Sunday, December 4, 2011

A trip down to the sewers!


25th ICCB: Marine Think Tank
Third Day of the Conference – Dec. 4th
Start
            Not going into it.  Did a bit of volunteering and moving onto the session.

Session
            Got started at 9 AM with a round robin of introductions – lots of marine mammal big names.  Kind of humbling to meet the faces behind the names of the papers I have been referencing and studying for the past few years.  Like being in Hollywood and see all the big stars for me.  So I am totally star-struck right now.  Our hosts are Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson – resident experts on Hector’s dolphins and various other marine mammals.  The goal of the session is to get conservation science listed under conservation management.  Yeah, I have no idea either but apparently it is a big issue.  Going to learn lots about it in the coming hours.
            Aside: pet peeve = soft-spoken speakers.
            While the session began with a background on by-catch and Hector’s dolphins serving as case studies, it quickly degenerated to discussion on enforcement, political complaints, and funding issues.  Those first two are common topics of conservation at the conference and have arisen in every discussion I have participated in or listened to without fail so far and I doubt very much that will change.  Like the USA, the New Zealand government is scaling back funding, especially on the conservation side.  In the USA, I am not surprised as science and education are always the first things to go right after social welfare, but as New Zealand’s prime money-maker is eco-tourism I am kind of surprised.  The whale watching business alone makes millions of dollars, much more than the fishing industry.  Apparently one of the prime ministers of New Zealand simply does not have an environmental bent, and as I have been told, well, the next election is in three years and you can bet that without major turnaround someone is more than likely going to be out of office.  Conservation means you have an ecosystem to show tourists and the major money-spender right now in the travel business is the self-styled eco-tourist, so no conservation means no ecosystem and you can do the rest from there.
            Back to the session however, the background information on Hector’s dolphins was good to hear for my research paper due in oh two days.  My population ecology class asks for a 2500 word paper which I have chosen to write on the Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins of New Zealand.  Have an abiding love for this country and its dolphins.  The discussion however just served to demonstrate just how out of touch some scientists are with social science, psychology, and social networking.  I don’t claim to be an expert by any means but some of the conclusions reached during the session are things I was taught in leadership training throughout high school and college.  A plan of action, goal, follow-though, and then revisiting your work to judge your success are all basics for project planning.  Communication is essential between all group members and those involved in the decision-making process, however if you have power to enforce your decision and you cannot get certain parties to compromise then don’t, just tell them the plan and that this is it.  I do recognize however that theoretical training and planning is much harder to put into practice.  And yet, this session seemed to still be grasping just the theoretical concepts and not discussing issues that had been run into while implementing them. 
            Social networking is vital to any scientist.  If you want to be reaching out to the non-scientific community then you should be summarizing your findings in a blog, have a twitter account, and be running a facebook group among other things.  The man behind WhySharksMatter offered some great advice and free help on all of this.  I really hope session members take advantage of his offer; I know I will be in terms of creating a website and posting an article or two on Southern Fried Science. 
            Aside: running between buildings in the pouring rain (thank-you 4 seasons NZ) for every lunch break, tea session, etc. is not fun.  Feel bad for whoever wore white – looking at you my fellow volunteers.
            The session ended on a good note with summarization of how to properly implement a plan of action for a critically endangered species and how to approach government officials to get your voice heard.   Simple stuff such as publishing in articles read by the government and making sure to voice a rebuttle to those with an un-informed opinion or voicing data you know to be wrong are all steps to be taken.  Also, a good reputation is nice to have, but almost all of the conservationists you can name which got any protection for her or his cause were not respected at large by the scientific community and were extremists, but you know what?  They usually got significant protection and work done for their species.  Not saying it is necessarily the right way to go about it, but you should step up and say something to defend what you know is right instead of backing down at times.  Everything in moderation, right?
         
