October 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Registration and Abstract Submission: UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter 19th Annual Conference
by Sophie Smith 04 Oct '24

04 Oct '24

Dear MARMAN community, The UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter (UKIRSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) are excited to announce that the abstract submission and registration for our 2025 annual conference is now open. Our annual conference is a free event that allows postgraduate students (Masters and PhD) to present their work, hear from experienced researchers, and network in a welcoming environment. Details of the Conference: * Event: UKIRSC 2025 19th Annual Conference * Location: St Andrews, Scotland * Date: 14th - 17th January 2025 * Registration and Abstract Submission Deadline: 1st November 2024 * Conference registration, submission and information: Conference 2025 - UK & Ireland Regional Student Chapter (st-andrews.ac.uk)<https://ukrsc.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/conference-2025/> We are excited to host another edition of the UKIRSC conference and look forward to bringing together students with a shared passion for marine mammal science. If you have any questions please contact ukrsc(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:ukrsc@st-andrews.ac.uk>. Kind regards UKIRSC Committee 2024-2025

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SMM Workshop: Vessel strike risk assessment tool
by Stevens, Tara 03 Oct '24

03 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, We still have some spots available in our full-day workshop at the SMM Conference in Perth, Australia on Saturday, 09 November 2024 titled, “Navigating Safe Waters: Unveiling a Novel Risk Assessment Tool for Vessel Operations Impacting Marine Mammals”. This workshop will focus on understanding vessel strike risk associated with offshore wind vessel operations in U.S. outer continental shelf waters and evaluating assessment of that risk in the form of a new risk assessment tool. Please note that part of the workshop will be devoted to testing an early version of the new online vessel strike risk assessment tool. Therefore, participants should bring their own laptop or other wifi-enabled device. Navigating Safe Waters: Unveiling a Novel Risk Assessment Tool for Vessel Operations Impacting Marine Mammals https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718132289356-cbc79593-2e03 CSA Ocean Sciences (CSA) and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) developed a publicly available and easy to use risk assessment tool to model the potential strike risk associated with offshore wind vessel operations on large whale species in U.S. outer continental shelf waters. The latest generation of this model is in final development and is being presented publicly for the first time at this conference. The general purpose of this workshop will be to introduce the model to users who require assessment of vessel strike risk. Participants will have input on its usability and application related to vessel strike risk reduction methodologies and technologies for marine mammals. The targeted audience includes both biologists and regulators that need a practical and straight foreword approach to understanding and quantifying vessel strike risk. The following topics will be covered: 1) discuss data inputs and limitations; 2) discuss applicability outside the U.S. and alternative data set usage from managers and researchers; 3) identify strike risk reduction or mitigation recommendations that could influence the model and transfer that information to end users (i.e. vessel operators); 4) brainstorm how model may be integrated into a broader suite of vessel strike avoidance technologies; and 5) obtain feedback on the user experience and utility of the model. These topics will be covered through a series of brief presentations, round-table discussions, and hands-on use of the model itself. The final activity will involve participants running the model based on a hypothetical scenario. The information generated through this workshop will be used to refine how the model is used and presented in the U.S. offshore wind industry while also providing the foundation for users who want to build similar models for other global regions or activities. Please reach out with any questions and we hope to see you soon in Perth! Thank you, Tara Tara S. Stevens Senior Scientist Protected Species Risk Assessment Lead CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. Northeast Regional Office 42 Ladd Street, Suite 316 | East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818 tarastevens(a)conshelf.com<mailto:tarastevens@conshelf.com> Mobile: +1 401-500-0182 [cidimage001.jpg(a)01D76826.14652D60] www.csaocean.com<http://www.csaocean.com/>

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New publication: Pack‑ice seals contribute to biological transfers of iron in the Southern Ocean (Lola Gilbert)
by lola.gilbert＠lilo.org 03 Oct '24

