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ECS 20th Annual Conference - first announcement
by Jan Willem Broekema 04 Oct '05

04 Oct '05

The Council of the European Cetacean Society is glad to announce the: EUROPEAN CETACEAN SOCIETY 20th ANNUAL CONFERENCE Gdynia, Poland, 2006 The 20th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society will take place in Gdynia, on the coast of Poland not far from the Baltic research station of Hel! Ever been to Hel and came back? As this is our 20th anniversary, we are making this a special occasion and so that it gets the attention it deserves we have reserved 3-6 April 2006 (an extra day!) for the 2006 conference and it will be hosted by Iwona Kuklik. As always the conference will offer options to set up workshops on the days before and after the conference. The theme of the conference is: Marine Mammals and Man in Coastal Ecosystems: Can They Co-exist? More information can be found at the website at www.broekemaweb.nl/ecs For any direct information, please contact the conference organisors Jan Willem Broekema (ecs-all-request(a)jiscmail.ac.uk) member of council

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Job posting
by Brill, Katie 04 Oct '05

04 Oct '05

OPS Research Staff Job #77900922 Department: Marine Mammal Research Location: St. Petersburg, FL (Pinellas County) Rate of Pay: $10.00/hr (40 hrs/wk) including some weekends and occasional holidays; no benefits provided Close Date: Open until filled Contact: Katherine Brill Position Description: Serve as member of FWC's manatee necropsy and rescue team. Conduct necropsies in the lab or field on manatees and other marine mammal carcasses, record observations, and complete associated necropsy reports. Responsible for preparation and labeling of sample containers, carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. Recover marine mammal carcasses for necropsy from Florida's Northwest region (coastal and inland waterways of Manatee County to Escambia County). Process skeletal collection requests according to FWC and USFWS guidelines; prepare skeletal remains for curating and shipping and process federal, state, and international permits for tracking skeletal collections and information requests. Maintain inventories of tissues and tissue requests. Manage associated database of inventories including metadata. Assist with processing and labeling of manatee necropsy slides and digital images. Serve with other Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory staff members in the rotating, on-call duty (that includes weekends and occasionally holidays) for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies and carcasses. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan and state and federal legislation protecting manatees * Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis * Knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques * Experience creating and managing databases, spreadsheets, and word processing such as Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word * Able to trailer flatbeds and watercraft vessels * Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26' and smaller * Be capable in manual labor requiring handling of heavy equipment, sharp objects, and working under unpleasant conditions * Must be physically fit, able to lift at least 50 lbs, and be able to swim sufficiently to save ones self * Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions * Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships * Be comfortable speaking with the public * Possess or be able to obtain a Florida driver's license within a year of employment Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences or one year of professional biological experience in a field or lab research program. Experience with dissection, pathology, or animal necropsies. TO APPLY: Please apply at this posting or submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application to the contact listed below. An application can be printed from https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com. Katherine Brill Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory 3700 54th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33711 (727)893-2904 Fax: (727)893-2907 http://research.myfwc.com

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Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Job Announcement
by Lars Witting 04 Oct '05

