Humpback Whale Field Acoustic and Behavioral Data Collection Program in Puerto Rico Featuring guest lectures by Dr. Bernd Würsig, Texas A&M University February 5-11, 2012 and February 12-18, 2012 The Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center is pleased to announce two, week long sessions focusing on field methods for acoustic and behavioral data collection of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Puerto Rico. The program structure will consist of data collection from land (theodolite and digital photography), boats (passive acoustic monitoring, photography, behavioral observations), and data analysis (fluke and fin matching, spectrogram analysis) during the day. Late afternoons and evening will be structured as a roundtable discussion aimed at integrating, interpretation and useful application of data. MCERC’s Education Director, Mithriel MacKay, will be joined by Dr. Bernd Würsig who will be leading several field excursions and lectures, and Dr. Jose Rivera who will join us in a roundtable discussion to add insight into active acoustic monitoring. The cost of the program covers room and meals, transportation to the field sites, all overhead associated with the program, and instruction. The fee for this program is $2800.00USD/person. Airfare to Ponce, Puerto Rico is not included. *Scholarships are now available for partial cost of the program.* Space is limited to a total of 6 participants in each week-long program. A limited number of scholarships per week are available. Scholarships will be awarded based on need and geographical areas considered under served for opportunities to study marine mammal behaviors (not on academic record). Students from Puerto Rico are encouraged to apply. Please send a letter of interest to MCERC.mail@gmail.com for information. For more information on this program, MCERC, an application packet, or questions, please email mcerc.mail@gmail.com. -- }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> }-wh^ale> Mithriel MacKay Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center HC02 Box 6382 Guanilla, Puerto Rico 00656 and PO Box 63435 Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 Marine-Eco.org MCERC.mail@gmail.com 830-688-9878 PhD Candidate Texas A&M University at Galveston Marine Mammal Research Program 200 Seawolf Parkway OCSB 243 Galveston, Texas 77554