*Humpback Whale Field Intensive Program, Puerto Rico , USA* *1 week program sessions and Gap Year (multiple session) options* *Please share this announcement and help fund the 2014 (PhD dissertation) research season. We have one or more spots open in some sessions. Thank you! * The Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center is inviting interested students to participate in the fourth season for 7 day field intensive focused on cetacean behavioral ecology in Puerto Rico. *No experience is necessary to participate! *100% of the program fees support PhD dissertation research. Join our field team studying humpback whales *(Megaptera novaeangliae*) wintering off Puerto Rico. *Space is limited to 4 students in each 7 day session* for boat and land based research platforms during the field season January - April, 2014. We offer this "shorty" format to fill the need for less expensive programs fitting into work and class schedules. Gap year students are welcome to inquire about programs lasting multiple weeks, including in depth analysis of data and increased responsibility on the team. 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 program culminates in a certificate acknowledging training including theodolite tracking of whales and boats from land, boat based behavior and acoustic data collection, analysis of acoustic files and software, and photo identification of flukes and fins for cetaceans. Participants are directly involved in data collection and analysis for PhD dissertation related research for Seasonal Occurrence Patterns and Social Strategies of Humpback Whales Wintering off Puerto Rico, USA as well as an examination of reaction to human activity near shore (including boats, divers, surfers, and aircraft). Program fees include a week in Puerto Rico, USA: travel between field stations, training program in scientific methods, room and meals at the project field station in San German, reference materials related to the project, field methods for data collection and analysis, and a certificate of completion. Fees *do not include* travel to and from Ponce, Puerto Rico, USA and compulsory health and travel insurance (usually purchased with air travel). Students must bring a working or collar-type PFD during all boat operations. Options for acquiring a pfd for the program session are sent with application packets. MCERC has provided documentation of study for students working with their advisers at universities resulting in undergraduate and graduate university credit hours. Please *meet with your adviser in advance* and send us an e-mail with your application if you are considering this option and we will be happy to send you information helpful to your adviser. To participate, download the Simple Application and information packet from the MCERC website under the “Education” tab, read related information on the website, and send the completed application via email. An invoice will be generated once a spot in the session you request is verified as “available”. Submitting the program fee before your invoice expires (48 hours) confirms your spot! *Email your application to * *MCERC.mail@gmail.com* <MCERC.mail@gmail.com>*.** (*Website: www.Marine-Eco.org) Thank you for supporting humpback whale research and education! *Project Sessions with 1 or more spots available still available ($900.00USD)* Session 2 January 26 – February 01 Session 3 February 02-08 Session 4 February 09-15 Session 5 February 16-22 Session 6 February 23- March 01 Session 10 March 23-29 Session 11 March 30-April 05 Session 12 April 06-12 Session 13 April 13-19 *}-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 Mithriel@Marine-Eco.org www.Marine-Eco.org