October 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper: Quantifying cetacean prey consumption ...
by C.Saavedra 23 Oct '14

23 Oct '14

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: "Quantifying the predation on sardine and hake by cetaceans in the Atlantic waters of the Iberian peninsula" Which had been already published on-line, but recently has been also published on paper format in "Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography" The citation and the abstract is bellow: Santos, M.B., Saavedra, C., Pierce, G. P. (2014). Quantifying the predation on sardine and hake by cetaceans in the Atlantic waters of the Iberian peninsula. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 106: 232-244. Construction of ecosystem models requires detailed information on trophic interactions which may not be readily available, especially for top predators such as cetaceans. Such information can also be useful to estimate natural mortality (M) for fish stock assessments and to evaluate the potential for competition between cetaceans and fisheries. In the present paper we provide estimates and confidence limits, taking into account sampling error, for consumption of fish by the four most common cetaceans along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, while highlighting the uncertainties and biases inherent in the information presently available on energy requirements, diet and population size. We estimated that common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) consume around 6800 (95% CI, 4871–9476) tons of sardine (Sardina pilchardus), 8800 (6195–12,647) tons of gadids, 1100 (721–1662) tons of hake (Merluccius merluccius) and 1900 (1222–2752) tons of scads (Trachurus sp.) annually. For striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), prey consumed were 900 (196–2661) tons of sardine, 6200 (3448–11,129) tons of gadids, 200 (11–504) tons of hake and 1600 (0–5318) tons of scads. Estimated amounts taken by harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are much lower, reflecting their low abundance in the area. Cetacean predation on sardine represents 2–8% of the current M value, indicating that cetaceans probably have little influence on sardine population dynamics. For the southern hake stock, estimated average removal by cetaceans often exceeds M. While this may indicate that both M and the consumption estimates for hake require revision it also suggests that cetaceans could have a more significant impact on hake populations. Different approaches to estimation of energy requirements of cetaceans can result in figures that differ by at least a factor of 2. The lack of good estimates of field metabolic rate for most species probably represents the most serious barrier to reliably quantifying the role of cetaceans in the ecosystem. The article can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064513003810 If you can't download it from ScienceDirect, you can look for it in Researchgate.com or request a copy to my email: camilo.saavedra(a)vi.ieo.es Best Wishes, C.Saavedra

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MARINE CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN BAJA
by kathy＠ravenadventures.com 23 Oct '14

23 Oct '14

MARINE CONSERVATION SURVEY January 24 – February 1, 2015 February 4 – February 13, 2015 *Volunteers wishing to combine the Mangrove Monitoring Project from January 14 – 22nd with the first session of the Marine Conservation Survey can contact us for more details. Raven Adventures Marine Conservation Survey is an international effort to gather much needed scientific data regarding present environmental / biological conditions found in the Loreto area of the Sea of Cortez. Participants will assist our Mexican conservation partner GEA (Grupos Ecologistas Antares) with multiple marine transects (above and below the surface) as well as other biological investigations in an effort to better understand the fragile ecosytem of the Sea of Cortez. Volunteers may be exposed to an abundant number of marine life including whale species such as the blue, sperm, brydes, humpback, finback, orca and pilot whale. Dolphins and sea lions can also be found in high numbers throughout the study site. All data collected will be available to the local Marine Park of Loreto as well as various nature conservation programs operating in the area. The program cost is $950 per person for the 10 day session and is limited to 4 participants . The cost includes food, camping accommodations, camping gear, and safety equipment such as PFDs. Volunteers will be responsible for their flight/bus to/from Loreto, Mexico. We have years of experience traveling to Baja and may be able to give you some pointers on how to save some money with plane or bus tickets. http://ravenadventures.com/marine-conservation/ MANGROVE MONITORING PROJECT January 14th – 22nd, 2015 Volunteers will be assisting in marine conservation by conducting an in depth study of mangrove forests located in Magdelena Bay, Baja Mexico. The study is open to volunteers wishing to gain unique field experience in some of the most pristine mangrove areas left on earth. Using sea kayaks to navigate the dense labyrinth of mangrove forests, participants will collect samples, note climate and water conditions, photograph and film insects, birds, reptiles, mollusks and mammals that use the dense vegetation for food and cover. Species counts will also be conducted on barrier islands found along the Pacific coast. Using GPS systems, the density and distribution of each individual sighting will be added to a catalog of all species encountered over a five-year period. Participants will learn skills such as animal tracking techniques, GPS data collection, wildlife photography, desert and mangrove natural history, sea kayaking and other wilderness skills. The program cost is $950 per person for the 9 day session and includes all food, lodging, camping / kayak rentals etc. Volunteers will be responsible for their flight/bus to/from Loreto, Mexico. We have years of experience traveling to Baja and may be able to give you some pointers on how to save some money with plane or bus tickets. http://ravenadventures.com/mangrove-project/ TO APPLY No previous experience is needed, but volunteers assisting us in the remote areas of Baja will want to have a “go with the flow attitude”, be willing to share a small tent with another participant, possibly ride in the back of pick up trucks, wade into deep mud, and participate in camp life such as cooking, cleaning, and logistical chores. Please contact Colin Garland at colin(a)ravenadventures.com to ensure there is still space on the session of your choice and follow the application instructions on our website. http://ravenadventures.com/mangrove-project/ http://ravenadventures.com/marine-conservation/

