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Navy Seeks Permit to Use Sonar During RIMPAC Exercises
by Jeremy Firestone 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

Navy Seeks Permit to Use Sonar During RIMPAC Exercises WASHINGTON, DC, April 26, 2006 (ENS) - NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comments on the U.S. Navy's proposal to conduct Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) anti-submarine arfare exercises around the Main Hawaiian Islands using tactical mid-frequency sonar. The mid-frequency sound generated by the tactical sonar used in the exercises has the potential to disrupt the behavior of individual marine mammals in close proximity to the exercises. Up to 22 species of marine mammals inhabit this area of the Pacific. The Navy is requesting an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. RIMPAC is a multi-national training exercise that has been conducted every other year since 1968. This year, RIMPAC is scheduled to occur June 26 through July 28, with exercises using sonar planned on 21 days. In their application for an Incidental Harassment Authorization, the Navy proposed several standard protective measures to be implemented during the RIMPAC exercises. NOAA Fisheries Service has worked closely with the Navy to develop a suite of additional mitigation and monitoring measures designed to reduce the likelihood of harassment. These additional measures would be required during RIMPAC. "Our scientists believe these measures, if fully implemented, will avoid the potential for serious injury or mortality to marine mammals," said Dr. Bill Hogarth, NOAA Fisheries Service director. "These mitigation measures will significantly reduce the number of marine mammals exposed to levels of sound likely to cause a behavioral disruption. These safeguards are a result of the high level of cooperation that we have had with the Navy." During the RIMPAC exercises, the Navy will implement safety zones around all vessels using active sonar, and will reduce power or shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within the zones. At night or low visibility times, the Navy will use infrared or passive acoustics. If marine mammals cannot be fully detected out to the prescribed safety zone, sonar will be powered down as if a marine mammal were present immediately beyond their visual range. During the RIMPAC exercises, with the exception of three closely monitored choke-point exercises, mid-frequency sonar will not be operated in canyon-like areas, in constricted channels, or within certain distances around the islands. Choke-point exercises involve vessels moving through constricted channels, sweeping the area with sonar, similar to operational situations where they would anticipate submarine ambushes. During the choke-point exercises, the Navy will use additional dedicated shipboard marine mammal observers; use additional dedicated aerial and vessel-bound observers, and land-based observers; and contract with experienced cetacean researchers to monitor the behavior of marine mammals in the vicinity of the exercises. NOAA Fisheries Service will accept comments on the application and proposed authorization through May 24. Comments should be addressed to: Steve Leathery, Chief of the Permits, Conservation, and Education Division; Office of Protected Resources, NMFS; 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments may be sent by e-mail to PR1.011806L(a)noaa.gov. A copy of the application and federal register notice may be obtained by contacting the same office.

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Call for Marine Mammal Photos
by Sclymene＠aol.com 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear Colleagues, Tom Jefferson, Marc Webber, and Bob Pitman are preparing a comprehensive marine mammal identification guide, which will include detailed species accounts, multiple illustrations by artist Brett Jarrett, illustrated keys, and a large collection of full-color photos. We are aiming to produce the most comprehensive and authoritative identification guide to marine mammals. It will be published by Academic Press/Elsevier in late 2007. We have assembled an impressive collection of photos, covering nearly every species of marine mammal. The following species are ones that we still need help with: Sei whale (Baleanoptera borealis) Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia spp.) Arnoux’s beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) Mesoplodonts (Mesoplodon spp.) Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus – Japanese forms) Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) Hourglass dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger) Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris – dwarf subspecies) Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis – Black Sea form) Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) Japanese sea lion (Zalophus californianus) Southern fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) However, we would be very interested in seeing any photos of other species that you might want us to consider as well. Unfortunately, we cannot pay photographers for use of photos. However, if we use your photos, we may be able to offer you a free copy of the book (which we expect to cost about US$40-55). This would be for one-time use, and there would be no restrictions on further use by the photographer. We would need good quality slides or digital images (the highest possible resolution, which if too big to be emailed, can be sent on a CD). Please send queries about pinniped photos to Marc Webber < marcwebber(a)sbcglobal.net>. Queries about photos of any other species of marine mammals should be sent to Thomas Jefferson <sclymene(a)aol.com >. We appreciate your help with this request, and look forward to hearing from you. ***************************************************************** Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D. Marine Mammal Biologist Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037-1508 USA Tel: 1 (858) 278-4240 FAX: 1 (858) 278-3473 Email: sclymene(a)aol.com Web: http://swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/PRD/prdfiles/tomjeffpubs.html *****************************************************************

