Hi everyone,
on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) in Sardinia
Island, Italy, I am pleased to announce that our centre is currently accepting
internship applications for the Spring-Summer term 2012 (a minimum of 60 days
of participation between May and September 2012).
BDRI's research is focused on a long term study about the ecology and behaviour
of wild unrestrained bottlenose dolphins, distribution of other cetaceans
(whales and pelagic dolphins), and the potential effects of human activities
(fisheries, aquaculture and tourism) in their distribution and behaviour.
An internship period with the BDRI offers an invaluable exposure to boat based
field work,marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in marine
biology. Undergraduate and postgraduate students could present their BDRI's
personal research project as their Thesis works if requested with the
application. Internships will be under direct supervision by BDRI's director
Mr. Bruno Diaz Lopez.
The internship can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but students
are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant
credit(s) as a result of completing the internship.
Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of marine
mammal research as research assistants in four diverse research projects:
1. Behavioural ecology of Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins:
We collect information about distribution and behaviour of free-ranging common
bottlenose dolphins from boat based platforms. By using different behavioural
sampling methods this study is particularly focused in the interaction of
dolphins with human activities as fisheries, aquaculture and marine traffic.
These studies provide values insight for the conservation of this top predator
in an area characterized by high anthropogenic pressure.
2. Wild bottlenose dolphins’ communication:
We obtain knowledge of how individuals within a population of common bottlenose
dolphins communicate and what they are communicating. This can generate
information ranging from; measures of habitat use, social relevance,
geographical variation, cultural transmission to genetic fitness that can be
applied to conservation.
3. The cetacens role in the coastal ecosystem:
An ecosystem modelling approach becomes an interesting tool to examine the
impact of fisheries and human activities (aquaculture, marine traffic) on
cetaceans and vice versa. Mass-balance models are built to characterize the
role of cetaceans in a coastal and pelagic ecosystem conditioned by human
activities.
4. Pelagic cetaceans off the Sardinian coast:
Data about distribution of pelagic cetaceans (fin whales, sperm whales, beaked
whales, striped dolphins, common dolphins, risso’s dolphins etc.) are collected
from multiple platforms including shore and boat based platforms.
The behaviour and distribution of large cetaceans observed off Sardinia is
still unknown. While some animals could be in migration between the Ligurian
and Thyrrenian Sea, others could be mainly engaged in foraging activities. To
address this and other questions the BDRI has since 2011 carried out this
project.
There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful
applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and
from the research camp (Sardinia, Italy). As a number of students are
unemployed and are unable to meet our program, BDRI offers accommodation for
participants and has developed a financial aid to support some of them.
There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a
first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Start and end dates are flexible.
Positions are open until filled. Successful candidates will be ready and
willing to learn, self-motivated, and flexible. Prior field research experience
is recommended but not required.
Please download the internships general information at:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/internships.pdf
and the application from:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/applicationinternships.doc
Send cover letter or inquiries by email to the Research Chief, Mr. Bruno Diaz
Lopez, at [email protected]. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates you
are available.
Find out more information on our NEW WEBSITE: www.thebdri.com
Selected scientific publications by the BDRI:
1. Díaz López B. Mariño, F., 2011. A trial of acoustic harassment device
efficacy on free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia, Italy. Marine and
Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 2011, pp 1–12.
2. Díaz López B., 2011. Aquaculture systems. In: Handbook of Models used in
Ecosystem and Environmental Management, Sven Erik Jørgensen (Ed.), CRC Press,
Taylor & Francis, FL.pp 241-256.
3. Díaz López B., 2011. Whistle characteristics in free-ranging bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea: influence of behaviour.
Mammalian Biology 76: 180-189.
4. Díaz López B. & Shirai, J.A.B., 2010. Mediterranean common bottlenose
dolphin's repertoire and communication use. In: Dolphins: Anatomy, Behavior,
and Threats, (A.G. Pierce & L. Correa Eds.), Nova Science Publishers, New York.
Pp 129 -148.
5. Díaz López B., 2009. The bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus foraging
around a fish farm: Effects of prey abundance on dolphins' behaviour. Current
Zoology 55(4):243-248.
6. Díaz López B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture off
Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a trophic
mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling 212: 292-303.
7. Díaz López B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose
dolphins social structure.Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62 (6): 887-894.
8. Díaz López, B., Shirai, J.A.B., Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez Fernández, P.,
2008. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus). Journal Marine Biological Association of U.K 88, Special
Issue 06: 1153-1157.
9. Díaz López, B & Bernal Shirai, J.A.B., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on the
north-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine Biological
Association of U.K 87: 113 – 117.
10. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Predation on
a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations". Aquatic Mammals 32 (3):
305 – 310.
11. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia". ICES Journal of
Marine Science 63: 944-951.
12. Díaz López, B., Marini, L. and Polo, F. 2005. The Impact of a fish farm on
a Bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas 21(1):53-58.
Bruno Diaz Lopez
Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist
Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy
www.thebdri.com
[email protected]
tel.+ 39 346 081 5414
tel. + 0789 183 1197
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