May 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Publication on Humpback Whale Pregnancy in Antarctica
by Logan Pallin 02 May '18

02 May '18

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication in the Journal of Royal Society Open Science: Pallin LJ, Baker CS, Steel D, Kellar NM, Robbins J, Johnston DW, Nowacek DP, Read AJ, Friedlaender AS. 2018 High pregnancy rates in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) around the Western Antarctic Peninsula, evidence of a rapidly growing population.R. Soc. open sci.5: 180017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180017 The article is available online at: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/5/5/180017 Abstract: Antarctic humpback whales are recovering from near extirpation from commercial whaling. To understand the dynamics of this recovery and establish a baseline to monitor impacts of a rapidly changing environment, we investigated sex ratios and pregnancy rates of females within the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) feeding population. DNA profiling of 577 tissue samples (2010–2016) identified 239 males and 268 females. Blubber progesterone levels indicated 63.5% of the females biopsied were pregnant. This proportion varied significantly across years, from 36% in 2010 to 86% in 2014. A comparison of samples collected in summer versus fall showed significant increases in the proportion of females present (50% to 59%) and pregnant (59% to 72%), consistent with demographic variation in migratory timing. We also found evidence of annual reproduction among females; 54.5% of females accompanied by a calf were pregnant. These high pregnancy rates are consistent with a population recovering from past exploitation, but appear inconsistent with recent estimates of WAP humpback population growth. Thus, our results will help to better understand population growth potential and set a current baseline from which to determine the impact of climate change and variability on fecundity and reproductive rates. cheers, Logan Pallin *Logan J. Pallin *| PhD Student NSF Graduate Research Fellow Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Santa Cruz Bio-Telemetry & Behavioral Ecology Lab <https://btbel.pbsci.ucsc.edu/> lpallin(a)ucsc.edu | (218) 591-0615

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New publication: From Patagonia to Galapagos: Blue whale migratory pathways
by Rodrigo Hucke G. 02 May '18

02 May '18

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased and excited to announce the recent publication of our paper: Hucke-Gaete R, Bedriñana-Romano L, Viddi FA, Ruiz JE, Torres-Florez JP, Zerbini AN. (2018) From Chilean Patagonia to Galapagos, Ecuador: novel insights on blue whale migratory pathways along the Eastern South Pacific. PeerJ 6:e4695 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4695 The article is freely available as open access here: https://peerj.com/articles/4695/ ABSTRACT Background: The most traditional scheme for migration among baleen whales comprises yearly migrations between productive waters at high latitude summer feeding grounds and warmer waters at lower latitudes where whales calve and mate, but rarely feed. Evidence indicates, however, that large departures from this scheme exist among populations and individuals. Furthermore, for some populations there is virtually no information on migratory pathways and destinations. Such is the case of Chilean blue whales throughout the Eastern South Pacific; hence, the goal of this study was to assess its migratory behavior. Methods: Dedicated marine surveys and satellite tagging efforts were undertaken during the austral summer and early autumn on blue whale feeding grounds off Chilean Northern Patagonia (CNP) during 2013, 2015 and 2016. Positional data derived from satellite tags regarding movement patterns and behavior were analysed using Bayesian switching first-difference correlated random walk models. Results: We instrumented 10 CNP blue whales with satellite transmitters and documented individual variation in departure time, northbound migratory routes and potential wintering grounds. The onset of migration occurred from mid/late austral autumn to well into the austral winter. Blue whales moved in various directions, but ultimately converged toward a general NW movement direction along a wide corridor exceeding 2,000 km. Area-Restricted Search behavior was exhibited within fjords and channels of CNP and also South of Galapagos Archipelago (GA) and northern Peru, but never during migration. Interestingly, dive profiles for one whale that reached GA showed a sharp and consistent increase in depth north of 5S and extreme deep dives of up to 330 m. Discussion: Information derived from satellite tagged blue whales in this study is the first of its kind off the Eastern Southern Pacific. Our results provide valuable information on their migratory timing, routes and behavior on their northbound migration, particularly regarding the varied migratory plasticity for this particular population. Our results also highlight the first record of two complete migratory paths between CNP and GA and strengthen the hypothesis that GA waters correspond to a potential wintering destination for CNP blue whales. We further hypothesize that this area might be selected because of its biological productivity, which could provide feeding opportunities during the breeding season. Our results suggest that special efforts should be put forward to identify blue whale critical areas and understand key behavioral aspects in order to provide the basis for their conservation on a regional context (i.e., reducing potential ship strike and promote Marine Protected Area (MPA) implementation in Chile, Ecuador and Peru). Indeed, we suggest joint blue whale conservation efforts at the regional level in order to identify and determine potential threats and impacts and, most importantly, implement prospective management actions. With kind regards, Dr. Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus isla Teja, 5090000, Valdivia, Chile. www.icml.uach.cl<http://www.icml.uach.cl>

