Cetacean Research Opportunity in Iceland: Conservation Biology of Whales and Dolphins in Faxaflói and Skjálfandi Bays Project: Volunteers and assistants in Iceland are needed for the year 2013 to assist in Ph.D. dissertation research focusing on common minke whales and white-beaked dolphins occurring off Reykjavik and Húsavík. This is a research project being conducted along the southwest (Reykjavík area) and northeast (Húsavík area) coasts of Iceland in collaboration with the Faxaflói Cetacean Research project (www.faxa-cetacean.org), Elding whale-watching (www.elding.is), North Sailing (www.northsailing.is) and the University of Icelands Research Centre in Húsavík (http://www.stofnanir.hi.is/nordausturland) Location: Faxaflói Bay is a bay facing Reykjavík city where both whale-watching and whaling are currently taking place. Daily whale-watching tours are arranged from Reykjavik to spot feeding common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and orcas. Elding whale-watching has been running whale-watching trips since 1998, with special interest in all whales visiting the bay. The company is member of Green Globe 21 and tries to fulfil environmental standards as well as certain whale-watching guidelines. Skjálfandi Bay is a bay facing Húsavík city where daily whale-watching tours are arranged to spot feeding humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, fin and blue whales and harbour porpoises. North Sailing is running tours since 1995. Since 2007, Elding and North Sailing have been collaborating with the Faxaflói Cetacean Research project and University of Icelands Research Centre in Húsavík aiming to: - determine the abundance of common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and orcas in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay - examining patterns of residency using multiple photo-identification efforts - establishing sex ratio estimates via biological sampling - analyse the feeding behaviour of common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales and data collected on associated bird species - determining population structure of the resident population of white-beaked dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay - assess cutaneous disorders on common minke whales and white-beaked dolphins during photo-identification surveys Reykjavík area: One research assistant and two volunteers (per research period*) are requested to partake in a project aiming to investigate abundance, patterns of residency, social structure, health status and behavioural budget of whales and dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay, southwest Iceland. An intensive photo-identification study will be used to estimate number of individual whales/dolphins and their site fidelity (seasonal and annual) in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay during spring, summer and autumn months. Data on common minke whales and humpback whales have been collected since 2007, since 2002 on white-beaked dolphins. The existing ID-Catalogue already counts over 400 common minke whales, 300 white-beaked dolphins, 50 humpback whales and 8 orcas. Most frequently sighted species: common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Other species: humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae), orcas (Orcinus orca), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) Húsavík area: One assistant and two volunteers (per research period*) are needed for a project aiming to investigate abundance, patterns of residency, social structure, health status and behavioural budget of whales and dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of Skjálfandi Bay, northeast Iceland. An intensive photo-identification study will be used to estimate number of individual whales/dolphins and their site fidelity (seasonal and annual) in the coastal waters of Skjálfandi Bay during spring, summer and autumn months. Data on common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales have been collected since 2001; since 2010 on fin whales. The existing ID-Catalogue already counts over 70 common minke whales, 200 white-beaked dolphins, 200 humpback whales and 5 fin whales. Most frequently sighted species: humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae), common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Other species: blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), orcas (Orcinus orca), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) Time periods: Reykjavik area research period*: 1st April to 30th May 2012 1st June to 30th July 2012 1st August to 30th September 2012 1st October to 30th November 2012 1st December to 30th January 2013 1st February to 30th March 2013 Húsavík area research period*: 7th April to 30th May 2012 1st June to 30th July 2012 1st August to 30th September 2012 Conditions: In both Reykjavík and Húsavík, several whale-watching motor vessels will be used as research platform, for boat based work. In Reykjavik, living space for the boat based people is located on a former fishing boat in the old harbour, with 4 single rooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room and internet access (25 square metres); 10 min walking distance to the city centre. Internet access is also provided. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project a minimum of two months (longer stay could be discussed). Because of the training provided participants must be able to join the project one week prior to the research period starting date. The positions are not paid and candidates must support their everyday living during their stay, as well as travel costs. Accommodation and food during working hours (mainly lunch) will be provided in Reykjavik. In Húsavík accommodation is provided in an apartment with other volunteers working on different projects in Skjálfandi Bay. The apartment is located in the centre of Húsavík town, just 5 minute walk from the harbour area. There are possibilities for students to develop their own academic projects using data collected during their stay (please contact Huld Hafliðadóttir for more information). Duties of Work: Applicants should be ready to work 5-6 days a week (depending on weather conditions) and be expected to participate in the following duties: - data collection (behavioural data, photo-id images, environmental parameters, ect.) - data entry under the supervision of the PI - recognition of feeding manoeuvres (engulfment and entrapment) - identification of species and behaviour of associated avian species (e.g. auks, gulls, gannets, arctic terns, skuas, fulmars and shearwaters) - identification of skin marks (infectious, parasitic, anthropogenic and antagonistic) - use of photo-ID matching softwares (Darwin) Above this, cleaning, painting and other maintenance tasks is part of staying at the fishing boat. At the beginning and end of each whale-watching trip, applicants also help the boat crew out by assisting passengers with life jackets, warm blankets etc. Qualifications: - have a strong background in Marine biology/Oceanography, with knowledge and experience of marine mammal behaviour and/or sea birds - have previous wildlife field experience and ability to stand long working days, sometimes in rough sea conditions (seasick people should not apply for these positions!) - have previous cetacean photo-identification and/or wildlife photography skills - be computer literate with a working knowledge PC operating system and proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel. Familiarity with software including MS Access and Photoshop is very helpful. Possibility to bring your own Laptop is much preferred - be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented, able to share small living space on board - be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - have good English language skills - bring your own digital reflex camera and zoom lens: 70-300mm, 70-200mm and/or 80-400mm zoom lenses preferred (Nikon compatible) This project provides excellent opportunity for people seeking experience within the field of cetacean researches, as well as a broad overview of which methods can be applied. How to apply: CV or resume should include the following: - details on your availability - contact details of two referees - a brief description of yourself including your interest in marine mammals and what you hope to gain from this experience - specify if you have any preference for the Reykjavík project or the Húsavík project. - any dietary requirements (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, etc.) Send applications to Huld Hafliðadóttir huld@hi.is Huld Hafliðadóttir Project Manager / Volunteer Liaison University of Icelands Research Centre Hafnarstétt 3, 640 Húsavík email: huld@hi.is Tel: (00354) 525-5884 Website: www.stofnanir.hi.is/nordausturland/