04 Oct '05

The Greenland Institute of Natural Resources is seeking applications for a position as head of the Department of Mammals and Birds. People that apply must be familiar with Danish: Grønlands Naturinstitut søger Chef for Afdelingen for Pattedyr og Fugle Stillingen som chef for Afdelingen for Pattedyr og Fugle er ledig til besættelse snarest eller efter aftale. Afdelingen for Pattedyr og Fugle er for tiden normeret med 8 videnskabelige og 3 tekniske medarbejdere. Arbejdsopgaverne omfatter forskning og monitering med henblik på assessment og rådgivning vedr. forvaltningen af de levende ressourcer, herunder også forskning i økologiske sammenhænge og det fysiske miljø. Afdelingen indgår i omfattende internationalt forskningssamarbejde og er repræsenteret i flere internationale organer, så som IWC, NAMMCO, CAFF og IUCN. Desuden er afdelingen Grønlands videnskabelige myndighed for CITES: Arbejdsområde: Med reference til direktøren forestår chefen den daglige ledelse af afdelingen, og har det overordnede ansvar for afdelingens funktion. I samarbejde med afdelingen udarbejder chefen det faglige arbejdsprogram vedr. forskning og monitering, herunder også ansøgninger om ekstern finansiering. Arbejdsopgaverne i afdelingen omfatter primært undersøgelser i relation til udnyttelse og påvirkning af havpattedyr, havfugle, moskusokser, rensdyr og vegetation. Chefen skal som vejleder og inspirator sikre udviklingen af afdelingen. Herunder skal chefen også tilse, at arbejdet i afdelingen udføres planmæssigt, følger fastlagte budgetter og lever op til en høj faglig standard. Kvalifikationer: Ansøgere til stillingen forudsættes at have ledelsesmæssig erfaring og naturvidenskabelig baggrund som biolog el. lign., gerne med sektorspecifik erfaring på seniorrådgiverniveau. Ansøgere skal kunne dokumentere erfaring med akkvisition og styring af projekter, og endvidere lægges der vægt på kendskab til internationalt samarbejde vedr. levende ressourcer. Ansøgere skal have gode indfølings- og samarbejdsevner, være udadvendte og kunne udvise engagement i den fortsatte styrkelse af afdelingen i Grønland. Ansættelsesvilkår: Stillingen er en tjenestemandsstilling, der er klassificeret i lønramme 36 med et særligt tillæg på kr. 49.340,00 samt et yderligere særligt tillæg på kr. 45.280,00, begge i årligt grundbeløb (1. april 1991- niveau). Ansættelse som tjenestemand vil finde sted i henhold til Landstingslov nr. 21 af 18. december 2003 om Grønlands Hjemmestyres og kommunernes tjenestemænd i Grønland, idet ansættelsesområdet er Grønland og tjenestestedet for tiden er Nuuk. Stillingen må forventes besat på overenskomstvilkår, såfremt ansøger ikke i forvejen er tjenestemand. Løn- og ansættelsesvilkår, herunder ret til frirejse og bohaveflytning sker i henhold til de på tiltrædelsestidspunktet gældende aftaler mellem Grønlands Landsstyre og den pågældende forhandlingsberettigede organisation. Der kan stilles bolig til rådighed, for hvilken der betales efter gældende regler. Der må påregnes en del rejseaktivitet bl.a. i forbindelse med formidling og møder. Oplysninger om Naturinstituttet og afdelingen fremgår af instituttets hjemmeside: www.natur.gl. Yderligere oplysninger kan fås ved henvendelse til direktør Klaus Nygaard +299 36 12 00. Ansøgning mærket "Stillingsopslag Afd.chef" fremsendes til Direktør Klaus Nygaard vedlagt kopi af eksamensbeviser, curriculum vitae og relevante publikationer mv., der ønskes inddraget i bedømmelsen. Ansøgningen skal være Naturinstituttet i hænde senest den 25. oktober 2005 og sendes med luftpost til: Grønlands Naturinstitut Box 570, DK-3900 Nuuk Grønland

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SMM Conservation Workshop
by Cynde McInnis 03 Oct '05

03 Oct '05

2005 SMM Biennial Conference Workshop Taking conservation to the public: Strategies for getting the message out there A workshop for educators affiliated with marine mammal viewing platforms Saturday, December 10, in conjunction with the Society for Marine Mammalogy's 16th Biennial Conference <http://www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/> in San Diego, CA WORKSHOP SUMMARY Rationale: The conference is a great opportunity for naturalists from around the world to come together to discuss how they connect people to their experiences on the whale watch and to conservation. This workshop will be designed with a discussion-based rather than lecture-based format. We are hoping people will share their tricks of the trade so we all leave with more possibilities in our bag of tricks!!! Audience: Naturalists and educators Purpose: * To provide a forum for naturalists to share strategies for educating passengers about conservation. * To identify themes, messages, and best practices that could be used aboard various marine mammal-viewing platforms. * To discuss ideas and approaches to educating passengers aboard whale or dolphin watching boats or land-based facilities. Expected Results: * Naturalists will gain ideas that can be practically applied to their educational environments * Participants will gain effective outreach tactics. * Beginning naturalists will gain knowledge and heuristics for starting their own education programs aboard their marine mammal viewing platforms. * Big picture message: What is it? Can it be the same with every audience? How can it be delivered? CALL FOR PAPERS AND OUTREACH MATERIALS The early part of the workshop will be focused on heuristics or tricks of the trade. We are looking for 5 - 15 minute presentations that show how you get the conservation message out there. They might be lesson plans that can be adapted for a marine mammal-viewing platform. It might be games you play with passengers relating to conservation. It might be a simple demonstration you do. It might be your conservation talk that you give as a naturalist. If you have an activity you do on your platform that you feel successfully connects people to whales or to conservation, we want to learn what you do! Come and share your successes!!! We welcome abstracts from those who would like to speak on these or related topics. Abstracts should include a brief description of your proposed topic, your experience in the field and A/V equipment needs. Abstracts should be e-mailed to Cynde McInnis at acs_ed_chair(a)whalelady.com <mailto:acs_ed_chair@whalelady.com> on or before Saturday, October 15, 2005. As part of the workshop, we are hoping to have representative outreach materials available for take home that day on a CD. Those interested in submitting outreach materials for inclusion in our handouts or to be distributed at the workshop should contact us for more information. REGISTRATION We are now accepting registration forms. Cost for the workshop is $25. Registration includes handouts at the workshop, a CD-Rom with other workshop materials and representative outreach materials, and a breakfast and coffee break. Click here for the registration form <http://www.blueoceansociety.org/workshop/workshop%20registration.pdf> Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 (postmark date).