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New publication: Echolocation click source parameters of Australian snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni) - de Freitas et al.,
by Mafalda dF 02 May '18

02 May '18

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. de Freitas, M., Smith, J. N., Jensen, F. H., Beedholm, K., and Madsen, P. T. (2018). “Echolocation click source parameters of Australian snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni),” J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 143, 2564–2569. doi:10.1121/1.5034174 ABSTRACT: The Australian snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni) is endemic to Australian waters, yet little is known about its abundance and habitat use. To investigate the feasibility of Passive Acoustic Monitoring for snubfin dolphins, biosonar clicks were recorded in Cygnet Bay, Australia, using a four-element hydrophone array. Clicks had a mean source level of 200 ± 5 dB re 1 μPa pp, transmission directivity index of 24 dB, mean centroid frequency of 98 ± 9 kHz, and a root-mean-square bandwidth of 31 ± 3 kHz. Such properties lend themselves to passive acoustic monitoring, but are comparable to similarly-sized delphinids, thus requiring additional cues to discriminate between snubfins and sympatric species. The article can be downloaded from the JASA site: https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.5034174 <https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.5034174> Alternatively, feel free to contact me directly for a PDF copy: mafalda.df(a)gmail.com <mailto:mafalda.df@gmail.com> Best, Mafalda de Freitas

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Close topic new paper on Amount, composition, and spatial distribution of floating macro litter in theMediterranean basin
by Antonella Arcangeli 02 May '18

02 May '18

Dear colleagues, giving the concern on the impact of marine debris on cetacean populations, we are pleased to share also with the scientific community working on cetaceans the following paper now available online: Arcangeli A., Campana I., Angeletti D., Atzori F., Azzolin M., Carosso L., Di Miccoli V., Giacoletti A., Gregorietti M., Luperini C., Paraboschi M., Pellegrino G., Ramazio M., Sarà G., Crosti R., 2018. Amount, composition, and spatial distribution of floating macro litter along fixed trans-border transects in the Mediterranean basin. Marine Pollution Bulletin 129 (2), 545-554. Abstract- Marine litter is a major <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/source-of -pollution> source of pollution in the Mediterranean basin, but despite legislative requirements, scant information is available for the ongoing assessment of this threat. Using higher size classes as proxy for litter distribution, this study gave a synoptic estimation of the amount, composition, and distribution of floating macro-litter in the Mediterranean. The average amount of macro-litter was in a range of 25 items/km2, with the highest in the Adriatic basin. Seasonal patterns were present in almost all study areas and were significant in the Ligurian Sea, Sardinian-Balearic basin, and Central Tyrrhenian Sea. Plastic accounted for > 80% of litter in all areas and seasons, with the highest proportion in the Adriatic Sea, Ligurian Sea, and Sicilian-Sardinian Channels; in the Bonifacio Strait, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Sardinian-Balearic basin, litter composition was instead more diverse. <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/spatial-a nalysis> Spatial analysis suggested an almost homogeneous distribution of litter without evident regular aggregation zones. The paper can be found in open access for 50 days here: <https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1WyM2,ashmKd7> https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1WyM2,ashmKd7 Hoping that this little piece can help improving our knowledge for the conservation of cetaceans and the marine ecosystem. Sincerely, antonella *********************************************** Antonella Arcangeli PhD ISPRA BIO Dep. - Environmental conservation and monitoring Via Brancati 60 00144 Rome Italy <mailto:/antonella.arcangeli@isprambiente.it/> antonella.arcangeli(a)isprambiente.it ph. +39.06.50074470 mob. +39.349.3272200 ***********************************************

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Offshore Underwater Noise Monitoring (as a part of Marine Mammal Mitigation) - Europe and Africa region.
by Nick Robinson 01 May '18

01 May '18

Further to the announcement on MARMAM last month and the successful award of a number of Underwater Noise Monitoring projects, Seiche Environmental is interested in hearing from consultants that have previous experience of Offshore Underwater Noise Monitoring in the European and African markets and that have immediate availability. The Noise Monitoring Operator will be responsible for the safe operation and servicing of Underwater Noise Monitoring equipment which will consist of: * Deployment and recovery of fixed Acoustic Recording Units (ARU) on seabed moorings, * Calibration and Oceanographic measurements, and, * Data Quality Control, storage and transportation. For further information and registration please contact our HR team on offshorevacancies(a)seiche.com<mailto:offshorevacancies@seiche.com> Nick Robinson Business Manager Seiche Environmental Ltd Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom T: +44(0)1409 404050 M: +44(0)7590 844363 Registered in England & Wales No. 10612696, 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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