January 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS - SARDINIA ISLAND (ITALY)
by Fabio Ronchetti 20 Jan '25

20 Jan '25

MareTerra ERC is offering internships ( https://www.mareterra-erc.org/en/internship) to join research projects on the conservation of the bottlenose dolphins and marine environment between May and October 2025 in Sardinia Island (Italy), a hotspot of biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea. Since its founding in 2012, MareTerra has operated as a self-financed organization. Interns will learn research methods to monitor the behaviour, habitat use, abundance, and distribution of bottlenose dolphins through techniques such as photo-ID, GIS, and Species Distribution Modelling. They will gather georeferenced data on dolphins, fishing activities, and boat traffic that affect dolphin behaviour. Additionally, interns will participate in bioacoustic data collection. The goal of our research projects is to implement measures for marine ecosystem conservation and to promote sustainable and responsible management of fishing and tourism activities. For published papers, please visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TegikzmahuAUeWMGS3AS-SlCS_s3I_hd?us… . Working within an international and multicultural team, interns will actively engage in environmental education to raise awareness and promote respect for the marine environment among tourists and locals on board our boats. **Required Skills** - Fluency in English (English level > B2) - Self-confidence - Flexibility and adaptability to an international work environment - Punctuality - Good public relations skills - Comfort on board a motorboat and ability to swim well - Minimum age: 20 years; maximum age: 30 years Participating in this internship requires high motivation, responsibility and willingness to work long hours in the field. For any questions or to receive more information on the application process, please send an email to info(a)mareterra-erc.org Gabriella La Manna, Ph.D. --- Dr Fabio Ronchetti www.mareterragroup.net www.progettonaturasardegna.com www.instagram.com/progetto_natura_ecoturismo www.facebook.com/progettonaturasardegna progettonatura(a)mareterragroup.net.com Via P. Enrico 42 07041 Alghero (SS) Tel: +393921404069 Research associate *MareTerra ERC* www.mareterra-erc.org ronchettifabio(a)gmail.com Via P. Enrico 42 07041 Alghero (SS) Tel: +393921404069

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New publication: APLOSE – A web-based annotation platform for underwater passive acoustic monitoring
by Mathilde MICHEL 20 Jan '25

20 Jan '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication, which was published in SoftwareX and is available open access at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2025.102055. Dubus, G., M. Torterotot, J. Béesau, M. Dupont, A. Gros-Martial, M. Michel, E. Morin, P. Nguyen Hong Duc, P.-Y. Raumer, O. Adam, F. Samaran, and D. Cazau. 2025. APLOSE: A web-based annotation platform for underwater passive acoustic monitoring. SoftwareX. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2025.102055 Abstract: Emerging detection and classification algorithms based on deep learning models require large-scale and manageable manual annotations of ground truth data. To date, the challenge of creating large and accurate annotated datasets of underwater sounds has been a significant obstacle to the development of robust recognition algorithms. APLOSE (Annotation PLatform for Ocean Sound Explorers) is an open-source, web-based tool that facilitates collaborative annotation campaigns in underwater acoustics. The platform has been used to conduct research on inter-annotator variability, build training and testing datasets for detection algorithms, and perform bioacoustics analyses on noisy datasets. In the future, it will enable the creation of high-quality reference datasets to test and train new detection and classification algorithms. The team is available to discuss the platform further and explore potential collaborations or inquiries regarding its use and development. We hope that this work can contribute to the development of more efficient tools for underwater sound data annotation and acoustic monitoring. Best regards, Mathilde Michel Mathilde Michel Doctorante / PhD student Tel. : +332 21 09 58 89 ________________________________ ENSTA | Institut Polytechnique de Paris 2 rue François Verny 29806 Brest cedex 9 - France --- Lab-STICC - UMR CNRS 6285 www.labsticc.fr

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Protected Species Observer Training Course on February 15-16
by Angela Bostwick 19 Jan '25

