July 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Workshop on Manatee Salvage and Necropsy Techniques
by Bassett, Brandon 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Workshop on Manatee Salvage and Necropsy Techniques, 26 November 2011 Prior to the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 27 November - 2 December 2011. This workshop will focus on providing a comprehensive overview of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) established carcass salvage and necropsy program to participants interested in manatee stranding response and necropsy techniques. The workshop will provide new and well established stranding networks and institutions with the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform high quality manatee necropsies and determine cause of death based on gross anatomy. In addition, by providing FWC data collection and necropsy forms and instructing participants in FWC necropsy techniques, a goal is to promote standardized methods for data collection to aid in future data sharing and collaboration. The workshop will include three main presentations, as well as an overview of FWC manatee operations and data collection. The presentations will provide an open forum and questions from participants will be encouraged. * Field operations: Information on carcass recovery methods including specialized equipment to consider, as well as tools and techniques specific to necropsies performed in the field. * Manatee necropsy and anatomy: Established necropsy techniques to preserve the integrity of the carcass and evidence will be described. The presentation will also cover gross manatee anatomy. * FWC's cause of death categories: An explanation, examples, and key findings of each category will be presented. A manatee necropsy will be conducted after the workshop at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) in St. Petersburg (1300-1700 hrs). Although this additional activity is not considered part of the conference, workshop participants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Transportation plans for the afternoon session will be provided at a later date when we have a better idea of interest and number of participants for this activity. If you would like to register, please visit: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… Brandon Bassett Manatee Mortality Database Curator Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Phone - 727-893-2904 Fax - 727-893-2907

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Green Scrubby Research
by Andrew Wright 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hi all, I recall a presentation at a conference on (I think) DNA sampling through the use of a rough dish cleaning sponge (commonly known as a 'green scrubby') mounted on the end of a pole for collecting loose skin from the body of cetaceans. Does anyone know who was conducting this work and/or if it has been published yet? Apologies for cross-posting. Many thanks, Andrew -- Andrew Wright marinebrit(a)gmail.com NERI Aarhus University, Denmark

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Cetacean sightings and strandings in Cornwall
by Godley, Brendan 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

Dear All We have recently had a paper accepted for JMBA on our local cetaceans. Unfortunately, the publisher, not the journal, fouled up after the proofs stage and put the wrong figures in. Although they will publish an erratum, the paper will never exist in its correct form, despite the miracle of online publishing. To help remedy this, we have prepared our own version which can be obtained from the lead author Stephen Pikesley (cc; S.K.Pikesley(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:S.K.Pikesley@exeter.ac.uk>) Details follow. Best Brendan Stephen K. Pikesley, Mathew J. Witt, Tom Hardy, Jan Loveridge, Jeff Loveridge, Ruth Williams, Brendan J. Godley (2011) Cetacean sightings and strandings: evidence for spatial and temporal trends? Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK. Published online: 09 June 2011. DOI:10.1017/S0025315411000464 ABSTRACT Cetacean species and their habitats are under threat and effective marine management mitigation strategies require knowledge and understanding of cetacean ecology. This requires data that are challenging and expensive to obtain; incidental sightings/strandings data are potential underused resources. In this study, incidental cetacean sightings (n = 6631) and strandings (n = 1856) in coastal waters of Cornwall, southwest Britain (1991 to 2008) were analysed for evidence of spatial and temporal patterns or trends. Eighteen species were recorded sighted and/or stranded; key species were identified as bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). There were significant decreases in bottlenose dolphin sightings and pod size but an increase in harbour porpoise and minke whale sightings. Cetacean strandings showed a recent decrease over time although there was a significant positive trend in harbour porpoise strandings that correlated with sightings. Incidence of sightings and strandings were both greater on the south coast than the north coast. When Marine Tour Operator (MTO) data were analysed, distinct species-specific inshore and offshore habitat use was evident. With rigorous interrogation and editing, significant patterns and trends were gained from incidentally collected data, highlighting the importance of public engagement with such recording schemes and the potential of these underused resources. See a film detailing our work with Peruvian NGO Prodelphinus here: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/0/OhtVmUJ6hkY See a film of our Kenya Fieldcourse here: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1 Dr. Brendan J. Godley Associate Professor in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology & Conservation University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/cec/ http://uk.linkedin.com/in/brendangodley http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/

