January 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Pacific Marine Mammal Center hiring: Director of Rescue, Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician, and Animal Care Supervisor
by Dr. Alissa Deming 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

Dear Colleagues, Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) rescue, rehabilitates and releases sick and injured marine mammals in Orange County California and has a robust research program studying marine mammal health and broader ocean health topics. PMMC is gearing up to open our newly expanded marine mammal rehabilitation hospital and is hiring several positions to support our growing rescue program, rehabilitation hospital, and research team (https://www.pacificmmc.org/careers) Positions include: 1) Director of Rescue and Cetacean Conservation, 2) Associate Veterinarian. 3) Veterinary Technician, and 4) Animal Care Supervisor. Please see the position description below and follow links provided for more information and how to apply. We look forward to seeing your applications! Director of Rescue and Cetacean Conservation: This is a leadership position that is responsible for overseeing the Rescue and Response team and will help develop PMMC’s new Cetacean Conservation Program. The primary responsibilities include facilitating marine mammal rescues, on-water responses, whale disentanglement efforts, pinniped remote sedation operations, drone support, and necropsies, and growing our Cetacean Conservation initiatives. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c8472af9308f67b75ea7af/t/67660f5ef… Associate Veterinarian: This is an essential position that oversees the medical diagnosis, treatment and care of sick and injured wild marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation. PMMC’s newly renovated hospital is equipped with in-house bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, as well as access to advanced imaging (MRI and CT) and specialty consultation. Additional responsibilities include performing necropsies, overseeing veterinary extern and internship programs, and mentoring our amazing Animal Care Staff and Volunteers. The Associate Veterinarian is a critical link between our rehabilitation hospital and our research program. We encourage applicants with both clinical and research interests to apply. Canidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, (DVM, VMD) from US AVMA accredited veterinary school. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c8472af9308f67b75ea7af/t/6776c807e… Veterinary Technician: This position plays a key role in supporting our Veterinary and Animal Care Staff with all aspects of patient care. PMMC’s newly renovated hospital is equipped with in-house bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, as well as access to advanced imaging (MRI and CT) and specialty consultation. Additional responsibilities include assisting with necropsies, mentoring veterinary externs, med team, and our amazing Animal Care Staff & Volunteers. Minimum 2 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant; preference given to applicants with wildlife/rehabilitation, aquarium, zoological, ER/ECC, and/or anesthesia experience. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c8472af9308f67b75ea7af/t/6776c8e60… Animal Care Supervisor: This position leads the daily care, husbandry needs, and treatments to marine mammal patients undergoing rehabilitation, and oversees Volunteers providing care for various pinnipeds species during their rehabilitation process. Secondary responsibilities include assisting with marine mammal rescue, veterinary procedures, necropsy, and research. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64c8472af9308f67b75ea7af/t/676611238… Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or request for further information about our organization or the positions. All the best, Alissa Deming (ademing(a)pacificmmc.org) [cid:c1b8080a-be5d-491b-9412-88ac9f996035]<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> www.pacificmmc.org<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> Alissa C. Deming DVM, MS, PhD Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science O: (949) 494-3050 ext:202 20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651

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Summer 2025 Internship Opportunities
by Info SeaLifeR3 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, located just outside of Seattle, WA, is now accepting applications for two summer 2025 internships for Marine Mammal Rehabilitation and Education and Outreach. *Marine Mammal Rehabilitation*: The Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Intern position provides undergraduates or recent college graduates an opportunity to gain skills through the primary care of stranded marine mammals, assisting with post-mortem examinations, developing and conducting a marine mammal research project, medical record keeping, and the possibility of some field response. This is a three to four month long, full-time, unpaid position during the summer; we do not offer any fall or winter internship opportunities at this time. Interns are responsible for their own housing and must have reliable transportation. *Education and Outreach*: The Education and Outreach Intern plays a critical role in public awareness by engaging with community members to educate about local marine wildlife. They will promote SR3 and conservation messaging at events, lead solo and volunteer-based beach education to foster marine mammal stewardship, and assist in the training and support of outreach volunteers. They will practice science communication through verbal and written storytelling, and produce a final project in the form of a blog post or podcast. This is a four month, part-time (10-20 hours per week), unpaid position. Interns are responsible for their own housing and must have reliable transportation. For more information on our available internships and how to apply please visit our website: <http://goog_396275830> https://www.sealifer3.org/internship

