May 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Were the Madeira River rapids a geographical barrier to the boto (Cetacea: Iniidae)?
by Waleska Gravena 12 May '14

12 May '14

Dear Marmam friends, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the online publication of our recent investigations of river dolphins in Madeira River Basin (Amazon) in Conservation Genetics. Gravena W, Farias IP, da Silva MNF, da Silva VMF, Hrbek T (2014) Looking to the past and the future: were the Madeira River rapids a geographical barrier to the boto (Cetacea: Iniidae)? Conservation Genetics. Vol 15 (3): 619-629 ABSTRACT: In the present study we tested if a series of 18 rapids on the upper Madeira River form an effective barrier to gene flow, and in particular if they delimit the distribution of the boto Inia boliviensis—which it is believed to occurs only in the Bolivian sub-basin, above the rapids—and I. geoffrensis, which occurs throughout the Amazon basin and below the upper Madeira River rapids. We analyzed 125 individuals from the Madeira River basin sampled from upstream and downstream of the rapids. As the two species are morphologically similar, we used diagnostic molecular characters from known reference specimens to assign individuals to species. We observed that all individuals of Inia from the Bolivian sub-basin up to almost the mouth of the Madeira River belong to the species I. boliviensis. Therefore we concluded that the rapids do not delimit the distribution of I. boliviensis upstream and I. geoffrensis downstream of the rapids as previously hypothesized. Since we registered I. boliviensis along almost the entire length of the Madeira River, we estimated gene flow, time of divergence and effective population sizes of the upstream (Bolivian) and downstream (Madeira River) groups of I. boliviensis using IMa2. We concluded that gene flow is uni-directional from the upstream to the downstream group. Divergence time between the two groups was estimated to have occurred *122 thousand years ago. The coalescent effective population size for the upstream group was estimated at *131 thousand individuals, while for the downstream group it was estimated at*102 thousand individuals. Recently two dams have been constructed in the region of the rapids; neither has a mechanism that will maintain connectivity between the upstream and downstream regions, and together with anthropogenic alterations to the hydrodynamic regime and ecology of the river will likely pose serious long-term and short-term consequences for I. boliviensis and other aquatic taxa. A PDF copy of this paper is available by request from walpeixeboi(a)gmail.com<lizhartel(a)gmail.com> . <jmstraley(a)uas.alaska.edu> Regards -- Waleska Gravena, Dra. Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal - LEGAL Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM www.evoamazon.net Associação Amigos do Peixe-Boi - AMPA www.ampa.org.br

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New publication on bottlenose dolphins and the efficacy of protected areas
by Liz Hartel 12 May '14

12 May '14

Dear Marmam subscribers, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper on bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands, NZ and the efficacy of protected areas on dynamic marine megafauna. Hartel EF, Constantine R, Torres LG. 2014. Changes in habitat use patterns by bottlenose dolphins over a 10-year period render static management boundaries ineffective. *Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems*. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2465 ABSTRACT 1. Bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) in northern New Zealand range widely and their coastal distribution increases their risk of exposure to a variety of threats. 2. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly used to protect species but there is a paucity of studies examining their efﬁcacy. 3. In the Bay of Islands, New Zealand (35°14’S, 174°06’E), dolphin distribution and habitat use patterns were examined between two time periods: 1996–2000 and 2007–2010. In addition, dolphin use of tourism exclusion zones designed to protect the dolphins were assessed. 4. Spatial distribution was analysed using kernel densities and Mantel tests. 5. Broad-scale distribution patterns remained constant between the two periods but ﬁne-scale dolphin distribution patterns shifted considerably. 6. The exclusion zones that were established based on results from the 1996–2000 study were rarely used in 2007–2010, and therefore no longer provided dolphins protection from tourism. 7. This research demonstrates the plasticity in dolphin habitat use patterns through time and the importance of re-evaluating the efﬁcacy of static protected areas, especially for wide-ranging species. A PDF copy of this paper is available by request from lizhartel(a)gmail.com. Regards, Elizabeth Hartel and coauthors

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Critically endangered the Mediterranean monk seals of Turkey are in a great danger
by Meltem Ok 12 May '14

