March 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Volunteer Manatee Observers Needed for Stuart, FL Regatta
by irene Arpayoglou 18 Mar '16

18 Mar '16

The Stuart Sailfish Regatta is in need of volunteer manatee observers for their upcoming races on May 20-22, in Stuart, Florida. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Maggie Northup at fishychic7(a)yahoo.com http://stuartsailfishregatta.com/ Irene Arpayoglou, MS Marine Biology, Coastal Zone Management Adjunct Instructor iarpayoglou(a)keiseruniversity.edu

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New publication on population genetics of harbour porpoise in Turkish waters
by Arda M. Tonay 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. I would like to inform you that our new paper on population genetics of harbour porpoise has been published in the Mitochondrial DNA Part A. Tonay, A.M., Yazıcı, Ö., Dede, A., Bilgin, S., Danyer, E., Aytemiz, I., Maracı, Ö., Öztürk, A.A., Öztürk, B., Bilgin, R. 2016. Is there a distinct harbor porpoise subpopulation in the Marmara Sea?, Mitochondrial DNA Part A. doi: 10.3109/24701394.2016.1155118 http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/24701394.2016.1155118 Abstract Genetic population structure of geographically isolated endangered Black Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) is little known in Turkish waters, especially in the Turkish Straits System (TSS- Marmara Sea, Bosphorus and Dardanelles), which connects the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Mitochondrial DNA sequences of 70 new individuals sampled in the Turkish Black Sea, TSS and Aegean Sea, revealed five new haplotypes from the Black Sea. The findings support the idea that harbor porpoises from the Black Sea dispersed into the Aegean through the TSS. Considering signatures of population expansion, all subpopulations showed a signature of population expansion. The network data and the ɸst calculations indicated that the Marmara Sea subpopulation was significantly differentiated from all of the other subpopulations, and supports the notion of its isolated. The finding of a potential management unit (MU) within an already heavily impacted subpopulation as a whole suggests that the individuals of P. p. relicta inhabiting the Marmara Sea require a very rigorous conservation strategy to ensure the survival of this subpopulation, represented by its unique haplotype. Pdf requests can be sent to atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Fisheries, İstanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Ordu Cad. No:200 Laleli, 34480 İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 212 455 5700/16459 Fax: +90 212 514 0379 <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr <http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/> http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771

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Brucella pinnipedialis in hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) primary epithelial cells.
by Nymo Ingebjørg Helena 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Short communication: Brucella pinnipedialis in hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) primary epithelial cells. Authors: Larsen, Godfroid, Nymo Journal: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia. 2016, 58 (9). Available here: http://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13028-016-0188-5 Abstract: Background Marine Brucella spp. have been isolated from numerous pinniped and cetacean species, but pathological findings in association with infection with Brucella pinnipedialis in pinnipeds have been sparse. The capacity of brucellae to survive and replicate within host macrophages underlies their important ability to produce chronic infections, but previous work has shown that B. pinnipedialis spp. are rapidly eliminated from hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) alveolar macrophages. Results To investigate if multiplication could take place in other hooded seal cell types, primary epithelial cells were isolated, verified to express the epithelial marker cytokeratin and challenged with three different strains of B. pinnipedialis; B. pinnipedialis sp. nov., B. pinnipedialis hooded seal strain B17, and B. pinnipedialis hooded seal strain 22F1. All strains were steadily eliminated and the amounts of intracellular bacteria were reduced to less than one-third by 48 h post infection. Intracellular presence was verified using immunocytochemistry. Conclusions So far, intracellular multiplication in seal cells has not been documented for B. pinnipedialis. The lack of intracellular survival in macrophages, as well as in epithelial cells, together with the fact that pathological changes due to B. pinnipedialis infection is not yet identified in seals, suggests that the bacteria may only cause a mild, acute and transient infection. These findings also contribute to substantiate the hypothesis that seals may not be the primary host of B. pinnipedialis and that the transmission to seals are caused by other species in the marine environment. Ingebjørg Helena Nymo DVM, PhD Post Doctoral Researcher Research Group of Arctic Infection Biology Department of Arctic and Marine Biology Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway Phone: +47 918 38 421 / mail: ingebjorg.h.nymo(a)uit.no<mailto:ingebjorg.h.nymo@uit.no> https://uit.no/om/enhet/ansatte/person?p_document_id=360200&p_dimension_id=… [cid:1CFC3BF4-08BE-463D-928B-56415AFC08F3]

