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Public Scoping for Right Whale Research EIS
by Tammy Adams 02 Dec '05

02 Dec '05

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on issuance of permits for research on northern right whales in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The EIS will address the information needs for species conservation, including the types of research activities available for collecting samples and data, and the appropriate levels of research intensity, including temporal and geographic extent of activities, sample sizes, and frequency of sampling. The EIS will also address appropriate mitigation measures and potential cumulative impacts of research activities on right whales and the environment. As an initial step in the EIS process, NMFS is hosting a series of public scoping meetings. NMFS invites the public, including permit holders, researchers and scientists from all disciplines, elected officials, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and other interested parties, to attend the scoping meetings and to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. The first scoping meeting was held in New Bedford, MA, in association with the North Atlantic Right Whale Research Consortium meeting. Additional scoping meetings will be held in December 2005 and January 2006 at the following locations and dates: San Diego, CA (Note: this meeting will be held the weekend before, and at the same venue as the 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals) December 10, 2005 6:30-9:30 pm Manchester Grand Hyatt, Douglas Pavilion D One Market Place Silver Spring, MD January 19, 2006 1:00-4:00 pm NOAA Science Center (SSMC IV) 1301 East-West Highway In addition, comments may be submitted in writing through January 31, 2006 in one of the following ways: Email: rweis.comments(a)noaa.gov Fax: 301-427-2582 Mail to: Mr. Steve Leathery Office of Protected Resources Permits, Conservation, and Education Division (F/PR1) National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705 Silver Spring, MD 20910 For additional information about the EIS, please visit our website http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/rightwhale.htm or one of the established information repositories below: New Bedford Library 613 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA 02740 La Jolla/Riford Branch Library 7555 Draper Avenue San Diego, CA 92037 NOAA Central Library 1315 East-West Highway 2nd Floor, SSMC3 Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Summer field course -- Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies
by Leszek Karczmarski 01 Dec '05

