- MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

paper on acoustic whale monitoring in Alaska
by Dave Mellinger 18 Jan '06

18 Jan '06

This paper has just been published: Moore, S.E., K.M. Stafford, D.K. Mellinger, and J.A. Hildebrand. 2006. Listening for large whales in offshore waters of Alaska. BioScience 56:49-55. Please contact Sue.Moore(a)noaa.gov or David.Mellinger(a)oregonstate.edu for a copy. Dave Mellinger

1 0

Announcement of Public Scoping for Programmatic EIS
by Sarah Wilkin 18 Jan '06

18 Jan '06

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the activities of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP). The MMHSRP encompasses: - the National Marine Mammal Stranding Network, - the Marine Mammal Disentanglement Program, - the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event and Emergency Response Program, - the Marine Mammal Biomonitoring and Research Program, - the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, - the National Marine Mammal Tissue and Serum Bank, and - the MMHSRP Information Management Program. More information regarding the EIS is available on our website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/eis.htm The EIS will address the information needs for the conservation of marine mammals; the types and levels of stranding response and rehabilitation activities, including level of effort; and the cumulative impacts of MMHSRP activities on marine mammals and the environment. The EIS will also address appropriate mitigation measures and potential cumulative impacts of the MMHSRP. As part of and concurrent with the EIS, the MMHSRP is proposing to issue national standards for marine mammal stranding and disentanglement response, including marine mammal rehabilitation and release of rehabilitated animals, in a document titled "Policies and Best Practices for Marine Mammal Stranding Response, Rehabilitation and Release." Interim versions of the chapters of this document are available for your review and comment on the website listed above. As an initial step in the EIS process, NMFS is hosting a series of public scoping meetings. NMFS invites the public, including stranding network participants, Stranding Agreement (LOA) holders, marine mammal researchers and scientists, elected officials, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and other interested individuals, to attend the scoping meetings and to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. Eight scoping meetings will be held in January and February 2006 at the following locations and dates: 1. Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 7-10 P.M., Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA; 2. Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 2-5 P.M., Bay Conservation and Development Commission, 50 California St., Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA; 3. Friday, January 27, 2006, 3-6 P.M., Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary O'ahu Office, 6600 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Honolulu, HI; 4. Monday, January 30, 2006, 2-5 P.M., NMFS Northwest Regional Office, Building 9, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA; 5. Wednesday, February 1, 2006; 2-5 P.M., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK; 6. Tuesday, February 7, 2006; 5-8 P.M., NMFS Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL; 7. Monday, February 13, 2006; 5-8 P.M., New England Aquarium Conference Center, Central Wharf, Boston, MA; 8. Friday, February 17, 2006; 2-5 P.M, Silver Spring Metro Center Building 4, Science Center, 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD. Each scoping meeting will consist of an informational poster session, a formal presentation of the EIS, and a formal public comment period. Each attendee is invited to give a statement of up to four minutes. These public comments will not be responded to during the meeting, although they will be incorporated into the EIS. However, if there is interest, there may be an informal (off the record) question and answer session following the formal comment period. In addition to the scoping meetings, comments may be submitted in writing through February 28, 2006 in one of the following ways: Email: mmhsrpeis.comments(a)noaa.gov Fax: 301-427-2584 Mail to: Mr. P. Michael Payne Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Division (F/PR2) Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13635 Silver Spring, MD 20910 For additional information about the EIS and the Interim Policies and Practices documents, please visit our website at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/eis.htm or one of the following information repositories (information will be available approximately one week prior to the public scoping meetings): 1. Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 2. San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; 3. Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813; 4. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104; 5. Z.J. Loussac Public Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503; 6. St. Petersburg Public Library, 3745 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713; 7. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116; 8. NOAA Central Library, 1315 East-West Highway, 2nd Floor, SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910. These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. If you need to request sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids, or if you have additional questions, please contact myself (sarah.wilkin(a)noaa.gov) or Sarah Howlett (sarah.howlett(a)noaa.gov) at least five days before the scheduled meeting date.

