*Humpback Whale Field Intensive Program at MCERC in Puerto Rico*
The marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center is inviting interested students to participate in the second season for 14 day field intensives focused on cetacean behavioral ecology in Puerto Rico. Join our research team studying humpback whales *(Megaptera novaeangliae)* wintering off Puerto Rico. Space is limited to 4 students per 14 day session for boat and land based research platforms during the field season from January 2012-May 2012.
This field intensive training program is well suited for students (undergraduate and graduate) of all skill levels interested in cetacean behavioral ecology, and conservation. The field intensive culminates in a certificate acknowledging training including:
research experience in vessel and land based data collection and recording of humpback whale behaviors , photographic techniques under a variety of conditions, photo identification of individual humpbacks and dolphins, theodolite tracking and computer interface, passive acoustic sampling and analysis, assessing environmental factors, permit requirements for marine mammal research involving endangered species, and overview of ecology on this island bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
*100% of fees support this research project and associated lectures.*Participants are directly involved in data collection and analysis for Phd Dissertation related research for humpback whale occupancy, habitat use, and movement off Puerto Rico as well as an examination of reaction to human activity near shore (including boats, divers, surfers, and aircraft) under the direction of Mithriel MacKay, PhD Candidate, Texas A&M University at Galveston*. *$1500.00 per student includes travel between field stations, training program in scientific methods, room and board at the project base station, reference materials related to the project, including field methods, and a certificate of completion. Fees do not include travel to and from Ponce Puerto Rico and compulsory insurance. Students landing in Ponce, Puerto Rico will be picked up at the airport and brought to the base station in Guayanilla. **
To apply for this field intensive, please visit the website below and download the forms indicated. Please be sure to read the description of the project and the base station.
Website: www.compusafe.biz/humpbacks_off_puerto_rico
Click on the “courses” tab
Information and applications can be found on page 15 of the course catalog
Please be sure to indicate first, second, and third choice for dates from the following 2012 schedule:
Session 1 Jan 11-24
Session 2 Jan 26-Feb8
Session 3 Feb 15-28
Session 4 March 1- 14
Session 5 March 21-April 3
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*}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale>* Mithriel M. MacKay Ph.D. Candidate Marine Mammal Research Program Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University, Galveston (830) 688-9878 Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center HC02 6231 Guayanilla, PR and PO Box 63435 Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 www.compusafe.biz/Humpbacks_off_Puerto_Rico