CETACEAN RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITY IN ICELAND
WHAT: This is a joint research project consisting of the two following projects: The first project is investigating the effects of whale-watching on Minke whales in Icelandic waters. One volunteer is needed for this project to help collect track data (movement and respiration data) of Minke whales from whale-watching boats in Faxaflói Bay, Iceland. The volunteer will assist the primary researcher with collecting GPS positional data and take notes in the field, as well as data entry and equipment cleaning and maintenance when back in port. The behavioural data collected from the whale-watching boats will be compared to control data collected from a land-based station to quantify the effects of whale-watching activities on Minke whales in Icelandic waters. Another volunteer assistant is requested to partake in a second project investigating abundance, patterns of residency, social structure and health status of Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales in Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik, Iceland. An intensive photo-identification study will be used to estimate number of individual whales/dolphins and their site fidelity (seasonal and annual) in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay during spring, summer and autumn months (the existing ID-Catalogue already counts 311 Minke whales, 342 white-beaked dolphins and 50 humpback whales). The long-term photo-identification data will be converted into model of social structure to define and calculate association indices in the resident population of white-beaked dolphins. WHERE: Faxaflói Bay is a bay facing Reykjavík city where both whale-watching and whaling is currently taking place. Daily whale-watching tours are arranged from Reykjavik to spot feeding Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, Humpback whales and harbour porpoises. Reykjavik Whale-watching Company has been running whale-watching trips since 1998, with special interest in all whales visiting the bay. The company is member of Green Globe 21 and tries to fulfil environmental standards as well as certain whale-watching guidelines. Since 2007, the Company started as well a Research project called ‘Faxaflói Cetacean Research’ aiming to: - determine the abundance of Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay - examining patters of residency using multiple photo-identification efforts - establishing sex ratio estimates via biological sampling - analyse the feeding behaviour of Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins and data collected on associated bird species - determining population structure of the resident population of white-beaked dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay - assess prevalence of cutaneous disorders on Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins during photo-identification surveys WHEN: Tracking project: 10th of June to 31st of August 2011 Photo-ID: 15th April to 15th September 2011 CONDITIONS: For the boat based work, two whale-watching motor vessels will be used as research platform: Elding and Hafsúlan each approx 30m long. Living space for the boat based people is located on a former fishing boat in the old harbour, with 3 single rooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room and internet access (25 square metres); 10 min walking distance to the city centre. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project a minimum of two months. Applicants willing to participate for the whole working period will be given preference. Unfortunately, neither of these positions are paid and the successful candidates must be able to cover their own travel expenses, travel insurance, food and other personal expenses. Accommodation will be provided. DUTIES: Applicants should be ready to work long hours (07:00 to 17.00 or to 20.00 hours depending on weather conditions) and be expected to participate in the following duties: Tracking project: - collect Minke whale track data from whale-watching boat - data entry - data processing Photo-ID project: - collect photographic material on whales and dolphins - photo-identification work under the supervision of the PI - recognition of skin marks - ID Database entry and use of matching softwares (Darwin and Europhlukes) Above this, cleaning, painting and other maintenance tasks is part of staying at the fishing boat in the old harbour as a gratitude to the free accommodation provided by Elding. At the beginning and end of each whale-watching trip, we also help the boat crew out by assisting passengers with life jackets, warm blankets etc. QUALIFICATIONS: - have a strong background in Marine biology/Oceanography, with knowledge and experience of marine mammal behaviour and/or sea birds - have previous wildlife field experience and ability to stand long working days, sometimes in rough sea conditions (seasick people should not apply for these positions!) - have previous cetacean photo-identification skills (relevant for the ID assistant position) - be computer literate with a working knowledge PC operating system and proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel. Familiarity with software including MS Access and Photoshop is very helpful. Possibility to bring your own Laptop is much preferred - be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented, able to share small living space on board - be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - have good English language skills - bring your own digital reflex camera and zoom lens (pre-requisite for the ID assistant position) HOW TO APPLY: CV or resume should include the following: - details of your availability - contact details of two referees - a brief description of yourself including your interest in marine mammals and what you hope to gain from this experience - specify if you have any preference for the “tracking” project or the “photo-ID” project. - any dietary requirements (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, etc.) Send applications both to Chiara Bertulli and Fredrik Christiansen (see below): Chiara Bertulli (MSc Student) University of Iceland Biology Department Náttúrfræðahús/Askja Sturlugata 7 101 Reykjavik Iceland E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Mobile: +354-8618307 Skype: chiara.giulia.bertulli Principal Investigator/Research Coordinator c/o Reykjavík Whale-watching Company Ægisgardur 7 101 Reykjavík Iceland and Fredrik Christiansen (PhD Student) University of Aberdeen Institute of Biological Sciences Tillydrone Ave Aberdeen AB24 2TZ United Kingdom E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +44 78 18725081 and University of Iceland Biology Department
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