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Cetaceans of the Adriatic Sea
by Giovanni Bearzi 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

With reference to a message recently posted to marmam (see below), I suggest that those interested in publications on Adriatic cetaceans also consult the literature cited in the publication below, including a review of historical information. Please note that some of the most recent articles are missing as the manuscript was submitted in 2003. Bearzi G., Holcer D., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 2004. The role of historical dolphin takes and habitat degradation in shaping the present status of northern Adriatic cetaceans. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 14:363-379. http://www.tethys.org/download/papers_pdf/Bearzi_etal_2004.pdf (212 Kb) More information may be found in a review of contributions by Italian scientists (1638-2003): Bearzi G., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Bonizzoni S. 2005. Scientific literature on Mediterranean cetaceans: the Italian contribution. In B. Cozzi, ed. Marine mammals of the Mediterranean Sea: natural history, biology, anatomy, pathology, parasitology. Massimo Valdina Editore, The Coffee House Art & Adv, Milano. http://www.tethys.org/download/papers_pdf/Bearzi_etal_2005_ItLit.pdf (832 Kb) Best regards, Giovanni Bearzi ___________________________________ Giovanni Bearzi, Ph.D. bearzi(a)inwind.it President, Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy tel. +39 0272001947; fax +39 0286995011 http://www.tethys.org/ http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm ___________________________________ Da: Marco Affronte <ambientemare(a)FONDAZIONECETACEA.ORG> Risposta: Marco Affronte <ambientemare(a)FONDAZIONECETACEA.ORG> Data: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:24:11 +0100 A: <marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca> Oggetto: [MARMAM] Library "Cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks of the Adriatic Sea" Dear all, the Library of Cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks of the Adriatic Sea is on-line at the address: http://www.adriawatch.provincia.rimini.it/ ("Library" button). Born within the framework of the italian/slovenian/croatian project "Adria-Watch"; the library is a collection of references on Adriatic large vertebrates (namely Cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks). For the time being, it contanis about 230 references. Some of them are linked with their proper pdf downloadable file. We invite all of you to take advantage of it. Further, we would appreciate receiving copies (pdf) of papers not on the bibliography, or reports of papers incorrectly cited or not cited at all. Best regards -- Marco Affronte __________________________________________ Responsabile Scientifico Fondazione Cetacea ONLUS via Ascoli Piceno - 47838 Riccione (RN) ITALY +39 0541 691557 (phone) / +39 0541 475830 (fax) e-mail <ambientemare(a)fondazionecetacea.org> Visit our site http://fondazionecetacea.org Cetacea Blog: http://fondazionecetacea.org/blog <http://fondazionecetacea.org/blog/> *** Storie di Mare blog <http://storiedimare.blogspot.com/>

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Library "Cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks of the Adriatic Sea"
by Marco Affronte 01 Dec '06

01 Dec '06

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European Cetacean Society: deadlines for submitting material approaches!
by Jan Willem Broekema 01 Dec '06

01 Dec '06

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Whale watching travel option to the ECS Conference
by Dylan Walker 30 Nov '06

