August 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Mote Marine Laboratory, Manatee Research Program Internships
by Christina Nau 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

*Program Description* The Manatee Research Program studiesseveral aspects of the biology of manatees inhabiting the waters of southwestern Florida, including population dynamics, population genetics, habitat use, distributional patterns and social behavior. Field data and samples are collected using photo-identification, aerial surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling. >From spring through early fall, photo-identification, genetic, and behavioral sampling are conducted primarily in Sarasota and Manatee counties.During the winter, field work is conducted primarily in Charlotte Harbor and the Ft. Myers area.Aerial surveys are conducted twice per month (during the non-winter) in Sarasota County to assess relative abundance and distribution of manatees in those waters.The long-term database of the program contributes to management and conservation measurements for Florida manatees. Additionally, the program collaborates with manatee researchers throughout the state of Florida and the Caribbean.For more information about, please visit: https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research. *WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING INTERNS TO BEGIN IN**January 2020**, WITH APPLICATIONS DUE BY **September 1st 2019**.* *Internship Description* Internships are available during all four seasons and must be a MINIMUM of 12 weeks.Hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, although some longer days may be required for field work (especially during the winter season). Interns should expect to spend about 20% of their time in the field and about 80% of their time in the office/lab.Field work duties include assisting with data collection, boat handling, and equipment use and maintenance.Field work requires spending long hours in the field, sometimes in uncomfortable weather conditions.Office/Lab duties include data entry, processing, matching images to known animals, equipment maintenance, and miscellaneous tasks and errands. There is no financial compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available. A few scholarships may be available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). *Required Qualifications* ·Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies ·A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or a related field is preferred ·Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access); previous experience using ArcMap GIS is a plus but not required ·Excellent communication skills; fluent in English ·Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift heavy objects ·Knowledge of photography/SLR camera use and/or drawing skills are a plus ·Desire and willingness to acquire knowledge and skills related to marine mammal field work and capable of working well as a team ** *To apply for a Manatee Research Program internship:* ·Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory’s website (https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview) and be sure to select “Manatee Research Program” as your first choice ·Complete and provide to Mote’s intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae /(incomplete applications will not be considered) Applicants may contact the Manatee Research Program’s intern coordinator, Christina Nau, (cnau(a)mote.org <mailto:cnau@mote.org>) with questions regarding the internship. -- Christina Nau Manatee Research Program Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota FL 34236 Phone: (941) 388-4441 ext. 471 cnau(a)mote.org

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Call for applications: Marine Megafauna Research Internship
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

Call for applications: Marine Megafauna Research Internship at BDRI - August-November 2019 The Marine Megafauna Research Internship program provides the opportunity for highly motivated students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and interested people to work with and learn from a multidisciplinary team of marine mammal scientists, including internationally renowned investigators. The primary aim of our internship program is to train and prepare young scientists to become future leaders in marine mammal science and conservation. The mission of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI, <https://www.thebdri.com>) since 2005 is to contribute to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the marine environment in which they live. Our field research experience and commitment to research, education, and conservation make our center an important source of knowledge about marine biodiversity and the environment for scientists, decision-makers, students and the public. Since 2014 the BDRI performs systematic surveys to monitor charismatic marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, sharks, and otters) in one of the most productive oceanic regions in the world (Galician waters, NW Spain). The BDRI office is located in a pleasant research centre located in O Grove, Galicia (NW Spain). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. The institute and research vessels are equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, and the study area has especially good conditions for marine mammals and marine birds research. The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in these waters (22 different species recorded) allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - An internship period at the BDRI offers an excellent opportunity for interested and motivated people to obtain field and laboratory experience in marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, and otters) field research methodology and data analysis. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants will be trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - There are vacancies available from August 15th to November 1st 2019. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. BDRI internships are not paid and this training experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, shared accommodation, and other expenses. The fee reflects the real world costs and expenses that go into making the research program possible and the BDRI Internship Program worthwhile. BDRI’s reputation for success rests solidly on its ability to carry out studies published in prestigious scientific journals. Scientific articles published by the BDRI team during 2019 (for a full list of publications please visit <https://www.thebdri.com/papers.html> ): - Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (in press) Individual foraging variation drives social organization in bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Ecology - Diaz Lopez B, Methion S (2019) Habitat drivers of endangered rorqual whales in a highly impacted upwelling region. Ecological Indicators 103, 610 – 616. - Methion B, Díaz López B (2019) First record of atypical pigmentation pattern in fin whale Balaenoptera physalus in the Atlantic Ocean. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms DOI: 10.3354/dao03385 - Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, Giralt Paradell O (2019) Living on the edge: Overlap between a marine predator’s habitat use and fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic waters (NW Spain). Progress in Oceanography 175, 115 – 223. - Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (2019) Natural and anthropogenic drivers of foraging behaviour in bottlenose dolphins: influence of shellfish aquaculture. Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 29(6), 927-937. - Giralt Paradell O, Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, (2019) Modelling common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) coastal distribution and habitat use: insights for conservation. Ocean and Coastal Management 179, 104836. - Diaz Lopez B (2019) "Hot deals at sea": responses of a top predator (Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) to human-induced changes in the coastal ecosystem. Behavioural Ecology 2(3), 291-300. Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684248552 Like us on Facebook: thebdri. Follow us on Instagram: @thebdri. Mention us on Twitter: @thebdri. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.

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New publication: Fatal pulmonary parafilaroidiasis in a free-ranging subantarctic fur seal
by Laura Reisfeld 03 Aug '19

03 Aug '19

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of all co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our article about fatal pulmonary parafilaroidiasis in a free-ranging subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) coinfected with two gammaherpesviruses and Sarcocystis sp. Reisfeld L, Sacristan C, Sanchez-Sarmiento AM, Costa-Silva S, Diaz-Delgado J, Groch KR, Marigo J, Ewbank AC, Favero CM, Mariotti Guerra J, Ressio RA, Cremer MJ, Esperon F, Catao-Dias JL. (2018). Fatal pulmonary parafilaroidiasis in a free-ranging Subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) coinfected with two gammaherpesviruses and Sarcocystis sp. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019029 In this manuscript we described a case of disseminated verminous pneumonia due to Parafilaroides sp. in a juvenile subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) found dead in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. A concomitant infection with two different gammaherpesviruses was identified by PCR in different tissues; one of them possibly a novel species (tentatively named Otariid herpesvirus 7). Sarcocystis sp. DNA was identified molecularly in skeletal muscle samples with intrasarcoplasmic bradyzoites and no apparent tissue response. All analyzed samples (mandibular, laryngeal, tracheal, and mesenteric lymph nodes, and lung) were PCR-negative for Brucella spp. The most likely cause of death was severe pulmonary parafilaroidiasis. The pathogenic role of the gammaherpesviruses in several of the tissues was not evident. This study describes the pathogenicity of Parafilaroides sp. in a subantarctic fur seal, widens the host range of herpesvirus in pinnipeds, and reports the first molecular identification of Sarcocystis sp. in this species. You can discover more in the links: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31365717 and http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612019005011… The article is available at link above or email: lauravet(a)aquariodesaopaulo.com.br<mailto:lauravet@aquariodesaopaulo.com.br> Best regards Laura Reisfeld DVM, MSc, Aquario de Sao Paulo Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology - LAPCOM School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - FMVZ University of São Paulo (Brazil)

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DATE CHANGE - Saturday 7th December for the Harmonising Global Strandings Response
by Karen Stockin 03 Aug '19

03 Aug '19

Dear MARMAM Colleagues Please note the DATE CHANGE to SATURDAY 7TH DEC for the Harmonising Global Strandings Response workshop. This has already been updated on the WMMC registration. On behalf of the the workshop steering group (named here), it is my pleasure to announce the upcoming World Marine Mammal Conference - Harmonising Global Strandings Response on Sunday 8th Dec 0830-1730 Karen Stockin, International Whaling Commission (karen.stockin(a)iwc.int) Frances Gulland, Marine Mammal Commission (francesgulland(a)gmail.com) Sarah Wilkin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (sarah.wilkin(a)noaa.gov) Brian Sharp, International Fund for Animal Welfare (bsharp(a)ifaw.org) Sandro Mazzariol, University of Padua (sandro.mazzariol(a)unipd.it) Mike Ziccardi, UC Davis (mhziccardi(a)ucdavis.edu) Hugo Nijkamp, Sea-Alarm (nijkamp(a)sea-alarm.org) Harmonising Global Strandings Response In 2016, an IWC multi-disciplinary expert workshop discussed how best to develop practical guidance on handling cetacean strandings. The workshop concluded that an international Strandings Initiative should be established under the auspices of the IWC. The need for a coherent international umbrella that could link up national marine mammal stranding networks was also a recommendation of the 2018 Sea Alarm workshop organised in Brest, France. The 2019 workshop aims at synergising existing initiatives in marine mammal emergency response. Effectively, the workshop aims to unify the efforts of IWC, ACCOBAMS, ASCOBANS, NOAA, IFAW, BDMLR, PJ and other regional and national networks alongside that of the oil spill response community. The overarching aim is to assess synergies and identify what is required to coordinate, support, enhance and globalise the response to marine mammal strandings. The workshop will attempt to standardise the approach to marine mammal stranding response worldwide, which will in turn lead to improved data collection, animal welfare, and sharing of information and resources, and improved efficiencies during emergencies. This workshop will bring together international government and non-government marine mammal and environmental protection agencies, marine mammal managers and policy makers, first responders and researchers working in strandings contexts. Countries with established networks as well as countries with minimal or no current capacity for stranding response but who share interest in the development of such capacity are particularly welcome. The anticipated output of the workshop is a white paper developed from the workshop proceedings that will be circulated to specific international organisations involved in stranding and oil spill response globally (e.g. IWC, NOAA, ASCOBANS, ACCOBAMS, IFAW, WCS etc). Attendee Support and Opportunities: Potential attendees from developing nations whom are keen to attend in anticipation of establishing strandings capacity in their own countries should contact Karen Stockin on karen.stockin(a)iwc.int<mailto:karen.stockin@iwc.int> to be considered for financial assistance. Additionally, two student rapporteurs are required to assist with the compilation of references and drafting of the post workshop report. Potential volunteers should email the workshop leaders, and if accepted will receive free registration for the workshop. Please register your attendance at https://www.wmmconference.org/workshops/#Establishing%20A%20Global%20Marine… WMMC Workshops – World Marine Mammal Science Conference<https://www.wmmconference.org/workshops/#Establishing%20A%20Global%20Marine…> www.wmmconference.org Workshop registration is now open! Workshops attendance is on a first come first serve basis. As workshops become full, a waitlist will be created to hold a place for interested attendees. Places are strictly limited so please don't delay! Karen Stockin, PhD Strandings Coordinator International Whaling Commission This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the named addressee you should delete the email and notify the sender immediately. E-mails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Any opinion and other statement contained in this message and any attachment are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the International Whaling Commission. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the named addressee you should delete the email and notify the sender immediately. E-mails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Any opinion and other statement contained in this message and any attachment are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the International Whaling Commission.

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Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network meeting Taiwan
by Lindsay Porter 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network (AMMSN), Regional Meeting, Taiwan September 2019 The Third AMMSN will be held in Taiwan in September 2019. Generously supported by the Taiwan Oceans Bureau, there is funding for all registered participants. . The meeting will comprise a symposium and workshops, with international speakers from the International Whale Commission, the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation and the University of St. Andrews. Workshops will include necropsy techniques, mass stranding protocols, museum specimen curation and case study sessions. For funding support details and registration please go to https://3rdammsns2019.wixsite.com/website Or contact Symposium: Prof. Yang ammsnconf19(a)gmail.com Workshops: Prof. Wang ammsnworkshop19(a)gmail.com