Evening Activity   
           Enough with the dreary talk, at the end of the session we had a bit of downtime before heading over to Kelley Tarlton’s marine aquarium built in the sewer.  Very awesome place which served as the inspiration for my group’s section of the Ugly Zoo class project this semester in Endangered Species – coolest project ever! Dr. Parsons rocks!  Went over to the session via cab, not too bad in cost, and manned the door for a bit before checking out the penguin ride.  
The ride takes you through the Antarctic section of the building and specifically through the penguin enclosure where they have two species of penguin.  Coolest thing was the baby penguin chicks J Glad I wasn’t able to smell them though.
The main reception area with food and drink was next to the miniature pool housing fish and giant rays.  Those things are massive!  A comment on the food – sea food at a marine conservation lecture, really?
            Headed down to the sewer section of the building to grab some video for my group project, and it was as cool as ever!  I have been to the KT aquarium several times and always enjoy my visits.  Got to see a sea turtle and numerous native fish, also about 7 species of shark

            Spent the rest of the session geeking out, talking, and then catching a cab back to O’Rourke Hall to sleep.  Thanks the gods I have a NZ cell, quite a few people were left without a way to get back because no arrangements were made for transportation.  Our cab driver called in a request to have more cabs sent over thankfully for everyone still there.  Unfortunately, the photo card I took the photos on has been lost and I am not sure I will find it before the end of the trip.  

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Out of this world, once in a lifetime experience!

25th ICCB 3rd Day Afternoon Activity: Whale Watching
Afternoon Activity
            I elected to go out on the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Watch rather than attend the afternoon portion of the conference.  Turned out to be the best decision I could have made – not only did I see Common Dolphins and at least 5-7 Bryde’s whales, but there was a mother-calf Humpback whale pair!  Now, I know you’re thinking – Humpback whales, really?  I am serious though!  Location is a huge deal for this species!  There have only been two sightings of this species in the Hauraki Gulf since 1960 according to the boat captain and marine biologist on board.  Humpbacks are NEVER seen in this area of the New Zealand.  Don’t get me wrong, I was much more excited by the Common dolphins and glad to have seen the Bryde’s whale, but the Humpback pair were going through the social interaction routine.  We saw flipper slapping, breaching (body, tail, head, full), twisting, ½ tail in the air, and so many more behaviours with baby copying Mom every step of the way.  An amazing, amazing experience!












            

MPA's and OMG Whales!

25th ICCB: Marine Think Tank

Second Day of the Conference – Dec. 3rd
Start
            Got up at 5:30 AM today, friggin jet lag and rap music by my early rising neighbor next door.  Headed out to the conference at 8:00 AM and acted as a runner by guiding people to rooms, which resulted in me getting to my conference about thirty minutes late.

Session: Pelagic Ecosystems and MPA Management
My session group
            Mostly just conjecture today for the most part.  We have a specific MPA we’re looking to create and plan for – 100,000 km2, no-take, remote, and an oceanic/pelagic ecosystem – with the objective of maintaining the natural value of the area.  To start, we identified the major threat to the area as fishing.  To combat this threat we needed to track regional information on fisheries such as shark fishing and track users.  In addition, a baseline needs to be set to establish site characterization and monitor changes from the baseline; this process would be aided by a historical baseline.  Key habitats and species should be identified as well as biodiversity levels and ecosystems types within the reserve. 
Once the background information has been established, that’s when you start coming up with an action plan for your endangered species, vital ecosystems, how to protect key areas, combat threats, and work to involve the community and gain the trust of the fishermen so that the project will be maintained after the managers leave.  You will leave sites eventually, it is only the rare obsessed scientist that adopts a site and makes it home permanently and they get added to the “Experts Hall,” meaning they have no life outside of that site.
            Need to make sure that there is continual surveys and scientific information coming in from this site.  Also, when conservation measures are taken, you MUST follow-up and see what resulting changes have taken place from the new rules.  One way to keep this up is through existing efforts, getting various interest groups involved, get the locals to monitor it, attach the project to a university department, and set-up a volunteer program for fledging marine biologists.  Hey!  You need experience when you’re first getting started.  You will get to travel and go to sites unvisited by the general public, but you’ll pay to do it and have only the basic necessities, if that sometimes. 
            If marine mammals are present, then it would be good idea to detect sound and somehow deter speedesters from potentially running over the dolphins.  Marine mammals can serve as measures as to how well the marine reserve conservation are work as the return and increase of apex predators is an indication of a healthy ecosystem.  Benefits may also be quantified through improved species population levels, biodiversity, size and catch of key species, etc. but all of these measures must be tempered by a realistic timeframe.  This can be made easier with specific control sites for comparison.  Essentially, there is a lot of detailed information that must be considered when designing and implementing an MPA, no matter what type it is.  You can benefit from talking with people who work on MPAs and general research, but the only true way to know what you’re dealing with is to be able to handle any issues that will arise and carry on with the project.  The ocean is an unknown variable even in the simplest of experiments and an MPA means trying to account for every variable in that section of the ocean.  Best you can do is to come up with a basic plan and be ready to MacGyver your way through.
           Aside, when attempting to plug in my computer to the adapter socket I got a nice electric shock, my first actually.  It hurts!  My teeth hurt!  My finger hurts!  Never ever want to know what lightening feels like.
            In terms of enforcing the rules of the MPA, you’re going to have to factor in things like cost (money isn’t going to be found on the sea floor in sunken ships) and what you’re exactly going to enforce.  You’ll need you to establish channels of communication and make sure the community supports the enforcement otherwise you won’t get anywhere.  Locals’ support is the single greatest thing you will need to ensure having for a MPA to work.  Vessel monitoring is also an expensive alternative but it allows you know the location of every boat and its activity. 

