August 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on a common sound from an unidentified great whale
by Rhianne Ward 20 Aug '17

20 Aug '17

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of our research article: Ward, R., Gavrilov, A. N. and McCauley, R. D. (2017) “Spot” call: A common sound from an unidentified great whale in Australian temperate waters. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 142 (2) doi: 10.1121/1.4998608 Abstract: Underwater passive acoustic recordings in the Southern and Indian Oceans off Australia from 2002 to 2016 have regularly captured a tonal signal of about 10 s duration at 22–28 Hz with a symmetrical bell-shaped envelope. The sound is often accompanied by short, higher frequency downsweeps and repeated at irregular intervals varying from 120 to 200 s. It is termed the “spot” call according to its appearance in spectrograms of long-time averaging. Although similar to the first part of an Antarctic blue whale Z-call, evidence suggests the call is produced by another great whale, with the source as yet not identified. The article is available from the publishers website (http://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.4998608) or by request to rhiward(a)hotmail.com<mailto:rhiward@hotmail.com> Many thanks, 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/> [cid:image001.png@01D31A5B.706994B0] CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

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New Publication: Marine megafauna interactions with small-scale fisheries in the southwestern Indian Ocean: a review of status and challenges for research and management
by Andrew Temple (PGR) 20 Aug '17

20 Aug '17

Dear All, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper entitled "Marine megafauna interactions with small-scale fisheries in the southwestern Indian Ocean: a review of status and challenges for research and management" which is available open access at the below link. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11160-017-9494-x AUTHORS: Andrew J. Temple, Jeremy J. Kiszka, Selina M. Stead, Nina Wambiji, Atanasio Brito, Christopher N. S. Poonian, Omar A. Amir, Narriman Jiddawi, Sean T. Fennessy, Sergi Perez-Jorge & Per Berggren ABSTRACT: In developing regions, coastal communities are particularly dependent on small-scale fisheries for food security and income. However, information on the scale and impacts of small-scale fisheries on coastal marine ecosystems are frequently lacking. Large marine vertebrates (marine mammals, sea turtles and chondrichthyans) are often among the first species to experience declines due to fisheries. This paper reviews the interactions between small-scale fisheries and vulnerable marine megafauna in the southwestern Indian Ocean. We highlight an urgent need for proper documentation, monitoring and assessment at the regional level of small-scale fisheries and the megafauna affected by them to inform evidence-based fisheries management. Catch and landings data are generally of poor quality and resolution with compositional data, where available, mostly anecdotal or heavily biased towards easily identifiable species. There is also limited understanding of fisheries effort, most of which relies on metrics unsuitable for proper assessment. Management strategies (where they exist) are often created without strong evidence bases or understanding of the reliance of fishers on resources. Consequently, it is not possible to effectively assess the current status and ensure the sustainability of these species groups; with indications of overexploitation in several areas. To address these issues, a regionally collaborative approach between government and non-governmental organisations, independent researchers and institutions, and small-scale fisheries stakeholders is required. In combination with good governance practices, appropriate and effective, evidence-based management can be formulated to sustain these resources, the marine ecosystems they are intrinsically linked to and the livelihoods of coastal communities that are tied to them. Best Regards, Andrew ----------------------------------------- Andrew Temple Marine Science and Technology Newcastle University NE1 7RU Office: 0191 222 5607 E-Mail: andrew.temple(a)ncl.ac.uk<mailto:andrew.temple@ncl.ac.uk>

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Marine Mammal Books for Sale
by Jeff Breiwick 20 Aug '17

