Weekly Marine Field Assignment

Under direct supervision, assists the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project in its investigations of patterns and controls of community structure and primary production in giant kelp forests. Specific duties include: (1) SCUBA surveys of common kelp forest algae, invertebrates, and fish at depths less than 60ft, (2) Towing, launching, and piloting a small (22') research vessel, (3) Installing, maintaining, and retrieving oceanographic instrumentation moored in the field , (4) Collecting coastal seawater and biological samples, and (5) Preparing sampling gear and instrumentation for the field and maintaining them in proper working condition

40 Weekly Laboratory Assignment
Specific laboratory tasks include: (1) Processing seawater and biological samples, (2) Fabricating devices to aid in field sampling and laboratory sample processing,, (3) Computer entry, quality assurance and quality control of data, (4) perform assorted errands.
See the link here for more information on the position and directions on how to apply:

Thanks,
Clint

Clint Nelson
Staff Research Assistant III
Marine Science Institute
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6150
(805) 893-7295 office phone
(805) 717-4794 cell phone
(805) 893-8062 FAX

Please apply with your CV, cover letter to v.haussermann@gmail.com with CC to huinayresearch @gmail.com
Applications missing forms will not be considered. Couples welcome.

Position Title: Technical-Scientific Assistant

Employer: San Ignacio del Huinay Foundation

Location: Huinay Scientific Field Station, Comau Fjord, Northern Patagonia,
Chile (the closest major center is Puerto Montt)

Position Type: Contract (1 year minimum)

Closing Date: November 15, 2008

Start Date: February 15, 2009 (Please note Visa requirements will have to be
fulfilled before arrival)

Salary:
* Starting wage of 400,000 Chilean Pesos per month with a set raise to 450,000CLP per month at 6 months (approximately 775USD and 870USD
respectively) minus local taxes and health insurance of approximately 17%
total. Based on a 40 hour work week. Days off are flexible.
* Free Room and Board while at the station. Two of your meals are prepared
for you.
* Free boat transfers to and from the station.
* Free laundry service.
* Rubber Boots.
* Steel-toed Boots.
* Eligibility to participate in the yearly expedition.

There are no living expenses while at the station.

Since the fall of 2006 a project that has been at the fore front for Marine Life Studies (MLS) in California is to help create a full functioning disentanglement team for the central coast of California with annual training, a toll free number for people to call when a whale or dolphin is entangled in gear, more gear in various locations along the coast, public outreach, etc. Up to now it just took a lot of time and not much money. Our efforts have been very successful. This spring W.E.T. was created.

We were able to coordinate our efforts with Fluke Foundation – Mary Whitney, Moss Landing Marine Lab - Jim Harvey, Alaska Whale Foundation - Pieter Folkens, UCSC/Long Marine Lab - Dave Casper, and California Academy of Science - Kathi Koontz. Along with Marine Life Studies (MLS) these are the core members of our regional whale disentanglement network. We have adopted the acronym W.E.T (Whale Entanglement Teams) as a shorter, catchier, way to represent what we do. Classroom and hands-on training was given this spring and summer. We have a strong commitment to public outreach and education including annual training, plus there is a new toll free hotline and a variety of printed materials in the pipeline.

Now we have an opportunity to apply for a grant to help fund much needed equipment. But the stipulation of the grant is that we have to come up with 25% matching funds. This is where I desperately need your help. Marine Life Studies (MLS) is looking to add to the cache of tools that will be kept in central California.

I am asking you to please pledge a donation at this time. We need it because as part of the application process MLS has to list the dollar amount that we will match to be even considered for the grant. The donation itself will be tax deductible in 2009 as we are part of a 501(c)3 organization. The pledged donation money would not have to be sent in until 2009 and only upon being awarded the grant.

Right now we need the dollar amount of your pledge that you will donate so MLS can submit it for the grant request. Whatever you can pledge will be greatly appreciated.

MLS has already gotten $2500 in pledges but still need to raise $2000 in pledges by early Monday morning. I know it is a lot to raise in such a short amount of time but thanks to the generosity of my friends, dive buddies, volunteers of MLS, etc. we have raised $2500 since Tuesday.