Afternoon Activity

Auckland City
            I elected to go out on the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Watch rather than attend the afternoon portion of the conference.  Saw not only Common Dolphins and at least 5-7 Bryde’s whales, but there was a mother-calf Humpback whale pair!  We saw flipper slapping, breaching (body, tail, head, full), twisting, ½ tail in the air, and so many more behaviors with baby copying Mom every step of the way.  There is a more detailed posting with pictures.




  The Common dolphins were tiny, angular, and adorable and the best bow riders ever!  So I am gushing, deal.  I got into this field because I love what I am studying, the knowledge and science are both just icing on top of a strawberry angle cake.  Commons were amazing to watch, they followed and swam in the wake of the boat for over 20 minutes.  



 Bryde’s whales acted pretty similar to the Sei whale I watched on in Mass. but it did display open mouth feeding and lunged up with a gaping mouth full of fish.  Very nice, no pics though.  



 We also got to check out some bait balls or roll-ups, where schools of fish are driven to the surface by predators.  Sea birds were going nuts dive bombing these poor fish!


           The marine mammals were all sighted by tracking associated sea birds that follow the whales and cetaceans to find food.  Awesome and very interesting technique.  Just goes to show you that you need to get out and travel because you learn so many different things in different parts of the world.  Everyone does the same things differently and what works one place may not work elsewhere but then again it may and you would never know until you try.  Lost my sunglasses as well which wasn't too great.
            On whale watching, questions never to ask that are asked without fail every time:
·       Where is the place to see dolphins on the boat?
o   Anywhere, sit anywhere.  Just not inside.
·       Can I feed the dolphins?
o   No, no, no, no.  Even if they say yes, still no!
·       Can I pet the dolphins?
o   Sure if you want a disease or to get bitten.  No!
Questions to ask:
·       What types of marine mammals will I see today?
·       What kind of fish do they eat?
·       What is the sea state today?
Best advice I can give you: take sea sickness medication before you get on a boat even if you never get sick, especially if you have never been on a boat or are from Asia – not trying to be racist because without fail on every trip I have worked on or been on those from India, Japan, China, Korea, etc. have always gotten sick.  Save yourself and the crew the misery and just take the ginger tablet so you can enjoy your trip and your poor naturalist isn’t cleaning up puke. 

