May 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Link to new article on assessing observer effects on three Delphinid species
by Mari Smultea 28 May '17

28 May '17

Smultea Sciences and my co-author and I are pleased to announce and share an Open Access PDF link to our recent publication entitled "Assessing 'observer effects' from an aircraft on behavior of three Delphinidae species (Grampus griseus, Delphinus delphis, and Orcinus orca)" in the journal Wildlife Biology in Practice based on our observations, video and photos taken from a circling research aircraft during 2009-2011. Abstract We systematically video-documented three species of Delphinidae: Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Southern California Bight (2009-2011) to assess whether the observation aircraft (fixed-wing Partenavia) affected selected behavioral variables. Focal observations were conducted to examine potential changes in group cohesion and heading reorientation rate, to the plane circling at four altitudes: 213 m, 305 m, 457 m, and 610 m, while maintaining a radial distance >500 m. Paired t-tests were used to test the null hypothesis that mean maximum cohesion and mean reorientation of groups do not vary significantly based on plane altitude. For cohesion, no significant effects were found for the eight G. griseus focal sessions (p = 0.447), one D. delphis (p = 0.602), and one O. orca (p = 0.197). For reorientation, no significant effects were found for the eight G. griseus focal sessions (p = 0.591) and one O. orca (p = 0.936); the sample size was too small to calculate reorientation for D. delphis. Our results suggest that our small plane circling at radial distance >500 m and altitude 213 - 610 m did not cause measurable changes in cohesion and reorientation or other observable changes for the three species. We believe this is due to the aircraft remaining >500 m radial distance from the animals and at altitudes well outside the theoretical 26-degree sound transmission cone ("Snell's Cone") below the aircraft for the air-through-water interface. This article can be found at: http://socpvs.org/journals/index.php/wbp/article/view/10.2461-wbp.2016.12.8 Mari A. Smultea, MSc, PhD Chief Scientist/CEO Smultea Sciences (SES) mari(a)smulteasciences.com<mailto:mari@smulteasciences.com> www.smulteasciences.com<http://www.smulteasciences.com/> (707) 362-5376

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Alert: plagiarism of unpublished marine mammal research papers in ijcset.net
by Denise Herzing 26 May '17

26 May '17

Colleagues, Recently we found an unpublished paper of ours published on a website under bogus author names in the journal ijcset.net <http://ijcset.net/>. See below. (Not to be confused with ijcset.com <http://ijcset.com/> which is legit). An Annotation System for Dolphin Vocalizations Antonio Cabera, Carlos Alvarado Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Universidad Nacional del sur Av. Alem 1253, 8000 Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina This unpublished research paper was reproduced almost verbatim but with author names replaced and one figure added. We are currently investigating this website in addition to investigating how someone was able to access our unpublished paper that was submitted for publication through another site. It appears that the author names may be bogus or non existent as well, however if anyone recognizes them, please let us know. After launching further investigation into the archives of ijcset.net <http://ijcset.net/> we also found the following paper on this website Bottlenose Dolphin Whistle Categorization Using Eigenwhistle Based Approach Michael MacBride, Lucas Roth School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University 270 Joondalup Dr, Joondalup WA 6027, Australia I have been unable to track down these authors directly, or through their university, to confirm if this is a legitimate paper or legitimate authors. If anyone knows them could you please contact me, or send their contact information along? Of additional concern is that this is someone else’s research that has been plagiarized as our research was plagiarized and falsified. If anyone recognizes this research, or the researchers, please let us know. If anyone would like to hear what we discover in this investigation of ijcset.net <http://ijcset.net/> and how to protect yourselves or your unpublished/submitted work, just send me an email. This could not be more disturbing to a researcher or student but it apparently is happening in the larger world of science publication. Best, The real authors Denise Herzing, Daniel Kohlsdorf, Thad Starner dlherzing(a)wilddolphinproject.org <mailto:dlherzing@wilddolphinproject.org>

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Vaquita challenge
by Hyejoo Ro 26 May '17