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VOLUNTEER REQUIRED FOR A FINE SCALE FEEDING BEHAVIOUR PROJECT ON HUMPBACK WHALES IN AUSTRALIA
by kylie.owen3＠optusnet.com.au 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

The Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Lab at the University of Queensland is seeking applications from volunteers for a 3 week behaviour study on humpback whales from September 09 to October 03 this year. The study will be conducted at Eden, New South Wales (about 6 hours south of Sydney). The study will examine the fine scale feeding behaviour of humpback whales using D-tags, focal follows, acoustics and land based observations of behaviour. The volunteer is required mainly to conduct land-based observations of the whales as they pass our study site. This area is unique as it represents a supplementary feeding area for humpback whales while on migration to the main feeding grounds in the Antarctic. We will also have a boat based team that will be deploying D-tags to look at the underwater behaviour and acoustics of the feeding whales. Although the volunteer may get the opportunity to go out on the boat, opportunities for the volunteer to participate in boat work are limited and most time will be spent doing the land-based observations. The volunteer will spend approximately six hours daily counting and observing passing whales from the headland and will get at least one day off per week, usually during bad weather. The volunteer must be sociable as the will be expected to work and live as part of a team of 7 people with shared cooking and cleaning duties. The volunteer must organise and pay for their own transport to the study site (Eden is a 6 hour drive from Sydney, 7.5 hour drive from Melbourne- flights available to Merimbula (20 mins from Eden) from both Sydney and Melbourne airports) but food and accommodation are provided once there. As meals are communal, fussy eaters are discouraged from applying (vegetarians are fine). This project will suit people with a background in science (including recent graduates and graduate students as well as higher level undergraduate students) keen to gain experience in cetacean survey techniques. Applicants should also be highly motivated and able to concentrate for several hours at a time. Those with previous survey experience, particularly of marine mammals, will be preferred. Applicants should reply with an email to Kylie Owen (kylie.owen(a)uqconnect.edu.au) outlining why they would be suitable for this survey, why they would like to participate, an outline of previous relevant experience, and any other relevant details. The email should include an attached CV and the names and contact details of two professional referees, and should be cc-ed to Rebecca Dunlop (r.dunlop(a)uq.edu.au) The closing date for applications is the 12th of August and successful applicants will be notified by the 19th of August.

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Workshop on Age Determination in Marine Mammals
by Christina Lockyer 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Workshop on Age Determination in Marine Mammals with Emphasis on Monodontids, 26-27 November 2011 In conjunction with the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa, Florida, 27 November - 2 December 2011. This is a call for presentations and abstracts to the 2-day international workshop being held on Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27, 2011 from 09:00 hr - 17:00 hr in Room 19 at the Tampa Convention Centre. Interested scientists are invited to submit an abstract to speak at the workshop. Priority will be given to those presentations focusing on new and innovative methods of age determination, inter-comparisons of different methods and validation of methods that have been successful in any species of marine mammal, or long-lived terrestrial mammal. The workshop is aimed at promoting discussion which will facilitate recommendations on the best methods for age determination appropriate for beluga and narwhal. It is envisaged that a special publication will be produced as a state of the art compendium on age determination in marine mammals with emphasis on monodontids. Relevant papers on other species can be included. This will be published in the NAMMCO Scientific Publications series. All presenters will be given up to 20 minutes, which includes time for questions. (Shorter presentations are also welcomed.) Abstract submissions should be in Word format, no longer than 300 words (excluding title and authors), and contain the primary author's full contact information and affiliation. Abstracts should follow the guidelines established for the Biennial Conference and must be submitted electronically to Aleta Hohn (monodontid.age.workshop(a)gmail.com<mailto:monodontid.age.workshop@gmail.com>) by September 30, 2011. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE REGISTER AT: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… There will be a registration fee for this symposium, which will be posted shortly. Contact Aleta Hohn (monodontid.age.workshop(a)gmail.com<mailto:monodontid.age.workshop@gmail.com>) for details. Dr Christina Lockyer, General Secretary North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission - NAMMCO P.O. Box 6453 Sykehusveien 21-23 N-9294 Tromsø Norway Tel: +47 77687372 Fax: +47 77687374 Skype: nammco1 E-mail: christina.lockyer(a)nammco.no Website: www.nammco.no

