The Marine Mammal and Protected Resources (MMPR) Program in Charleston,
South Carolina is recruiting to fill two Dolphin Photo-identification
Internship positions for the fall of 2009. The MMPR is organized
within NOAA’s National Ocean Service and is located at the Coastal
Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR) laboratory in
Charleston, SC. The intern position involves a commitment of 20 hours
per week extending over a 14 week period from September 14, 2009 to
December 18, 2009. There is some flexibility in these start and
end times. Interns will participate in the field and laboratory activities
of the Charleston Dolphin Abundance and Distribution Project (CDAD).
Three useful sources of information about the CDAD project are:
1) Zolman, E. 2002. Residence patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
in the Stono River estuary, Charleston County, South Carolina. Marine Mammal Science
18:879-892.
2) The Charleston Dolphin Abundance and Distribution (CDAD) Project:
Standard Operating Protocols (SOP) for Field and Photographic Analysis
Procedures.
3) Speakman, T., E. Zolman, J. Adams, R.H. Defran, D. Laska, L. Schwacke, J. Craigie,
and P. Fair. 2006. Temporal and spatial aspects of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in
coastal and estuarine waters near Charleston, South Carolina. NOAA Technical
Memorandum NOS NCCOS 37.
You can download pdf versions of these documents at the web sites listed below.
The CDAD project carries out boat-based photo-identification surveys in
the coastal and inland waterways of the Charleston SC area. This
research is designed to provide an understanding of the population
characteristics, including temporal and spatial aspects, of the
distribution of Charleston area Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The
internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated
individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in photo-identification
methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced dolphin researchers.
There is no compensation for this internship position and the successful applicant
will be responsible for their living and transportation expenses during the time of the
internship. During the internship interns must have a personal vehicle
to allow them to travel to and from the laboratory and to some of the
local field sites in the Charleston area. Ideal internship applicants
will be advanced undergraduates or a recent graduate of a scientifically oriented
university program in the behavioral or biological sciences. A typical applicant
should have a strong interest in the scientific study of cetacean behavioral ecology,
have potential interests in future graduate study in marine mammal science, and is an
individual who seeks extensive and intensive exposure to the field work, data analysis
techniques, and research literature in this field. Preference will be given to the
selection of interns with well developed computer skills and boat-based field experience.
The internship application will consist of a letter of interest, transcripts of university
coursework and two letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors who
are familiar with your scholarship, research skills and work habits.
Interested applicants should first correspond with Todd Speakman by
email before preparing and submitting application materials. We
anticipate filling this internship position by July 13 2009.
Interested applicants should correspond by email to Todd Speakman
Email:
[log in to unmask] <mailto:
[log in to unmask]>
Zolman .pdf download:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/psychology/psy211/defran/CDAD/Zolman2002.pdf
CDAD SOP .pdf download:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/psychology/psy211/defran/CDAD/CDAD_Internship_SOP.pdf
Speakman et. al. pdf download:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/psychology/psy211/defran/CDAD/Speakman_et_al_2006a.pdf
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Right whale Aerial Survey Observer positions at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is seeking two aerial survey observers for the upcoming 2010 right whale survey season. Observers will work with the aerial survey team, which operates between January 1 and May 31 every year, flying aerial surveys over Cape Cod Bay to assess the abundance, distribution, conservation status and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay.
The observers' primary responsibilities include:
- Participation in aerial surveys, either as the data recorder or photographer.
- Processing of aerial survey data: Entering data recorded during surveys, filling in data tables throughout the season, photo analysis, matching photographs taken on surveys to known, catalogued individuals, updating in--house identification website, helping to prepare data for submissions to the New England Aquarium.
- Keeping up with current issues in right whale monitoring, particularly familiarizing oneself with current entanglement cases and protocols.
Other responsibilities may include:
- Assisting program director and flight coordinator with relevant projects.
- Updating in-house photo catalog
- Finalizing data entry and photo analysis from previous field seasons.
Requirements:
A degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences (required).
Experience with digital SLR cameras.
Experience in photo-identification of marine mammals, and matching of photographs (required).
Data entry; basic computer skills in programs such as Excel and Word (required).
Aerial survey experience. Must not suffer from air sickness.
Must work well in a team. Field hours can be long and the winter fieldwork conditions are cold and often uncomfortable.
Enthusiasm, a sense of humor, attention to detail and willingness to learn.
We fly between one and four surveys weekly throughout the field season. Observers are sometimes required to work on weekends and for long hours in a small plane. Applicants with a long-term interest in working in the field of large whale conservation research are encouraged to apply.
Housing will be provided for the duration of the field period. This is a paid position.
Application process:
Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts, and the contact information for three references via email to
[log in to unmask] . The closing date for applications is July 15, 2009. No applications will be accepted after this date.
Please use "Aerial survey observer position" in the subject line of your email.
Ruth H. Leeney, PhD
Director, Right Whale Aerial Survey Program
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
5 Holway Avenue
MA 02657
USA
Seal Pup Rehabilitation Internship
Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a registered not for profit organization located on Salt Spring Island off the west coast BC, Canada. We are one of only two marine mammal rehabilitation facilities in the country and operate under permits from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and the Ministry of Water, Land and Air. IWNCC's focus is on the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned, sick and injured Harbour Seal pups.
We have one internship opening remaining from August 1 until September 30, 2009. During this period there will probably be 80 to 100 Harbour Seal pups on-site.
This is a volunteer position with housing and a small grocery allowance. Interns are accepted internationally and are responsible for their own transportation to and from British Columbia.
Interns work directly under marine mammal rehabilitation specialists and can expect to learn and/or improve their skills in the following:
Safe rescue and handling of Harbour Seal pups; stabilizing critical patients and new arrivals; diet preparation through all stages of the rehabilitation process; gavage (tube) feeding, force feeding and hand feeding techniques; proper hygiene and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of disease; administration of oral medications; behavioural and medical observation and proper record keeping; general care of many other indigenous avian and terrestrial species.
Jeff Lederman
Director
322 Langs Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1N3
(250) 537-0777