September 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

2020 - Internships at Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 20 Sep '19

20 Sep '19

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute, a research institution dedicated since 2005 to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the marine environment in which they live, is now accepting applications for its Internship Program 2020. Our scientific 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, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the public. This training experience provides the opportunity for highly motivated individuals to work with and learn from a multidisciplinary team of marine mammal scientists, including internationally renowned investigators. We offer participants their first experience of a marine megafauna long-term project by involving them in the routine activities associated with different research projects. The position is located in O Grove (Galicia, NW Spain). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - An internship period at the BDRI offers an excellent opportunity for interested and motivated people to obtain field and laboratory experience in marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, sharks, and otters) field research methodology and data analysis. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants are trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). While you’ll benefit from specialized research training, you’ll need the drive to make the most of our research programs working side by side with the chief biologist (Dr. Bruno Diaz Lopez), and other experienced researchers (Severine Methion, PhD candidate & marine ecologist and Oriol Giralt, PhD candidate & marine biologist). The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in Galician waters allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of cetaceans (bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales), marine birds, Eurasian otters, and sharks. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Internships are open to applicants 18 years of age or older. An academic background in biology, veterinary or natural science, coupled with motivation and interest in marine research make the most qualified individuals. Start and end dates are flexible depending on the needs of the institute and the intern’s availability, but the position requires a minimum of 30 days continuous commitment sometime between January 2020 through to November 2020. Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. BDRI internships are not paid and this training experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, shared accommodation, and other expenses. The fee reflects the real world costs and expenses that go into making the research program possible and the BDRI Internship Program worthwhile. HOW TO APPLY - Interested candidates should submit an e-mail to info(a)thebdri.com, and we will provide you further information about the program. Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Positions are open until filled (maximum 15 vacancies). For more information and details, please visit: <https://www.thebdri.com/internships.html> Some of our ex-interns shared their BDRI internship experience at: <https://youtu.be/UAuO2XasBnw> For regular updates with photos and videos about our programs and research activities feel free to visit <https://www.facebook.com/thebdri/> 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 in 2019 (for a full list of publications please visit: <https://www.thebdri.com/papers.html>): - Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (2019) Individual foraging variation drives social organization in bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Ecology. doi:10.1093/beheco/arz160 - 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, 135:121-125. - 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 29(6), 927-937. - 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 179, 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. Bruno Diaz Lopez 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 (thebdri). Follow us on Instagram (thebdri). Mention us on Twitter (thebdri). 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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Job Vacancies at SMRU Consulting North America for senior acoustician and software engineer
by Dominic Tollit 19 Sep '19

19 Sep '19

Job Vacancies at SMRU Consulting North America for senior acoustician and software engineer SMRU Consulting NA are looking for a senior acoustician and a software engineer. Posts are full-time and permanent with salary commensurate with experience. Please see the details in the relevant job postings found here: http://www.smruconsulting.com/job-vacancies/ * Software Engineer<http://d92381143ccd30809f56ed62.smruconsulting.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/up…> * Senior Acoustician<http://d92381143ccd30809f56ed62.smruconsulting.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/up…> Apply: Please send us a covering letter telling us why you would be a great hire together with a copy of your resume to: info(a)smruconsulting.com<mailto:info@smruconsulting.com> Closing date: 15th October 2019 Thanks for your response. Dr Jason Wood Operations Manager SMRU Consulting NA

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Call for potential contributors - Special issue on small cetacean conservation in Frontiers in Marine Science
by Jeremy KISZKA 19 Sep '19

19 Sep '19

Dear MARMAM subscribers A number of colleagues and I are conducting an initial survey of interest to identify potential contributors for a Research Topic for the journal Frontiers in Marine Science (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__aus01.safelinks.protec…>) entitled Small Cetacean Conservation: current challenges and opportunities. With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area. Here is a description of this Research Topic. Small Cetacean Conservation: current challenges and opportunities There are currently 47 extant species of dolphins and porpoises worldwide. They occur throughout a range of ecosystems, from freshwater habitats to the open ocean and from polar regions to the tropics. Despite decades of research and public awareness, an increasing number of these species have become threatened with significant population declines and, in some cases, extinction due to anthropogenic threats such as fisheries interactions (particularly bycatch), water-borne pollution, coastal development and noise. This new topic will aim to publish the most up-to-date research on the conservation status of small cetaceans around the globe. We welcome papers that address critical conservation issues, but also reviews with a broad scope (e.g. global patterns of threats, mitigation to reduce human impacts, effects of climate change, current knowledge gaps and future directions in research). Contributions from developing countries, where research and conservation challenges are particularly important are strongly encouraged. Although low-cost methods to reduce human impacts on populations will be of particular interest, Frontiers in Marine Science Marine Megafauna will welcome any contributions on ecology, genetics, evolution and behavior that will contribute to a better understanding of the impact that human activities have on populations of small cetaceans around the globe. Please contact me to submit a provisory title and the list of authors for a potential contribution as soon as possible. The deadline to submit manuscript via the online system of Frontiers in Marine Science will be March 15th, 2020. Thank you very much! Best, Jeremy Kiszka, Randall Davis, Lars Bejder, Robert Harcourt and Mark Meekan (Special Topic Editors and Guest Editors) -------------------------------------------- Jeremy Kiszka (PhD) Florida International University Department of Biological Sciences Center for Coastal Oceans Research (InWE) & Tropical Conservation Institute Tel. (305) 919 5234 (office) Mobile. (786) 717 9797 (cell) Skype: jeremy.kiszka Website: https://ccor.fiu.edu --------------------------------------------