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job opportunity in NE for BOEM/NMFS PSO
by Teresa (Bohuszewicz) Espy 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Looking for BOEM/NMFS visual PSO for potential subcontracting in northeastern United States. Must be US citizen or legally allowed to work in the U.S. Please, contact tbohuszewicz(a)marineventures.com<mailto:tbohuszewicz@marineventures.com>., if interested. Teresa (Bohuszewicz) Espy | MMO/PSO Services Manager Marine Ventures International, Inc. 8524 SW Kansas Avenue Stuart, FL USA 34997 +1 772-419-9627 Main +1 772-419-9634 Direct +1 772-419-9628 Fax www.marineventures.com<http://www.marineventures.com/> [cid:1df96a96-7050-4e0d-8f35-22a6bc1fa389@namprd08.prod.outlook.com] CAGE Code (7RVL5)

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PhD opportunity - Characterization and modelling of recreational boating for beluga conservation
by Clément Chion 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Hi, We are recruiting a PhD student to characterize and model recreational boater in the summer habitat of the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population. The project is part of a broader research program aimed at proposing effective solutions to mitigate the impacts of navigation on belugas in the St. Lawrence Estuary (ongoing management process). The full announcement is available at the end of this message. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND CIRCULATE IN YOUR NETWORKS Thanks and have a nice day! Clément Prof. Clément Chion <http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Clement_Chion/>, PhD Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) Département des sciences naturelles ISFORT <http://isfort.uqo.ca/nos_etudiants/clement-chion> 819-595-3900 poste: 1467 819-503-2539 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- *PHD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY* *Agent-based modelling of recreational boating in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River (Québec, Canada) to mitigate their impacts on belugas and baleen whales* *Goal* : This project aims at developing a spatially explicit agent-based model of recreational boating in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River (Québec, Canada) to mitigate impacts such as underwater noise, collision, and disturbance on the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga and baleen whales populations. *Description *: The St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population is currently listed as an endangered species under the Species At Risk Act (Canada) and the Act Respecting Threatened and Vulnerable Species (Québec). Other endangered species frequently observed in the St. Lawrence Estuary include the North Atlantic blue and fin whales. Several threats to the recovery of these whale species are coming from the navigation activities occurring in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River such as animal exposure to underwater noise emitted by surrounding boats, disturbance/harassment, and collisions. Such navigation activities as maritime shipping, ferries and whale-watching excursions are well-documented largely due to AIS data. However, recreational boating in the summer habitat of the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga is poorly documented with scarce data available. Moreover, no methodology has been proposed so far to monitor recreational boating activities and estimate their impacts on whales. This project will first focus on making a quantitative portrait of recreational boating in the summer habitat of the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population (thereafter referred to as beluga). This portrait will include a characterization of the fleet, spatial distribution, temporal variability, along with a description of the spatiotemporal dynamics of boater excursions. This project will also allow to identify the main archetypes of recreational boaters along with their decision-making models that will be implemented in an agent-based model. The agent-based model will be used to assess the cumulative impacts of recreational boating on whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay River and propose mitigation options. The model will also allow to project the impacts of boaters’ eco-friendly behaviors on whales. Throughout this project, the PhD student will propose and conduct several data campaigns using different qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data on various objects at different scales (e.g. remote sensing, aerial surveys, GPS tracks, semi-supervised interviews, Q-methodology, questionnaires…). First, the student will develop a methodology and deploy it to characterize the fleet of recreational boats along with the spatiotemporal dynamics of their excursions throughout the summer habitat of beluga whales. Thereafter, the student will propose and implement a method to characterize the behavior and the decision-making process of recreational boaters at sea in order to define archetypes. For each archetype of recreational boater, the student will thus propose a conceptual model of behaviors and decisions including their interactions with whales. The results of these inquiries will be implemented into a spatially explicit agent-based model. The student will then elaborate a validation procedure of the agent-based model of boaters’ behaviors. Finally, the validated model of recreational boaters will be integrated into a spatiotemporal simulator of boat-whale interactions in the Saguenay River and the St. Lawrence Estuary. This simulator will be used to assess the relative contribution of each navigation component to the overall impacts on the St. Lawrence whales and to test the effectiveness of various mitigation scenarios. The ideal candidate will show dynamism, motivation, determination, intellectual curiosity and creativity, ability to work independently and as part of a team, along with a great sense of initiative. He/She will need to travel regularly to the Saguenay and the St. Lawrence Estuary region for data collection. He/She will be encouraged and supported to travel for scientific communications (conferences, workshops), meetings with partners and stakeholders. He/She will be part of a dynamic multidisciplinary research team and will benefit from support for different parts of his/her project. The project being funded by the Government of Quebec, the selected candidate will be required to contribute to the production of deliverables for various ministries. *Requirements*: The candidate must possess a Master degree in Geography, Environmental sciences or any discipline relevant to the project. He/She must demonstrate relevant experience in modelling, statistics, and in the use of qualitative methods (e.g. interviews). The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in scientific communication (oral and written) to experts and laypeople, including writing scientific articles and conducting literature reviews, both in French and English. The candidate must demonstrate a dedication to excellence supported by academic records making him/her eligible to provincial and national scholarship competitions. *Assets: *Experience in the following fields will be considered to be assets: - GIS, spatial analysis, and spatial statistics; - Agent-based modelling; - Cognitive psychology and study of human decision-making processes; - Object-oriented programming; - Software and programming language: R, QGIS, Java, Python. *Start date*: January 2020 *Scholarship*: 25 000$/yr for 3 years *Location : *Ripon (Québec, Canada) *Director*: Prof. Jérôme Dupras (UQO-ISFORT) *Co-director: *Prof. Clément Chion (UQO-ISFORT) *Collaborators*: Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), University of Victoria, Parks Canada, Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Réseau d’observation des mammifères marins (ROMM). *Application :* · Email your academic CV (long form), application letter (detailing your skills and assets related to the project requirements), official academic transcripts (Bachelor and Master), and the name and contact information of 3 academic references to Pr. Clément Chion ( clementchion(a)gmail.com; clement.chion(a)uqo.ca) Pr. Jérôme Dupras ( jerome.dupras(a)uqo.ca) and Robert Michaud (rmichaud(a)gremm.org) · *Deadline*: *September 15th 2019*, or until the position is filled. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