The deadline for submitting the application is next week so if you could please let me know what you will pledge by Sunday, September 28th so there is time to finish the paperwork. Please only serious pledges as I am going on the faith that you will stand behind the pledge you make and send it to MLS.

Please email pledges to Peggy peggy@marinelifestudies.org

Once I receive a pledge I will send you back an email to let you know I have received it.

Please write or call me with any questions you may have.

Thank you and the whales will thank you most of all.

Aloha,

Peggy

Peggy Stap

Marine Life Studies in Monterey, California

Project of the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation

Cell: 831-901-3833

Home: 269-623-8355

Email: peggy @ marinelifestudies.org

Website

(please keep in mind I have not had time to update my researcher's blog since December but hope to do that real soon - just not enough hours in the day : )

40 Hours/Week + overtime

Position Description:

Participate as a team member in the coral reef monitoring and evaluation project (CREMP) in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and Dry Tortugas. Participate in field data collection using underwater photography, videography, and other sampling equipment. Make in situ species identifications of selected marine benthic taxa and stony corals. Assist the CREMP team in the mobilization and demobilization for all field operations. Perform other duties as needed to meet the project objectives of the coral reef research group and the Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Section.

Maintain proficiency as Institute diver, including advanced SCUBA and NITROX capabilities according to AAUS standards. Assist in the safe operation of Institute research vessels and operation of portable SCUBA compressor. With training, operate cascade air fill station to refill diving cylinders. Assist in maintenance of diving, field, safety and laboratory equipment. Participate in training for additional field studies and participate in other coral research projects as directed.

Serve as the primary team member responsible for post-processing of video images and creating data files using coral image analysis programs. With training, responsible for incorporating QA/QC procedures as specified in frame grabbing of underwater video and creation of coral image analysis files. Assist with data entry, creation of summary tables, and digital graphics products. Identify stony coral species and octocoral, sponge and other selected taxa from CDROM images and assist in preparation of reports and manuscripts.

NOTE: This position requires extended travel in the field. Travel often requires 2 week stays in the field and requires working on weekends; workweeks in the field are often 60 hours. Overtime is paid for work over 40 hours in one workweek. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. This position is based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

We are seeking a technician to assist in conducting coral reef damage and disease surveys in southeast Florida and to assist in water quality and aquatic community sampling along the northeast Gulf coast of Florida. Technical time will be split between these two geographic areas with housing (if necessary) and transportation provided during research trips. The position will be based in Gainesville, Florida in the University of Florida Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. This is a temporary 1-year grant-funded position with the possibility of continuation for an additional 2 - 3 years depending on performance and the availability of funds. This is a full-time OPS level position (no fringe benefits). Pay will start at $12/hr for 40 hrs/week.

START DATE: AUGUST 25, 2008

For consideration, please email a CV, transcripts (non-official), and the contact information for three references to Dr. Don Behringer. The application review process will begin IMMEDIATELY and proceed until a suitable candidate is identified.

Email:
Mailing address:
Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
University of Florida
7922 NW 71st Street
Gainesville, FL 32653

REQUIREMENTS:

1. This is a physically demanding position that will require long strenuous days of diving, carrying heavy dive and sampling gear, and long days of travel.

2. SCUBA certification and experience diving to 20 meters (60 feet).

3. Prior experience conducting underwater fieldwork.

4. Knowledge of coral reef ecosystems.

5. Prior coral reef survey experience is preferred, but underwater survey experience in other habitats may suffice.

6. Knowledge of sessile coral reef species (corals, sponges, etc.) or ability to rapidly learn to identify species.

7. Small vessel (20 - 30 ft) handling and transportation experience.

8. Clean driving record and driver's license.

9. Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, or related field.

10. NOT PRONE TO SEA SICKNESS.

Position Summary

The diving and safety officer is responsible for the Scientific Diving Program and oversees all diving activities undertaken at BMSC, in accordance with BMSC policy, and governing regulations of the Canadian Association for Underwater Sciences, the Workers Compensation Board of BC and Canadian Standards Association. The diving and safety officer also oversees all aspects of Occupational Health and Safety at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, in accordance with the standards described by the Workers Compensation Board of BC.

