December 2020 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Internship survey results
by Phil Clapham 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

Awhile back, I posted a request for people to take a survey on internship (or similar entry-level) positions in their organization, whether paid or unpaid. I thank the 21 people (from a wide variety of projects and study areas) who took the time to respond to this. A summary of the results is given below. Phil Clapham INTERNSHIP POSITIONS SURVEY: A SUMMARY OF RESPONSES ∙ Number of surveys returned: 21 ∙ Geographic areas represented: US/Canada, UK/Europe, Russia, Arctic, Brazil, Uruguay, Africa, New Zealand ∙ Size of projects annual budgets: everything from $2,000 to $4 million; the really big budgets were from state institutions (federal or state government) ∙ Sources of funding: direct government support (4), grants (18), donations/memberships (11), ecotourism/public outreach (8), merchandising (1) ∙ Is the PI paid as part of the project budget: 100% (6), no but paid as permanent employee of an institution (5), <50% salary (4), 0% salary (6) ∙ Species studied: cetaceans (20 projects), pinnipeds (1), sirenians (1), other (5) ∙ Projects involving endangered or threatened species: 14 ∙ Projects taking on interns or similar positions: all 21 ∙ Number of interns taken per year: anywhere from 1 to 20 (average 6.5) ∙ Interns receive: accommodation and/or food (19 projects); pay always (3), pay for some (7), interns are self-supporting (6), interns pay a fee to be part of the project (6); some combination of the above (16) ∙ Value of interns to the organization: essential to the work (12), important (6), unimportant (3) ∙ Time spent training interns: anywhere from 10% to 80% (this question was interpreted in different ways so the numbers don't mean much - basically all interns require some investment of effort to train) ∙ What percentage of interns turn out to be worth the effort of training (i.e. they come to represent a useful addition to the project): 10% to 100% (average 68.7%) ∙ What do interns gain from the work: experience with research (all 21 projects), field work (20/21), college credit (13 projects, though not necessarily for all interns), management experience with an NGO or other organization (2), data for the intern's use in graduate or other study (8), mentoring for graduate or other work (4), experience with public outreach (3), combinations of some/all of the above (all 21 projects) ∙ Sex ratio of applicants: heavily biased towards women. One project reported a 50/50 female/male ratio, but all the others were 70-90% female ∙ Ethnicity breakdown: one project (in Africa) reported 50/50 white/black, another (in Mexico) had 80% hispanic interns; but other than that most project interns were predominantly white (60-100%, average for all projects 85.5%) ∙ Positions advertized on: MARMAM (14 projects); Society for Marine Mammalogy (3); other, such as a website, university, social media, other listservs etc (11) ∙ Impact of a ban on unpaid ads on the institution's work would be: little or none (5 projects), significant (5), critical (4), unknown or no answer (7). Eleven respondents felt that the impact on individual opportunities would be significant or high, but the question was probably too vaguely worded to put too much stock into these answers. ∙ Principal Investigators who started their careers in an unpaid, volunteer position: 20 of 21 ∙ Value of that experience to the person's career: pivotal (17 of 20), important (1), unimportant (1) ∙ What is the bare minimum that should be offered to interns (other than research experience): bed and board (10), pay for all (2), pay for some (2), pay and benefits for all (1) *Some observations* 1. Those respondents who believed that all interns should be paid all worked for state institutions with large budgets (i.e. in at least some cases they presumably don't have to spend a lot of time raising money for their projects). 2. Not surprisingly, the ability to pay interns - and their importance to the project's work - was a function of the budget; small NGOs where the PI and other staff were not paid, and for whom funding went into project operations, were consistently unable to offer support to interns, who were also usually deemed important or essential to the work. Many of these projects, however, provided at least accommodation and food when in the field (though of the 19 that did this, six charged people a fee to participate, so it's really only 13). Some institutions provided ongoing support for interns after their time was finished, either through graduate study help or (in a few cases) hiring good interns back later on as members of the research team. 3. Most of the less well-funded institutions said variations of the same thing: that they wished they could afford to pay interns, but the budgets wouldn't support that. It is interesting that most project PIs felt that accommodation and food should be a minimum requirement, at least when on field work. However, some also made the point that they didn't see why they should be spending scarce resources to pay someone inexperienced and untested; while acknowledging that there was obviously a bias towards interns who could afford to volunteer, many felt that the exchange of labor for the chance to participate in research and "try out" a career was a fair trade (some had very strong views on this!) 4. It is certainly significant that almost all the Principal Investigators involved began their careers with a volunteer position, and that the majority of those said the experience was pivotal to their careers. 5. This is not news, but marine mammal research continues to attract far more women than men, at least at the level discussed here. 6. Again, not news... but obviously marine mammal research continues to be predominantly a white field. The only deviations from this trend among respondents were projects in non-white countries which prioritized local involvement in research. 7. One PI in a developing country made the interesting point that using western volunteers tends to limit buy-in from local people to research and conservation efforts. Again, thanks to those who responded.