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Full Time Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Biologist Position-Tequesta Florida
by Howell, Amber 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission- OPS Biological Scientist I -77907532 Announcement Type: Open Competitive Rate of Pay: $13.50/hour, 40 hours/week Location: Tequesta, FL Closing Date: August 11, 2019 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Section: Wildlife Research - Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles Direct link to apply: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TEQUESTA-OPS-Biological-Scientist-I-FWC-7790… DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: This position is split among the marine mammal and sea turtle sections, located in Tequesta, and participates in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's manatee research program in a seven-county area along southeast Florida, and will respond to or coordinate response to reports of stranded sea turtles and document the incident. This includes managing a wildlife alert hotline with calls from the public. Work schedule is Thursday through Monday. Duties may include but are not limited to: recover manatee and sea turtle carcasses in southeast Florida, transport carcasses, conduct necropsies, participate in manatee and sea turtle rescue, including coordination of capture and transportation of injured animals to the appropriate rehabilitation facilities; provide training and guidance for Sea Turtle Stranding Network participants, participate in aerial surveys, photograph manatees for photo identification purposes; operate software such as Excel, Access, Word, Adobe, web-based databases, and mapping and interpreting spatial data; assist with regional water temperature monitoring project; data entry, office work and public outreach including working with the media; general cleaning of office and equipment, vehicle, trailer and boat maintenance and other tasks assigned by supervisor; work long, unscheduled hours on short notice that include some evenings and holidays. Occasional overnight travel required. 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 candidates who have marine mammal and sea turtle stranding-response experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Applicant must obtain boater safety certification and CPR/First Aid within the first six months of employment. Applicant must be able to swim proficiently. Field work is highly physical and applicant must be physically fit and able to lift 75 lbs vertically on a regular basis. Applicant must have the ability to work both as a team member as well as independently in various field situations; must be able to work under adverse field conditions including nights, weekends and holidays; must be able to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; think logically, multi-task, and apply problem-solving techniques; effectively communicate verbally and in writing; skill in the use of Microsoft Office Software and web-based databases; and maintain a valid FL driver's license. Knowledge of marine animal biology, anatomy, and conservation, especially pertaining to those in Florida and knowledge of terminology and methodology used when collecting data of stranded marine animals and when conducting sea turtle nesting beach surveys. Knowledge of and the ability to use computers, field gear, and cameras are highly desired. The ability to safely operate large trucks, pull trailers and boats less than 30 feet in length is also highly desired. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit a current resume, list of three references, and a cover letter along with your State of Florida Employment Profile in People First, as attachments. 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 Amber Howell Research Associate- Marine Mammals Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 19100 SE Federal Hwy, Tequesta FL 33469 561-398-5914 24 hour FWC Hotline: 888-404-3922

