July 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Posting: WCS, Ocean Giants Program Postdoctoral Researcher Fellow
by Marine Program 12 Jul '19

12 Jul '19

Hello MARMAN Community, The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Giant Program is seeking a Postdoctoral level researcher to work primarily on an acoustic monitoring project in the New York Bight. The primary focus of the project is detection, classification and potentially localization of cetacean vocalizations, as well as characterization of ambient noise using archival and near-real time recording technology. The data sets will include both historic and planned recordings from near-real time acoustic monitoring buoys deployed as part of a project to detect and alert in near real-time the presence of the four key species of large whales present in the New York Bight (North Atlantic Right Whale, humpback whale, fin whale and sei whale). Analysis of the archival data as well as other acoustic data sets collected from recorders placed elsewhere in the New York Bight will involve both manual and automated methods for documenting all vocalizing marine mammal species. For the full job posting and instructions on how to apply, please visit: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25965&siteid… Have a good weekend! Marine Conservation Program Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10460 718-741-8156

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IMMEDIATE OPENING - manatee intern
by Beard, Shelby 12 Jul '19

12 Jul '19

The Southeast manatee field station currently has an IMMEDIATE opening for a 2019 summer/fall internship! Position will be open until filled. Interns will assist with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research in South Florida. The expected start date will be as soon as possible. Working hours will typically be Sunday-Thursday, 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 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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New publication: Acoustic crypsis in southern right whale mother-calf pairs: infrequent, low-output calls to avoid predation?
by Mia Lybkær Kronborg Nielsen 12 Jul '19

12 Jul '19

Dear All, We are very pleased to announce the publication of the following article in the Journal of Experimental Biology: Nielsen, M. L. K., Bejder, L., Videsen, S. K. A., Christiansen, F and Madsen P.T. (2019) New publication: Acoustic crypsis in southern right whale mother-calf pairs: infrequent, low-output calls to avoid predation? J. Exp. Biol. 222, jeb190728. doi:10.1242/jeb.190728 Abstract: Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) invest substantial amounts of energy in their calves, while facing the risk of having them predated upon by eavesdropping killer whales (Orcinus orca). We tested the hypothesis that southern right whale mother–calf pairs employ acoustic crypsis to reduce acoustic detectability by such predators. Specifically, we deployed multi-sensor DTAGs on nine lactating whales for a total of 62.9 h in a Western Australian breeding ground, and used a SoundTrap to estimate the concomitant acoustic background noise. Vocalisations were recorded at low rates of <10 calls h−1 (1 call per dive) and at low received levels between 123±8 and 134±10 dB re. 1 μPa RMS depending on call type. We conclude that such acoustic crypsis in southern right whales and other baleen whales decreases the risk of alerting potential predators and hence jeopardizing a substantial energetic investment by the mother. The article is available online in the JEB issue 222, 2019. If you don’t have access, please feel free to email me for a pdf. Sincerely, Mia L. K. Nielsen Mia L. K. Nielsen, M.Sc. Marine Bioacoustics Lab / https://marinebioacoustics.wordpress.com/ <https://marinebioacoustics.wordpress.com/> Aarhus University, Denmark

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New paper: right whale foraging energetics
by Julie van der Hoop 12 Jul '19