20 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM, I have a collection of *marine mammal (mostly cetacean) books* that I am selling, most of them for about 75% of the lowest cost found on several online book sites. These books mainly deal with marine mammal biology and whaling history. The catalogue is an Excel spreadsheet with several tabs. If you would like a copy of the catalogue (.zip file) you can send me a request at: jmb.mmbks(a)gmail.com. I will only charge the Post Office media shipping rate for the books (plus shipping package). There are about 590 books listed: 524 under the tab 'Main List' and 65 under the tab 'To_Bookstore' (these go for $1 each). 72 of the 'Main List' books and 34 of the 'To_Bookstore' books have been sold. There is also a tab labelled 'Japanese'; I have taken photos of the books so if you read Japanese you can get an idea what the book is about. There is a tab labelled 'IWC' which contains Annual Reports (Scientific Committee) of the International Whaling Commission from 1950-1998 (old series - hardbound) and 1999-2012 (new series - softbound). There are also JCRM (Journal of Cetacean Research and Management) issues: 1999-1012. I have not set a price for the IWC publications but if you are interested we can work something out. In addition, there is a separate file, jmb.mags.docx, that has about 75 magazine/journal issues on marine mammals for sale. The zip file contains a Read Me doc that explains the catalogue. Below is a sample of some of the books for sale. - Allen, J. A. [1881] 1977 Preliminary list of works and papers relating to Mammalian Orders Cete and Sirenia (1495 - 1840). Bulletin of the U.S. Geological Geographical Survey of the Territories. Vol. VI, No. 3. Washington, D.C. U.S. Geological ographical Survey of the Territories. Pp. 399‑562 + index. reprint by A.D. Lilly, 1977 {VG, $4.00} - Beddington, J. R.; R. J. H. Beverton; D. M. Lavigne (eds.). 1985. Marine Mammals and Fisheries. George Allen & Unwin, London. Pp. [i]-xxi + 1-354 {VG, $10} - Burns, John J.; J. Jerome Montague; Cleveland J. Cowles (eds.). 1993. The Bowhead Whale. Spec. Publ. No.2. The Society for Marine Mammalogy, Lawrence, KS. Pp. [i]-xxxvi + 1-787 {VG, $22}. - Heazle, Michael. 2006. Scientific Uncertainty and the Politics of Whaling. Univ. Washington Press, Seattle and London. Pp. [i]-[xii] + [1] - 260 {VG+dust jacket, $8.50} - Jones, M. L.; S. L. Swartz; S. Leatherwood (eds.). 1984. The Gray Whale. *Eschrichtius* *robustus*. Academic Press, Inc., New York. Pp. [i]-xxiv + [1]-600 [online: pbk=$75; hdbk > $400] {VG, $65.00} - Schevill, W. E. (ed.). 1974. The Whale Problem: A Status Report. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. Pp. [i]-x + [1]-419 {VG, $4.00} - Tomilin, A. G. 1967. Mammals of the U.S.S.R. and Ajacent Regions. Vol. IX. Cetacea. Moscow (Israel Program for Scientific Transl. Ltd, Jerusalem). Academy of Science USSR. Pp. xxi + [1] + 1-717 {VG+jacket, $34.00} Thank you. Jeff Breiwick

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New Publication:Marine vessels alter the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the Istanbul Strait, Turkey
by aylin akkaya 19 Aug '17

19 Aug '17

Dear all, I am so happy to announce our new publication entitled "Marine vessels alter the behaviour ofbottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the Istanbul Strait, Turkey" in Endangered Species Research.The article is open access and can be downloaded from the following links: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00836 Citation: Bas AA, Christiansen F, Öztürk B, Öztürk AA,Erdoǧan MA, Watson LJ (2017) Marine vessels alter the behaviour of bottlenosedolphins Tursiops truncatus in the Istanbul Strait, Turkey. Endang Species Res34:1-14. ABSTRACT: Thenon-lethal impacts of marine vessels on cetaceans are now a globally recognisedthreat. This study is the first to investigate the effect of marine traffic onthe behaviour of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in theIstanbul Strait, Turkey. The Istanbul Strait (also known as the Bosphorus) isone of the busiest international waterways in the world and is exposed to densemarine traffic. The effect of marine traffic, location and season on thebehavioural transitions was investigated through general log-linear analysis.Further, the changes on the behavioural budget and bout duration were assessedusing Markov chains. Results showed that marine vessels were the main drivingforce for the behavioural transitions. These changes in transitions betweenbehaviours led to significant changes in behavioural budget and bout durations(average time in each behavioural state). Surface-feeding, resting andsocialising behaviour significantly decreased in the control budget, whilediving showed an increase in the presence of vessels. Moreover, dolphins spentless time surface-feeding, resting, socialising and diving once disrupted.Furthermore, the current level of vessel-dolphin interaction (51%) in theIstanbul Strait was sufficiently high to alter the dolphins’ cumulativebehavioural budget significantly. Finally, speed and distance of vessels playeda considerable role in the directional responses of dolphins. These resultsraise concerns on the potential biological consequences of the observedbehavioural changes, considering that the population is already classified ‘atrisk’ and is still lacking species-specific conservation plans. The results ofthe study must be considered immediately to create protected zones in order tomitigate the vessel-dolphin interactions. KEY WORDS: Bottlenose dolphins · Marine traffic ·Disturbance · Behavioural impacts · Behavioural budgets · Bout lengths ·Cumulative behaviour · Markov chain · Conservation I hope you enjoy reading it, Best regards, Dr. Aylin Akkaya Bas Research CoordinatorDeniz Memelileri Araştırma Derneği (DMAD)Marine Mammals Research Association+90 5337739867info(a)dmad.org.trwww.dmad.org.tr

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Categorising C-POD click trains to increase taxonomic resolution
by Kaitlin Palmer 16 Aug '17

16 Aug '17

Dear Colleagues; My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper,* Categorizing click trains to increase taxonomic precision in echolocation click loggers.* As this research is in its early stages, we would especially like to offer our categorisation model to any colleagues who have with visually validated C-POD data. Otherwise, anyone wishing to use or build on these methods may obtain the R model from this study via GitHub repository https://github.com/JPalmerK/C-POD-encounter-classification Warm Regards, Kaitlin Palmer http://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.4996000 Passive acoustic monitoring is an efficient way to study acoustically active animals but species identification remains a major challenge. C-PODs are popular logging devices that automatically detect odontocete echolocation clicks. However, the accompanying analysis software does not distinguish between delphinid species. Click train features logged by C-PODs were compared to frequency spectra from adjacently deployed continuous recorders. A generalized additive model was then used to categorize C-POD click trains into three groups: broadband click trains, produced by bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) or common dolphin (*Delphinus delphis*), frequency-banded click trains, produced by Risso's (*Grampus griseus*) or white beaked dolphins (*Lagenorhynchus albirostris*), and unknown click trains. Incorrect categorization rates for broadband and frequency banded clicks were 0.02 (SD 0.01), but only 30% of the click trains met the categorization threshold. To increase the proportion of categorized click trains, model predictions were pooled within acoustic encounters and a likelihood ratio threshold was used to categorize encounters. This increased the proportion of the click trains meeting either the broadband or frequency banded categorization threshold to 98%. Predicted species distribution at the 30 study sites matched well to visual sighting records from the region. -- Kaitlin Palmer MASTS PhD student (masts.ac.uk) E-mail: kp37(a)st-andrews.ac.uk <ler4(a)st-andrews.ac.uk> Twitter: @ProcrastinatehD School of Biology, University of St. Andrews Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH U.K. The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (SC013532)

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH IN MONTENEGRO - VOLUNTEERS RECRUITMENT
by Elisa Gaggioli 16 Aug '17

16 Aug '17

*VOLUNTEER AND INTERN RECRUITMENT FOR THE MONTENEGRO DOLPHIN PROJECT (SOUTH ADRIATIC SEA)* *OUR PROJECT* The Montenegro Dolphin Project is a scientific project born from the partnership between the Marine Mammals Research Association (DMAD) and the Natural History Association of Montenegro. Our study is the first long term research study of marine mammals in Montenegrin coastal waters. We aim to address questions about marine mammal abundance, distribution and behavior, define critical habitats and investigate the impact of major threats. Our wider attention focuses on the promotion and implementation of awareness initiatives targeted at the local community, particularly youth. *WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR* We offer several volunteering and internship positions: this is an extremely valuable opportunity for graduates, that wish to gain experience in the marine mammal research field, and undergraduates, that would like to obtain internship academic credits. It could be used to develop a scientific project for *BSc *and* MSc thesis. *However, we are also open to accept applications from anyone whose love for dolphins is strong and sincere. Opportunities are available between *SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2017*. The minimum duration of the placements is *2 MONTHS*, with possible exceptions for skilled candidates. *REQUIREMENTS* -True interest for marine conservation, self-motivation, maturity and ability to work responsibly; -Ability to cohabit in a dynamic and multicultural environment; -Respect for the organization's rules and willingness to follow standards and procedures; -Proven experience of working effectively as part of a team; -Fluent English (both spoken and written) and good communication skills; -High computer literacy and willingness to learn new software applications. Background in marine biology and previous fieldwork experience are an advantage. *FIELD WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES* -Performing land-based surveys at least three times a week, including sunrise and sunset hours; -Performing boat-based surveys at least once a week: boat surveys can be long and often tiring, so you are expected to feel comfortable on board and prepared to handle motion sickness. -Collecting dolphins sighting and behavior data, as well as environmental and anthropogenic data; -Operating theodolite and managing its software Pythagoras; -Data entry and analysis; -Cataloging and matching individuals of target species for photo-ID studies via Discovery software; -Raising stakeholder awareness. *TRAINING* The Montenegro Dolphin Project team will provide lectures and field work training as well as constant mentoring. You will be given the chance to learn the most popular methodologies used in marine mammals research such as: -Theodolite operation and Pythagoras software; -Photo-ID and Discovery software; -Data entry and analysis; -ArcGIS *PROJECT PARTICIPATION FEE* The positions are unpaid and require a contribution fee of* 600 euros / month *which includes: -Accommodation and expenses -Internet access -Training and lectures -Scientific support -Field work -Use of the equipment Applicants are responsible for their transportation to/from Montenegro, meals, insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance) and personal expenses. *HOW TO APPLY* Email your CV and cover letter to admin(a)dmad.org.tr (Elisa Gaggioli) explaining why you are the perfect asset for our team and which goals you hope to achieve with us! Please mention the PERIOD OF INTEREST AND DURATION OF AVAILABILITY! If you wish to have more info about our work and get to know us better follow our websites: *www.montenegrodolphinproject.org <http://www.montenegrodolphinproject.org/>* *www.dmad.org.tr <http://www.dmad.org.tr/>* *www.naturalhistoryassociationofmontenegro.weebly.com <http://www.naturalhistoryassociationofmontenegro.weebly.com/>* Facebook page: *www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/ <http://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/>*