1 0

Job Announcement
by Valerie Park 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

The Alaska SeaLife Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, rehabilitation, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: FIELD COORDINATOR This position is responsible for coordinating a broad range of field related activities specific to the Steller Sea Lion (SSL) & Northern Fur Seal Research Program at ASLC, supporting the Juvenile SSL Program, and other duties as assigned that will require initiative and supervising staff. Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): 1. Supervise boat operations for the program, and actively participate in selecting, purchasing, rigging, testing and operating assorted boats utilized in the program, in collaboration with the Vessel Safety Officer. 2. Participate and assist in coordinating dive capture and surface handling operations, and other diving-related research in the SSL Program in collaboration with the Dive Safety Officer. 3. Support under the direction of the Chief Scientist and attending Veterinarian, handling of captured animals while in the field. 4. Acquire sedation equipment and provide a lead role in dart capturing Steller sea lions on land. 5. Support captive Transient Steller Sea Lion Program under direction of the Chief Scientist, including research facilities and animal care. 6. Participate in drafting permit applications for the capture and holding of transient juvenile Steller sea lions, and other permitting-related activities. 7. Support and assist in the design and construction of facilities or technologies for Steller sea lions. 8. Provide support for research that may include harbor seal, eider, sea otter and other programs. Requirements: Degree in Biology or Zoology preferred, or 3 years of project or animal management experience may be substituted. A minimum of 2 year experience in a management or supervisory role desired. Individuals with Steller sea lion experience preferred. Experience with equipment procurement and inventory is beneficial. Minimum of 3 years experience with professional boat procurement, rigging, maintenance or operation required. Wildlife immobilization training and experience preferred. SCUBA certification (NAUI / PADI) to Advanced Open Water level preferred. Position requires extensive field work dealing with large, potentially dangerous animals. This is a full-time position. The SeaLife Center offers a competitive wage (DOE) with great benefits, in a beautiful setting. Seward is a tourist destination, located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, boasting incredible recreation opportunities. Imagine partaking in world-class halibut and salmon fishing, rafting, and kayaking in Resurrection Bay and on the Kenai River. Experience icebergs calving from glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. Hike the 200 miles of trail in the Chugach National Forest, viewing wildlife like moose, black and brown bears, bald eagles, and Dall Sheep. Start Date: March 1, 2006 or ASAP Apply by: February 3, 2006 Send resume & application (downloadable at www.alaskasealife.org <http://www.alaskasealife.org/> ) to Human Resources, Alaska SeaLife Center, P. O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664-1329, or fax 907-224-6320, or email to HR(a)alaskasealife.org <mailto:human_resources@alaskasealife.org> . www.alaskasealife.org The ASLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 0

New paper on habitat partitioning by dolphins
by Maddalena Bearzi 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

Dear Colleagues, the following paper has recently been published on the Southern California Academy of Science Bulletin: Bearzi, M. 2005. Habitat partitioning by three species of dolphins in Santa Monica Bay, CA. Southern California Academy of Science Bulletin 104(3):113-124. Best Regards, Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President P.O. Box 12860 Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA ph.310.8225205, fax 310.8225729 mbearzi(a)earthlink.net http://www.oceanconservation.org ABSTRACT Habitat partitioning by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), shortbeaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), and long-beaked common dolphins (D. capensis), were assessed during 178 surveys conducted between 19972000 in Santa Monica Bay, California. Bottlenose dolphins were found year-round within 0.5 km from shore in 80.0 % of the sightings (n 137) but they were also found in deeper waters further offshore. The two common dolphin species were observed year-round (n 83) far from shore and near escarpments; they were sympatric but never seen in mixed schools. This study suggests that habitat partitioning in the bay probably relates to resource partitioning among three dolphins species with roughly similar ecological needs.