19 Jan '25

MPSC is offering an online training course that provides Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification on February 15-16, 2025. 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 geological and geophysical/seismic surveys, and the certification is often accepted in many other regions or industries where monitoring and mitigation is required for reducing impacts to protected species. Course cost includes the instruction, advice on applying to PSO positions, the professional certification, and the provision of various regulatory documents and supplementary identification guides which will be yours to keep. This course will examine the regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected fish, how to locate and identify the animals, and the monitoring and objective reporting that is required for submission to regulatory agencies. After discussing regulatory requirements, we will examine key identifying traits and behaviors of the different protected species, as well as the key visual cues which can enable location of protected species in a dynamic and rapidly-changing environment. The course also includes discussions on how to prepare and pack for life offshore. The live, interactive discussions for this course provide a personalized approach to learning as we discuss how to identify protected species and how to document impacts to the animals. Discussions for this course will also include best practice methods for living and working with other PSOs and vessel crew within a collaborative team environment, in order to effectively advise on the regulatory measures required to document and reduce impacts to protected species. By monitoring for marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected fish, advising on the mitigation measures that are required, and documenting impacts through impartial and unbiased reporting, PSOs serve a crucial role in the conservation of protected species during industry or research operations. 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 & CEO Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com BOEM/BSEE/NMFS-Compliant Provider of Protected Species Observer Certification

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Allied Whale Research Internship Opportunity
by AW Internship Coordinator 19 Jan '25

