April 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New papers on beaked whales (Sowerby's, Gervais' and Cuvier's)
by Wojtek.Bachara 29 Apr '14

29 Apr '14

Dear Readers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the papers: Bachara W. and S.A. Norman. 2014. Mesoplodon europaeus strandings- a short review. Reports of the International Whaling Commission. SC65b/SM01 Bachara W. , P. Cermeño and S.A. Norman. 2014. Mesoplodon bidens strandings- a short review. Reports of the International Whaling Commission. SC65b/SM02 Bachara W. and S.A. Norman. 2013. Ziphius cavirostris strandings-a short review. Reports of the International Whaling Commission. SC65a/SM1 A PDF copy can be downloaded from: http://iwc.int/sc65bdocs and go to SM section. and: http://iwc.int/sc65adocs and go to Small Cetaceans. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding my work. Best regards, Wojtek

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MMOs Wanted
by Emma Forrester - Hydenlyne 29 Apr '14

29 Apr '14

Good morning, Hydenlyne are an E&P Consultancy who specialise in environmental consultants; including MMO, PAM, Fisheries Liaison Officers, EIA consultants and more. We conduct worldwide projects and welcome enquires to join our database at any time. We are currently looking to increase our database of Canadian MMOs. Particularly those from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. Ideally you will have offshore seismic experience and valid certification for offshore work. If you are interested, please send your CV to: emmaforrester(a)hydenlyne.com<mailto:emmaforrester@hydenlyne.com> with the subject heading "Canadian MMO". Kind regards, Emma Forrester Project Manager UK Mobile +44 (0)7730222001 Office +44 (0)1202 900078 Hydenlyne 1 Princes Court Princes Road Ferndown Dorset England BH22 9JG This email is confidential and for the intended recipient(s) only. If you are not the intended or authorised recipient, please maintain this confidentiality, notify the sender immediately and then delete it from your computer systems. Any unauthorised duplication, dissemination or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

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Research Training: Theory, Practice and Challenges - a seminar in Denmark
by Sabrina Brando 29 Apr '14

29 Apr '14

Research Training: Theory, Practice and Challenges Research Training Seminar in collaboration with University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. How do seals perceive the world? Where do dogs look and what do they pay attention to? What can dolphins remember and what cognitive tasks can birds solve? There are many areas of an animal’s life that are still largely unexplored and not well understood. Training animals to participate voluntarily in research projects allows researchers to learn about behavior, physiology, perception, cognitive ability, and even affective states. This knowledge can then be applied to improve welfare and or to aid in efforts to conserve a species. Do you want to learn more about training animals for research projects with positive reinforcement? Do you want to learn about the theoretical and practical aspects and challenges one could encounter? This seminar is a combination of lectures, workshops, and animal training sessions specifically focused on the topic of research training. Dates are May 12th - 15th, 2014. See attached program (still subject to changes). For more information: http://www.animalconcepts.eu/styled-4/styled-12/styled-3/index.html Best wishes, Sabrina Brando, Kirsten Anderson Hansen, Elizabeth Henderson, Rebecca Singer, and Magnus Wahlberg

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New publication - Tsai et al 2014 fossil gray whales from Taiwan
by Cheng-Hsiu Tsai 28 Apr '14