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New paper: Preferred, small‑scale foraging areas of two Southern Ocean fur seal species are not determined by habitat characteristics
by Mia Wege 18 Sep '19

18 Sep '19

Dear MARMAM, On behalf of all co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our article about habitat use by three closely situated fur seal colonies at sub-Antarctic Marion Island and how environmental drivers that are known to commonly influence fur seal foraging behaiviour, does not explain their small-scale spatial segregation. *Citation: * Wege, M., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Hindell, M.A., Lea, M.A. & Bester, M.N. (2019). Preferred, small-scale foraging areas of two Southern Ocean fur seal species are not determined by habitat characteristics. *BMC Ecol.* *19*, Article number: 36 This article, published in BMC Ecology is freely available at: https://bmcecol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12898-019-0252-x Abstract: Background To understand and predict the distribution of foragers, it is crucial to identify the factors that affect individual movement decisions at different scales. Individuals are expected to adjust their foraging movements to the hierarchical spatial distribution of resources. At a small local scale, spatial segregation in foraging habitat happens among individuals of closely situated colonies. If foraging segregation is due to differences in distribution of resources, we would expect segregated foraging areas to have divergent habitat characteristics. Results We investigated how environmental characteristics of preferred foraging areas differ between two closely situated Subantarctic fur seal (*Arctocephalus tropicalis*) colonies and a single Antarctic fur seal (*A. gazella*) colony that forage in different pelagic areas even though they are located well within each other’s foraging range. We further investigated the influence of the seasonal cycle on those environmental factors. This study used tracking data from 121 adult female Subantarctic and Antarctic fur seals, collected during summer and winter (2009–2015), from three different colonies. Boosted Regression Tree species distribution models were used to determine key environmental variables associated with areas of fur seal restricted search behaviour. There were no differences in the relative influence of key environmental variables between colonies and seasons. The variables with the most influence for each colony and season were latitude, longitude and magnitude of sea-currents. The influence of latitude and longitude is a by-product of the species’ distinct foraging areas, despite the close proximity (< 25 km) of the colonies. The predicted potential foraging areas for each colony changed from summer to winter, reflecting the seasonal cycle of the Southern Ocean. The model predicted that the potential foraging areas of females from the three colonies should overlap, and the fact they do not in reality indicates that factors other than environmental are influencing the location of each colony’s foraging area. Conclusions The results indicated that small scale spatial segregation of foraging habitats is not driven by bottom-up processes. It is therefore important to also consider other potential drivers, e.g. competition, information transfer, and memory, to understand animal foraging decisions and movements. Thank you, Mia -- Mia Wege, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Gateway Antarctica School of Earth and Environment College of Science University of Canterbury https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mia_Wege?ev=hdr_xprf http://www.marionseals.com/mia-wege

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2 x dual MMO/PAM vacancies: short-duration
by Recruitment 18 Sep '19

18 Sep '19

Dear MMOs and PAMOs, OSC has two imminent positions available, which are on two separate projects. Each of these independent positions requires 1 x dual MMO/PAM, for which the primary role will be MMO, but in the event of poor visibility (e.g. fog), then the MMO will set up the PAM equipment and revert to PAM duties. A summary of project details are as follows: Offshore windfarm survey in Scotland from 25th September (latest schedule) for an estimated 12 days. Offshore windfarm survey in England from 24th September (latest schedule) until 01st October (estimated), so about 7 days. This vacancy is restricted to EU citizens, or overseas citizens in possession of a current work visa. Please feel free to share this email with any colleagues who might be seeking work, and for any applicants who have not worked for OSC previously or recently, we will require scans/copies of your CV, passport, degree certificate(s), MMO and PAM, survival and medical. Kind regards, -- Recruitment Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk<http://www.osc.co.uk/>

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New publication: The first assessment of social organisation of the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) along the south coast of South Africa (Thibaut Bouveroux)
by Bouveroux Thibaut 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Thibaut Bouveroux, Stephen P. Kirkman, Danielle Conry, O. Alejandra Vargas-Fonseca, Pierre A. Pistorius (2019) The first assessment of social organisation of the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) along the south coast of South Africa. Canadian Journal of Zoology <https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/loi/cjz> pp. 855-865 | https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2018-0244 <https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2018-0244> Abstract: The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea (G. Cuvier, 1829)) is the most endangered marine mammal species in South Africa, and the overall decline of its abundance and group size may affect the social organisation of the species, potentially accentuating its vulnerability. Understanding the social organisation is therefore particularly relevant to conservation efforts. From photo-identification surveys along the south coast of South Africa from March 2014 to June 2015, we quantified association patterns and investigated the social organisation of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins using the half-weight index, social cluster, and network analyses. During the 101 surveys conducted and 553 h of survey effort, 98 sightings of dolphins were recorded and 65 individuals identified. Using individuals seen at least three times, this study reveals that the social network is well differentiated, as strong social divisions exist between individuals that seem to be split into four distinctive social clusters. Network strength was low; approximately half of the associations were low to moderate, whereas some individuals were strongly associated, especially between four pairs of individuals. Although this study is based on a limited number of individuals, our study nevertheless suggests that the atypical strong social bonds recorded here could result from behavioural responses following the decline in group size and abundance. For more information, you can access to this paper using the following link: https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2018-0244?fbclid=IwAR… <https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2018-0244?fbclid=IwAR…> For a PDF copy, you can also send an email at: tbouveroux(a)gmail.com <mailto:tbouveroux@gmail.com> Enjoy the read! Best regards, ------------------------------------------------------ Thibaut Bouveroux, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow University of South Alabama Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 +1 (251) 895 3090 tbouveroux(a)disl.org <mailto:tbouveroux@disl.org>

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Reminder: Anthropogenic Sound Source Webinar on Commercial Vessel Noise, September 18, 2019, 12pm EDT
by Holly Morin 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

*apologies for cross-postings** As part of the 2019 Underwater Sound Sources Webinar Series <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/webinars-2019/>, the Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) <http://www.dosits.org/> Team will host a free, 60-minute webinar on commercial vessel noise as an underwater sound source, tomorrow, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 12pm EDT. This webinar, led by Michelle Sanders and Tabitha Takeda (Transport Canada), will provide an overview of the sound source, an update on current research efforts, and a review of noise mitigation measures. An extended period of facilitated discussion will also be included. Interested individuals must register in advance for this webinar. To register please visit: https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/webinars-2019/ <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/webinars-2019/> An outline of for this webinar presentation, with links to relevant DOSITS content, is available on the Decision Makers Webinars <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/> page. Participants are encouraged to review this outline, as well as archived webinars on the potential effects of underwater sound on marine animals, before each sound source webinar. All webinars will be recorded and archived on the DOSITS website (Decision Makers Webinars <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/>). A second anthropogenic sound source webinar will be led by Frans-Peter Lam (TNO) and Kelly Benoit-Bird (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), and will focus on military sonars and echosounders, respectively. This webinar will take place at 12:00pm EDT on Thursday, October 10, 2019. To learn more about this webinar series or to view previous webinars, please visit the DOSITS webpage, Decision Makers Webinars <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/>. Associated webinars and their resources were conducted in 2018, and have been archived here <https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/webinars-2018/>. Questions? Please contact Holly Morin at holly_morin(a)uri.edu <mailto:holly_morin@uri.edu>.

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Travel deals for the World Whale Conference, Hervey Bay, Australia
by wendy.vangool＠worldcetaceanalliance.org 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

A final call for any MARMAMers wishing to attend the World Whale Conference and see the whales in magnificent Hervey Bay from 7-11 October. Qantas, our airline partner, is offering great flight deals for conference delegates and Budget are offering discounted car rental. Please visit this link to take advantage: <https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/Travel/Getting-There> https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/Travel/Getting-There There is an exciting line up of speakers and great activities being arranged by World Cetacean Alliance's conference co-host Fraser Coast Tourism and Events including: * Scientific programme focusing on cetacean migrations and ecotourism. * Responsible whale watching programme (including captivity and sanctuaries update). * Whale Heritage Sites Summit. * Community and arts initiatives that relate people to cetaceans. * Human behaviour change training to help ensure effective messaging for marine conservation. * Whale watching trips in World Class Hervey Bay. * Stranding event - rescue training. Please refer to the conference website for more detail and regular updates. <https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/> https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/ We look forward to hosting you in Australia, Kind regards WCA Conference Organising Team World Cetacean Alliance Studio 3, Lower Promenade Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK. +44 1273 355011 +32 494405 4379 UK Charity No:1160484 --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com

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New publication: Estimates of the abundance of cetaceans in the central North Atlantic based on the NASS Icelandic and Faroese shipboard surveys conducted in 2015
by Solveig Enoksen 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