19 Jan '25

Hi MarMam Community, Allied Whale (AW), the marine mammal research lab of College of the Atlantic and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. (BHWW) seeks 4 interns/research assistants for the 2025 field season. These are entry-level research positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop their professional careers in marine mammal research. One summer position (May 15 *through* August 31) and three full season positions (May 15 *through* October 15) are available. *Overview of position*: This is a unique internship program in that the selected individuals will have the opportunity to participate and receive training in a wide range of marine mammal research activities Allied Whale while also working as a crew/scientist aboard commercial whale watching trips operating from Bar Harbor, Maine. Allied Whale currently supports field projects in the trophic ecology of humpback and fin whales, the ongoing housing and maintenance of the North Atlantic humpback and fin whale photo ID catalogs, an active stranding response program, and a research/education partnership with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. In addition, Allied Whale maintains the facilities on and conducts research from Mount Desert Rock, a remote offshore island. The interns play a critical role in the success of the field season and serve as support to all aspects of summer activities within both Allied Whale and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. *Description of duties*: Upon arrival in May, all interns will receive research, boat crew, and Gulf of Maine natural history training by both Allied Whale and the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company staff. As the Allied Whale field season does not begin until early June- the first several weeks will be focused on hands-on training of whale watch deckhand responsibilities, helping with boat maintenance, and assisting with whale catalog matching in the office or stranding response. Once the season is in full swing, interns will rotate through shifts working as a Research Assistant/Deckhand (RA) for the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., shifts in the Allied Whale office, shifts at the Mount Desert Rock field station, and time off. Every week, schedules will be different and weather dependent. A typical week in June-August may include 2-4 days scheduled as researchers on Whale Watch vessels, 1-2 days scheduled in the office, and two days off (these days may or may not be consecutive). Weather may cause shifts to be canceled, and some weeks may be lighter in load or responsibilities. *Below are specific expectations for each designated shift:* *Whale watch trips: *Research responsibilities on whale watch trips include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales, and behavioral data collection. Beyond research, RAs are responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and conservation programs on each trip. In this, maintaining a positive, professional, and friendly demeanor while engaging whale watch passengers and fellow crew is necessary. Deckhand responsibilities include line handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers, and passenger safety. When whale watch trips cancel for weather, crew may be asked to report for duty to complete maintenance on the vessel or assist the lead naturalist with updating the Bar Harbor Whale Watch blog posts. *Allied Whale office shifts: *On scheduled office days, interns will be required to be available in the Allied Whale office from 9AM-4PM. During those hours, interns will match individual whales to our catalog, enter their whale watch data into the database, manage the Adopt-a-whale program, answer phone calls to the office, and be on call for assisting with response to strandings or necropsies. Interns schedule for office shifts will also be on call for boat research days. *Allied Whale boat research days: *When weather permits, interns will assist Allied Whale staff and graduate students on trips offshore to collect biopsy samples of humpback and fin whales. While on board one of the research vessels, interns will be responsible for collecting photo identification of whales and recording data. Interns will be responsible for processing images from these trips. If schedule allows, RAs may also participate in an overnight trip to collect samples in Canada. *Mount Desert Rock*: We hope for interns to also complete several shifts (each at least a week in length) at our offshore research station Mount Desert Rock. While on the island, interns will participate in land-based whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower, seal counts, gull counts, and maintenance/construction projects at the station. Interns will also receive experience working in a remote off-the-grid location. While on shift at Mount Desert Rock, RAs will manage standardized data collection on seals to contribute to a larger field station collaborative. This data will include seal counts and photography from the lighthouse tower and seal blind. Image analysis will be used to build a photo-identification catalog for seals and assess wounds/disease. RAs will also stay in contact with the BHWW office with sightings reports. *Pay/Housing*: Those accepted to the program are able to earn income by their work with the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Deckhands are paid $70 a trip (at the height of summer, there are 2 trips running a day). Interns also receive free First Aid Certification. Provided housing in downtown Bar Harbor is mandatory for a fee. Rent for the season will total approximately $2080 for summer interns and $2350 for full season interns. While at Mount Desert Rock, food is provided for free. **After August 31, if any of the *summer interns* are interested, they are welcome to work full time for the remainder of the season as crew for the BHWW as deckhand/galley on lighthouse trips, nature cruises, whale watches, and cruise ship tendering operations. *Qualifications*: Applicants should have a college background or be currently enrolled as a sophomore or higher in a biology, ecology, and/or marine sciences program. Previous data collection experience in a research setting and/or knowledge of marine mammals are great advantages. While training will be provided and no prior boating/camera experience is required, time spent offshore or skills in photography are also assets. Due to Coast Guard requirements, all crew onboard US commercial vessels and therefore *all research assistants/interns, must be US citizens or have permanent resident alien status.* Also, all interns will be drug screened prior to employment and will be enrolled in a random drug testing program. Most importantly, applicants must be positive in attitude, flexible to quickly changing schedules, able to work independently, and be seaworthy/comfortable working on boats in rough or inclement weather. Lastly, because of the community living situation both in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Rock, applicants must get along well with others and be able to handle working in a team setting. *To apply*: Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a resume, and two letters of recommendation via email to alliedwhale.internships(a)gmail.com. Recommendation letters may either be sent with the application or directly from the references. *Please specify which position you are interested in (summer or full-season)*. Deadline of application is *February 23rd*. Allied Whale and the College of the Atlantic are committed to inclusive excellence. We strive toward an open and diverse community that fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized or underrepresented in higher education. More information about the college’s commitment and strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion can be found here: https://www.coa.edu/about/dei/

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MARMAM Post Drone and Research Assistant Course Opportunities EDMAKTUB, Barcelona
by beti tort 19 Jan '25