03 Oct '24

Dear Marmam community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share with you our not-so recently published paper in Polar Biology Special Issue on Biotically mediated nutrient transfer: Gilbert, L., Spitz, J. & Jeanniard-du-Dot, T. Pack-ice seals contribute to biological transfers of iron in the Southern Ocean. Polar Biol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03198-6 The article was published a year ago but for some reason the original publication notice to Marmam did not go through... The full article is available as a view-only free version here https://rdcu.be/dmZZa. Abstract: The contribution of animals to biological transfers of essential nutrients in ecosystems is increasingly recognised as a sig- nificant component of ecosystem functioning. In the Southern Ocean (SO), primary productivity is primarily limited by the availability of iron in the euphotic zone, which makes animals locally releasing iron-rich faeces potential fertilizers of the SO food web. We quantified the amounts of iron released by four species of Antarctic pack-ice seals using a bioenergetic model set up with best available data on species abundance, energetics, diets and prey composition. We estimated that leopard, crabeater, Weddell and Ross seals together release 208 tonnes of iron per year (95% confidence interval [104–378]). This is equivalent to the current contribution of SO humpback whales and four times that of SO sperm whales. At the popula- tion level, crabeater seals are the major contributors (73%), followed by Weddell (21%), leopard (4%) and Ross seals (1%). Locally, each species shows different daily individual iron release rates, suggesting the patchy and transient impact of these iron releases on primary producers might differ according to species. Beyond quantitative aspects, pack-ice seals’ contribu- tion to horizontal, vertical and trophic transfers of iron depends on their habitat preferences, on their ecology and behaviours at sea and on the ice. Although their role as iron vectors has been mostly overlooked so far, our results place pack-ice seals alongside whales and penguins as significant components of the SO ecosystem biological iron cycling, thus contributing substantially to its productivity and functioning. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Best, Lola Gilbert lola.gilbert(a)univ-lr.fr

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SMM workshop - Satellites to study whales (scholarship available)
by Hannah Cubaynes - BAS 03 Oct '24

03 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, ** For the attention of those actively using satellite imagery to study whales** We would like to welcome all those actively engaged in research using satellite imagery to study whales to the SMM hybrid workshop 'Satellites to study live and stranded whales: establishing best practices' held on 10th November 8:30 to 17:30 AWST (00:30 - 09:30 UTC). Link to the SMM workshops: https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718154490483-e70a39d6-46c8 Background: Very high-resolution satellites orbiting Earth offer the prospect of upscaling the monitoring of live and stranded cetaceans around the globe, particularly in remote regions. In recognition of the importance of refining and coordinating the use of satellites to study cetaceans, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee (SC) endorsed the creation of an Intersessional Correspondence Group (ICG) 'Satellites to Study Whales' uniting researchers actively engaged in and interested in using satellite imagery to study cetaceans. The main objectives of the 'Satellite to Study Whales' ICG are; (1) the coordination of information, data, and code sharing among research groups conducting active research on the use of satellite imagery to monitor whales; (2) to facilitate the development of automated methods and avoid duplication of effort; and (3) to negotiate better tasking opportunities with satellite imagery providers. Following recommendations from the IWC SC meeting in May 2023 (see report<https://archive.iwc.int/pages/download.php?ref=20108&ext=pdf&alternative=66…>), this workshop will focus on establishing best practices in the community supported by short talks from experts and group discussions, on topics such as annotation, automatic detection, and data and code sharing. Agenda: The aim of this workshop is to discuss and propose best practices for: * Annotating satellite imagery (session 1) * Annotation attributes (session 2) * Publishing research manuscript and sharing datasets to support automated detection (session 3) * Automated detection accuracy metrics (session 4) Registration: **Please note the following invitation is directed to those actively using satellites to study whales, only.** This stipulation is in place to ensure the aims of the workshop can be achieved. To establish best practice for the community the workshop will be driven by active discussions based on researchers experience. Attending in-person (scholarships available): * Link to register for in-person participation: https://www.smmconference.org/registration/ * Scholarship to cover the registration cost: there is some funding available to cover the cost of registration, the ICG are prioritising participants from high income countries and early career researchers (including master and PhD students). For enquiries, please email Hannah Cubaynes (hannah.cubaynes(a)bas.ac.uk<mailto:hannah.cubaynes@bas.ac.uk>) and Penny Clarke (penark38(a)bas.ac.uk<mailto:penark38@bas.ac.uk>). Attending online (free): Virtual participation is free. To register, please email your interest to Hannah Cubaynes (hannah.cubaynes(a)bas.ac.uk<mailto:hannah.cubaynes@bas.ac.uk>) and Penny Clarke (penark38(a)bas.ac.uk<mailto:penark38@bas.ac.uk>). Cheers, Hannah Cubaynes and Penny Clarke This email and any attachments are intended solely for the use of the named recipients. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this email or any of its attachments and should notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise risk of this email or any attachments containing viruses or malware but the recipient should carry out its own virus and malware checks before opening the attachments. UKRI does not accept any liability for any losses or damages which the recipient may sustain due to presence of any viruses.

