July 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on Young humpback whale feeding in Southern Brazil and a ship strike report
by Guilherme Augusto Bortolotto 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our most recent publication in the Marine Biodiversity Records: Bortolotto GA, Kolesnikovas CKM , Freire AS and Simões-Lopes PC (2016) *Young humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae feeding in Santa Catarina coastal waters, Southern Brazil, and a ship **strike report*. *Marine Biodiversity Records*, 9:29. DOI 10.1186/s41200-016-0043-4. Abstract *Background*: Humpback whales *Megaptera novaeangliae* are cosmopolitan and highly migratory animals that rarely feed in low latitude waters during their breeding seasons. The western South Atlantic humpback whale population breeds off the Brazilian coast, from Natal (4°S) to Cabo Frio (23°S) and migration to their feeding grounds is known to be undertaken through offshore waters. *Results*: Here we report on an unusual stranding of a young humpback whale that was feeding in the coastal waters of Santa Catarina state (27°S), in October 2014. Evidence of a ship strike and that the animal had fed in no more than a few hours before death are also presented. Additionally, it is the first time that *Peisos petrunkevitchi*, a sergestid shrimp species, is described as prey for large whales. *Conclusions*: Although more information is required before we can further discuss whether the area could provide an important source of food for young humpback whales, the present ship strike highlights a possibly important threat in case this ecological feature is confirmed in the future. Full text and PDF files for download can be found in the following links: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301671042_Young_humpback_whale_Meg… Or https://mbr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41200-016-0043-4 Alternatively, please send PDF requests to bortolotto.vet(a)gmail.com. All the best, Gui Bortolotto -- *Guilherme A. Bortolotto | *PhD Student SMRU • CREEM • School of Biology University of St Andrews *http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo <http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo>* Mobile UK: (44) 0 7884 398394 R3 Animal Association (http://en.r3animal.org/)

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Joint symposium and focus group on understanding model transferability at IMCC4
by Phil Bouchet 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

*Increasing the utility of predictive models: Understanding model transferability* Combined symposium and focus group held in association with the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC4) <http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016> St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (YYT), Canada Location: Delta Conference Centre, Salon G Date: Sunday July 31, 2016 Time: 08.30am - 10.30am (SY) & 11am - 1pm (FG) We would like to invite all interested IMCC4 attendees to a combined symposium and focus group dedicated to improving the usefulness of predictions derived from statistical models of marine biodiversity (including marine mammals). In the face of global environmental change and scant conservation resources, it is critical that models of biota distribution, abundance or species richness be broadly applicable. The session will therefore concentrate on the issue of spatial and temporal transferability, i.e. the process of building a model in a given area (or time period) and projecting it into another for inference. In the first half of the session (symposium SY42 <http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016/program-events/symposia/#July%2031>), a series of keynote presentations will be given to summarise the current state of knowledge on model transferability, illustrating this with practical examples of both transferred models that have performed well and others that have not done so well. The second half (focus group FG43 <http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016/program-events/focus-groups/#10>) will take the form of a round-table discussion during which participants will be able to share their experience, recent findings, and formulate questions to identify the fundamental obstacles and opportunities to making transferability a central part of model development and testing. Results from the focus group will provide the foundation for a written publication in the open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Science, to which participants will be encouraged to contribute. There are no registration fees, however light refreshments and finger food will be provided so please RSVP to phil.bouchet(a)uwa.edu.au <mailto:phil.bouchet@uwa.edu.au> so that we can cater for the right number of participants. For further information, please contact Dr. Katherine Yates <mailto:K.L.Yates@salford.ac.uk> / Dr. Ana Sequeira <mailto:ana.sequeira@uwa.edu.au> Looking forward to seeing you there! Symposium and focus group organisers. Dr. Katherine Yates, Salford University; Dr. Ana Martins Sequeira, University of Western Australia; Dr. Phil Bouchet, University of Western Australia; Dr. Julian Caley, Queensland University of Technology and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers; Prof. Kerrie Mengersen, Queensland University of Technology. Abstract (symposium SY42) Effective planning and prioritisation of conservation actions requires an understanding of where conservation features of interest occur and how management actions may affect them. All too often, however, information on the distribution of biotic features is sparse or lacking. This is particularly true for marine environments, where the vastness of the oceans and the prohibitive costs associated with sampling limits data collection. For many locations, only abiotic and spatial data exist. In these situations transferable models, i.e., models developed for a particular place but which can provide useful information in other locations, could be of great utility. Despite transferability studies in terrestrial systems being relatively common, the model features that may enhance or detract from transferability are still not well understood. This symposium will focus on how best to build predictive models that are highly transferable and how to robustly assess transferability while showing new applications to marine systems. Researchers working on different aspects of transferability will show examples of where transferred models have performed well, even across large distances, and others where they have not. They will also present evidence for which factors seem to affect the predictive performance of transferred models in the marine environment. Joint session is to allow for more in-depth discussion, which will explore recent findings, highlight which are the immediate gaps, and discuss future research avenues. Abstract (focus group FG43) Large areas of the oceans are poorly sampled and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. However, planning conservation and management actions requires an understanding of the spatial distribution of features of interest. Thus, it is often desirable to make predictions for areas in which data is lacking. In these cases transferable models would be of substantial value; that is if a model developed for a particular location could be used to make useful predictions at other locations. Little research has focused on model transferability in the marine environment and the features that may enhance or detract from model transferability are still not well understood. Following on from the symposium of the same title, this focus group will explore model transferability. Organised around a series of key questions, this session will be divided into a mix of small group discussions and open debates. Participants will be offered the opportunity to contribute to a written output from the focus group. Light refreshments will be provided.