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Submissions to The Monachus Guardian November 2005
by William M. Johnson 02 Oct '05

02 Oct '05

Dear Colleagues, The future of The Monachus Guardian is unfortunately in doubt following our failure -- at least, so far -- to attract necessary funding to continue publishing the journal. This having been said, we are determined to keep the web site operating and (time permitting) to publish news from the monk seal world on at least a biannual basis. In that spirit, a much abbreviated November 2005 issue of The Monachus Guardian will be published, consisting only of the most urgent International / Mediterranean / Hawaiian / and Caribbean news, Letters to the Editor, a listing of Recent Publications, and contributions of PDF papers, reports etc. to the Monk Seal Library. We would therefore be grateful if you could send us your relevant contributions for these various sections of the journal and web site at the earliest opportunity. Our deadline for submissions is 30 October. Any leads on possible funding avenues that might keep The Monachus Guardian alive and kicking would, of course, be gratefully received. A document detailing sponsorship opportunities and benefits is available to potential supporters -- please contact us for further information. Due in no small part to the network of correspondents who have submitted news, opinion, scientific papers etc over the years, The Monachus Guardian has built up a real readership base of at least 30,000 people -- including students, teachers, researchers, journalists etc. Realising the significance of this achievement, we are doing whatever we can to continue publishing, and we take this opportunity of thanking all of you who have voiced support for the project. As usual, we look forward to hearing from you. William M. Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org The Monachus Guardian, Library and Network can be accessed at the following address: <http://www.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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Conference Video Night Submission Deadline
by Jim Sumich 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Dear MarMammers For the upcoming Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, an evening of videos will continue as a standard part of the program. We are inviting submission of videos to be presented during the Wednesday Video Night session. Each presentation will be limited to no more than 15 minutes, allowing the maximum opportunity to view a wide range of work. Commercial or long documentary material will not be accepted. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 14, 2005. Submissions after Nov. 14 will only be considered on a space-available basis. If you are intending to submit, but have not yet, contact Dr. Denise Herzing (wdpdenise(a)earthlink.net <mailto:wdpdenise@earthlink.net> ) with topic, play duration, and recorded medium. We strongly encourage all submissions to be submitted on CD or DVD for playback. As you edit your material for presentation, please be mindful that this Society-sponsored event is a forum for sharing video images of marine mammals in the flesh. It is NOT intended as a venue for lobbying or presenting primarily political messages. For an updated schedule, check the SMM website www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Events.htm#VideoNight <http://www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Events.htm#VideoNight> . Thanks. Dr. Jim Sumich jim.sumich(a)gcccd.edu

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Alaska SeaLife Center Job Announcement
by Valerie Park 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