Evening
            Well, I rushed back in wet shorts (ugh) to put everything online because I was so excited.  Took hours!  Oh well.  Got a text from a friend to meet-up and go out dancing.  Was wide awake from all of the excitement so I freshened up and headed out.  Got to see the new convention center for the Rugby world cup, the new downtown on water, the X-mas display, and much more.  The X-mas display has tons of beanbags at its base where you can crash and relax all evening – so cool!  No way would it happen in the States, it would be destroyed.  Hit up four different clubs ranging from hip-hop to techno, very good range and a nice walk.  But man, Auckland wakes up at night!  People just get started at midnight, I was beat at 11 PM but it was a nice change of pace and to see another face of the city.  Headed to bed after a good night of dancing on the waterfront. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

My 1st conference as a Ph.D. student

25th ICCB: Marine Think Tank
Arriving Nov 29th – Dec 1st


            Usual nightmares of travel.  Was packing until the minute I left, like usual.  Overpacked, as usual.  Teased by Duc, as usual, for it.  Had teary phone calls with loved ones and clueless messages from friends, I mean really guys!  Come on.  I may disappear to various parts of the world for months at a time, but it shouldn’t be too hard to recall that I am only going for two weeks this time.  Ok, it might be, but come on! 
Got to the airport with an hour to spare which was wasted on getting new tickets.  Book my flights through a travel agent (NEVER AGAIN) who put my name down as KATE and not CAITLIN ANNE, even though I specifically told her to, so it did not match my passport = big NO-NO!  A United rep. was kind enough to alter my tickets, but it means I will have to get my tickets altered for every leg of the trip, not a headache you want to deal with when your flight is late and you’re rushing to get to the next flight which leaves twenty minutes after you land.  That is exactly what happened by the way. 
The first flight was a nightmare and I don’t know what meditation state I had achieved to not blow a gasket but I hope I can find it again (probably from stressing about finals).  Imagine: seat in the last row near the bathrooms, aisle seat but next to two 87/89 year-olds who were married less than a month ago and are on their honeymoon, behind two three-month old twins, and adjacent to a screaming toddler.  The toddler hit decibels I thought were myth.  Twins weren’t so bad, but the two lovebirds making out next to me did gross me out a bit.  Great to find love at any age, but not great to make-out in public. 
            The second flight was good, watched a few Horrible Histories and Things to do in Auckland.  Fell asleep to Bad Bosses.  Love Air New Zealand!  Great surface, nice staff, hilarious safety video with HOT All Blacks J.  Offer great food for dinner and breakfast accompanied with good wine and mimosas for free.  Arrived 40 min early.  Had a bit of a hassle getting through security – brought my dirty hiking boots which had to be cleaned.  Had the time to waste so all good.  Got informed that cabs are NOT the way to go and it is better to walk, take the bus, or go via shuttle.  Spent 33 NZD on a shuttle, great guy – joked about too much Mexican (another driver sleeps with a new guy every week and the latest pick was a Mexican) so after a good trip interspersed with sex jokes, I arrived at O’Rourke Hall.  Gave the driver a tip, I know you don’t have to tip in NZ but he was a great driver!  Had to wait outside the hall for an hour before getting checked –in, arrived way too early.  Still a bit cold in NZ L as it is only just the beginning of summer. 

Day 1 – Dec. 1st
            Arrival, got checked-in and will pay-up when I clear my credit card….yay for self-funding!  Going to be awhile before I go out and party (not sure who I am kidding with that one).  Yay for being female and a graduate student and it being the holidays.  Love you friends and family! 
            So lots to do – Hobbiton, Wine tour, Dolphin watching, sky diving, etc.  What did I do?  Ate breakfast, answered e-mails, submitted HW, and slept after unpacking.  Did plan out my conference schedule and how to get done the three things I wanted to go this week – dolphin watch, sky walk, and wine tour.  Not sure when I am going to my papers…and Yami will be coming to party next weekend!  Lots to do as always!  Still, the feeling of being back in NZ = priceless. 


Finally got out around 6 PM, hit a few shops and picked up a few X-mas presents.  Got lost getting into the city, yes I know my ability to get lost legendary but I found my way back.  
Cool cathedral for my friend Nicole Andelfinger, who was my best bud when I was last in NZ!

