March 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

ECS 2017 Workshop on "Communicating Marine Mammal Science to the general public"
by Volker Smit 16 Mar '17

16 Mar '17

Dear MarMam and ECS Communities! Feel free to participate in our workshop: "5 th workshop on Communicating Marine Mammal Science to the general public"" which will be held on Sunday, April 30th 2017 form 9:00-17:00 in Middelfart, Denmark, a day before the begin of the 31st Conference of the European Cetacean Society. This workshop is organized by Volker Smit, NGO MEER, Berlin, Germany (smit(a)m-e-e-r.de <mailto:smit@m-e-e-r.de>) and Dr. Luigi Bundone, Institution: Archipelagos ambiente e sviluppo, Italia (luigibundone(a)tiscali.it <mailto:luigibundone@tiscali.it>).The participation fee is 25 € to be paid in cash on site. To register, please e-mail Volker Smit: smit(a)m-e-e-r.de We are excited to have *Silke Carsten* a marketing specialist talking about “MARKETING FOR SCIENTISTS – How to benefit from Marketing tools in the area of marine mammal science”. *The workshops aims to:* * exchange about marketing and fundraising, * exchange and develop applicable protocols to address education, * exchange experience in addressing the media, * exchange ideas and knowledge in new science teaching tools, * foster general networking with all stakeholders, * share information about sources related to education, * exchange about the outreach of education and * support ECS to address educational questions. The following sessions are scheduled: 1) 1. “MARKETING FOR SCIENTISTS – How to benefit from Marketing tools in the area of marine mammal science”. 2. The long term project “MEER La Gomera” – a marketing and fundraising perspective – past, present and future! 3. "Communicating Mediterranean monk seal conservation in Mauritania" CBD Habitat 4. Are protocols and guidelines necessary in order to communicate marine mammal science to a wide audience? To To To download the workshop agenda visit the ECS website: http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-1 We are looking forward to seeing you in Middelfart, Kind regards, Volker Smit -- Volker Smit 2.Vorsitzender - vice-president M.E.E.R. e.V. Office Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T +49-(0)2041-4629243 smit(a)m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org

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Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium
by Charles Anderson 16 Mar '17

16 Mar '17

Dear Colleagues, This is the first announcement for the second Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium, to be held in the Maldives in May-June 2019. Nearly a decade has rushed by since the first Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium, held in Maldives in July 2009: http://www.mrc.gov.mv/en/publications/show/report-of-the-indian-ocean-cetace an-symposium-2009 This decade has seen an expansion of cetacean research in the Indian Ocean, but also continued pressure on Indian Ocean cetacean populations from several sources, notably fisheries bycatch. This symposium will provide an opportunity for active cetacean researchers from across the region to gather, to present findings, and to plan collaborative research activities. It will also bring together representatives of international organisations concerned with cetacean research and conservation. 2019 will be the 40th anniversary year of the declaration of the IWC's Indian Ocean Sanctuary. One of the objectives of the IOS is to promote benign research on cetaceans, and this Symposium will provide a timely opportunity to review such activities. The Symposium will be hosted by the Maldivian Marine Research Centre (www.mrc.gov.mv) Dates and venue are now being finalized. If you would like to register to receive further information please contact: Ms Mariyam Nazeefa, mnazeefa(a)mrc.gov.mv <mailto:mnazeefa@mrc.gov.mv%0d> We look forward to meeting some of you here in the beautiful Maldives in 2019, Charles Anderson and Shiham Adam Male' Republic of Maldives

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Research Assistant required for April and May for the Mandurah Dolphin Research Project in Western Australia
by Krista Marttinen 16 Mar '17