30 Nov '06

Dear all, For those of you wishing to attend the 2007 European Cetacean Society Conference in San Sebastian, Spain, 22-25 April, you may be interested to know that whale watching operator ´The Company of Whales´ is offering a unique way of travelling from Northern Europe (beginning in the UK), to the Conference and back, on a whale watching cruise. The cruise will carry delegates between Portsmouth, on the south coast of the UK, to Bilbao, Spain, just one hour from the conference venue, returning after the conference has been completed. As well as travelling through one of Europe´s most prized whale watching destinations, the Bay of Biscay, there will also be the opportunity to receive cetacean survey training as part of a standardized survey undertaken throughout the cruise. For further information please read below. Regards, Dylan Walker There is only one way to travel to the European Cetacean Society Conference in 2007 In The Company of Whales! For the first time ever, you can turn your journey to and from the ECS Conference into a whale watching adventure, by travelling across the Bay of Biscay from Portsmouth, UK, to Bilbao, Spain, just one hours coach journey from the conference venue in San Sebastian. So why not travel to the conference in style, with Biscays most experienced eco-tourism company, The Company of Whales, onboard P&O cruise-ferry ´Pride of Bilbao´ for a bargain price starting at just £140 per person return. Not only are these prices competitive when compared to other means of transport, but with The Company of Whales, you are likely to encounter between five and seven species of cetacean whilst travelling across some of the richest seas in Europe for whales, dolphins and porpoises. This really is the ultimate route to northern Spain, beginning at Portsmouth on the south coast of England, a city easily accessed from all over the UK and internationally from London; and ending at Bilbao on the north coast of Spain, where we will see you safely to the nearby coach station, just one hours journey from the conference itself. Most people leave the ECS Conference desperate to get out onto the water and see whales and dolphins in the wild again. But you could actually be doing just that! With over eleven years of experience of whale watching and research holidays in the Bay of Biscay, we at The Company of Whales have been fortunate enough to have had some outstanding trips during the month of April. These have included rare Sei Whales surface-feeding alongside Short-beaked Common Dolphins, five separate groups of Cuvier`s Beaked Whales in one day, and some of the largest pods of offshore Bottlenose Dolphins ever recorded in the region. Although the weather can be mixed, our 37,000-ton cruise ferry provides a remarkably stable platform and excellent viewing. This is a fascinating time of year, with spring migration in full swing both above and below the surface. The most likely cetaceans are Harbour Porpoise, Short-beaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Long-finned Piot Whale, Cuvier`s Beaked Whale and Minke Whale. However, larger whales such as Fin, Sei and Sperm Whale, as well as a whole host of other species are possible. This is also a great time to observe visual bird migration, with seabirds returning to their nesting colonies and land birds also heading north. Previous highlights have included Peregrine Falcon and Marsh Harrier,as well as numerous warblers, swallows, wagtails and thrushes. At sea,this is the best time to see flocks of dainty Little Gulls on passage, as well as a variety of petrels, skuas, shearwaters and Gannets. And to cap it all, you can end your days whale watching with all of the ships facilities at your disposal, starting with a nice hot shower in your cabin, and moving on to the choice of three reasonably-priced restaurants for dinner, before retiring to a favourite bar for relaxation and conversation with new and old friends and colleagues alike. Brief Itinerary Friday 20 April: Ship departs Portsmouth at 2115 hrs (local). Saturday 21 April: All day whale watching in the Bay of Biscay. Sunday 22 April: Arrive Bilbao at 0800 hrs (local). FREE transfer to coach station. Coaches run every half an hour and the journey to San Sebastian is just one hour. Sun 22 Wed 25 April: ECS Conference. Thur 26 Fri 27 April: Free time to enjoy San Sebastian. Optional excursions into the Pyrenees may be available depending on demand. Saturday 28 April: Ship departs 1215 hrs (local). All afternoon whale watching. Sunday 29 April: All day whale watching in northern Biscay and the English Channel. Arrive back at Portsmouth approximately 1730 hrs (local). Whats included: Three nights accommodation onboard Pride of Bilbao. Exclusive access to our whale-watching platform - the best place to view onboard and exclusive to The Company of Whales! The services of our professional naturalist guide. The opportunity, should you desire, to take part in a marine mammal survey and get to grips with a standard methodology. Free transport between Bilbao ferry port to Bilbao Coach Station, for onward travel to San Sebastian and subsequent return. Whats not included: Food and drink of any kind. PRICES: RETURN FARE (dep. Portsmouth Fri 20 April return from Bilbao Sat 27 April) £140 per person based on 2 people sharing an inside cabin £150 per person based on 2 people sharing an outside cabin £160 per person for single occupancy of an inside cabin £200 per person for single occupancy of an outside cabin ONE-WAY FARE (dep. Portsmouth Fri 20 April OR Bilbao Sat 27 April) £85 per person based on 2 people sharing an inside cabin £95 per person (based on 2 people sharing an outside cabin £105 per person for single occupancy of an inside cabin £125 per person for single occupancy of an outside cabin SAIL n FLY! Short on time? Cant commit to spending the week in San Sabastian? Not a problem! Should you wish to sail / fly down to Bilbao and sail / fly home we can arrange your complete travel package! Bilbao is served by many major airlines with daily flights to the UK and across Europe. We hold our own ATOL license so you can book with us in complete confidence. Please call us on +44 (0)1950 422483 for details or e mail us at www.companyofwhales.co.uk Please note that this cruise is limited to a maximum of 30 passengers, so early booking is essential. To find out more, receive a free brochure or make a reservation, please contact us on +44 (0) 1950 422483 or e-mail us at info(a)shetlandwildlife.co.uk quoting ¨ECS Biscay Cruise¨. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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New paper on contaminant and cell toxicity in the North Atlantic Right Whale
by Godard-Codding, Celine 30 Nov '06

