September 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Blue whale photo-identified along the NW coast of Spain
by Bruno Díaz López 23 Sep '17

23 Sep '17

Dear colleagues, We would like to announce that the BDRI have photo-identified one blue whale last wednesday along the NW coast of Spain. We have good pictures of both sides including the mottling pigmentation and also the dorsal fin. For those colleagues working with this species along the NE Atlantic please contact me and we will send you the pictures in order to match with your catalogue. Kind regards, Bruno Díaz López Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684 248552 This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation. .

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Reminder: ACS-LA Student Travel Grants Deadline to the SMM Conference is 25-Sept
by ACS-LA.Grants 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Reminder - ACS-LA Travel Grant Applications to the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference in Halifax, NS are due on 25 September. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The American Cetacean Society, Los Angeles Chapter (ACS-LA) is happy to announce the opening of applications for 2017 Student Travel Grants for the 22nd Biennial Conference of the Society for Mammalogy - DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 25-SEPT!! The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society (ACS-LA) is offering two travel grants, in the amount of $500.00 each, to students working or attending school in Southern California who will be presenting at the 22nd Biennial conference on the Biology of Marina Mammals hosted by the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) in Halifax, NS, Canada, this October 2017. The two $500 travel grants will be awarded to two students exhibiting an outstanding commitment to research on marine mammals. Students should either be attending school in Southern California and/or conducting their marine mammal research in Southern California, with priority being given to those attending school and/or conducting research in the greater Los Angeles area. Eligibility: 1. Applicant must be a currently enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate) and must be presenting (oral or poster) at the SMM Biennial. 2. Applicant should be attending an accredited institution and/or conducing research in Southern California (priority will be given to students living in, or whose research is focused in, the greater Los Angeles area). Applications: Applications should include the following: 1. Cover sheet with: a) Title of presentation (either oral or poster) being given at the SMM Biennial Conference b) Full copy of the abstract submitted (and accepted) by the SMM committee c) Applicant Contact Information (Name, Mailing Address, E-mail, and Phone numbers) d) Current school and major including current supervisor and department 2. Proof that applicant is a student (photo of the front and back of current student ID card) 3. A one-page CV or Resume Deadlines: Deadline for submission: 25 September 2017. Awards will be announced: 3 October 2017. Applications should be sent by E-mail to ACSLA.Grants(a)gmail.com. Information about the Los Angeles Chapter of ACS can be found on our website: www.acs-la.org <http://www.acs-la.org/>. To join ACS-LA, please go to http://acsonline.org/support-acs/become-member/ <http://acsonline.org/support-acs/become-member/> and specify the Los Angeles Chapter. For further information about specific chapters and other grant-making programs, please visit the Chapter page of the National American Cetacean Society website: www.acsonline.org <http://www.acsonline.org/>. ========================== ACS-LA Grants Coordinator Christina Tombach Wright American Cetacean Society-Los Angeles Chapter acsla.grants(a)gmail.com www.acs-la.org

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New paper on walrus demography
by Taylor, Rebecca 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Dear MARMAM community, My coathors and I are pleased to announce a new publication on walrus demography. It is entitled "Demography of the Paciﬁc walrus ( *Odobenus rosmarus divergens*) in a changing Arctic," and is available on early view through Marine Mammal Science ( http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12434/abstract ). If for any reason you cannot access it online, feel free to email me for a copy of the paper at rebeccataylor(a)usgs.gov . Abstract The Pacific walrus (*Odobenus rosmarus divergens*) is a candidate to be listed as an endangered species under United States law, in part, because of climate change-related concerns. While the population was known to be declining in the 1980s and 1990s, its recent status has not been determined. We developed Bayesian models of walrus population dynamics to assess the population by synthesizing information on population sizes, age structures, reproductive rates, and harvests for 1974–2015. Candidate models allowed for temporal variation in some or all vital rates, as well as density dependence or density independence in reproduction and calf survival. All selected models indicated that the population underwent a multidecade decline, which began moderating in the 1990s, and that annual reproductive rate and natural calf survival rates rose over time in a density-dependent manner. However, selected models were equivocal regarding whether the natural juvenile survival rate was constant or decreasing over time. Depending on whether juvenile survival decreased after 1998, the population growth rate either increased during 1999–2015 or stabilized at a lesser level of decline than seen in the 1980s. The probability that the population was still declining in 2015 ranged from 45% to 87%. Citation Taylor, R. L., Udevitz, M. S., Jay, C. V., Citta, J. J., Quakenbush, L. T., Lemons, P. R., Snyder, J. A., 2017. Demography of the Paciﬁc walrus (*Odobenus rosmarus divergens*) in a changing Arctic. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10. 1111/mms.12434 Sincerely, Rebecca Taylor -- Rebecca Taylor Research Statistician USGS Alaska Science Center 4210 University Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7004 rebeccataylor(a)usgs.gov <https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=rebeccataylor@usgs.gov>