16 Mar '17

Research Assistants required from April 3rd to May 31st 2017 for the Mandurah Dolphin Research Project in Western Australia (WA) Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) commenced a research project in January 2016 aimed at gaining a solid understanding of the bottlenose dolphins using the Peel-Harvey Estuary (part of Ramsar Wetlands) and adjacent coastal waters. The overall aim of the project is to conduct a population assessment. In short this involves characterizing population size and structure, habitat use and genetic connectivity of dolphins using the estuarine and coastal areas. I am seeking dedicated research assistants (volunteers) to help out with boat based data collection and data processing from 3rd of April till the 31st of February 2017. This position is advertised due to cancellation and therefore I can be a bit flexible with the dates. Data collection (photo-identification and biopsy sampling) will be conducted in inland waters to up to 12nm offshore. Data collection is weather dependent and research assistants are expected to be available full time during day light hours throughout the time they commit to the project. You can expect long days on the boat (~5.5 m vessel) on consecutive days followed by processing data in the office. The main duties for research assistants are: Data collection: spotting dolphins, driving the boat, taking photographs for photo-identification, recording data Data processing: uploading data, entering data, matching fins, mapping sightings General: Maintaining the boat and car, clean equipment, community engagement You can expect to learn, or improve your practical skills (taking photo-ID shots, driving a trailer, launching a boat, general boat handling etc.), be exposed to small cetacean biopsy sampling methods and become efficient in processing photo-ID data. And to top it off you will have the opportunity to visit MUCRU and be exposed to great minds involved in various marine mammal research projects! There are no pre-requisites for the position; however, assistants need to not be scared of hard work, long hours and getting their hands dirty. Assistants need to be independent individuals who have a strong desire to be part of a team and enjoy people and ‘coffee moments’. Preferred prior skills include boat handling, first aid, and experience in photo-ID as well as enrollment in a related field of study or a strong desire to pursue a related career. This is an unpaid position and assistants need to organise their own travel to and from Mandurah, which is approximately 1 hour south of Perth in WA. The office space will be in a research house where assistants are required to rent a room for a cost of 150 AUD/week (inclusive of internet and bills). And for your free time, Mandurah has everything you can think of a holiday town to offer (shops, cafes, bars, cinema, nature, hikes, camping, surfing, diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, wildlife spotting, skydiving etc.) and Perth is only an hour away. To apply for this position please send me a cover sheet specifying why you would like to assist in this project, the time you are applying for, your CV and names and contact details of two references to k.nicholson(a)murdoch.edu.au. As this position commences so soon, I will process applications as they come in. Looking forward to hearing from you! All the best, Krista Nicholson PhD Candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit Perth, Western Australia

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Vacancy for Oceans Campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency, UK
by Sarah Baulch 16 Mar '17

16 Mar '17

Vacancy for Oceans Campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency, UK Dear colleagues, The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) UK is recruiting for a new Oceans Campaigner. EIA has been at the forefront of efforts to combat environmental abuse since 1984. The oceans campaign seeks to improve the status of global marine ecosystems and cetacean populations through a reduction in marine plastic pollution and strengthening of global protection for cetaceans. To successfully implement campaign strategies, the organisation requires a full-time Oceans Campaigner. For further information please visit https://eia-international.org/about-eia/vacancies [https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2006_01_Indonesia_Wasur_NP…]<https://eia-international.org/about-eia/vacancies> Vacancies – EIA International<https://eia-international.org/about-eia/vacancies> eia-international.org Vacancies . We post all job vacancies here. You can keep informed about EIA’s work by signing up for our updates. We currently have one vacancy. Closing date: 10.30 BST on Monday, April 10, 2017

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2017 WDC Bharathi Viswanathan Award for Innovative and Non-Invasive Research
by Philippa Brakes 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

Dear All, WDC is delighted to announce the 2017 WDC Bharathi Viswanathan Award for Innovative and Non-Invasive Research. WDC strives to ensure that non-invasive research methods are promoted as a guiding principle, both for the organisation and the researchers that we fund. Up to £5,000 is available for the recipient of this annual award. The only restrictions that apply are that the project must utilize only non-invasive techniques and ultimately aim to benefit the conservation management or welfare of whales and/or dolphins. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate the use of either novel techniques, or existing techniques used in novel circumstances. Applications must be on a WDC Research Award Form (http://uk.whales.org/sites/default/files/wdc_research_award_form_2017.pdf OR http://uk.whales.org/sites/default/files/wdc_research_award_form_2017.docx ) and will be accepted at any time until the closing date, mid-day (GMT) April 24th 2017. The award recipient will be chosen by May 22nd 2017. All applicants will be notified whether successful or not. Through this Award, WDC aims to provide a platform for developing new non-invasive research methodologies and innovative approaches towards studying cetaceans. Please visit our website for more details www.whales.org/award<http://www.whales.org/award> Good luck, Philippa [http://www.wdcs.org/images/ESM/SignatureImages/Vert_Logo2.png]<http://www.whales.org/> Philippa Brakes Research Fellow Telephone: +64-(0)21 612306 WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation PO Box 17711 Sumner Christchurch Canterbury 8840 New Zealand whales.org<http://whales.org> [WDC on Facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/whales.org> [WDC on Twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/WHALES_org> [WDC on YouTube] <http://www.youtube.com/wdcsuk> [WDC Blogs] <http://whales.org/en/blog> [WDC E-Newsletter] <http://whales.org/en/newsletter> [http://www.wdcs.org/images/ESM/CampaignImages/UKCare2.png]<http://uk.whales.org/campaigns/join-campaign-to-stop-dolphins-porpoises-and…> ________________________________ Whale and Dolphin Conservation ("WDC") is a company registered in England and Wales (No. 02737421) and a registered charity (in England and Wales No. 1014705, in Scotland No. SC040231) WDC Shop is a trading name of WDC (Trading) Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (No. 02593116) Registered office : Brookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ. Tel: +44 (0)1249 449 500 This message is private and confidential. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and remove it from your system. ________________________________