26 May '17

Hi all, I am a member of the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Youth Advisory Council. In the past few months we have been working on a social media challenge, similar to the ALS ice bucket challenge, in order to raise awareness for the highly endangered vaquita. We partnered with a few other organizations, including the Texas State Aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific, to develop the #Pied4APorpoise! I am reaching out to invite you to join in this movement to save the vaquita. Below are more details of the challenge. You can also check the #Pied4APorpoise hashtag on social media or vaquitas.org <http://vaquitas.org/> for additional details Overview: The purpose of this challenge is to help raise awareness and money for Vaquita conservation efforts! Vaquitas are the most endangered marine mammal in the world with less than 30 remaining. The Comité Internacional para la Recuperación de la Vaquita (CIRVA) is an international recovery team that recommended immediate efforts be taken in order to place some vaquitas into a temporary sanctuary, and then returned to the ocean once a permanent gillnet ban can be established. Marine mammal experts around the world have come up with an emergency conservation strategy in order to locate, catch, and relocate vaquitas to a safe place in the Gulf of California. This effort is not guaranteed to work and there are some challenges involved, however if conditions remain and no human intervention occurs the species is highly likely to disappear. It is everyone’s responsibility to give this species, which we have all put in danger, one last chance for survival. Learn more at vaquitacpr.org <http://vaquitacpr.org/> and vaquitas.org <http://vaquitas.org/>! General Rules: - Those who are nominated to participate in the challenge have 24 hours to film a short video of themselves getting pied in the face (This can be whipped cream, shaving cream, etc.). - Participants must post the video on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Youtube and nominate a minimum of 3 others to take the challenge in their video message and by tagging these individuals in text that accompanies the video on the social media platform of their choosing. - A nominee may opt out of the challenge by donating $30 ($30 for 30 vaquitas) to save vaquitas at vaquitacpr.org <http://vaquitacpr.org/>. - All participants are encouraged to donate to the cause. *Be sure to include the #Pied4APorpoise <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pied4aporpoise?source=feed_text> #4aporpoise <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/4aporpoise?source=feed_text> hashtags in your post! Want to get involved? Here’s a sample Pied4APorpoise Challenge Video Script: The vaquita porpoise is the most endangered marine mammal in the world, with less than 30 remaining in a small region of Northern Mexico. We need to spread the word about this tiny porpoise or there won’t be any left. You can help by donating now at vaquitaCPR.org <http://vaquitacpr.org/>. I challenge X, Y, Z to get pied for a porpoise or donate $30 for the 30 vaquitas that are left, to VaquitaCPR.org <http://vaquitacpr.org/>. To join the challenge, share a creative video taking a pie for a porpoise and challenge three friends to do the same. Best, Hyejoo

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Call for Submissions: 2018 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference
by suzanne garrett 25 May '17

25 May '17

The 2018 GoMOSES Conference invites you to submit an abstract and volunteer as a session organizer. This year's theme, “Response, Restoration, and Resiliency in the Gulf,” continues the discussion of how fundamental science can help restore and maintain Gulf ecosystem integrity, inform response strategies, and strengthen resilience. The conference is soliciting abstracts that promote fundamental Gulf ecosystem science or link scientific results to ecosystem resilience, oil spill response, or restoration and management. Research on marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., changes in habitat use or trophic impacts on populations) is of particular interest. The deadline to submit an abstract is September 10, 2017. http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=fa5c4085-5289-4c0b-8bf5-58cefde78e… The conference is also seeking session organizers to help shape the conference program by reviewing and selecting abstracts for oral presentations, and moderating sessions at the conference. Volunteers may come from a variety of backgrounds (academic, industry, government agency, or non-profit organization). Conference planners strongly encourage early-career scientists to apply. Submissions for session organizers will be accepted through June 30, 2017. http://www.cvent.com/events/mproc.aspx?m=fa5c4085-5289-4c0b-8bf5-58cefde78e…

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The Marine Mammal Center - Fall Rescue and Response Internship
by Laura Chapman 24 May '17

24 May '17

FALL RESCUE & RESPONSE INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: August 30th-December 6th, 2017 The Rescue & Response team at The Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for internships working primarily with stranded pinnipeds, as well as occasional cetaceans and sea otters. These positions are unpaid and applicants are responsible for their own accommodations. Unfortunately, we are unable to host international applicants at this time. Internship Opportunities are available at the following locations. * Main Hospital in Sausalito * Monterey Bay Operations in Moss Landing * San Luis Obispo Operations in Morro Bay Program Description: The Rescue Team Internship is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammal behavior and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Interns will be responsible for answering the animal hotline and rotating the after-hours on-call. Interns will coordinate rescue and triage response throughout the Center's over 600-mile rescue range. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in marine mammal rescues, releases and other field responses as available. In addition, interns will be required to assist in other departments and with animal care duties (feed preparations, medical charting, and pen cleaning) for on-site pinnipeds. Other duties may include: participation in training classes, data entry and tracking, maintaining rescue equipment and assorted miscellaneous tasks. Intern Responsibilities & Qualifications: The internship is open to all applicants 21 years of age or older, with an avid interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, policy or a related field. If the intern intends to receive university credit for their internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution. Interns must be able to work for a minimum of 3 months, 5 days a week, at least 40 hours per week. Work schedule must be flexible and may include weekends and holidays. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and have practical computer knowledge with programs such as Word, Access, and Excel. This internship position involves a fair amount of physical activity, such as: lifting, restraining and moving animals. The start date for the Fall internship period is August 30th, with a somewhat flexible end date in early December. Applications due June 11th. Click Here to Apply<https://tmmc.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk06ne2> The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and release of sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals, and to research about their health and diseases. Volunteers and staff have responded to more than 18,500 sea lions, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life. The Center uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs to advance the understanding of marine mammal health, ocean health and conservation. For more information, please visit our website at www.marinemammalcenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org>.