30 Nov '06

Dear All, The following paper has been recently published in Marine Environmental Research: Benzo[a]pyrene cytotoxicity in right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) skin, testis and lung cell lines C.A.J. Godard, S.S. Wise, R.S. Kelly, B. Goodale, S. Kraus, T. Romano, T. O'Hara, J.P. Wise Sr.* The North Atlantic right whale (NARW) is one of the most endangered great whales. The NARW population consists of only about 300 individuals and is reproducing at an insufficient rate. There is growing concern about the potential effects of environmental contaminants on the reproductive and overall health of the NARW. High contaminant burdens can accumulate in tissues of great whales but toxicological studies of their effects are limited due to legal, logistical and ethical restrictions, and specific in vitro models are critically needed. Cell lines from NARW skin and internal organs were previously created in our laboratory. In this study, skin, testis and lung primary fibroblast cell lines were exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BP) as part of a multi-chemical toxicity testing project in NARW. Cells were exposed for 24-72h to 10nM-10uM BP dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide. Cytotoxicity was measured with a clonogenic assay using standard methods. Some cytotoxicity was observed after 24 h, the highest concentration (10 uM BP) resulting in 77, 74 and 51 percent relative survival in testis, skin and lung cells, respectively and indicating a higher cytotoxicity in the lung (p<0.05). After 48h and 72h exposure, 10 uM BP resulted in 24 and 3, 74 and 27, and 42 and 23 percent relative survival in testis, skin and lung cells, respectively. Cytotoxicity significantly increased with exposure time in all three tissues (p<0.05 for skin and p<0.01 for lung and testis), suggesting metabolic activation of BP in the three organs. Fibroblast cytotoxicity observed in the testis was higher than that observed either in the skin or lung after 48h (p<0.01) and was close to 100% after 72h, warranting further investigation of the potential effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on reproductive health. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 207 228 8049. E-mail address: john.wise(a)usm.maine.edu All the best, Céline Godard-Codding ***************************************************************** Céline Godard-Codding, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology The Institute of Environmental and Human Health Texas Tech University and TTU Health Sciences Center Box 41163 Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163 Office: (806)-885-0337 Fax: (806)-885-4577 *****************************************************************

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British Antarctic Survey Field Assistant Position
by Dirk Briggs 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

The British Antarctic Survey is now recruiting for the following position: ZOOLOGICAL FIELD ASSISTANT BAS 01/07 The British Antarctic Survey requires a Zoological Field Assistant as part of a team undertaking long-term research on land-based marine predators at Bird Island. Bird Island (54° 00'S, 38° 02'W) close to the main island of South Georgia is in the sub-Antarctic and has one of the densest breeding populations of land based marine predators in the world. Important species include Antarctic fur seals, macaroni penguins, and wandering albatrosses. The Zoological Field Assistants at Bird Island are collectively responsible for the day-to-day running of a variety of tasks including seabird and seal fieldwork and preliminary data analysis and report writing. In addition, each assistant will be expected to help with other fieldwork duties and contribute to the stations operational requirements. The successful candidate will be assigned prime responsibility for running one of our key long term monitoring programs (albatrosses, penguins or seals) at Bird Island. This will include studies on population size, reproductive success, diet and behaviour. The work will also often involve deploying electronic devices e.g. radio and satellite transmitters, passive integrated transponders and dive recorders. The post offers a challenging opportunity for a highly self-motivated individual working in an isolated environment in the sub Antarctic. It is important candidates recognise that after an initial training period in the UK, they will then live on Bird Island continuously for the remainder of the contract (approx 30 months), sharing with a minimum of 3 others (up to 10 in Summer). Communication with the outside world is by e-mail and telephone, whilst postal delivery is facilitated by occasional ship visits. The well equipped and comfortable research station was completely rebuilt in 2005. Qualifications: A minimum of a science degree in a relevant subject and experience of remote, unsupervised field work handling aggressive wild seals or other large carnivores in their natural habitat is essential. In addition, wild bird handling skills are an advantage. Applicants must also be confident entering, managing, analysing and reporting data and able to use ACCESS and ORACLE databases for data entry and query. Thoroughly checked data and reports must be delivered accurately and to a strict timetable. Duration: Appointments will be employed for a period of approximately 32 months. Salary: Salary will be in the range of £16,514 - £23,548 pa pro-rata (depending on qualifications and experience). An Antarctic Allowance of £2,222 pa pro-rata is also payable for periods spent working in the Antarctic. Closing date for receipt of application forms: 16 February 2007. Interviews are anticipated to be held in April 2007 with contracts commencing in July/ August 2007. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome. You will need to be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING URL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY (Please quote reference: BAS 01/07) http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Employment/vacancies/job.php?JobID=156 LIKE NO OTHER JOB IN THE WORLD -- This message (and any attachments) is for the recipient only. NERC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the contents of this email and any reply you make may be disclosed by NERC unless it is exempt from release under the Act. Any material supplied to NERC may be stored in an electronic records management system.