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NMFS Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS and Public Scoping Meeting Regarding MMPA Takes in Cook Inlet, Alaska
by Candace Nachman - NOAA Federal 22 Oct '14

22 Oct '14

All, The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is pleased to announce its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the environmental impacts of issuing incidental take authorizations (ITAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for the taking of marine mammals incidental to anthropogenic activities in the waters of Cook Inlet, Alaska. The Notice of Intent (NOI) is available on the Internet at: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-24317. For the purposes of this EIS, NMFS intends to analyze the effects on the human environment of issuing authorizations for the incidental take of marine mammals from activities occurring in both the state and Federal waters of Cook Inlet, AK, from Knik Arm in the northern part of the Inlet to the southern edge of Kachemak Bay on the southeastern part of the Inlet and to the southern edge of Cape Douglas on the southwestern part of the Inlet. This programmatic EIS will analyze the potential effects on the human environment of issuing MMPA ITAs for various anthropogenic activities in Cook Inlet. An EIS that analyzes multiple activities over multiple years will provide a comprehensive decision-support tool for NMFS, allowing us to address cumulative effects over a longer time frame, consider a wider range of reasonable alternatives consistent with our statutory mandates, and analyze a wider range of practicable mitigation and monitoring measures for protecting marine mammals and the availability of marine mammals for subsistence uses. *Public Comment Period:* Comments on the NOI will be accepted during the public comment period until December 29, 2014. Comments on the NOI should be identified by NOAA-NMFS-2014-0129 and can be submitted by any of the following methods: - Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal, enter NOAA-NMFS-2014-0129 in the keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and click on the "Comment Now" icon on the right of that line. - Mail: Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 - Fax: (301) 713-0376 attn: Jolie Harrison We request that you include background documents to support your comments as appropriate. *THE DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING COMMENTS IS 11:59 PM EST DECEMBER 29, 2014.* *Public Scoping Meeting:* We will hold a public scoping meeting in Anchorage, AK, on Monday, November 3, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Loussac Library's Wilda Marston Theater located at 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/arctic.htm> Thank you for your interest and participation in this important process. -- Candace Nachman Fishery Biologist NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Permits and Conservation Division 1315 East West Highway, Rm 13115 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ph: (301) 427-8429 Fax: (301) 713-0376 Web: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ <first.last(a)noaa.gov> <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/>

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ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyor Courses
by Catherine Bowley 22 Oct '14