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Marine Mammal and Fall 2017 Internships with New England Aquarium
by Brendon Dempsey 24 May '17

24 May '17

The New England Aquarium is recruiting for Fall 2017 internships in roles dedicated to animal care & training as well as marine mammal research. Interns work closely with a direct supervisor who will train, mentor, and guide individuals over the 12-16 week internship time period. We will begin reviewing applications on June 1st, though we will continue accepting applications throughout the summer until all positions have been filled. You may apply for up to three internships with the Aquarium per cycle. Please see the links below for details. Marine Mammal Internship<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__CMSContent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002U4CeEAK> Marine Mammal Education and Research<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__CMSContent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002U4XlEAK> Additionally we are recruiting for internships throughout out facilities, please see below. Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rescue Internship<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__CMSContent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002U4kVEAS>-Please note, this is predominantly sea turtle work during our stranding season Aquarium Medical Center<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__CMSContent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002U4gKEAS> Visitor Education Internship<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__CMSContent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002U4JwEAK> If you have any questions please feel free to reach out or see the links in my signature, below. Best wishes, Brendon Dempsey Coordinator, Internships & Professional Development New England Aquarium tel 617.973.5235 BDempsey(a)neaq.org<mailto:BDempsey@neaq.org> www.neaq.org<http://www.neaq.org/> Applying for Internships<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__cmscontent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002S8jLEAS> Internship Positions<http://serve.neaq.org/HOC__cmscontent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002S8o6EAC> Have questions? Internship FAQ<http://neaquarium.force.com/HOC__cmscontent?CMSId=a0Uo0000002S8jQEAS> [btn_liprofile_blue_80x15]<https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendondempsey>

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New Publication: Can whale watching be a conduit for spreading educational and conservation messages?
by Gabrille Lopez 24 May '17

24 May '17

Dear MARMAM community: Dr. Pearson and I are pleased to announce the following publication through Tourism in Marine Environments. *Lopez, G. and Pearson, H. C. "Can whale watching be a conduit for spreading educational and conservation messages? A case study in Juneau, Alaska." Tourism in Marine Environments 12 (2).* *Abstract* Whale watching is growing in popularity, with over 100 countries participating in different forms of whale- and dolphin-watching activities. As the whale-watching industry increases, vessel traffic, as well as encounters between cetaceans and people, will increase. Although there are policies to reduce potential disturbance of the whales and/or dolphins, tour companies often face pressure to please their customers. It is thereby important to understand the experiences of passengers while recognizing the educational and conservation messages whale watches can spread to their passengers. Here, a case study of whale watching in Juneau, Alaska is presented, which investigates passenger knowledge, experience, attitude, and intentions regarding whales, whale watching, and conservation. Self-administered paper and pencil multiple answer choice surveys and researcher-administered interview surveys were conducted. The majority of passengers gained most of their knowledge about whales from that day's whale watch, had no awareness of NOAA guidelines/regulations, and had no prior whale-watching experience. The top two determinants of whale-watching quality were getting close to whales and seeing whales do interesting behaviors. Most passengers placed high importance on seeing whales in the wild and were very likely to tell friends and family about what was learned on the tour. There was no significant relationship between awareness of NOAA guidelines and previous whale-watching experience or the top determinant of whale-watching quality (getting close to whales). Additionally, there were no significant relationships between importance of seeing whales in the wild and the likelihood of telling friends and family about what they learned, or joining or donating to an environmental or conservation organization. Interview surveys revealed a combination of in-depth knowledge and biased perceptions of whales. This study reveals the capacity for whale watching to advance public knowledge of cetaceans and marine conservation and the importance of managing passenger expectations. The article is available at https://doi.org/10.3727/154427316X14779456049821 . If you would like a pdf or have any questions please email myself ( gabrille.lopez(a)gmail.com) or Dr. Pearson (hcpearson(a)alaska.edu) Thank you, *Gabrille Lopez* *Logistics Coordinator and Naturalist* Alaska Galore Tours & Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska

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New paper on fossilised baleen
by Felix Marx 24 May '17

