June 2010 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

new paper on the abundance & distribution of a local grey seal population
by ruth leeney 07 Jun '10

07 Jun '10

Dear MARMAM subscribers, The following paper has recently been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK: Ruth H Leeney, Annette C. Broderick, Cheryl Mills, Sue Sayer, Matthew J. Witt & Brendan J. Godley. Abundance, distribution and haul-out behaviour of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, UK. Abstract: This study investigated the phenology, patterns of haul-out habitat use and distribution of the grey seal around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. A full census of the coast was carried out by boat over 4 days, in order to make a full count of seals hauled out and close to the coast, and to document all haul-out sites. Regular land-based surveys were made of three haul-out sites in Cornwall, to investigate the effects of spatial, temporal and environmental factors on seal haul-out behaviour. Data from 2004 to 2007 were analysed to describe long-term temporal variation in seal abundance at two haul-out sites. A total of 592 sightings were made along the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly over the four-day census period; 476 of these sightings (80.4%) were recorded at six main haul-out sites. The highest proportion of seals was observed at three haul-out areas on the Isles of Scilly. In Cornwall, seals were observed in higher numbers on the north coast, where the three largest mainland haul-out sites were documented, than on the south coast. At one key haul-out site in Cornwall, a distinct seasonal pattern was evident in data collected between 2004 and 2007, with higher numbers of seals present during the moulting and breeding seasons than over the summer months. There was considerable inter-annual variability in peak seal abundance, during the moulting season, at this site. There was no significant variation in haul-out behaviour with tidal state at this site, although haul-out counts were generally highest at mid-ebb tides. Data on seal abundance, distribution and haul-out behaviour may aid the designation of Special Areas of Conservation for the protection of grey seals in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. A pdf copy will shortly be available on the JMBA website http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=mbi or upon request; please email ruleeney(a)yahoo.co.uk . Ruth H. Leeney, PhD W: www.namibiandolphinproject.blogspot.com http://publicationslist.org/ruth.leeney

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Abstract: genetic differentiation of Hawai'i insular false killer whales
by Robin W Baird 04 Jun '10

04 Jun '10

New report available: Chivers, S.J., R.W. Baird, K.M. Martien, B.L. Taylor, E. Archer, A.M. Gorgone, B.L. Hancock, N.M. Hedrick, D. Matilla, D.J. McSweeney, E.M. Oleson, C.L. Palmer, V. Pease, K.M. Robertson, J. Robbins, J.C. Salinas, G.S. Schorr, M. Schultz, J.L. Theileking, and D.L. Webster. 2010. Evidence of genetic differentiation for Hawai‘i insular false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-458, 46p Chivers et al. (2007) found Hawai‘i insular false killer whales to be distinct from other strata within the Indo-Pacific Ocean using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence data. Here, we add new samples and eight nuclear DNA (nDNA) microsatellite markers to that study. After extensive quality checking, some haplotypes and duplicate individuals were removed from the 2007 mtDNA data set. A strong phylogeographic signal consistent with local haplotype evolution was evident for Hawai‘i insular false killer whales with all but one individual having one of 2 closely related haplotypes found only in this population. The mtDNA characteristics of the Hawai‘i insular false killer whales (n = 81) differed significantly (all p-values for Fisher exact and ΦST <0.0001) from both broad-scale strata (Central North Pacific (n = 13) and Eastern North Pacific (n = 39)), and all fine-scale strata (Hawai‘i pelagic (n = 9), Mexico (n = 19), Panama (n = 15) and American Samoa (n = 6)). The magnitude of mtDNA differentiation (all ΦST >0.68) was consistent with less than one migrant per generation. The nDNA marker results were highly significant with all Fisher exact p-values ≤ 0.001 for comparisons of the Hawai‘i insular stratum (n = 69) to the broad-scale strata (Central North Pacific (n = 13) and Eastern North Pacific (n = 36)), and fine-scale strata (Hawai‘i pelagic (n = 9), Mexico (n = 19), Panama (n = 12) and American Samoa (n = 6)). The magnitude of differentiation was much less for nDNA (0.01 < FST < 0.08, 0.01 < Jost’s D < 0.06) than for mtDNA, indicating the potential for some male-mediated gene flow although the possibility that FST is low because of the high mutation rate of microsatellites or the influence of selection operating to counter gene flow cannot be excluded. Inferences from these data are limited by sample distribution, with pelagic false killer whales near the Hawaiian Islands inadequately sampled. However, the small number of Hawai‘i insular false killer whales (around 120) together with an estimated effective population size of 44.3 (95% CI = 31.2-67.2) are causes for concern about loss of genetic diversity. A pdf copy can be downloaded from http://swfsc.noaa.gov/publications/TM/SWFSC/NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-458.pdf or www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii/falsekillerwhale.htm<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii/falsekillerwhale.htm> ============================================================================= Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA www.cascadiaresearch.org Follow Cascadia on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cascadia-Research-Collective/110495958982184>

