Teaming up with GIS In Ecology once again in 2014, the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU) is offering a 11 day residential cetacean field course at their field base in Gardenstown in northeast Scotland from 6 to 16 October. The course will incorporate a custom-designed 3-4 day GIS module (including course manuals and materials) from GIS In Ecology ( <http://www.gisinecology.com/> www.GISinEcology.com) taught by Dr. Colin MacLeod/Dr. Michael Tetley, both renowned experts in using GIS in ecological research. It will consist of a series of background and practical sessions covering the use of GIS in cetacean and marine research. Practical elements will include learning how to collect field data at sea and how to import this data into a Geographic Information System to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of identified species and analyse the home ranges of known individual animals. A combination of ESRI's ArcGIS 10.1 software and an open-source (and licence free) alternative will be used in this regard, and a uniquely numbered and verifiable certificate of completion for this GIS module of the course will be provided. Additional aspects of this course will include basic instruction in power boat handling, safety at sea and competent crew ability; cetacean identification, taxonomy and nomenclature; photo-identification procedures and mark capture-recapture analyses for bottlenose dolphins and minke whales; an introduction to relational databases and computer-assisted matching software; assessment, first aid administration and methods used in the care, transport and rescue of stranded cetaceans; and practical methods for the re-floatation of live stranded whales and dolphins In short, you will have the opportunity to learn about these mammals and their dynamic marine environment first hand, working closely alongside a dedicated and knowledgeable research team. As you participate in the CRRU's ongoing field studies, you will learn and apply the principles of field research design, data collection and analyses, undertake training in marine mammal rescue techniques, and gain a personal understanding of the conservation issues which drive current research, rescue and conservation activities by cetacean biologists. The cost for this internship course is £1,250 [ <http://www.xe.com/> for a currency converter, click here], which includes full board (i.e. all accommodation and food costs), your full equipment needs (immersion suits, wet boots etc for boat trips), associated course materials and hand-outs, and all associated field costs during your stay with the CRRU team. You will simply need to arrange your own travel itinerary to Banff in northeast Scotland (nearest airport Dyce, Aberdeen, approx. 1½ hours from the field base by coach) plus any personal spending money. For further details and conditions, please visit <http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp> http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp. Just 10 places are available for each of these exclusive GIS field teams, so immediate booking is advised. To request a booking form etc, email <mailto:kev.robinson@crru.org.uk> kev.robinson@crru.org.uk. Additional dates for standard CRRU courses (without the GIS element) are also available and are listed at <http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp> http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp at a lower rate of £895. Founded in 1997, the CRRU boasts over 70 scientific publications to date ( <http://www.crru.org.uk/publications.asp> http://www.crru.org.uk/publications.asp). In cooperation with universities, research institutions and other environmental organisations, current studies focus on the key coastal cetacean species frequenting the outer Moray Firth in NE Scotland – namely the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and the minke whale –providing robust scientific data for the adoption of management measures and effective conservation strategies for their future protection. Dr. Kevin Robinson Director, CRRU <mailto:kev.robinson@crru.org.uk> kev.robinson@crru.org.uk Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, PO Box 11307, Banff, AB45 3WB, Scotland, UK | ( +44 (0)1261 851696 | <http://www.crru.org.uk/> www.crru.org.uk Whale and Dolphin Research | Environmental Educational Outreach | Marine Wildlife Rescue | Consultancy | MMO Services Recognised Scottish Charity No. SC 035473