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Mariner’s Guide to Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of Western Canada is now available
by Knight, Melanie 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

The Mariner’s Guide to Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of Western Canada is a resource developed by the Coastal Ocean Research Institute at the Vancouver Aquarium, Prince Rupert Port Authority and Port of Vancouver. This guide is targeted at large vessel mariners and aims to inform them about the cetacean species along the B.C. coast, threats to these animals that may be associated with large vessels and shipping, and how mariners can minimize these threats. Download your copy of the guide now: https://wildwhales.org/conservation/marinersguide/

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New Publication: Is the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) at the Brink of Extinction in the State of Veracruz, Mexico?
by Serrano Solis Arturo 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Serrano, A., Daniel-Rentería, I.C., Hernández-Cabrera, T., Sánchez-Rojas, G., Cuervo-López, L. and Basáñez-Muñoz, A. 2017. Is the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) at the Brink of Extinction in the State of Veracruz, Mexico? Aquatic Mammals: 43 (2): 201-207. DOI 10.1578/AM.43.2.2017.201 Abstract: The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is distributed from the Atlantic coast of the United States to the center of Brazil along the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The species’ current distribution is more fragmented than in the past, and manatee populations are generally less abundant than they were during the last century. In Mexico, there is no specific information about the size of the manatee populations. Hence, the objective of this study was to estimate the density and abundance of manatees in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS) in Veracruz using distance sampling. In total, 959 systematic line transects were surveyed using a small boat. These surveys covered 90% of the ALS. Manatee density and abundance for the entire ALS was estimated at 0.23 animals/km2 (CV 34.48%) and 121 manatees (CV 34.48%), respectively. These are the first density and abundance estimates for this lagoon system and for the State of Veracruz. The extremely low number of manatees supports the urgent implementation of effective conserva¬tion measures for the species to prevent extinction of this species in Veracruz. Key Words: West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus manatus, abundance, density, Veracruz, conservation, coastal management, Gulf of Mexico, Sirenia You can access the article here: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti… Or send any requests directly to arserrano(a)uv.mx<mailto:arserrano@uv.mx> Best regards, Arturo — Arturo Serrano, Ph.D. Director Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Universidad Veracruzana Campus Tuxpan Tel.: (783) 834 4350 Ext. 46103

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New publication: First Results of an Underwater 360° HD Audio-Video Device for Etho-Acoustical Studies on Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
by Juliana Lopez Marulanda 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

> Dear MARMAM subscribers, > We are pleased to announce our recent publication: > > López-Marulanda J., Adam O., Blanchard T., Vallée M., Cazau D., > Delfour F. (2017) . First results of an underwater 360° HD audio-video > device for etho-acoustical studies on bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops > truncatus/). Aquatic Mammals. 43(2), 162-176 DOI: > https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.43.2.2017.162 > http://aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&… > > Abstract: > Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are highly social odontocetes > that live in a fission-fusion society and demonstrate production of a > varied sound repertoire, including clicks, whistles, and burst-pulsed > sounds, as well as a diverse behavioral repertoire. To better > understand the species’ behavior, it is necessary to compare visual > and acoustic observations and link vocalizations to individuals and > their specific actions. However, the task of linking sounds > to individual dolphins is challenging for human observers because > dolphins do not always display specific visual cues when producing a > sound, and also because human hearing is not naturally adapted to > locate underwater sound sources. To respond to these challenges, a new > underwater 360° HD audio-video device, the BaBeL, was designed and > built. This device consists of a five-hydrophone array attached to two > wide-angle video cameras that together cover a 360° field of vision. > Acoustic recordings were analyzed with a customized program to detect > and localize sound sources and to identify individual vocalizing > dolphins. Data from a population of bottlenose dolphins were collected > during 14 boat surveys along the northwest coast of Reunion Island > (France) by following a strict pre-established protocol to standardize > data collection. A total of 21 min of audio-video were recorded when > dolphins were present, and 42 click trains and 42 whistles were > detected from these data. Dolphins identified as vocalizers were also > present for 17% (n = 7) of emitted click trains and 33% (n = 14) of > emitted whistles on the videos. Therefore, an analysis of three video > sequences as examples of the scope of this methodology is presented. > The results show that when the observers stayed ahead and avoided the > direct path of groups of five to nine dolphins, only one animal > emitted click trains while swimming towards the observers or after > turning its rostrum in the humans’ direction, and this dolphin was > never the one leading the group. The benefits of using this > audio-video device for underwater observations of dolphins in clear > water with good visibility are discussed. > > Please contact me by email (juliana.lopez-marulanda(a)u-psud.fr > <mailto:juliana.lopez-marulanda@u-psud.fr>) for the full text. > I will be glad to send you a pdf copy. > > Kind regards, > > > Université Paris-Sud *Juliana LOPEZ MARULANDA* > PhD student > Bioacoustic Communication Team (http://www.cb.u-psud.fr/index.html) > Institut de NeuroScience Paris Saclay (NeuroPSI), UMR 9197 > Bât 446 Rue Claude Bernard > Université Paris-Sud > 91405 Orsay cedex > Tel. : 01 69 15 49 64 > > -- Juliana López Marulanda Doctorante Institut de NeuroScience Paris Saclay (NeuroPSI), UMR 9197 Bât 446 Rue Claude Bernard Université Paris-Sud 91405 Orsay cedex Tel. : 01 69 15 49 64