01 Dec '05

Dear Colleague, Please post the announcement below on the MarMam list. Thank you, Leszek Karczmarski ===== Summer Field Course Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies (Further information including web-link will follow shortly) Lectures and Instructions by: Dr. Leszek Karczmarski (Texas A&M University, Galveston, USA) Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. Candidate (Texas A&M University, College Station, USA) Hosted by: Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education Course Summary The course will provide an overview of population ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of cetaceans and sirenians, and will focus on the primary field and laboratory research techniques used in studies of these marine mammals. Classes will include review of recent scientific literature, and open discussion on current issues in behavioral, population, and conservation ecology. Emphasis will be given on hands-on practical experience in data collection and analyses, especially in behavioral and ecological research, such as photo-ID mark-recapture techniques, population assessment, behavioral sampling, genetic research, etc. Students will participate in boat-based research surveys investigating population ecology and social dynamics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and conservation biology of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes area, central Belize. The course will last 10 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during five or six of these days. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in delphinid and sirenian field research in a unique tropical habitat of central Belize. All classes will be in a form of either (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brain-storming on the specific topic, or (b) instructions with hands-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques or analytical lab techniques. The course will be hosted by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) as a non-credit course . The lecture and lab hours are equivalent of a 4-credit academic course, and, when applicable, credits might be issued by the participating student's own university. In such a case a written assignment will be to follow by e-mail within six weeks of the completion of the course. Location The courses will take place at a unique field location, Spanish Lookout Caye (SLC), a small (184-acre) tropical mangrove island formation off the coast of Belize. SLC is approximately 10 miles east of Belize City and less than 2 miles west of the Belize Barrier Reef -- the second largest barrier reef in the world. This is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Belize City. Spanish Lookout encompasses two of several mangrove islets within the Drowned Cayes range. The Drowned Cayes represent pristine mangrove habitat, surrounded by seagrass beds and coral patch reefs, within the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon system. SLC is privately owned, with approximately 10% of the island developed exclusively for the conservation and research center. We will be hosted at the facilities of Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center (SBCRC), home to the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) . Both SBCRC and HPF are in partnership with (and supported by) Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection, the largest commercial diving operator in Belize. Course Syllabus Day 1 a. Behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology of marine mammals: The concept of studying natural populations and free-ranging animals b. Marine mammal field research: Basic standards and routines c. Individual identification: Principles and applications d. Individual identification applied in field studies of cetaceans and sirenians: the photo-ID approach, equipment, logistics e. Mark-recapture techniques: Advantages and limitations; the critical issue of equal-catchability Day 2 a. Measuring behavior: Behavioral categories and sampling techniques b. Measuring behavior: The issue of scale and resolution; avoiding potential biases c. Assessing daily behavioral budget and dial/tidal/lunar/seasonal patterns d. Application of behavioral research in assessing area preferences and habitat choice e. The research question dilemma: identifying the issue, formulating the research question, finding the means of bringing in the answer (open discussion) Day 3 Morning: a. Reconnaissance delphinid research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - photo-ID in practice - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables Afternoon: b. Digital versus traditional photography in photo-ID studies: advantages and limitations c. Assessing photographic quality and distinctiveness of digital images, matching IDs Day 4 Morning: a. Reconnaissance sirenian research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - standardized point counts for population abundance assessment - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables and seagrass parameters Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers c. Population assessment for free-ranging cetaceans: Applications and limitations - photo-ID surveys versus transect surveys; populations estimate versus population abundance - aerial survey - quantifying population parameters d. Open discussion Day 5 Morning: a. Bottlenose dolphin photo-ID research survey (half-day) Afternoon: b. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 1 c. Designing field data sheet (cetacean surveys) Day 6 Morning: a. Manatee research survey: distribution and habitat preferences (half-day) Afternoon: b. The priorities, scope, and limitations of sirenian field research: The case of Antillean manatees in Belize versus other species c. Designing field data sheet (sirenian surveys) Day 7 Morning: a. Application of genetics and genetic sampling techniques b. Cetacean social behavior and social structure: Modeling population structure, parameters, and social dynamic Afternoon: c. Tracking and remote sensing techniques d. "Invasive" versus "non-invasive" research: Ensuring that scientifically valuable is still ethically acceptable e. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 2 Day 8 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers; advanced level c. Current challenges in field studies of free-ranging cetaceans and sirenians: how far can we reach? d. Assignment of research papers to read e. Data entry (optional) Day 9 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 1 c. Reading assigned research papers, optional data entry Day 10 Morning: a. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 2. b. Student presentations and open discussion Afternoon: c. Closing comments Room and Board Students will be accommodated in dormitory style housing (12 students per bunkhouse with shared bathroom facilities). Full daily meals will be provided (basic meals, mostly Belizean style), and served in a comfortable dining facility. Tea, coffee, and water will be provided; other beverages can be purchased at the site. The appropriate choice of beverages and snacks can be arranged on request. Off Time Activities a) Kayaking (times to be scheduled) b) Snorkeling at the Spanish Lookout Caye (available anytime) c) SCUBA diving (for additional fee, times would need to be scheduled) d) A day trip to a historic Maya site at Xunantunich or Caracol can be scheduled for a day immediately following the last day of the course (additional fee applies) Timeframe Session 1: June 15 - 26, 2006 - students arrive on June 15, afternoon - June 16 - 25 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning June 26 Session 2: July 6 - 17, 2006 - students arrive on July 6, afternoon - July 7 - 16 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning July 17 Costs Total costs (all inclusive - except airfare to/from Belize) -- $1,950 payable to HPF (all or part of this fee may be tax-deductible; please see your tax accountant for advice) For Further Details Contact either L. Karczmarski or C. Self-Sullivan Dr. Leszek Karczmarski Associate Research Faculty Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal(a)tamug.edu <mailto:karczmal@tamug.edu> Caryn Self Sullivan Ph.D. Candidate, Texas A&M University Director of Research, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Principal Investigator, Earthwatch Institute Email: caryn(a)sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org>; Tel: (540) 287-8207 To Sign Up for the Course, Contact: Caryn Self-Sullivan Email: caryn(a)sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org> Travel Information Air Travel Direct flights to Belize City (airport code BZE) can be booked from Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami. Airlines services to Belize include Continental, American, US Airways, TACA, and Delta. Prices for a round trip generally range from $400 to $600 from these port cities. Visa Information You will travel under a tourist visa. As of September 2003, United States, British, Australian, Canadian, and most European Union citizens will not require a tourist visa for entry to Belize for a stay of up to 30 days (i.e., you receive a 30 visitor's visa automatically upon entry to Belize). Citizens of Japan will need a tourist visa. All visitors are required to have a passport and it must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. You also must have documents for return/onward travel. Citizens of countries other than those listed above should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements. A useful website for visa requirements is: http://www.embassyworld.com . Currency The Local Currency: Belize Dollars, however $US are accepted and WELCOMED everywhere. There is NO NEED to change $US into $BZ (the general exchange rate is $1US = $2BZ). Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards are more difficult to use, but are becoming more acceptable each year. Debit cards rarely work, but VISA and Mastercard can be used to get cash advances from most banks. The Time Zone GMT/UTC -6:00. Electricity 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Flat two-pin plugs. Electricity at Spanish Bay is generated onsite via solar and wind power with diesel backup. DO NOT bring high voltage appliances such as blow dryers, they will not work! Water We practice water conservation at Spanish Bay because we must capture all our water from rain or transport it in by boat. We recommend one short shower per day. Drinking water is filtered and available at designated taps. Personal Funds Approximately $200- $500 US for personal spending, extra tours, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks might be useful. If you want to call home, you will need to purchase a local phone card. Phone cards from the USA DO NOT work in Belize. Average costs: $1.25 US per minute with a BTL Prepaid Phone Card; $4.00 per minute with your credit card. Tips It is customary to tip for services in Belize. Culture Belize is a melting pot of ethnic cultures including Creole (former African slaves mixed with other cultures), Garifuna (non-slave African mixed with Carib Indian), Maya (Ketchi and Mopan), Mestizo (Mexican, Maya, Spanish mix), Mennonite (predominately German), and other Caucasian (European mix). Shorts and t-shirts are fine for both men and women. Swimwear is appropriate for beaches, but not for Belize City, where shirts and shoes are recommended at all times. ===== ________________________________________________ Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D. Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal(a)tamug.edu and leszek(a)hawaii.edu http://www.tamug.edu/mmrp/Postdoctoral/Leszek/Leszek.htm ________________________________________________