28 Apr '14

Dear colleagues We are pleased to announce a new publication on fossil gray whale from Taiwan with implications of paleo-breeding ground of the western population. Title: Quaternary fossil gray whales from Taiwan. The article could be downloaded: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2517/2014PR009 or email Tsai, cheng-hsiu.tsai(a)otago.ac.nz<mailto:cheng-hsiu.tsai@otago.ac.nz>; craniata(a)gmail.com<mailto:craniata@gmail.com> Abstract. Two specimens of fossil juvenile gray whale from the sea bottom between Taiwan and the Penghu Islands are Quaternary in age, and probably early Holocene, no older than 11–12 ka. Both specimens preserve the posterior portion of the skull from the occipital condyles to the broken frontals; the earbones are missing. A key diagnostic feature of eschrichtiids, paired tuberosities on the supraoccipital, occurs in both specimens. Because of incompleteness and differences with the living gray whale, the fossils are designated as Eschrichtius sp. rather than Eschrichtius robustus. This report of fossil gray whales is the first from Taiwan. The fossils expand the known range of Quaternary gray whales, and this occurrence of juveniles is consistent with a possible paleo-breeding- or nursery range. Regards and all the best Tsai Cheng-Hsiu Tsai （蔡政修) PhD student, Department of Geology, University of Otago 360 Leith Walk (Courier) or PO Box 56 (Postal) Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Email: cheng-hsiu.tsai(a)otago.ac.nz<mailto:cheng-hsiu.tsai@otago.ac.nz>; craniata(a)gmail.com<mailto:craniata@gmail.com>

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Aquatic Animal Health Summer & Fall Online Courses - Summer Registration Closes Soon
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 28 Apr '14

28 Apr '14

At the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine we are offering a few exciting online courses in the upcoming Summer and Fall semesters that are specifically geared towards those interested in Aquatic Animal Health. All of these courses have registration options for undergraduate students, graduate students and as continuing education for the professional or practitioner. Summer classes (2014) Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues is an online course (3 credits) - designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, behavior and common health issues of aquatic species: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and invertebrates. More information can be found here: (http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/a…) Manatee Health and Conservation is an online course (3 credits) - that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. More information can be found here: (http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/m…<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/m…>) Fall classes (2014) Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues is an online course (3 credits) - designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with an emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. More information can be found here: (http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/a…) For questions about the class or enrollment, contact Jeffrey Hendel (hendelj(a)ufl.edu<mailto:hendelj@ufl.edu<mailto:hendelj@ufl.edu%3cmailto:hendelj@ufl.edu>>). DEADLINES If you are interested in taking one of the classes, registration deadline for summer: Academic credit is May 9th Continuing Education (CE) is May 14th First day of class is May 12th. Fall (2014) term registration will remain open until August. Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610

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Ship strikes and the IWC
by S P 28 Apr '14

28 Apr '14

Dear Marmam colleagues, with this message we would like to enquire about your knowledge of ships strike events - and remind everybody about the global (IWC) ship strike data base. The International Whaling Commission is addressing the problem of ship strikes since many years and has taken a leading role in this issue. It's Scientific Committee considers methods of estimating the number of whales killed from ship strikes; it is also fostering the dialogue between researchers, Authorities and the shipping industry and thus takes part in developing mitigation measures. The Conservation Committee has established a dedicated Ship Strikes Working Group to set up a five years strategic plan to develop a policy framework for mitigation of ship strike events and to co-ordinate work between member governments. The IWC is also working in conjunction with other international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and its Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC). Both committees provide a forum to report ship strike cases on the one hand, and the measures being taken within countries to reduce and record incidences of ship strikes. The IWC has developed a standardized global database to report collisions between vessels and whales. The database is open for anyone to submit data and includes information on the whales (e.g., species, size, observed injuries, etc.) and on the vessels. The objectives of the database are accurate estimates of mortality and injuries, to help detect trends over time, to allow better modeling of risk factors (e.g., vessel type, speed, size), and to identify high risk or unsuspected problem areas. The data base provides an on-going facility for collecting new information. Most importantly, it relies on scientists and mariners providing information. Therefore, any report of a ship strike is important. With this, we are looking for new records and invite any of you with information regarding collision cases or evidence of animals with clear sign of ship strike to compile the online database at: <http://data.iwc.int/ShipStrike/logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fshipstrike%2fdefault…>http://data.iwc.int/ShipStrike/logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fshipstrike%2fdefault…. Such information can come from witness reports you may have heard of but also from (your own) scientific publications, etc. We would like to thank you for your cooperation; please do not hesitate to get in touch with us in case you need further information and any assistance. Please visit the IWC ship strike website to find out more at: <http://iwc.int/ship-strikes>http://iwc.int/ship-strikes. Simone Panigada - panigada(a)inwind.it Fabian Ritter - ritter(a)m-e-e-r.de IWC ship strikes coordinators