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Fellowship Position with the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program
by Erin R. Bates 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellowship. Fellows are expected to work 400-800 hours over approximately three to six months (depending on availability), starting in May or June. The selected candidate will be compensated at a rate of $15/hr. This position is aimed for those who are a rising college junior/senior, recent college graduate, or someone pursuing a post-graduate degree in a science-based or veterinary program. The selected candidate should expect to gain exposure to all aspects of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, which may include response to live and dead stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, rehabilitation of sea turtles, and necropsy of sea turtles and marine mammals, among other tasks and duties. Please see the following link for more information and application instructions. We look forward to hearing from those interested! https://virginiaaquarium.com/work-with-us Erin Bates Stranding Response Rehabilitation Manager [Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center] <https://virginiaaquarium.com/>

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New Paper - Lonati et al. - Drone-based infrared thermography to measure the intranasal temperature of baleen whales
by Gina L Lonati 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share a link to our recent paper, "Drone-based infrared thermography to measure the intranasal temperature of baleen whales", which was published open-access online in the International Journal of Remote Sensing in October 2024. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01431161.2024.2399326 Abstract: Traditional methods for quantifying the internal temperature of marine mammals require handling live animals, which is not practical for free-swimming baleen whales. Developing a less invasive, more repeatable method would significantly improve our understanding of whale health and thermal physiology. Infrared thermography (IRT) devices compatible with remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) have facilitated qualitative assessments of heat signatures from marine mammals at sea, but absolute temperatures derived using this approach are rare. The goal of this study was to develop a precise empirical method for estimating intranasal temperatures of baleen whales using RPAS-based IRT. We conducted controlled field experiments and flights over North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis, NARWs) to develop and test the methodology. Two approaches were evaluated to estimate intranasal temperatures from IRT sensor intensities: a three-point empirical line regression calibrated per flight using known-temperature objects and a generalized linear model incorporating environmental variables. Controlled field experiments demonstrated that the former approach had a median bias of -0.6ºC (interquartile range: 1.5ºC), while the latter approach had unexplained negative proportional bias with increasing true temperature of the target object. After accounting for bias, the former approach yielded an average intranasal temperature of 26.9 +/- 1.7ºC for 21 unique NARWs. The anatomy of the mysticete upper respiratory tract and physiological heat conservation strategies may explain why estimates were low compared to internal temperatures measured from baleen whales using other techniques (30-39ºC). Variability within whales was less than +/- 2ºC, supporting the use of these methods to monitor the health of individuals over time. However, variability among whales was greater (up to 7ºC). Improvements in our understanding of whale physiology and respiratory mechanics and advancements in RPAS-based IRT calibrations could make this technology more reliable for assessing individual body temperatures and monitoring populations in the future. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments. Thank you, and Happy New Year, MARMAM community! Gina Lonati, PhD University of New Brunswick Saint John gina.lonati(a)unb.ca

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ONLINE COURSE – Using Google Earth Engine in Ecological Studies (GEEE01)
by Oliver Hooker 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

ONLINE COURSE – Using Google Earth Engine in Ecological Studies (GEEE01) https://www.prstats.org/course/using-google-earth-engine-in-ecological-stud… 20th - 24th January 2025 Please feel free to share! About this course; Google Earth Engine (GEE) is a cloud computing platform for processing satellite imagery and other geospatial and observational data. GEE is currently the most complete and efficient platform for performing remote sensing analysis, as it provides access to a large database of satellite imagery and the computational power needed to analyse these images. While other remote sensing programs require the user to have sufficient space and computing power available, all data and processes in GEE are done in the cloud through Google's infrastructure. GEE provides a code editor that works with JavaScript and Python. GEE is the future of remote sensing. All of the skills sets taught during this course are highly relevant to anyone studying marine mammal movement. By the end of the course, participants should:  Know the catalogue of spatial datasets provided by GEE.  Know the most important satellite sensors for environmental studies in GEE.  Know how to get remote sensing products from GEE.  Process and develop new remote sensing (sub-)products in GEE.  Classify satellite imagery in GEE.  Perform different types of spatial analyses in satellite imagery in GEE. Email oliverhooker(a)prstatistics.com with any questions. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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New publication: A database of stable isotope values for North Pacific cetaceans, pinnipeds, and common prey
by Kelly Bowen 06 Jan '25

06 Jan '25

Hello all, If interested, please see below for details about our open-access 'Note' in Marine Mammal Science, which compiles stable isotope data (δ13C and δ15N) for ~90 taxa across ~70 studies. We curated this database with cetaceans and pinnipeds in mind, so hopefully it might help others who are researching these species and/or their common prey from an isotope standpoint. Bowen KR, Kurle CM. 2024. Stable isotope values from organisms in the North Pacific Ocean: A reference for trophic ecology studies. Marine Mammal Science. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.13221 Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best regards, Kelly Bowen -- Kelly R. Bowen (Flanders) Ph.D. - Kurle Lab Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution - Biological Sciences University of California San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093