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New paper: Abundance of two Guiana dolphin populations in southeastern Brazil
by Rafael Ramos de Carvalho 02 Oct '24

02 Oct '24

Dear colleagues , My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in Marine Mammal Science. Rafael R.Carvalho, Carlos Eduardo P. Quintana, Carlos ViniciusC. dos Santos, Elitieri B. Santos-Neto, LisBittencourt, Karina S. Pereira, Tatiana L. Bisi,Maja Kajin, Jose Lailson-Brito Jr., Alexandre F.Azevedo. Abundance of two Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) populations inhabiting adjacent areas insoutheastern Brazil. Marine Mammal Science. Early View https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13188 Abstract Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) are commonly found inshallow waters from South and Central America. FromMarch 2018 to June 2019, boat surveys were conducted tomonitor two populations inhabiting the adjacent waters ofIlha Grande Bay and Sepetiba Bay to estimate populationabundances and population parameters of apparent survivaland capture probability. Photo-identification was used as amark-recapture technique. A total of 672 dolphins was cataloged in Ilha Grande Bay and 826 in Sepetiba Bay, withtwo individuals being photographed in both areas. Population parameters were estimated through mark-recapturemodels and total population abundance was estimated at1,949 and 1,560 individuals in Ilha Grande Bay and SepetibaBay, respectively. Seasonal estimates were modeled showing that the Sepetiba Bay population may have stronger sitefidelity to the study area than individuals in Ilha GrandeBay. Apparent survival was estimated in a mixed modelframework avoiding bias due to the large presence of transient individuals. The estimates presented here are a resultof an effort conducted months after an unusual mortalityevent linked to Guiana dolphin cetacean morbillivirus andour findings indicated that surviving individuals did not have long-term deadlyeffects, but continuous efforts should be considered for a long-term evaluation. Feel free to contact me at carvalho.ramos(a)yahoo.com.br if you have any inquiries. Kind regards, Rafael Carvalho -- BiólogoDoutor em Ecologia e Evolução-PPGEE/UERJ Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Izabel Gurgel" - MAQUA Faculdade de Oceanografia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ tel.: (21) 2334-0065 / 2334-0795 cel.: (21) 99802-3536http://lattes.cnpq.br/6546679825444246

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SMM24 Workshop: Pinniped Entanglement Prevention, Response, Training, and Lessons Learned
by Kim Raum-Suryan - NOAA Federal 02 Oct '24