For full details of duties & responsibilities, and of qualifications & experience, please see the detailed job ad here.

Submission of Applications

Please submit a resume that summarizes your qualifications and experience, and provide the names and contact information for three references that can be contacted by telephone or e-mail.

Applications may be mailed, delivered by hand, faxed or e-mailed (e-mail preferred):

Shirley Pakula
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
PO Box 100
Bamfield, B.C. V0R 1B0 CANADA

Fax: 250-728-3452
E-mail

Preferred Start Date: Aug. 25, 2008

Review of applications will begin Aug. 4, 2008 and continue until the position is filled.

Unfortunately, our program reporting period is up and we are being re-evaluated for funding. That being said, we will hold what might be our last Undaria Monitoring event for a bit. In an effort to go out with a bang, I'm asking all volunteers and any of their diver friends that might want to participate to come out on Saturday, July 26th from about 9am to 1pm to help us conduct an underwater survey/removal and celebrate our efforts together as a group over lunch! I'm buying! In addition, we will be filming the programs public service
announcement so we'll have film crew working on the sidelines and underwater recording all of your efforts.

Please come out and join me for our last hurrah...or at least until a later date. If you are interest, please RVSP so I have a count for lunch, tanks, etc.

For those of you that can't make it...always wishing the best to my volunteers!

With Warm Regards,

Rita Bunzel
Program Manager
Undaria Monitoring Program
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

As one of six NURP Centers under the auspices of NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP), the Hawai‘i Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) is presently soliciting research pre-proposals for coral reef ecosystem research for CY2004 and CY2005. Since HURL specializes in deep-water undersea research projects, it encourages research proposals that rely on advanced diving practices (e.g., saturation, mixed gases, and rebreathers). HURL and University of Hawai‘i assets, including the R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa and the 900m remotely operated vehicle RCV-150, may be available to support operations in remote areas.

Regions of Interest:

* The waters of the Main and Northwest Hawaiian Islands, and the U.S. Territories and Freely-Associated States of the Western Pacific.
* American Flag Southwest Pacific waters, including American Samoa.

Go here for more information.

PDF job description here

Applications Close: Monday, 21 July 2008

Contact:
Jennifer McKinnon
Lecturer in Maritime Archaeology
Department of Archaeology
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide, SA 5001
AUSTRALIA

Phone: (+61 8) 8201 5875
Email

-by Ed Clifton

The night of February 14, 1969, I sat alone on the south shore of St. John, listening to the waves lapping against a beach of coral rubble. The sky was brilliantly lit with stars, and a light, warm breeze touched my face. Introspection claimed me, for I was on the brink of trading my familiar sun and starlit world for an alien undersea environment. The following afternoon, 3 marine biologists and I would splash down to a seafloor habitat where we would spend the next 60 days as aquanauts in the Tektite Man-in-the-Sea project.

I was not, I must admit, a seasoned diver. I had become certified with SCUBA two years earlier, and had since made a few tentative dives in the southern Oregon surf zone, where we had hoped to employ underwater observation in our research of nearshore sedimentology. I suppose I had, all told, a total of 25 dives under my belt. My primary qualifications for being a Tektite diver was probably my willingness to commit 60 days of my life to being the first geologist-aquanaut. So much for "The Right Stuff"!

As I sat in the darkness, I could hear a steel band and shouts of revelry in the distance. The Navy Seabees, who had carved a base camp out of the jungle and were providing logistical support for the project, were justifiably celebrating Spashdown Eve. I wondered what part of my subaerial existence I would miss most over the next 2 months. Would it be the stars? The feeling of a breeze on my face? The underwater world seemed dark and forbidding. What did it hold? How was all this going to work?

As I mused, listening to the lap of the waves and the sound of distant partying, I became aware that there were other sounds in the night: splashes and the distinctive popping sound of feeding fish. The sea was alive! Suddenly my introspection dissolved into eagerness to explore this world in a way privileged to very few others. I sat there for awhile longer listening to the sound of life in the sea, then returned to the party.

