[MARMAM] New papers on marine mammals in Suriname, South America

[info]

Dear Colleagues,


I am pleased to announce the following papers recently published on marine 
mammals in Suriname (South America).



De Boer MN (2015).Cetaceans observed off Suriname and adjacent waters.
Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 10(1): 
2-19.DOI:
en
De Boer MN, Willems T (2015).Observation of a humpback whale Megaptera 
noviaeangliae with calf in the shallow coastal waters off Suriname. Academic 
Journal of Suriname, 6: 492-497.
Abstract - Cetaceans observed off Suriname and adjacent waters

Very little information exists about the cetaceans in the Guianas: Suriname and 
its neighboring countries Guyana and French Guiana. During a dedicated cetacean 
survey carried out from a geophysical seismic survey vessel in the offshore 
waters of Suriname (May-September 2012), the occurrence of 13 cetacean species 
was documented and of those, 11 were newly documented for this area. The 
species observed by the author included sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), 
Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), 
melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno 
bredanensis), long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), Fraser’s dolphin 
(Lagenodelphis hosei), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and 
spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). During transit to the survey area 
(Trinidad to Suriname) incidental sightings were recorded which included common 
bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) off Trinidad, Stenellasp. off Guyana 
and Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) at the entrance of the Suriname River. 
Opportunistic records originating from the periods December 2008-March 2009 and 
August-October 2012 were forwarded to the author. These records included common 
bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and 
short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus).There is a growing need 
to identify critical areas for marine biodiversity conservation, both locally 
and regionally. This paper describes the general occurrence of the cetacean 
community encountered in Suriname waters in summer. The study revealed that the 
offshore cetacean community in Suriname is best described as primarily a 
tropical community, dominated by odontocetes (dolphins and sperm whales). 
Although the species diversity was relatively high, the overall cetacean 
relative abundance index (number of animals per100km effort) was low, which is 
consistent for tropical equatorial offshore waters. Apart from the sperm whale 
and the Guiana dolphin, all the other species recorded represent new species 
records for Suriname. It is recommended that more continuous monitoring in 
different seasons be carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the 
occurrence, distribution and status of the different cetacean species within 
the region.


Abstract -Observation of a humpback whale Megaptera noviaeangliae with calf in 
the shallow coastal waters off Suriname.

A large whale, accompanied by a calf, was seen in the shallow coastal waters 
off Suriname on 20 April 2013. Digital images confirmed the species 
identification as humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae. This is the first 
confirmed record of humpback whales in Suriname. The observation was made at 
the extreme southern limit of the North Atlantic population’s distribution and 
suggests that the waters along the northern coast of South America may be used 
for within-season movements between the different breeding and calving areas of 
the Wider Caribbean Region.
The papers can be found here:


Thank you to all that helped me with information and the writing of these 
articles!

Dr Marijke N. de BoerSeven Seas Marine Consultancy


i...@sevenseasmarine.nl
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New publication on Amazon river dolphin biosonar

[Michael Ladegaard]

Dear MARMAMers,

For those of you interested in toothed whale echolocation, we wish to draw 
attention to a new publication.

In a study of the echolocation of Amazon river dolphins in their natural 
habitat in Brazil, we show that in comparison with marine toothed whales of the 
same size, the Amazon river dolphins use a biosonar with low output levels and 
high click rates. We interpret this as a way for these highly adapted riverine 
animals to reduce the amount of echoes from distant objects while keeping a 
high update rate on nearby objects in their shallow and complex environment. 
The low amplitude clicks of these animals have much of the energy at higher 
frequencies which in similar sized toothed whales is generally a characteristic 
of high amplitude clicks. Higher frequencies are emitted in more directional 
beams than lower ones, so the high frequency clicks in combination with the 
short search ranges will reduce the amount of returning echoes. This in turn 
may help the Amazon river dolphins cope with the effects of clutter and 
reverberation that are likely to be highly disturbing in the acoustically 
complex shallow water environment of the Amazon. We therefore conclude that 
habitat is an important factor to consider when investigating and interpreting 
the biosonar characteristics of toothed whales.

Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) use a high-frequency short-range 
biosonar
Michael 
Ladegaard,
 Frants Havmand 
Jensen,
 Mafalda de 
Freitas,
 Vera Maria Ferreira da 
Silva
 and Peter Teglberg 
Madsen

The Journal of Experimental Biology, October 1, 2015
Vol. 218, Num. 19, pp. 3091-3101
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.120501
URL: 
http://jeb.biologists.org/content/218/19/3091.abstract?sid=3d98e50b-6057-4c49-ab50-a63717fb0ef5
INSIDE JEB link: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/218/19/2981.1

ABSTRACT
Toothed whales produce echolocation clicks with source parameters related to 
body size; however, it may be equally important to consider the influence of 
habitat, as suggested by studies on echolocating bats. A few toothed whale 
species have fully adapted to river systems, where sonar operation is likely to 
result in higher clutter and reverberation levels than those experienced by 
most toothed whales at sea because of the shallow water and dense vegetation. 
To test the hypothesis that habitat shapes the evolution of toothed whale 
biosonar parameters by promoting simpler auditory scenes to interpret in 
acoustically complex habitats, echolocation clicks of wild Amazon river 
dolphins were recorded using a vertical seven-hydrophone array. We identified 
404 on-axis biosonar clicks having a mean SLpp of 190.3±6.1 dB re. 1 µPa, mean 
SLEFD of 132.1±6.0 dB re. 1 µPa2s, mean Fc of 101.2±10.5 kHz, mean BWRMS of 
29.3±4.3 kHz and mean ICI of 35.1±17.9 ms. Piston fit modelling resulted in an 
estimated half-power beamwidth of 10.2 deg (95% CI: 9.6–10.5 deg) and 
directivity index of 25.2 dB (95% CI: 24.9–25.7 dB). These results support the 
hypothesis that river-dwelling toothed whales operate their biosonars at lower 
amplitude and higher sampling rates than similar-sized marine species without 
sacrificing high directivity, in order to provide high update rates in 
acoustically complex habitats and simplify auditory scenes through reduced 
clutter and reverberation levels. We conclude that habitat, along with body 
size, is an important evolutionary driver of source parameters in toothed whale 
biosonars.

A pdf can also be provided by emailing 
michael.ladega...@bios.au.dk.

Best wishes on behalf of the authors,
Michael

Michael Ladegaard
PhD student, Marine Bioacoustics Lab
Zoophysiology - Department of Bioscience
Aarhus University
C.F. Møllers Allé 3
Building 1134, room 122
8000 Aarhus  C
Denmark

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Job Postings

[bc . morehead]

Dear All, 
  
Please post the job notices below on your Website. 
  
Thank you, 
  
Bruce Morehead  Senior Associates, . 
Ocean Associates Inc. 


  

  Senior Analyst: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery 
Specialist 
Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Senior Analyst to support the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources (OPR) to assist OPR in 
carrying out some of its required functions related to the conservation and 
recovery of marine mammals and sea turtles under the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For more information: Senior 
Analyst: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery Specialist 

  

  
Principal Scientist: Marine Mammal Conservation and Recovery Specialist 
Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Principal Scientist to support the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources (OPR) to assist OPR in 
carrying out some of its required functions related to the conservation and 
recovery of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For more information: Principal Scientist: 
Marine Mammal Conservation and Recovery Specialist 



___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Job with MAR

[Peter Wallerstein]

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH MARNE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALISTS

 

Marine Animal Rescue Specialists (MAR) is authorized by the National Marine 
Fisheries Service for pinniped and dolphin rescues along with whale 
dis-entanglement calls. Over the past two decades MAR has conducted 4,500 
marine mammal rescues. In 2015, MAR has rescued 462 marine mammals. We are 
looking for one person with experience in marine mammal rescue. 
www.marspecialists.org

You must have pinniped, especially sea lion rescue experience to apply for this 
position.

POSITION: MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE SPECIALIST

LOCATION: MAR’s authorized territory is Los Angeles County from Pacific 
Palisades to Long Beach and west to Catalina, California.

HOURS: 8 HOURS PER DAY 2 DAYS PER WEEK Be prepared to work long days from 
February to June.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience and skills

JOB DESCRIPTION: Must be available 2 days a week, 8 hours per day for response, 
rescue and transportation of marine animals. Will be responsible for accurately 
evaluating the condition of a stranded marine animal. Will be responsible for 
conducting rescue operations on beaches, rock jetties, docks and other common 
as well as uncommon stranding locations, and to learn the proper use of 
specialized marine animal rescue, transportation and safety equipment. Must be 
able to work in cooperation with local agencies and volunteers and be 
responsible to know all local, state and Federal laws pertaining to the 
rescuing of marine animals.

START: February 1, 2015

REFERENCES AND REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·   Provide background/references

·   A valid drivers license with no points

·   Minimum one year experience in rescuing seals and sea lions

·   Must correctly identify local marine animal species along with 
knowledge of

   birthing seasons and natural behaviors of marine animals

·   Some animal-related emergency medical experience

·   Must meet challenging physical fitness requirements

·   24 hour Hazwhoper certificate

·   Small boat handling

·   Able to drive 4WD Pickup truck

OTHER REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES:

 ·   Maintain rescue and transportation equipment

 ·   Responsible for school visits

 ·   Must be enthusiastic with good communication skills and be able to 
work with

others, including Coast Guard, Lifeguards, Police, etc.

