[MARMAM] Blue Ocean Society- Summer and Fall Internships Available

[dianna]

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is accepting applications for
Summer and Fall 2020 Interns.  

 

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a nonprofit organization based
in Portsmouth, NH, USA with a mission to protect marine life in the Gulf of
Maine through research, education and inspiring action. We achieve our goals
primarily through our core programs which involve studying whales from
commercial whale watch boats, collecting data on debris found during beach
cleanups and offshore, and interacting with thousands of people each year
during programs and events.

 

Blue Ocean Society's Internship Program is structured and designed to
provide undergraduates and recent post-grads with hands-on experience in the
field of whale research, education and marine conservation.  Interns will be
directly involved in a variety of programs, including contributing to our
long-term studies of several wild cetacean species (humpback, fin, minke
whales, etc.) in the Gulf of Maine while working aboard a commercial whale
watching vessel departing from Rye, NH.  Interns will also assist with
marine education through our outreach programs, beach cleanups and at our
Blue Ocean Discovery Center in Hampton Beach, NH.  

 

Responsibilities: 

*   Collect detailed data (environmental and behavioral) on local marine
species and marine debris
*   Interact with program participants of all ages and backgrounds
*   Assist with beach cleanups 
*   Interact with visitors at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center
*   Enter data 
*   Attend weekly meetings and lectures
*   Complete weekly reading assignments

 

Qualifications:

*   Must possess a strong work ethic, have high attention to detail and
the ability to work with limited supervision
*   Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, friendly and able to
communicate effectively
*   Must be 18 or older 
*   Must have reliable transportation
*   Must be available on weekends and holidays 
*   Must be available to start by May 27, 2020 (summer session) or
August 5, 2020 (fall session) 

 

Prior experience is not required and all training is provided. This is an
unpaid position. Interns are responsible for their own housing and
transportation.  Those who can work full-time hours for at least 10 weeks
will be given preference.

 

 

Please visit http://www.blueoceansociety.org/internships/ for full
Internship information and application instructions. 

 

Application deadline is March 1, 2020. 

 

 

Dianna Schulte

Director of Research

 

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Gov. John Langdon House

143 Pleasant Street

Portsmouth, NH 03801

 

Office: 603-431-0260

Cell: 603-498-6368

www.blueoceansociety.org  

 

 

 

 

 

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[MARMAM] RARE MARINE MAMMAL BOOKS AVAILABLE

[Thomas Jefferson]

RARE MARINE MAMMAL BOOKS AVAILABLE

   ¡VIVA Vaquita! is a non-profit organization dedicated to working to help 
save the vaquita from extinction.  All funds raised are actively used for 
research and conservation work on the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), the world’s 
most endangered marine mammal species.  The global population of this species 
now numbers less than 15 individuals and is nearing extinction. Visit our 
website at www.vivavaquita.org for more details.  
   ¡VIVA Vaquita! has hundreds of marine mammal books, reprints, monographs, 
and journals that are available for a donation to the organization.  Below is a 
sample of some of the rarer items we have (price listed is suggested donation), 
but there are many, many more and suggested donation amounts range from 
US$1-150.  For a list of additional books available (and photos), check this 
link: http://www.vivavaquita.org/assets/vv-bookstore2.pdf.  HC = hardcover, PB 
= paperback/soft wrappers.  For more info, or to order books, please contact 
Tom Jefferson at  sclym...@aol.com.

Goode, G. B. 1884, 1887. The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United 
States (volume on marine mammals and fisheries). Government Printing Office.  
HC.  $85.

Hawley, F. 1958. Whales and Whaling in Japan (separate of whaling section). 
Kyoto.  HC.  $65.

Kaiser, H. E. 1974. Morphology of the Sirenia. A Macroscopic and X-ray Atlas of 
the Osteology of Recent Species. S. Karger, Basel.  HC (new in plastic wrap).  
$25

Kleinenberg, S. E., A. V. Yablokov, B. M. Belkovich and M. N. Tarasevich. 1964. 
Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas): Investigation of the Species. Israel Program 
for Scientific Translations.  HC. $22

Mitchell, E. D. 1975. Porpoise, dolphin and small whale fisheries of the world. 
IUCN Monograph 3:129 pp.  PB. $8