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SOCPROG: UPDATE AND WORKSHOP
by Hal Whitehead 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

UPDATE: SOCPROG 2.7 AND WORKSHOP A new and updated version of SOCPROG, SOCPROG2.7 (both compiled and uncompiled downloads) is available at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/SOCPROG/social.htm [New location] This version is compatible with MATLAB2015a. It fixes a few bugs and adds functionality compared to previous versions. For instance the calculation of social differentiation is now about 7 times faster. I hope this helps. Let me know about any problems that remain, or have been introduced. ALSO: a 4-day workshop on “SOCPROG & the analysis of animal social structure using individual identifications” will be held at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2-5 August 2016. It will include information on concepts and techniques of analyzing animal social structures, how to use SOCPROG and opportunities for Hal Whitehead and colleagues to help you work with your own data or test data. Cost: Can$600. For more information and to register: http://stay.dal.ca/KxRegistration/Registration/Welcome.aspx?e=E4A986D3881F3… Thanks Hal Whitehead, Dalhousie University

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Volunteer position open for Berau Large Marine Vertebrates Program in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, 3-14 October 2016
by Danielle Kreb 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

We are happy to open a last position for a motivated volunteer and/or student that is willing to engage in the Berau large marine vertebrates program, which aims to protect a high diversity of large marine vertebrates including cetaceans, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays in the Marine Park of Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Besides raising awareness, engaging local communities in sustainable handycraft and ecotourism activities, part of the conservation program includes a long-term monitoring program of large marine vertebrates in the area. Surveys are being conducted by the local NGO Yayasan Konservasi RASI (Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia) under guidance of Dr. Danielle Kreb and Ir. Budiono. The research team involves experienced RASI staff, as well as local and overseas (student) volunteers. Volunteers are asked to join the program for 12 days and conduct an eight-days boat-based monitoring survey in the beautiful landscape of the Berau archipelago.We will collect data to determine relative abundance, core area mapping, assessing seasonal species diversity and site fidelity as well as habitat usage of large marine vertebrates. Besides photo-id collection of cetaceans, we will also take photo-id of whale sharks.Through earlier surveys it was found that the highest relative abundance of ceteaceans was within 5km radius of islands or reefs, and therefore we also conduct coral reef monitoring at several locations by snorkling to asses its health. Cetacean species directly encountered during the surveys so far include, (dwarf)spinner-, spotted-, Fraser’s-, Risso’s-, rough-toothed-,long-beaked common dolphins as well as common bottlenose and Indo-Pacific bottlenose-dolphins, Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, dwarf sperm whale-, melon-headed- and false killer whales, sperm-, fin- and humpback whales..Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn theory and practice of Reefcheck monitoring for the Indo-Pacific.There will be an opportunity to do recreational things such as snorkling in the stingless jelly fish lake of Kakaban, visiting caves in Maratua Island and snorkling near Manta Rays and/or whale sharks following good practice protocols. Date: 3-14 October 2016 deadline for applying: 31 July 2016 Day by day schedule, qualifications for volunteers and costs involved (25% discount to students at all degrees or finished no longer than one year after their degree) can be downloaded from a flyer posted on our website at: http://www.ykrasi.org/coastal.html We are looking forward to your participation! Regards, Danielle and Budiono -------------------------- Danielle Kreb (Ph.D.) Scientific Program Advisor Yayasan Konservasi RASI Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Komplek Pandan Harum Indah (Erlyza) Blok C, No. 52 Samarinda 75124 Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Tel/ fax: + 62.541.744874 Mobile: 081346489515 http://www.ykrasi.org Facebook group/page: Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia *“To the dolphin alone, nature has given that which the best* *philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage. Though it has no* *need of help from any man, it is a genial friend to all and has helped mankind.”* *–Plutarch*

