ACCOBAMS Courses for Highly Qualified Marine Mammals Observers (MMO) and Operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring Systems (PAM)

Marine Mammals Research Association (DMAD) 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 brand new training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems. There will be a limited number of fully subsidised positions for Turkish students and early-career researchers, and these will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

When: 15th to 21th April 2019/ Where: Marmaris, Turkey        / Price*: €1000 (€800 students)

The Qualification:

The ACCOBAMS qualification qualifies people to work as MMOs/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and 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:

MMO&PAM operator Patrick Lyne and Ayça Eleman; Dr. Aylin Akkaya Baş; Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Akif Erdoğan; Dr. Ayaka Amaha Öztürk; Dr. Jonathan Gordon

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

-Introduct. to human activities generating  underwaternoise and impacts on marine mammals

-Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures and ACCOBAMS Guidelines

-Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM

-Introduction to the “life style” onboard

-Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the acoustic and visual sightings.

-Using PAM for survey and research

-Introduction to hardware used for PAM

-Hands on training with PAMGUARD

-Tips and troubleshooting.

For more information or to apply e-mail: info@dmad.org.tr or akkayaaylinn@gmail.com

*Price covers the training, certificate and accommodation for 7 nights (meals not included).

*There will be two days of boat based training where there is a strong chance of beaked whales and sperm whales encounters that allows you to practice your learned skills during the course.