22 Oct '14

One of Europe's leading whale and dolphin charities, ORCA, is offering people the opportunity to join their team of wildlife surveyors in collecting vital information about whales and dolphins. Our unique, participative volunteer scheme enables members of the public to collect scientific data about whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans). This gives you the opportunity to contribute directly to vital conservation work. By enabling this innovative link to be made between people and marine mammals, ORCA can inspire, educate and enthuse the wider public about the conservation and biodiversity of cetaceans. This certificated, fun and illuminating course will give you all of the skills required to competently identify cetaceans at sea and take part in ORCA's scientifically recognised surveys. http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/get-involved/train ORCA will be holding a one day Marine Mammal Surveyor training courses around the UK where delegates can learn how to identify different species as well as understand how to record sightings in line with ORCA's survey protocol. The dates of the courses are: Date Location Time Course Status Friday 7th November University of Derby 9.30am- 4.30pm Places available Saturday 15th November Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth 9.30am-4.30pm Places available Sunday 23rd November Cornwall College, Newquay 9.30am-4.30pm Places available Saturday 29th November Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle 9.30am-4.30pm Places available Sunday 30th November University of Bangor, Room A12, ground floor, Brambell Building, Adeilad Deiniol, Deiniol Rd Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UX. 9.30am-4.30pm Places available ORCA's MMS training course incorporates theoretical and practical training on marine mammal identification, organising and completing line-transect surveys as part of a team. With an international network of research vessels, ferries and cruise ships donating spaces to ORCA volunteers, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to participate in future whale and dolphin surveys. Over 30% of the global diversity of cetaceans are seen in our waters. These creatures range from the diminutive harbour porpoise to the mighty blue whale, the largest animal that ever lived! Why complete the MMS training course? ORCA relies on a large and dedicated team of volunteer observers to carry out its research, but to achieve the standard required we request that they first complete an ORCA MMS training course. In return, ORCA provides its volunteers with a wide range of opportunities to take part in our surveys, experience life at sea, encounter whales and dolphins as well as gain a greater understanding of ocean ecosystems and the threats to marine life. But, even if you don't plan to get involved with ORCA in the long-term this training course is designed as an excellent introduction to conducting wildlife surveys that are of scientific value and improve your species identification skills. Further details Please follow the 'More information' link below for further information on dates and course venues Cost: £60 per person, £54 concessions (students, seniors, unemployed). Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/get-involved/train Catherine Bowley Supporter Development & Admin Manager ORCA Tel: 023 9283 2565 Email: catherine.bowley(a)orcaweb.org.uk<mailto:catherine.bowley@orcaweb.org.uk> Web: www.orcaweb.org.uk<http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/> [Facebook logo]<https://www.facebook.com/pages/ORCA/190122761022671>[Twitter bird]<https://twitter.com/intent/user?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orcaweb.o…> I am running the Great South Run 2014. Donate to ORCA via my JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Catherine-Bowley [Double-Your-Money-eNews-headers]<http://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca>

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SAMBAH end-of-project conference
by Mats Amundin 22 Oct '14

22 Oct '14

REGISTRATION OPEN: SAMBAH end-of-project conference on the abundance and distribution of porpoises in the Baltic Sea 8-9 December 2014 Registration is now open for the SAMBAH end-of-project conference, to be held 8-9 December, 2014 at Kolmården Wildlife Park, Sweden. Here, the final results of SAMBAH will be presented, including abundance estimates and distribution maps of harbour porpoises in the Baltic Sea; the use of the results in management will be discussed. Time: 8 Dec 12:00 - 9 Dec 13:00 Venue: Vildmarkshotellet, Kolmården Wildlife Park, Sweden More info at: www.conference.sambah.org<http://www.conference.sambah.org> Register at: www.kolmarden.com/sambah_conference<http://www.kolmarden.com/sambah_conference> The registration site will let you register and book accommodation for the event. If you book accommodation before 27 October you can be sure to get a room at Vildmarkshotellet. We look forward to seeing you in Kolmården! //The SAMBAH team [cid:image001.jpg@01CFEE06.B3850F10][cid:image002.jpg@01CFEE06.B3850F10] Mats Amundin, PhD Forskningschef / Research Director Kolmarden Guest prof. Linköping University Coordinator SAMBAH (www.sambah.org<http://www.sambah.org/>) Destination Kolmården SE-618 92 Kolmården Tel +46 10-708 75 47 kolmarden.com<http://www.kolmarden.com/> Kolmården är en del av / Kolmarden is a part of [cid:image003.png@01CFEE06.B3850F10]<http://www.parksandresorts.com/> Consider the environment before printing this email

