December 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New gray whale publications
by burnhamr 09 Dec '19

09 Dec '19

My co-author and I are happy to announce the publication of two new papers of the acoustic ecology of gray whales. The first:"Gray whale calling response to altered soundscapes drive by whale watching activities in a foraging area" is published the Journal of Ocean Technology and can be found here: https://www.thejot.net/article-preview/?show_article_preview=1090 Abstract: The gray whale (_Eschrichtius robustus_) is subject to elevated ambient noise in much of its range.Here we characterized the acoustic environment of a summer foraging bay, also used for nursing and weaning, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This area is also subject to whale watching.We examined changes in whale call number, rate, and structure received on a passive acoustic monitoring system deployed in an altered acoustic landscape. In particular, increased anthropogenic noise was examined, using representative 1/3 octave frequency bands generated by whale watching vessels and float planes.Whale watching traffic significantly shaped the acoustic landscape of the foraging locale, with distinct diurnal patterns in ambient noise. Calling rate (calls/hour/individual) was unchanged relative to the ambient condition, yet the number of core calls heard in the recordings increased,and the number of motherese-type calls decreased with elevated ambient noise. Calls were generally lower in frequency and shorter in length in increased ambient noise conditions. This may represent a calling response or a masking effect from the noise additions. It shows, however, that calling between conspecifics could be affected by human-derived noise additions. Similar changes in received calls were seen in periods of increased wind and wave noise, although less so for abiotic natural, than anthropogenic noise. Changes in calling, or accuracy in call reception and interpretation, may negatively influence prey acquisition, conspecific communication, and reunion of cow-calf pairs. The second: "The use of passive acoustic monitoring as a census tool of gray whale (_Eschrichtius robustus_) migration" is available from Ocean and Coastal Management here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569119309391?via… Abstract: Passive acoustic monitoring adds to knowledge of whale presence and distribution over space and time. The gray whale (_Eschrictius robustus_) undertakes an annual migration between remote feeding and breeding locales, with its highly sonorous nature suggesting employment of low-frequency calls to be inherent to travel behaviours, perhaps aiding navigation and social cohesion. We consider whether these calling behaviours can be used to better understand the process of migration, where call presence and relative abundance might represent a means to track the progress of migrating whales. Passive acoustic recordings made on the west coast of Vancouver Island, a mid-way point of gray whale migration, were first analysed for abundance over time to examine the progression of migration. Then the acoustic record was compared to shore-based recordings undertaken from Point Vincente, California to better assess their use as a census tool. The timing in peaks of calling, particularly of far-ranging moan-like calls, and shore counts showed a high degree of congruence when considered with a lag time of 8 days to account for travel time between the two survey locations. This suggests that passive acoustic monitoring could complement the long running and shore-based counts in recording annual population movement, and add to our understanding of gray whales on poorly known segments of their migration route or at times when visual observations are not possible. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the papers further and are at the WMMC in Barcelona please find my self or my co-author, with both have poster presentations. I am happy to also answer over email and provide pdf copies of the papers. Rianna Burnham, PhD

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT - PSOs/MMOs
by Thomas Norris 09 Dec '19

09 Dec '19

*Protected Species/Marine Mammal Observers (PSOs/MMOs)* *Job Title:* Marine Mammal/Protected Species Observers Level I and Level II (Junior & Senior) *Job Location:* Location: Seal Beach (Orange County) *Period of Performance:* Starting Jan/Feb 2020; ending Dec 2022 *General Description:* This is a pile-driving/dredging monitoring & mitigation project being conducted in Anaheim Bay, near Seal Beach, CA, and possibly in San Diego Bay, CA. *Detailed Job Description:* Junior and Senior Protected Species Observers are needed for a land-based monitoring of protected marine species for mitigation of dredging, pile driving and other marine construction activities inside protected harbors and bays in Southern California, USA. PSOs will utilize standard marine mammal and sea turtle observation methods to record all incidents of marine mammal and green sea turtle occurrences and will document any behavioral reactions in relation to construction (e.g. dredging and pile-driving) activities. Observations will be recorded using paper data-forms or electronic data forms via a laptop computer or tablet. Work is expected to begin early 2020 (exact dates TBD) and continue until approximately Dec 2022. Observation and monitoring activities may be conducted around the clock (day and night). Most of the monitoring activities are expected to occur Monday through Friday (M-F) and for the Anaheim bay project mostly during the daytime (an 8-hour period). However, some observation activities may involve work outside of regular working hours including weekends and nighttime. This job will involve long, tedious and sometimes monotonous work outside in the elements in all seasons and weather conditions (including periods of rain) that can occur in Southern California. Shifts typically will be limited to 4-6 hours but multiple shifts, sometimes exceeding 8 hours per day might be possible. *Requirements/Skills:* A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent job experience) or higher in the biological, environmental, or physical sciences is required. Other degrees may be considered based on work experience. Field experience, either via university course work, or relevant job experiences is preferred but not required. A. Prior experience working as a marine PSO or similar job is preferred. B. Experience or training in the field identification of marine mammals and sea turtles, including the identification of behaviors is desirable but not required. C. Visual acuity in both eyes (correction is permissible), sufficient for the discernment of moving targets (e.g. marine mammals and turtles) at the water’s surface with the ability to estimate animal size and distance; use of binoculars will be required. Familiarity with SLR cameras is preferable. D. Ability to conduct field observations for long periods outdoors and to collect systematic data according to protocols is necessary. E. Writing skills that are sufficient to prepare and review reports of observations; F. Good oral and communication orally, by radio or in person, is needed. G. Ability to take precise and detailed data in a consistent manner. H. Must have the ability to work a flexible work schedule throughout the entirety of the performance period. Some overnight and weekend shifts may be required. I. PSO training, orientation, and safety training for work around construction operations will be provided to workers prior to start of work. J. Must be U.S. citizen, have a green card (Lawful Permanent Resident Card) or a work visa and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). K. Hiring is dependent on passing DOD/Navy government background check. Pay and Benefits Pay and employment status will be non-exempt hourly wages. Pay rates will start at ~$20.00 per hour and will be determined based on experience with opportunity for performance-based increases. Positions are temporary based and contractual. Health Care and other benefits will not apply. A food allowance and accommodations may be provided for the Anaheim Bay Project (TBD). No allowances will be provided for the San Diego Bay project. To apply, send résumé or CV (3 pages or less) to: jobs(a)bio-waves.com *Please do not call or otherwise contact us. We will confirm receipt and contact you to request a phone or in-person interview if we are interested.* Bio-Waves inc. www.bio-waves.net

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Upcoming conference: OCEANOISE2020
by Peter Sigray 09 Dec '19

09 Dec '19

Dear colleagues, We announce with great pleasure that OCEANOISE2020 will be held next year in Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona, Spain) from 25-29 May 2020. OCEANOISE2020 invites you to join the conference to share information on new science regarding marine mammals. OCEANOISE is a “conference with a difference”, as it aims at maximizing the dissemination of new science and promoting cross-discipline interaction, and where the marine mammals community plays an important role. On behalf of OCEANOISE2020 Science and Organising Committees, we have the pleasure to invite the marine mammals community to visit http://oceanoise.com <http://oceanoise.com/> for more information. A call for abstracts as well as registration directions will soon be released. With kind regards, Michel André, Peter Sigray & Tom Akamatsu OCEANOISE2020 Chairs

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Article: Cetacean biodiversity in the Bay of Biscay: Suggestions for environmental protection derived from citizen science data. Marine Policy.
by Liam Matear 09 Dec '19

09 Dec '19

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce that the following article has been published in *Marine Polic*y: Matear, L., Robbins, J.R., Hale, M., Potts, J. (2019). Cetacean biodiversity in the Bay of Biscay: Suggestions for environmental protection derived from citizen science data. *Marine Policy. **109*:103672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103672 Abstract: Cetacean communities face significant threats from adverse interactions with human activities such as bycatch, vessel collision, and environmental pollution. Monitoring of marine mammal populations can help to assess and safeguard marine biodiversity for future generations. Traditional surveys can be costly and time-consuming to undertake, but we explore the ability of citizen science to inform environmental assessments and subsequent conservation management. We use data collected from platforms of opportunity within the Bay of Biscay to investigate spatial changes in cetacean diversity, with the aim of identifying hotspots which may be suitable for further investigation and conservation. Seventeen species of cetaceans were recorded over a ten year period, many of which are data deficient in European waters (e.g. Bottlenose dolphin, Short-beaked common dolphin, Striped dolphin, Risso's dolphin, Long-finned pilot whale, Killer whale, Northern bottlenose whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, Sowerby's beaked whale and True's beaked whale). Biodiversity (determined by Simpson's Diversity index) ranged from 0.19 to 0.77. The central and southern areas of the survey area indicated the highest biodiversity (0.65–0.77), and these locations may benefit most from protection as Important Marine Mammal Areas. We present a case for this designation, and discuss the benefits and limitations of citizen science for informing conservation action. This article can be accessed via the following link, but feel free to contact me (Liam.Matear(a)myport.ac.uk) for a PDF. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X19302313 Kind regards, Liam Matear