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New paper on the abundance of North Atlantic right whales
by Peter Corkeron - NOAA Federal 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Greetings Marmamers On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to announce the publication of a new paper on the abundance of North Atlantic right whales. The paper's citation is: Pace III RM, Corkeron PJ, Kraus SD. State–space mark–recapture estimates reveal a recent decline in abundance of North Atlantic right whales. Ecol Evol. 2017;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3406 And the abstract is: North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis Müller 1776) present an interesting problem for abundance and trend estimation in marine wildlife conservation. They are long lived, individually identifiable, highly mobile, and one of the rarest of cetaceans. Individuals are annually resighted at different rates, primarily due to varying stay durations among several principal habitats within a large geographic range. To date, characterizations of abundance have been produced that use simple accounting procedures with differing assumptions about mortality. To better characterize changing abundance of North Atlantic right whales between 1990 and 2015, we adapted a state–space formulation with Jolly-Seber assumptions about population entry (birth and immigration) to individual resighting histories and fit it using empirical Bayes methodology. This hierarchical model included accommodation for the effect of the substantial individual capture heterogeneity. Estimates from this approach were only slightly higher than published accounting procedures, except for the most recent years (when recapture rates had declined substantially). North Atlantic right whales' abundance increased at about 2.8% per annum from median point estimates of 270 individuals in 1990 to 483 in 2010, and then declined to 2015, when the final estimate was 458 individuals (95% credible intervals 444–471). The probability that the population's trajectory post-2010 was a decline was estimated at 99.99%. Of special concern was the finding that reduced survival rates of adult females relative to adult males have produced diverging abundance trends between sexes. Despite constraints in recent years, both biological (whales' distribution changing) and logistical (fewer resources available to collect individual photo-identifications), it is still possible to detect this relatively recent, small change in the population's trajectory. This is thanks to the massive dataset of individual North Atlantic right whale identifications accrued over the past three decades. Photo-identification data provide biological information that allows more informed inference on the status of this species. Ecology and Evolution is an Open Access journal, so the paper is freely available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.3406/abstract If you’d like the paper, please download it from the journal’s site. If the journal's site download isn't an option for you, the paper is also available via Researchgate at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319904432_State- space_mark-recapture_estimates_reveal_a_recent_ decline_in_abundance_of_North_Atlantic_right_whales I hope this is of interest. Peter -- Leader, Large Whale Team Protected Species Branch NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water St Woods Hole MA 02543 phone: 508-495-2191 webpage: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/psbStaff_PeterCorkeron.html ResearchGate: researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Corkeron Orcid: orcid.org/0000-0003-1553-125

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New publication
by Ewa Krzyszczyk 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Dear MARMAM community: My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication through Marine Mammal Science. Bichell, L. M. V., Krzyszczyk, E., Patterson, E. M. and Mann, J. 2017. The reliability of pigment pattern-based identification of wild bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science doi:10.1111/mms.12440 *Abstract* Long-term studies often rely on natural markings for individual identification across time. The primary method for identification in small cetaceans relies on dorsal fin shape, scars, and other natural markings. However, dorsal fin markings can vary substantially over time and the dorsal fin can become unrecognizable after an encounter with a boat or shark. Although dorsal fins have the advantage in that they always break the water surface when the cetacean breathes, other physical features, such as body scars and pigmentation patterns can supplement. The goal of this study was to explore the use of dorso-lateral pigment patterns to identify wild bottlenose dolphins. We employed photographic pigment matching tests to determine if pigmentation patterns showed (1) longitudinal consistency and (2) bilateral symmetry using a 30 yr photographic database of bottlenose dolphins (*T**ursiops aduncus*). We compared experienced dolphin researchers and inexperienced undergraduate student subjects in their ability to accurately match images. Both experienced and inexperienced subjects correctly matched dolphin individuals at a rate significantly above chance, even though they only had 10 s to make the match. These results demonstrate that pigment patterns can be used to reliably identify individual wild bottlenose dolphins, and likely other small cetacean species at other sites. The article is available for free here <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12440/full>. If you would like a pdf emailed or have any questions, or just want to geek out about this paper with me! please email myself at (ewakrzyszczyk(a)gmail.com) Thank you, -- Ewa Krzyszczyk, PhD Post- Doctoral Fellow Georgetown University Washington DC Personal website <http://ewakrzyszczyk.weebly.com> LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewakrzyszczyk/> Academia <https://georgetown.academia.edu/EwaKrzyszczyk> www.monkeymiadolphins.org