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New "Ecology" Paper: "Ontogeny of long distance migration"
by Rebecca Scott 22 Oct '14

22 Oct '14

Dear all, I would like to draw your attention to a paper now published in the Journal "Ecology" titled "Ontogeny of long distance migration" (see abstract below).I had previously circulated the "pre-print" of this article at the start of the year but the final version of this paper and various supporting supplementary material are now available on-line (http://www.esajournals.org/doi/full/10.1890/13-2164.1) If anyone can not access these and would like copies then please let me know. Kind regards and I hope this is of interest to some of you, Rebecca ScottAbstract. The movements of some long-distance migrants are driven by innate compass headings that they follow on their first migrations (e.g., some birds and insects), while the movements of other first-time migrants are learned by following more experienced conspecifics (e.g., baleen whales). However, the overall roles of innate, learned, and social behaviors in driving migration goals in many taxa are poorly understood. To look for evidence of whether migration routes are innate or learned for sea turtles, here for 42 sites around the world we compare the migration routes of .400 satellite-tracked adults of multiple species of sea turtle with ;45 000 Lagrangian hatchling turtle drift scenarios. In so doing, we show that the migration routes of adult turtles are strongly related to hatchling drift patterns, implying that adult migration goals are learned through their past experiences dispersing with ocean currents. The diverse migration destinations of adults consistently reflected the diversity in sites they would have encountered as drifting hatchlings. Our findings reveal how a simple mechanism, juvenile passive drift, can explain the ontogeny of some of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom and ensure that adults find suitable foraging sites-- Dr Rebecca Scott GEOMAR|Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel Düsternbrooker Weg 20 24105 Kiel, Germany +49 (0)431 600 4569 http://www.geomar.de/en/mitarbeiter/fb3/ev/rscott/

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New paper on sperm whales
by Yulia Ivashchenko - NOAA Affiliate 21 Oct '14

21 Oct '14

The following paper was just published: Ivashchenko, Y.V., Brownell, R.L. Jr. & Clapham, P.J. 2014. Distribution of Soviet catches of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the North Pacific. Endangered Species Research 25: 249-263. ABSTRACT: From 1948 to 1979, the USSR conducted extensive illegal whaling worldwide. Data from the North Pacific (NP) were analyzed to correct falsified International Whaling Commission catch records, and to investigate the distribution of sperm whales (NP catch = 157,680). Information was available on the distribution of 123,264 sperm whale catches. Among a number of areas defined by the Soviet whalers the largest catches were in the three main regions: 31,395 in the Eastern Region (ER), 29,518 in the Central Region (CR), 19,313 in the Western Region (WR); an additional 23,090 catches were made at the Kuril land stations. Other areas with substantial catches included the Aleutians (5,945) and Commander Islands (1,448), Bering Sea (3,170), Olyutorsky Bay (3,094), and other parts of the pelagic NP (6,049). Four main areas of concentration included: a large pelagic area (30-50°N) in the ER, including the Gulf of Alaska and western coast of North America; the northeastern and southwestern CR; and the southern Kurils. Some of the distribution was similar to 19th century catches, notably in the “Japan Ground” (in the pelagic western Pacific) and the “Coast of Japan Ground”. Many females were caught in Olyutorsky Bay and around the Commander Islands. There was also a division in catch composition at Amchitka Pass (Aleutians), with family groups to the west and mature males to the east. The extensive illegal catches of females removed a significant portion of the reproductively mature population, which likely continues to impact recovery of NP sperm whales today. This paper is Open Access and a pdf can be downloaded for free at: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v25/n3/ (4th article down in the list). -- Yulia V. Ivashchenko, Ph.D. Associate Scientist National Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115, USA Tel: +1 206 526 4037 Email: *yulia.ivashchenko(a)noaa.gov <yulia.ivashchenko(a)noaa.gov>* *http://www.moscowproject.org <http://www.moscowproject.org>*