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PhD on seal diet and haul out behaviour in Ireland
by Mark Jessopp 06 Jan '25

06 Jan '25

Dear colleagues, Applications are invited for a four-year PhD at the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) and the MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork, Ireland. The PhD studentship is funded by the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of research to support robust conservation measures in Ireland’s newest and largest National Park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, established in April 2024. The PhD research will establish/update detailed baseline data on grey seals to support robust conservation management at Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarra. Specifically, this PhD will (1) Determine seasonal seal abundance across the islands within the national park; (2) Derive a breeding population estimate for grey seals; (3) Investigate factors influencing seal haulout behaviour at fine temporal scales; (4) Quantify consumption of prey species by seals in the area. The objectives will be achieved using a combination of boat and drone surveys, timelapse camera monitoring, diet sampling and statistical modelling. Funding The PhD position is funded for four years. It includes a tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a. and tuition fees covered at the EU rate. Non-EU applicants may be required to pay additional non-EU fees of €10,000. Start date 1 March 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter Eligibility criteria Essential: * A 1.1 or 2.1 BSc honours degree (or equivalent) in biology, zoology, ecology, conservation or related subject. * A good understanding of or strong interest in seal ecology. * A strong understanding of experimental design, data analysis and statistics. * Willingness to work independently and as part of a team. * Excellent organisational skills. * Experience of conducting zoological field work. * Evidence of having completed a research project. * Full, clean driving licence valid in the EU/Ireland. Desirable: * MSc in a relevant subject. * Experience in analysing remote sensing imagery. To Apply: Please send your application to Dr Mark Jessopp (m.jessopp(a)ucc.ie<mailto:m.jessopp@ucc.ie>) with “Seal PhD application” in the subject line of the email. The deadline is 31st Jan 2025. Please attach a single PDF document containing a cover letter of 1 to 2 pages setting out your suitability and motivation for this PhD with reference to your relevant experience and achievements, and a CV that includes your relevant experience, undergraduate results, any relevant publications (if applicable) and contact information for two academic referees. Please contact Dr Mark Jessopp (m.jessopp(a)ucc.ie<mailto:m.jessopp@ucc.ie> ) or Prof. Emer Rogan (e.rogan(a)ucc.ie<mailto:e.rogan@ucc.ie>) if you have any questions about the position.

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JNCC-recognised MMO training, January 2025 (remote)
by Carolyn Barton 06 Jan '25

06 Jan '25

Spaces are available on a JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters on 20th and 21st January 2025, remote delivery by Zoom. The course is taught by an instructor with over 25 years' experience of training MMOs, working as an MMO, analysing MMO data and being involved with the development of JNCC guidelines. The course will cover all the information needed for work as a Marine Mammal Observer in UK waters: 1) Impacts of noise on marine mammals 2) Introduction to activities that require mitigation 3) Legislation protecting marine mammals and marine licensing 4) Detailed examination of the suite of JNCC mitigation guidelines for different offshore activities 5) Data recording and reporting requirements 6) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 7) Overview of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) 8) Working as an MMO / PAM operator 9) Identification of marine mammals Zoom sessions will be a mixture of lectures and exercises, over 1.5 days. There is also an online multiple choice exam to be done at your convenience after the Zoom sessions (re-sits are possible if you don't pass first time). Each delegate gets individual feedback on their exercises and the exam. On successful completion of the course you will receive JNCC-recognised certification, which is required for work as an MMO in UK waters. The cost of the MMO course is £150 (150GBP), which includes a comprehensive resource pack and ongoing support available after the course. Also available is an online, self-navigated PSO course, for Protected Species Observers working in offshore waters of the US Gulf of Mexico and US Atlantic on activities such as geophysical surveys and offshore wind energy developments. The cost of the PSO course is £180 (180GBP). For further details and for a registration form for either course see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk .

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Bottlenose dolphin research internship opportunities in Wales
by katrin.lohrengel＠seawatchfoundation.org.uk 06 Jan '25

06 Jan '25

The Sea Watch Foundation is looking for their 2025 interns! We are looking for interns to join us to assist in the running of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project, one of the longest running bottlenose dolphin research projects in Europe. Gain valuable field experience in marine mammal science, contribute to ongoing conservation efforts and meet like minded people, all in the picturesque New Quay, Ceredigion! Applications are open for the roles of : Research Assistant & Intern Coordinator Education and Outreach Assistant Research interns Thanks to the Tallie Brazier Fund, bursaries are available for the Research Assistant and Education/Outreach Assistant and accommodation is provided for the Research Assistant and Education/Outreach Assistant free of charge. Experience and tasks will vary based on the position applied for but all applicants will benefit from basic training in data collection, photo-identification and marine mammal conservation as well as gaining practical experience in: -Land-based surveys -Boat-based surveys -Working in a small non-profit environment -Assisting in public awareness events and promoting citizen science Applications close end of January for most positions. For more information on the different roles and how to apply, visit: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/cardigan-bay-internships/ For a snapshot of what to expect, why not check out our social media profiles! Facebook: shorturl.at/QS568 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seawatchfoundation/

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In Memoriam: Dr. Eric A. Ramos (1987-2024)
by Jeremy Kiszka 04 Jan '25

04 Jan '25

Dear MARMAM community, On the morning of the 6 of December 2024, marine mammal scientist Dr. Eric A. Ramos passed away at his home in Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by his girlfriend Ayshah, aunts Rafaela and Nelly, uncles Jose and Victor, brothers Damien and Dorien, several cousins including Noemi and Jose, close friends Alton and Kristi, among many others, and his beloved dog, Bella. Eric completed his Ph.D. in Animal Behavior and Comparative Psychology from City University New York in 2021. In June 2024, he became a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. He was leading projects on manatee ecology and conservation in Florida and in marine mammal acoustics and ecology in the Mexican Caribbean. Eric was born on 23 September 1987, in Brooklyn, New York. His grandparents, Antonia Rivera and Lino Ramos, were from Puerto Rico. His grandad would often take him on fishing trips and his mom, Noemi Ramos, wanted to be a marine biologist. As a result, both passed that love for animals and the ocean to Eric. Little did they know that they had ignited a spark that would turn Eric into one of the most successful marine mammalogists of his generation. At only 37, Eric was already a well-established marine mammalogist with at least 46 peer reviewed publications. He was the lead author of at least half of these contributions. Outside the peer-reviewed literature, Eric contributed to multiple book chapters, reports, and meeting documents. Over his exceptionally productive 17-year career, Eric had built a network of collaborators that brought together scientists and laymen alike from all continents. Eric’s collaborations were naturally inclusive, perhaps aided in part due to his Latino heritage and his ability to speak multiple languages. Eric’s zest for bringing so many people together to do collaborative science was a rare gift. He easily connected with people, but he also enabled many of us to connect with each other. Most of Eric's work focused on the ecology and behavior of marine mammals, primarily Greater Caribbean manatees and common bottlenose dolphins in the Caribbean region, particularly Belize and Mexico. He loved combining multiple tools to answer a question, while contributing to the design of new methods to study marine mammals. For example, he led a study combining multiple observation methods, including surface observations, drone footages, and high-resolution satellite imagery to demonstrate that common bottlenose dolphins use “mud-ring feeding” as a foraging tactic in Belize. He also used drones and acoustics to investigate manatee vocal and behavioral response to playback of conspecifics. Eric also published a long list of naturalist notes on the occurrence of marine mammals in unknown areas of the Caribbean region or along the Pacific coast of Central America. Along with his colleagues, he also documented atypical or undocumented behaviors. He discovered that rough-toothed dolphins could collectively handle and share prey off the Pacific coast of Mexico. Earlier in 2024, he published multiple reports of aggressive and fatal interaction initiated by common bottlenose dolphins towards manatee calves in Belize. Eric was a member of the Sirenian Specialist Group (IUCN Species Survival Commission) and provided expertise on manatees through the working group on Sirenians in Mesoamerica. He also served on the board of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM, 2019-2022) as Student Member-at-Large. Eric’s radiant smile left an impression on everyone who met him, even if only briefly. He was very generous with his time, shared his talents, and was deeply compassionate – always willing to help. He was truly a shooting star, inspiring marine mammalogists, both juniors and seniors, and others far beyond the field. An extended review of his life, scientific contributions (including a list of his publications), and legacy was published yesterday in the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (open access): https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/article/view/1729 Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D. (he/him) Associate Professor Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University https://environment.fiu.edu Principal Investigator, Marine Mammal Ecology Lab. https://marineconservationecologylab.com 3000 NE 151 St., FL-33181, North Miami, USA. Office (direct): (305)-919-5234<tel:(305)-919-5234> [File:ResearchGate icon SVG.svg - Wikimedia Commons] ResearchGate<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeremy-Kiszka/research> (publications) [cid:b5a8278b-e93e-45a4-b579-7a9768154cbb]

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