 ·   When on-call, must answer calls promptly

 ·   Must pass County Beach Safety Driving Course

 ·   Coordinate volunteers

MAR is looking for committed individuals who would like to make rescuing marine 
animals a career. Training will be provided by MAR to ensure continued high 
level of response for any marine animal calls. MAR will not consider candidates 
looking for a temporary position. Long-term applicants will be the only ones 
considered.

Send in your cover letter, resume and references to the email address below.

Contact: Peter Wallerstein, p...@marspecialists.org

   www.marspecialists.org___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New Paper: Age-specific foraging performance and reproduction in tool-using wild bottlenose dolphins

[Eric Patterson]

Dear MARMAM colleagues,
My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our latest
paper:

Patterson, E. M., Krzyszczyk, E., Mann, J. (2015) Age-specific foraging
performance and reproduction in wild tool-using bottlenose dolphins.
Behavioral Ecology. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv164.


Abstract:
Effective foraging is necessary for nearly all animals, but most animals
are not born with adult-like foraging performance. Instead, foraging skills
are developed during an individual’s lifetime. Life-history theory predicts
that adult-level foraging performance should be reached prior to the start
of reproduction, but for most species, we know little about age-specific
foraging in the wild. Here, we examine lifetime changes in foraging
performance for a group of female wild bottlenose dolphins that use marine
sponge tools to forage. After controlling for ecological effects and
developmental changes in activity budgets, we show that females continue to
improve in 3 aspects of foraging until a peak at around midlife, well after
dolphins reach physical and sexual maturity. The factors that lead to this
improved performance are unknown, but likely include learning and
increasing physical ability. Dolphins’ peak in foraging performance also
coincided with a peak in reproduction, with middle-aged females maximizing
foraging efficiency and having the highest probability of lactating. Thus,
inadequate mastery of foraging behaviors, such as tool use in bottlenose
dolphins, does not limit the onset of reproduction, but improvement in
foraging skill may help maximize age-specific reproduction and lifetime
fitness.

If you are unable to obtain a pdf of the complete text through the journal,
please email me directly at eric.m.patter...@gmail.com.

Cheers,
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Degree program at SIO

[Doukakis, Phaedra]

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego announces a January 14, 
2016 application deadline for the Master of Advanced Studies in Marine 
Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC) program.

The MAS MBC program equips students with the knowledge they need to improve 
conservation of marine biodiversity in the world's most diverse and threatened 
eco-regions. An innovative program curriculum focuses on development of local 
capacity and science-based management tools.

This 12-month intensive master's program is geared toward early- to mid-career 
professionals interested in marine conservation careers.

The multidisciplinary program will begin in June 2016 and includes courses in 
natural, social, and information sciences; marine policy, economics, and law; 
and training in important cultural and communications skills.

Courses and fieldwork for the MAS MBC program are led by professors from the 
Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC) at Scripps Oceanography 
and from a variety of top-ranked departments at UC San Diego, including the 
Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies and the 
Department of Economics, as well as Communications, Visual Arts, and others. 
Government agencies such as NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center and 
non-government agencies enhance the program by providing special lectures and 
discussions. No more than 20 students are admitted to the program each year.

For more information on the program and to access an online application, please 
visit: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/masters/mas/mbc

Program Manager: Jane Weinzierl, (858) 822-2886, 
m...@ucsd.edu

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Mares Conference 2016 - Call for Abstracts extended

[Mares Conference Coordination Office]

Dear all, 

 

The MARES Consortium and EuroMarine Network are pleased to announce that the
Call for Abstracts for the Mares Conference on Marine Ecosystems Health and
Conservation 2016 has been extended until the 9th October 2015.

 

The abstract submission deadline has been extended for the reason that
authors now have the option to publish accepted abstracts in the Open Access
Mares Conference 2016 Collection via the publisher PeerJ
 ‘Collections’. 

 

All accepted abstracts can be published in the
 PeerJ PrePrints (a preprint server incurring
no cost) in the Mares Conference on Marine Ecosystems Health and
Conservation 2016 Collection. We also invite full length journal articles of
accepted abstracts to be submitted for publication in PeerJ (the
peer-reviewed journal), with the best 10 oral presentations and 10 posters
being subsidised for the publication costs of the first author.

 

The second Mares Conference on Marine Ecosystems Health and Conservation
will be held from the 1st to 5th February 2016 in Olhão, Portugal.
Throughout the conference scientific sessions and exhibitions six thematic
subjects will be explored, with the following keynote speakers presenting on
each theme:

 

* Future oceans: temperature changes - hypoxia – acidification -
Professor Jean-Pierre Gattuso

* Understanding biodiversity effects on the functioning of marine
ecosystems - Professor Steve Widdicombe

* Biological invasions - Professor Anna Occhipinti Ambrogi

* Natural resources: overexploitation, fisheries and aquaculture -
Dr Jake Rice

* Ocean noise pollution - René Dekeling

* Habitat loss, urban development, coastal infrastructures and
marine spatial planning - Dr Tundi Agardy

 

Further details on the conference themes, keynote speakers, programme and
training workshops can be found at www.maresconference.eu
  or visit www.facebook.com/maresconference. 