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New MSc in Statistical Ecology
by Theoni Photopoulou 08 Dec '19

08 Dec '19

New MSc in Statistical Ecology St Andrews University now offers an MSc Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Statistical Ecology. These programmes (one year full-time or two years part-time) are taught by staff at the world-leading Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) <https://www.creem.st-andrews.ac.uk/>. They are designed to give students a solid understanding of the statistical foundations of modern statistical ecology methods and to equip them with the skills to use these methods effectively, or to pursue a research career in statistical ecology. Those working with marine mammals will find the training in distance sampling, mark-recapture, movement modelling and spatial modelling particularly relevant. CREEM <https://www.creem.st-andrews.ac.uk/> collaborates with researchers across the globe and the MSc incorporates a summer research dissertation that includes an optional placement, with collaborators either in the UK or (at additional cost) abroad. Placements are designed to connect theoretical training with real field studies and professionals, and to give hands-on experience using these methods under the supervision of experts, including some of the leading researchers in this field. We also have an innovative and flexible dissertation format, that can include producing a podcast, web page, poster, field report, training materials, or a short film. Further information, including details of entry requirements and how to apply can be found here: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/statistics/statistical-ecology-msc/#6… Applicants may also apply for a fee waiver. If successful, their course fee will be covered by the University. Details will be posted at the above website shortly. -- Theoni Photopoulou, Newton International Fellow Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology University of St Andrews SOI on Monday, Tuesday and Friday - CREEM on Wednesday and Thursday

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New Paper Australian humpback dolphin Social Structure
by Liz Hawkins 08 Dec '19

08 Dec '19

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new article published in the Journal of Marine Mammal Science. Elizabeth R. Hawkins, Lara Pogson-Manning, Christian Jaehnichen, Justin J. Meager (2019) ‘Social dynamics and sexual segregation of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in Moreton Bay, Queensland’, Marine Mammal Science, DOI: 10.1111/mms.12657 Abstract: “Understanding the social organization of coastal dolphins, particularly those that reside adjacent to major cities and urbanized regions, is important for understanding the vulnerability of populations to human impacts. We investigated the sexual segregation and social dynamics in a population of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) inhabiting the near-urban embayment of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Over 160 vessel-based surveys, 148 adults were photographically identified. This included 116 assumed females and 32 assumed males. The population was sexually segregated (SSAS = 0.52, P < 0.001) and individuals preferred to associate with others of the same sex occupying the same spatial area (P < 0.025). Association indices between paired males were almost double those of females (x ̅ HWI = 0.09; SD = 0.04 and x ̅ HWI = 0.05; SD = 0.02 respectively). However, females were more gregarious than males and maintained a larger network of associates based on preferred companionships. The social network was also modular with five clusters identified, and a limited number of individuals had a disproportionate influence on connectivity between clusters. This highly fragmented social network implies that the population may be vulnerable to social disruptions from human impacts”. The article is available from the journal website. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this article. Best Wishes Liz Elizabeth Hawkins, PhD Executive Officer Founding Director Dolphin Research Australia, Inc. PO Box 1960 Byron Bay, NSW, 2481 E-mail: <mailto:liz@dolphinresearchaustralia.org> liz(a)dolphinresearchaustralia.org Ph: (02) 6676 1473 Mobile: 0407 646 069 Website: <http://www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org/> www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org ABN: 42095866467 ** Dolphin Research Australia Inc. is a marine conservation, education & research charity –find out more about us & how you can help at <http://www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org/> www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org **

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Cal State Monterey Bay course: Intro to Animal Training
by Stefani Skrovan 07 Dec '19

