[MARMAM] Irrawaddy Dolphin Research - Gulf of Thailand

[Sarah Tubbs]

Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) is Cambodia's longest running volunteer
marine conservation organisation, pioneering and leading ocean conservation
in Cambodia. MCC have new internship positions available on cetacean
research.



The Cambodia Dolphin Project was established for the purpose of
contributing to  scientific knowledge on cetaceans for the conservation and
sustainable management of marine biodiversity. Despite high cetacean
biodiversity in the region,  no long-term studies have taken place here.
Therefore, the project aims to fulfill the gaps of missing long-term
studies by collecting data on cetacean abundance, distribution and
residency patterns in order to delineate critical habitats within
Cambodia’s Kep Archipelago.   The project provides an excellent opportunity
for post-grads, students and individuals interested in gaining more
experience and knowledge in the field of cetacean research.



We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and hard-working individuals to
join our team. The minimum commitment is one month, although for a fuller
experience we recommend two or more. A biology background is not mandatory
but advantageous, as well as an ability to dedicate yourselves to the
study. We will be in the field early in the morning or late into the
evening, boat trips can be day long (12 hours), and there is a large amount
of data to process and enter. A good level of endurance is necessary as
well as the ability to live and work in a multicultural team, living on a
basic camp.


You will learn about different software used in cetacean research, boat and
land survey techniques and photo identification methods amongst other
things. There will also be the opportunity for you to contribute to
publications we might be working on,  get involved in other MCC projects
such as our coral gardenor sea horse project and various scientific
outreach events.



This position is unpaid and requires a contribution fee of US$300/week from
the volunteers which covers accommodation, food  and  project related
activities.  MCC does not take any profits from this sum, with all money
being fed directly back into the project. We have positions available year
round and for people staying longer than 3 months there is a discounted
price available.



To apply please send a cover letter and CV to cambodiadolphinproject@
gmail.com
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[MARMAM] Seeking Film Festival Entries

[PWF Research Department]

On February 16, 2018 Pacific Whale Foundation is hosting the second annual
World Whale Film Festival at the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach Hotel on Maui,
Hawaii. The World Whale Film Festival is part of Maui Whale Festival
, a series of events and activities that
raise awareness and inspire action to protect whales and their ocean
habitat. Our goal is to bring together bright and creative minds to present
visual media that will promote learning, inspire activism and provoke
progressive discussion. Presenters have the option to attend the event and
present their film in front of our live audience.


We are currently seeking entries for short length films (under 15 minutes).
We encourage any members of the MARMAM community who have a film they would
like to enter, or recommend as an entrant, to please contact us.


*World Whale Film Festival Guidelines*

*Eligibility:*
Filmmakers from around the world of all skill levels are encouraged to
participate. We are looking for powerful storytelling about whales,
dolphins and other marine life in their natural ocean environment. Films
should be no longer than 15 minutes in duration.

*Ethics:*
Pacific Whale Foundation supports ethical visual storytelling that
accurately represents cultures, ecosystems and wildlife. The welfare of all
marine wildlife and the environment must be respected and remain
undisturbed. Federal, state and regional regulations must be followed and
applicable permits must be valid at time of filming for material to be
considered.

*Format:*
Acceptable formats include video, film, multi-media presentations,
photography, illustrations and other moving images. You can send digital
files in .mov or .mp4 format.

*Rights & Permissions:*
By entering the World Whale Film Festival, you acknowledge that the content
you submit is your own creative work and does not infringing upon the
rights of any other person or entity. You will retain copyright of any
submitted work and may continue to use it in any manner you choose. You
agree that the work may be used for promotional purposes on Pacific Whale
Foundation media platforms, including but not limited to websites, social
media sites, and printed materials.

*Selection Process:*
Entries will be considered for selection based on originality, message,
technical excellence, artistic merit, and overall impact. The story behind
your work may play a part in the selection process, so please include a
brief summary about each submission. Final selections will be announced in
January 2018. Selected participants will be invited to present their work
at the 2nd Annual World Whale Film Festival on Friday, February 16, 2018.

Send your entries by email: filmfesti...@pacificwhale.org

Or mail:
Attn: World Whale Film Festival
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Ma'alaea Rd, Ste 211
Wailuku, HI 96793



*Research Department*

Pacific Whale Foundation

300 Ma'alaea Rd., Suite 211

Wailuku, HI 96793, USA

Phone: +1 808-856-8338

Email: resea...@pacificwhale.org

Website: www.pacificwhale.org

-- 


https://www.pacificwhale.org/cruises/activities/welcome-home-the-whales-lahaina/

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission and any 
accompanying attachments contain information belonging to the sender which 
may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended 
only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail 
transmission was sent as indicated above. If you are not the intended 
recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in 
reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission 
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, 
please notify the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this 
transmission and all attachments. Thank you!
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[MARMAM] New publications on abnormalities in free-ranging cetaceans

[Filipe Alves]