 

We look forward to seeing you in Olhão.

 

Kind regards, 

 

On behalf of the organising committee, 

 

Dr. Tim Deprez 

Dr. Pierre-Francois Baisnée 

Dr. Rick Officer 

Prof. Dr. Marina Cunha 

Prof. Dr. Adelino Canario 

Prof. Dr. Karim Erzini 

Katherine Brownlie 

 

Mares Conference Coordination Office 

 

Ghent University 
Marine Biology Research Group
Krijgslaan 281/S8
B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Phone: +32 9 264 85 26

 



  i...@maresconference.eu

  www.maresconference.eu

 

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Free Student IMarEST membership

[Aggie Hedley]

Hi,

Please could the text below be submitted:

The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) is the 
global home for all marine professionals to promote the scientific development 
of marine engineering, science and technology, providing opportunities for the 
exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and 
knowledge of marine professionals worldwide through registration i.e becoming 
Chartered.

The IMarEST is committed to growing its membership within the marine sciences 
and has demonstrated this commitment with its recent partnership with the 
Marine Mammal Observer Association and support of the hugely successful 
Whalefish CPD course.

The IMarEST has demonstrated its commitment to the next generation of marine 
professionals by offering free student 
membership to all students on marine related 
courses. The benefits include access to:

The benefits of IMarEST student membership include access to:

* Marine Technical Notes
* The Marine Professional Magazine- International industry magazine
* Awards, scholarships and intern programmes
* Special Interest Groups (SIGs)- join a select group of members who 
have a specialist interest in a particular facet of the engineering, science or 
technology profession.
* NEXUS - an online working environment for members only
* Use of post nominal 'SIMarEST'
* The Virtual Library- access to thousands of academic journals, trade 
magazines, market reports and eBooks
* e-Marine-bimonthly industry newsletter- stay up to date with industry 
news
* 25% off selected books
* Regular networking opportunities and technical talks through your 
local branch

Students can sign up for FREE here: 
www.imarest.org/students

If you have any questions, please contact 
aggie.hed...@imarest.org


Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions.

Best Wishes
Aggie


[http://www.imarest.org/EmailSignatures/EmailSigs/IMarEST.png]

Aggie Hedley
Marketing Executive


The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Aldgate House * 33 Aldgate High Street
London * EC3N 1EN * United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2603
Mob:+44 (0) 7500 081 296
Fax:+44 (0)20 7382 2670





--
This message was scanned by IMarEST and is believed to be clean.

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Marine Mammal Experience Internship opportunity Winter/Spring 2016

[Victoria Howard]

*Program Description*

The IMMS Marine Mammal Experience Internship Program, located in Gulfport,
MS, is designed as a way for students interested in a career in science
education to gain valuable hands-on experience in a real-world informal
educational setting.

Interns will further their knowledge by working in other IMMS departments,
including Research, Animal Care & Training, and Veterinary/Stranding. Our
goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas
while providing expert training and practical involvement in marine science
education. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for
their own housing and transportation. Positions are limited and IMMS
reserves the right to end an internship at any time.

*Principle Duties and Requirements*

 Interns must:

   - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The
   internship can be extended depending on work performance.
   - Be available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
   - Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail,
   and ability to admit mistakes.
   - Produce high quality efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills
   and maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
   - Have excellent presentation and public speaking skills with the
   ability to effectively communicate in English.
   - *Principle Duties include*: Conducting educational presentations,
   answering guest questions about the habitat and the animals, make
   reservation for programming over the phone, Utilize online booking software
   and Microsoft Outlook to track reservations and schedule programs,
   photograph program participants and develop pictures for purchase, work in
   the museum area to receive/check-in guest and payments for programming,
   organize and conduct Birthday Party program, work with other departments
   and staff in scheduling programs.
   - *Secondary Duties involve*: Assisting with animal care staff,
   attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea
   turtle strandings, assisting with educational tours, and assisting research
   staff.
   - Interns must be able to spend many hours standing, walking, and
   working for prolonged periods of time in sometimes extreme seasonal
   conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F
   in winter.

Applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants should be actively pursuing a
college degree or be a recent graduate. Previous experience in any capacity
is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties
outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and
Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once
accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable
housing options and locations.

*Deadline to Apply for the Winter/Spring Session (1/4/16 - 5/27/16)
is November 1, 2015*

*Please visit **http://imms.org/internship.php*
* for application and full details*
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam