November 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on North Atlantic fin whales
by Gisli Vikingsson 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Announcing a new publication including previously unpublished abundance estimates. Víkingsson, G.A., Pike, D.G., Desportes, G., Øien, N., Gunnlaugsson, Th. and Bloch, D. 2009. Distribution and abundance of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Northeast and Central Atlantic as inferred from the North Atlantic Sightings Surveys 1987-2001. NAMMCO Sci. Publ. 7:49-72. Abstract North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS) is a series of large scale international cetacean line transect surveys, conducted in 1987, 1989, 1995 and 2001, that covered a large part of the central and eastern North Atlantic. Target species were fin (Balaenoptera physalus), common minke (B. acutorostrata), pilot (Globicephala melas) and sei (B. borealis) whales. Here we present new estimates of abundance for fin whales from the 2 most recent surveys and analysis of trends throughout the survey period. Fin whales were found in highest densities in the Irminger Sea between Iceland and Greenland. Abundance of fin whales in the survey area of the Icelandic and Faroese vessels (Central North Atlantic) was estimated as 19,672 (95% C.I. 12,083-28,986) animals in 1995 and 24,887 (95% C.I. 18,186-30,214) in 2001. The estimates are negatively biased because of whales diving during the passage of vessels, and whales being missed by observers, but these and other potential biases are likely small for this species. The abundance of fin whales increased significantly over the survey period. For all areas combined the estimated annual growth rate was 4%. An estimated annual increase of 10% in the area between Iceland and Greenland was responsible for most of this overall increase in numbers of fin whales in the area. Although high, the estimated rates of increase are not out of bounds of biological plausibility and can thus be viewed as recovery of a depleted population. However, the apparent pattern of population growth and the whaling history in the area indicate that fin whales made a significant recovery during the first half of the 20th century and that the recent observed high growth rates cannot be explained solely by recovery after overexploitation. reprints (as pdf files) are available by requests to gisli(a)hafro.is Gísli A. Víkingsson Marine Research Institute Reykjavík Iceland

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ECS2010 conference: abstract online submission opportunity opened
by Verfuss Ursula Dr. 03 Nov '09

03 Nov '09

Dear all, the online abstract submission opportunity for the 24th conference of the European Cetacean Society just opened at www.europeancetaceansociety.eu <https://217.86.134.21/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.europeancetacean…> . The deadline for abstract submission, workshop applications and support requests will be Friday, 13th November 2009. Please be aware that you have to log in to be able to submit your abstract and to register for the ECS conference, held from 22nd to 24th of March 2010 in Stralsund, Germany, a beautiful mediaeval UNESCO world heritage town. The accompanying workshops will take place on the 20th and 21st of March 2010, and an excursion will be offered on the 25th of March. Further information will be provided in the second announcement and on the conference website at www.ozeaneum.de/en/ecs-2010.html <https://217.86.134.21/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ozeaneum.de/en/e…> . If you have any questions, please contact ecs2010(a)meeresmuseum.de <mailto:ecs2010@meeresmuseum.de> We are looking forward to welcoming you in Stralsund in March 2010! On behalf of the Organizing Committee for the ECS 2010, Ursula Verfuss Mit freundlichen Grüßen im Auftrag Dr. Ursula Verfuß Wiss. Mitarbeiter FB Wissenschaft Deutsches Meeresmuseum Museum für Meereskunde und Fischerei ? Aquarium Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts Katharinenberg 14-20 18439 Stralsund Tel.: +49 (3831) 2650-390 Fax: + 49 (3831) 2650-209 ursula.verfuss(a)meeresmuseum.de www.meeresmuseum.de Der Direktor Dr. Harald Benke Ust. ID Nr.: DE 162 772 269 Steuernr.: 082/141/02545

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Bycatch Reduction Job Announcement
by Scott Kraus 03 Nov '09

