June 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on bioacoustics discrimination of delphinid in the western South Atlantic Ocean
by Thiago Amorim 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new publication titled "Integrative bioacoustics discrimination of eight delphinid species in the western South Atlantic Ocean" in PlosOne. Abstract This study presents an integrative bioacoustics approach to discriminate eight species of odontocetes found on the outer continental shelf and slope of the western South Atlantic Ocean. Spinner, Atlantic spotted, rough-toothed, Risso’s, bottlenose, short-beaked common dolphins, killer and long-finned pilot whales were visually confirmed during recordings with a 3-element omnidirectional hydrophone array. Spectral and time parameters of whistles and echolocation clicks were used in a discriminant function analysis and a classification tree model. As a first step, whistles and clicks were analysed separately; a further analysis consisted of both vocalisations jointly classified. All species showed species-specific properties in their vocalisations. Whistles had greater misclassification rates when compared to clicks. The correct classification was enhanced by the joint step, given the 5.8% error in the discriminant function analysis and a misclassification rate of 18.8% in the tree model. In addition, Receiver Operating Characteristic curves resulting from the tree algorithm analysis exhibited better model efficiency for all species in the joint classification. These findings on acoustical discrimination of such abundant and cosmopolitan species contribute to delphinid classification systems. This is the link where you can download the paper: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217977 Best regards, Thiago ________________________________________________ Thiago Amorim Laboratory of Bioacoustics and Behavioral Ecology - LABEC Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF

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New publication: Predicting large-scale habitat suitability for cetaceans off Namibia using MinxEnt
by Pauline De Rock 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

Dear all, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following research in Marine Ecology Progress Series: *Predicting large-scale habitat suitability for cetaceans off Namibia using MinxEnt* Authors: P. De Rock, S.H. Elwen, J.P. Roux, R.H. Leeney, B.S. James, V. Visser, M.J. Martin, T. Gridley This is an output of research conducted by the Sea Search group and the associated Namibian Dolphin Project. *Abstract: * Knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of cetaceans is particularly important for conservation and management, but is still limited within Namibian waters. We collated 3211 cetacean records from the Namibian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the period 2008 to 2016 and applied the principle of minimum cross entropy (MinxEnt) to predict habitat suitability. MinxEnt is a generalised form of maximum entropy modelling that allows incorporation of additional information such as sampling bias. The habitat suitability of 9 cetacean species or species groups (5 odontocete species, 2 mysticete species and 2 taxonomic groups: pilot whales *Globicephalus* spp. and balaenopterids Balaenopteridae spp.) were predicted per season, in relation to environmental variables likely to drive cetacean presence: sea surface temperature, chlorophyll *a* concentration, water depth or distance to shore, seabed slope and habitat complexity. The environmental variable which most frequently influenced habitat suitability was depth, which was the main environmental driver for bottlenose dolphin *Tursiops truncatus*, humpback *Megaptera novaeangliae* and southern right whales *Eubalaena australis*. Further, Heaviside’s dolphin *Cephalorhynchus heavisidii* habitat was best predicted by distance to shore in all seasons, while common dolphin *Delphinus delphis* and the balaenopterid group habitats were best predicted by habitat complexity, and sperm whale *Physeter macrocephalus* habitats by chlorophyll *a* concentration. We identify distinct spatial patterns in habitat suitability for different species and provide baseline maps which can be used by managers of wildlife resources. The full article can be downloaded from this link: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v619/p149-167/ Kind regards, Pauline De Rock

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Manatee Photo-identification Internship
by Johnson, Jennifer 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

Manatee Photo-identification Internships The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency. For more information about FWRI, please visit: http://www.myfwc.com/research/. FWRI's manatee photo-identification research focuses on long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The program's primary goal is to document individual manatees, which allows us to estimate annual adult survival and reproductive rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use and behavior. Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, entering information into databases, scanning data sheets and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based; however, during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to data entry, assisting with manatee genetics research, special projects and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency. Two positions are available each year: one in winter (November to March) and one in summer (May to September). Start and end dates are flexible; however, a minimum commitment of four weekdays per week for four months is required. Work hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the institute. Positions are open until filled, and priority will be given to candidates who can commit for longer periods. Qualifications: * Computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred. * Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters and lenses preferred but not required. * The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment. * A valid U.S. Driver's License. * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods. If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required: * A cover letter describing the internship you are applying for; area(s) of academic/research interest; and the dates, days, and hours of availability. * A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience. * Current academic transcripts. (unofficial are sufficient) * Names and contact information for three references. Please submit application items as an e-mail attachment to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Interns@MyFWC.com> If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to: Internship Coordinator FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020 Applicants may contact FWRI's Manatee Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Kari.Rood@MyFWC.com>, 727-502-4737) with questions regarding the internship.