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New paper on biopsy sampling effects
by Phillip Clapham 01 Dec '05

01 Dec '05

I am posting this paper for Peter Best. Please send all requests for reprints to Peter (pbest(a)iziko.org.za) NOT to me! - Phil Clapham BIOPSYING SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES: THEIR REACTIONS AND EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTION PETER B. BEST,1,2 Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa DESRAY REEB, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa MARY BETH REW, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA PER J. PALSB�LL, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA CATHY SCHAEFF, Biology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA ANABELA BRAND�O, Marine Resource Assessment and Management Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa ABSTRACT Collecting skin biopsies from large whales for genetic analysis is often subject to national permit, and in the case of cow-calf pairs, it may be prohibited. We present results of 906 biopsy attempts on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in South African waters between 1995 and 1997, including 147 cow-calf pairs. Our sampling success was higher for biopsy darts with a bore of 4 mm compared to 4.6 mm. Contact periods averaged 17.7 min for cow-calf pairs and 25.4 min for whales unaccompanied by calves. There were no significant differences in the short-term reactions of males and females to biopsying, but the reaction of single animals of either sex was greater than for larger groups. Cows accompanied by calves had the strongest reactions, which were significantly greater than even single females. We found evidence of sensitization to repeat biopsying (over periods of hours to 65 days) for cows but not calves (n = 20). We compared the subsequent reproductive history of 117 biopsied cows with that of 163 unbiopsied cows from the same years, and we compared the distribution of calving intervals for biopsied animals with 829 intervals recorded from 1985-1995. We did not detect any adverse effects on the proportion of successful reproductive cycles, and hence calf survival, or the proportion of longer-than-normal cycles; although, the power of all the statistical tests was low. We concluded that any prohibition on the biopsy sampling of cow-calf pairs should be carefully reconsidered in the light of the valuable enetic insights such sampling could achieve. -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Alaska Fisheries Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 tel (206) 526-4037 fax (206) 526-6615 email: phillip.clapham(a)noaa.gov

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Clarification for photo request
by Stephanie Ploen 30 Nov '05

30 Nov '05

Dear Colleagues, I am overwhelmed by the vast response to my request for photographs- thank you very much for your input. However, may I clarify that I am predominantly looking for photographs of testes and ovaries (i.e. gonads) from necropsied animals- I am not looking for any displays of erect penises or the like. Thank you very much for your help. Best wishes, Stephanie Plön, PhD Port Elizabeth Museum & Oceanarium/ Bayworld Humewood P. O. Box 13147 Port Elizabeth 6013 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-41-5840650 Fax: +27-41-5840661 e-mail: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za http://www.bayworld.co.za/

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Pacific ID at upcoming MMC
by Susan Crockford 29 Nov '05

29 Nov '05

Hi all, Just a quick note to let you know that I will be holding court at a Pacific ID vendor table at the upcoming MMC in San Diego, for those of you wanting to discuss future or on-going research projects involving bone identification. I will have for sale a limited quantity of our unique mousepads at a conference discount price (50% off) of $5.00, see www.pacificid.com (excellent stocking stuffer!). Also, those of you who have followed with interest my work on thyroid hormone might like to stop by to examine a proof of my in-press volume on the topic, "Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species." I will take orders at a 35% discount during the conference, cash or cheque only. The book will be ready to ship in early January. see www.rhythmsoflife.ca It can also be ordered online once its in print at www.trafford.com for shipping anywhere in the world or from your favorite bookseller. It may also be available as an "e-book." Hope to see you there. Susan Susan Crockford, PhD Pacific Identifications Inc., 6011 Oldfield Rd., R.R.#3 Victoria, B.C. V9E 2J4 Canada (250) 721-7296 fax (250) 721-6215 email <sjcrock(a)shaw.ca>, <scrock(a)uvic.ca>, scrock(a)tnet.net> www.pacificid.com and Adjunct Professor (Anthropology/Faculty of Graduate Studies), University of Victoria, B.C. Canada