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Early bird registration deadline introductory distance sampling workshop THIS Friday
by Eric Rexstad 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting two linked workshops in the summer of 2016 at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. The first workshop (16-19 August) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on distance sampling methods, largely described in the standard reference book "Introduction to Distance Sampling." The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program "Distance." Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. The advanced distance sampling workshop (22-25 August) will include advanced treatment of analyses in which detectability on the transect line is not assumed to be perfect (the so-called g(0) problem) and spatial (or density surface) modelling. We will showcase a series of R packages for performing standard as well as sophisticated analyses in R. For all workshops, participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets, and can expect to perform preliminary analyses of their data. Participants can use our computers or bring their own laptops. Additional details regarding the workshop contents and registration details can be found at our website http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/distance-sampling-workshops-st-andrews-augus… -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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New paper: The significance of respiration timing in the energetics estimates of free-ranging killer whales
by Marjoleine Roos 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

Dear all, We are excited to announce the publication of our new paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology: Roos, M.M.H., Wu, G.-M., and Miller, P.J.O. 2016. The significance of respiration timing in the energetics estimates of free-ranging killer whales (*Orcinus orca*). Journal of Experimental Biology 219(13): 2066-2077, doi: 10.1242/jeb.137513 Abstract: Respiration rate has been used as an indicator of metabolic rate and associated cost of transport (COT) of free-ranging cetaceans, discounting potential respiration-by-respiration variation in O2 uptake. To investigate the influence of respiration timing on O2 uptake, we developed a dynamic model of O2 exchange and storage. Individual respiration events were revealed from kinematic data from 10 adult Norwegian herring-feeding killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) recorded with high-resolution tags (DTAGs). We compared fixed O2 uptake per respiration models with O2 uptake per respiration estimated through a simple ‘broken-stick’ O2-uptake function, in which O2 uptake was assumed to be the maximum possible O2 uptake when stores are depleted or maximum total body O2 store minus existing O2 store when stores are close to saturated. In contrast to findings assuming fixed O 2 uptake per respiration, uptake from the broken-stick model yielded a high correlation (*r*2>0.9) between O2 uptake and activity level. Moreover, we found that respiration intervals increased and became less variable at higher swimming speeds, possibly to increase O2 uptake efficiency per respiration. As found in previous studies, COT decreased monotonically versus speed using the fixed O2 uptake per respiration models. However, the broken-stick uptake model yielded a curvilinear COT curve with a clear minimum at typical swimming speeds of 1.7–2.4 m s−1. Our results showed that respiration-by-respiration variation in O2 uptake is expected to be significant. And though O2 consumption measurements of COT for free-ranging cetaceans remain impractical, accounting for the influence of respiration timing on O2 uptake will lead to more consistent predictions of field metabolic rates than using respiration rate alone. The paper is accessible at: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/219/13/2066 If you are unable to download the article, please send a request to marjoleineroos(a)gmail.com Kind regards, Marjoleine Roos and co-authors [image: Inline afbeelding 1]