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Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
by Katie H 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand Wanted: Two enthusiastic and reliable volunteers are required to assist me in the field as I begin my PhD study on marine mammal habitat use in Admiralty Bay, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. In addition to dusky dolphins, the proposed study will also look at the use of habitat within Admiralty Bay by other cetacean species, particularly bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and common dolphins (Delphinus spp.), with scope to include other cetacean species, New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and seabirds. This would benefit anyone who wants experience in working with boats, theodolites, photo-ID work and marine mammal and bird observation. Ideally however, the volunteers will have had some experience in some of these areas already. Duties will include assistance in the field for data collection, entry and logistical support. This years’ field season is from 1 September - 30 November 2011, and while volunteers don’t have to be available the whole time, they need to be able to commit to a minimum of a continuous 4-6 week block. For more information on the French Pass area go to http://www.frenchpass.com/. Provided: Food and board in French Pass, Marlborough Sounds will be provided in exchange for your assistance. Please note that this is volunteer work and you will not be paid, but you will gain valuable work experience in the above areas. What you need to provide: Your own transport at least as far as Nelson, Picton or Blenheim, New Zealand. Your own clothes and field gear e.g. warm clothing, sturdy shoes. Reliable assistance and a positive attitude while enduring long hours in the field. A good team spirit and communication skills are a must and good English language skills are helpful. What’s involved: This project involves data collection both by boat and theodolite work. Boat trips will only be day-trips (not overnight) and involve working along transect lines recording the locations of any dolphin groups observed. Environmental data and sightings of other cetaceans, pinnipeds and seabirds may also be recorded. When the run of the transect lines is complete, we will then attempt to re-locate any dolphin groups and take photographs for identification of individuals and limited behaviour work. Theodolite data will be recorded from a hilltop near the shoreline, and will require spending the day scanning the bay for dolphin groups and recording their position with a laptop computer connected to the theodolite. Applications Please apply to Katie Halliday via email at hallidkati(a)myvuw.ac.nz In your application please include a current CV and details of your availability during the above time period. Thank you for your interest.

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Beaked whales virtual photoID catalog and papers
by Natacha Aguilar 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Dear all, To improve re-sightings of beaked whales and support public involvement in research we have created the open tool www.cetabase.info The database is open to anybody who want to use it for their own research or to collaborate with others. All users can see all photos, but each user can only modify the data corresponding to his/her account. You need to accept the legal terms of use (i.e. to respect the property of the information of others) before accessing the database. If you want to use the photos for something else than enjoyment, you need to ask for permit to the user who loaded them in the database. You don't need to register to see the photos in the database, but if you want access to the analysis tools of the database you need to create an account and log in with it. Your data is completely safe and associated only to this database, which is maintained by University of La Laguna Other species in addition to beaked whales can be included. At the moment there are photos and sightings of Blainville's and Cuvier's beaked whales in the Canary Islands and these require a special format to include photos with markings from all over the body. If you want to enter dolphins, or sperm whales, the photo-page is set for the photoID needs of those species. The designer of the database is happy to donate his time for small changes if required, but if you want large re-formats to fit the database to your data you'd need to arrange it more seriously. The original language of the database is spanish, but it is translated to english and instructions of use are available in the page in both languages (although they still need some polishing, this is a work in progress) Hope you may find this tool useful. Please do not hesitate in contacting if you may require further information Best regards Natacha PD. There is a new paper on Blainville's beaked whale social communication sounds, Aguilar Soto, N., Johnson., M., Tyack., P., Arranz, P., Revelli, E., Marrero, J., Fais, A., Madsen, P. No shallow talk: deep social communication of Blainville´s beaked whales. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00495.x Abstract Communicating animals must balance fitness benefits against the costs of signaling, such as increased predation risk. Cetaceans communicate mainly with sound and near-surface vocalizations can place signalers at risk from shallow-diving top-predators with acute hearing such as killer whales. Beaked whales are deep-divers living in small cohesive groups with little social defense from predation and little if anything is known about their acoustic communication. Here eight Blainville’s beaked whales were studied with suction-cup attached DTAGs to provide the first report on social communication as a function of diving behavior for any of the 21 ziphiid species. Tagged whales produced two novel signals with apparent communicative functions: i) fast series of ultrasonic FM clicks (rasps) were recorded from six individuals, and ii) harmonically rich short whistles with a mean fundamental frequency of 12kHz were recorded from one whale at up to 900m depth, the deepest whistles recorded from a marine mammal. Blainville´s were silent 80% of the time, whenever shallower than 170m depth and during the prolonged (19min) silent ascents from vocal dives. This behavior limits the ability of shallow-diving predators to track Blainville´s acoustically, providing a striking example of the evolutionary influence of the risk of predation on animal communication. You might be interested in a good compilation of DTAG papers on beaked whales. This can be found in the following web page (also bilingual and with some scientific divulgation articles in spanish) http://webpages.ull.es/users/cetaceos ********************** Natacha Aguilar Head Cetacean Research Line Dept. Animal Biology La Laguna University Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

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Franklin et al 2011: Seasonal changes in pod characteristics of eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Hervey Bay 1992–2005
by Wally Franklin 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Hi Marmammers, We are pleased to announce the publication of a paper on Humpback whales in Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia in the current issue of Marine Mammal Science. Its available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00430.x/full A pdf copy is available by email from: trish.wally(a)oceania.org.au Franklin, T., Franklin, W., Brooks, L., Harrison, P., Baverstock, P. and Clapham, P. (2011), Seasonal changes in pod characteristics of eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Hervey Bay 1992–2005. Marine Mammal Science, 27: E134–E152. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00430.x ABSTRACT We investigated the characteristics and composition of 4,506 humpback whale pods observed in Hervey Bay between 1992 and 2005.We use these data to analyze and model the variability of pod size and composition, and to assess the importance of Hervey Bay for particular classes of humpback whales. Pods ranged in size from one to nine individuals. Pairs were the most frequent pod type (1,344, 29.8%), followed by mother-calf alone (1,249, 27.7%), trios (759, 16.8%), singletons (717, 15.9%), and 4+ whales (437, 9.7%). Of the 4,506 pods, calves were present in 40%, and 10.8% of all pods had one or more escorts present. Of the 1,804 pods observed with calves present, 1,251 (69.4%) were mothers alone with their calves. The size and composition of pods in the study area varied significantly as the season progressed. Pods with calves present were rarely recorded early in the season but dominated later in the season. A significant increase over years in larger groups may be related to social and behavioral changes as the population expands. The data indicate that Hervey Bay is important to immature males and females early in the season, to mature males and females in mid-season, and to mother-calf pairs (either alone or with escorts) in mid-to-late season. Key words: humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Hervey Bay,Australia, social behavior, pod size, pod composition. Regards, Trish and Wally Franklin .................................................................................................................. Trish & Wally Franklin The Oceania Project PO Box 646 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia ABN 73 052 470 630 ACN 052 470 630 Phone: + 61 2 6685 8128 Mobile: 0418 797 326 Skype: oceania.org.au Email: trish.wally(a)oceania.org.au Web: The Oceania Project iWhales.org The Oceania Project | YouTube The Oceania Project | Facebook Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre

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New dolphin publications Australia
by Christine Fury 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Hi MMers, The following papers are now available from their perspective journals or you can email me for a pdf copy. Fury CA, Harrison PL (2011) Seasonal variation and tidal influences on estuarine use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 93:389-395 In order to show that dolphins use estuary habitats differently depending on the season and tidal state, possibly in response to prey distribution, temperature, risk of stranding and accessibility, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) were observed year-round during a 3-year study in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuary (RR) in northern New South Wales, Australia. Peak dolphin sightings occurred during the spring season and one or 2h prior to high tide. The spatial distribution of the dolphins in each estuary was analysed using the distance in kilometres that the dolphins travelled upstream with seasons and tidal phase as determinants. A General Linear Model showed that in the CR the dolphin spatial distribution in the estuary was not determined by season (F=0.434, df=3, P=0.729) but was by tidal phase (F=9.943, df=3, P<0.001) and the interaction between season and tidal phase (F=3.398, df=9, P<0.002). However, in the RR the spatial distribution of the dolphin use of the estuary was not determined by either season (F=1.647, df=3, P=0.194) or tidal phase (F=0.302, df=3, P=0.824). In the CR, the spatial distribution of the dolphins was largest on high and flood tides. This pattern of spatial distribution may occur because the CR is a relatively shallow estuary and this increased spatial distribution may reflect a lower stranding risk and an increase in accessibility of shallow areas during periods of higher tide. These areas could also provide access to their preferred prey items of sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sand whiting (Sillago ciliata). Fury CA, Harrison PL (2011) Impact of flood events on dolphin occupancy patterns. Marine Mammal Science 27:E185E205 The aim of this study was to assess potential impacts of water quality changes associated with floods on the occupancy of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in two subtropical estuaries in Australia.Boat-based surveys were conducted in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuaries (RR) over 3 yr. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that when the dolphins were absent from the estuaries, three water quality components were extracted in the CR and two components in the RR. The PCA1 component included high loadings for salinity, turbidity, and pH for the CR (46%); and salinity, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) for the RR (51%). Randomization tests showed that dolphins abandoned both estuaries at times of lower salinity, and during periods of higher turbidity and of lower levels of pH and dissolved oxygen in the RR that were associated with floods. The time until dolphins returned to the estuary postflood depended on the length and severity of the flood, but generally dolphins were observed in waters with salinity levels above 29ppt. Their delayed return postflood could be for their physiological health, or because their prey returned to the estuaries under these higher salinity conditions, or more likely a combination of both factors. Regards Christine Christine Fury, PhD Marine Ecologist PO Box 390 Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 7050 Mobile 0408-264-330 Webpage: http://independent.academia.edu/ChristineFury cfury10(a)gmail.com