24 May '17

Dear colleagues, please find below the abstract and link to our recently published paper on the exceptional occurrence of fossilised baleen in the Miocene cetotheriid Piscobalaena nana: Marx, F.G., Collareta, A., Gioncada, A., Post, K., Lambert, O., Bonaccorsi, E., Urbina, M. & Bianucci, G. 2017 How whales used to filter: exceptionally preserved baleen in a Miocene cetotheriid. *Journal of Anatomy*, published online. Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joa.12622/full Abstract: Baleen is a comb-like structure that enables mysticete whales to bulk feed on vast quantities of small prey, and ultimately allowed them to become the largest animals on Earth. Because baleen rarely fossilises, extremely little is known about its evolution, structure and function outside the living families. Here we describe, for the first time, the exceptionally preserved baleen apparatus of an entirely extinct mysticete morphotype: the Late Miocene cetotheriid, *Piscobalaena nana*, from the Pisco Formation of Peru. The baleen plates of *P. nana* are closely spaced and built around relatively dense, fine tubules, as in the enigmatic pygmy right whale, *Caperea marginata*. Phosphatisation of the intertubular horn, but not the tubules themselves, suggests in vivo intertubular calcification. The size of the rack matches the distribution of nutrient foramina on the palate, and implies the presence of an unusually large subrostral gap. Overall, the baleen morphology of *Piscobalaena* likely reflects the interacting effects of size, function and phylogeny, and reveals a previously unknown degree of complexity in modern mysticete feeding evolution. Kind regards, Felix Marx _____________________________ *Felix G. Marx* PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow *Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium *Monash University, Melbourne, Australia *Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Address: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University 18 Innovation Walk, VIC 3800, Australia Tel. +61 (0)3 9905 1190 (Monash University) or +61 (0)3 8341 7346 (Museum Victoria)

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New paper on demography of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins
by Guido Parra Vergara 23 May '17

23 May '17

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the release of the following publication in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems : Passadore, C., Möller, L., Diaz-Aguirre, F., & Parra, G. J. (2017). Demography of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins living in a protected inverse estuary. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, n/a-n/a. doi: 10.1002/aqc.2772 The paper can be downloaded via the following link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2772/full PDF copies are also available upon request to: cecilia.passadore(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:cecilia.passadore@flinders.edu.au> Abstract: Assessments of demographic parameters are essential to understand the dynamics of wild populations, and for their efficient conservation and management. Here, sex-specific abundance, apparent survival and temporary emigration of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops cf. australis) in Coffin Bay (CB), South Australia, is investigated. Results are based on capture–recapture modelling of photo-identification data and molecular analyses of biopsy samples collected during boat-based surveys between September 2013 and October 2015 in the inner and outer areas of CB. The total super-population of dolphins (including calves) using the entire study area (263 km2) was estimated with POPAN models at 306 (95% CI: 291–323), which included 71 (68–73) marked females and 57 (55–60) marked males. Seasonal estimates of abundance for the inner area of CB (123 km2) obtained with Pollock's Closed Robust Design models remained relatively constant over the two years (marked females: 52–60, marked males: 46–52, and total: 193–209). The high density of dolphins inhabiting the inner area (seasonal range: 1.57–1.70 individuals km−2), high apparent survival rates estimated for both sexes (females: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.96–1.0; males: 0.95; 0.82–0.99), and low temporary emigration rates (0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.11) indicate that the inner area of CB offers highly favourable habitat for these dolphins. High biological productivity and low predation risk may promote these demographic patterns in the inner area of CB. This study provides a robust baseline of sex-specific population demographics of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins with important implications for future research and their management and conservation in South Australia. On behalf of all authors, Guido J. Parra ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guido J. Parra, PhD Senior Lecturer | School of Biological Sciences Flinders University Research leader | Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) • Staff: http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/guido.parra • Lab: www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> School of Biological Sciences Flinders University Sturt Road, Bedford Park 5042 SA, Adelaide GPO Box 2100 Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia • +61 8 8201 3565|• guido.parra(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:guido.parra@flinders.edu.au> [http://www.lmf.bgu.tum.de/images/pers/koerner/ResearchGate.png]<http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guido_Parra>[cid:image002.png@01D16284.AB221E00]<https://www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ P Please consider the environment before printing this email CRICOS Registered Provider. The Flinders University of South Australia|CRICOS provider Number: 00114A

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Petition to Ban Vaquita-Harmful Fish and Fish Products from Mexico
by Smith, Zak 23 May '17

23 May '17

Dear Marmamers, Last week the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Animal Welfare Institute filed a petition with the U.S. federal government seeking the immediate implementation of the MMPA prohibition on imports of fish and fish products from Mexico, the catch of which is contributing to the killing and serious injury of vaquita (the world’s most endangered marine mammal with fewer than 30 left and an annual decline rate of 50 percent per year) in excess of U.S. standards for marine mammal protection. You can find a copy of the petition here: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/petition-to-ban-vaquita-harmful-fi…. If you have any questions about the petition, please contact me. Best, Zak Zak Smith Senior Attorney Director, Wildlife Trade Initiative Natural Resources Defense Council 1314 Second Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 T 310.434.2334 zsmith(a)nrdc.org<mailto:zsmith@nrdc.org> @smithzak<http://twitter.com/smithzak> NRDC.ORG<http://www.nrdc.org/> Please save paper. Think before printing.

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