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ALMMSN Marine Mammal Stranding Assistant Position (part-time)
by Noel Wingers 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN), located at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) in Dauphin Island, AL, is recruiting a highly-motivated technician to assist with marine mammal stranding response and research in coastal Alabama waters. Established in 2011, ALMMSN is a cooperative regional stranding network partner, and works in conjunction with NOAA's NMFS and USFWS to respond to dolphin, whale and manatee strandings. ALMMSN responds to an average of 38 cetacean and 3 manatee strandings annually, including an average of 3 live marine mammal strandings per year. The primary goal of ALMMSN is to enhance reporting and response efforts for marine mammal strandings to ensure collection of consistent, high-quality data that are used to evaluate causes of strandings and/or death. This is a physically demanding position that often requires field response and necropsy on unscheduled long days in a variety of weather conditions. *Daily duties*: Collaboration with ALMMSN staff, veterinarians, students, interns and volunteers to manage a 24-hr stranding hotline, field stranding response, data collection, data management, participation in necropsy events, sample handling, equipment cleaning & maintenance, public outreach and volunteer coordination. The Stranding Assistant also will have the opportunity to assist DISL Manatee Sighting Network and Marine Ecosystem Response Lab staff with projects including data entry, sonic & radio telemetry, and photo-identification to develop a broader set of skills. *Minimum qualification requirements*: Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine science, oceanography, zoology or related program; familiarity with MMPA, NOAA/NMFS and USFWS stranding protocols; effective written and verbal communication, including speaking to the public and media; physically fit, able to lift at least 50 lbs and strong swimmer; ability to endure unpleasant field conditions including temperatures between 30°F-100°F, rain, humidity and biting insects; prior experience with marine mammal stranding response and necropsy; ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; think quickly, independently, logically and apply problem-solving techniques; knowledge of digital SLR camera and lens use; valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Applicant must obtain an Alabama vessel license and complete a DISL boating safety class within 6 months of beginning employment. *Preferred qualifications*: At least 1 year experience with marine mammal stranding response and necropsy techniques; knowledge of marine mammal anatomy; ability to operate vessels and trailers up to 24’ in length. Experience with computer software such as MS Office, ArcGIS, R, and SigmaPlot. This is a grant-funded part-time, 24 hrs/week position including one scheduled weekend day per week (nights and holidays may be required as necessary with fieldwork). Rate of pay is $13/hr. Applicant must be eligible to legally work in the U.S. Interested applicants must send a cover letter, CV, list of three references and date of availability to almmsn(a)disl.org before October 8, 2017 to be considered. Application review will begin immediately. More information about ALMMSN and the Marine Ecosystem Response Laboratory can be found at http://almmsn.disl.org/ and http://www.disl.org/about/faculty/rcarmichael or by contacting Noel Wingers at nwingers(a)disl.org.

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potential jobs in Florida USA
by Teresa Bohuszewicz 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Marine Ventures International, Inc. has potential openings in the next few months for MMOs and shorebird monitors on the east coast and west coast of Florida during marine construction activities. At this point the client is only interested in local personnel. Please, send resume/CV (include contact information in your resume) to Teresa Bohuszewicz at tbohuszewicz(a)marineventures.com<mailto:tbohuszewicz@marineventures.com>. Thank you. Teresa Bohuszewicz | PSO/MMO Services Mgr Marine Ventures International, Inc. 8530 SW Kansas Avenue Stuart, FL USA 34997 +1 772-219-3000 Main Office +1 321-537-3291 Mobile www.marineventures.com<http://www.marineventures.com/> [marine-ventures-logo-v14b-font-5]

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New publication
by Dr Kevin Robinson 21 Sep '17