Walked down to Britomart (love being able to walk everywhere) and checked out the ferry and train station.  
Saw a cool Santa display on Queen St.
Walked around a bit more looking for a place to drink and eat.  Chose the Corner Bar.  Great place!  
Awesome bartending!  Recommended drinks based on my taste and original drinks.  Real bar tending, finally!  Chose a champagne ham and cheese sandwich with pumpkin fruit and a biscotti with raspberries and orange crème on Whittaker's chocolate mousse.  
            Eating out in NZ is expensive!  Thankfully my accommodation comes with breakfast and Internet.  Cannot believe the airport charged for Internet, sheesh!  Oh, my accommodation – small room (bed, desk, bathroom, and common area).  Love it!
            Ladies, want to make friends in a new place?  Go out, sit down with a book, you’ll get bothered in five minutes by a creep and a local lady will come over and save your ass by kicking him out.  This real-life Gaston swaggered over totally drunk and proceeded to lean against my body with his crotch on my hip.  Not a bad looker, probably in his upper 30s and lower 40s.  He insulted my book (“Look, a woman wrote it, no way she knows what she is fucking talkin about, she is a woman! Women are pussies and cannot surf”) and asked if I was reading it because I wanted to fuck a surfers because surfers were fucking hot and that he was a surfer.  Tried to actually have an intellectual conversation with him, not happening, and thankfully one of the bar tenders came over and told him to shove off.  He went off on her and caused a massive argument in the bar.  Didn’t get kicked out though.  His friend didn’t even step in and tell him to shut-up.  Looking back, I wish I had drop-kicked him in the nuts but I have never dealt with someone that rude verbally before.  Well, I have but not in a social situation.  Won’t be happening again, ever.  Next person who tries it is not going to be getting polite speak, but a rude and physical shove-off.  He harassed me right out the door as I left, just ignored him and went on my way – best action probably as he didn’t follow me further and he may have if I had interacted with him. 
            Pretty tired by 9:30 PM, so I headed back, figuring I would have plenty more nights to go out and spend money and see Auckland night life. 

First Day of the Conference – Dec. 2nd
Start  
Got up at 6:30 AM, but took forever to get ready and arrived 30 min late to the conference.  Turns out, like all conferences, they started late so I walked into the start of the conference.  Conference speaker was a bit hurried but kept the audience in good humor.  Love, love the set-up of Auckland campus, very nice and up to date!  Got to see my advisor’s name on the front screen (Dr. Parsons) but he dipped out to another conference, so I think I am the only representing GMU here.  Kinda scary, but I will do my best!  Have noticed I am one of the only ones in a suit as most are casual, startling lack of marine-decorated clothing though.  Hope they bring the ocean-geek out at some point!
            Very important mention of food!  I am but a poor graduate student and will be taking my meals at morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and happy hour.  Breakfast, as previously mentioned, is lovingly provided by O’Rourke Hall.  Kiwis love their drink, like the Scots, but have upped it in quality by tying it with education on local ocean/seas. 


Session: Pelagic Ecosystems and MPA Management
            Run by Lance Morgan and Sara Maxwell, the session was supposed to start at 10:30 AM so the presenters were not quite ready but covered fairly well with a lengthy introduction/background of the inspiration for their session.  The two work with the Marine Conservation Institute and have partnered with NOAA on a pelagic MPA (NOAA is everywhere).  The session is fairly small compared to the more popular Big Ocean Network session at 50 people, but I think this session will accomplish a bit more in terms of contributing to ongoing research.  The session holders are looking for our input to their work while introducing us to their type of MPA.  Specifically, the new type of MPAs the USA is looking at are ones in the high seas, in the pelagic zone with special focus on enforcement and follow-up monitoring.  This will most likely affect some types of marine mammals (False Killer Whales) and open sea fish.  Quite a few NOAA attendees. 
            First break of the morning, food!  Oh, and meet and greet, so time to schmooze…. Or at least get a better idea of those involved in the marine world.  Spoke with Brett Hardt from the institution which oversees NOAA from the legal side of things.  Spoke on the usual issues with Japan and enforcement in the USA.  Nice muffins and weak tea made by yours truly.
            Session begins!