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Gray whale sightiing confirmed in Barcelona, Spain.
by Manel Gazo 04 Jun '10

04 Jun '10

On 30th May 2012, at 16:30h an unusual sighting of a gray whale in front of the Barcelona harbour (41º2079 N Long 2º1172E ) was confirmed. The whale was consistently heading south at slow pace. The sighting was confirmed by members of SUBMON, and NGO dedicated to develop studies related to the conservation and assessment of marine habitats. Pictures from this sighting were compared by the ones taken by Aviad Scheinin from IMMRAC on May 8th 2010 in Israel waters (distributed in MARMAM) by Manuel Castellote at the National Marine Mammal Lab (AFSC-NMFS-NOAA) confirming the matching, indicating that the same individual travelled from Israel to Spain in 23 days. This is the first time that a gray whale is sighted in the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea and just the second time thats it is reported in the whole basin. Taking into account the relevance of this sighting, SUBMON is coordinating the effort to re-sight the whale in Spanish waters in order to assess his health condition, reduce collision risks with vessels and obtain a biopsy sample of this individual to determine its population identity. Dr. Manel Gazo & Carla A.Chicote Contact email: manelgazo(a)submon.org SUBMON Conservaction study and awareness of the marine environment Rabassa 49-51 Loc-1 08024 Barcelona -SPAIN Telf/Fax: +34 93 2135849 <http://www.submon.org/> www.submon.org

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Volunteer Positions Sperm Whales and Tourism New Zealand
by Wendy Markowitz 03 Jun '10

03 Jun '10

We are looking for volunteers to participate in the Sperm Whales and Tourism research project at Kaikoura, New Zealand. Data are collected from multiple platforms including shore, tour vessels, aircraft, and research vessel based platforms. Skills that will be obtained include behavioural and acoustic data collection from a research vessel, behavioural data collection from shore using a surveyor's theodolite, collection of photographic, video and behavioural data from aircraft and tour vessels, and additional research tasks and data entry and analyses. We are seeking candidates with previous experience working with cetaceans from research vessels or from shore, although prior experience is not required. You must be comfortable working in the field in a variety of conditions and with a large, international team of scientists and students. The next field season begins July 15th and runs through October 2010. Additional field seasons include Dec-Feb and April-June 2011. Minimum duration to volunteer is two months, with a 3-month commitment preferred. Project funding is limited and you must be able to provide your own transportation to the field site, housing, food and cell phone (limited communications costs with the research team leader will be covered). Information on the cost of housing in New Zealand can be found at http://www.kaikoura.co.nz. To apply, please provide a letter of interest, C.V. and contact information for 3 references to: manuelpinguinhas(a)gmail.com with a copy to ophelie.sagnol(a)hotmail.fr. Thank you, Manuel Fernandes and Ophélie Sagnol

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Baleen request
by Conor Ryan 03 Jun '10

03 Jun '10

Dear MARMAMers, I am a PhD candidate at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Ireland. I am carrying out stable isotope analyses on baleen from Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback and Minke whales to investigate migration ecology and trophodynamics. If anyone can spare some complete baleen plates from the above species from North Atlantic, I would be delighted to hear from you: miolmor(a)gmail.com. I am particularly interested in samples for which the body length, gender, date and sampling location are known. Many thanks, Conor Ryan Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland ________________________________ Irish Whale and Dolphin Group www.iwdg.ie

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New tech memo: Results from the April 2009 Gulf of Alaska marine mammal survey
by Brenda Rone 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