02 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM, We still have a few spots left for our “*Pinniped Entanglement Prevention, Response, Training and Lessons Learned*” Workshop at the SMM Conference in Perth, Australia from 08:30 to 17:30 on Saturday, November 9 . https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718131889797-052b1d22-ba43 Included in the workshop will be an amazing line up of presentations and case studies from Australia, Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Mexico, Peru, and the USA that will include: - Entanglement response best practices - Global standardized approaches to measure pinniped entanglement and collaboration on fishing solutions - Examples of entanglement response using physical restraint and remote sedation - Successfully working with fishers to prevent entanglement - Thermal enhancement of drone surveys - A successful deterrent! Additionally, we will have an expert panel/group discussion, as well as a classroom session to provide an overview of physical restraint and remote sedation disentanglement techniques, including training considerations. We hope to see you there! The link to the workshop and the abstract are below. For those of you unable to join us in person, we will have a virtual option for all of the workshop except the afternoon hands-on training session. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We hope to see you there! Thank you, Kim Raum-Suryan, Wendy Szaniszlo, Rebecca McIntosh, and Stephen Manley Abstract *Pinniped Entanglement Prevention, Response, Training, and Lessons Learned * Entanglement in marine debris and fishing gear is increasingly recognized as a serious source of human-caused mortality for pinniped populations world-wide. Pinniped rescue specialists and researchers around the world are working to address this issue, but these efforts are often made in isolation from one another. To provide increased global collaboration and communication among scientists, non-government organizations, non-profits, and others, the Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG) https://pinnipedentanglementgroup.org/ was created in 2009, with a growing membership. Enacting the conference theme of “Culture and Conservation: Fishing for Change”, the PEG collaborates to reduce pinniped entanglements in marine debris and fishing gear through education, outreach, and rescue. This workshop is intended to bring together researchers, managers, and responders interested in working toward the common goal of reducing global pinniped entanglements and interactions with fishing gear. This is an opportunity to unite those already working on pinniped entanglement prevention and response or those interested in learning more about this topic to share ideas and exchange techniques and methods. The workshop will begin with introductions, followed by entanglement response case studies and short presentations focused on 1) pinniped entanglement and fishery interaction prevention, 2) examples of working successfully with the fishing community, 3) equipment used for different entanglement responses, 4) deterrents, and 5) standardized data collection. The workshop will continue with expert panels followed by group discussions. The discussion periods will provide an opportunity to share techniques, establish new connections, identify data gaps, and plan for next steps. The day will conclude with hands-on in classroom training techniques. This conference provides a valuable opportunity for our third international workshop to bring together this global community to improve pinniped entanglement responses, advance mitigation to reduce entanglements, and to enhance the global PEG and their efforts to reduce pinniped entanglements worldwide. -- Kim Raum-Suryan Marine Mammal Specialist, PRD, Alaska Region NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce Office: (907) 586-7424 www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska

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IMMS Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Late Winter/Spring Internship
by Kailey Pamperin 02 Oct '24

02 Oct '24

Dear Marman Members, The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is currently conducting interviews for our Research Internship Program this Late Winter/Spring, starting mid to late January or February. Below is a description of the position. Please pass along this information. Thank you for your help. Best Regards, Kailey Pamperin Research Program Institute for Marine Mammal Studies *Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Late Winter/Spring Internship* *Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS)* *Gulfport, Mississippi* Application Deadline: December 1st *Job Description* IMMS’ Research Internship Program is designed to provide exceptional research and learning experiences in a real-world setting to early career scientists in the fields of marine biology and ecology, marine mammal population ecology and behavior, veterinary sciences and conservation. In this position, interns will primarily assist the institute’s Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program in collecting and processing photographs of bottlenose dolphins in the Mississippi Sound. Interns will also gain diverse experience working in other program areas including marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, sea turtle surveys, aquaria maintenance and animal care, and marine education and conservation. *As part of a research team, primary duties include: * Sort and process photographs of bottlenose dolphins Conduct boat-based bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys up to 7 days per month in estuarine and nearshore marine Gulf Coast waters. Dolphin surveys generally take around 8 hours and may occur in challenging weather and coastal conditions. Photograph dolphins and collect survey data during boat-based field surveys Match dolphin photographs to our catalog of known individuals using finFindR Enter collected bottlenose dolphin and environmental data in FinBase/Microsoft Access Assist in diverse research efforts related to bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and estuarine and near-shore marine ecology When needs arise, assist other program areas including stranding response, sea turtle surveys, animal care and marine education. *Internship Requirements* Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in biology, marine science, marine biology, marine and estuarine ecology, oceanography or a related field. Previous research experience is preferred. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all of the duties described in this internship position. Internship positions are 40 hours per week (generally Mon-Fri/8 am-4 pm). As needs arrive, responding to stranded dolphins and sea turtles, for instance, interns may need to shift their schedules to assist our Stranding Department in these efforts. Internship start and end dates for this Late Winter/Spring are flexible. We do require a minimum of a 12-week commitment for this internship position. *Additional Information* Research internships are unpaid positions. IMMS provides a $30 reimbursement per week for groceries. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. To apply, please send a completed application form (found on our IMMS website), resume (with 3 references), a copy of your college transcripts, and a one-page statement of interest to researchintern(a)imms.org. For information about the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, please visit our website https://imms.org/internship/.