21 Sep '17

My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in PLoSONE: Robinson KP, Sim TMC, Culloch RM, Bean TS, Cordoba Aguillar I, Eisfeld SM, Filan M, Haskins GN, Williams G, Pierce GJ (2017) Female reproductive success and calf survival in a North Sea coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population. Abstract: Between-female variation in reproductive output provides a strong measure of individual fitness and a quantifiable measure of the health of a population which may be highly informative to management. In the present study, we examined reproductive traits in female bottlenose dolphins from the east coast of Scotland using longitudinal sightings data collected over twenty years. From a total of 102 females identified between 1997 and 2016, 74 mothers produced a collective total of 193 calves. Females gave birth from 6 to 13 years of age with a mean age of 8. Calves were produced during all study months, May to October inclusive, but showed a seasonal birth pulse corresponding to the regional peak in summer water temperatures. Approximately 83% (n = 116) of the calves of established fate were successfully raised to year 2-3. Of the known mortalities, ~45% were first-born calves. Calf survival rates were also lower in multiparous females who had previously lost calves. A mean inter-birth interval (IBI) of 3.80 years (n = 110) and mean fecundity of 0.16 was estimated for the population. Calf loss resulted in shortened IBIs, whilst longer IBIs were observed in females assumed to be approaching reproductive senescence. Maternal age and size, breeding experience, dominance, individual associations, group size and other social factors, were all concluded to influence reproductive success (RS) in this population. Some females are likely more important than others for the future viability of the population. Consequently, a better knowledge of the demographic groups containing those females showing higher reproductive success would be highly desirable for conservation efforts aimed at their protection. The open access article is available to download from: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0185000 Dr. Kevin Robinson Director, CRRU <mailto:kev.robinson@crru.org.uk> kev.robinson(a)crru.org.uk Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, PO Box 11307, Banff, AB45 3WB, Scotland, UK | ( +44 (0)1261 851696 | <http://www.crru.org.uk/> www.crru.org.uk Whale and Dolphin Research | Environmental Educational Outreach | Marine Wildlife Rescue | Consultancy | MMO Services Recognised Scottish Charity No. SC035473 <http://www.facebook.com/crru.org.uk> <http://www.twitter.com/crru> <https://www.youtube.com/c/CrruOrgUk_CRRU> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/cetacean-research-&-rescue-unit-crru-> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

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A request for any information of vessel/whale collisions in the ETP
by Nicola Ransome 20 Sep '17

20 Sep '17

Hello people of MARMAM, As part of my PhD I am compiling reports of historic and recent vessel collisions with large whales (mysticetes and sperm whales) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (from Baja California (Mex.) to Northern Peru). This area has a real absence of known published/recorded events when compared with Southern California, and indeed the whole west coast of the US and Canada. We know that ship strikes are occurring in parts of this range and we hope to increase the number of properly documented ship strikes events, to better understand the extent of the problem in this region. If there is anyone on this mailing list who would be willing to share information on known whale vessel collisions that have occurred in this area, it would be greatly appreciated. Any information, from stranding records, officially documented reported events to eye-witness anecdotal accounts, in either English or Spanish will be valued immensely. All information shared will be properly accredited. This is a data gathering exercise that will ultimately be compiled and provided to the IWC to coordinate with their ‘Strategic Plan to Mitigate the Impacts of Ship Strikes on Cetacean Populations’ and feed into their ship strike database. I thank you in advance for any help, Kind Regards, Nicola Ransome (nicola.ransome(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:nicola.ransome@murdoch.edu.au>) PhD Candidate Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia

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Brazilians Students travel grant for the 22nd Biennial Marine Mammal Conference in Halifax, October 2017
by Maria Emilia Morete 20 Sep '17

20 Sep '17

*Brazilians Students travel grant for the 22nd Biennial Marine Mammal Conference in Halifax, October 2017*. *VIVA Baleias, Golfinhos e cia* is offering one travel grant “VIVAGrant” in the amount of US$500.00 to a Brazilian Student. The grant will be awarded to a student presenting results of a non-invasive study leading to the improvement of the knowledge of endangered species and supporting conservation actions. Applicant must be a current student (undergraduate or graduate) and must be presenting oral or poster at the 22nd Biennial Marine Mammal Conference. Applicant should be attending a Brazilian Institution and conducting research in Brazil. Applicant *must not* have been contemplated by another travel grant. *Documents:* Applications should send an email to vivabaleiasgolfinhosecia(a)gmail.com containing: -a copy of the *accepted* abstract; -proof of inscription to the conference; -applicant Contact Information, name, mailing address, e-mail, phone numbers and affiliation; -proof of student, photo of the front and back of current student ID card; -a one-page CV. *Deadlines:* Deadline for submission: 27 September 2017. Award will be announced: 4 October 2017. The grant will be deposited on 5 October in “Reais” using the dollar exchange rate of the day, in the applicant´s current *Brazilian bank* account. *VIVA Baleias, Golfinhos e cia* is an independent Brazilian organization which aims to contribute to the preservation of aquatic mammals and their habitats in an ethical and responsible manner, researching and fomenting research, supporting students and young researchers, teaching and disseminating scientific information, raising awareness and sensitizing human beings, showing the problems and challenges that these animals face, and seeking solutions to protect them and keep them on the Planet. Thank you very much Mia Morete

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