Oceanomare Delphis Onlus (ODO) and Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali (CIBRA) under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area) will be running a new training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems.

The Qualification: The ACCOBAMS qualification qualifies people to work as MMOs/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in 24 countries, where it is the agreed course requirement for such work. After the course, The ACCOBAMS highly qualified MMO/PAM operators will be able to work to minimize the impact of noise on cetaceans, by applying the knowledge, expertise and skills acquired during the training course, and to use the standard procedures, forms and manuals, in accordance with the ACCOBAMS principles.

Speakers and Presenters: Dr. Carlotta Vivaldi, Dr.Barbara Mussi, Dr. Claudio Fossati, Dr. Giovanni Caltavuturo, Dr. Gianni Pavan.

Requirements:
Graduated/current student in biology or ecology or have experience that demonstrates a commitment to the environment and its conservation.

• Minimum 30 days-at-sea as a marine observer (with references/records )
• Ability to recognize the different species and understand the behaviour of animals at sea
• Ability to communicate in English
• Have a theoretical understanding of acoustic issues
• Ability to recognise the different vocalizations of marine mammals

Topics Covered in the Training Course:

• Introduction to underwater acoustics
• Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics
• Introduction to human activities generating underwater noise and impacts on marine mammals
• Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures and ACCOBAMS Guidelines
• Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM-Introduction to the lifestyle onboard
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the acoustic and visual sightings.
• Using PAM for survey and research
• Introduction to the hardware used for PAM
• Hands-on training with PAMGUARD-Tips and troubleshooting.

For more information or to apply e-mail: postmaster@oceanomaredelphis.org

- Participation fees cover the training and the certificate (meals and accommodation not included, special rates will be offered).
-There will be two days of boat-based training (included in the fee) where there is a chance of cetaceans encounters that allow you to practice your learned skills during the course.