The following NOAA Technical Memorandum was published: Rone, B. K., A. B. Douglas, A. N. Zerbini, L. Morse, A. Martinez, P. J. Clapham, and J. Calambokidis. 2010. Results from the April 2009 Gulf of Alaska line transect survey (GOALS) in the Navy training exercise area. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-209, 39 p. ABSTRACT Little is known about the present-day occurrence of cetaceans found in offshore waters in the Gulf of Alaska; however, whaling records and a few recent surveys have shown this area to be important habitat. The U.S. Navy maintains a maritime training area in the central Gulf of Alaska, east of Kodiak Island, and has requested additional information on marine mammal presence and use of this area. To describe the occurrence and distribution of marine mammals in and around the U.S. Navy training area, a line transect visual and acoustic survey was conducted 10-20 April 2009 from the NOAA ship /Oscar Dyson/. The primary survey area encompassed nearshore and offshore pelagic waters of the central Gulf of Alaska. Survey lines were designed to provide equal coverage of the nearshore and offshore habitat. During this project, the visual survey covered a total of 760 km (410 nautical miles, nmi) on-effort (visible horizon, Beaufort sea state 5 or less, and survey speed of 10 knots through the water) while transit (visible horizon, Beaufort sea state 5 or less, and survey speed of 12 knots) and fog effort (no horizon, Beaufort sea state 5 or less) legs accounted for 553 km (298 nmi). There were a total of 96 sightings (453 individuals) of 11 confirmed marine mammal species; these included fin (/Balaenoptera physalus/), humpback (/Megaptera novaeangliae/), gray (/Eschrichtius robustus/), minke (/B. acutorostrata/) whales, and killer whales (/Orcinus orca/), Dall’s (/Phocoenoides dalli/) and harbor (/Phocoena phocoena/) porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphins (/Lagenorhynchus obliquidens/), Steller sea lions (/Eumetopias jubatus/), harbor seals (/Phoca vitulina/), and sea otters (/Enhydra lutris/). Additionally, there were 36 sightings (46 individuals) of unidentified large whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds. Passive acoustic operations were conducted 24 hours/day surveying a total of 3,519 km (1,900 nmi) and recorded 49 acoustic detections of sperm whales and killer whales. Photographs of 19 individual killer whales and 4 fin whales were obtained on this cruise and compared to existing photo-identification catalogs. Density and abundance estimates were calculated for fin and humpback whales by stratum using line transect methods with and without covariates in detection probability models. Additional sightings from a previous cruise on a comparable vessel were used for improving estimation of detection probability. All results were fairly similar given the constraints of the sample sizes involved. Estimates of abundance in the inshore and offshore strata were 594 (CV = 0.29) and 889 (CV = 0.57) for fin whales, and 219 (CV = 0.57) and 56 (CV = 0.57) for humpback whales, respectively. A small proportion of large whales were not identified to species but were probable fin or humpback whales based on observations, and estimates of these unidentified whales were assigned to these species based on the proportion of fin and humpback whales identified in each stratum. This raised fin whale estimates of abundance to 666 (CV = 0.3) and 938 (CV = 0.57) and humpback whale estimates to 265 (CV = 0.48) and 63 (CV = 0.51, inshore and offshore strata, respectively). Despite a number of logistical and time limitations, the survey provided new information on the occurrence and abundance of marine mammals in the region. Sighting sample sizes were adequate to provide density and abundance estimates for fin and humpback whales. Identification photographs obtained on this cruise also verify the seasonal presence of individual fin and killer whales in a study area that is rarely surveyed. This document may be downloaded at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Publications/AFSC-TM/NOAA-TM-AFSC-209.pdf Kind Regards, Brenda Rone North Pacific Right Whale Project U.S. National Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 brenda.rone(a)noaa.gov

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The Monachus Guardian 13(1): June 2010
by William M. Johnson 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