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New publication on potential ship strikes and density of humpback whales
by Carolina Bezamat de Abreu 21 Oct '14

21 Oct '14

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published online: Bezamat C., Wedekin L. L., and Simões-Lopes P. C. (2014) Potential ship strikes and density of humpback whales in the Abrolhos Bank breeding ground, Brazil, Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst., doi: 10.1002/aqc.2523 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2523>. Abstract 1. Ship strikes are one of the major threats to large whales worldwide. The potential impact from increasing vessel traffic therefore is a concern for the future of the Brazilian humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) population. 2. In order to evaluate the risk of collision between large vessels and humpback whales along coastal shipping routes in the region of the Abrolhos Bank – the most important breeding ground for the species in the south-western Atlantic Ocean – commercial vessels were used as platforms of opportunity to monitor the coastal shipping routes. 3. Humpback whale density along coastal routes was estimated through multiple covariate line-transect ‘distance sampling’. The number of potential collisions per year was estimated using a model based on vessel size and speed, track lengths, population density and the surfacing behaviour of whales. 4. During the peak of the 2011 breeding season, whale density on the coastal route between Belmonte and Caravelas was estimated to be 0.085 whales km-2 and between Caravelas and Barra do Riacho, 0.023 whales km-2. 5. The three commercial vessels operating in coastal waters between Belmonte and Barra do Riacho had the potential to collide with 25 humpback whales in total, and kill 17 of these, during the 2011 breeding season. 6. As vessel traffic increases in the Abrolhos Bank region and humpback whale population grows, the likelihood of a vessel collision will increase. 7. A simple and effective framework to study how changes in whale density will affect their vulnerability to ship strikes, and ensure the suitability of alternative shipping routes is presented, while evaluating whether additional mitigation measures are necessary, such as speed limits in areas or periods with higher densities of whales. You can download the pdf at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2523/abstract or contact me via email at carolinabezamat(a)gmail.com for a copy. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Best regards, Carolina Bezamat Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos (LAMAq) Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Instituto Baleia Jubarte Brasil

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MSC opportunity in pinniped physiology
by David Rosen 20 Oct '14

20 Oct '14

The UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit is seeking an outstanding, motivated MSc student to investigate aspects of nutrition, bioenergetics and diving physiology in pinnipeds. The student will enter the MSc program at the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia in association with the Dept. of Zoology. Potential projects will investigate nutrition and energetics in captive Steller sea lions and northern fur seals (http://www.marinemammal.org/research/) at the Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Lab, or examine aspects of diving physiology and foraging theory at UBC’s Open Water Research Laboratory (http://www.marinemammal.org/research/steller-sea-lion-research/open-water/) The successful applicant will commence in September 2015 and be supervised by Dr. David Rosen (primary) and Dr. Andrew Trites. We are interested in students who are able to secure independent support, such as an NSERC award. Please contact Dave Rosen (rosen(a)zoology.ubc.ca) with a curriculum vitae, letter of interest, and an (unofficial) copy of your undergraduate transcript.

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UKIRSC - SMM - student conference announcement - January 2015
by Leticiaà Legat 20 Oct '14

20 Oct '14

The UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 8th annual UKIRSC student conference. The meeting will take place between 21st – 23rd of January 2015 at Bangor University, Wales. Abstract deadline is December 5th. Detailed information is available on our website: http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/ukrsc . Best, Leticiaà Legat -- Leticiaà Legat, PhD Candidate Centre for Wildlife Conservation University of Cumbria, Lake District Campus Nook Lane, Ambleside Cumbria - UK LA22 9BB

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