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Open Position: Executive Director at The Whale Museum
by Alanna Frayne 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

Position Opening: Executive Director at The Whale Museum The Whale Museum, a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is seeking an Executive Director with exceptional management, fundraising, and strategic planning abilities. This individual will be instrumental in addressing both immediate operational needs and steering the Museum’s long-term development. As the leader of a passionate and committed team, the Executive Director will inspire and guide a small but dynamic staff. Located on San Juan Island in the small town of Friday Harbor, Washington, USA, the position offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of Southern Resident Killer Whale conservation efforts and to make a significant impact in this beautiful and ecologically rich region. Full job description including organization details, required qualifications, compensation, and application instructions can be accessed at https://whalemuseum.org/pages/job-internship-volunteer-opportunities Background Established in 1978, The Whale Museum is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the Pacific Northwest marine environment. As the only museum dedicated to whales living in the wild, including the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales, we are committed to promoting marine conservation through education, research, and community engagement. Our mission is to inspire both residents and visitors to become stewards of the Salish Sea and its inhabitants. The Executive Director position offers a unique opportunity for a dedicated and passionate leader to work collaboratively with the community, as well as state, federal, and local stakeholders, within the beautiful and remote environment of the San Juan Islands. Position Description The new Executive Director (ED) will inherit a successful organization with a rich history of local impact and community engagement, poised for an exciting new chapter. As the Museum approaches its 50th anniversary, the ED will have the opportunity to lead a transformative journey, ushering in fresh exhibits, pioneering research initiatives, and a revitalized approach to marine conservation and education. The role involves working closely with a dedicated team to enhance existing partnerships while building new connections with sponsors and universities to support students and broaden our impact. Additionally, the ED will focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment that promotes the growth of early career researchers and employees. Engaging with regional stakeholders, including the communities of the San Juan Islands, Salish Sea tribal sovereign nations, and local and state governments, the ED will become a thoughtful and proactive community presence. This position offers a unique chance to lead innovation and shape the future of The Whale Museum, guided by priorities and principles established by The Whale Museum board and staff. Essential qualifications include: ● Leadership: Exemplifies a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive leadership approach, fostering a workplace where diverse opinions are valued, and empathetic listening is practiced. ● Political and Social Acuity: Exceptional political and social skills necessary for navigating the unique dynamics of a small island community with complex local politics and diverse conservation interests. ● Strategic Vision: Demonstrates a keen strategic perspective with a proven ability to integrate the museum’s mission into all aspects of planning and decision-making. ● Fundraising: Demonstrated success in driving effective fundraising initiatives, including securing major individual contributions and government grants, and developing sponsorships. ● Proven Nonprofit Leadership: Demonstrated experience in nonprofit organizational and financial management with the ability to effectively manage and sustainably grow a ~$1.3M budget. ● Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication abilities, including public relations, media relations, essays, op-eds, and speaking before large groups. ● Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Sensitivity: Proven ability to integrate DEI principles into organizational practices, fostering a respectful, inclusive environment for staff and the diverse local community while honoring and collaborating with Indigenous traditions and perspectives. ● Minimum Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, business, finance, organizational management or related field required. ● Preferred: Advanced degree in related field with additional non-profit and/or business experience, financial management, organizational and staff management, and relevant training in the aforementioned fields. ● Desired: Regional expertise and familiarity with the environmental, political, and cultural issues of the Pacific Northwest, including tribal relations and Salish Sea ecology, enhancing the ability of The Whale Museum to address regional concerns effectively. How to Apply View job description, qualifications, and application instructions here: https://whalemuseum.org/pages/job-internship-volunteer-opportunities. Please review the PDF version linked within the posting for full job description details. Open date: September 30, 2024 First review date: October 28, 2024 The position is open until filled. Start date is negotiable with Q1 2025 preferred. Alanna Frayne (she/her) Soundwatch Program Director The Whale Museum 62 First St N | Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Please be advised that my response may be delayed during the field season (May-September).