19 Jan '25

Dear colleagues, The research association EDMAKTUB is announcing their last open positions on the new drone training course and the Research Assistant course that will take place next April in Barcelona (see both options detailed below). Edmaktub Association is a non-profit organization studying fin whale presence and behavior, and the biological and oceanographical conditions that influence fin whale presence on the Catalan coast, primarily between Barcelona and Tarragona, northeastern Spain. During the surveys, Edmaktub also collects information on other cetaceans, sea birds, fish, and sea turtles. *Drone Training course* This course is specially designed for students and graduates or people who want to gain practical experience in the application of drones in cetacean research. It’s a one-week course from the 4th till the 11th of April. *What do you get?* - The chance to learn from experts how to apply drones to cetacean research from a practical perspective. - Training and practical experience in the field of cetacean study. - The opportunity of spending quality time at sea observing cetaceans in the rich environment of the coast of Barcelona (Garraf Coast). *Contents* - Fly drones at sea. Theoretical and practical approaches. - Cetacean monitoring with the drone. - Drone photo-identification techniques - Behavioral studies with drone footage. - Morphometrics and body condition studies. - Drone sample collection. More information about the course details in https://edmaktub.org/en/drone-course/ *What do we ask in return?* - A contribution of 900 euros, which will cover your accommodation and food during the course as well as contribute to the continuation with the Fin Whale Project. *Research Assistant Training Course* This course is specially designed for students and graduates or people who want to acquire practical experience in the field of cetaceans and oceanography. The course can take between one and four weeks depending on the participant’s goal. To choose between the month of April and beginning of May. Available dates: - 4th – 11th of April - 11th – 18th of April - 18th – 25th of April - 25th of April 2nd May *What do you get?* - The chance to participate in all the activities developed by the Fin Whale Project during the chosen period. Participating in the field surveys as well as taking part in theoretical – practical lessons. - Training and practical experience in the field of cetacean study. - The opportunity of spending quality time at sea observing cetaceans in the rich environment of the coast of Barcelona (Garraf Coast). *Contents* - Sightings and Behavior - Photo-identification - Overview on drone applications to cetacean research - Citizen science/ work with Fishermen - Oceanography - Plankton and Microplastics - Collisions - Biological samples - Overview on acoustics - Thermal imaging More information about the course details in Participate in the Project - EDMAKTUB <https://edmaktub.org/en/participate/> *What do we ask in return?* - A contribution which will cover your accommodation and food during the course as well as contribute to the continuation with the Fin Whale Project. o 900 euros for 1-week course o 1200 euros for 2-week course o 1500 euros for 3 & 4-week course *How to apply?* Fill out the form you will find in our website: - Drone course: https://edmaktub.org/en/drone-course/ - Research Assistant course: Participate in the Project - EDMAKTUB <https://edmaktub.org/en/participate/> or contact through info(a)edmaktub.org or by WhatsApp at +34655879180. Kind regards, Edmaktub team

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New publication: Pinniped response to diadromous fish restoration in the Penobscot River Estuary
by Lauri Leach 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication that was published in Frontiers in Conservation Science as part of a special Research Topic on rebounding marine mammal species and conservation recovery challenges. The paper is open access and available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1408982 Leach, L., J.R. Stevens, and K. Cammen. 2024. Pinniped response to diadromous fish restoration in the Penobscot River Estuary. Frontiers in Conservation Science 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1408982 Abstract: Successful conservation of pinnipeds in the northwest Atlantic has led to increasing populations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of Maine. Within this region, habitat restoration and diadromous fish conservation in the Penobscot River have also been top priorities for the past decade. To understand the overlap between the regional recovery of pinnipeds and the aggregative response of pinnipeds to increasing forage fish, we assessed how counts, distribution, and behavior of seals in the Penobscot River Estuary have changed over time from 2012 to 2020 and determined whether those changes were related to changes in fish biomass that are occurring as the result of diadromous fish restoration. We did not see increased counts of hauled-out seals, but consistent with regional harbor seal phenology, hauled out seal counts were highest in late spring and declined throughout the summer and into the fall. The number of swimming harbor and gray seals, analyzed as a proxy for changes in behavior, showed a stronger annual trend with an increase throughout the study period. Fish biomass was negatively associated with total number of hauled out seals and swimming gray seals but positively associated with swimming harbor seals. We also documented the potential displacement of harbor seals when gray seals are present. Together, these results begin to provide insights into how regional conservation and local restoration efforts interact to affect multiple trophic levels in an ecosystem. Continued monitoring of predator-prey interactions, along with diet and movement studies, will further elucidate seal aggregative response to increasing prey species in this system and the potential impact of recovering predator populations on restored prey populations. Knowledge gained regarding pinniped response to increasing fish biomass has important implications for other systems with ongoing conservation measures that aim to improve habitat, decrease exploitation, or recover protected species. Studies like these can be critical for finding paths forward to reconcile the potentially competing objectives of marine mammal protection and fish restoration.