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FW: Marine Acoustics
by Stephanie Barnicoat 16 Aug '17

16 Aug '17

Dear All With the SMM conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia approaching, we are bringing our acoustics courses to the conference Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Level 1 18th-20th October- The PAM L1 course is a three-day course which will provide you with the knowledge you need to mitigate for marine mammals during offshore explorations. The course will give you an introduction into acoustics, providing experience to get to grips with PAMGuard with our workbook sessions and learning about the acoustics of marine mammals. This course combines theory and practical with a practical session on a vessel. To book a place go to http://www.seichetraining.com/pam-course-level-1 Marine Acoustics 18th-20th October-Our Marine Acoustics course will help you understand how noise impacts marine wildlife and get to grips with the regulations aimed at protecting our natural environment. Our three-day course is perfect for anyone working as a regulator, environmental consultant, researcher, policy or environmental professional who needs to understand the regulatory environment. It will give you the knowledge you need to analyse and act on the recommendations in reports generated because of environmental legislation. Delivered by leading research experts including Dr Paul Lepper and Professor Victor Humphrey, this course is CPD-recognised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and is run in association with the University of Bath. To book a place now go to: http://seichetraining.com/underwater-acoustics-the-marine-environment or for more info email info(a)seichetraining.com<mailto:info@seichetraining.com> Seiche Ltd Stephanie Barnicoat Business Support Seiche Ltd Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom T: +44(0)1409 404050 E: s.barnicoat(a)seiche.com W: www.seiche.com Registered in England & Wales No. 3475558, Registered Office: The Custom House, The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon The information contained in this e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, is privileged and confidential, and solely intended for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you should not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use the information, and you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete this e-mail and attached documents.

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New publication: "Simulated seal scarer sounds scare porpoises, but not seals"
by Lonnie Mikkelsen 15 Aug '17