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New publication documenting anthropogenic and killer whale scars on Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales
by ryanwalsh10＠comcast.net 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I would like to share our recent findings, published open-access in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, with you. Walsh, R., Allyn, E., Bradford, A., Norman, S., Stimmelmayr, R., and Scordino, J. 2024. Anthropogenic and killer whale (Orcinus orca) scarring on Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in northwest Washington. J. Cetacean Res. Manage., 25, pp.85-98. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.1044 The publication is open-access at the following link: https://journal.iwc.int/index.php/jcrm/article/view/1044 Abstract: Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) face many threats to their survival which are multi‐faceted and difficult to assess. In this study, we evaluate photographs of Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales taken between 2014 and 2020 off the northwest coast of Washington to document the occurrence of scarring from fishing gear entanglements, vessel strikes and killer whale (Orcinus orca) attacks and compare our findings with scarring prevalence in gray whales off Sakhalin Island, Russia. We found that, of the 139 PCFG whales evaluated, 11.5% had scarring from entanglements, 3.6% had scarring from vessel strikes and 25.9% had scarring from killer whale attacks. We found no differences in scarring rates between males and females. Observed rates of scarring from entanglements for PCFG whales were less than rates observed for gray whales off Sakhalin Island, Russia, while scarring rates from vessel strikes were slightly greater for PCFG whales, but the differences were not statistically significant. The frequency of scars due to killer whale attacks on PCFG whales was significantly lower than reports for whales observed at Sakhalin Island. Estimates of anthropogenic and killer whale scarring in this study are likely biased low due to limited photographic coverage of the caudal peduncle and flukes, where scarring from entanglements and killer whale attacks are most commonly observed. The methods used here were similar to studies at Sakhalin Island, suggesting the evaluations had similar biases. If we assume that observations of non‐lethal scar sources on gray whales are proportional to mortality rates from those sources, findings from this study can help evaluate if current models present plausible injury and mortality estimates for PCFG and Sakhalin Island whales given the finding of no statistical difference in non‐lethal scarring rates between the two groups. Regards, Ryan Walsh Makah Fisheries Management

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MARINE ANIMAL REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP
by Gabbie Nicoletta 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

MARINE ANIMAL REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is now accepting applications for the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Internship for the Spring 2025 session. The application deadline is November 1, 2024. The internship session will run from the first week of January 2025 through the third week of May 2025. Animal Care Responsibilities: Depending on need, case load, and time of year, interns may assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and a variety of native turtle species. Animal Care duties may include animal restraint; cleaning; disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices; diet preparation; administering feeds (including tube feeding); record keeping; facility maintenance; and water quality testing. Interns may also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, animal necropsies, and release events. Education Responsibilities: There may be opportunities for interns to assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, fairs, and/or festivals. Programs would focus on marine animals, rehabilitation practices, conservation, and STEM activities. If such opportunities are presented, interns will learn how to effectively interpret and educate guests of NMLC on marine animals and conservation. Interns may also be asked to work in the gift shop. Other Responsibilities: Each intern is assigned to multiple projects in different areas of the organization. A weekly chore will be delegated to each intern to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment. Each intern is required to attend regularly scheduled meetings throughout their time at NMLC. At the end of the internship, the intern will deliver a presentation about their experience and projects to staff and volunteers. Qualifications: * Must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university; preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields. * Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. * Must be adaptable, responsible, hard-working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail. * Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. * Must be willing to engage in a positive and informative manner with members of the public on a regular basis. * Must be willing to participate in and receive constructive feedback. * Must expect to work 40 hours per week * Which can include early morning and/or late night seal feedings depending on the season * Interns may be required to work some holidays. * Interns may be required to participate in fundraisers held by NMLC, which may occur outside of normally scheduled hours * International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements, etc. * If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. Physical Requirements: * Must be able to endure some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as medical equipment and boxes of medical supplies. * The work may require specific but common physical characteristics and abilities such as lifting up to 50 pounds, above-average agility, and dexterity. Intern positions are unpaid; however, a room and board stipend of $1,200 to help offset the cost of housing, and a uniform stipend of $70 to cover the cost of required logo gear, are available to candidates accepted for the internship. Conditions apply and will be discussed in detail with successful candidates. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC can offer suggestions. To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of recommendation to internship(a)nmlc.org<mailto:internship@nmlc.org> or P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532. Due to the high number of applications, only qualified candidates will be contacted. Gabriella Nicoletta Animal Care, Necropsy, & Operations Coordinator National Marine Life Center P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269 Office: (508)-743-9888 Cell: (585)-775-5354 Email: gnicoletta(a)nmlc.org www.nmlc.org

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