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IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internships - Summer 2025
by Kasper, Kira 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is currently accepting applications for summer 2025 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships. IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship Summer Session 2025 (First Week of June, 2025 - Last Week of August, 2025) Complete Applications due: February 15th, 2025 Program Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our program strives to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding "hot spot," with an average of over 315 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins. In addition to stranding response, IFAW's MMR division has developed the Cetacean Intensive Care Unit (CICU) located at the Dolphin Rescue Center in Orleans, MA. CICU is a short-term holding facility (96 hours) that aims to provide rehabilitative care to dolphins and porpoises experiencing acute effects of stranding. Stranding Intern Duties * Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Marine mammal stranding response & necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings. * CICU operations: assist staff with aspects of CICU operations, including animal care (i.e. in-water support, assist during procedures, monitoring animal behavior etc.), CICU education and outreach, CICU readiness and cleaning, etc. Please note experiences will be opportunistic as cases arise. We do not have a long-term rehabilitation program or animals on-site regularly. * Stranding & necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry & sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events. Please see the following link for the full posting and to apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8… Kira Kasper, MSc (she/her) Stranding Biologist Marine Mammal Rescue 290 Summer Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 United States Please note: my schedule varies regularly and I often work outside of the M-F 9-5 timeframe. +1 774 721 1080 (work cell) +1 508 743 9548 (stranding hotline) www.ifaw.org<https://www.ifaw.org/> [ifaw]<https://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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ECS abstract submission deadline postponed
by Laura González García 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Dear MarMam colleagues, Didn't have time to submit your abstract for the upcoming European Cetacean Society Conference? You are in luck! The deadline for abstract submission has been postponed until next Friday, January 24th (23:45 CET). But don't get too relaxed.. one week flies and there will not be any further extensions! And we would love to see all your works presented in the beautiful Ponta Delgada next May. Key dates: - Abstract submission deadline: 24th January 2025 - Workshop submission deadline: 31st January 2025 - Early Bird Registration: 31st March 2025 We invite abstracts for oral presentations and posters on all topics related to marine mammal science, nevertheless, submissions addressing the conference theme, "Navigating Waters of Change" are highly encouraged. For further details, visit https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/36th-annual-conference-ponta-delgada… or contact us via email ecs2025azores(a)gmail.com. Be sure to submit your abstract on time ;) We will be looking forward to seeing your work presented in the Azores! Laura Gonzalez Garcia, on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee of the 36th European Cetacean Society Conference

