Oceanomare Delphis Onlus and CIBRA, under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS, will be running a training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems. When: 16-21 May 2023 Where: Island of Ischia (Italy) Participation fee: 1000 Euro The ACCOBAMS certification qualifies people to work as MMO/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in 24 countries. 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 using the standard procedures, forms, and manuals, following the ACCOBAMS principles. Speakers and Presenters: Giovanni Caltavuturo, Claudio Fossati, Patrick Lyne, Barbara Mussi, Gianni Pavan. Requirements: - Graduated/current biology or ecology student or have experience demonstrating 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 behavior of animals at sea - Ability to communicate in English - Have a theoretical understanding of acoustic issues - Ability to recognize the different vocalizations of marine mammals Topics Covered in the Training Course: - Introduction to underwater acoustics - Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics - Introduction to human activities generating underwater noise and impacts on marine mammals - Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures, and ACCOBAMS Guidelines - Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM - Introduction to the lifestyle onboard - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map acoustic and visual sightings. - Using PAM for survey and research - Introduction to the hardware used for PAM - Hands-on training with PAMGUARD-Tips and troubleshooting. For more information or to apply, email postmaster@oceanomaredelphis.org Fees cover the training and the certificate (meals and accommodation not included). There will be two days of boat-based training (included in the fee) where there is a chance of cetacean encounters that allow you to practice your learned skills during the course.