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Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model
by Nymo Ingebjørg Helena 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Article: Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model Authors: Nymo, Arias,Pardo, Alvarez, Alcaraz, Godfroid, Jiménez de Bagüés Journal: PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150432 Available here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150432 Abstract: Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution with numerous animal host species. Since the novel isolation of Brucella spp. from marine mammals in 1994 the bacteria have been isolated from various marine mammal hosts. The marine mammal reference strains Brucella pinnipedialis 12890 (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina) and Brucella ceti 12891 (harbour porpoise,Phocoena phocoena) were included in genus Brucella in 2007, however, their pathogenicity in the mouse model is pending. Herein this is evaluated in BALB/c mice with Brucella suis 1330 as a control. Both marine mammal strains were attenuated, however, B. ceti was present at higher levels than B. pinnipedialis in blood, spleen and liver throughout the infection, in additionB. suis and B. ceti were isolated from brains and faeces at times with high levels of bacteraemia. In B. suis-infected mice serum cytokines peaked at day 7. In B. pinnipedialis-infected mice, levels were similar, but peaked predominantly at day 3 and an earlier peak in spleen weight likewise implied an earlier response. The inflammatory response induced pathology in the spleen and liver. In B. ceti-infected mice, most serum cytokine levels were comparable to those in uninfected mice, consistent with a limited inflammatory response, which also was indicated by restricted spleen and liver pathology. Specific immune responses against all three strains were detected in vitro after stimulation of splenocytes from infected mice with the homologous heat-killed brucellae. Antibody responses in vivo were also induced by the three brucellae. The immunological pattern of B. ceti in combination with persistence in organs and limited pathology has heretofore not been described for other brucellae. These two marine mammal wildtype strains show an attenuated pattern in BALB/c mice only previously described for Brucella neotomea. Ingebjørg Helena Nymo DVM, PhD Post Doctoral Researcher Research Group of Arctic Infection Biology Department of Arctic and Marine Biology Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway Phone: +47 918 38 421 / mail: ingebjorg.h.nymo(a)uit.no<mailto:ingebjorg.h.nymo@uit.no> https://uit.no/om/enhet/ansatte/person?p_document_id=360200&p_dimension_id=… [cid:1CFC3BF4-08BE-463D-928B-56415AFC08F3]

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New publication on marine mammal teeth as tools to investigate climate-growth relations
by Jane McKenzie 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication is now available online in Marine Biology: Wittmann, T.A., Izzo, C., Doubleday, Z.A., McKenzie, J., Delean, S. and Gillanders, B.M (2016). Reconstructing climate–growth relations from the teeth of a marine mammal. Marine Biology 163:71. *doi:10. 1007/ s00227-016-2846-6 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-016-2846-6>* The study demonstrates the underutilised potential of marine mammal teeth to develop long-term, indirect records of climate–growth relations. The study also presents a rigorous methodology for determining the suitability of a species for sclerochronological analysis. We hope it will inspire a few more marine biologists to dust off those teeth collections and take a second look. *Abstract:* Sclerochronological analysis of growth increment patterns (growth layer groups; GLG) in marine mammal teeth offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct climate– growth relations of marine mammal populations overlong time series. We developed sclerochronologies from GLG width measures in the cementum of male and female New Zealand fur seal (*Arctocephalus forsteri*) post-canine teeth collected from southern Australia. Tooth growth chronologies spanned 15 years and encompassed the period from 1987 to 2001. We also developed a rigorous analytical framework for assessing species suitability for sclerochronological analyses. Suitability assessments indicated that GLG clarity and relative width measures were variable among regions within individual teeth, and therefore, measurements were standardised to a consistent tissue type. Deposition of cementum in post-canine teeth was also correlated with body size, suggesting tooth growth measures were a suitable proxy of somatic growth. Inter-annual patterns of tooth growth were negatively correlated with mean annual sea surface temperature and the Southern Oscillation Index (both lagged by 1 year), but the strength of the relationships differed between the sexes. These results suggest both local- and regional-scale physical processes influence variations in growth and provide the first evidence of an environmental effect on cementum growth in a marine mammal. This study demonstrates the underutilised potential of marine mammal teeth to provide extended time series of growth, critical information which facilitates predictions of future ecological response to environmental change. The full article pdf and supplementary material are available to download from the Marine Biology website: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00227-016-2846-6 Best wishes, Jane McKenzie