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Antarctic Cetacean Field Technician Position
by Friedlaender, Ari 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

I would like to post the following job opportunity (please include my contact details at the bottom of the message for applicants to submit to): Antarctic Cetacean Field Technician Position We seek a qualified research technician to participate the National Science Foundation supported Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research program at Palmer Station from 28 December 2016 – 28 May 2017. The goals of our research program are to understand the effects of climate-driven changes on the demography, behavior, and ecology of baleen whales through multi-disciplinary and long-term study. The successful applicant will be based at the NSF-run Palmer Station on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and work with a second field team member to conduct visual surveys, photo-ID, and biopsy sampling of baleen whales from inflatable boats. As well, the field team will conduct routine active acoustic surveys of krill in the region. Field work will be done daily as conditions permit throughout the period. The applicant will be expected to conduct all field work, process samples, manage databases, help maintain equipment, participate in outreach activities, and be an active member of the Palmer Station community. Applicants must have experience in: • biopsy sample collection and processing (satellite tagging experience is highly recommended) • photo-ID collection and database management • visual surveys • small-boat driving/handling • working in extreme field conditions Travel to and from Antarctica will be paid for and stipend/salary is available. The successful candidate will be required to pass NSF-mandated medical and dental examinations before being cleared to deploy. Please submit a resume/cv, and cover letter that includes contact information for 3 references to the address below. We will accept applications until the position is filled. Thank you. Ari Friedlaender ari.friedlaender(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:ari.friedlaender@oregonstate.edu> Ari S. Friedlaender, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Fisheries & Wildlife Marine Mammal Institute Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center 2030 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 919-672-0103 ari.friedlaender(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:ari.friedlaender@oregonstate.edu> http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/btbel

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OSPAR regional noise assessment
by Nathan Merchant (Cefas) 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

Dear Colleagues, For those of you interested in underwater noise pollution and marine mammals, the latest ICES newsletter features an article on the work countries in the Northeast Atlantic are doing within the OSPAR Convention to map and assess impulse noise activity: http://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/news-archive/news/Pages/FEATURE-ARTICLE-… Kind regards, Nathan Dr Nathan Merchant Lead Scientist, Noise & Bioacoustics Team Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK Tel: +44(0) 1502 527780 | Mob: +44 (0) 7789 651086 Email: nathan.merchant(a)cefas.co.uk<mailto:nathan.merchant@cefas.co.uk> [cid:image002.jpg@01D1DAF7.F87E9E80] https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=XPctSoUAAAAJ&hl=en https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/research-advice-and-consultancy/underwater… https://www.cefas.co.uk/media/52916/noise-bioacoustics.pdf Follow us on: [cid:image001.gif@01D09A11.D21ECDA0]<https://twitter.com/CefasGovUK>[cid:image002.gif@01D09A11.D21ECDA0]<http://www.linkedin.com/company/cefas> This email and any attachments are intended for the named recipient only. Its unauthorised use, distribution, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you have received it in error, please destroy all copies and notify the sender. In messages of a non-business nature, the views and opinions expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cefas. Communications on Cefas’ computer systems may be monitored and/or recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes.