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New publications week 15
by Jan Herrmann 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 15 / 2006, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.mmbib.com/news.html Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Castellini, M. et al. (2006): Blood rheology of Weddell seals and bowhead whales. Biorheology 43(1): 57-69. Redfern, J.V. et al. (2006): Techniques for cetacean-habitat modeling. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 271-295. Kemp, K.M. et al. (2006): Consumption of large bathyal food fall, a six month study in the NE Atlantic. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 65-76. PINNIPEDIA Dagleish, M.P. et al. (2006): Polioencephalomalacia in a juvenile hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). The Veterinary Record 158(15): 516-518. Nollens, H.H. et al. (2006): Seroepidemiology of parapoxvirus infections in captive and free-ranging California sea lions Zalophus californianus. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 69(2-3): 153-161. Hamer, D.J. and S.D. Goldsworthy (2006): Seal-fishery operational interactions: Identifying the environmental and operational aspects of a trawl fishery that contribute to by-catch and mortality of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Biological Conservation 130(4): 517-529. Lea, M.-A. et al. (2006): Impacts of climatic anomalies on provisioning strategies of a Southern Ocean predator. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 77-94. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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FW: Call for speakers: 9th International Wildlife Law Conference
by Wil Burns 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Subject: Call for speakers: 9th International Wildlife Law Conference The 9th International Wildlife Law Conference, whose principal sponsor is the American Branch of the International Law Association, will take place on January 26-27, 2007 at the Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida (Tampa Bay area). The conference brings together an array of representatives from the governmental, NGO and academic sectors, as well as many students. The upcoming conference will include panels on the following topics * Antarctic wildlife treaty regimes; * The Ramsar Convention * The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species * Climate Change's Impact on Species and International Institutional Responses The Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy (www.jiwlp.com <http://www.jiwlp.com/> ) will also publish a special symposium issue on papers growing out of the conference in late 2007. We are currently seeking panelists for each of these topics. If you are interested in making a presentation, please submit a brief abstract to me by May 15. Also, please send me a message if you wish to be placed on the mailing list for registration materials and the program when it becomes available. I hope you can join us in January. Cheers, wil Dr. Wil Burns, Chair International Wildlife Law Committee International Law Association - American Branch 1702 Arlington Blvd. El Cerrito, CA 94530 USA Ph: 650.281.9126 Fax: 214.580.9415 <http://www.internationalwildlifelaw.org/> http://www.internationalwildlifelaw.org ________________________________________ More life; the great work begins "Angels in America"