Mitchell, E. (ed.) 1975. Review of biology and fisheries for smaller cetaceans 
(special issue on dolphins and porpoises). Pp 879-1242.  Journal of the 
Fisheries Research Board of Canada.  PB.  $12

Norris, K. S. and J. H. Prescott. 1961. Observations on Pacific cetaceans of 
Californian and Mexican waters. University of California Publications in 
Zoology 63:291-402.  PB.  $28

Norris, K. S. (ed.) 1966. Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. 789 pp. University 
of California Press, Berkeley (reprint edition).  HC.  $35

Pryor, K. and K. S. Norris (eds.). 1991. Dolphin Societies: Discoveries and 
Puzzles. 397 pp. University of California Press.  HC.  $22

Starbuck, A. 1878. History of the American Whale Fishery. Castle. (reprint 
edition).  HC.  $24

True, F. W. 1889. Contributions to the natural history of the cetaceans, a 
review of the family Delphinidae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 
36:191 pp. + plates.  HC.  $120

True, F. W. 1904. Whalebone Whales of the Western North Atlantic Compared with 
Those Occurring in European Waters with Some Observations on the Species of the 
North Pacific. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge (first edition).  HC.  $85

True, F. W. 1904. Whalebone Whales of the Western North Atlantic Compared with 
Those Occurring in European Waters with Some Observations on the Species of the 
North Pacific. Smithsonian Institution Press.  (1983 reprint edition).  HC.  $32

True, F. W. 1910. An account of the beaked whales of the family Ziphiidae in 
the collection of the United States National Museum, with remarks on some 
species in other American museums. Bulletin of the United States National 
Museum 73:42 pp. + plates.  PB.  $34

Twiss, J. R. and R. R. Reeves (eds). 1999. Conservation and Management of 
Marine Mammals. 471 pp. Smithsonian Institution Press.  HC.  $18___
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[MARMAM] Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-Identification Internship Opportunity for Summer 2020

[Jessica Taylor]

Bottlenose DolphinPhoto-ID Internship Positions for Summer 2020

The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research (OBXCDR)/Nags Head Dolphin Watch are 
currently acceptingapplications for the 2020 summer season. Three internship 
positions will beavailable. One position will last from May 2nd – September 
11th;the second position will last from May 15th through August 21st;the third 
position will last from June 6th- October 10th.Successful applicants must be 
able to commit for each entire season. 

The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit 
organization dedicated to theconservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer 
Banks of North Carolina. Ourprogram’s goal is to gain an understanding of the 
population dynamics, movementpatterns, and behavioral ecology of coastal 
bottlenose dolphins in the soundsand coastal waters near the Outer Banks. The 
OBXCDR conducts a long-term photo-identificationmonitoring study of bottlenose 
dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlicoand Currituck Sounds. Data is 
collected via dedicated small boat surveys aswell as opportunistically from a 
local dolphin watch. Information from themonitoring study is used to examine 
annual population trends, habitatutilization, social associations, and ecology 
of the dolphins as well as aid inefforts to examine bottlenose dolphin stock 
structure and movement patternsalong the U.S. Atlantic coast. Interns will gain 
experience in field datacollection, photo-identification of dolphins, and 
environmental education. Formore information about the OBXCDR, please visit: 
obxdolphins.org. 

Each internshipposition will consist of bottlenose dolphin 
photo-identification,opportunistic/dedicated field research, and environmental 
education. Responsibilitiesinclude:

§  Mate/naturalistduties aboard the Nags Head Dolphin Watch: This involves the 
implementation of educational programs,including public speaking aboard the 
eco-tours (using a microphone andone-on-one) to educate others about local 
dolphin biology and marineconservation, as well as additional mate duties. The 
mate/naturalist will alsocollect opportunistic photo-identification data aboard 
the eco-tours(photographing dorsal fins, measuring environmental parameters, 
and recording sightingdata), organize opportunistic data for inclusion in the 
photo-identificationcatalog, and assist in general maintenance of field 
equipment.  Foradditional information about the Nags Head Dolphin Watch, please 
see www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com (50% of time)

 