            The session lagged at points when people got territorial about enforcement and definitions, but otherwise was well-directed and an enjoyable learning process.  We discussed pelagic marine protected areas, which generated much discussion at the various breaks and lunch (awesome food!!!!).
            Aside on food.  Breaks consisted of tea and coffee with muffins and chocolate/berry mousse cakes = in heaven.  Lunch was curry chicken kabobs, vegetarian quiche, chicken and brie sandwiches, and mini-cupcakes with mango-kiwi punch.  Food is an A++++!
            Back on topic, the session started out as a background and informatory that transformed to discussion and group input.  Could have had more of a clear example to deliberate on but that was fixed at the end of the session by a suggestion from one of the attendees (NOAA).  During breaks, the session continued to be discussed by members.  Had some very interesting conversation on the fishermen of Gloucester, y’all have quite the reputation!  Budding marine biologists beware.  If you’re looking for trial by fire, go for it. 
            At the end of the session, we headed down to the Hauraki Gulf Happy Hour to enjoy NZ wine and a presentation on the HG by three excellent speakers.  My presentation guide gave a rundown of Who’s Who of the speakers, one of the guys is responsible for the marine GIS tracking program for marine mammals, pretty cool and very intelligent guy.  Wine was good, got to chat up some of the students helping out with catering, very down to earth nice guys.  Meeting people has been fun though I am, as always, rubbish with names.  Know the faces though.  Even met one guy who looks exactly like Dr. Parsons, albeit a bit younger.  Also got recruited to help out tomorrow with sign-in and take souvenirs back to the States for Dr. Parsons, always get my assignments from him while out at grabbing a drink J.  Lecture was very interesting, even after three glasses of wine, though I am very sleepy now.  Annoying jetlag.  Still have tons of HW to do and need to eat dinner, but c’est la vie.  Should be fun!  


Evening Out
            Enjoyed a nice wander down to the wharfs looking for people at the conference.  Couldn’t find anyone and we were getting hungry so we headed back up to Queen and High St and checked out a sweet upstairs pasta place (cannot for the life of me remember the name).  Decided I would pass on dinner and check out dessert, got a vanilla ice cream drowned in a lemoncello liqueur and a Rosebud cocktail.  Absolute dream!  Got compliments on my drink and dessert.  The drink actually smelled of roses and tasted what I would except a rosebud to task like – light and slightly sweet with a twingey tang.  Was asked to go out dancing, but decided I couldn’t make it since I am still pretty jetlagged.  Heading to bed early!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Background

May get around to expanding this section, though I doubt it given my time commitments, but I will give you a bit of my background.

My initial dream was to be an archaeologist and study dinosaurs, which changed to marine biologist in first grade when I learned that to study dolphins that is what I would have to be.  The public school system being what is was, I figured out that to specifically study dolphins again I would have to get my Ph.D.  So at 6 years old, I was already aiming to get my Ph.D. to study dolphins solely because I liked dolphins.  Now in the proceeding years I have gained more experience and detailed reasons as to why I want to study dolphins other than because I like them, but my primary reason remains the same as that 6 year old girl.

After I completed my undergraduate degree at Randolph-Macon Woman's College and studied abroad at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, I spent a year volunteering and interning to gain field experience in marine biology.  I was able and lucky enough to receive a Ph.D. candidacy a year after graduating, some people in the field I know are still applying 6-7 years later.  I am one of the youngest in my department, if not the youngest, and many people in my field wait until they're 30s before pursuing a degree.  I have never been one to do things by the norm, like any Macon Woman.  My parents also supported my financially through a lot of this which I will forever be thankful to them for allowing my to pursue my dream even though I know they don't get it.  No on in my immediate or extended family is involved in fishing, hasn't been for generations, probably hasn't been since dating back to when our ancestors invaded with the Normans.

During my year off, I worked as an intern with the Whale Center of New England in Gloucester, MA and volunteered at Sea Watch Foundation in New Quay, Wales.  In between, I worked for Ocean Leadership on NOSB.

This past year I have started at George Mason University as a Ph.D. student under Dr. Chris Parsons.  I am taking the maximum number credits and applying for an insane (by my friends', adviser's, and the school's words) number of credits next semester, but I will be done in five years come hell or high water.  Plus, I can sleep when I am dead.  And being busy has always meant I will do better.  The end of my first semester has seen me at my first conference, which I will be blogging about in the oncoming posts.