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Three distance sampling workshops offered, Univ. of St. Andrews, August 2006
by Eric Rexstad 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting three linked workshops in the summer of 2006 in our purpose-built facilities at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The aim of these workshops is to train participants in the latest methods for design and analysis of distance sampling surveys, including line and point transects. The workshops are taught by leading researchers in the field, using industry-standard software. The first workshop (3 days, 23-25 August) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on "conventional" distance sampling methods, as described in the standard reference book Introduction to Distance Sampling. The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program Distance. Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. The second workshop (2.5 days, 28-30 August) will cover recent advances in distance sampling research and software, as described in the book Advanced Distance Sampling. It is intended for those already familiar with conventional distance sampling methods (e.g., those who have attended an introductory workshop). Participants will learn the use of covariates for modelling the detection function, double-platform methods for when detection at the line or point is not certain, automated survey design and adaptive sampling. Participants will also learn the more advanced features of Distance. The third workshop (2.5 days, 30 Aug.-1 Sept.) will focus on methods of predicting abundance or density of biological data using the "count" method of Hedley and Buckland (2004, Chapter 4 of the Advanced Distance Sampling book). In these situations variation in animal density/abundance is modelled as functions of covariates such as land cover type, bathymetry, altitude or depth, or other characteristics collected during a distance sampling survey. General additive models (GAMs) or general linear models (GLMs) will be fitted to estimated densities along transects using a new analytical engine inside program Distance. This is an advanced workshop for those already familiar with distance sampling. For all three workshops, participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets, and can expect to do some preliminary analyses with their data. Participants intending to model their own data in the third workshop will be required to have it formatted according to precise specifications prior to arrival at St. Andrews. Computer sessions take place in our modern PC-classroom (attached to the seminar room); participants can use our computers or bring their own PC laptops. Further details, including registration forms and tariff, are available at http://www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk/distance.workshops/. -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833

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New article on stable isotopes in the baleen of minke whale
by Yoko Mitani 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Dear All, The following paper is now available. PDF reprints are available upon request (contact email: ymitani(a)bio.titech.ac.jp "Patterns of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the baleen of common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the western North Pacific." Yoko Mitani, Takeharu Bando, Noriyuki Takai, Wataru Sakamoto. Fisheries Science72 (1): 69-76 (2006) ABSTRACT Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were determined in the baleen plates of 17 common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the northwestern Pacific Ocean off Japan as well as prey species (krill [Euphasusia pacifica], Japanese anchovy [Engraulis japonicus] and Pacific saury [Cololabis saira]) collected in the stomach contents to investigate the trophic relationship between the minke whales and their prey. A few d15N-depleted peaks occurred along the length of baleen plates for 10 males irrespective of stomach contents (anchovies and sauries). Similar d15N-depleted peaks were also found for one female and two immatures. It was likely that these d15N- depleted peaks formed in early summer. The d15N values in Pacific saury (9.3±1.4‰) did not differ significantly from that in Japanese anchovy (8.8±0.9‰). In contrast, d15N in krill (7.2±0.5‰ in July and 8.0±0.2‰ in September) was significantly lower than in Pacific saury. Thus, we expect that these peaks might reflect the dietary change from krill to fishes in the feeding migration of the whales. Growth rate of the baleen plate was estimated to be 129 mm y-1, and it appeared that dietary record of about 1.4 years remained in the baleen plate. For two immature whales, the maximum value of d15N occurred at the tip of baleen. This d15N enrichment may possibly be useful for discriminating weanlings and older whales. Key Words: common minke whales, stable isotopes, baleen, feeding ecology, North Pacific --- Thanks, Yoko Yoko Mitani Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W3-43 Ookayama, Meguro, Tokyo, 152-8551, JAPAN Tel: +81-3-5734-3383 Fax: +81-3-5734-2946 E-mail: ymitani(a)bio.titech.ac.jp -------------------------------------- Celebrate Yahoo! JAPAN 10th Anniversary http://pr.mail.yahoo.co.jp/10thann/

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Cetus Research & Conservation Society - Volunteer opportunities
by robsonbight＠cetussociety.org 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