The Tektite project proved to be a wonderful, rewarding experience. I returned to the Oregon coast the following summer and we put scuba to full use in the first comprehensive study of a high-energy surf zone. I was also an eager participant a year later in the Tektite 2 experiment which gained me an additional 20 days of undersea habitation.

And what was it that I most missed while living underwater (other than wife and family, of course!)? It was something I had always taken for granted – the healing warmth of the sun.

photo of DK at Point Lobos courtesy Doug VanOmmeran

As everyone begins their work for the Summer it is imperative that every diver remembers that dive safety begins with the individual diver. Diving does have inherent risks and managing those risks is what prevents accidents. Risk management is every diver's and dive supervisor's number one job. And the risks begin above the water in the loading of gear and the use of vehicles, trailers and vessels - make sure you have proper training before driving vehicles, trailering vessels and operating boats.

Common incidents as new divers begin working and more experienced divers become complacent, tend toward poor air and decompression management and pushing the physical limits of one's diving capabilities. Below is a list of practices, that will help prevent diving accidents. I encourage everyone to review this list, and add to it, and share it with their divers. Make sure you have emergency contact information for all your divers at the dive site for every dive. Safety first, data second.

In the event of a suspected diving injury, contact your dive supervisor/leader and DAN (919-684-4326), begin oxygen therapy and prepare transportation to the nearest medical facility. Do not try to self-diagnosis without the help of DAN, they are your best resource to determine your course of treatment (or non-treatment). Make sure your DAN membership and insurance are current. Remember denial = delay = diminished recovery potential.

For complete details on the program, visit the DWAR page here: CCMI Dive With a Researcher
Program. The CCMI website also contains additional important details.

Duties:
Assistant will participate in all aspects of the field research, including fish and benthic community surveys, fish capture, tagging and dissection, data recording and data entry. Household duties (i.e. cooking, cleaning and equipment maintenance) will be shared between myself and the assistant. All field surveys will be done in collaboration with a local SCUBA dive operator, and assistant must be willing to help with dive shop duties such as gear maintenance and set up, as well as act as an ambassador for the project to the public.

Hi Folks, Here is an opportunity for an AAUS qualified diver to do some free diving at Anacapa Island on Monday. Dawn is a marine biologist, a researcher from CSN, a great diver, and a good friend. Contact me off line if you are qualified and interested, and I'll hook you up. Wayne
----- Original Message ----- From: Dawn Bailey
To: Surf City SCUBA
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 4:43 PM
Subject: Short notice diver

Hi Wayne,

Do you know any AAUS divers that would be available and interested in doing some diving at Anacapa THIS Monday, the 17th? I know its short notice but my Monday volunteer has come down with a sinus infection...

Thanks,
Dawn

by Greg Holzer
Each fall for the past several years, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), has conducted red abalone and red sea urchin density surveys at designated sites in northern California. Survey sites range along the Sonoma and Mendocino County coastlines. The 2007 surveys were lead by Dr. Laura Rogers-Bennett and were conducted at Ocean Cove in Sonoma County, as well as Van Damme State Park, Point Arena, and Stornetta Ranch in Mendocino County. The Cruise Report for Arena Point/Stornetta Ranch can be found (here) and makes for compelling reading, but I’d like to stress another aspect here--that of actually getting divers in the water for these surveys and cruises.

The DFG survey teams typically include divers from the Department, Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML), Humboldt State, and other related organizations, as well as volunteer AAUS-certified scientific divers. And as the boat leaves the dock, it’s usually clear that more divers would be a good thing.

For most everyone concerned about the progress of marine life conservation, repopulation efforts, and developments surrounding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), the effort that goes into the work is recognized, as well as the dedicated people involved. There are a lot of deserving projects though, and so DFG is developing a process in collaboration with Reef Check to recruit qualified divers who are interested in this research. AAUS-certification as a scientific diver is necessary to work from DFG’s boats and facilities, and that carries with it the associated training. However, speaking as one of the volunteer AAUS divers on the cruises the last few years, the rewards and benefits are definitely worth the effort to get and maintain the certification, if you’re interested in the work. Among the benefits: