August 2018 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: D-Track‹A semi-automatic 3D video-tracking technique to analyse movements and routines of aquatic animals with application to captive dolphins
by Patrícia Alexandra Rachinas Lopes 16 Aug '18

16 Aug '18

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New publication: Killer whale interactions with blue-eye trevalla longline fisheries
by Paul Tixier 15 Aug '18

15 Aug '18

Dear all, My co-authors and I are delighted to announce the publication of the article "Killer whale (Orcinus orca) interactions with blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) longline fisheries" in PeerJ available at: https://peerj.com/articles/5306/ Citation: Tixier P, Lea M-A, Hindell MA, Guinet C, Gasco N, Duhamel G, Arnould JPY. (2018) Killer whale (Orcinus orca) interactions with blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) longline fisheries. PeerJ 6:e5306 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5306 Abstract: Over the past five decades, marine mammal interactions with fisheries have become a major human-wildlife conflict globally. The emergence of longline fishing is concomitant with the development of depredation-type interactions i.e., marine mammals feeding on fish caught on hooks. The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is one of the species most involved in depredation on longline fisheries. The issue was first reported in high latitudes but, with increasing expansion of this fishing method, other fisheries have begun to experience interactions. The present study investigated killer whale interactions with two geographically isolated blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) fisheries operating in temperate waters off Amsterdam/St. Paul Islands (Indian Ocean) and south-eastern Australia. These two fisheries differ in the fishing technique used (vertical vs. demersal longlines), effort, catch, fleet size and fishing area size. Using 7-year (201016) long fishing and observation datasets, this study estimated the levels of killer whale interactions and examined the influence of spatio-temporal and operational variables on the probability of vessels to experience interactions. Killer whales interactions occurred during 58.4% and 21.2% of all fishing days, and over 94% and 47.4% of the fishing area for both fisheries, respectively. In south-eastern Australia, the probability of occurrence of killer whale interactions during fishing days varied seasonally with a decrease in spring, increased with the daily fishing effort and decreased with the distance travelled by the vessel between fishing days. In Amsterdam/St. Paul, this probability was only influenced by latitude, with an increase in the southern part of the area. Together, these findings document two previously unreported cases of high killer whale depredation, and provide insights on ways to avoid the issue. The study also emphasizes the need to further examine the local characteristics of fisheries and the ecology of local depredating killer whale populations in as important drivers of depredation. With kind regards Paul Paul Tixier, PhD Research Fellow ARC Linkage Project 2016 - 2020 "Developing global solutions to marine mammals - fisheries interactions" School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment Deakin University Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125 Tel: +61 (0)4 84 122 796 Email: p.tixier(a)deakin.edu.au<mailto:p.tixier@deakin.edu.au> Important Notice: The contents of this email are intended solely for the named addressee and are confidential; any unauthorised use, reproduction or storage of the contents is expressly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please delete it and any attachments immediately and advise the sender by return email or telephone. Deakin University does not warrant that this email and any attachments are error or virus free.

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2-day Marine Mammal GIS course using ArcGIS @ 2018 SOLAMAC Meeting, Lima, Peru.
by Federico Riet 15 Aug '18

15 Aug '18

Dear Colleagues I would like to announce a 2-day intensive (total of 18 hrs of training) GIS course will be held the 3rd and 4th of November prior to the start of the 2018 SOLAMAC Meeting in Lima, Peru. In this course you will learn how to make professional map using basic and more advance tools, such as Spatial Analysis, in ArcGIS. The course is based on exercises using marine mammal data and scenarios. The course will taught in Spanish and the number of participants are limited to maximum 17 people. This course is planned for people with limited or no GIS skills and/or people with some or no experience using ArcGIS. For more info about the course program, cost ,etc. please go to: http://solamac2018.com/ and click Workshops. Inquires or questions about the course please contact Federico Riet at: frietsapriza(a)gmail.com <mailto:frietsapriza@gmail.com> Regards, Federico

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Senior Scientist Position-Marine Stress & Ocean Health Program
by Rosalind Rolland 15 Aug '18

15 Aug '18

Dear Colleagues, We seek a dynamic, creative and accomplished Senior Research Scientist with a proven fundraising and publication record in the broad realm of ocean health to lead the Marine Animal Stress and Ocean Health (MSOH) Program in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life (ACCOL) at the New England Aquarium (NEAq). The MSOH Program was founded in 1999, and conducts ground-breaking research on ocean health in marine wildlife. The program includes a dedicated laboratory for marine endocrinology including studies of stress, reproductive and metabolic hormones in marine mammals and sea turtles. The successful candidate would be conducting cutting edge ocean health work in a complementary field of study. We particularly seek a candidate with experience scaling his/her work to the population and/or ecosystem level with a conservation-driven focus. The senior scientist position is expected to integrate his/her own established research program into a successful ACCOL legacy program/laboratory in stress and reproductive endocrinology, health assessment and ocean health, and collaborate with other research/conservation efforts across the ACCOL/NEAq. While salary coverage is available for this position, ACCOL senior scientific staff members must develop/maintain independent, externally-funded, and internationally-recognized ocean conservation research programs, with specific fundraising targets. For a complete position description and to apply, go to: https://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/860562.html Rosalind M. Rolland DVM Senior Scientist & Director of Ocean Health Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110 617-973-6587 Research Faculty School for the Environment UMASS-Boston http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/about-us/leadership/rosalind… http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/our-work/programs/marine-str… http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/our-work/research/marine-str… [cid:image001.png@01D4348F.379C39E0]

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Protected Resources Job Opportunity
by Jon Kurland - NOAA Federal 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region, Protected Resources Division, is advertising to fill a Marine Mammal Specialist position, ZP-401 band 2 (GS 7/9 equivalent) or band 3 (GS 11/12 equivalent). The division is responsible for the conservation and recovery of marine mammals including whales, fur seals, ice seals, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. The position will be located either in Anchorage or Juneau. The person hired for this job will work in a team environment to conduct analyses and implement conservation actions to promote the management and recovery of protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The job primarily involves conducting consultations with other federal agencies under section 7 of the ESA to assess and minimize impacts to listed species, with opportunities for engagement in other marine mammal conservation activities. We're looking for someone with excellent project management, analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills, and hopefully having experience with the MMPA and ESA. The announcements will be posted at www.usajobs.gov from August 15-28. Please encourage qualified people to apply. The job will be posted three ways: Recent Grad, #NMFS-AKR-2018-0018 (for applicants who completed a related degree within the past 2 years, or 6 years for veterans): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/507805700 MAP, #NMFS-AKR-2018-0019 (current or former federal civilian employees who hold or held non-temporary appointments in the competitive service): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/507809900 DE/CR, #NMFS-AKR-2018-0020 (all qualified US citizens or nationals): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/507810800 Anyone who has questions about the job should feel free to contact Aleria Jensen (aleria.jensen(a)noaa.gov, 907-586-7248) or me (jon.kurland(a)noaa.gov, 907-586-7638). Please forward this email to others who may be interested. Thanks! Jon Kurland Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region

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New publication: Toothed whale and shark depredation indicators in the southwest Indian Ocean
by Njaratiana Rabearisoa 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Rabearisoa, N., Sabarros, P.S., Romanov, E.V., Lucas, V., Bach, P., 2018. Toothed whale and shark depredation indicators: A case study from the Reunion Island and Seychelles pelagic longline fisheries. PLOS ONE 13, e0202037. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202037 **Abstract** Depredation in marine ecosystems is defined as the damage or removal of fish or bait from fishing gear by predators. Depredation raises concerns about the conservation of species involved, fisheries yield and profitability, and reference points based on stock assessment of depredated species. Therefore, the development of accurate indicators to assess the impact of depredation is needed. Both the Reunion Island and the Seychelles archipelago pelagic longline fisheries targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and tuna (Thunnus spp.) are affected by depredation from toothed whales and pelagic sharks. In this study, we used fishery data collected between 2004 and 2015 to propose depredation indicators and to assess depredation levels in both fisheries. For both fisheries, the interaction rate (depredation occurrence) was significantly higher for shark compared to toothed whale depredation. However, when depredation occurred, toothed whale depredation impact was significantly higher than shark depredation impact, with higher depredation per unit effort (number of fish depredated per 1000 hooks) and damage rate (proportion of fish depredated per depredated set). The gross depredation rate in the Seychelles was 18.3%. A slight increase of the gross depredation rate was observed for the Reunion Island longline fleet from 2011 (4.1% in 2007–2010 and 4.4% in 2011–2015). Economic losses due to depredation were estimated by using these indicators and published official statistics. A loss of 0.09 EUR/hook due to depredation was estimated for the Reunion Island longline fleet, and 0.86 EUR/hook for the Seychelles. These results suggest a southward decreasing toothed whale and shark depredation gradient in the southwest Indian Ocean. Seychelles depredation levels are among the highest observed in the world revealing this area as a “hotspot” of interaction between pelagic longline fisheries and toothed whales. This study also highlights the need for a set of depredation indicators to allow for a global comparison of depredation rates among various fishing grounds worldwide. This is an open access publicationavailable from: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0202037 Any request can be made to njaratiana.rabearisoa(a)ird.fr Cheers, Njaratiana -- Njaratiana RABEARISOA IRD UMR 248 MARBEC, Ob7 Station Ifremer Avenue Jean Monnet, CS 30171 34203 Sète cedex Tél : +33 (0)4 99 57 32 04

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New publication; Living apart together: Niche partitioning among Alboran Sea cetaceans
by Joan Giménez Verdugo 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

Dear colleagues, I thought you might be interested in our recently published article in Ecological Indicators. Giménez, J., Cañadas, A., Ramírez, F., Afán, I., García-Tiscar, S., Fernández-Maldonado, C., Castillo, J.J. & de Stephanis, R. (2018). Living apart together: Niche partitioning among Alboran Sea cetaceans. *Ecological Indicators*, *95*, 32-40. Abstract Co-occurring species are expected to distribute themselves unevenly throughout ecological niche dimensions to avoid competitive exclusion. However, few studies have previously investigated spatial and trophic factors structuring an entire cetaceancommunity. Here, we combined density surface models (DSMs) with two dimension (*δ*15N and *δ*13C) isotopic niche spaces in order to identify the mechanistic processes underlying niche partitioning for the most abundant cetacean species inhabiting the Alboran Sea: the long-finned pilot whale (*Globicephala melas*), the Cuvier’s beaked whale (*Ziphius cavirostris*), the Risso’s dolphin (*Grampus griseus*), the bottlenose dolphin (*Tursi ops truncatus*), the striped dolphin ( *Stenella* coeruleoalba), and the short-beaked common dolphin (*Delphinus delphis*). DSMs provide a spatially-explicit assessment of species distribution through key spatial and environmental gradients, whereas isotopic niches characterize habitat and resource use. Our isotopic niche approach pointed to habitat and/or trophic segregation between the small (striped and short-beaked common dolphins) and large-sized cetacean species (Risso’s and bottlenose dolphins, and long-finned pilot whales). Conversely, DSMs suggested a larger degree of spatial segregation among species by depth, with some overlap for offshore species (long-finned pilot, Cuvier’s beaked whales and Risso’s dolphins) and also between bottlenose and common dolphins. Thus, both components of the ecological niche apparently played an important role in explaining niche partitioning among species, which, in turn, might explain the high abundance and diversity of cetaceans in the Alboran Sea. Further, when both methodologies were applied in isolation, the structure and functioning of this cetacean community was poorly resolved. The combination of both approaches is therefore desirable when investigating niche partitioning among ecologically similar species within communities. Direct publication link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X18305417 Research Gate link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326606200_Living_ apart_together_Niche_partitioning_among_Alboran_Sea_cetaceans Best wishes, Joan -- *Joan Giménez, PhD* Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) Department of Conservation Biology Americo Vespucio Ave, s/n 41092 Sevilla (Spain) www.ebd.csic.es --- Personal website: http://gimenezverdugo.wixsite.com/joangimenez Research Gate: Joan Giménez <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Gimenez2> Phone: +34 619 176 849 ü Please consider the environment before printing this E-mail

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Call for submissions to Frontiers in Marine Science Special Issue 'Impacts of shipping on marine fauna'
by Joshua Smith 13 Aug '18

13 Aug '18

Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of Jessica Redfern, Christine Erbe, David Peel and myself as Guest Editors of the Frontiers in Marine Science Special Issue 'Impacts of shipping on marine fauna', we invite you to submit your manuscripts for consideration within this Research Topic. Detailed information on the Research Topic and the peer review submission process can be found on the Frontiers website at https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/8654/impacts-of-shipping-on-mar…. This Research Topic reflects the growing body of research working towards better understanding, quantifying, and managing shipping impacts on marine fauna and aims to cover a broad range of areas from ship strike and ship noise to eco--toxicological, biofouling and oil spill studies. All submissions are welcome and we invite you to distribute to your other colleagues and share widely. Abstract deadlines are at the end of September 2018 and submission of manuscripts end of January 2019. We look forward to receiving your submissions. Regards Joshua Smith (Guest Editor) Dr Joshua Smith Research Fellow, Murdoch University Josh Smith: Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit<http://mucru.org/group-member/josh-smith/> Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems Harry Butler Institute ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9912-422X

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New publication: A literature review examining the impacts of tourism on marine mammals
by Abigail Machernis 13 Aug '18

13 Aug '18

Dear MARMAM colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our literature review entitled, 'An updated literature review examining the impacts of tourism on marine mammals over the last fifteen years (2000-2015) to inform research and management programs.' *Abstract:* In 2000, Samuels et al. provided a comprehensive review of the scientific literature available at the time, which included 107 references related to the effects “swim-with dolphin” tours have on animals’ health and behavior. Over the last fifteen years, opportunities to view marine mammals in the wild have increased through commercial and private vessel-based platforms, in water “swim-with” activities, and land-based observation stations. Additionally, “structured” provisioning programs and illegal feeding interactions with a number of marine mammal species have increased. This current literature review updates and builds upon Samuels et al. 2000, by including almost 190 new references from 2000-2015 pertaining to swim-with activities, as well as vessel, land-based, and feeding interactions. The scope has also been expanded to include additional species of cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians. Our updated review highlights the major animal responses to viewing activities in four major themes: (1) behavior, (2) habitat use, (3) health, and (4) reproduction. Reoccurring responses documented in all four interaction themes include changes in animals’ behavioral budgets and ranging patterns, habitat displacement, avoidance behaviors, and reduced maternal care. Many studies highlighted the risks and effects associated with interactions, such as increased energetic demands, predation, acoustic disturbance, reduced juvenile survivorship, boat collision, and entanglement injuries. This updated literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of human-marine mammal interactions to date that can help guide future potential research projects and management strategies. *Citation*: Machernis, Abigail, J.R. Powell, L.K. Engleby, and T.R. Spradlin, 2018. An Updated Literature Review Examining the Impacts of Tourism on Marine Mammals over the Last Fifteen Years (2000-2015) to Inform Research and Management Programs. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SER-7:66 p. The full article is available online at: https://repository. library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/18117 All the best, Abigail Machernis *Abigail Machernis *Master of Environmental Management, 2014 Coastal Environmental Management Nicholas School of the Environment | Duke University *abigail <abigail.machernis(a)duke.edu>machernis(a)gmail.com <machernis(a)gmail.com>* (908) 256-1626

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**First Call - Submissions of candidate IMMA areas of interest for the Extended Southern Ocean region**
by MMPATF IMMA 13 Aug '18

13 Aug '18

**First Call - Submissions of candidate IMMA areas of interest for the Extended Southern Ocean region** Dear Subscribers, This is to announce the first public call for submissions of Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) areas of interest in the Extended Southern Ocean region. The deadline for all submissions is by midnight Sunday September 23rd 2018. The IMMA is a global initiative developed by the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (IUCN MMPATF). The aim of IMMA classification is to identify and delineate discrete areas of habitat throughout the world's seas and oceans, important for one or more species of marine mammal, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. This will require the application of a standardized process for the collation and categorization of evidence, using a consistent protocol and agreed methodology. The Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Islands, and North East Indian Ocean & South East Asian Seas regions were assessed in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Results of these workshops can be accessed via the dedicated IMMA e-Atlas facility www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas The next region to be assessed by invited experts will be held in Brest, France, during October 2018, at a specially convened regional IMMA workshop for the Extended Southern Ocean region. To assist those participating experts to investigated where IMMAs may be located the IUCN MMPATF would like to invite interested parties to submit proposals using the IMMA standard web platform, which can be accessed through the following link - https://goo.gl/LQ3VFh - please be advised that you can only submit one proposal per survey taken. However, should you wish to submit more than one proposal, please complete this survey multiple times using the same link provided. All submissions will be collated and presented to participating experts at the Extended Southern Ocean regional IMMA workshop in October 2018. The IUCN MMPATF would like to thank you for your interest in the IMMA initiative. Further information about IMMAs can be found at the Task Force homepage (www.marinemammalhabitat.org) and on the Task Force IMMA Facebook page (tinyurl.com/zr9rvf4) For any further questions or assistance please contact the IUCN-MMPATF at immacoordinator<at>gmail.com Dr Michael J. Tetley - IMMA Coordinator IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force

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