CETUS RESEARCH & CONSERVATION SOCIETY - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Cetus Research & Conservation Society is a non-profit organization. The Society's mission is to facilitate the conservation of the marine environment by promoting community stewardship, conducting research, and fostering activities that directly preserve marine habitats and biological diversity. Cetus operates two marine mammal education and monitoring programs: Straitwatch and the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program. Cetus is currently recruiting volunteers for Straitwatch and the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program. These programs focus on marine mammal conservation by providing education about local marine mammals and the marine mammal viewing guidelines. Monitoring boater activity around marine animals and the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve is a major component of both programs. These programs are operated in the waters of Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits, off Northeast Vancouver Island, BC. The closest community is Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, which is where Straitwatch is based. The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program operates from a remote field camp on West Cracroft Island. This is a great opportunity for individuals to increase field skills, as well as gain research experience and knowledge of the marine mammals inhabiting the Northeast Pacific. All positions are seasonal, with dates ranging from mid June to mid September 2006. Cetus is seeking to fill the following volunteer positions: Research Observer Marine Educator RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: - Assisting marine wardens with data collection at the monitoring site and on monitoring vessels. - Collecting data on marine mammals and vessel activity. Attention to detail with regards to data collection and entry is essential. - Assisting with daily field camp maintenance and responsibilities. SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: - Effective communications skills. - Able to live and work comfortably in a remote coastal wilderness environment. - Able to travel in rigid hull inflatable vessels in coastal waters, including rough conditions with limited visibility. - Able to work for 8-11 hour shifts in all weather conditions. - Background knowledge of the marine mammal species in the area is an asset. - Able to carry 20 lbs of gear to and from vessel to base camps (this varies from across the street to down a rocky shoreline). In addition, the Research Observer must also be able to hike between the base camp and the observation site (5 km each way); while there is minimal gear to be carried, the hike takes approximately 1 hour (depending on fitness). Volunteers are responsible for all their costs incurred while participating in these programs. This includes, but is not limited to, travelling to and from Alert Bay, having proper camping equipment, as well as food and accommodation costs. There are no accommodation costs while in the field camp on West Cracroft Island, however, volunteers need to provide their own tent and sleeping gear, as only a tarp is provided. Food for the Robson Bight Warden Program is purchased as a group and costs $10/day while in camp (this money must be prepaid prior to arriving in Alert Bay). Straitwatch volunteers are responsible for all their own food and accommodation arrangements. Please forward your resume, statement of interest, and two references via e-mail by May 15th, 2006. Be sure to indicate the position for which you are applying, as well as the duration and availability of your commitment. Research Observer positions with the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program require a minimum commitment of 2 weeks, with longer commitments encouraged. Marine Educator positions with Straitwatch are flexible in commitment duration, with commitments longer than 1 week encouraged. For more information on Straitwatch and the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program please visit www.straitwatch.org and www.members.shaw.ca/robsonbight, respectively. CONTACT: Andrea Hunter Cetus Research & Conservation Society E-mail: robsonbight(a)cetussociety.org

