This is an offer for 2 winter internships on spatial analyses of anthropogenic pressures over cetaceans in Madeira.
*Host*: Madeira Whale Museum *Background*: Madeira Whale Museum’s aim is to generate knowledge on the biology and ecology of cetaceans and the related marine environment, namely the species that live in the sea of Madeira, as well as to study and assess the potential anthropogenic pressures that may be affecting these species. Marine litter data has been collected during distance sampling line-transect shipboard surveys made by the Madeira Whale Museum since 2001 in the Madeira archipelago coastal waters. Besides the presence of litter information related with the type of litter was collected , i.e. plastic bags, plastic bottles, other type of plastics, fishing gear, buoy, wood or glass bottle, to estimate their abundance and model their distribution. Data will be organized and processed for analysis and preliminary analysis of the distribution and temporal evolution of marine litter density will be made. Another potential pressure for marine mammals in the area is the presence of marine traffic. Different sources of data will be available: direct records made during dedicated sighting surveys since 2001, telemetry data relayed by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), GPS data of whale watching boats or vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on fishing vessels. Traffic intensity will be calculated using statistical models according to boat categories. *Aim*: Internship 1: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine litter densities around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. Internship 2: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine traffic intensity around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. *Tasks*: - Most days of the week will be spent at the Museum to process and analyse the spatial data of the anthropogenic pressures. - The intern will go on whale watching boats to collect cetacean sighting data, photo-identification data and note compliance with local regulations. - The intern will go on our research boat to collect cetacean sighting, photo-identification and sampling data. *Training*: The necessary equipment and training for the field work will be provided (species identification, camera, GPS, binoculars, datasheets, etc), as well as a computer for data organization and processing. By the end of the internship, the trainee will be able to: - Organize and process spatial data of anthropogenic pressures; - Basic spatial analyses with distance sampling/GIS softwares; Identify in the field the cetacean species present in Madeira archipelago; - Collect observational data from sightings, environmental parameters and effort, organize it and process it for analysis; - Collect photo-id data in the field, organize it and process it; *Requirements*: - Know basic data processing (Access/Excel), GIS programs (QGIS/ArcGIS) and experience desirable but not essential with R. - Be patient and organized - Motivated to work - Commit to a minimum of 6 months - Show interest and willingness to learn The work will take place at the Madeira Whale Museum in Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. The student will be responsible for his travel to and from Madeira, housing and food. The Madeira Whale Museum can sign internship agreements with Universities. *Dates*: January-June 2020 *Deadline for application:* 31st of July 2019 *Supervision*: Ruth Esteban, Philippe Verborgh and Luis Freitas *How to apply*: A CV and a motivation letter should be sent to Ruth Esteban at the following email: rutheste...@museudabaleia.org If you have any questions or doubts you can contact us. Cheers, Ruth Bióloga Marinha - *Marine Biologist* Unidade de Ciência - *Science Unit* [image: logombm] © Museu da Baleia - *Madeira Whale Museum* Rua Garcia Moniz Nº.1, 9200-031 Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. T: 00 351 291 961 858 <+351%20291%20961%20858> | F: 00 351 291 961 859 <+351%20291%20961%20859> www.museudabaleia.org Siga-nos em: [image: logofacebook] <https://www.facebook.com/museu.baleia.madeira/>[image: logoinstagram] <https://www.instagram.com/museudabaleia/>[image: logoyoutube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUG7Ev5KgQA5EJjbfbdfAPQ>
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