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New publication: Cultural transmission of tool use by bottlenose dolphins provides access to a novel foraging niche
by sina.kreicker＠aim.uzh.ch 27 Apr '14

27 Apr '14

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Please list the following post on MARMAN. Thank you very much, Sina New publication: Cultural transmission of tool use by bottlenose dolphins provides access to a novel foraging niche Dear Marmam Readers, I am very pleased to announce the following publication: Michael Krützen, Sina Kreicker, Colin D. MacLeod, Jennifer Learmonth, Anna M. Kopps, Pamela Walsham and Simon J. Allen (2014). Cultural transmission of tool use by Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) provides access to a novel foraging niche. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. DOI 10.1098/rspb.2014.0374 (http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1784/20140374.abstract?e…) Abstract: Culturally transmitted tool use has important ecological and evolutionary consequences and has been proposed as a significant driver of human evolution. Such evidence is still scarce in other animals. In cetaceans, tool use has been inferred using indirect evidence in one population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), where particular dolphins (‘spongers’) use marine sponges during foraging. To date, evidence of whether this foraging tactic actually provides access to novel food items is lacking. We used fatty acid (FA) signature analysis to identify dietary differences between spongers and non-spongers, analysing data from 11 spongers and 27 non-spongers from two different study sites. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed significant differences in FA profiles between spongers and non-spongers between and within study sites. Moreover, FA profiles differed significantly between spongers and non-spongers foraging within the same deep channel habitat, whereas the profiles of non-spongers from deep channel and shallow habitats at this site could not be distinguished. Our results indicate that sponge use by bottlenose dolphins is linked to significant differences in diet. It appears that cultural transmission of tool use in dolphins, as in humans, allows the exploitation of an otherwise unused niche. For any questions or a pdf copy please contact sina.kreicker(a)aim.uzh.ch or michael.kruetzen(a)aim.uzh.ch Best wishes, Sina Sina Kreicker M.Sc. Biology/Anthropology Research associate Anthropological Institute, University of Zürich, Switzerland www.aim.uzh.ch Co-Director Dolphin Watch & Care for Dolphins www.dolphinwatchalliance.org

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Head-Standing in Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus)
by Marina Costa 26 Apr '14

26 Apr '14

Dear MARMAM colleagues, Over the years the peculiar head-standing behaviour often displayed by Risso's dolphins (/Grampus griseus/) has caught the interest of researchers and members of the public who have witnessed it. This behaviour consists of the animal standing for a period of time (varying from a few seconds to several minutes) in a vertical position with the head underwater (~ 1/3 of the body length) and the tail out of the water (~ 2/3 of the body length). With very few exceptions there is almost no information available in the literature on this behaviour other than the reporting of its existence. Various hypotheses have been suggested to try to explain the behaviour, including reaction to distress (either natural or human related), communication, resting, thermoregulation, etc. but no specific study has been carried out. We are currently collecting information about the presence/absence and frequency of the head-standing behaviour in Risso's dolphins in different areas of the world and would like to gather as much information as possible from far and wide. On behalf of my co-authors and myself, I hereby wish to ask the MARMAM community to contribute to this research by completing a simple questionnaire which we have prepared. The only requirement to contribute is that Risso's dolphins are encountered (with ANY frequency) during your activity at sea (e.g. whale-watching, land survey, etc.). The presence of the head-standing behaviour is NOT a requirement -- to the contrary, we are very interested to find out whether only certain populations display the behaviour. As we cannot attach the questionnaire to this MARMAM email, if you are interested in participating please do not hesitate to contact us (Marina Costa: marinza.costa(a)gmail.com <mailto:marinza.costa@gmail.com>, Elisa Remonato: e.remonato(a)gmail.com <mailto:e.remonato@gmail.com>)and request the questionnaire along with which we will also provide the terms of the collaboration. Many thanks in advance for your help and interest! We will keep the MARMAM community posted about any news and development of this project. My dearest wishes Marina Costa -- Marina Costa PhD Student Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews KY16 8LB Scotland mc76(a)st-andrews.ac.uk marinza.costa(a)gmail.com Skype: costa_marina