§  Photo-identificationof dolphins in the lab:This includes photo sorting, 
grading, and matching, sighting data entry, andassisting in maintenance of the 
long-term OBX catalog using the MS Accessdatabase FinBase.  Additional time 
willalso be spent completing an independent project in which the intern will 
matchthe OBX catalog to the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog (MABDC) 
toexamine seasonal movement patterns. The MABDC is a long-term 
collaborativeeffort to gain a greater understanding of the stock structure and 
movementpatterns of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. Atlantic coast. This 
independentproject should be completed within the span of the internship. The 
finalproduct of this project will be a final project report (40% of time)

 

§  Boat-basedphoto-identification: Each intern willassist with dedicated 
boat-based photo-identification surveys to examine abundances,site fidelity, 
and prevalence of skin lesions of bottlenose dolphins in RoanokeSound.  
Responsibilities include operating a small vessel during transectsurveys and 
sightings, assisting with photo-identification, collecting sightingdata for 
dolphin groups, and general maintenance of field equipment. (10% oftime)

 

This internshiprequires a minimum commitment of 36 hours per week, consisting 
of eco-tours,lab photo-identification, and dedicated surveys. The intern will 
carry outmate/naturalist duties and opportunistic photo-identification aboard 
the NagsHead Dolphin Watch for 3-4 days per week throughout the field season 
while 1-2days per week will be spent conducting photo-identification in the 
lab. Dedicatedphoto-identification surveys will be conducted 1-2 times per 
month in April,May, September, and October, and 6-8 times per month from June 
through August.

Salary:  Thisinternship is a paid position. Applicants will receive an hourly 
salary for thenaturalist position on the dolphin watch. Tips aboard the dolphin 
tours areexpected, but not guaranteed. 

Housing: Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding 
housingaccommodations in the Outer Banks. Interns are responsible for their 
owntransportation to and from the Outer Banks as well as to and from the 
fieldsites and lab.

The successfulapplicant would ideally have the following qualifications:

§  Minimum of 18 years of age and recentlygraduated with an undergraduate 
degree in marine biology, biology, zoology, orrelated field

§  Strong 

[MARMAM] WCA Ship Strikes Online Training Course

[Elizabeth Cuevas]

Dear colleagues,

I am writing on behalf of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). As part of our
efforts to progressively ensure the conservation and protection of whales
and dolphins and their environment, we are currently developing an online
training course to assist the cruise ship industry and other tour operators
to reduce the likelihood of ship strikes and boat disturbance on cetaceans.

The project is called “Becoming ‘Whale Aware’: a training course to
mitigate the impacts of ship strikes and boat disturbance on cetaceans”. With
this course we also aim to raise both industry and general public
awareness, resulting in better informed and better trained crews.



We’ve started developing the presentations and videos for the course, but
we are still lacking photos and (especially) videos that show ship strikes
and their effects. We believe that using these forms of media will have
maximum impact on our learners and make the subject real for them.



We would be grateful to anyone who can help with this project by providing
relevant photos and/or videos. They will be used exclusively on this online
course and will be duly credited.



We are looking for photos and/or video footage of any large whale:



- Next to or near a cruise ship (or a large boat).

- Ship strike incidents.

- Operational maneuvers by a ship avoiding a strike with a whale.

- Injured or dead whales caused by ship strikes.

- Any other photo/video relating to ship strikes.



Please send them to Elizabeth at
elizabeth.cue...@worldcetaceanalliance.org (large
files could be sent or linked via googledrive, yousendit or dropbox).

We believe that this course will fill essential gaps, improve collaboration
and contribute the global effort to reduce ship strike risk, so any input
from you would be greatly appreciated.



I would be more than happy to answer any questions.



Many thanks in advance for your help and happy New Year to all!



Sincerely,



Elizabeth




More about the WCA:

The WCA, with headquarters in the UK, represent the world's largest marine
conservation partnership working to protect cetaceans and their habitats.
The WCA currently has over 100 Partners in 38 countries around the world,
including non-profit organisations, commercial tour companies, scientific
institutions and individual members of the public. We are the world's
leading NGO in responsible whale and dolphin watching tourism, working with
companies on the ground, large tour operators, governments and destination
management bodies, amongst others. Through cooperation, the WCA aim to
conserve and protect cetaceans and their habitats.

http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/

-- 
*Elizabeth Cuevas*
Whale Watching Programme Manager
*World Cetacean Alliance*

Studio 3, Lower Promenade
Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK.
t: +44 (0) 1273 355011
e: elizabeth.cue...@worldcetaceanalliance.org



*www.worldcetaceanalliance.org
www.whaleheritagesites.org
*


The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a Partnership of over 100 non-profit
organisations, whale and dolphin watching tour operators and individuals in
40 countries worldwide working collaboratively to protect cetaceans and
their habitats. World Cetacean Alliance, the Secretariat to the
Partnership, is a UK registered Charity no. 1160484.