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New Paper on Australian Sea Lion
by Isabelle Charrier 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

Dear All, The following paper has been recently published in Journal of Mammalogy. Charrier, I & Harcourt, R.G. 2006. Individual vocal identity in mother and pup Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea). J. Mammal. 87(5), 929-939. Individual vocal recognition between mothers and pups has been widely observed in pinnipeds, especially otariids. Otariids are colonial breeders; mothers suckle only their own offspring, aggressively attacking nonrelated young. Mothers alternate foraging trips with periods ashore, and at each return to the colony, mothers and pups must find each other among all the individuals of the colony. In the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), the need for a finely tuned mechanism of recognition is exacerbated by their habit of changing the nursing location over the course of lactation. We investigated potential acoustic parameters used in motherpup recognition in Australian sea lions. We measured 11 acoustic parameters on calls of mothers and pups and found that several parameters (fundamental frequency, energy spectrum, amplitude, and frequency modulation) were highly individually specific. Discriminant analysis correctly assigned calls to individual mothers or pups with an average classification rate of 65% and 77%, respectively. Spectral features and frequency modulation were the most important features distinguishing individuals. Lastly, principal component analysis showed that calls of pups and mothers were easily distinguishable using energy spectrum and frequency modulation. Comparison with other pinniped species suggests that individual vocal identity is likely to be selected through ecological constraints such as density of the colony, degree of polygyny, likelihood of allosuckling or fostering, and degree of maternal absence during lactation. A pdf file is available and can be sent on request (isabelle.charrier(a)ibaic.u-psud.fr) All the best, Isabelle Charrier Isabelle CHARRIER Équipe Communications Acoustiques. NAMC-CNRS UMR 8620, Université Paris Sud, Bat.446 F-91405, Orsay, FRANCE. Tel:(33-1).69.15.68.26 Fax:(33-1).69.15.77.26 Email: isabelle.charrier(a)ibaic.u-psud.fr http://perso.wanadoo.fr/isa-seal/ http://www.cb.u-psud.fr/

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5th Coastal & Marine Tourism Congress * Call for Abstracts!
by Michael Luck 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Kia Ora! *** Apologies for Cross-Posting! We are pleased to announce that abstracts for the 5th International Coastal & Marine Tourism Congress (CMT), hosted by AUT University (School of Hospitality & Tourism, Faculty of Applied Humanities), the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI), and the University of Washington (School of Marine Affairs), can now be submitted. The CMT07 will be a high profile international conference, with delegates from academia, industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Invited keynote speakers include Professor David Fennell (Brock University, Canada), Professor James Higham (University of Otago, New Zealand), Professor Marc L. Miller (University of Washington, USA), Dr. Mark B. Orams (Massey University at Albany, New Zealand), and Professor Jeffrey Wilks (University of Queensland, Australia). Please submit your abstract (250 words) directly online at: http://nztri.aut.ac.nz/cmt2007/pages/index.php Authors are required to use the online forms * abstracts by e-mail cannot be accepted. Authors will receive a confirmation by e-mail, along with a login and password for the future management of their abstracts, and later full and working paper(s) and poster(s). Alternatively, potential delegates are encouraged to register their interest on the same webpage, if they are undecided about an abstract, or want to attend the conference without presenting. This is no commitment at this stage, but helps us planning. We are very much looking forward to your abstracts, and of course to welcoming you here in the City of Sailsin 2007! All the Best! Michael Lueck (for the organising committee) *************************************************************************** Michael Lück, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Tourism Studies Programme Leader, Postgraduate Programmes School of Hospitality and Tourism Faculty of Applied Humanities AUT University Private Bag 92006 Auckland, New Zealand e-mail: michael.lueck(a)aut.ac.nz Phone: +64 9-921-9999 ext. 5833 Fax: +64 9-921 9962 *************************************************************************** Member of the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute NZTRI http://www.tri.org.nz ( http://www.tri.org.nz/ ) *************************************************************************** Chair, Organising Committee, Coastal & Marine Tourism Congress 2007 http://nztri.aut.ac.nz/cmt2007/pages/ *************************************************************************** Editor-in-Chief: Tourism in Marine Environments http://www.cognizantcommunication.com/filecabinet/Tme/tme.html *************************************************************************** Associate Editor: Journal of Ecotourism http://www.channelviewpublications.com/multi/journals/journals_je.asp?TAG=&… ***************************************************************************