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Sirenian Symposium Registration & Abstracts
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Please do not reply to this message! Please follow the directions below to register and submit an abstract. Your contacts for this Symposium are Bob Bonde and Nicole Adimey. Their contact information is listed at the bottom of the email. Thanks, Caryn Begin forwarded message: From: Robert K Bonde <rbonde(a)usgs.gov> Date: July 20, 2011 12:36:58 PM EDT To: Nicole Adimey <Nicole_Adimey(a)fws.gov>, rbonde(a)usgs.gov Subject: ISS 2011 Register & Submit Abstract soon! Fifth International Sirenian Symposium 2011 In conjunction with the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa, Florida, 27 November 2011 Second Announcement & Call For Abstracts You are invited to participate in the Fifth International Sirenian Symposium being held on Sunday, November 27, 2011 from 08:30AM-5:00PM in Room 23 at the Tampa Convention Center. The aim of this symposium is to foster communication between sirenian researchers, managers, and policy makers from around the globe. Over the last couple of years we have made marked progress regarding sirenian conservation, management and research. At this symposium we hope you will be able to share your expertise and experiences. Scientists and managers are invited to submit an abstract to speak at the symposium; priority will be given to those presentations focusing on international efforts outside the U.S. to promote collaboration and information exchange with foreign programs. Abstracts will be considered for work involving the latest advances in Sirenian Conservation and Management; Stranding Response and Captive Care; Monitoring Applications; and Biology and Research. Those abstracts not selected for a talk will be invited to present a poster. In support of the Biennial Conference theme, it is suggested that presentations attempt to address some aspect of cumulative effects from human activities on local sirenian populations, and identify possible conservation approaches to address those effects. All presenters will be given up to 15 minutes, which includes time for questions. Abstract submissions should be in Word format, no longer than 300 words (excluding title and authors), and contain the primary author’s full contact information and affiliation. Abstracts should follow the guidelines established for the Biennial Conference and must be submitted electronically to Nicole Adimey (nicole_adimey(a)fws.gov) by August 31, 2011. If you have not already done so, please register early at: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… There will be a small registration fee of $10.00/US for this symposium collected at the door. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: In order to obtain consistency in the submission of abstracts for the International Sirenian Symposium we request that you use the following format as an example. If you would like to submit an abstract for consideration, please format your abstract following the instructions below and the attached example. -Abstract body limit is 300 words, using Times New Roman text, 11 font, and 1.5 line spacing -Presenting author's name is in bold -Affiliation numbers are in superscript followed by a comma -Please include the corresponding (submitting) author's email address after the affiliations ________________________________________ Nicole Adimey U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200 Jacksonville, Florida 32256-7517 904.731.3079 (direct) 904.731.3336 (main) 904.731.3045 (fax) nicole_adimey(a)fws.gov http:/www.fws.gov/northflorida <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Robert K. Bonde, PhD Research Biologist - Sirenia Project Southeast Ecological Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 2201 NW 40th Terrace Gainesville, Florida 32605-3574 Phone: (352)264-3555 FAX: (352)374-8080 Phone: Genetics Lab (352)264-3549 Email: rbonde(a)usgs.gov http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/manatees.html <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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