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New publication: sonar tags deployed on southern elephant seals (Goulet et al. 2019)
by Pauline Goulet 15 Jun '19

15 Jun '19

> > Dear all, > > My co-authors and I are pleased to present our recently published paper on > the development of a low-power integrated sonar, GPS and movement tag which > successfully recorded organism abundance and detailed predator-prey > interactions on southern elephant seals. > > > > The article can be accessed here > https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1ZDGM3RueHPvOT > > > > Goulet, P., Guinet, C., Swift, R., Madsen, P. T., & Johnson, M. (2019). A > miniature biomimetic sonar and movement tag to study the biotic environment > and predator-prey interactions in aquatic animals. *Deep Sea Research > Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers*, *148*, 1–11. > https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.04.007 > > > Abstract: > > How predators find, select and capture prey is central to understanding > trophic cascades and ecosystem structure. But despite advances in > biologging technology, obtaining in situ observations of organisms and > their interactions remains challenging in the marine environment. For some > species of toothed whales, echoes from organisms insonified by echolocation > clicks and recorded by sound logging tags have provided a fine-scale view > of prey density, and predator and prey behaviour during capture attempts, > but such information is not available for marine predators that do not > echolocate. Here the development and performance of a miniature biomimetic > sonar and movement tag capable of acquiring similar data from > non-echolocating marine predators is reported. The tag, weighing 200 g in > air, records wide bandwidth sonar data at up to 50 pings a second > synchronously with fast-sampling sensors for depth, acceleration, magnetic > field and GPS. This sensor suite enables biotic conditions and predator > behaviour to be related to geographic location over long-duration foraging > trips by apex marine predators. The sonar operates at 1.5 MHz with a 3.4° > beamwidth and a source level of 190 dB re 1  μPa at 1 m. Sonar recordings > from a trial deployment of the tag on a southern elephant seal contained > frequent targets corresponding to small organisms up to 6 m ahead of the > tagged animal. Synchronously sampled movement data allowed interpretation > of whether the seal attempted to capture organisms that it approached > closely while the high sonar ping rate revealed attempts by prey to escape. > Results from this trial demonstrate the ability of the tag to quantify the > biotic environment and to track individual prey captures, providing > fine-scale information on predator-prey interactions which has been > difficult to obtain from non-echolocating marine animals. > > > Pauline Goulet and coauthors > > > *Pauline Goulet, Sea Mammal Research Unit, St Andrews, UK, > pg48(a)st-andrews.ac.uk > > >

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First Announcement and Save the Date: First International Workshop on Marine Mammal Conservation Translocations
by Marine Mammal Translocations 15 Jun '19

15 Jun '19

Greetings Marine Mammal Conservation Community- We are excited to announce the First International Workshop on Marine Mammal Conservation Translocation which will be held in the lead up to the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona, Spain. *Workshop Details:* Date: Dec 5-6, 2019 Time: 9 AM - 5 PM Venue: Hotel Barcelona Princess (subject to change) Cost: Estimated at 45 euro/ 50 USD (subject to change and currently working to reduce rate for student participants) *Workshop Objectives:* 1) Normalize translocation as a potential tool to help in the conservation and management of marine mammals 2) Review historical and ongoing translocation programs (terrestrial and marine) and share justifications and reasons for successes and failures 3) Develop a series of broad and taxa-specific best practices to help inform current and future translocation programs to increase the probability of success 4) Develop a set of criteria to identify marine mammal taxa that may benefit from 5) Disseminate information on translocations to the marine mammal conservation and research community. *Who Should Attend:* Experts in marine mammal conservation, taxa specialists working on species that are undergoing or may require conservation translocations now or in the future, students interested in discussions about applied conservation activities, NGO's interested in the future of marine mammal conservation. *Call for Presentation/Posters:* We are looking for subject matter experts to present on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: 1) Taxa specific translocation case studies - objectives, methods, outcomes, and lessons learned. 2) Species in crises that may be candidates for conservation translocations 3) Policy experts for legal considerations for conservation translocation planning 4) Zoo and Aquaria and other expertise that can provide insight on aspects of conservation translocations or other special considerations (ex. temporary holding, transport, physiology etc.) 5) And more. *More Information:* More information will be coming soon. In the interim you can visit the Marine Mammal Conservation Translocation Advisory Group at marinemammaltranslocation.org. You can also email us at info(a)marinemammaltranslocation.org Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you in Barcelona. Cheers, Charles Littnan on behalf of the Marine Mammal Conservation Translocation Advisory Group

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Southeast Florida Manatee Internships
by Beard, Shelby 15 Jun '19

15 Jun '19

The Southeast manatee field station is currently seeking candidates for one Fall/Winter 2019-2020 internship and one Winter/Spring 2020 internship! Application deadline for Fall/Winter is July 7th and deadline for Winter/Spring is September 1st. Interns will assist with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research in South Florida. The Southeast Field lab is offering two internships: one 6 month term for the Fall/Winter 2019-2020 session and one 6 month term for the Fall/Winter 2020 session. The expected start date for the Fall/Winter 2019-2020 internship will be around October 1st and the start date for the Fall/Winter 2020 session will be around January 2nd. Start dates will be flexible. Working hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some nights and weekends required. The position is located in Tequesta (east coast of Florida, just north of Palm Beach). The intern’s duties include assisting with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research in South Florida. Interns will assist with manatee and cetacean field necropsies, temperature monitoring research, and conduct manatee photo ID. Interns will also complete mortality and rescue reports and assist with other office and public outreach work as needed. To perform the duties of the position, interns will operate trucks, trailers, and boats up to 22' in length. The intern is required to complete a project and present a 10-15 minute presentation at the end of their internship. Qualifications: Junior or senior college students and recent graduates are eligible. Applicants should have some research field experience; be able to drive large trucks; be computer literate; be comfortable speaking to the public; and be proficient in the use of digital cameras, telephoto lenses, and filters. Previous animal-handling experience is preferred. Ability to trailer flatbeds and boats, as well as operate watercraft up to 22' in length is desirable. Interns must possess a valid driver's license, be able to lift 50 pounds, and be able to swim. Applicants should understand that this internship will require them to be wet, dirty, and outdoors in all weather conditions. This position is unpaid and housing is not provided. Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the field station. If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required: • A cover letter describing area(s) of interest and the dates, days, and hours of availability • A résumé describing training and experience • A list of three references • An unofficial copy of your academic transcript Please send these items as e-mail attachments to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Interns@MyFWC.com> Or mail hard copies to: Internship Coordinator Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020 http://myfwc.com/research/manatee/research/internships-volunteers/se-fl-int… Shelby Beard OPS Biological Scientist 1 – Marine Mammals Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 19100 SE Federal Highway, Tequesta, FL 33469 Cell: (772) 216-5407 Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922

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Notice of Publication
by Fearey, Jack 15 Jun '19