03 Nov '09

DATE: October 22, 2009 TITLE: Research Associate, Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction DEPT: Research REPORTS TO: Director, Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction AVAILABLE: Immediately HOURS: Full Time Regular BACKGROUND: The New England Aquarium has a long history of collaborating with the fishing industry to research and develop fishing methods that reduce the bycatch of threatened non-target marine animals. In the 1990s, the Aquarium's Research Department led a controlled study of acoustic pingers on gillnets in the Gulf of Maine that showed a reduction of harbor porpoise bycatch to almost zero, and carried out studies to quantify post-capture mortality in non-target species such as sharks. In 2004, the Aquarium formed the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, a collaborative venture between Blue Water Fishermen's Association, Duke University, Maine Lobstermen's Association, the University of New Hampshire, and the New England Aquarium. The Consortium supports collaborative research between scientists and the fishing industry to develop practical fishing techniques that avoid the depletion of species endangered by excessive bycatch. Its projects fall under three major program areas: (1) global exchange of bycatch reduction technology, (2) understanding non-target wildlife interactions with fishing operations, and (3) research and development of bycatch reduction techniques. JOB SUMMARY: The Research Associate will be responsible for a combination of fisheries and wildlife research and grant administrative functions. These may include working with fishermen in the development and evaluation of fishing gear, participating in gear workshops, analysis of catch/bycatch data from at-sea trials, analyzing data on gear performance or wildlife behavior, the review and synthesis of pertinent reports and scientific publications, developing work programs for grantees, and producing written reports and analyses based on projects carried out by the Consortium. RESPONSIBILITIES: Help organize meetings and workshops among Consortium members and other individuals engaged in bycatch reduction research and mitigation. Help produce scopes of work for Consortium projects. Review studies of potential or existing bycatch reduction methods, and upload summaries to the www.bycatch.org website. Help develop and maintain content on the www.bycatch.org website. Carry out desk-top, lab, and field research leading to the production of publishable papers on topics directly supporting the Consortium's objectives. Analyze data generated by Consortium projects and incorporate the results into project reports or peer-reviews publications, in collaboration with project PIs. Assist in writing and assembling project reports for NOAA Fisheries. Monitor budgets and progress of subcontracts. QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced knowledge and practical understanding of fisheries bycatch. Proven skills in statistical analysis of fisheries and other datasets. Proven skills in administration and fiscal oversight of grants and contracts. Demonstrated skill in writing technical reports and scientific papers. Ph.D. or M.S. with several years experience in the field of bycatch or fisheries research. Ability to oversee and carry out projects with minimum supervision. Commitment to the objectives and goals of the Consortium. Ability to work effectively in collaboration with other scientists and fishermen. TO APPLY SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: HUMAN RESOURCES NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CENTRAL WHARF BOSTON, MA 02110-3399 E-MAIL: JOBS(a)NEAQ.ORG

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ACS beaked whale issue dedicated to John Heyning (order info)
by Uko Gorter 02 Nov '09

02 Nov '09

Special Beaked Whale issue of ACS Whalewatcher (order info) Dear MARMAM subscribers, In my October 22 announcement of our ACS beaked whale issue of Whalewatcher, both the content and ordering information may have been cut out as attachments depending on the recipients email browser. Indeed, you can order our special beaked whale issue of the American Cetacean Society's journal "Whalewatcher", dedicated to the late John Heyning. See ordering info below. To order your copy: Contact Kaye Reznick, American Cetacean Society administrator. Email: acsoffice(a)acsonline.org Call: (310) 548-6279 Price: $ 6.00 (including mailing) Check with Kaye for international mailing. Have you credit card number ready if you're calling. In this issue: In Honor of John Heyning, and the Whales That Were His Passion, by ACS vice president, Mason Weinrich From Corinne, a tribute by Corinne Heyning A History of the Diversity of Beaked Whales, by James G. Mead The Accidental Whale, by William F. Perrin Meet the Family, illustrated plates of all known beaked whales by Uko Gorter Beaked Whale Science Coming of Age: Progress From Hawai’i, by Robin W. Baird (A PDF copy of this article is available on: www.cascadiaresearch.org/Robin/hawaii.htm) Sonar: A Severe Blow to Beaked Whales, by Taryn Kiekow Rare Close-ups, by photographer Todd Pusser Science and Friendship Grew, by Emmanuel Rosales John Heyning, (a selected) Bibliography, compiled by Mason Weinrich Enjoy reading, Uko Gorter American Cetacean Society P.O. Box 1391 San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 www.acsonline.org