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New paper on fast click series by Risso’s dolphins (Patricia Arranz)
by Patty Arranz 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

Dear colleagues, We are excited to announce the publication of a behavioral study to discriminate fast-click series in Risso’s dolphins using digital tags. For those interested, the title and abstract are cited below: The Journal of Experimental Biology: doi: 10.1242/jeb.144295 Discrimination of fast click series produced by tagged Risso's dolphins (*Grampus griseus*) for echolocation or communication. P. Arranz, S. L. DeRuiter, A. K. Stimpert, S. Neves, A. S. Friedlaender, J. A. Goldbogen, F. Visser, J. Calambokidis,B. L. Southall, P. L. Tyack Abstract Early studies that categorized odontocete pulsed sounds had few means of discriminating signals used for biosonar-based foraging from those used for communication. This capability to identify the function of sounds is important for understanding and interpreting behavior; it is also essential for monitoring and mitigating potential disturbance from human activities. Archival tags were placed on free-ranging *Grampus griseus* to quantify and discriminate between pulsed sounds used for echolocation-based foraging and those used for communication. Two types of rapid click-series pulsed sounds, buzzes and burst pulses, were identified as produced by the tagged dolphins and classified using a Gaussian mixture model based on their duration, association with jerk *(i.e*., rapid change of acceleration), and temporal association with click trains. Buzzes followed regular echolocation clicks and coincided with a strong jerk signal from accelerometers on the tag. They consisted of series averaging 359 ± 210 (mean ± SD) clicks with an increasing repetition rate and relatively low amplitude. Burst pulses consisted of relatively short click series averaging 45 ± 54 clicks with decreasing repetition rate and longer inter-click interval that were less likely to be associated with regular echolocation and the jerk signal. These results suggest that the longer, relatively lower amplitude, jerk-associated buzzes are used in this species to capture prey, mostly during the bottom phase of foraging dives, as seen in other odontocetes. In contrast, the shorter, isolated burst pulses that are generally emitted by the dolphins while at or near the surface are used outside of a direct, known foraging context. PDF available upon request to parranz(a)st-andrews.ac.uk On behalf of the authors, Patricia Dr Patricia Arranz Postdoctoral Researcher Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute School of Biology University of St Andrews Scotland

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Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study GIS/Research Intern 2016
by Rhianne Ward 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study GIS/Research Intern 2016 Curtin University, Centre for Marine Science and Technology The Curtin University, Centre for Marine Science and Technology Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study (GABRWS) is seeking an experienced GIS/research intern to assist with GIS data analysis and research data collection in the Great Australian Bight between 31 August and 25 September 2016. This study contributes to the long term monitoring of southern right whales in the Great Australian Bight, South Australia, now in its 26th year. Duties will include: assistance with field work to complete southern right whale population census and photo ID at Head of Bight in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, data processing, mapping distribution and abundance data, generating kernel density maps. This is an unpaid position and you will be responsible for the cost of your own transport to and from Ceduna, South Australia. Flights arrive daily to Ceduna from Adelaide, where you will be met and driven to the study site (approx. 3.5 hour drive). Food, travel and accommodation expenses will be covered during the internship. Work is completed at the Head of Bight in the Great Australian Bight, South Australia. This area is remote and isolated with limited resources. Accommodation is very basic and includes shared kitchen/living/office space and a private room in the form of a converted sea container with bed, shower and toilet. Required skills: - ArcMap - Matlab or R (preferred) - Reliable, motivated, positive attitude - Ability to work and live closely with others as part of a small team - Undergraduate degree in marine biology, spatial science or related major - Field research/survey experience - Fluent in English Project Investigators include: Claire Charlton, Rhianne Ward, Robert McCauley, Chandra Salgado Kent and Robert Brownell. To apply please send a CV with reference and cover letter (no more than 1 single sided A4 page) to rhiward(a)hotmail.com<mailto:rhiward@hotmail.com>. For further information on the study visit www.gabrightwhales.com<http://www.gabrightwhales.com> For further information on Curtin University's Centre for Marine Science and Technology visit http://cmst.curtin.edu.au Rhianne Ward PhD Candidate | Centre for Marine Science and Technology Curtin University Mobile | 0400 737 545 / 0476 064 661 Email | rhiward(a)hotmail.com<mailto:rhiward@hotmail.com> Project Web | www.gabrightwhales.com<http://www.gabrightwhales.com/> [Description: email_logo.png] Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

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