Dear colleagues,
we are pleased to announce three recent Notes on abnormalities in free-ranging 
cetaceans:
1) Alves F, JR Towers, RW Baird, G Bearzi, S Bonizzoni, R Ferreira, Z Halicka, 
A Alessandrini, AH Kopelman, C Yzoard, MH Rasmussen, CG Bertulli, E Jourdain, A 
Gullan, D Rocha, K Hupman, M-T Mrusczok, FIP Samarra, S Magalhães, CR Weir, JKB 
Ford, A Dinis (2017) The incidence of bent dorsal fins in free-ranging 
cetaceans. Journal of Anatomy, doi: 10./joa.12729A
Abstract
Laterally bent dorsal fins are rarely observed in free-ranging populations of 
cetaceans, contrary to captivity, where most killer whale Orcinus orca adult 
males have laterally collapsed fins. This topic has been poorly explored, and 
data/information on its occurrence and possible causes are limited. The present 
study: (i) undertakes a review of the available information on bent dorsal fins 
in free-ranging cetaceans, and updates it with new records, (ii) reports on the 
proportion of bent fins in different study populations, and (iii) discusses 
possible causes. An empirical approach based on bibliographic research and 
compilation of 52 new records collected worldwide resulted in a total of 17 
species of cetaceans displaying bent dorsal fins. The species with the highest 
number of records (64%) and from most locations was O. orca. On average, 
individuals with bent dorsal fins represent < 1% of their populations, with the 
exception of false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens and O. orca. While line 
injuries associated with fisheries interactions may be the main cause for P. 
crassidens, and the vulnerability to health issues caused by the evolutionary 
enlargement of the fin may be the cause for O. orca adult males, factors 
contributing to this abnormality for other species are still unclear. The 
occurrence of bent dorsals could be influenced by a set of variables rather 
than by a single factor but, irrespective of the cause, it is suggested that it 
does not directly affect the animals' survivorship. While still rare in nature, 
this incident is more common (at least 101 known cases) and widespread 
(geographically and in species diversity) than hypothesized, and is not 
confined only to animals in captive environments. Investigation into the 
occurrence of bent fins may be an interesting avenue of research.

Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./joa.12729/abstract


2) Alves F, R Ferreira, L Dias, C Nicolau, D Sousa, C Moura, C Gomes, A Dinis 
(2017) Rare records of hypo- and hyper-pigmented individuals in two delphinid 
species off Madeira island. Hystrix, doi:10.4404/hystrix-28.1-11888
AbstractSightings of anomalously all-white (leucistic) or all-black 
(melanistic) individuals are rare innature, with information on hypo- and 
hyper-pigmented short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinusdelphis) and Atlantic 
spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) being scarce in the literature. Thisstudy 
describes seven sightings of anomalously pigmented D. delphis and S. frontalis 
recorded offMadeira Island between 2014 and 2016. This includes: i) four 
records of a dark-pigmented D.delphis that lacked the distinctive hourglass 
colour (yellow) pattern, ii) two records of an all-whiteD. delphis, and iii) 
one record of an all-white S. frontalis. All records consisted of full-sized 
animalsand were observed displaying the same behaviour as the other individuals 
in the same group,with no other delphinid species in the vicinities. The 
all-white individuals had a normal (dark)eye colouration, which indicated that 
the animals were not true albinos, but rather leucistic individuals.Despite 
inherent limitations of this condition, the adults observed in this study 
confirmedthe potential longevity of these anomalously pigmented individuals in 
the wild. Similar reports asof those described here may provide a framework to 
better understand these animals. This studyfurther highlights the value of 
sharing photographs via social media forums (e.g. Facebook).
Available at: http://www.italian-journal-of-mammalogy.it/article/view/11888/pdf 
(OPEN ACCESS)

3) Dinis A, RW Baird, SD Mahaffy, V Martín, F. Alves (2017) Beaked whales with 
rostrum deformities: Implications for survival and reproduction. Marine Mammal 
Science 33(3), 946-954. doi: 10./mms.12406
Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./mms.12406/abstract 


Feel free to contact me for pdf requests, preferably to 
filipe.alves@ciimarmadeira.orgRegards,
Filipe Alves
Postdoctoral fellow
Oceanic Observatory of Madeira / ARDITI
CIIMAR-Madeira
Caminho da Penteada, Tecnopolo,
9020-105 Funchal,
Portugal
+351 291721216
http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=filipealves
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Filipe_Alves/contributions

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[MARMAM] PSO / MMO Training in S Padre Island TX Feb 24-25

[abostwick]

MPSC is offering a training course in South Padre Island, Texas which provides
Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification
on February 24-25, 2018.  This course will include a two-hour sailing trip
aboard the UTRGV Research Vessel Ridley, providing experience in locating and
identifying protected species at sea.  We will also tour the rehabilitation
facilities at Sea Turtle Inc, where we can further discuss key identifying
traits and behaviors of the animals while viewing them in person.  This training
is approved by the federal agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the
Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement to provide Protected Species
Observer certification for seismic surveys, and is often accepted in various
other industries and regions where mitigation for protected species is needed.
 PSOs monitor for marine mammals and sea turtles, and advise on the measures
required to reduce impacts to the animals worldwide.  
 
The course covers the regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals and sea
turtles, how to visually locate and identify the animals, and objectively
documenting animal behavior. We will also discuss and practice different manual
settings for professional wildlife photography.  Lunch is provided each day,
along with various identification guides and regulatory documents (yours to
keep), the vessel trip, tour of the sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, advice
on applying to PSO positions, and the professional certification.  
 
Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at
http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting us at
abostw...@psocertifications.com  , or by
phone at 832-523-2402.
 
Thank you,
Angela Bostwick / Founder
Marine Protected Species Consulting
ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com 
https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/
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