1 0

Marine Collection Newsletter: Open Access & Feature Extraction
by Shelagh A. Smith 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

Hello all, The third issue of the marine collection newsletter is now available for download at: http://mlsource.ornith.cornell.edu/marine/ newsletters/MCNIssue3.pdf. In this issue the topics covered include: - open access to the marine collection; - request for input on feature extraction from the sound collection; and - stand-alone version of the visualization tool, with video support. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to meet many of you this past December in San Diego at the SMM biennial, and I hope to meet more of the community at Ocean Sciences in February and ECS in April. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the collection. Best, Shelagh Shelagh A. Smith Assistant Curator, Marine Collection Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds www.animalbehaviorarchive.org Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, New York 14850 Phone: 607.254.2492 Fax: 607.254.2439 The Mission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: "To interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds."

1 0

2006 Protect Wild Dolphin RFP
by Marsh Youngbluth 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

2006 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR DOLPHIN RESEARCH IN FLORIDA The Protect Wild Dolphin Program at the HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution supports scientific projects that investigate anatomy, behavior, bioacoustics, conservation, ecology, immunology, modeling, physiology, population genetics, psychophysics, statistical analyses, and toxicology of dolphin in Florida waters. The 2006 Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found at http://www.protectwilddolphins.org/downloads.html. The award limit per project is $100,000. Collaborative proposals are encouraged. The deadline for receipt of proposals will be 15 March 2006. Proposals for 1-2 day workshops on topics such as conservation strategies, enabling technologies, health assessments, spatial-temporal modeling, stock management, stranding evaluation, and tagging effects on dolphin in Florida waters, will also be considered. The deadline for receipt of proposals will be 15 March 2006. Limited support (up to $10,000 per institution) is also available for reimbursement of stranding expenses. The deadline for receipt of reimbursement requests will be 1 December 2006. -----Original Message----- From: MARMAM Editors [mailto:marmamed@uvic.ca] Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 11:24 PM To: youngbluth(a)hboi.edu Subject: Re: 2006 Protect Wild Dolphin RFP The MARMAM address has changed - please re-send your message to marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------- -To submit a message to MARMAM, send it to: marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca -Please include your name and e-mail address in the body of the text of all submissions, and ensure your message has an appropriate subject heading (ie., not "Message for MARMAM") -Do not submit attached files or HTML/MIME messages. -To subscribe to MARMAM, go to lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -To contact the MARMAM editors, write to: marmamed(a)uvic.ca -MARMAM Editorial Policy & FAQ: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/marmam.htm

1 0

New publications week 1
by Jan Herrmann 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 01 / 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 Wolkers, H. et al. (2006): Accumulation, Metabolism, and Food-Chain Transfer of Chlorinated and Brominated Contaminants in Subadult White Whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) From Svalbard, Norway. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 50(1): 69-78. Weiss, B.M. et al. (2006): Vocal behavior of resident killer whale matrilines with newborn calves: The role of family signatures. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 119(1): 627-635. Popov, V.V. et al. (2006): Monaural and binaural hearing directivity in the bottlenose dolphin: Evoked-potential study. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 119(1): 636-644. Lemon, M. et al. (2006): Response of travelling bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) to experimental approaches by a powerboat in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Biological Conservation 127(4): 363-372. Vaca-RodrÌguez, J.G. and R.R. Enriquez-Andrade (2006): Analysis of the eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna fishery based on multiple management objectives. Ecological Modelling 191(2): 275-290. Teuten, E.L. et al. (2006): Spectral characterization of two bioaccumulated methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Chemosphere 62(2): 197-203. PINNIPEDIA Tremblay, Y. et al. (2006): Interpolation of animal tracking data in a fluid environment. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(1): 128-140. Haug, T. et al. (2006): Estimation of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) pup production in the North Atlantic completed: results from surveys in the Greenland Sea in 2002. ICES Journal of Marine Science 63(1): 95-104. Casper, R.M. et al. (2006): Diet estimation based on an integrated mixed prey feeding experiment using Arctocephalus seals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 328(2): 228-239. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