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Ocean Sciences top predator session
by Mark Baumgartner 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

Dear Colleagues, The 2020 Ocean Sciences Meeting <https://www2.agu.org/ocean-sciences-meeting/> will take place 16-21 February 2020 in San Diego, California. The meeting is an important venue for scientific exchange across broad marine science disciplines, with sessions on all aspects of oceanography. We would like to call your attention to a session <https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm20/prelim.cgi/Session/74850> we will be chairing entitled "Advances in the ecology, behavior, physiology, or conservation of marine top predators" (ME001). This session has been convened at the Ocean Sciences meetings since 2010, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for researchers studying a variety of taxa (including marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and fish) to meet, exchange ideas, and explore commonalities in research methods, scientific questions, and conservation efforts. Please consider submitting an abstract <https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm20/prelim.cgi/Session/74850> and attending the meeting. Abstracts are due by 11 September 2019. More information on the session is below. Mark Baumgartner, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, mbaumgartner(a)whoi.edu <mailto:mbaumgartner@whoi.edu> Daniel Palacios, Oregon State University, daniel.palacios(a)oregonstate.edu <mailto:daniel.palacios@oregonstate.edu> ——————————— Topic: Marine Ecology and Biodiversity Title: Advances in the ecology, behavior, physiology, or conservation of marine top predators Session ID: ME001 Session Description: Top predators are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, and as such, their ecology, behavior and physiology can influence important processes such as trophic interactions, carbon flow, and nutrient recycling. Virtually all top predators have a history of over-exploitation or they have special management status because of their sensitivity to marine industrial activities and other human uses (e.g., bycatch, shipping, resource exploration/extraction). Basic research on top predators often focuses on gaps in our understanding of their ecology, but unlike many other branches of biological oceanography, research can also be motivated directly by management and conservation needs. This session will focus on studies of the ecology, behavior, and physiology of marine top predators that either advance our scientific understanding or support the conservation of these important taxa. Because Ocean Sciences provides a unique forum for marine ecologists, marine biologists, and oceanographers to interact, we seek contributions from researchers studying a wide variety of taxa, including fish, squid, reptiles, seabirds, and marine mammals, from anywhere in the world's oceans.

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PSO-PAM courses available in Florida
by Teresa (Bohuszewicz) Espy 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

PSO and PAM courses are being offered in August in Florida, USA, to potential PSOs, MMOs, and PAM Operators. Detailed information can be reviewed in the attached document or at the following link: https://www.marineventures.com/courses. Questions can be directed to BBennett(a)marineventures.com<mailto:BBennett@marineventures.com>. Teresa (Bohuszewicz) Espy | MMO/PSO Services Manager Marine Ventures International, Inc. 8524 SW Kansas Avenue Stuart, FL USA 34997 +1 772-419-9627 Main +1 772-419-9634 Direct +1 772-419-9628 Fax www.marineventures.com<http://www.marineventures.com/> [cid:1df96a96-7050-4e0d-8f35-22a6bc1fa389@namprd08.prod.outlook.com] CAGE Code (7RVL5)

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