07 Dec '19

for posting, please *Develop a Career Working with Animals * * January 13th-19th, 2019 Bio 148:* *Intro to Animal Training:* This 3 to 4 credit course, open to any high school graduate, is designed to assist people who are interested in developing a career in marine mammalogy. Explores the field of animal training from a psychological and a technical perspective. Provides a theoretical background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying captive animal behavior. Topics include the history and ethics of animal use and training, and practical animal training techniques. Students intern at least one day at Moss Landing Marine Labs assisting in the care and training of research-trained sea lions. For more information and to sign up please visit*: * <https://csumb.edu/winter/moss-landing-marine-mammal-course-winter> https://csumb.edu/winter/moss-landing-marine-mammal-course-winterCSUMB Winter Courses <https://csumb.edu/winter/moss-landing-marine-mammal-course-winter> -- Stefani Skrovan Curator of Animals Moss Landing Marine Labs https://animaltraining.us/ Animal Training and Research Intl. 8272 Moss Landing Rd Moss Landing CA 95039 831-771-4191

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Job: Assistant Professor - Florida- marine mammal researcher welcome!
by ROBERT HEGNA 07 Dec '19

07 Dec '19

Palm Beach Atlantic University Location: West Palm Beach, Florida- USA Start Date: August 2020 Application Date: December 20, but open until filled Type: Full- time Description: The Department of Biology in the School of Arts & Sciences is seeking an Assistant Professor of Biology. We seek candidates with areas of expertise in botany, organismal biology, molecular biology, genomics, general biology, and animal physiology. Other specialties will also be considered. The faculty member will teach general biology courses and labs, as well as classes in their area of expertise. Excellent teaching is required. Limited research with undergraduate students is expected. Qualifications: Ph.D. preferred. Contact Robert Hegna (robert_hegna(a)pba.edu) with any questions about the position Application details found here: https://www.pba.edu/human-resources/faculty-admin-positions.html

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New publication: An illuminating idea to reduce bycatch in the Peruvian small-scale gillnet fishery
by Jeffrey C. Mangel 06 Dec '19

06 Dec '19

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication in Biological Conservation: Alessandra Bielli, J. Alfaro-Shigueto, P.D. Doherty, B.J. Godley, C. Ortiz, A. Pasara, J.H. Wang, J.C. Mangel. An illuminating idea to reduce bycatch in the Peruvian small-scale gillnet fishery. 2019. Biological Conservation. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108277 Abstract: Found in the coastal waters of all continents, gillnets are the largest component of small-scale fisheries for many countries. Numerous studies show that these fisheries often have high bycatch rates of threatened marine species such as sea turtles, small cetaceans and seabirds, resulting in possible population declines of these non-target groups. However, few solutions to reduce gillnet bycatch have been developed. Recent bycatch reduction technologies (BRTs) use sensory cues to alert non-target species to the presence of fishing gear. In this study we deployed light emitting diodes (LEDs) - a visual cue - on the floatlines of paired gillnets (control vs illuminated net) during 864 fishing sets on small-scale vessels departing from three Peruvian ports between 2015 and 2018. Bycatch probability per set for sea turtles, cetaceans and seabirds as well as catch per unit effort (CPUE) of target species were analysed for illuminated and control nets using a generalised linear mixed-effects model (GLMM). For illuminated nets, bycatch probability per set was reduced by up to 74.4 % for sea turtles and 70.8 % for small cetaceans in comparison to non-illuminated, control nets. For seabirds, nominal BPUEs decreased by 84.0 % in the presence of LEDs. Target species CPUE was not negatively affected by the presence of LEDs. This study highlights the efficacy of net illumination as a multi-taxa BRT for small-scale gillnet fisheries in Peru. These results are promising given the global ubiquity of small-scale net fisheries, the relatively low cost of LEDs and the current lack of alternate solutions to bycatch. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108277 Please contact us if you have any questions: bielli.alessandra(a)gmail.com Jeffrey_mangel(a)yahoo.com Kind regards, Jeffrey C. Mangel, PhD ProDelphinus Calle Jose Galvez 780-E Lima 15074, Peru Tel: +51-1-2413081 <http://www.prodelphinus.org/> www.prodelphinus.org <http://www.facebook.com/ProDelphinus> ProDelphinus on Facebook <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeffrey_Mangel> ResearchGate profile Skype: mangelman