1 0

Help with cetacean ID requested
by Kees Camphuysen 16 Jan '06

16 Jan '06

Dear all In The Netherlands, whales have been brought to extinction centuries ago. In recent years, we experience some sort of a return of larger cetaceans and I try very hard to carefully document whatever happens in the southern North Sea by collecting sightings and documenting the material with descriptions, pictures and the like. Sometimes you receive material that triggers imagination, but little else. Anyone out there having a clue what animal we are looking at http://home.planet.nl/~camphuys/flukes.html (not just a name please, but also why this should be the species suggested)? Any help appreciated. For those wishing to know what happens down here, check out the recent lists of sightings at http://home.planet.nl/~camphuys/Cetacea.html Sincerely, Kees Camphuysen kees.camphuysen(a)wxs.nl ************************************************************************************************* ***************** Kees (C.J.) Camphuysen, Ankerstraat 20, 1794 BJ Oosterend, Texel, The Netherlands + 31 222 318744 kees.camphuysen(a)wxs.nl Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands + 31 222 369488 camphuys(a)nioz.nl ************************************************************************************************* *****************

1 0

fin whales in the Ligurian Sea
by Simone Panigada 16 Jan '06

16 Jan '06

Dear Colleagues, the following paper has recently been published on the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management: SIMONE PANIGADA, GIUSEPPE NOTARBARTOLO DI SCIARA, MARGHERITA ZANARDELLI PANIGADA, SABINA AIROLDI, J. FABRIZIO BORSANI AND MADDALENA JAHODA Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) summering in the Ligurian Sea: distribution, encounter rate, mean group size and relation to physiographic variables ABSTRACT - This paper investigates the distribution of Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) between 1990-99 in the recently-established Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals. During the study period, 870 days were spent at sea, surveying a total of 73,046km, totalling 540 sightings of fin whales. Mean yearly whale encounter rates showed no significant differences in the first five years, but then steadily decreased between 1995-99. The highest encounter rates and largest mean aggregation size (mean=2.12; SD=1.32; SE=1.15) were in summer 1995 and the mean aggregation size throughout the study period was 1.75 (mode=1; SD=1.11; SE=0.05). Differences in mean aggregation size were significant between years, but not months. This is likely to be related to prey availability and to patchiness of plankton distribution. Generalised Linear Models were used to relate fin whale distribution to physiographic variables (mean, range and standard deviation of depth and slope, and distance from the nearest coast). Water depth was the most significant variable in describing fin whale distribution, with more than 90% of sightings occurring in waters deeper than 2,000m. This study demonstrates the deep water preference of fin whales in this area, emphasises the crucial role that this part of the western Ligurian Sea plays in the ecology of Mediterranean fin whales and provides recommendations for conservation and management measures in the area. A pdf file (581 Kb) can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.tethys.org/download/papers_pdf/Panigada_etal_2005.pdf Best regards, Simone Panigada ___________________________ Simone Panigada, Ph.D. Vice-President Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B. Gadio,2 I-20121 Milan, Italy e-mail: panigada(a)inwind.it http://www.tethys.org e-mail: tethys(a)tethys.org

1 0

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Internships (Sardinia) - Immediate Openings
by Bruno Diaz 15 Jan '06