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Seasonal encounter rates and residency patterns of an unstudied population of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the northwestern Levantine Sea, Turkey
by aylin akkaya 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

Dear All, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following paper; Bas, A. A., Erdogan M.A., Morris N.R.C., Yeoman K., Humphrey O., Gaggioli E.,Roland C. 2017. Seasonal encounter rates and residency patterns of an unstudiedpopulation of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the northwestern Levantine Sea,Turkey. Hyla : Herpetological bulletin. No.1:11-13 The full text can be downloaded from the link below:http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=260618 Warm regards,Aylin Akkaya Bas Abstract:Insufficient data regarding abundance, distribution and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins has contributed to lack of effective conservation strategies within the Levantine Sea. It has been inferred that the bottlenose dolphin population has decreased by 30 % in the last 60 years, thus a basin wide research effort on the population is an urgent priority. We present the preliminary results of the first bottlenose dolphin photo-identification study in the northwestern Levantine Sea. 32 boat surveys were conducted from March 2015 to July 2016, totalling 1433 km of survey effort. Current study reported an uneven distribution, high seasonal encounters and varied residency patterns of bottlenose dolphins within the northwestern Levantine Sea. We propose that the northwestern Levantine Sea, specifically the coastal waters of Antalya Bay, indeed is an important bottlenose dolphin habitat and adjacent waters may be of similar significance. Of the 56 individuals catalogued, 13 were re-sighted in both years. Encounter rates varied seasonally, with a peak in spring of 12 groups and 100 individuals per 100 km. Dolphin presence was not detected during autumn and winter. While seasonal, visitor and transient dolphins were reported, no year-round residency was documented. Incidental observations of visible starvation signs and skin parasites suggested individual dolphins in this region could be under anthropogenic stressors. The results reported here highlight the importance of baseline information on encounter rate, distribution and residency pattern as they have a key role on the assessment of population statues and the threats they are facing. Future studies with annual survey effort, have to be continued in the northwestern Levantine Sea and its adjacent waters.

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New Paper: Quantifying the energy stores of capital breeding humpback whales and income breeding sperm whales using historical whaling records.
by Lyn Irvine 15 Mar '17

15 Mar '17

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Irvine, Lyn G., Michele Thums, Christine E Hanson, Clive R McMahon, and Mark A Hindell. 2017 Quantifying the energy stores of capital breeding humpback whales and income breeding sperm whales using historical whaling records. R. Soc. open sci. 4: 160290. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160290 Cetacean energy stores are known to vary according to life history, reproductive status and time of year; however, the opportunity to quantify these relationships is rare. Using a unique set of historical whaling records from Western Australia (1952-1963), we investigated energy stores of large cetaceans with differing life histories, and quantified the relationship between total body lipid and length for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) (n=905) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) (n=1961). We found that total body lipid increased with body length in both humpback and sperm whales, consistent with size-related energy stores. Male humpback whales stored 2.49 kl (15.6 barrels) (31.9-74.9%) more lipid than male sperm whales of equivalent length, to fuel their annual migration. Relative lipid stores of sperm whales (males) were constant throughout the year, while those of humpback whales varied with reproductive class and sampling date. Pregnant female humpback whales had higher relative energy stores than non-pregnant females and males (26.2% and 37.4%, respectively), to fuel the energy demands of gestation and lactation. Those that reached the sampling site later (en route to their breeding grounds) carried higher lipid stores than those that arrived earlier, possibly reflecting individual variation in residency times in the Antarctic feeding grounds. Importantly, longer pregnant females had relatively larger energy stores than the shorter pregnant females, indicating that the smaller individuals may experience higher levels of energetic stress during the migration fast. The relationships we developed between body lipid and length can be used to inform bioenergetics and ecosystem models when such detailed information is not available. A pdf may be obtained from the following link: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/3/160290 Warm regards, Lyn Lyn Irvine PhD Candidate Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) University of Tasmania

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