INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Field research with humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii. Interns will assist in the 30-year-long continuing research project by The Dolphin Institute (formerly Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory) on the winter assembly of North Pacific humpback whales in Hawaii.  Dr. Adam Pack and Dr. Louis Herman are the principal co-investigators and Dr. Pack additionally acts as the field director.  Historically, our research has investigated a variety of topics including migratory destinations, inter-island movements, habitat preferences associated with different classes of whales, residency characteristics, competitive behavior, male escorting strategies, song and social sounds, body size and social roles, individual life histories, and much more.  References for recent TDI publications and reports on whales are listed below and others can be found on our website www.dolphin-institute.org.

During the winter/spring 2006 season we will focus on several issues: photo identification, underwater body size measurements of individual humpbacks, skin biopsy sampling in Maui waters through the SPLASH project, developing mitigation measures using shore-based surveys to help avoid ship/whale collisions, and possibly a second season of Crittercam deployment together with the National Geographic Society.  The internship is full time and unpaid.  However, all research staff, including interns, are provided with room and board in Maui. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to Maui.  On-water research will be aboard our 18- and 21-foot outboard boats. Shore-based research will be from elevated platforms along the Maui coast using theodolites and laptop computers.  Interns will rotate between these two activities, as well as data processing at the field house.

The internship runs from approximately December 27, 2005 to May 31, 2006.
There are openings for several interns. 

Requirements: Senior standing in college or college graduate or beyond; experience in research, especially field research; excellent letters of recommendation, ability to live and work closely and harmoniously as part of a team.  Desirable qualifications: marine mammal experience, humpback whale research experience, boat driving experience, experience with computer programs such as Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, CoolEdit, MATLAB, digital photography experience, theodolite experience, GIS experience.

Send cover letter indicating why you are seeking this internship and why you feel you are qualified, complete resume, college transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.

Send applications or inquiries by email to Dr. Adam Pack at pack@hawaii.edu or by regular mail to The Dolphin Institute, 420 Ward Ave., Suite 212, Honolulu HI 96814 (Attention: Internship).  Positions are open until filled, but early application is encouraged.  For more information on The Dolphin Institute's research and education programs see www.dolphin-institute.org.

Mercado III, E., Herman, L. M., & Pack, A. A. (2005). Song copying by humpback whales:  Themes and variations.  Animal Cognition, 8, 93-102.

Pack, A. A., Potter, J. R., & Herman, L. M. (2004).  Determining source levels, sound fields, and body sizes of singing humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Hawaiian winter grounds.  Final technical report to the Office of Naval Research.  Arlington. Grant N00014-02-1-1058.

Goetschius, K. J. C., Herman, L. M., Pack, A. A., & Herman, E. Y. K. (2003).  Threats to humpback whales in Hawaiian waters.  Part D: Waste discharge from ships, threats and effects of pollution, oil spills. Report to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Honolulu.

Herman, L. M., Goetschius, K. J. C., & Herman, E. Y. K. (2003).  Threats to humpback whales in Hawaiian waters. Part C: A summary of military activities in sanctuary waters, Shallow water training ranges. Report to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Honolulu.

Herman, L. M., Herman, E. Y. K., & Goetschius, K. J. C. (2003).  Threats to humpback whales in Hawaiian waters.  Part B: Effects of ATOC, LFA, and Mid-Range Sonars. Report to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Honolulu.

Herman, E. Y. K., Herman, L. M., & Goetschius, K. J. C. (2003).  Threats to humpback whales in Hawaiian waters. Part A: Humpback exploitation, migration, abundance, social structure; vessels and vessel noise; vessel strikes.  Report to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Honolulu. 

Craig, A. S., Herman, L. M. Gabriele, C. M. & Pack, A. A. (2003). Migratory timing of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the central North Pacific varies with age, sex and reproductive status. Behaviour, 140, 981-1001.

Mercado, E. III, Herman, L. M., & Pack, A. A. (2003).  Stereotypical sound patterns in humpback whale songs: usage and function. Aquatic Mammals, 29, 37-52.

Lammers, M. O., Pack, A. A., & Davis, L. (2003).  Historical evidence of whale/vessel collisions in Hawaiian waters (1975 - Present).  Final technical report to the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Honolulu.  25pp.

Spitz, S. S., Herman, L. M., Pack, A. A. & Deakos, M. H. (2002). The relation of body size of male humpback whales to their social roles on the Hawaiian winter grounds. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80, 1938-1947.
Pack, A. A., Herman, L. M., Craig, A. S., Spitz, S. S., & Deakos, M. H. (2002). P. extrusions by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).  Aquatic Mammals, 28, 131-146.

Craig, A. S., Herman, L. M., & Pack, A. A. (2002).  Male mate choice and male-male competition coexist in the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).  Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80, 745-755.

Craig, A. S., Herman, L. M., & Pack, A. A. (2001).  Estimating residence times of humpback whales in Hawaii.  Report to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Off of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii.