[MARMAM] Whale Watching review panel: expert needed

[Diana Rocha]

Dear Marmamers,

The World Cetacean Alliance is seeking input from a researcher with a track
record of studying the impacts of whale and dolphin watching on cetaceans
to be a part of a new International Whale Watching Review Panel.

The panel will consist of five WCA partner experts and one external
scientist, with a position also being offered to a member of the Standing
Working Group on Whale Watching for the International Whaling Commission.
All roles are voluntary with meetings held on a conference call for one
hour once a month. Information to review will be provided via email prior
to calls.

The International Whale Watching Review Panel's role will be to assess
applications for exceptions to the WCAs global guidelines for whale
watching through its new certification programme. These exceptions will
inform the panel on how the global guidelines should be adapted and
improved so that they become more practical whilst continuing to raise the
bar for minimal impact responsible whale and dolphin watching.

The WCA’s Responsible Whale Watching Certification Programme is the only
global certification for whale and dolphin watching tourism. It represents
the international standard for responsible whale watching, developed by the
industry, for the industry.

The World Cetacean Alliance is the world’s largest network of experts on
whale and dolphin watching. Our partners include whale watch tour
operators, NGOs, scientists, and educators, all focused on respectful,
responsible and sustainable whale watching tourism. Certification is based
on our Global Guidelines for Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watching,
overseen by an international panel with specialist knowledge.
Further information can be found here:

http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/whalewatchcertification/

http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/global-guidelines/

If you would like to apply for this role or seek further information please
contact the WCA secretariat at +44 1273 355011, before 7 June 2019.

Many thanks.
Diana Rocha
Chair of Responsible Whale Watching Working Group

Studio 3, Lower Promenade
Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK.
t: +44 (0) 1273 355011
World Cetacean Alliance 
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[MARMAM] Ship strike risk reduction measure adopted by Antarctic expedition tourism operators

[Ted Cheeseman]

Dear Marmam community,

We are very pleased to share news of a recent step taken by Antarctic 
expedition tour operators to proactively manage risk to whales from ship 
operations on the Antarctic Peninsula. The following short working paper is 
being tabled at IWC presently:

Ship Strike Risk Mitigation by Antarctic Expedition Tourism Vessels

Ted Cheeseman(1),(2), Amanda Lynnes(2) and Lisa Kelley(2)
1Happywhale (www.happywhale.com) and Southern Cross University, New South 
Wales, Australia
2International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, 50 South Commons Way, 
Unit E-5B, South Kingstown, RI, 02879, USA

The Antarctic Peninsula region is an area of significant and growing human 
activity, including science, fishing and tourism. While no cetacean population 
along the Antarctic Peninsula has been comprehensively assessed, anecdotal 
evidence and extremely high pregnancy rates (Pallin et al., 2018) leave little 
question that humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations are enjoying 
rapid growth rates as well. Recognizing that increased shipping has the 
potential to lead to an increase in whale strikes, especially in the whale rich 
waters of the Gerlache Strait, members of the International Association of 
Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) voted at their recent annual meeting in Cape 
Town, South Africa, to adopt mandatory measures to mitigate ship strike risk 
from ship operations. IAATO members operate under a mandate to keep the impact 
of tourism “less than minor or transitory”, an ethos that motivated IAATO 
efforts to find ship strike risk reduction solutions, without having 
comprehensive data for whale distributions exist to support spatial planning in 
the manner of van der Hoop et al. (2012), for example.

IAATO member operators represent the large majority of all tour operators 
operating in Antarctica, including all commercial SOLAS passenger ship 
operators. The association has reported nine ship strikes to IWC since 2001.

In May 2019, IAATO members voted unanimously to adopt the following measure:

For the 2019-20 season, IAATO Operators are instructed to commit to one of the 
following:

1. A 10kn speed restriction within the Geofenced time-area proposed.
*This excludes emergency or other extenuating circumstances.

OR for IAATO Operators who have a whale strike mitigation training program:

2. An extra watchman on the bridge for the sole purpose of being on whale 
lookout within the Geofenced time-area proposed. Appropriate records of this 
action must be recorded in the ship’s log.