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New paper on automated photo identification for population assessments
by Philip Patton 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new article about automated photo identification in *Conservation Biology*. We found that researchers can use high-performance identification algorithms to reduce the cost of population assessments without biasing abundance estimates. Patton, P. T., Pacifici, K., Baird, R. W., Oleson, E. M., Allen, J. B., Ashe, E., Athayde, A., Basran, C. J., Cabrera, E., Calambokidis, J., Cardoso, J., Carroll, E. L., Cesario, A., Cheney, B. J., Cheeseman, T., Corsi, E., Currie, J. J., Durban, J. W., Falcone, E. A., Fearnbach, H., Flynn, K., Franklin, T., Franklin, W., Galletti Vernazzani, B., Genov, T., Hill, M., Johnston, D. R., Keene, E. L., Lacey, C., Mahaffy, S. D., McGuire, T. L., McPherson, L., Meyer, C., Michaud, R., Miliou, A., Olson, G. L., Orbach, D. N., Pearson, H. C., Rasmussen, M. H., Rayment, W. J., Rinaldi, C., Rinaldi, R., Siciliano, S., Stack, S. H., Tintore, B., Torres, L. G., Towers, J. R., Tyson Moore, R. B., Weir, C. R., Wellard, R., Wells, R. S., Yano, K. M., Zaeschmar, J. R., & Bejder, L. (2025). Optimizing automated photo identification for population assessments. *Conservation Biology*, e14436. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14436 *Abstract*: Several legal acts mandate that management agencies regularly assess biological populations. For species with distinct markings, these assessments can be conducted noninvasively via capture-recapture and photographic identification (photo-ID), which involves processing considerable quantities of photographic data. To ease this burden, agencies increasingly rely on automated identification (ID) algorithms. Identification algorithms present agencies with an opportunity—reducing the cost of population assessments—and a challenge—propagating misidentifications into abundance estimates at a large scale. We explored several strategies for generating capture histories with an ID algorithm, evaluating trade-offs between labor costs and estimation error in a hypothetical population assessment. To that end, we conducted a simulation study informed by 39 photo-ID datasets representing 24 cetacean species. We fed the results into a custom optimization tool to discern the optimal strategy for each dataset. Our strategies included choosing between truly and partially automated photo-ID and, in the case of the latter, choosing the number of suggested matches to inspect. True automation was optimal for datasets for which the algorithm identified individuals well. As identification performance declined, the optimization recommended that users inspect more suggested matches from the ID algorithm, particularly for small datasets. False negatives (i.e., individual was resighted but erroneously marked as a first capture) strongly predicted estimation error. A 2% increase in the false negative rate translated to a 5% increase in the relative bias in abundance estimates. Our framework can be used to estimate expected error of the abundance estimate, project labor effort, and find the optimal strategy for a dataset and algorithm. We recommend estimating a strategy's false negative rate before implementing the strategy in a population assessment. Our framework provides organizations with insights into the conservation benefits and consequences of automation as conservation enters a new era of artificial intelligence for population assessments. Please find the article here <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/E7YJNUFHICVZVUQIFNIB?target=10…>. The algorithm used in this study is implemented and available for collaborative use through Happywhale.com. Thanks. Phil

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Applications Open - ORCA Ocean Conservationist - Bay of Biscay - Multiple Positions
by Kate Weston 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Would you like to join ORCA’s team of at-sea conservation professionals? We have an exciting opportunity for eight Ocean Conservationists to join our team on board Brittany Ferries from March - October 2025. You’ll work onboard one of four ships from one of three departure ports: Pont Aven (Plymouth - UK), Santoňa (Portsmouth- UK), and Galicia (Portsmouth - UK), Salamanca (Rosslare - Ireland). The role follows an approximate 4-weeks-on, 4-weeks-off rotation, sailing across the Bay of Biscay (see the key dates document for exact rotations). Who is ORCA? ORCA is a charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises worldwide. We identify and protect critical whale and dolphin habitats. What makes ORCA unique is our commitment to combining accessible marine education with our conservation activities, allowing people from all walks of life to participate in marine science and conservation. About the Role The Ocean Conservationist Network is a vital part of ORCA’s education and outreach work, inspiring thousands of passengers about the wonders in our waters every year. ORCA has partnered with Brittany Ferries for over 20 years, giving us a wealth of data and allowing us to inspire countless guests about the wonders of cetaceans. The work on board is divided into two key areas: Inspiring the Public - Deliver lectures and workshops to people of all ages and backgrounds. - Connect with passengers through onboard activities, inspiring a personal connection to marine conservation. Data Collection - Conduct daily wildlife watches and collect data on cetaceans using our ORCA OceanWatchers app. - Guide wildlife watches, helping guests have memorable wildlife experiences at sea. *Note: This is a remote role, and you will be the sole ORCA representative onboard. However, you will be integrated into the Brittany Ferries entertainment team.* Who We’re Looking For We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic science communicators who can ignite excitement in people of all ages and backgrounds. As the face of ORCA’s work, Ocean Conservationists bring dedication and commitment to inspiring everyone to take an active role in safeguarding the future of whales and dolphins. How to Apply - Submission: Submit an up-to-date CV and a 2-minute video outlining why you would make a great Ocean Conservationist via www.orca.org.uk/vacancies - Deadline: Applications close on Sunday 16th February at 23:59 (GMT). Only complete applications will be considered. *For the person specification, application form, FAQs & key dates document visit www.orca.org.uk/vacancies <http://www.orca.org.uk/vacancies> *

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