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Oceanic Society Research Course (Second Year) Field Course in Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Antillean Manatees and Bottlenose Dolphins: GIS mapping and boat surveys Field Site: Blackbird Oceanic Field Station, Turneffe Atoll, Belize Date: July 8-15, 2006 Instructors: Dr. Ellen Hines, San Francisco State University, Dr. Annalisa Berta, San Diego State University. Local Belizean researchers will also participate & contribute. Course credit available in biology Cost: $990 includes all survey expenses, transportation from Belize City out to Turneffe, accomm/odations (4 students per cabana with shared bath), and 3 Belizean meals a day. Air: Special package rates available, please call the Oceanic Society for details (415-441-1106). (800) 326-7491 Course Description: Both credit and noncredit students participate in a hands-on field study. The course will be a combination of instruction in general marine mammal ecology and specifics about bottlenose dolphins and Antillean manatees in Belize. We will also learn field assessment methods for dolphins and manatees and their habitat, including GPS use and basic GIS location mapping, and talk about conservation issues in an isolated tropical ecosystem. Daily field excursions from the Blackbird Oceanic Field Station will compliment lectures, labs and presentations.

Location Description: Blackbird Caye is approximately 90 minutes by motor vessel east of Belize City. Operated by the Oceanic Society ( www.oceanic-society.org), the Blackbird Caye Field Station sits on a low sand and mangrove island archipelago within the barrier reef system of Belize. This is a remote tropical island with no medical facilities. A private airstrip is available for emergency evacuation.

Class format: Class size is small (10 maximum). Please contact the Oceanic Society in San Francisco for details. 415 441 1106. Course website: http://www.oceanic-society.org/pages/alltrips/spectrip5.html

Ellen Hines, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Human Environmental Studies San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA. 94132 USA ehines@sfsu.edu (415) 405-0921 Fax: (415) 338-6243