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European whales, dolphins and porpoises: conservation in practice
by Peter Evans 06 Dec '19

06 Dec '19

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT European Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: Marine Mammal Conservation in Practice by Peter GH Evans. Academic Press/Elsevier, San Diego & Cambridge, USA & Oxford, UK. 305pp. ISBN: 978-0-12-819053-1. This book presents a close view of the workings of an international conservation agreement to protect marine mammals, detailing its achievements over the last 25 years, whilst identifying weaknesses and making recommendations that governments, scientists, marine stakeholders and the public can take to improve conservation efforts. The first regional conservation agreement for marine mammals was signed in 1992. ASCOBANS (Agreement for the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, Northeast Atlantic, Irish and North Seas) promotes close cooperation between countries with a view to achieving and maintaining a favourable conservation status for Europe’s small whales, dolphins and porpoises throughout the Agreement Area. Ten European countries have now become Parties to the Agreement. The 25th anniversary of the signing of the ASCOBANS Agreement is celebrated by a volume that not only sums up everything that the agreement stands for but also demonstrates the wealth of cetacean species inhabiting the region. It aims to be both attractive and accessible to a wide range of interested parties, whilst conveying up to date information on status, distribution & trends of species, methods used to study them, all the major conservation threats, and protective measures that can be taken. There are 280 illustrations – photographs, maps and graphs, many of which have not been published before, and boxed features written by a variety of key players in the Agreement’s history drawn from UNEP, governments, major environmental NGOs, senior marine mammal scientists, and conservationists from all around Northern Europe. Contents Foreword, by Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1. History of the Agreement – background to its inception, key political developments, relationships to other treaties, conventions, agreements etc. Chapter 2. Conservation Agreements around the World, that aid the protection of cetaceans – relevant legislation in the ASCOBANS Agreement Area – EU Habitats Directive, EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, OSPAR, Helsinki Convention, ACCOBAMS. And ranging outside Europe: IWC, US Marine Mammal Protection Act, legislation in Canada, Australia & New Zealand Chapter 3. Regional Review of Agreement Area – celebration of the diversity of species occurring in Northern Europe, and the ecological context in which they occur Chapter 4. Systematic List with species accounts including description, range, distribution, ecology, abundance estimates, conservation threats Chapter 5. Conservation problems facing small cetaceans in the Agreement Area – review of the main threats along with trends: hunting, fisheries by-catch, resource depletion, contaminants, sound disturbance, vessel strikes, recreation and climate change Chapter 6. Research in the Agreement Area - investigating population structure, counting animals, photo-identification, acoustic studies, post-mortem examinations from stranded animals., including illustrated case studies with their findings Chapter 7. Conservation actions – actions to reduce hunting, resource depletion, fisheries by-catch, contaminants, sound disturbance, vessel strikes, recreation, climate change; engagement with EC on by-catch mitigation, establishment of marine protected areas, conservation plans for porpoise in the Baltic and North Sea. Chapter 8. Focus on the future - conservation goals and challenges for ASCOBANS and European governments to address. Mae croeso i chi gysylltu gyda'r Brifysgol yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg You are welcome to contact the University in Welsh or English Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig 1141565 - Registered Charity No. 1141565 Gall y neges e-bost hon, ac unrhyw atodiadau a anfonwyd gyda hi, gynnwys deunydd cyfrinachol ac wedi eu bwriadu i'w defnyddio'n unig gan y sawl y cawsant eu cyfeirio ato (atynt). Os ydych wedi derbyn y neges e-bost hon trwy gamgymeriad, rhowch wybod i'r anfonwr ar unwaith a dilewch y neges. Os na fwriadwyd anfon y neges atoch chi, rhaid i chi beidio a defnyddio, cadw neu ddatgelu unrhyw wybodaeth a gynhwysir ynddi. Mae unrhyw farn neu safbwynt yn eiddo i'r sawl a'i hanfonodd yn unig ac nid yw o anghenraid yn cynrychioli barn Prifysgol Bangor. Nid yw Prifysgol Bangor yn gwarantu bod y neges e-bost hon neu unrhyw atodiadau yn rhydd rhag firysau neu 100% yn ddiogel. 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