[MARMAM] Vacancy –Masters/PhD Student for Dolphin Ecology and Conservation Study in Penang, Malaysia
Dear MARMAM, Please share Vacancy –Masters/PhD Student for a Dolphin Ecology and Conservation Study in Penang, Malaysia -Knowledge on cetacean ecology/inshore dolphin ecology -Ability to conduct photo-identification, mark-recapture analysis a plus -Independent -Accustomed to long field hours -Team player -Able to get registered as a student as soon as possible -Research is fully funded If interested please send a curriculum vitae and letter of interest by August 15th, 2018 to Dr. Leela Rajamani : leelarajam...@usm.my , Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia,11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia Please also send a page long essay of ‘Why do I want to be marine mammal scientist/conservationist? Regards, Leela -- Leela Rajamani (Ph.D.) Marine Mammal Conservation Senior Lecturer, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel no: 60-4-8852750 (CEMACS) 60-4 6535922 (Main Campus) Fax No: 60-4-8852751 Email leelarajam...@gmail.com leelarajam...@usm.my ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Development of a Marine Resource Room at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang
Dear Colleagues, We are currently developing a marine resource room at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. It is envisioned that will have resources to assist post graduates and post doctorals on their research work. We hope to stock the room with texkbooks,reports,manuals, ebooks and thesis (with permission) with an emphasis on marine mammal ecology and conservation.We also plan to have GIS facilities here, since we are based on a field station off campus.We welcome Marmamers to send second hand books and other relavent materials to the below address. Your book donations will be very appreciated and acknowledged.With this note, we also welcome short-term interns (at their own cost) to train and contribute to our development as well as academic and research activities at CEMACS. Best wishes, Leela -- Leela Rajamani (Ph.D.) Senior Lecturer, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel no: 60-4-8852750 (CEMACS) 60-4 6535922 (Main Campus) Fax No: 60-4-8852751 Email leelarajam...@gmail.com leelarajam...@usm.my Assoc. Fellow Institute of Oceanography and Environment,Universiti Malaysia Terenggannu Member, IUCN-SSC Sirenian Specialist Group ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Vacancy for Post-Graduate Student
Dear MARMAM, Please could you post this vacancy: Dear fellow colleagues and students, *VACANCY FOR POST-GRADUATE STUDENT * *M.Sc. level* for a project entitled “*Investigative studies of marine mammals in Penang and surrounding areas”*. The candidate must comfortable with working on boats with long or irregular hours. This study focuses on the distribution, range and movement patterns of a group of dolphins found in northwest Penang, namely Indo-pacific humpback dolphins. *Where*: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. *For further enquiries please contact:* Dr. Leela Rajamani, email leelarajam...@gmail.com or leelarajam...@usm.my. Tel no: +6019-3142552. Research is fully funded. Graduate assistantships and research fellowships can be applied for. Overseas students welcome Thanks, and look forward to hearing from you. Leela -- Leela Rajamani (Ph.D.) Senior Lecturer, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel no: 60-4-8852750 Fax No: 60-4-8852751 Email leelarajam...@gmail.com leelarajam...@usm.my ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Request for dugong and seagrass pictures
Dear colleagues, I'm preparing a dugong poster for education purposes with local communities in Johor, Malaysia. I would really appreciate it if any of you could share some of your photos of dugongs and seagrasses (tropical) to be placed on the poster. Full acknowledgement will be given to the photographer concerned. Thank you in advance. Leela -- Leela Rajamani (Ph.D.) Senior Lecturer, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel no: 60-4-8852750 Fax No: 60-4-8852751 Email leelarajam...@gmail.com leelarajam...@usm.my ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Reviewer needed for manuscript on dugong status in the Sulu
Dear All, I have written a manuscript on dugong status in the Malaysia side of the Sulu Sea. I'm requesting anyone who is willing to read my manuscript and provides a useful comments before I send it to a journal. Preferably this person has interests in interview surveys and has conducted such surveys in developing countries. There are not many dugong specialists in my country and I appreciate it if anyone has the free time. Thanking you in advance. Leela Rajamani, Borneo Marine Research Institute, University Malaysia Sabah. ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] PhD Thesis,Malaysia
