Dear Colleague, Please post the announcement below on the MarMam list. Thank you, Leszek Karczmarski ===== Summer Field Course Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies (Further information including web-link will follow shortly) Lectures and Instructions by: Dr. Leszek Karczmarski (Texas A&M University, Galveston, USA) Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. Candidate (Texas A&M University, College Station, USA) Hosted by: Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education Course Summary The course will provide an overview of population ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of cetaceans and sirenians, and will focus on the primary field and laboratory research techniques used in studies of these marine mammals. Classes will include review of recent scientific literature, and open discussion on current issues in behavioral, population, and conservation ecology. Emphasis will be given on hands-on practical experience in data collection and analyses, especially in behavioral and ecological research, such as photo-ID mark-recapture techniques, population assessment, behavioral sampling, genetic research, etc. Students will participate in boat-based research surveys investigating population ecology and social dynamics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and conservation biology of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes area, central Belize. The course will last 10 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during five or six of these days. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in delphinid and sirenian field research in a unique tropical habitat of central Belize. All classes will be in a form of either (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brain-storming on the specific topic, or (b) instructions with hands-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques or analytical lab techniques. The course will be hosted by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) as a non-credit course . The lecture and lab hours are equivalent of a 4-credit academic course, and, when applicable, credits might be issued by the participating student's own university. In such a case a written assignment will be to follow by e-mail within six weeks of the completion of the course. Location The courses will take place at a unique field location, Spanish Lookout Caye (SLC), a small (184-acre) tropical mangrove island formation off the coast of Belize. SLC is approximately 10 miles east of Belize City and less than 2 miles west of the Belize Barrier Reef -- the second largest barrier reef in the world. This is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Belize City. Spanish Lookout encompasses two of several mangrove islets within the Drowned Cayes range. The Drowned Cayes represent pristine mangrove habitat, surrounded by seagrass beds and coral patch reefs, within the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon system. SLC is privately owned, with approximately 10% of the island developed exclusively for the conservation and research center. We will be hosted at the facilities of Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center (SBCRC), home to the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) . Both SBCRC and HPF are in partnership with (and supported by) Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection, the largest commercial diving operator in Belize. Course Syllabus Day 1 a. Behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology of marine mammals: The concept of studying natural populations and free-ranging animals b. Marine mammal field research: Basic standards and routines c. Individual identification: Principles and applications d. Individual identification applied in field studies of cetaceans and sirenians: the photo-ID approach, equipment, logistics e. Mark-recapture techniques: Advantages and limitations; the critical issue of equal-catchability Day 2 a. Measuring behavior: Behavioral categories and sampling techniques b. Measuring behavior: The issue of scale and resolution; avoiding potential biases c. Assessing daily behavioral budget and dial/tidal/lunar/seasonal patterns d. Application of behavioral research in assessing area preferences and habitat choice e. The research question dilemma: identifying the issue, formulating the research question, finding the means of bringing in the answer (open discussion) Day 3 Morning: a. Reconnaissance delphinid research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - photo-ID in practice - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables Afternoon: b. Digital versus traditional photography in photo-ID studies: advantages and limitations c. Assessing photographic quality and distinctiveness of digital images, matching IDs Day 4 Morning: a. Reconnaissance sirenian research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - standardized point counts for population abundance assessment - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables and seagrass parameters Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers c. Population assessment for free-ranging cetaceans: Applications and limitations - photo-ID surveys versus transect surveys; populations estimate versus population abundance - aerial survey - quantifying population parameters d. Open discussion Day 5 Morning: a. Bottlenose dolphin photo-ID research survey (half-day) Afternoon: b. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 1 c. Designing field data sheet (cetacean surveys) Day 6 Morning: a. Manatee research survey: distribution and habitat preferences (half-day) Afternoon: b. The priorities, scope, and limitations of sirenian field research: The case of Antillean manatees in Belize versus other species c. Designing field data sheet (sirenian surveys) Day 7 Morning: a. Application of genetics and genetic sampling techniques b. Cetacean social behavior and social structure: Modeling population structure, parameters, and social dynamic Afternoon: c. Tracking and remote sensing techniques d. "Invasive" versus "non-invasive" research: Ensuring that scientifically valuable is still ethically acceptable e. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 2 Day 8 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers; advanced level c. Current challenges in field studies of free-ranging cetaceans and sirenians: how far can we reach? d. Assignment of research papers to read e. Data entry (optional) Day 9 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 1 c. Reading assigned research papers, optional data entry Day 10 Morning: a. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 2. b. Student presentations and open discussion Afternoon: c. Closing comments Room and Board Students will be accommodated in dormitory style housing (12 students per bunkhouse with shared bathroom facilities). Full daily meals will be provided (basic meals, mostly Belizean style), and served in a comfortable dining facility. Tea, coffee, and water will be provided; other beverages can be purchased at the site. The appropriate choice of beverages and snacks can be arranged on request. Off Time Activities a) Kayaking (times to be scheduled) b) Snorkeling at the Spanish Lookout Caye (available anytime) c) SCUBA diving (for additional fee, times would need to be scheduled) d) A day trip to a historic Maya site at Xunantunich or Caracol can be scheduled for a day immediately following the last day of the course (additional fee applies) Timeframe Session 1: June 15 - 26, 2006 - students arrive on June 15, afternoon - June 16 - 25 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning June 26 Session 2: July 6 - 17, 2006 - students arrive on July 6, afternoon - July 7 - 16 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning July 17 Costs Total costs (all inclusive - except airfare to/from Belize) -- $1,950 payable to HPF (all or part of this fee may be tax-deductible; please see your tax accountant for advice) For Further Details Contact either L. Karczmarski or C. Self-Sullivan Dr. Leszek Karczmarski Associate Research Faculty Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal@tamug.edu <mailto:karczmal@tamug.edu> Caryn Self Sullivan Ph.D. Candidate, Texas A&M University Director of Research, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Principal Investigator, Earthwatch Institute Email: caryn@sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org>; Tel: (540) 287-8207 To Sign Up for the Course, Contact: Caryn Self-Sullivan Email: caryn@sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org> Travel Information Air Travel Direct flights to Belize City (airport code BZE) can be booked from Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami. Airlines services to Belize include Continental, American, US Airways, TACA, and Delta. Prices for a round trip generally range from $400 to $600 from these port cities. Visa Information You will travel under a tourist visa. As of September 2003, United States, British, Australian, Canadian, and most European Union citizens will not require a tourist visa for entry to Belize for a stay of up to 30 days (i.e., you receive a 30 visitor's visa automatically upon entry to Belize). Citizens of Japan will need a tourist visa. All visitors are required to have a passport and it must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. You also must have documents for return/onward travel. Citizens of countries other than those listed above should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements. A useful website for visa requirements is: http://www.embassyworld.com . Currency The Local Currency: Belize Dollars, however $US are accepted and WELCOMED everywhere. There is NO NEED to change $US into $BZ (the general exchange rate is $1US = $2BZ). Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards are more difficult to use, but are becoming more acceptable each year. Debit cards rarely work, but VISA and Mastercard can be used to get cash advances from most banks. The Time Zone GMT/UTC -6:00. Electricity 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Flat two-pin plugs. Electricity at Spanish Bay is generated onsite via solar and wind power with diesel backup. DO NOT bring high voltage appliances such as blow dryers, they will not work! Water We practice water conservation at Spanish Bay because we must capture all our water from rain or transport it in by boat. We recommend one short shower per day. Drinking water is filtered and available at designated taps. Personal Funds Approximately $200- $500 US for personal spending, extra tours, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks might be useful. If you want to call home, you will need to purchase a local phone card. Phone cards from the USA DO NOT work in Belize. Average costs: $1.25 US per minute with a BTL Prepaid Phone Card; $4.00 per minute with your credit card. Tips It is customary to tip for services in Belize. Culture Belize is a melting pot of ethnic cultures including Creole (former African slaves mixed with other cultures), Garifuna (non-slave African mixed with Carib Indian), Maya (Ketchi and Mopan), Mestizo (Mexican, Maya, Spanish mix), Mennonite (predominately German), and other Caucasian (European mix). Shorts and t-shirts are fine for both men and women. Swimwear is appropriate for beaches, but not for Belize City, where shirts and shoes are recommended at all times. ===== ________________________________________________ Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D. Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal@tamug.edu and leszek@hawaii.edu http://www.tamug.edu/mmrp/Postdoctoral/Leszek/Leszek.htm ________________________________________________