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New publications week 14
by Jan Herrmann 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 14 / 2006, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.mmbib.com/news.html Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Belikov, R. and V.M. Bel'Kovich (2006): High-pitched tonal signals of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in a summer assemblage off Solovetskii Island in the White Sea. Acoustical Physics 52(2): 125-131. Cook, M.L. et al. (2006): Beaked whale auditory evoked potential hearing measurements. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 192(5): 489-495. Haraguchi, K., Y. Hisamichi, and T. Endo (2006): Bioaccumulation of Naturally Occurring Mixed Halogenated Dimethylbipyrroles in Whale and Dolphin Products on the Japanese Market. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 51(1): 135-141. Hayashi, K. et al. (2006): Genetic variation of the MHC DQB locus in the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Zoological Science 23(2): 147-153. Miller, P.J.O. (2006): Diversity in sound pressure levels and estimated active space of resident killer whale vocalizations. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 192(5): 449-459. PINNIPEDIA Sato, J.J. et al. (2006): Evidence from nuclear DNA sequences sheds light on the phylogenetic relationships of pinnipedia: Single origin with affinity to musteloidea. Zoological Science 23(2): 125-146. Kik, M.J. et al. (2006): An outbreak of leptospirosis in seals (Phoca vitulina) in captivity. Veterinary Quarterly 28(1): 33-39. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Fantastic Marine Mammal Sessions Organized for Defenders of Wildlife Marine and Terrestrial Carnivore Conference 2006-Abstract Deadline-June 1st
by Jim Curland 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Abstract Deadline Just Over a Month Away Carnivores 2006: Conference Announcement & Call for Papers Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Carnivores 2006: Habitats, Challenges, and Possibilities. The conference, the sixth biennial, which has averaged between 700 and 800 attendees over the last two conferences, will be held at the Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida, November 12-15, 2006, and will feature three full days of sessions on terrestrial and marine carnivore issues, plus a poster session, field trip, silent auction, banquet and ambassador wolf sessions. Defenders is accepting oral and poster presentation submissions for Carnivores 2006. On this year's Conference Science Advisory Committee is a team of 15 scientists, including 4 marine scientists: * From Mote Marine Lab: Dr. John Reynolds, Dr. Randy Wells, Nélio B. Barros * From the Center for Ocean Health, U.C. Santa Cruz/Long Marine Lab: Dr. Jim Estes At the present time, there is a plan to have the following sessions around marine mammals: * Special sessions on bottlenose dolphin foraging ecology will include presentations on a variety of topics, such as predator-prey dynamics, foodweb modelling, and prey determination by stomach content, stable isotope, fatty acid and genetic analyses. * Human Interactions with Marine Mammals * Sea Otters The session on marine carnivores is certainly not limited to these session topics above, so please feel free to submit abstracts on the variety of areas listed below. Abstract submissions must be received by 1 June 2006. We will consider any papers covering topics such as biology, behavior, taxonomy, general ecology, recovery, management, and economic impacts of terrestrial, avian and marine carnivore species (canids, bears, cats, mesocarnivores, raptors, pinnipeds, whales, dolphins, sea otters, sharks, etc), and also papers addressing carnivore habitat issues, with some of the focus in the southeastern U.S. (including but not limited to habitat conservation, planning and linkages, invasive species, land use and development challenges, etc). Please visit our official conference website, www.carnivoreconference.org or leave a message at 202-789-2844 x315 for complete Carnivores 2006 details. To get an idea of the nature of talks, please let me know if you'd like me to email you a pdf of a past conference agenda. If submitting an abstract, please follow the online instructions, and, in addition, please cc me (curland(a)earthlink.net) with your abstract. thanks, Jim Curland Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate Defenders of Wildlife P.O. Box 959 Moss Landing, CA. 95039 831-726-9010-phone 831-726-9020-fax jcurland(a)defenders.org Defenders of Wildlife, founded in 1947, is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. We focus our programs on what scientists consider two of the most serious environmental threats to the planet: the accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity, and habitat alteration and destruction. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered. Our programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats while protecting predators that serve as indicator species for ecosystem health. http://www.defenders.org http://www.kidsplanet.org http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/seaotters.html (Above link is Defenders Main Sea Otter Page) http://www.kidsplanet.org/espanol/espint.html (Above link is Defenders Sea Otter Unit) http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/marine.html (Above link is Defenders Marine Page) http://www.defenders.org/california/marine.html (Above link is Defenders California Programs-Marine Protection)

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Tooth wear in Stejneger's beaked whale
by nhy038＠abdn.ac.uk 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

Dear marmammers, I am looking for a photograh showing the distinctive pattern of tooth wear found in Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri). I remember seeing a picture in a Japanese paper from the 1960s that showed this species has a very distinctive wear pattern with an almost semi-circular notch at the anterior base of the erupted tooth, but I cannot remember the reference for this. I am interested in seeing an example of this to confirm that my memory is not playing tricks on me and also to compare to the pattern of wear found in other beaked whale species, particularly Sowerby's and Cuvier's beaked whale and the strap-toothed whale. The aim of this it to try and work out why beaked whale tusks often show unusual patterns of tooth wear and how it may be caused. Thanks for any help you can provide with this. All the best, Colin

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