12 Jul '19

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new paper out in Functional Ecology: Foraging rates of ram‐filtering North Atlantic right whales Julie M. van der Hoop Anna E. Nousek‐McGregor Douglas P. Nowacek Susan E. Parks Peter Tyack Peter Teglberg Madsen https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13357 <https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2435.13357…> Abstract (French abstract available on web) • North Atlantic right whales spend their summer months foraging primarily in American and Canadian Atlantic waters on high‐energy‐density prey. Here, they rapidly accumulate and store energy obtained within a few months to support future migrations and reproduction while fasting. High drag from their ram‐filter foraging strategy places a limit on what prey densities will be energetically efficient to target. • Our understanding of the volume of prey‐laden water filtered by right whales during a dive or foraging bout, and what information they use to decide to forage or not, has been limited by the difficulties of measuring when they feed at depth, how fast they swim during continuous ram filtration and how often they might swallow accumulated prey. • We used 10 DTAG deployments from right whales in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, to quantify swimming speeds and estimate the volume of prey‐laden water filtered per dive. We used the tag's inertial sensors to evaluate the timing of frequent biomechanical changes that likely indicate the truncation of continuous filtration, and whether the number or timing of these fluking bouts relates to longer feeding dives or other foraging decisions. • During foraging dives, right whales descended at 1.4 (±0.2 SD) m/s and slowed to swim at 1.1 (±0.3) m/s while filtering. We found consistent pauses in the fluking behaviour of foraging right whales, every 56 (±22) s. Whales filtered on average 78 (±30) m3 of water per fluking bout and on average 673 (±201) m3 per dive. • Right whales filter large volumes of water at low speeds with a high duty cycle, but require sufficiently high prey energy densities to compensate for a high‐drag foraging strategy. Closely related bowhead whales have a larger gape but swim more slowly, filtering greater volumes with lower drag. Our findings highlight that right whales acquire their energy in a relatively short period of intense foraging; even moderate changes in their feeding behaviour or their prey energy density are likely to negatively impact their yearly energy budgets and therefore reduce fitness substantially. A plain language summary can be found here <https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=1…>. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a pdf of the paper if needed. Best, Julie ---------------------------------------------------------- Julie van der Hoop Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow Aarhus University, Aarhus DK www.marinebioacoustics.com

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Modelling dolphin distribution within an Important Marine Mammal Area in Greece to support spatial management planning
by Silvia Bonizzoni 11 Jul '19

11 Jul '19

Dear colleagues, we are pleased to announce the publication of the paper: Bonizzoni S., Furey N.B., Santostasi N.L., Eddy L., Valavanis V.D., Bearzi G. 2019. Modelling dolphin distribution within an Important Marine Mammal Area in Greece to support spatial management planning. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.3148 ABSTRACT 1. Understanding marine mammal distributions is essential for conservation, as it can help identify critical habitat where management action can be taken. The semi-enclosed Gulf of Corinth, Greece, has been identified as an Important Marine Mammal Area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, based on the regular occurrence of odontocete populations. A 7-year (2011-17) dataset of boat-based surveys was used to model and predict the distribution of striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, and common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the entire Gulf (2400 km2). 2. Multiple geographic, bathymetric, oceanographic, and anthropogenic variables were incorporated in a combined generalized additive model and generalized estimation equation (GAM-GEE) framework to describe dolphin occurrence and produce distribution maps. 3. Modelling indicated that striped and common dolphins prefer deep waters (>300 m) in the central and southern part of the Gulf, whereas bottlenose dolphins prefer shallow waters (<300 m) and areas close to fish farms along the northern-central shore. 4. Model-based maps of the predicted distribution identified a preferred habitat encompassing most of the Gulf, also revealing: (i) hot spots of dolphin distribution covering about 40% of the Gulf's surface; (ii) an almost complete overlap of striped and common dolphin distribution, consistent with the hypothesis that common dolphins modified their habitat preferences to live in mixed species groups with striped dolphins; (iii) a clear partitioning of striped/common and bottlenose dolphin habitat; and (iv) the important role played by fish farms for bottlenose dolphins, consistent with studies conducted elsewhere in Greece. 5. Evidence provided by this study calls for area-specific and species-specific management measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts. Please contact me directly at <silvia.bonizzoni(a)gmail.com> for a PDF copy or questions. --Silvia - - - - - - - Silvia Bonizzoni Dolphin Biology and Conservation <http://www.dolphinbiology.org/>

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Please participate if possible: 2019 Assessment of DOSITS Resources for the International Decision-Making Community
by Holly Morin 11 Jul '19

11 Jul '19

**apologies for cross-postings** The Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS; www.dosits.org <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dosits.org&d=DwMFAw…>) project provides accurate scientific information related to underwater sound for all audiences, including regulators and decision-makers. In addition to a comprehensive website on underwater sound, DOSITS products include interactive webinars (archived to the DOSITS website); interactive eBooks; instructional videos; fact sheets; and structured, online tutorials. To identify high need topics and formats for future resource development, a brief (~12-minute), anonymous survey <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.surveymonkey.com_r…> has been created. The DOSITS Team would like to gather as many responses as possible so that the needs of the U.S. and international regulatory community are fully understood. Your responses will directly influence and help focus DOSITS’ continuing development efforts. All members of international decision-making community (government employees, federal and state contractors, NGO employees, and industry representatives that deal with underwater sound and/or marine animals) are encouraged to complete this survey. Responses will be collected through Monday, July 22, 2019. To complete the 2019 DOSITS Needs Assessment for the International Decision-Making Community, please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNFRJB8 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.surveymonkey.com_r…> This survey is being conducted by the DOSITS Team at the University of Rhode Island. If you have questions please contact Christopher Knowlton, cknowlton(a)uri.edu <mailto:cknowlton@uri.edu>.

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New publication: Fat Embolism and Sperm Whale Ship Strikes
by MARINA ARREGUI GIL 10 Jul '19

10 Jul '19

Dear colleagues, On behalf of the animal pathology laboratory of the Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety of the Univeristy of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we are please to announce the publication of the article “Fat embolism and sperm whale ship strikes”, in which the presence of lung fat emboli was proven a reliable diagnostic tool of ante-mortem ship-strikes. Unfortunately, the number of ship strikes in the Canaries have increased in the last months, coincidentally with an increase in the number of fast ferry routes. It is paramount to have an accurate diagnosis of these cases, so further action can be taken by the corresponding authorities. The article is freely available from: <https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00379> https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00379/full Abstract: Strikes between vessels and cetaceans have significantly increased worldwide in the last decades. The Canary Islands archipelago is a geographical area with an important overlap of high cetacean diversity and maritime traffic, including high-speed ferries. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), currently listed as a vulnerable species, are severely impacted by ship strikes. Nearly 60% of sperm whales’ deaths are due to ship strikes in the Canary Islands. In such cases, subcutaneous, muscular and visceral extensive hemorrhages and hematomas, indicate unequivocal antemortem trauma. However, when carcasses are highly autolysed, it is challenging to distinguish whether the trauma occurred ante- or postmortem. The presence of fat emboli within the lung microvasculature is used to determine a severe “in vivo” trauma in other species. We hypothesized fat emboli detection could be a feasible, reliable and accurate forensic tool to determine ante-mortem ship strikes in stranded sperm whales, even in decomposed carcasses. In this study, we evaluated the presence of fat emboli by using an osmium tetroxide (OsO4) based histochemical technique in lung tissue of 24 sperm whales, 16 of them with evidence of ship strike, stranded and necropsied in the Canaries between 2000 and 2017. About 70% of them presented an advanced autolysis. Histological examination revealed the presence of OsO4-positive fat emboli in 13 out of the 16 sperm whales with signs of ship strike, and two out of eight of the ‘control’ group, with varying degrees of abundance and distribution. A classification and regression tree was developed to assess the cut off of fat emboli area determining the high or low probability for diagnosing ship-strikes, with a sensitivity of 89% and a specifity of 100%. The results demonstrated: 1) the usefulness of fat detection as a diagnostic tool for “in vivo” trauma, even in decomposed tissues kept in formaldehyde for long periods of time; and 2) that, during this 18-year period, at least, 81% of the sperm whales with signs of ship strike were alive at the moment of the strike and died subsequently. This information is highly valuable in order to implement proper mitigation measures in this area. Best regards, Marina Arregui Antonio Fernández Marina Arregui Gil PhD Student Centro Atlántico de Investigación de Cetáceos, Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria, Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Campus Universitario Cardones de Arucas, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria España Email: marina.arregui(a)ulpgc.es Antes de imprimir este correo electrónico, piense bien si es necesario hacerlo: el medio ambiente es una cuestión de todos. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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Bring your voice - Save the Vaquita Rally - Washington, DC - July 12, 2019
by Desray Reeb 10 Jul '19