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Marine Mammal Articles in ESR
by Godley, Brendan 02 Nov '09

02 Nov '09

Dear Colleagues We have recently compiled the papers in Endangered Species Research by taxa and thought that list members would be interested in the list below. All should be hotlinked through to the open-access PDF’s at the website but I suspect this may be lost in the listserv process < http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-home/>. If you would like a copy in word the please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please diffuse widely. Best Brendan Godley (Editor) ESR articles - Marine Mammals Baker JD, Littnan CL, Johnston DW. 2006. Potential effects of sea level rise on the terrestrial habitats of endangered and endemic megafauna in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ESR 2:21-30<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v2/p21-30/> Michaud J, Taggart CT. 2007. Lipid and gross energy content of North Atlantic right whale food,Calanus finmarchicus, in the Bay of Fundy ESR 3:77-94<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n1/p77-94/> Slooten E. 2007. Conservation management in the face of uncertainty: effectiveness of four options for managing Hector’s dolphin bycatch ESR 3:169-179<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n2/p169-179/> Johnston DW, Chapla ME, Williams LE, Mattila DK. 2007. Identification of humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae wintering habitat in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands using spatial habitat modeling ESR 3:249-257<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p249-257/> Calleson CS, Frohlich RK. 2007. REVIEW: Slower boat speeds reduce risks to manatees ESR 3:295-304<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p295-304/> Middleton DAJ, Starr PJ, Gilbert DJ. 2007. COMMENT: Modelling the impact of fisheries bycatch on Hector’s dolphin: comment on Slooten (2007) ESR 3:331-334<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p331-334/> Slooten E. 2007. REPLY COMMENT: Criticism is unfounded: reply to Middleton et al. (2007) ESR 3:335-339<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p335-339/> Tougaard J, Teilmann J, Tougaard S. 2008. Harbour seal spatial distribution estimated from Argos satellite telemetry: overcoming positioning errors ESR 4:113-122<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p113-122/> Insley SJ, Robson BW, Yack T, Ream RR, Burgess W. 2008. Acoustic determination of activity and flipper stroke rate in foraging northern fur seal females ESR 4:147-155<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p147-155/> Thomton JD, Mellish JAE, Hennen DR, Horning M. 2008. Juvenile Steller sea lion dive behavior following temporary captivity ESR 4:195-203<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p195-203/> Steiger GH, Calambokidis J, Straley JM, Herman LM, Cerchio S, Salden DR, Urbán-R J, Jacobsen JK, von Ziegesar O, Balcomb KC, Gabriele CM, Dahlheim ME, Uchida S, Ford JKB, Ladrón de Guevara-P P, Yamaguchi M, Barlow J. 2008. Geographic variation in killer whale attacks on humpback whales in the North Pacific: implications for predation pressure ESR 4:247-256<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p247-256/> Vanderlaan ASM, Taggart CT, Serdynska AR, Kenney RD, Brown MW. 2008. Reducing the risk of lethal encounters: vessels and right whales in the Bay of Fundy and on the Scotian Shelf ESR 4:283-297<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p283-297/> Parrish FA, Marshall GJ, Buhleier B, Antonelis GA. 2008. Foraging interaction between monk seals and large predatory fish in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ESR 4:299-308<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p299-308/> Cañadas A, Hammond PS. 2008. Abundance and habitat preferences of the short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis in the southwestern Mediterranean: implications for conservation ESR 4:309-331<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p309-331/> Bearzi G, Agazzi S, Gonzalvo J, Costa M, Bonizzoni S, Politi E, Piroddi C, Reeves RR. 2008. Overfishing