15 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM readers We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following article in Royal Society Open Science: "Simulated seal scarer sounds scare porpoises, but not seals: species-specific responses to 12 kHz deterrence sounds". By: Lonnie Mikkelsen, Line Hermannsen, Kristian Beedholm, Peter Teglberg Madsen and Jakob Tougaard. R. Soc. open sci. 2017 4 170286; DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170286 Open access: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/7/170286 Abstract: Acoustic harassment devices (AHD) or 'seal scarers' are used extensively, not only to deter seals from fisheries, but also as mitigation tools to deter marine mammals from potentially harmful sound sources, such as offshore pile driving. To test the effectiveness of AHDs, we conducted two studies with similar experimental set-ups on two key species: harbour porpoises and harbour seals. We exposed animals to 500 ms tone bursts at 12 kHz simulating that of an AHD (Lofitech), but with reduced output levels (source peak-to-peak level of 165 dB re 1 μPa). Animals were localized with a theodolite before, during and after sound exposures. In total, 12 sound exposures were conducted to porpoises and 13 exposures to seals. Porpoises were found to exhibit avoidance reactions out to ranges of 525m from the sound source. Contrary to this, seal observations increased during sound exposure within 100m of the loudspeaker. We thereby demonstrate that porpoises and seals respond very differently to AHD sounds. This has important implications for application of AHDs in multi-species habitats, as sound levels required to deter less sensitive species (seals) can lead to excessive and unwanted large deterrence ranges on more sensitive species (porpoises). For any questions, please feel free to contact me at: lomi(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:lomi@bios.au.dk> Cheers Lonnie ------------------------------------------------------------ Lonnie Mikkelsen, PhD Student Aarhus University - Department of Bioscience Frederiksborgvej 399 DK - 4000 Roskilde Tlf.: +45 87158716 Mobil: +45 20450260 Mail: lomi(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:lomi@bios.au.dk>

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Upcoming workshop at SMM Biennial in Halifax
by Aaron N. Rice 14 Aug '17

14 Aug '17

Dear Colleagues, We are organizing a workshop on “Assessing the responses of marine mammals to anthropogenic acoustic disturbance” at the SMM Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on Saturday 28th October 2017. We will focus on four main themes: 1) Baseline data and models, 2) Assessing individual responses to anthropogenic sounds, 3) Modeling population-level and cumulative effects of acoustic disturbance, 4) Application to best management practices. A summary of the workshop and draft agenda can be provided upon request. If your research would be relevant, and you are interested in participating, there are still spaces available to give a 15-minute talk at the workshop. Please let us know by 1st September if you are interested. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Many thanks, Helen Bailey (hbailey(a)umces.edu) and Aaron Rice (arice(a)cornell.edu) -- Aaron N. Rice, Ph.D. Bioacoustics Research Program Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850-1999 Email: arice(a)cornell.edu Web: http://www.nbb.cornell.edu/neurobio/aaronrice

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New publication: First report on abundance and distribution of common bottlenose dolphins in the NATURA 2000 area, NE Adriatic Sea
by mag. Darja Ribaric 14 Aug '17

14 Aug '17

Dear MARMAM and ECS community, I am very pleased to announce the publication of the below baseline study in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: First report on abundance and distribution of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the NATURA 2000 area, Istria, North-eastern Adriatic Sea Darja Ribarič (a1) (a2) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417001424 ABSTRACT: The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus M.) local population off west Istria in the North-eastern Adriatic has received no prior study of abundance and distribution despite the habitat's relevance for the preservation of this key species in the marine ecosystem. The research area comprises part of the NATURA 2000 network which was predominantly established here for these dolphins. Official data regarding the local population's status in the region are currently marked as deficient. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide the first population data for the area. Boat-based survey work was carried out from April to September 2012–2015 using a mark–recapture photo-identification method. Prior to this period a random data collection was used to study distribution, since 2001, to cover the area of 927 km2 lying between Umag to lighthouse Albanež in the south. 143 bottlenose dolphins were photo-identified to date with the average group size of 9.27 ± 6.53 animals. Several abundance models were used, from which the Markovian robust model proved the best fit and predicted between 47–142 dolphins along the west Istria coast. A few individuals were also identified in Slovenia, indicating a bigger home range along the 98 km length of the studied area. There is an indication of a regular year round presence of dolphins. The west Istria coast constitutes an important feeding and breeding ground. The region should develop a sustainable plan to manage those human activities negatively impacting the dolphins. Therefore the present study is of relevance for the implementation of management directives for their conservation. To access the full text you can visit: http://vivamar.org/research-projects/ Kind regards, DARJA RIBARIČ, MPhil in biological science <mailto:darja.ribaric@vivamar.org> darja.ribaric(a)vivamar.org President and Head researcher <http://www.vivamar.org/> VIVAMAR Society for the Sustainable Development for the Sea Dolphin Research & Conservation / Marine Wildlife Awareness <https://www.generosity.com/animal-pet-fundraising/save-the-last-dolphins-he lp-in-creating-the-dec> HELP saving the Dolphins, be PART of a bold plan to create a Dolphin Education Centre logo_manjse Recognised by the Ministry of the Environment for the public interest 215-10/2007/4

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