Dear Colleagues, A PDF copy of my thesis is available on dugongs in Sabah,Malaysia Rajamani L.2009. The Conservation biology of the dugong (Dugong dugon) in Sabah,Malaysia : a basis for conservation planning. PhD Thesis.Borneo Marine Research Institute.Universiti Malaysia Sabah.288 pp. ABSTRACT : Prior to 1999, dugongs were rarely observed in Malaysia. This first comprehensive study of dugongs and their related seagrass habitats in Sabah, investigated the local stakeholder environment, the abundance and distribution of dugongs, identified and monitored threats to dugongs, and mapped seagrass habitats relevant to dugongs. The study was conducted in two spatial scales namely, 1) Regional (to determine dugong distribution in Sabah) (excluding Tawau) 2) Local - to determine local dugong abundance, conduct seagrass mapping and community surveys at two study sites Banggi island and Mantanani island. Community surveys consisted of a census, interview surveys, a dugong monitoring programme and participant observation. This information was used to determine stakeholder characters, and their perceptions of the researcher, research project, dugongs and seagrasses. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) of dugongs and seagrasses was also sought. The abundance, composition and habitat area of seagrass was assessed using a method of visually estimating above-ground seagrass biomass at sites along one kilometre transects perpendicular to the coast. Biomass was estimated every 50 metres in shallow areas (up to 5 metres depth) and every 100 metres in deep areas (greater than 5 metres depth). These sites later form the basis of seagrass meadows using GIS applications. Standardised aerial surveys were conducted regionally for the coastal waters of Sabah to determine dugong distribution patterns. The communities of Banggi and Mantanani are economically disadvantaged, practise destructive fishing and have little understanding of ecological processes and concepts of conservation. However, the reasons for dugong decline are known. Appreciation of the aesthetic value of dugongs within the communities is varied. However, the community appears to have adequate local knowledge of the dugong having cultural linkages through a dugong myth. Approximately, 70% of the total population is young below the age of 30, who could be receptive to new ideas. Outside influences from the media is widely available to the community. The community is able to develop a relationship with the researcher and participate cordially in research activities. Dugong numbers are very low in Sabah. Fifty two dugongs were sighted in Sabah excluding Tawau. Based on these results, crude estimates of minimal count are between 688 and 1376 dugongs residing in coastal Sabah. Key dugong areas were identified to be Brunei Bay, Labuan Island, and Sandakan Bay. Banggi Island and Mantanani Island supports a small population of dugongs respectively. Based on this study, dugongs were subject to threats, which were mostly anthropogenic. They were 1) blast fishing, 2) incidental entangling in nets and 3) unsupervised tourism and vessel strikes. The number of mortalities in Sabah (especially in Banggi Island), are high compared to dugong abundance results obtained in this study. When Potential Biological Removal (PBR) estimates were compared to crude estimates of yearly mortality, it is confirmed that dugong populations are declining. Ten species of seagrass from two families were found in Banggi Island and Mantanani Island. These include Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis (broad and thin variety), Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Halophila decipiens, Halophila spinulosa, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Enhalus acoroides. A new unidentified species of Halophila was collected in Molleangan Island, west of Banggi Island. Approximately, 415 ha and 112 ha of seagrass meadows were mapped in Banggi island and Mantanani island respectively giving a total of 527 ha of seagrass available for dugong consumption. The information obtained on the local communities, seagrass and dugong provided the basis to inform a comprehensive conservation plan in Sabah. Key conservation strategies include a dialogue and community education programme, provision of alternative livelihoods, improving enforcement to prevent illegal fishing methods, co-management of dugong and seagrass resources, stringent controls on ecotourism and vessel strikes, zoning of seagrass in marine protected areas and further research. As the dugong is a migratory species, conservation management at an international level with the neighbouring state of Sarawak, and countries of Brunei, the Philippines and Indonesia is necessary. Please let me know if you are interested in reading it and I will send a copy. Best Regards Leela Leela Rajamani, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88999 Kota Kinabalu Malaysia. Skype address: leela.rajamani