The content of this e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual
or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this communication
in error, be aware that forwarding it, copying it, or in any way disclosing
its content to any other person, is strictly prohibited. If you have
received this communication in error, please notify the author by replying
to this e-mail immediately.

Please consider the environment before printing this email or it's
attachments.
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[MARMAM] Call for Applications for Kuczaj Memorial Travel Grant to attend the Conference on Comparative Cognition, Melbourne, FL

[Hill, Heather]

Greetings!

Applications are currently being accepted for the Kuczaj Memorial Travel Grant, 
which is given to students attending the Conference on Comparative Cognition. 
The grant is administered in memory of Dr. Stan Kuczaj, who was a leader in the 
study of comparative animal cognition, particularly within marine mammals. Stan 
believed in pursuing challenging topics in human and animal cognition with 
rigor, candor, and the spirit of intellectual adventure. The Kuczaj Memorial 
Travel Grant is administered with the goal of preserving and promoting Stan's 
interests and beliefs in scientific pursuit.

Applicants for the Kuczaj Memorial Travel Grant must: 1) be enrolled in a 
graduate program at the time of the application, 2) have their abstract 
accepted for presentation at the Conference on Comparative Cognition, 3) submit 
their long abstract for evaluation and ranking, and 4) provide evidence of 
graduate enrollment. The Kuczaj Memorial Travel Grant is determined through a 
competitive ranking process based upon the quality of the abstracts submitted.

Grants are for $500 in travel allowances to be applied toward conference fees, 
food and lodging, or travel expenses. Two grants will be awarded and grantees 
will be selected and notified of the award by March 15, 2020. Applications must 
be submitted to Dr. Heather Hill (hhi...@stmarytx.edu) no later than February 
28, 2020.

Kuczaj Memorial Travel Grant Application requirements:
NAME: 
EMAIL: 
ADDRESS: 


UNIVERSITY: _ PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT: 
__

LONG ABSTRACT (a separate page may be used)



THESIS ADVISOR:

_   
 
ADVISOR SIGNATURE   
  DATE
Advisor: By signing this page you verify that the applicant is currently 
enrolled in a graduate program and under your supervision.
Applications must be submitted to Dr. Heather Hill (hhi...@stmarytx.edu) no 
later than February 28, 2020.



Heather M. Hill, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology
Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Comparative Psychology
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX 78228
210-431-6887
hhi...@stmarytx.edu

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[MARMAM] Post-doc position in the Azores

[José Manuel Viegas de Oliveira Neto Azevedo]

A notice has just been published  advertising a two year post-doc contract for 
project MEEMO.
The call accepts national, foreign and stateless candidates who hold a 
doctorate degree in areas related to Marine Ecology, Oceanography or 
Mathematics, and a scientific and professional curriculum suitable for the 
activity to be developed:

Assume the coordination of WP 1 (Explore: whale watching data as ocean 
sentinels), in liaison with José Azevedo, Marc Fernandez, Manuel Hidalgo and 
Albrecth Gnauck.
Organize the MONICET data according to tidy data principles (Wickham, 2014).
Identify the inherent biases of the dataset and develop routines to filter them 
out.
Based on a literature review of which variables can potentially influence 
cetacean distributions (at different temporal and spatial scales), select 
climatological and environmental data from open repositories (such as 
Copernicus or ERDAS). Select the main variables based on an exploratory 
analysis of how their change over time correlates with the abundance patterns 
of the different species. Asses the spatial scale of influence of different 
variables applying scalograms (sensu Alvarez-Berastegui et al. 2014), noting 
that this scale may differ for different drivers and the impacted ecological 
processes, and ultimately on the temporal analyses. Apply wavelet coherence 
(Cazelles et al., 2008, Gnauck et al., 2010) and other time series tools to 
track periods of synchrony between cetacean abundance and environmental 
variables. This will be done following a multi-step approach, to better explain 
the dynamic occurrence of cetaceans according to orographic or oceanographic 
seascape features. The first three steps cover univariate and multivariate 
procedures to detect spatial structures and windows of time within the data. 
The remaining steps deal with dynamic statistical methods to investigate 
fluctuating frequencies within time series. Data check, computation of 
probability density functions, and statistical measures including rank 
correlation between cetacean's occurrences and environmental variables. Cluster 
analysis (agglomerative methods) to get information on the spatial structure of 
data. Determination of time scales and windows of change to get information on 
the temporal structure of the data set based on results of cluster analysis. 
Determination of spatio-temporal scales of occurrences of cetaceans to get 
information on seasonality and spatial variability by classical spectral 
analysis (computation of wavelet power spectra). Computation of wavelet 
coherence to get information on synchronicity between cetacean occurrences and 
environmental variables. Derivation and computation of quantitative temporal 
trends of cetacean occurrences.
Support the management of the present MONICET platform and of its ongoing 
restructuring, in liaison with José Azevedo and Marc Fernandez.
Be the lead person validating the data introduced by the whale watching 
companies during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and producing the MONICET annual 
report. Contribute to the drawing and construction of the new MONICET platform 
and app, namely providing input to the configuration of the database and the 
products developed from it.