This is a mandatory measure; all IAATO Operators will participate by taking one 
of these two actions during the 2019-20 season.

The geofenced time/area is as follows:

• January 1 through May 30 in the Gerlache Strait and adjacent waters, 
in the area between 63.65S and 65.35S, including Dallmann Bay west to 64.2W
• February 1 through May 30 in the Marta Passage entering Crystal 
Sound, 67.8W to 67.0W 

Further, the IAATO secretariat has been tasked with studying the implications 
of this proposal, including what observer-based whale strike mitigation 
training programs exist within IAATO member bridge teams, and their expected 
efficacy, as well as information gaps that limit a more refined and 
evidence-based whale strike risk mitigation system.

References
- Pallin, L. J., Baker, C. S., Steel, D., Kellar, N. M., Robbins, J., Johnston, 
D. W., … Friedlaender, A. S. (2018). High pregnancy rates in humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) around the western antarctic peninsula, evidence of a 
rapidly growing population. Royal Society Open Science, 5(5), 180017. 
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180017
- van der Hoop, J. M., Vanderlaan, A. S. M., & Taggart, C. T. (2012). Absolute 
probability estimates of lethal vessel strikes to North Atlantic right whales 
in Roseway Basin, Scotian Shelf. Ecological Applications, 22(7), 2021–2033. 
https://doi.org/10.1890/11-1841.1



—
Ted Cheeseman
t...@happywhale.com
www.Happywhale.com
https://www.facebook.com/happywhales/

** know your whales :) **

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[MARMAM] PART-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS - Stable Isotope Mixing Models Using R

[Oliver Hooker]

PART-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS - Stable Isotope Mixing Models Using R

https://www.prstatistics.com/course/stable-isotope-mixing-models-using-r-simm05/

We have just had a late group cancellation for the above course. The
institute involved in collaboration with PR statistics are using the
cancellation fee to subsidise up to 10 places at 40% off reducing fees to
£300 from £500.00 for this week long intensive course.

This course will take place from June 10th – 14th in Glasgow City Centre
and will be delivered by Dr. Andrew Parnell and Dr. Andrew Jackson who
develop the SIAR, Mix SIAR R package.

Applications should be sent to oliverhoo...@prstatistics.com and contain
the following.

1. Full name
2. Institute name
3. PhD subject title or Post doc research questions
4. Do you hold a funded position
5. 150 words why this course would be relevant to your research or how it
would help.

Application deadline is Thursday 23rd May and decisions will be made by
Friday 24th.

We still have ‘normal’ places available for anyone else interested.

Course overview:
This course will cover the concepts, technical background and use of stable
isotope mixing models (SIMMs) with a particular focus on running them in R.
This course will cover the concepts, technical background and use of stable
isotope mixing models (SIMMs) with a particular focus on running them in R.
Recently SIMMs have become a very popular tool for quantifying food webs
and thus the diet of predators and prey in an ecosystem. Starting with only
basic understanding of statistical models, we will cover the do’s and
don’ts of using SIMMs with a particular focus on the widely used package
SIAR and the more advanced MixSIAR. Participants will be taught some of the
advanced features of these packages, which will enable them to produce a
richer class of output, and are encouraged to bring their own data sets and
problems to study during the round-table discussions.

-- 
Oliver Hooker PhD.
PR statistics

2019 publications;

A way forward with eco evo devo: an extended theory of resource
polymorphism with postglacial fishes as model systems. Biological Reviews
(2019).

prstatistics.com
facebook.com/prstatistics/
twitter.com/PRstatistics
groups.google.com/d/forum/pr-statistics-post-course-forum
prstatistics.com/organiser/oliver-hooker/

6 Hope Park Crescent
Edinburgh
EH8 9NA
+44 (0) 7966500340
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[MARMAM] New Article: A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based method for assessing the hydrodynamic impact of animal borne data loggers on host marine mammals.

