Summer Internships

Hi everyone,

on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI , I am pleased to announce that there are still places available for our 2009 Summer Internships (a minimum of 7 weeks of participation between June - September) in Sardinia Island, Italy. The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI is a marine science and education centre committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of marine life to meet the needs of current and future generations.

BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long term study about the ecology and behaviour of wild bottlenose dolphins and the potential effects of human activities (fisheries, aquaculture and tourism) in their distribution and behaviour. An internship period with the BDRI offers an invaluable exposure to boat based field work,marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in marine biology. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can present their BDRI's personal research project as their Thesis. Internships can be used for academic or vocational purposes, butstudents are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the internship.

Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of marine mammal research as research assistants in two diverse research projects:

1. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins societies project: We will take and analyse identification photos, study group structure and composition to refine details of dolphin societies and responses to human activities at sea. Volunteers assist with data collection onboard helping to locate, photograph and keep track of bottlenose dolphin groups. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse photos and transcribe data collected.
2. Effects of man-made noise pollution on dolphins’ communication and behaviour: We will examine acoustic characteristics of bottlenose dolphins’ vocal signals and we will compare these characteristics with those of man-made noise in order to investigate effects of noise exposure on the dolphins’ behaviour and communication. Internships will actively participate in data collection onboard and monitor dolphins vocalizations. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse and transcribe acoustical data collected.

Internships will stay in an apartment on Golfo Aranci. There is an internships cost of 35€-40€/day and BDRI will provide housing and all associated field costs during the internships period (training, use of materials, electricity, gas, boat trips, etc). The apartment has a full kitchen and a full set of cooking utensils. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research camp (Sardinia, Italy).

There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Start and end dates are flexible. Positions are open until filled.

Please download the internships general information at:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/internships.pdf
and the application from:
www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/applicationinternships.rtf

Send cover letter or inquiries by email to the Research Chief, Bruno Diaz Lopez, at info@thebdri.com. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates you are available.

Selected scientific publications by BDRI:

1. Diaz Lopez, B and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Whistles characteristics and repertoire of wild bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia Island, Italy. RIMMO 16 ème Conférence Internationale sur les Cétacés en Méditerranée, Nice France, 15 November 2008.

2. Diaz Lopez B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling 212: 292-303.

3. Diaz Lopez, B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez Fernández, P., 2008. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K. 88(6): 1153-1157.

4. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62(6): 887-894.

5. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on the noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K, 87, 113-117.

6. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Predation on a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations". Aquatic Mammals 32(3): 305 - 310 pp.

7. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia". ICES Journal of Marine Science 63: 944-951 pp.

8. Diaz Lopez, B., 2005. Interactions between bottlenose dolphins with trammel nets in the Sardinia Island. International Council for Exploration of the Sea Document CM 2005/X 1.

9. Diaz Lopez, B., 2005. Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and fish farms: could there be an economic impact? International Council for Exploration of the Sea Document CM 2005/X 10.

10. Diaz Lopez, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., 2005. The impact of a fish farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas 2005, 21(2): 53-58.

Bruno Diaz Lopez

Research Biologist / Marine Zoologist

Chief Researcher

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI

V. A. Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy

http://www.thebdri.com/

info@thebdri.com

tel: + (39) 346 0815414