Details of the call: 
http://www.eracareers.pt/opportunities/index.aspx?task=global=122104)
Project description: 
https://fgf.uac.pt/en/content/meemo-keep-expand-and-explore-monicet-platform-cetacean-watching-opportunity-science-0


[cid:image003.jpg@01D5BF35.83F9DD60]
José Manuel N. Azevedo
Professor auxiliar

(+351) 296 650 313

www.uac.pt
facebook.com/uac.fct


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[MARMAM] Marine Mammals of Maine Summer Internship Opportunity

[Walk, Dominique]

Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is currently accepting applications for two
different internships for the 2020 harbor seal pup season. MMoME is a
non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead
marine mammals and sea turtles between Kittery and Rockland, Maine,
covering some of the busiest seal stranding activity. MMoME also operates a
unique triage and rehabilitation center which provides critical care to
sick and injured pinnipeds. Additionally, our mission heavily encompasses
research, education and outreach.

Interns are critical in fulfilling our mission and are given the unique
opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. The internship is
based out of Midcoast Maine (town of Brunswick area), though travel
throughout our response region and the Northeast will be necessary. Interns
will be required to dedicate a minimum of 40-50 hours per week to the
internship (minimum of 4 days/week), and will include holidays, weekends
and late nights. This internship is unpaid, though seasonal job
opportunities are available in the area. Housing is not provided but staff
may be able to assist with sourcing options.

*Core Internship:* seeking 4 motivated, flexible and independent interns.

* KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:*
· *STRANDING RESPONSE:* respond to live and dead cetacean, pinniped and
sea turtle strandings to collect Level A data, perform health assessments,
and monitor, relocate, collect for humane euthanasia, or rehabilitation.
Carcass collection for disposal or necropsy will also be required;
·  *IN-HOUSE PATIENT CARE:* assist with all aspects relating to the
care of sick, injured and abandoned pinnipeds (primarily harbor seal pups)
undergoing short, or long-term care at MMoME’s center. Tasks include meal
prep, tube-feeding, assisting with medical procedures, animal restraint for
exams, running lab samples, medical record maintenance, cleaning, and
transport to long-term care facilities;
· *NECROPSY:* transport carcasses to necropsy and compost sites, assist
with necropsy of fresh dead pinnipeds and cetaceans, and archive necropsy
samples;
· *EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:* give presentations to the public about the
organization, attend outreach events, and help create educational materials;
· *OTHER TASKS:* additional time during this internship will be spent
on data entry, fundraising, extensive cleaning, and other tasks as needed.

*REQUIREMENTS:*
· This internship is open to undergraduate students currently enrolled
in, or recently graduated (within two years) from an accredited college or
university (this internship is not yet designed for those pursuing DVM
degrees);
· The ideal candidate is working towards a career in marine mammal
science, veterinary medicine, marine biology, environmental education, or
related fields;
· Must commit to at least three months, and be available from May 11th
to August 15th, or October 15th. *All interns must be able to start on May
11th*.
· Must have a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle, and
comfortable driving a full-size truck in urban and rural areas;
· Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, and be
adaptable to a changing and unpredictable schedule;
· Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds;
· Individuals that are passionate, responsible, hardworking, eager to
learn, flexible, able to work under little supervision, able to work well
with others as a   team member, and detail oriented are encouraged to apply;
· Preference given to individuals with a demonstrated interest in
marine mammals, and are specifically interested in marine mammal response,
rescue, and care. Previous marine mammal experience or animal husbandry a
plus.

*Advanced Marine Mammal Internship:* MMoME is seeking two Advanced Interns
to start May 4th through September 30th (end date can be flexible, but
start date cannot be flexible). The Advanced Interns will carry out the
same duties outlined for Core Interns, and additionally will assist staff
with:
· Obtaining and processing biological and diagnostic samples from
stranded marine mammals, as well as from triage and rehabilitation
pinnipeds in  MMoME’s care;
· Clinical procedures, injections, and intravenous fluid therapy;
· Dispensing oral medications as directed by MMoME staff and
veterinarian;
· After-hours medical care of triage or rehab patients in need of
extended critical care.

Requirements listed above for Core Internship apply for Advanced Interns,
in addition to:
· Must be either a 4th year (or more) undergraduate student, a recent
graduate within the last 4 years, or actively enrolled in a graduate
program;
· Must have prior experience working directly with marine mammals, or
experience working in a clinical setting with other wildlife;
· Must have demonstrated experience physically handling marine mammals
or other wildlife.

*HOW TO APPLY:*
Please send a letter of interest, resume and contact 

[MARMAM] Bottlenose Dolphin Project Research in Venezuela. Interns and volunteers program (Sergio Cobarrubia-Russo)

[Sergio Cobarrubia]

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA.
INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020.
Laboratory of Ecosystems and Global Change (LEGC-IVIC) and Provita.

BACKGROUND:
The Laboratory of Ecosystems and Global Change (LEGC) of the
Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC, www.ivic.gob.ve) invites
the second season of internships-volunteering (2020) in the study of
coastal dolphins. LEGC is a scientific team that among its research lines
on the fauna of coastal and riparian ecosystems, it has established the
first one on aquatic mammals in Venezuela. On the other hand, Provita is an
important NGO that contributes to the research and conservation in
Venezuela.

This research will begin with a project focused on sociobiology
(social structure, social networks and bioacoustics) of resident groups of
the coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the central coast of
Venezuela. This, after an experience of 5 years in that locality studying
ecological aspects of T. truncatus (
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-018-0401-1). The coast of Aragua not only
home this species, but also the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), the
common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) and the spinner
dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Of which basic information is collected
too.

LEGC interns and volunteers are young, hard-working who are willing
to contribute to research by learning as they experience fieldwork in
teams, field techniques for collecting and processing data and
methodologies. All team members and interns share academic space, housing
in the Institute, housework in the study area, knowledge and experience in
a friendly and multicultural environment.

The internship consists of three weeks: The first week
of theoretical-practical introduction (24 theoretical hours and 16
practicals hours) at the IVIC Ecology Center (
www.ivic.gob.ve/es/investigacion-3/centros-31/ecologia-316). The second
week of seven field surveys for data collection (42 h) on the Cata Bay
(Aragua state) and the third week for data processing and analysis at the
IVIC Ecology Center (40 h). The volunteering consist of the second and
third weeks.

WHERE:
Theory: LEGC, Center of Ecology (IVIC) Miranda State, Caracas (10 23 N -
66 58 W).

Practice: Cata Bay, western coast of the (rain forest) National Park
Henry Pittier, Aragua state (central coast of Venezuela) 150 km from
Caracas (DC) (10 29 N - 67 44 W).

PROGRAM: Interns (Three weeks), Volunteers (Two weeks).

1st WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns).
- Monday: What is a cetacean? The cetaceans and the human in
history. Origin, evolution and diversity. Adaptations for aquatic life:
Anatomy and Physiology. Life histories. Biogeography Distribution. Ecology
Behavior. Conservation.
- Tuesday: Identification of species reported for Venezuela.
Basic logistics for the study of cetaceans on the mainland, sea and air.
Basic equipment to collect information.
- Wednesday: How to detect cetaceans and record an effective
sighting? Basic data to collect during a sighting, calibration and use of
GPS. Configuration and use of the SLR cameras. Download of sightings (GIS).
Download pictures and selection (software).
- Thursday: Daily encounter ratio. Photo-identification as a tool
for ecological and behavioral studies. Estimates of abundance.
Local distribution and areas of action.
- Friday: Residential patterns. Behavior (deployments, states,
daily budget). Habitat use. Social structure and social networks.
Bioacoustics.
Saturday: Break.
Sunday: Transfer to the Cata Bay.