THE MONACHUS GUARDIAN, JUNE 2010 Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Monk Seal This is to let you know that we have now published the June 2010 issue of The Monachus Guardian, the biannual electronic journal focusing on the Mediterranean, Hawaiian and Caribbean monk seals. The site can be accessed at <http://www.monachus-guardian.org> HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CURRENT ISSUE: Editorial: An epidemic of killings. This issue of The Monachus Guardian brings a special focus to the Mediterranean monk seals shot and dynamited in the Eastern Mediterranean since January. What is actually being done to eliminate the single most serious mortality threat confronting the species? Hawaiian News: Seal numbers continue to dive... Mediterranean News: Greece: Alarming numbers of dead seals... Mauritania: Record births at Cabo Blanco... Turkey: Monk seal deaths in the Turkish Aegean... New population size assessment study in the NE Mediterranean... Cover Story: Markos¹ Case: Trauma, treatment, and reflections, by Emily Joseph. In Focus I: Monk seal killed by dynamite blast in the Aegean, by Anastasia Miliou. In Focus II: Nefeli¹s rehabilitation: methods, results, and challenges, by Emily Joseph. Perspectives: The world¹s two remaining monk seal species: how many different ways are there of being Critically Endangered? by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara. Research: Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, re-sighted along the Israeli coastline after more than half a century, by Aviad Scheinin, Oz Goffman, Mia Elasar and Dani Kerem... Recent Publications. The current and back issues of The Monachus Guardian are also available from the Monk Seal Library <http://www.monachus-guardian.org/library.htm>. Should you have any comments on the web site or its contents, please contact us at: editor(a)monachus-guardian.org. Our sincere thanks to all the friends and colleagues who have made this issue possible. William M. Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org PS. Don't hesitate to let us know if you appear to be on this email information list in error. _______________________________________________ William M Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org website: http://www.monachus-guardian.org newsblog: http://www.monachus-guardian.org/wordpress Facebook: http://cli.gs/fb.tmg _______________________________________________

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UPDATE - Rescue of net entangled dolphin
by Drasko Holcer 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

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Open Marine Mammal Research Volunteer position for the summer of 2010 (The Whale Center of New England)
by Kelly Slivka 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Marine Mammal Research Volunteer Position 2010 (For a detailed description and application, please see our website at www.whalecenter.org/intern.htm) The Whale Center of New England, located in Gloucester, MA, is a non-profit research organization involved with the study of the behavior, ecology, and natural history of the whales and dolphins found in the waters off of Massachusetts. The Whale Center is also heavily involved with habitat conservation and education programs. We are currently looking to fill one research volunteer position for the summer (May 24-August 20) semester of 2010. As the semester has already begun, we are looking for a candidate who has the flexibility to begin as soon as possible. The Whale Center of New England volunteer position provides experience needed to further pursue fields in marine biology and animal behavior. It is our goal to provide college students and recent graduates with the opportunity to collect valuable information important to the marine mammal field and to see how this information is used in management and conservation efforts in this area. These duties may include, but are not limited to: extensive photo-identification and computer work (training provided), field data collection aboard commercial whale watching vessels and our 42' research vessel R/V Mysticete, attendance at necropsies (whale autopsies), marine mammal stranding response, and attendance at conferences and meetings. There is no fee required for the volunteer position. The volunteer is required to find their own housing and provide a means of transportation to the boats we work on in Boston and Gloucester, MA (the Whale Center will not be providing any means of financial assistance). Volunteer applicants should have the following: * A background in biology, zoology, or related field * Some knowledge of research methods and design * An ability to work, live and communicate well with others * Enthusiasm and dedication to work long days (sometimes 12 hours or more) in the field * Completed their freshmen year at the time of application In order to apply for the volunteer position: please send a resume or CV, a cover letter detailing your reason(s) for applying, an updated transcript, and the one-page application form found on our website. Once your application has been received and reviewed, a phone interview will be arranged. The preferred method of receiving applications will be via email. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Application materials and questions regarding the position should be directed to the Intern Coordinator: Kelly Slivka. Kelly Slivka C/o The Whale Center of New England P.O. Box 159 Gloucester, MA 01930 978-281-6351 (office) 978-281-5666 (fax) kelly(a)whalecenter.org

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caloric value information and equipment request
by Christopher Malinowski 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Dear Marmammars, I’m a master’s student at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, FL and am in search of available data and equipment for my research thesis. I’m investigating targeted prey species by wild dolphins in the Bahamas. Energetic values of prey species (fish and squid) will be used to highlight potential differences among targeted prey. Currently, I am looking for a laboratory that would allow for my use of any or all of the following equipment to process collected samples: lyophilizer, pellet press, and bomb calorimeter. Additionally, I have gathered some data from published literature but am in need of any available unpublished caloric values for Caribbean fish and squid. If anyone could suggest where any archived data may be located, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help you can offer, Chris Email contact: cmalino1(a)fau.edu

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