[Chris McKnight]

New Article: A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based method for
assessing the hydrodynamic impact of animal borne data loggers on host
marine mammals.

Dear MARMAM,

We are pleased to announce our publication:

Kyte A., Pass C., Pemberton R., Sharman M. and McKnight J. C (2019). A
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based method for assessing the
hydrodynamic impact of animal borne data loggers on host marine mammals.
Marine Mammal Science.
https://doi.org/10./mms.12540


Abstract:

Animal‐borne data loggers (ABDLs) or “tags” are regularly used to elucidate
animal ecology and physiology, but current literature highlights the need
to assess associated deleterious impacts including increased resistive
force to motion. Previous studies have used computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) to estimate this impact, but many suffer limitations (*e.g*.,
inaccurate turbulence modeling, neglecting boundary layer transition,
neglecting added mass effects, and analyzing the ABDL in isolation from the
animal).

A novel CFD‐based method is presented in which a “tag impact envelope” is
defined utilizing simulations with and without transition modeling to
define upper and lower drag limits, respectively, and added mass
coefficients are found *via* simulations with sinusoidally varying inlet
velocity, with modified Navier‐Stokes conservation of momentum equations
enforcing a shift to the animal's noninertial reference frame. The method
generates coefficients for calculating total resistive force for any
velocity and acceleration combination, and is validated against theory for
a prolate spheroid. An example case shows ABDL drag impact on a harp seal
of 11.21%–16.24%, with negligible influence on added mass.

By considering the effects of added mass and boundary layer transition, the
approach presented is an enhancement to the CFD‐based ABDL impact
assessment methods previously applied by researchers.


Best wishes,
Chris McKnight
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[MARMAM] DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL

[AIMM Internships]

*BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a
non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and
conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in
southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline
information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the
local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support
conservation measures and inform marine management policies.

The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus
delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises
(Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can
also be sighted.

AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to
contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while
experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing
methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine
biologists for a period of time. All team members and participants share
accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an environmental
friendly and multicultural environment.

Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by
beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor.



*WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal



*WHEN:* The field season lasts from 1st of May to 31st October 2019. The
minimum internship attendance is 7 days, preferably starting on a Monday.



*FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel,
Ketos, or in opportunistic platforms (commercial dolphin-watching boats).
Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions and seat availability in the
dolphin-watching boats. Field days can be intense, especially in the peak
of summer, but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to:

·Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence;

·Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS;

·Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.;

·Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and
underwater videos while on-board;

·Secchi disk methodology;

·Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals.



*DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail
entering data into established databases and spreadsheets,
photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation.



*INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on
donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people
like you so that we may continue our important research and education
programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution
which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a
non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2019 season,
please contact: inte...@aimm-portugal.org

We have a special deal for you book the internship in May or June 2019.



*Included* in the fee is:

·Accommodation in the research house;

·Transportation to/from the marina;

·Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner);

·Fieldwork in the research vessel or commercial dolphin-watching
vessels.



*Not included* in the fee is:

·Transportation to/from Albufeira;

·Meals in restaurants and snacks;

·Free time activities;

·Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or
travel insurance);

·Personal expenses.



*INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:*

·Be above the age of 16;

·Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and
environment;

·Be autonomous and flexible;

·Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly
outdoors at sea;

·Speak English;

·Participate for minimum 7 days.



*Preference will be given* to those who have:

·Relevant marine mammal field experience

·Working experience on research vessels

·Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms

·Experience in photo-identification

·Professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID

·Availability to stay for longer periods of time



*INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: *

Applicants should fill up the online application at:

http://www.aimmportugal.org/dolphin-research-internship

AIMM will send a confirmation e-mail with all the details about the
internship and asking for your Resume/CV, motivation letter (small
statement on which are your expectations and why do you want to work with
AIMM) and the period of time that you want do the program.

OR

Applicants should send an e-mail to: inte...@aimm-portugal.org, with the
subject “*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*”. You will receive and e-mail with
the availability and all the others details.

Applications will be accepted during all season,