10 Jul '19

Dear MARMAM community, Research is important, but your voices need to be heard!! In honor of International Save the Vaquita Day (Saturday July 6, 2019), we will be holding a rally outside the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1911 Pennsylvania Ave, NW) on July 12, 2019 from 8-10:00am. The latest CIRVA report estimates that there are less than 22 (*TWENTY-TWO*) vaquita left in existence! *Extinction is preventable!* Without enforcement and dedicated efforts to vanquish illegal fishing from the Gulf and continued efforts to remove deadly fishing nets, the only vaquitas to be seen will be those in pictures and on banners asking for protection we never achieved for them! These illegal fishing activities are not only killing vaquitas, but are putting the entire ecosystem at risk. Please join us as we continue to challenge the Mexican government to make good on its promise to save the vaquita by (1) imposing a permanent ban on all types of gillnet fishing gear in vaquita habitat and (2) stepping up enforcement. Come put on a t-shirt and help us educate and take action to save the vaquita! It’s their very last chance...Now is the time for your voice to be heard and counted. *Make the difference!* Next year may be too late. *Rally details:* *Where*: Mexican Embassy, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC *When*: 8:00-10:00 AM, Friday, July 12 *Directions:* Click here for the Google Map <https://goo.gl/maps/qCp3nRvB5i92> *Nearest Metro:* Farragut West (blue, orange, silver lines) *What to wear:* Participants will receive a free Save the Vaquita T-shirt (while supplies last) *What to bring:* Water, sunscreen, enthusiasm! We'll have signs, but feel free to bring your own tasteful sign (nothing rude or overly negative). Please do not block the sidewalk or step into the road during the rally. *RSVP:* awi(a)awionline.org or on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/201162623850689/> or Eventbrite <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awis-annual-rally-to-save-the-vaquita-tickets-…> *For more information on the rally go to*: https://awionline.org/action-ealerts/awis-annual-rally-save-vaquita https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awis-annual-rally-to-save-the-vaquita-tickets-… https://www.facebook.com/events/mexican-embassy/awis-annual-rally-to-save-t… *For more information on vaquita go to:* https://www.awionline.org/press-releases/world-heritage-committee-designate… http://www.iucn-csg.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CIRVA-11-Final-Report-6-… http://www.vivavaquita.org/assets/thomasetal.2017(jasa)2.pdf *¡Viva la Vaquita!*

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Call for research participants - Ecology & Behavior of endangered whales off NW Spain
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 09 Jul '19