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Unknown protrusion on humpback whale
by Research Department 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Dear MARMAM community, We received photos of a humpback whale from a passenger on a whalewatch a few weeks ago in the Maui region. The images show a protrusion of some kind from the whale’s genital slit, and we are interested in any feedback from the community on what may be occurring in these photos. The whale was repeatedly slapping the ventral side of its flukes on the surface of the water and periodically rolling over and exposing this protrusion above the surface. The photos can be viewed here: http://imgur.com/a/nGbeF All comments and suggestions are welcome! Please send responses to research(a)pacificwhale.org Mahalo, Research Team Pacific Whale Foundation -- <http://www.pacificwhale.org> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission and any accompanying attachments contain information belonging to the sender which may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail transmission was sent as indicated above. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this transmission and all attachments. Thank you!

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Public Comment Period on Proposed Changes to the NOAA Draft Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidance
by Amy SCHOLIK - NOAA Federal 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Greetings MARMAM, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is announcing the availability of proposed changes to the "Draft NOAA Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing: Acoustic Threshold Levels for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts" for a *third 14-day public comment period that opens March 16, 2016*. The changes are a result of a further evaluation of the methodology within the July 2015 Draft Acoustic Guidance. NOAA has developed draft acoustic guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species under NOAA’s jurisdiction. The guidance provides updated received levels, or acoustic threshold levels, based on the best available science, at which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. This guidance is intended to be used by NOAA analysts and managers and other relevant user groups and stakeholders, including other federal agencies, when seeking to determine whether and how their activities are expected to result in particular types of impacts to marine mammals via acoustic exposure. Proposed changes to the acoustic guidance appear as a stand-alone document for consideration during this 14-day public comment period. There is no need to reiterate or resubmit comments made on other sections of the guidance and/or made during the first or second public comment periods (i.e., all substantive public comments made during all three public comment periods will be addressed as part of the acoustic guidance’s finalization process). NOTE: This public comment document will be available tomorrow (March 16), when the public comment period opens. If you run into issues obtaining this document, please contact me (Amy). Electronic copies of the document containing the proposed changes to the acoustic guidance can be found on March 16 at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm and the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov, search for NOAA-NMFS-2013-0177). Thank you for your interest in the guidance document. For more information, please contact Amy Scholik-Schlomer (amy.scholik(a)noaa.gov or 301 427-8449). *Amy R. Scholik-Schlomer, Ph.D.* Fishery Biologist (Protected Resources Acoustic Coordinator) NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division 1315 East-West Hwy. SSMC3, Rm. 13605 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 427-8449 Email: *Amy.Scholik(a)noaa.gov <Amy.Scholik(a)noaa.gov>http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/ <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/>*

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Marine Mammal Observer Course 2016 dates
by Yvonne Miles - Scanning Ocean Sectors 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

*We are pleased to announce ALL training courses for Marine Mammal Observers 2016.* *Scanning Ocean Sectors* specialises in training, consultancy and supply of *Marine Mammal Observer (MMO)* / *Marine Fauna Observer (MFO) *worldwide. We are JNCC recognised/approved course for industry and research for the UKCS and have been effectively running for over 13 years. We have years of research behind the effective and consistent training of MMOs/MFOs including courses adapted/personalised to the requirements of our clients, and taught by professionals in their specialised fields. Our staff are fully trained and experienced in all areas of the MMO/MFO line of work. Our training courses are about ensuring professionalism and high standards of knowledge within the industry. Our highly experienced staff facilitate private training courses to students in a classroom environment, attaining new theoretical and practical skills and competencies on an international level. Scanning Ocean Sectors ensure that the vocational, practical skills and knowledge relate to the specific useful competencies. Our training forms the core background information and provides the backbone of content to support students in the field. In addition to the core training required for this profession, we provide additional advanced training and specialised training for specific hard and software equipment where required. Continuous support is provided to all our training students from the moment they qualify and unlike other courses, we offer a legal refresher course every *3 years*. Industries today recognise the need to continue training beyond initial qualifications, to maintain, upgrade and update skills throughout staffs work time. We can provide this professional development for each and every person who is trained by our company, please ask for a quotation <https://www.scanningoceansectors.com/contact/>. The practical unit of “on-the-job training” has a general reputation as being the most effective for vocational work, so this is exactly what we do. Students are in a simulated work environment and will have to respond to each and every situation we put their way; this is completed in the classroom and at sea, every student is carefully monitored throughout this training process and assess accordingly. Each student is *graded* in their certification to ensure the professional quality standard of the MMO/MFO. We are the only course that gives Marine Mammal Observer Identification Cards to each qualifying MMO attaining any grades above a standard pass rate. Please note you must register and pay at the same time. If you require group training, please contact us and ask for a quotation <https://www.scanningoceansectors.com/contact/>. For full prices please visit www.marinemammalobservertraining.com/prices/. *MMO Training Course Dates in 2016* *UK* - *April 4th - 7th* - *August 1st - 4th* - *October 3rd - 6th* *AU* - *June 6th - 9th 2016* - *September 5th - 8th* - *November 7th - 10th* - *December 5th - 8th* *NZ* - *July 4th - 7th* *BRAZIL* - *May 2nd - 5th* *SA* *Another date to be arranged – please pre book.* REGISTER NOW <http://www.marinemammalobservertraining.com/register/> Visit the website to register for the next MMO course. www.marinemammalobservertraining.com/register/ -- *Yvonne Miles* Managing Director www.scanningoceansectors.com www.marinemammaljobs.com www.facebook.com/scanningoceansectors