2nd WEEK (Cata Bay-Provita, 42 hours. For Interns and Volunteers). The
field surveys will be carried out in a fishing vessel of 9 m in length by 2
of beam, no roof. The field work will depend on the climatic
conditions, however, the Aragua coast offers few climatic inconveniences
throughout the year. There will be 7 mornings of field surveys in the week,
after each survey is lunch, rest and then proceed to download the data of
sightings and then interpret them preliminarily and discuss them. We
recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cool pants, hat and sunscreen
(30-50 PF).

In the field surveys, it will be implemented:
- The identification and recognition of the elements of the
marine landscape and the method of tracking and detection of cetaceans.
- Ethical navigation mode to study cetaceans.
- The basic data collection / sighting.
- Use of GPS.
- Use of SRL digital camera.
- Counting of individuals and composition of a group.
- Identification of the behavioral states that configure group behavior
and its recording.
- Use of hydrophone.
In the afternoon the information of the sightings will be downloaded:
- Sighting forms.
- Latitude and longitude.
- Photographs and their selection.
- Voice recordings (behavior).
- Recordings of vocalizations.

3rd WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns and volunteers).

PRACTICAL FEES:
Accomodation (IVIC students residence and apartment in Cata Bay), food and
transport (airport-IVIC-Cata 

[MARMAM] Reminder UF Spring online course - Aquatic Wildlife Health

[Larkin,Iskande (Iske)]

Hi All,

Just a quick reminder that registration is currently open for Spring 2020.  The 
University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program, is offering the following 
course for those that may be interested.  Class begins Jan 6th and runs through 
Wednesday April 22nd.  Registration will remain open until Friday, Jan 10th.

Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues is an online course (3 credits) designed to 
introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals 
(with an AA or higher degree) to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, 
behavior and common health issues of aquatic species: whales and dolphins, 
seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and 
invertebrates. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. 
Iskande Larkin (ivlar...@ufl.edu).

Sincerely,
Dr Iske Larkin


[Description: AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig]
Iske V. Larkin, PhD
Lecturer & Education Coordinator
Interim Director
Aquatic Animal Health Program
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Florida
PO Box 100136
2015 SW 16th Ave
Gainesville, Florida 32610

Office phone - 352-294-4095
Work cell - 352-494-1742
Fax - 352-392-8289
Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the 
world." -Anonymous

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[MARMAM] CetaceaLab 2020

[Hermann Meuter]

CetaceaLab, aka Whalepoint,  is a land based whale research facility located in 
the
territory of the Gitga’at First Nation on Gil Island, British Columbia,
Canada. We are now accepting applications for the 2020 field season from
May until the end of September.  All positions are for a minimum of 4-8 weeks in
duration. There is a weekly fee for food. These are volunteer/intern
positions to help with the collection of visual and acoustic data on the
habitat use and abundance of northern resident/transient Killer whales,
Humpback whales and Fin whales. Due to our extreme remote location,  applicants
need to be in good physical condition, able to participate with the
daily routine of living off the grid and comfortable sleeping in a tent
in the wilderness of BC. You must be fit without any physical injuries.
There are no roads, very limited Internet access, very limited medical
service and power is completely off the grid.
- Daily shifts involve scanning for whales, documenting all sightings
and when possible take identification pictures of whales
- Listening and recording all whale vocalizations that are transmitted
to the lab facility from our network of hydrophone stations
 - Data entry from land based and marine vessel based surveys
- Identification work of all whales from photographs taken in the field
There will also be a lot of heavy lifting and moving over uneven
terrain, chopping wood ( our only source of heat) and assistance with
the physical maintenance of hydrophone stations.
Experience with carpentry, electronics, IT, social media, website
building and environmental communications would be a valuable asset.
Interested applicants should send a letter describing why they would
like to join our team, CV and letter of reference to: 
whalepo...@outlook.com
References will be contacted. More information about our research can be
found at:  www.whalepoint.org

All the Best and Good Luck,

Hermann Meuter

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