and the disappearance of short-beaked common dolphins from western Greece ESR 5:1-12<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n1/p1-12/> Baker JD. 2008. Variation in the relationship between offspring size and survival provides insight into causes of mortality in Hawaiian monk seals ESR 5:55-64<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n1/p55-64/> Chilvers BL. 2008. New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri and squid trawl fisheries: bycatch problems and management options ESR 5:193-204<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p193-204/> Karamanlidis AA, Androukaki E, Adamantopoulou S, Chatzispyrou A, Johnson WM, Kotomatas S, Papadopoulos A, Paravas V, Paximadis G, Pires R, Tounta E, Dendrinos P. 2008. Assessing accidental entanglement as a threat to the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus ESR 5:205-213<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p205-213/> Scheidat M, Gilles A, Kock KH, Siebert U. 2008. Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena abundance in the southwestern Baltic Sea ESR 5:215-223<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p215-223/> Brotons JM, Munilla Z, Grau AM, Rendell L. 2008. Do pingers reduce interactions between bottlenose dolphins and nets around the Balearic Islands? ESR 5:301-308<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p301-308/> Campbell R, Holley D, Christianopolous D, Caputi N, Gales NG. 2008. Mitigation of incidental mortality of Australian sea lions in the west coast rock lobster fishery ESR 5:345-358<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p345-358/> Bradford AL, Weller DW, Wade PR, Burdin AM, Brownell RL Jr. 2008. Population abundance and growth rate of western gray whales Eschrichtius robustus ESR 6:1-14<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n1/p1-14/> Fonnesbeck CJ, Garrison LP, Ward-Geiger LI, Baumstark RD. 2008. Bayesian hierarchichal model for evaluating the risk of vessel strikes on North Atlantic right whales in the SE United States ESR 6:87-94<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n1/p87-94/> Freeman MMR. 2008. Challenges of assessing cetacean population recovery and conservation status ESR 6:173-184<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n2/p173-184/> Williams R, Bain DE, Smith JC, Lusseau D. 2008. Effects of vessels on behaviour patterns of individual southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca ESR 6:199-209<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p199-209/> Lusseau D , Bain DE , Williams R, Smith JC. 2008. Vessel traffic disrupts the foraging behavior of southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca ESR 6:211-221<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p211-221/> Swaim ZT, Westgate AJ, Koopman HN, Rolland RM, Kraus SD. 2008. Metabolism of ingested lipids by North Atlantic right whales ESR 6:259-271<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p259-271/> Vanderlaan ASM, Corbett JJ, Green SL, Callahan JA, Wang C, Kenney RD, Taggart CT, Firestone J. 2008. Probability and mitigation of vessel encounters with North Atlantic right whales ESR 6:273-285<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p273-285/> Reynolds JE III , Marsh H, Ragen TJ. 2009. AS WE SEE IT: Marine mammal conservation ESR 7:23-28<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n1/p23-28/> MacLeod CD. 2009. REVIEW: Global climate change, range changes and potential implications for the conservation of marine cetaceans: a review and synthesis ESR 7:125-136<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n2/p125-136/> Noren DP, Johnson AH, Rehder D, Larson A. 2009. Close approaches by vessels elicit surface active behaviors by southern resident killer whales ESR 8:179-192<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v8/n3/p179-192/> Dr Brendan Godley Assoc Prof in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology and Conservation School of Biosciences University of Exeter Tremough Campus Penryn TR10 9EZ Tel: 01326 371861

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Passive Acoustic Monitoring - Training Course
by Beth Mackey 02 Nov '09

02 Nov '09

The use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is becoming an increasingly important tool in both marine mammal research and applied in industry. It is important that individuals using any passive acoustic monitoring software are properly trained to use the software to maximise its full potential. Feedback from users is also important in the ongoing development of such software. PAMGUARD is currently funded by the OGP E&P Sound and Marine Life Joint Industry Program, and has been established to address the fundamental limitations of existing cetacean passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) software capabilities. PAMGUARD seeks to provide open-source PAM software based on a platform-independent (e.g. Windows or Linux), flexible, modular architecture. The open-source aspect of software development is facilitated through the project's presence on SourceForge, where a community of altruistic developers provides extra resources. This community currently includes developers with proven PAM experience from both the UK and the USA. Open development means that the software is free and access to the code is easy and assured. It also allows the code's copyright to be protected in perpetuity so that it cannot readily be closed and commercialised to the detriment of its users. It ultimately means that more people have access for development. This generally speeds up innovations and improves the performance and maintainability of the code. SMRU Ltd are running a PAMGUARD Training course on the 10th and 11th November 2009, in St Andrews. There are still some places available on this course. The course will be lead by Doug Gillespie of St Andrews University, one of the principle architects of the Pamguard software. If you are interested in attending the course please see the Pamguard website for further details: http://www.pamguard.org/training.shtml Best wishes Beth Dr Beth Mackey SMRU Limited Scottish Oceans Institute New Technology Centre North Haugh ST ANDREWS Fife KY16 9SR D: + 44 (0)1334 466906 T: + 44 (0)1334 479100 F: + 44 (0)1334 477878 E: blm(a)smru.co.uk <mailto:fas@smru.co.uk> W: www.smru.co.uk <http://www.smru.co.uk/> http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk <http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/> P Please consider whether you really need a hard copy of this email before printing it - thank you. NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended solely for the addressee and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you believe that you have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy this email. Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are free from any virus, we advise that, in keeping with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. SMRU LIMITED is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered Number: 296937. Registered Office: 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8EJ.

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Marine Mammal Movement and Behavior (3MB) software release
by Dorian Houser 01 Nov '09

01 Nov '09

Biomimetica is happy to make available the first public release of its Marine Mammal Movement and Behavior (3MB) software package. The 3MB software is a component of the forthcoming Effects of Sound on the Marine Environment (ESME) software package. The 3MB software allows the creation of simulated aquatic species, or animats. Each animat consists of a series of behavioral states with probabilities of transition between states that can be modified according to time of day. Each behavioral state contains controls for dictating the various components of an animat's dive behavior, including depth, ascent and descent speed, horizontal rate of travel, surface time, etc. Animat movements may also be constrained by bathymetric features and animats can be made responsive to simulated sound exposures. Furthermore, animats may function as individuals or be constrained to "pod" behavior. The 3MB software permits the exploration of species dive behavior and provides a cursory approach to estimating acoustic impacts to marine mammals. Simple sound sources are made available in 3MB and a suite of "aversive" behaviors that are triggered above a threshold response can be programmed by the user. This permits the exploration of possible response scenarios to sound exposure, including the potential for beaching. The 3MB software also provides a "take" estimate of marine mammals, as defined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The criteria and metrics for estimating "take" are based on approaches implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Navy for mid-frequency active sound sources. However, the criteria and thresholds implemented in 3MB should not be considered to have the endorsement of either agency and threshold values may vary in upcoming releases of the software. The 3MB software package may be obtained from http://members.cox.net/biomimetica/download%20page.htm. The package contains the following: Marine Mammal Movement and Behavior (3MB) executable Species Builder executable Bathymetry files (Bahamas, Mid-Atlantic Bight, Southern California Bight) Sound Source files (one mobile and one stationary sound source) Species files (a "generic" mysticete and odontocete) User Manual Quick Start Guide (MatLab scripts for processing 3MB output files are also available at the site.) The 3MB software is free to the public. Its development was made possible by support from the Office of Naval Research. If you find bugs or errors in the software, I encourage you to report them to matthewjancross(a)gmail.com. Recommendations for feature enhancement should be sent to biomimetica(a)cox.net. We will attempt to address bug-fixes and enhancements in future releases of 3MB. Sincerely, Dorian S. Houser Dorian S. Houser, Ph.D. Owner/Research Scientist BIOMIMETICA biomimetica(a)cox.net

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