09 Jul '19

On behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) , I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications to participate as research assistant in our "Endangered whales research project". BACKGROUND - The research project aims to investigate the ecology and behaviour of blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, and humpback whales off the NW coast of Spain. This research project will be carried out between August and November 2019, aiming to contribute to extend the scant information available about the distribution and behaviour of these species of whales in the North-east Atlantic. The mission of the BDRI since 2005 is to contribute to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the marine environment in which they live. Our field research experience and commitment to research, education, and conservation make our center an important source of knowledge about marine biodiversity and the environment for scientists, decision-makers, students and the public. Since 2014 the BDRI performs systematic surveys to monitor charismatic marine mega-fauna in one of the most productive oceanic regions in the world (Galician waters, NW Spain). PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - This research experience offers an excellent opportunity for interested and motivated people to obtain field and laboratory experience in marine mammal research methodology under the mentorship of experienced scientists. Boat-based observation surveys will be carried out, between 1st August until 1st November 2019, during daylight hours and in good sea conditions (up to 4 on the Beaufort wind force scale, wave height smaller than 1.5 m, and visibility not reduced by rain or fog). Onboard a 12m fly-bridge research vessel, participants will record data on presence and behavior of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), and oceanographic variables. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants will be also trained to get involved with other research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys (from two research vessels), land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc). The participants will have the opportunity to study the ecology of blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, harbour porpoises, risso's dolphins, killer whales, striped dolphins, minke whales, and the Eurasian otter. The BDRI office is located in a pleasant research centre located in O Grove, Galicia (Spain). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. BDRI internships are not paid and this research experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, and shared accommodation. The fee reflects the real world costs and expenses that go into making the "Endangered whales research project" possible and the training placement worthwhile. For more information and details, feel free to send us an e-mail to: info(a)thebdri.com BDRI’s reputation for success rests solidly on its ability to carry out studies published in prestigious scientific journals. Scientific articles published by the BDRI team during 2019 (for a full list of publications please visit: <https://www.thebdri.com/papers.html>): - Diaz Lopez, B., Methion, S. (2019). Habitat drivers of endangered rorqual whales in a highly impacted upwelling region. Ecological Indicators, 103: 610 – 616. - Methion, B., Diaz Lopez, B. (2019). First record of atypical pigmentation pattern in fin whale Balaenoptera physalus in the Atlantic Ocean. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. DOI: 10.3354/dao03385 - Diaz Lopez, B., Methion, S., & Giralt Paradell, O. (2019). Living on the edge: Overlap between a marine predator’s habitat use and fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic waters (NW Spain). Progress in Oceanography, 175: 115 – 223. - Methion, S., Diaz Lopez, B. (2019). Natural and anthropogenic drivers of foraging behaviour in bottlenose dolphins: influence of shellfish aquaculture. Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3116. - Giralt Paradell O, Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, (2019) Modelling common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) coastal distribution and habitat use: insights for conservation. Ocean and Coastal Management. DOI:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104836 - Diaz Lopez, B. (2019) "Hot deals at sea": responses of a top predator (Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) to human-induced changes in the coastal ecosystem. Behavioural Ecology 2 (3), 291-300. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary162 Bruno Díaz López Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684248552 Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Mention us on Twitter. 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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Rare Pinniped Conservation Network (RAPCON) workshop at WMMC
by Jason Baker - NOAA Federal 08 Jul '19

08 Jul '19

Greetings! We would like to make you aware of a workshop at the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona on 7 December 2019. The workshop is entitled "Rare Pinniped Conservation Network (RAPCON)". Details and registration can be found at https://www.wmmconference.org/workshops/. The workshop will focus on the rarest species, sub-species, and demographically isolated populations that are at risk of extinction or reduction to irrevocably low population levels in the relatively near future. The species share one or more of the following characteristics: · Relatively low abundance (typically < 15,000 individuals) · Current or recent declining population trends · Long-term failure to recover · Small geographic range · Subject to a suite of anthropogenic threats Many rare pinniped populations are the subject of recovery and research efforts executed by teams of extremely devoted conservationists. These programs have achieved a great deal for their respective subject species by employing clever and innovative research and conservation approaches. Despite the broad geographic range of these pinniped populations, the scientific and management challenges associated with them are often uncannily similar. These conservation programs largely work in isolation from one another and could potentially achieve more through broader collaboration. *Workshop Objectives:* · Launch RAPCON in order to foster and sustain collaboration among individuals working to conserve rare pinniped populations globally · Provide a forum for pinniped conservationists and other interested people to connect · Showcase a sampling of pinniped conservation efforts from around the world through invited oral presentations · Share expertise and foster networking at topical workstations (interactive demonstrations and discussions), possibly including Photo-ID systems, Rehabilitation and Health Studies, Demographic Analysis, Telemetry *Who should attend:* We have directly contacted many experts known to us that work on the conservation of rare pinniped populations. However, our current network is surely not exhaustive, so if we missed you, we regret the oversight and welcome your participation. We also welcome students and professionals interested in learning about, or becoming involved in, the conservation of rare pinnipeds. Hope to see you in Barcelona! Jason Baker and Samantha Simmons

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