12 May '14

Dear Marmam subscribers, Critically endangered the Mediterranean monk seals ( http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13653/0) of Turkey are in a great danger. Please see the following links for the details: http://www.monachus-guardian.org/wordpress/2014/05/12/monk-seal-breeding-ca… https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/idris-g%C3%BCll%C3%BCce-mersin-de-ak… We are hoping the help of MARMAM community so please consider signing the online petition against this marine terminal construction project at Change.org and share it widely: To help, please sign the petition at Change.org/petition/SaveMonkSeals<https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/idris-g%C3%BCll%C3%BCce-mersin-de-ak…> Thank you for your time and help!! Meltem Ok Behalf of METU-IMS Monk Seal Research Team -- Dr. Meltem Ok, Post Doctoral researcher, Middle East Technical University (METU), Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) P.O Box 28, 33731 Erdemli, Mersin Turkey E-mail: meltemok(a)ims.metu.edu.tr Tel: 0090 324 521 24 06 / 1365 (ext) Web: www.ims.metu.edu.tr

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New Publication: Depredating sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska: local habitat use and long distance movements across putative population boundaries
by Jan Straley 11 May '14

11 May '14

Dear Marmam friends, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the online publication of our recent investigations of sperm whales in Alaskan waters in Endangered Species Research. Straley JM, Schorr GS, Thode AM, Calambokidis J, Lunsford CR, Chenoweth EM, O’Connell VM, Andrews RD (2014) Depredating sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska: local habitat use and long distance movements across putative population boundaries. Endang Species Res. Vol. 24:125-135<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v24/n2/p125-135/> ABSTRACT: Satellite tags were attached to 10 sperm whales *Physeter macrocephalus* (1 whale was tagged in 2 different years) to determine the movements of sperm whales involved in removal of sablefish from longline fishing gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Tags transmitted from 3 to 34 d (median = 22) in 2007 and 7 to 158 d (median = 45) in 2009. Seven whales stayed in the GOA; all were associating with fishing vessels along the slope. Two whales headed south in June shortly after being tagged; one reached the inner third of the Sea of Cortez; the other’s last location was offshore Mexico at 14°N. A third whale stayed in the GOA until October and then headed south, reaching central Baja, Mexico, 158 d after tagging. The whales that travelled to lower latitudes followed no pattern in timing of departure, and at least 2 had different destinations. All whales passed through the California Current without stopping and did not travel to Hawaii; both are areas with known concentrations of sperm whales. Whales travelled faster when south of 56°N than when foraging in the GOA (median rate of median horizontal movement = 5.4 [range:4.1 to 5.5] and 1.3 [range:0.6 to 2.5] km h-1, respectively). Tagged sperm whales primarily travelled over the slope, but one spent considerable time over the ocean basin. Information on the timing and movement patterns of sperm whales may provide a means for fishermen to avoid fishing at whale hot spots, potentially reducing interactions between whales and fishermen A PDF of the paper is available through the ESR open access policy by copying this link into your browser http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v24/n2/p125-135/ . Or contact the corresponding author: jmstraley(a)uas.alaska.edu Regards Jan Straley University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus

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Urgent: Observers required for Norway
by Marta Acosta 11 May '14

11 May '14

Dear all,First of all, sorry for cross-posting. MAREFA, the Marine Research and Education Fund of Andenes is seeking for research assistant volunteers for this year´s summer cetacean surveys onboard passenger ferries in the area of Lofoten and Vesteralen islands, in Northern Norway. Survey Dates: From 1st July to 31st August 2014. DESCRIPTION: MAREFA is an NGO focused on research and conservation of cetaceans in the Norwegian Sea. We offer placements for volunteers for this year´s summer campaigns of passenger ferry surveys. The aim of the project is to study the distribution of cetacean species in the area between Tromso and Bodo. We are looking for higly motivated, adaptable, independent and responsible research assistants that can work well in a small team. The volunteers will be trained in Andenes (Vesteralen, Norway) and based either on the ferry or in a shared house in Andenes. The volunteers should be available to start the training in Andenes on the 25th of June. The accomodation both on the ferry and on land will be provided by MAREFA. The volunteers are responsible for getting to Andenes, which is connected via a direct flight to Oslo. Visual surveys will be conducted from morning to evening (for volunteers based in Andenes) and during 24 hours/day in shifts for ferry-based volunteers(during the polar day period of 24h of daylight). Species mostly encountered in the area are sperm whale, harbour porpoise, killer whale, minke whale, and occasionally pilot whales and atlantic white-sided dolphins. Other species less frequent during the summer months can also be spotted, such as humpback or fin whales. The volunteers will also interact with the public and give short presentations about the cetaceans in Norwegian waters. Volunteers with previous cetacean research expericence are preferred, but highly motivated students with other type of field experience (especially transect surveys) will be considered. Students will also have the opportunity to get involved in other MAREFA projects after the summer and work on the analysis of data collected during the ferry surveys. One month placements (either July or August) will be considered only for volunteers with previous experience and which will exclusively require training in the specific survey protocols, but not in species identification, as only a short training can be provided in the end of June.To apply or ask for more information, please send us your CV with a short cover letter to: info(a)marefa-whaleresearch.org Thanks! The MAREFA team www.marefa-whaleresearch.orginfo@marefa-whaleresearch.org+47 41419672

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IMCC3 scholarships
by Chris Parsons 10 May '14

10 May '14

A follow on email to the announcement on a second call for IMCC3 abstracts. SCB Training Scholarships to Attend the 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress for Students from Developing Countries Deadline to Apply: 11pm EDT (GMT - 4:00) on Sunday, 25 May 2014. Thanks to a generous grant from the Germeshausen Foundation, SCB is pleased to announce a Training Scholarship Competition open to all qualified SCB student members. Each of SCB’s 2014 Regional Section Conferences (Asia, Marine, North America and Oceania) is offering several pre-conference workshops and short courses on cutting-edge conservation science topics, taught by leading conservation science researchers and practitioners. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are available to attend pre-conference workshops/short courses along with regional Section meetings in July/August 2014 for SCB student members from <http://www.conbio.org/membership/become-a-member/developing-countries> qualified developing countries enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Preference will be given to students enrolled in an accredited institution that is also located in a developing nation. To apply, students must meet all eligibility criteria listed in the right column of this page and, when applicable, also be accepted directly by the short course or workshop of their choice. All scholarship awardees will write a short article about their experience for the SCB newsletter within two months of the workshop / short course and conference attendance. Please Note: This SCB scholarship generally will provide only partial funding. Demonstrating that you have applied for/leveraged other available funds will strengthen your application. For more information, please go to: http://www.conbio.org/2014-scb-training-scholarships -- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Society for Conservation Biology's "Marine Section List" group. To post to this group, send email to MarineList(a)conbio.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to MarineList+unsubscribe(a)conbio.org For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/a/conbio.org/group/MarineList ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to MarineList+unsubscribe(a)conbio.org.

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Late-Breaking News & Headlines: Second Call for IMCC3 Abstracts (Deadline: 3 June 2014)
by Chris Parsons 10 May '14

10 May '14

Due to extra space becoming available a second call for abstracts has been opened for the International Marine Conservation Congress. There are already many marine mammal presentations and sessions in the meeting including modelling impacts of disturbance, whalewatching management, impacts of noise, diseases and marine mammals, marine mammal protected areas, ethics and marine mammal. A special panel session has also been introduced on the infamous mermaid fake documentaries and how the public have reacted to them (largely by believing them) and how this undermines public confidence in science. Second Call for Abstracts for 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress The 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress will be held from 14-18 August 2014 at the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, UK Have you just uncovered interesting marine study results? Has a conservation issue recently taken the foreground? Does a new marine policy need discussion? Due to more meeting space becoming available, IMCC 2014 is opening a second Call for Abstracts for oral (spoken), speed (short spoken), and poster presentations, Late-Breaking News & Headlines, in our effort to showcase the most up-to-date marine conservation science, policy and communications. If you have news or results that broke after the Call for Abstracts closed, you may still be able to present at IMCC in August! Did you just miss the deadline for the Call for Abstracts? You're also in luck! Due to the number of emails we've received asking for another opportunity to submit, we've opened additional times for presentations in the IMCC3 program! Your second opportunity to submit abstracts for IMCC3 starts Tuesday, 13 May. The IMCC3 Second Call for Abstracts will run 13 May to 3 June 2014. After reviewing so many impressive proposals and abstracts, and receiving requests from SCB members, we've also added these important themes and topics to be featured at IMCC3: UK marine conservation initiatives Marine renewable energy Impacts of marine oil spills on marine and coastal ecosystems & fisheries Marine conservation and the media GMOs and aquaculture Future risks posed by marine diseases Threats to deep sea ecosystems Marine conservation on the high seas Educational strategies for marine conservation For a complete list of themes, please visit: http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014/about-the-meeting/congress-theme. For the complete second Call for Abstracts and instructions for submitting, please visit: http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014/registration-participation/call-….

