200 m deep and open to the ocean. Waters surrounded by dense coral reefs were avoided. 4. Although humpback whale distribution patterns were persistent and occurrence was found to increase over two decades, a mismatch between humpback whale critical habitat and marine protected areas was revealed. In the context of growing anthropogenic pressure from tourism and industrial development, these findings should be incorporated into local management efforts to protect the endangered Oceania humpback whale in one of its main breeding sites. The paper may be downloaded on https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aqc.3127<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.14563> Feel free to contact me directly for a PDF copy: solene.derville(a)ird.fr<mailto:solene.derville@ird.fr> Best, -- Solène Derville PhD - Marine & Geospatial Ecology Association Opération Cétacés UMR Entropie - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement ---------- 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, BPA5 98848 Noumea cedex, New Caledonia Phone: +687 912299 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Solene_Derville

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Social and Vocal Behavior of Humpback Whales on the Northern Coast of Ecuador
by Javier Oña 21 Jul '19

21 Jul '19

Me and my co-authors are pleased to announce the publication of our short note at Aquatic Mammals named: ¨ A Giant’s Dance:Underwater Social and Vocal Behavior of Humpback Whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) Recorded on the Northern Coast of Ecuador¨ Oña, J., Duque, E., Garland, E. C., Seger, K., Narváez, M., Maldonado, J. & Denkinger, J. 2019. In: Aquatic Mammals. Abstract On their tropical breeding grounds humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) produce an array of social behaviors. The most commonly reported behaviors are surface active displays, which include tail, pectoral, or full body slapping events (Kavanagh et al., 2017). Social interactions also comprise a diverse range of sub-surface behaviors that include calls (Dunlop et al., 2007; Zoidis et al. 2008; Seger, 2016). The function of most social behaviors within humpback whale groups remains unclear; whales spend most of their time underwater and their behavioral repertoire is thus obscured due to inherent difficulties in documentation in this environment. For example, synchronized movements and tactile signals occur underwater during social group interactions (e.g. between mothers and calves or within competitive groups) and these behaviors may play an important role in their social lives and communication (Darling & Berube, 2001; Zoidis et al., 2008, 2014). As such, multiple functions have been proposed and the significance of social behaviors, including underwater displays, are still debated for humpback whales and most marine mammal species (Dudzinski et al., 2009). Feel free to contact me to request a pdf or for any question regarding our work at: ecujavier10(a)gmail.com Sincerely, *MSc. Javier Oña * *Adjunct **Researcher * *Universidad San Francisco de Quito* *CETACEA Ecuador Project.* *Phone: 0986113344/0984869657* *ecujavier10(a)gmail.com <ecujavier10(a)gmail.com>*

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New publication: Multi-network-based diffusion analysis reveals vertical cultural transmission of sponge tool use within dolphin matrilines
by sonja.wild＠access.uzh.ch 21 Jul '19

21 Jul '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in Biology Letters. Wild S, Allen SJ, Krützen M, King SL, Gerber L, Hoppitt WJE. 2019 Multi- network-based diffusion analysis reveals vertical cultural transmission of sponge tool use within dolphin matrilines. Biol. Lett. 15: 20190227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0227 Abstract: Behavioural differences among social groups can arise from differing ecological conditions, genetic predispositions and/or social learning. In the past, social learning has typically been inferred as responsible for the spread of behaviour by the exclusion of ecological and genetic factors. This ‘method of exclusion’ was used to infer that ‘sponging’, a foraging behaviour involving tool use in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population in Shark Bay, Western Australia, was socially transmitted. However, previous studies were limited in that they never fully accounted for alternative factors, and that social learning, ecology and genetics are not mutually exclusive in causing behavioural variation. Here, we quantified the importance of social learning on the diffusion of sponging, for the first time explicitly accounting for ecological and genetic factors, using a multi-network version of ‘network-based diffusion analysis'. Our results provide compelling support for previous findings that sponging is vertically socially transmitted from mother to (primarily female) offspring. This research illustrates the utility of social network analysis in elucidating the explanatory mechanisms behind the transmission of behaviour in wild animal populations. Download here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0227 Or email sonja.wild(a)uzh.ch to request a PDF. Kind regards, ------------------------------------------------ Sonja Wild PhD Manton 8.17 School of Biology University of Leeds LS2 9JT Leeds (UK) bssw(a)leeds.ac.uk www.sharkbaydolphins.org

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Marine Mammal / Sea Turtle Observer Certification in Galveston, TX Sept 28-29, 2019
by Angela Bostwick 21 Jul '19

21 Jul '19

MPSC is holding a training course in Galveston, TX which provides Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification on September 28-29. This class will include a tour of the Texas A&M University at Galveston's Sea Life Facility, a marine research and sea turtle rehabilitation laboratory, and also a private vessel trip. During the tour of the Sea Life Facility, we will discuss care of sea turtles and identifying traits of the different species of sea turtles found in the Gulf. The vessel trip will provide opportunity to practice the protected species monitoring identification techniques discussed in class; students will also be able to practice manual settings for wildlife photography using digital SLR cameras, and will learn to estimate distance using binoculars with reticles. This training is approved by the federal agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to provide Protected Species Observer certification for seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, and is a long-standing industry standard which is often accepted in various other regions or industries (such as renewable energy, construction, dredging) where monitoring and mitigation for protected species is needed. The course examines the regulations for reducing seismic survey impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, how to visually locate and identify the animals, and objective documentation of animal behavior for reporting to regulatory agencies. A discounted rate is available for students/recent graduates, members of non-profit organizations and government/veterans. Lunch is provided each day, along with various identification guides and regulatory documents (yours to keep), advice on applying to PSO positions, the tour of the sea turtle rehabilitation facility, the vessel trip, and the professional certification. MPSC is also holding a PSO Certification course in Newport, Oregon on October 5th-6th. Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting me at ABostwick(a)PSOCertifications.com, or by phone at 832-523-2402. Thank you, Angela Bostwick Founder / Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/

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