15 Jun '19

Co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following research in Animal Cognition. This is an output of research conducted by the Sea Search Research and Conservation group. Identification of potential signature whistles from free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in South Africa Authors: J. Fearey, S. H. Elwen, B. S. James & T. Gridley *Abstract: * Conveying identity is important for social animals to maintain individually based relationships. Communication of identity information relies on both signal encoding and perception. Several delphinid species use individually distinctive signature whistles to transmit identity information, best described for the common bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*). In this study, we investigate signature whistle use in wild common dolphins (*Delphinus delphis*). Acoustic recordings were analysed from 11 encounters from three locations in South Africa (Hout Bay, False Bay, and Plettenberg Bay) during 2009, 2016 and 2017. The frequency contours of whistles were visually categorised, with 29 signature whistle types (SWTs) identified through contour categorisation and a bout analysis approach developed specifically to identify signature whistles in bottlenose dolphins (SIGID). Categorisation verification was conducted using an unsupervised neural network (ARTwarp) at both a 91% and 96% vigilance parameter. For this, individual SWTs were analysed type by type and then in a ‘global’ analysis whereby all 497 whistle contours were categorised simultaneously. Overall the analysis demonstrated high stereotypy in the structure and temporal production of whistles, consistent with signature whistle use. We suggest that individual identity information may be encoded in these whistle contours. However, the large group sizes and high degree of vocal activity characteristic of this dolphin species generate a cluttered acoustic environment with high potential for masking from conspecific vocalisations. Therefore, further investigation into the mechanisms of identity perception in such acoustically cluttered environments is required to demonstrate the function of these stereotyped whistle types in common dolphins. pdfs can be downloaded from this link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-019-01274-1 <http://links.springernature.com/f/a/plQS24p9chX2hsUFr5A8cw~~/AABE5gA~/RgRe4…> Kind Regards

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New papers from coastal and offshore waters of Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia
by burnhamr＠uvic.ca 14 Jun '19

14 Jun '19

My co-author and I are happy to share two new papers. The first is a short note to present findings from passive acoustic recordings from the coastal study area of the Whale Research Lab, and the second is taken from results from a more offshore survey. 1. Acoustic PredatorPrey Reaction: Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) Acoustic Response to Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) A short note: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.45.3.2019.340 2. Fin Whale Call Presence and Type Used to Describe Temporal Distribution and Possible Area Use of Clayoquot Sound Passive acoustic recordings can identify whale species presence and behaviour in an area over time. Here a combination of moored and mobile receivers were used for acoustic surveillance of the deep-coastal and offshore waters of Clayoquot Sound, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. This study adds to the acoustic record of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) presence in the Canadian Pacific. Whale calls are a proxy for presence, and call type is an indicator of behaviour and habitat use. The recordings suggest a change in behaviour and social context of whales in this area as winter progresses to spring. There is a distinct temporal separation in call type used by fin whales, whereby recordings taken between December and late February are dominated by the 20-Hz pulse, while the 40-Hz call is prevalent in early spring (MarchApril). The presence of doublet song sequences is also noted for the winter recordings. The use of 20-Hz song sequences and 40-Hz calls suggest this area is used for both breeding and feeding behaviours. For 40-Hz especially, the calls are most frequently recorded along the continental shelf break, and areas of topographical complexity that may entrain prey. This study adds to the little that is known of fin whale presence and use of this area. Further works will continue to add to our knowledge of distribution and habitat use of fin whales in the northeastern Pacific as populations recover from whaling. https://doi.org/10.3955/046.093.0106 The publications are at the websites above, or I am happy to provide a PDF Thanks Rianna Burnham, PhD

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Fall internships - Whale and Dolphin Conservation, North America
by Monica Pepe 14 Jun '19