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New publication - Sumich et al 2013-foetal and post-natal growth in young gray whales
by James Sumich 09 May '14

09 May '14

Hi all My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management: Revised estimates of foetal and post-natal growth in young gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) by James L. Sumich, Sergey A. Blokhin and Piotr A. Tiupeleyev Abstract Patterns of gray whale growth in body length and weight with age are evaluated using published values of foetal and post-natal body dimensions at reported ages, supplemented with previously unpublished measured lengths of 88 mid-gestation foetuses, 82 first-summer calves and 30 second- summer whales taken in the summer/autumn Chukotkan native subsistence fishery. Gompertz growth models are fitted to foetal and post-natal lengths at age, predicting mean lengths at birth in mid-January of 4.7m, 7.9m at weaning and 8.7m at one year. The late foetal diapause in growth of length is not supported by the available data. Two equations were derived for estimating body weights from the linear body dimensions of length and maximum girth. For biomass estimates, two equations based on length alone and on both girth and length are derived. A multiple least squares regression equation fit to 14 measurements of the same whale over 14 months of captive rehabilitation predicts mean body weights at birth of 1,100–1,200kg, 5,100–5,200kg at six months (weaning), and 6,700–6,800kg at one year of age. The article can be downloaded from vol. 13(2) at: https://archive.iwc.int/pages/search.php?search=!collection15&k or by email from me at jlsumich1(a)gmail.com Cheers, James Sumich, PhD Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport, OR 97365 jlsumich1(a)gmail.com

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Summer Internship Opportunity Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center
by Colleen Talty 09 May '14

09 May '14

Hi All, There is a research internship opportunity in Cape May NJ to help with bottlenose dolphin identification. I am doing my Masters Thesis on population and behavioral dynamics, and need help with the collection of data. The research will consist of photo identification, data processing, as well as educational outreach on the whale watch boat. This will look great on resumes, and I can use all the help I can get. Please email me at taltyc1(a)mail.montclair.edu for more information, as well as apply using this link: http://www.capemaywhalewatch.com/internship.html Thank you! Colleen Talty

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New publication on common bottlenose dolphin coastal range and movements
by Richard Defran 09 May '14

09 May '14

Dear Marmam subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper about the coastal range and movements of common bottlenose dolphins off of California and Baja California, Mexico. "Hwang, A., R.H. Defran, M. Bearzi, D. Maldini, C. A. Saylan, A. R. Lang, Kimberly J. Dudzik, O.R. Guzòn-Zatarain, D.L. Kelly and D.W. Weller. 2014. Coastal range and movements of common bottlenose dolphins off California and Baja California, Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, 113(1): 1–13" Abstract Range and movement data from boat-based photo-identification surveys of Pacific coast common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), carried out over a 6-yr period from 1996 to 2001, were collated and analyzed. Primary data sources were from surveys carried out in four Southern California Bight study areas: Ensenada (12 surveys), San Diego (95 surveys), Santa Monica Bay (170 surveys) and Santa Barbara (61 surveys). Additional data from surveys in Monterey Bay between 1990 and 1993 (84 surveys) were also included in some analyses. Photographic matches between the San Diego, Santa Monica Bay and Santa Barbara study areas ranged from a low of 42% to a high of 67% and averaged 53%. In addition, 32 of the 58 individuals (55%) identified in Monterey Bay also occurred in one or more of the four Southern California Bight study areas. Back-and-forth inter-study area movements recorded between 1996 and 2001, were exhibited by 157 of the 246 (52%) individuals sighted in two or more study areas. Minimum travel distances ranged from 104 to 965 km, with one individual documented to have traveled from Ensenada to Monterey Bay. The most rapid travel speed was 94.5 km/day. These results reinforce earlier characterizations of coastal bottlenose dolphins being highly mobile and capable of rapid travel along the Baja California and the southern and central California Pacific coastline. It is hypothesized that these extensive movements are related to fluctuations in local, regional and perhaps Pacific wide oceanic conditions that affect prey productivity and availability; combined with unique foraging strategies that have developed to meet these environmental fluctuations. A PDF copy of this paper is available for download at: http://scholar.oxy.edu/scas/vol113/iss1/1 or by request from rh.defran(a)gmail.com Regards, R.H. Defran and coauthors ________________________ R.H. Defran rh.defran(a)gmail.com Cetacean Behavior Laboratory San Diego State University

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