Dear MARMAM community, The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission is pleased to announce the early online publication of the third article of Volume 11 in our Scientific Publication Series, “Estimates of the abundance of cetaceans in the central North Atlantic based on the NASS Icelandic and Faroese shipboard surveys conducted in 2015” by Daniel G. Pike, Thorvaldur Gunnlaugsson, Bjarni Mikkelsen, Sverrir D. Halldórsson and Gísli Víkingsson. Abstract: The North Atlantic Sightings Survey (NASS), the sixth in a series of surveys conducted between 1987 and 2015, was conducted in June/July 2015 and covered a large area of the northern North Atlantic. The Icelandic and Faroese ship survey component of the NASS covered the area between the Faroe Islands and East Greenland from latitude 52° to 72° N. The survey used 3 vessels and an independent double-platform configuration with each platform staffed by a minimum of 2 observers. Here we present both uncorrected abundance estimates derived using Multiple Covariates Distance Sampling, and corrected abundance estimates derived using Mark-Recapture Distance Sampling, for the following species: fin (Balaenoptera physalus), common minke (B. acutorstrata), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), blue (B. musculus), sei (B. borealis), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), long-finned pilot (Globicephala melas) and northern bottlenose (Hyperoodon ampullatus) whales as well as white-beaked (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and white-sided (L. acutus) dolphins. We then compare these estimates to those from previous NASS and put them into context with estimates from adjoining areas of the North Atlantic. The article is open access and available here: https://doi.org/10.7557/3.4941<https://doi.org/10.7557/3.4941?fbclid=IwAR3qDRk1M5lQkyF0xFii2ZxXrZrqwgSjlg2…> Volume 11 - Sightings Surveys in the North Atlantic: 30 years of counting whales will consist of a series of articles dealing with the results of NASS, a series of internationally coordinated cetacean surveys that were conducted in the North Atlantic in 1987, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015. It will also include articles dealing with other surveys done in the North Atlantic in the period 1987-2016. Best, Solveig Enoksen Editorial Assistant, NAMMCO Scientific Publications Series Scientific & Communication Assistant NAMMCO - North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission POB 6453, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway +47 77 68 73 71, solveig.enoksen(a)nammco.no<mailto:solveig.enoksen@nammco.no>, http://www.nammco.org/, http://www.facebook.com/nammco.org/ https://twitter.com/NAMMCO_sec [NammRGB email]

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CARI'MAM inscription 3rd Meeting and PAM training (Caribbean Marine Mammal Preservation Network). Dead line 22/09/2019 -
by BERNUS Jeffrey 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

Hello everyone, The CARI'MAM (Caribbean Marine Mammal Preservation Network) team is organizing a Passive Acoustic Monitoring training/Workshop (31 October & 1st November) and the 3rd CARI'MAM meeting (2nd & 3rd November) . All the MPA managers, scientists and NGOs working on marine mammals especially in the Caribbean are welcome to register. (DEAD LINE -> 22/09/2019). The registration form is available here: [ https://formulaires.afbiodiversite.fr/carimam-inscription-caribbean-marine-… | https://formulaires.afbiodiversite.fr/carimam-inscription-caribbean-marine-… ] Please check that you have received an email confirming you registration. You will also find the program of these 4 days and the last meeting's report at this address. These two events are organized in Dominican Republic (presumably in La Romana) in order to be more sustainable and save flights for those participating in the GFCI conference the following week ( [ https://www.gcfi.org/gcfi-72-conference/ | https://www.gcfi.org/gcfi-72-conference/ ] ). The passive acoustic monitoring workshop is a mandatory prerequisite to participate to the CARI'MAM passive acoustic monitoring observatory project (Caribbean scale), including the possibility of partnership with the Agoa Sanctuary to benefits of hydrophones loans. This training will include underwater practice, don't forget your swimwear. It is open to junior biologist as well. The CARI'MAM meeting itself will include workshops about communication and awareness raising, data management and citizen science tools, and relation between human activities and marine mammals (including whale watching). The Agoa Sanctuary, through the CARI'MAM project, is offering the accommodation (all inclusive) for all participants of the workshop and CARI'MAM meeting. To let us organize this offer the best way possible, please register for the 22th September at the latest. Do not hesitate to extend this invitation to your colleagues and partners. And if you have any question, feel free to contact Gérald Mannaerts (Head of the project - gerald.mannaerts(a)afbiodiversite.fr) or myself ( scientific coordinator- jeffrey.bernus(a)afbiodiversite.fr) Best regards Jeffrey Bernus Coordinateur scientifique Mammifères Marins Projet CARI'MAM [ callto:+596 (0)6 96 33 19 15 | +596 (0)6 96 33 1 ] 8 32 Sanctuaire Agoa - Agence Française pour la Biodiversité

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