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Request for comments on draft seismic survey guidelines in Trinidad and Tobago
by Alesha Naranjit 25 Apr '14

25 Apr '14

Good day, As you may have been informed before, Trinidad and Tobago is developing new guidelines and requirements for managing the acoustic impacts of offshore seismic surveys in Trinidad and Tobago. Working drafts of the documents are available at http://ttseismicsurveyguide.wix.com/testing for review and we would very much appreciate your comments, suggestions and concerns to make these the most effective guidelines possible. Most especially on the "Requirements for the mitigation of acoustic disturbance from offshore seismic surveys to marine life in Trinidad and Tobago". The deadline for comments is on the 19th May 2014. We will try to accommodate late comments but cannot ensure that we will be able to do so. The "Review of the acoustic effects of offshore seismic surveys" was created provide important background information which will help in reviewing the recommendations, guidelines and requirements presented here for the management of offshore seismic surveys in Trinidad and Tobago. If you think we have missed any important point please don't hesitate to let us know. The justification documents for applying for and processing CECs for offshore seismic surveys are not necessary for review but are included to give an understanding of the reasons for the decisions made in these documents. We look forward to any comments, suggestions or concerns you may wish to share. Please send them to ttseismicsurveyguidelines(a)gmail.com. If you have any questions you can contact us at ttseismicsurveyguidelines(a)gmail.com. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be interested. We very much hope to hear from you. Best regards, Alësha Naranjit

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New papaer on southern elephant seal foraging habitat use and diet
by Andrea Walters 23 Apr '14

23 Apr '14

Dear MARMAMers We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper on southern elephant seal foraging habitat use and diet. Walters A, Lea M-A, van den Hoff J, Field IC, Virtue P, et al. (2014) Spatially Explicit Estimates of Prey Consumption Reveal a New Krill Predator in the Southern Ocean. PLoS ONE 9(1): e86452. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086452 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0086452 Development in foraging behaviour and dietary intake of many vertebrates are age-structured. Differences in feeding ecology may correlate with ontogenetic shifts in dispersal patterns, and therefore affect foraging habitat and resource utilization. Such life-history traits have important implications in interpreting tropho-dynamic linkages. Stable isotope ratios in the whiskers of sub-yearling southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina; n = 12) were used, in conjunction with satellite telemetry and environmental data, to examine their foraging habitat and diet during their first foraging migration. The trophic position of seals from Macquarie Island (54°30′S, 158°57′E) was estimated using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) ratios along the length of the whisker, which provided a temporal record of prey intake. Satellite-relayed data loggers provided details on seal movement patterns, which were related to isotopic concentrations along the whisker. Animals fed in waters south of the Polar Front (>60°S) or within Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Statistical Subareas 88.1 and 88.2, as indicated by both their depleted δ13C (<−20‰) values, and tracking data. They predominantly exploited varying proportions of mesopelagic fish and squid, and crustaceans, such as euphausiids, which have not been reported as a prey item for this species. Comparison of isotopic data between sub-yearlings, and 1, 2 and 3 yr olds indicated that sub-yearlings, limited by their size, dive capabilities and prey capture skills to feeding higher in the water column, fed at a lower trophic level than older seals. This is consistent with the consumption of euphausiids and most probably, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), which constitute an abundant, easily accessible source of prey in water masses used by this age class of seals. Isotopic assessment and concurrent tracking of seals are successfully used here to identify ontogenetic shifts in broad-scale foraging habitat use and diet preferences in a highly migratory predator. This is an open access paper. Best wishes, Andrea

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