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PAMTech Practical Introduction course in May: second announcement
by PAMTech 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

PAMTech (pamtech.eu) is running a Practical Introduction course in May, which is available for booking. PAMTech is a small UK-based company made up of PAMGuard (pamguard.org) developers and experienced field acousticians who can enable you to get the most out of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) applications. A high tutor-to-student ratio on our courses ensures participants can get individual assistance with their training requirements. Passive Acoustic Monitoring: a Practical Introduction 06/05/2016 and 07/05/2016 This is a unique PAM introduction course providing the essentials you need to get going with PAMGuard and start working in the field. PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING: A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION is a two day course which gives participants a strong grounding in key aspects of cetacean passive acoustic monitoring, including the capabilities and uses of PAMGuard, the leading research and industry software. The course includes how to configure PAM hardware and troubleshoot problems. Participants will have the opportunity to record and process real-time data. Different types of PAM research including some of the latest methodologies are also discussed. Cost: GBP 350 To book go to: http://pampracticalintropamtech.eventzilla.net We are also running an Advanced course in October (21/10/2016 and 22/10/2016), which allows those with previous PAMGuard experience to get to grips with more advanced features, focusing on offline analysis and data management. Cost 350 GBP To book go to: http://advancedpamguardpamtech.eventzilla.net/ Both courses will take place on the Vine Trust Barge, Prince of Wales Dock, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX, Scotland, UK. Course costs do not include accommodation, travel or food. 50% non-refundable deposit required. Participants must bring their own laptop running Linux or Windows (not OSX). Windows 7 or above or Ubuntu 12.10+ (see pamtech.eu for more information on specifications). To find out more, contact: pamtech.acoustics(a)gmail.com Or go to: pamtech.eu

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Underwater acoustics webinar on the potential effects of underwater sound on marine mammals
by Holly Morin 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

**apologies for cross-postings** The Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) <http://www.dosits.org/> Team is facilitating a free, five-part webinar series on topics related to underwater sound. There is still time to register for this week’s webinar on the potential effects of underwater sound on marine mammals, to be led by Dr.’s Dorian Houser and Brandon Southall. The webinar will take place this coming Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 12:00 pm (U.S. East Coast time). Interested individuals must register in advance for this webinar. To register please visit: http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/registration/ <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/registration/> To learn more about this webinar series, review a webinar outline, and view other, upcoming webinar dates and speakers, please visit the DOSITS webpage, Webinar Series for Regulators of Underwater Sound. <http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/> Questions? Please contact Holly Morin at holly_morin(a)uri.edu <mailto:holly_morin@uri.edu>. This webinar series is being sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API) <http://www.api.org/>. The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Discovery of Sound in the Sea <http://www.dosits.org/> (DOSITS; www.dosits.org <http://www.dosits.org/>) is a comprehensive, educational website on underwater sound, designed to provide accurate scientific information at levels appropriate for all audiences, including decision-makers. ******************************* Holly Morin Marine Research Associate II University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography holly_morin(a)uri.edu (**please note my updated email address**) 401-874-6414

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