15 Jan '06

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Internships (Sardinia) - Immediate Openings Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) is currently seeking one or two interns for immediate opening as research interns. Research interns participate in BDRI's ongoing research projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety to research methodologies. Interns receive extensive on the job training in observing wild bottlenose dolphin behavior, collecting observational data, working with research equipment, and assisting with behavioral research sessions. Please visit www.geocities.com/B_D_R_I for a list of current research efforts and publications. We support non-invasive and non-disruptive research. Internships require a minimum of a 4-week commitment (6 - 12 weeks is preferable). Internships gain experience in many different areas, such as boat-based wild bottlenose dolphin research and assisting with data analysis in our research laboratory. An internship with the BDRI requires a lot of motivation and interest in dolphin research, enthusiasm, and the open-mindedness to work, live and communicate with other people of mixed nationality and background. The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in bottlenose dolphin research methodology and analysis under the mentorship of bottlenose dolphin researchers. Interns would assist with aspects of the field work, photographic identification of individual animals, bioacoustic, behavioural analysis and data compilation. BDRI interns participating in field work activities are normally asked to contribute to all aspects of the research programme, including the upkeep of materials, boat-keeping, dealing with volunteers, etc. Therefore, as part of a working team, you will be expected to articipate in all activities of the day including your share of basic domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning and maintenance. Interns are required to complete a small project on an assigned relevant topic. Interested applicants should correspond by email to: Bruno Díaz López (BDRI Director) Email: B_D_R_I(a)yahoo.com Accepted applicants will be notified by e-mail on or before February 15th, 2005. Accepted applicants will have 3 days to notify us in writing of their acceptance of the position. We are happy to answer any questions you have, but answers to common questions can be found on our web site at http://www.geocities.com/B_D_R_I A list of our current publications. 2005 1. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interactions between bottlenose dolphins with trammel nets in the Sardinia Island. Talk ICES Annual Science Conference CM 2005. Aberdeen, Scotland. 2. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and fish farms: could there be an economic impact? Talk ICES Annual Science Conference. Aberdeen, Scotland. 3. Díaz López, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., in press. The impact of a fish farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas An international Journal of Marine Sciences, 2005, 21 (2): 53-58. 4. Díaz López, B. & Shiray, A., 2005. Analysis of diving behaviour on bottlenose dolphins studied in the inshore waters of Sardinia. Talk presented at the 6º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. November. Comune di Sperlonga (LT), Italy. 5. Díaz López, B., 2005 & Shiray, A., 2005. A survey of anti-bottlenose dolphin control at marine fish farm. Talk presented at the 6º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. November. Comune di Sperlonga (LT), Italy. 2004 1 . Díaz López, B., Marini, L.. and Polo, F., 2004. Evolution of a bottlenose dolphins population in the Noth-Eastern waters of Sardinia (Italy). In: European Research on Cetaceans 15 (Ed- P.G.H. Evans). European Cetacean Society, pp 70. Cambrigde, UK. 2003 1. Testa, Roberta., 2003. Studio eco-etologico di una popolazione di tursiope Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nella Sardegna Nord-orientale. MSc thesis. La Sapienza University, Rome. 2002 1. Polo, F; Díaz López, B.; Marini, L. & Brovelli, M., 2002. Fast ferries influence on the bottlenose dolphin presence and social structure in waters of North-eastern Sardinia". Poster presented at the 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002. 2. Díaz López, B.; Marini, L.; Polo, F. & Brovelli, M., 2002. Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphin in waters of north-eastern Sardinia. Poster presented at the 16th Annual Conference European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002. 3. Brovelli, Manuela., 2002. Studio eco-etologico non influenziato di una popolazione di tursiope Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nelle acque della Sardegna Nord-orientale. MSc thesis. Roma Tre University, Rome. pp 193. 2001 1 . Díaz López, B., Polo, F. and Marini, L., 2001. Feeding Behaviour of bottllenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia. Talk presented at the 29th Annual Symposium EAAM. Genova 9-12 March 2001. 2. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Etologia del tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), lungo la costa nord-orientale della Sardegna. Talk presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. 3. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Influenza dei traghetti veloci sulla presenza e la struttura sociale del tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), nelle acque della Sardegna. Poster presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. 4. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.., Polo, F. and Brovelli, M., 2001. Fotoidentificazione di tursiope, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), presenti nelle acque della costa Nord.orientale della Sardegna. Poster presented at the 5º Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine. 6 9 December. Comune di Monte Argentario (GR), Italy. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

1 0