The Alaska SeaLife Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, rehabilitation, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE This position is responsible for assisting lead scientist in conducting research projects at the Alaska SeaLife Center and independently managing designated projects. The focus is development and application of biotelemetry technology to study the behavior and physiology of Steller sea lions, northern fur seals and killer whales, and analysis/synthesis of data. Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): * Assisting in all phases of assigned research projects including functioning as the primary position to develop project plans, manage project budgets, and arrange research project logistics * Working directly with internal and external collaborators and contractors to meet project objectives * Reporting to lead scientist regularly on status of research projects * Providing technical support in laboratory and field settings: technology design, fabrication and testing, animal capture, application of remote-monitoring instruments to marine mammals. * Collecting data, maintaining data records, assisting with data entry and analysis and database management * Assisting in the procurement, inventory, and maintenance of equipment and supplies to be used in research projects * Drafting reports and scientific publications and preparing posters, graphic presentation, and public presentations * May be required to participate in extended field research Requirements: Master's degree in natural resources related field; or Bachelor's degree in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field with two years experience in a similar position. Preferred skills/experience: familiarity with principles of biotelemetry, experience in soldering electrical components, experience with laboratory and field research of animals, especially in the areas of integrative physiology and behavioral ecology. This is a full-time position. The SeaLife Center offers a competitive wage (DOE) with great benefits, in a beautiful setting. Start Date: ASAP Apply by: October 14, 2005 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 . www.alaskasealife.org The ASLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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image matching data base for Apple
by Christian Ramp 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Hi all, We would like to inquire about data bases for Macintosh computers handling digital pictures. We are working on four different species of rorqual whales and would like to transfer the matching and storing process into that database. (Matching is still done by us, not an automatic software system). Basically photo ID pictures should be imported in the data base, going through the matching process for all species and then be stored in an individual specific file. We are aware of the some IBM (e.g. ACCESS) solutions, but would like to know what the people running Apple systems are using. Therefore we would appreciate any ideas and suggestions. Many thanks in advance Christian Ramp Mingan Island Cetacean Study 378 Bord de la mer Longue Pointe de Mingan G0G 1V0, Qc Canada www.rorqual.com <http://www.rorqual.com/> Please answer to christianramp(a)web.de <mailto:christianramp@web.de>

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Looking for a MARMAM co-editor
by MARMAM Editors 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Over the years MARMAM has been run by a number of vounteer editors. At this point we are looking for one or two volunteers to participate in this process. We would like people to commit to assisting with the list for at least two years. There is an initial period of a couple of weeks where *extra* time (1-2 hours) is required to get up to speed on the process we use, our editorial policies etc, but once that is over the average daily time commitment is perhaps 15 minutes, and this can be spread in several shorter blocks throughout the day. We are looking for individuals who have been professionals in the field of marine mammal science for at least five years, have consistent access to the internet, and are willing to adhere to the long-standing editorial policies of the list. A little known benefit of the position is that the MARMAM editors' account receives multiple spam messages every day announcing lotteries and foreign money-making schemes that you can sign up for. Anyone interested please contact us at this address - marmamed(a)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

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Right whale images
by Phil Hamilton 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

In response to Elaine Francis' posting below: The New England Aquarium maintains a catalog of all photographs of right whales taken in the North Atlantic. The Catalog currently contains over 30,000 sightings of 459 whales from 1935 to the present. These sightings have been contributed by hundreds of organizations and individuals. Anyone who has collected identifiable images of right whales (showing details of the callosity pattern on the head and any visible scars- flukes are only useful if they have scars), and has date and location data for the sighting, should contact the data coordinator at the Aquarium's right whale research project (rwdata(a)neaq.org <mailto:rwdata@neaq.org> ) to discuss data submission. However, no one should approach a right whale within 500 yds in US waters without a research permit as this is against the law and violators have been prosecuted. The Aquarium is currently working a on a web site to describe right whale photo identification in general and the North Atlantic Catalog specifically- including the ability to search for a subset of images in the Catalog. This web site should be completed in the next few months and will be found at www.neaq.org/rwcatalog <http://www.neaq.org/rwcatalog> . Philip Hamilton Research Scientist New England Aquarium Elaine's email: Hello, I have just returned from a holiday whalewatching in Eastern Canada watching the northern right whales in the Bay of Fundy. I was lucky enough to see a courtship display by the whales, and I have two rather good digital photos of one male showing its genitalia. I don't know if you would like to list this on your web page to see if anyone is interested in these. Also, I have some good fluke digital photos, and I was wondering if anyone is doing a library of the Northern rights and who might be interested in using my photos to help monitor the whales. Your web site was passed on to me by Rachel at the Whale & Dolphin Magazine. Hope to hear from you soon. Regards Elaine Francis.

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