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SRRC Position available
by Lenie 't Hart 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Position Available for the wintertime 2006/2007 SEAL CARE PROFESSIONAL The Dutch Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre Pieterburen is a non-profit animal protection, conservation and education organization in the North of The Netherlands. We rescue around 200 seals annually which, after intensive rehabilitation and care, are released back into to their natural habitat. Our international team plus dedicated employees and interns is looking for a motivated colleague who will work with us to give the seals the best possible care and medical attention. The person in this position will work according to strict protocols including quarantine procedures and will be responsible for carrying out procedures in animal care as directed by the manager of the seal care department. We are looking for a flexible team-worker who is experienced preferably in marine animal care. The general animal care husbandry involves assisting in animal care, feeding and maintaining a clean environment. Candidates should have positive attitude and have well-rounded social skills both towards people and animals and have respect for different cultures. Requirements: The job involves working in shifts to cover a schedule of 7-days 8:00-23:00 The contract is for 4 months, starting as soon as possible in December 2006 The working language is English. A driving license and familiarity with the computer programs like Word and Excel is important. Seals are sometimes very strong, so you have to be in good health and in great physical condition. We offer a interesting and dynamic job in a pleasant atmosphere in an international setting. Salary commensurate with experience. On-site housing is available. Human Resources Department Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre Pieterburen Hoofdstraat 94A 9968 AC Pieterburen simone(a)zeehondencreche.nl www.zeehondencreche.nl -- Lenie 't Hart Stichting Zeehondencrèche Lenie 't Hart Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre SRRC Hoofdstraat 94a, 9968 AG Pieterburen, The Netherlands Phone SRRC: (31) 0595 - 526 526 Fax SRRC: (31) 0595 - 528 389 Mobile phone: (31) 06 - 51 - 587774 _________________________________________________________________ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

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The Monachus Guardian 9 (2): November 2006
by William M. Johnson 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

THE MONACHUS GUARDIAN, NOVEMBER 2006 Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Monk Seal This is to let you know that we have now published the November 2006 issue of The Monachus Guardian, the biannual electronic journal focusing on the Mediterranean, Hawaiian and Caribbean monk seals. The site can be accessed at <http://www.monachus-guardian.org> HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CURRENT ISSUE: International News: The Mediterranean Monk Seal Fact Files: The Monachus Guardian has published a detailed knowledgebase on the Mediterranean monk seal, written and compiled by some of Europe¹s foremost authorities on the species, including experienced field researchers working in Greece, Madeira, Mauritania/Western Sahara and Turkey. Mediterranean News: Algeria: Summer birth in the west... Greece: New management bodies in protected areas new hope or further delays?... Italy: Monk seal sighting in Pantelleria strikes again... Mauritania: Notable increase of newborn pups at Cabo Blanco... Spain: Balearic Islands Fishermen¹s Cooperatives to work for the monk seal¹s return... Cover Story: Anatomy of a Conference. Controversy and lost opportunity in Antalya, by William M Johnson. Research: Seals of Northern Cyprus, by Ali Cemal Gücü, Meltem Ok, Serdar Sakinan, Billur Çelebi and Ekin Akoglu... To what extent can the Cilician monk seal colony recover under existing regulations? by Meltem Ok and Ali Cemal Gücü. Letters to the Editor: including Conference Controversy, by Cem Orkun Kiraç. Recent Publications. Thanks to our sponsor, the Government of the Balearic Islands, a Spanish-language version of this issue will be made available in due course. An appropriate link will be posted soon on the Home page [<http://www.monachus-guardian.org>]. The current and back issues of The Monachus Guardian are also available from the Monk Seal Library <http://www.monachus-guardian.org/library.htm> and may either be viewed on-line, or downloaded as PDF files. Should you have any comments on the web site or its contents, please contact us at: editor(a)monachus-guardian.org. Our sincere thanks to all the friends and colleagues who have made this issue possible. William M. Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org _______________________________________ William M Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org http://www.monachus-guardian.org http://www.iridescent-publishing.com _______________________________________

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