14 Jun '19

WDC North America (NA), located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers internships and field volunteer positions providing research, policy, education, and advocacy experience in working for an international non-profit organization. We are currently seeking applicants to fill 1-2 positions for the fall 2019 season, beginning as early as August 1st. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, July 2nd at 11:59PM EDT. The WDC internship/volunteer program aims to help participants hone their outreach and data collection and organization skills, while also gaining an introduction to all aspects of working with a conservation non-profit organization. Successful candidates are included in everything from field research to office administration. All interns gain experience with public speaking by interacting with passengers aboard whale watching vessels and participating in school talks and other public outreach events throughout the year. Additionally, interns will assist with written communication efforts including social media, blogs, and supporter directed communications. Other potential opportunities include attending workshops/conferences and responding to stranded marine mammals, though these are not guaranteed opportunities. This program exposes interns to real world experiences that will help them develop the skills and understanding needed to succeed in the field of marine mammal conservation and research. Participants will gain an in-depth perspective of this field and a better understanding of where their interests lie. Through this internship, a number of skills are developed including analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. As part of the field work experience, interns will learn species identification, behavioral sequencing, data collection, and photo identification research techniques on marine mammals in the southern Gulf of Maine. They will also have the opportunity to go out on commercial whale watching boats several times per week (field season is April - October) to photograph and record sightings of humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as other notable marine wildlife. The frequency of fieldwork is weather dependent. Days in the office will be spent uploading photos and data into our photo identification database or working on any tasks that may be assigned. There is no fee or compensation for the internship/volunteer positions. Participants must arrange for their own transportation to and from Plymouth and provide their own food. Limited housing with a shared bedroom is available on site for a monthly fee of $300 USD, which is strictly to offset the cost of housing. Assistance can be provided in finding alternate housing at the request of the applicant, and those that can provide their own housing are encouraged to apply. WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program through their college or university. The program requires a minimum commitment of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extending the term on a case-by-case basis. The internship is a full time position requiring open and flexible availability. Applicants should make sure they clearly indicate their availability (specific dates, if possible) in their cover letter. International applicants interested in the internship program must be able to secure their own travel Visa and other required documentation. Candidate Requirements * Fluency in English. * Must be 18 years or older (preference given to students matriculated in or recently graduated from appropriate graduate or undergraduate degree programs.) * Be able to show proof of valid health insurance. * Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team. * Capable of spending long days in an office environment. * Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require physical labor. * Willing to work in adverse weather conditions * Good computer skills - familiarity with operating PCs. * Excellent verbal and written communications skills. * Ability to function well under pressure. * Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people of all walks of life * Ability to problem solve in unanticipated situations. * Ability to relay scientific information to the general public in an understandable way * Possession of a valid driver's license is strongly preferred. * Familiarity with literature research protocols is beneficial. For more details, including application instructions and our Privacy Notice, visit https://us.whales.org/wdc-na-internship-residential-volunteer-program/ Monica Pepe Policy Manager Conservation and Education Telephone: +1 508 746 2522 Skype monica.c.pepe WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation 7 Nelson Street Plymouth MA 02360-4044 United States whales.org<http://whales.org> [WDC - Protecting Whales and Dolphins for over 30 years]<https://whales.org/> [WDC on Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/uswhalesorg> [WDC North America on Twitter] <https://www.twitter.com/whales_org_NA> [WDC on Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/whales_org> [WDC on YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/wdcsuk> [WDC Blogs] <https://us.whales.org/category/news/> [WDC E-Newsletter] <https://us.whales.org/> [WDC on GuideStar]<https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0749188> ________________________________ Whale and Dolphin Conservation ("WDC"), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360-4044 Tel: +1 (508) 746-2522 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. ________________________________

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New paper - PorCC Porpoise classifier
by Mel Cosentino 14 Jun '19

14 Jun '19

Dear MARMAMers On behalf of myself and my co-authors, I am pleased to announced our new publication titled "Porpoise click classifier (PorCC): A high-accuracy classifier to study harbour porpoises (*Phocoena phocoena*) in the wild" in JASA. You can get a copy using the link below or by contacting me directly. *Abstract* Harbour porpoises are well-suited for passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) as they produce highly stereotyped narrow-band high-frequency (NBHF) echolocation clicks. PAM systems must be coupled with a classification algorithm to identify the signals of interest. Here, the authors present a harbour porpoise click classifier (PorCC) developed in matlab, which uses the coefficients of two logistic regression models in a decision-making pathway to assign candidate signals to one of three categories: high-quality clicks (HQ), low-quality clicks (LQ), or high-frequency noise. The receiver operating characteristics of PorCC was compared to that of PAMGuard's Porpoise Click Detector/Classifier Module. PorCC outperformed PAMGuard's classifier achieving higher hit rates (correctly classified clicks) and lower false alarm levels (noise classified as HQ or LQ clicks). Additionally, the detectability index (d′) for HQ clicks for PAMGuard was 2.2 (overall d′ = 2.0) versus 4.1 for PorCC (overall d′ = 3.4). PorCC classification algorithm is a rapid and highly accurate method to classify NBHF clicks, which could be applied for real time monitoring, as well as to study harbour porpoises, and potentially other NBHF species, throughout their distribution range from data collected using towed hydrophones or static recorders. Moreover, PorCC is suitable for studies of acoustic communication of porpoises. Link = https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5110908 Best, Mel and co-authors -- *Mel Cosentino* *PhD Student - **Bioacoustics * *University of Strathclyde* *Dept Electronic and Electrical Engineering* "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - E. Burke GNU Terry Pratchett

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