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Photos needed!
by Stephanie Ploen 29 Nov '05

29 Nov '05

Dear marmamers, I am currently looking for photographs (colour or black and white) of cetacean reproductive organs (male and female) to be included in two chapters of an upcoming book on cetacean reproductive biology. The pictures should ideally be of the whole organ (i.e. macroscopic anatomy) and give an indication of the size of the organs (especially for the males!). Photographs used in the volume will be acknowledged accordingly. For more info or any queries please contact me at: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za Thanks in advance. Best wishes, Stephanie Plön, PhD Port Elizabeth Museum & Oceanarium/ Bayworld Humewood P. O. Box 13147 Port Elizabeth 6013 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-41-5840650 Fax: +27-41-5840661 e-mail: stephanie(a)bayworld.co.za http://www.bayworld.co.za/

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20th ECS Conference - abstract submission
by Iwona Kuklik 28 Nov '05

28 Nov '05

Dear All, We would like to inform you, that if you are still interested in sending your abstract for the 20th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, held in Gdynia, Poland 2-7 April 2006, you are very welcome to do it within the next couple of days, but no later then the 3rd of December ! Hope this extra time will encourage some of you to decide. See also the conference webpage: www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl Looking forward to meeting you in Gdynia ! Best regards, Iwona Kuklik On behalf of the Organizing Committee Iwona Kuklik Hel Marine Station University of Gdansk P.O.Box 2, 84-150 Hel tel. +48 58 6751 316 fax. +48 58 6750 420 Poland Iwona Kuklik Hel Marine Station University of Gdansk P.O.Box 2, 84-150 Hel tel. +48 58 6751 316 fax. +48 58 6750 420 Poland

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Whaling in NZ
by Mark Seabrook 27 Nov '05

27 Nov '05

A colleague, Karin Stockin suggested I post this request on MARMAM. My area of study is NZ's threatened wildlife (PhD at Massey University). I am hoping you can help me with some information. I have a suspicion that rats were introduced to NZ prior to their escape from Cook's ship. Tasman was the first European to record the existence of New Zealand but did not make landfall. Before the European settlers became aware of the large populations of seals and whales around NZ, the Maori had already become accomplished whalers. Subsequently, many of the crews on the European whalers were Maori. It is highly likely that whaling ships from Europe were catching whales in New Zealand waters long before the discovery voyages of Tasman, Cook and the French explorers. If so, I suspect they would have conducted some level of processing onshore, hence the introduction of rats to NZ. Is anyone aware of any publications or records that suggest/document whaling activities in NZ waters prior to 1640? If this is the case, it means that invasive species such as rats may have already been having an effect on NZ's biodiversity before Cook arrived. Many thanks for your help. Mark Mark Seabrook-Davison Ecology & Conservation Institute of Natural Resources Building 5 Massey University PB 102904 North Shore Mail Centre Albany NEW ZEALAND Ph: (64) 9 414-0800 x 41197 Fax (64) 9 443-9790 Mob: (021) 2161500 email: m.n.seabrook-davidson(a)massey.ac.nz

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Orca skull CT data to share?
by Corrie Allen, Ph.D. 25 Nov '05

25 Nov '05

Hi Folks, I'm putting together a three dimensional animation which will demonstrate the soft tissues involved in sound production in orcas. To provide a solid foundation for this project, I've been looking for CT or MRI data from a scan of an orca skull. I have been unable to find published images of such scans and was wondering if anybody out there had a collection of this data that they would be willing to share. Any direction or advice will certainly be appreciated. Corrie Corrie Allen, Ph.D. Lone Wolf Bioscience P.O. Box 413 La Conner, WA 98257

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20th ECS Conference URGENT
by Krzysztof Skóra 22 Nov '05

22 Nov '05

Dear Marmammers This is to remind you that the deadline for abstract submission and workshop proposals for the 20th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, which will take place next year in April, 2-7 in Gdynia, Poland, is the 28^th of November 2005 - so hurry up! You can visit the conference website - www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl <http://www.ecs2006gdynia.univ.gda.pl/> - for all the details. If you have any questions contact Iwona Kuklik: oceik(a)univ.gda.pl <mailto:oceik@univ.gda.pl> Gdynia invites you in 2006! Iwona Kuklik on behalf of the Organizing Committe Iwona Kulkik Hel Marine Station University of Gdańsk 84-150 Hel, Poland tel. +48-58-6751316 fax +48-58-6750420

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