Hi everyone,
on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI (www.thebdri.com),
I am pleased to announce that we are seeking 4 Bottlenose Dolphin Internships
for our 2009 Winter season (a minimum of 7 weeks of participation between
January - April) in Sardinia Island, Italy.
BDRI is a marine mammal science and education center located at Golfo Aranci in
Sardinia Island, Italy. Sardinia Island is a marine biologist's paradise and
the dolphin behaviour you will witness is unsurpassed. BDRI's researchers are
engaged in the conduction of a long term study about the ecology and behaviour
of wild bottlenose 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
ecology, and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn from the dolphins
and each other.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can present their BDRI's personal
research project as their Thesis. Internships 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 three diverse research projects:
1. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins societies project: We will take and
analyse identification photos, study group structure and composition to refine
details of dolphin societies and responses to human activities at sea.
Volunteers assist with data collection onboard helping to locate, photograph
and keep track of bottlenose dolphin groups. Back at the lab volunteers restock
field supplies, analyse photos and transcribe data collected.
2. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin communication project: We will record and
monitor vocalizations to refine details of dolphins acoustic behaviour and
responses to human activities at sea. Students will actively participate in
data collection onboard and monitor dolphins vocalizations. Back at the lab
volunteers restock field supplies, analyse and transcribe acoustical data
collected.
3. Trial of acoustic deterrents for prevention of bottlenose dolphin bycatch:
We will test a new type of acoustic deterrent devices and study the
interactions between bottlenose dolphins and aquaculture. Students will
actively participate in acoustical and behavioural data collection onboard.
Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse and transcribe data
collected.
Internships will stay in an apartment on Golfo Aranci. There is an internships
cost of 25€/day and BDRI will provide housing and all associated field costs
during the internships period (training, use of materials, electricity, gas,
boat trips, etc). The apartment has a full kitchen and a full set of cooking
utensils. Foods of all kinds are available at the local supermarkets within
walking distance at your own expense.
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 on Golfo Aranci (Sardinia, Italy). 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.
Send cover letter or inquiries by email to the Research Chief, Bruno Diaz
Lopez, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please indicate in your cover letter the dates you
are available.
Recent selected scientific publications by BDRI:
1. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose
dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62(6):887-894.
2. Diaz Lopez 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.
3. Diaz Lopez B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez Fernández, P., 2008.
Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K 88(6):1153-1157.
4. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on the
noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine Biological
Association U.K, 87, 113-117.
5. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Predation on
a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations". Aquatic Mammals 32(3):
305 - 310 pp.
6. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia". ICES Journal of
Marine Science 63: 944-951 pp.
Bruno Diaz Lopez
Research Biologist / Marine Zoologist
Chief Researcher
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy
http://www.thebdri.com
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: + (39) 346 0815414
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