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New paper on North Atlantic killer whales
by Daniel Pike 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper: Pike, D. G., Gunnlaugsson, T., Mikkelsen, B., Víkingsson, G., & Desportes, G. (2020). Distribution and Abundance of Killer Whales in the Central North Atlantic, 1987-2015. *NAMMCO Scientific Publications*, *11*. https://doi.org/10.7557/3.5579 ABSTRACT: The North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS), covering a large but variable portion of the Central and Eastern North Atlantic, were conducted in 1987, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015. Sightings of killer whales (Orcinus orca), a non-target species, were relatively rare in the Central Atlantic (Icelandic and Faroese) portions of the survey area. In cases where sighting numbers were insufficient, we pooled sightings over several surveys to derive a distance detection function and used this to estimate abundance using standard Distance Sampling methodology. Uncorrected estimates were produced for all surveys, and estimates corrected for perception bias were produced for the 2001 and 2015 surveys. Killer whales were sighted in all areas but were most common in the eastern part of the survey area. Uncorrected abundance in the NASS core area ranged from a low of 4,736 (95% CI: 1,842–12,176) in 1995 to a maximum of 15,142 (95% CI: 6,003–38,190) in 2001. The low precision of the estimates makes the detection of temporal trends unlikely. In 2007 an extension survey revealed relatively high numbers of killer whales to the east of the survey area, in conformity with Norwegian survey estimates in this area. The NASS and other surveys conducted over the period indicate that killer whales number in the low tens of thousands in the Central and Eastern North Atlantic. Regards, Daniel Pike.

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Closing date extended to December 14: Recruitment: Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program 2021 Seasonal Field Camp Positions -
by Lizabeth Kashinsky 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works with >> the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center through a >> cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaii to conduct population >> assessment and recovery activities on Hawaiian monk seals. JIMAR hires >> program staff through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii >> (RCUH) and is currently seeking applicants for *two separate >> recruitments *for the 2021 field research season: >> >> >> >> *HMSRP Field Camp Research Technician-serves as field camp leader* >> >> *HMSRP Field Camp Research Assistant-serves as assistant to field camp >> leader* >> >> >> >> Selected individuals will study the endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the >> Northwestern Hawaiian Islands within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National >> Monument. This work is part of a long-term annual Hawaiian monk seal >> population monitoring and conservation program by NOAA Fisheries and >> includes: conducting trend counts, tagging seals, identifying individual >> seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks, >> monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries, entanglements, migration, >> vaccinating against morbillivirus, performing necropsies, collecting scat & >> spew samples for food habitat, parasite load, and hormonal analysis, >> collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis, and removing debris capable of >> entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected >> at some sites. Researchers at some sites may participate in shark >> mitigation activities. >> >> >> >> General information about the program can be found via the links below: >> >> >> >> http://www.conservationcompass.org/index.php/career-guidance/fantastic-fiel… >> >> https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaiian-monk-seal#science >> >> >> The number of positions and/or continuation of the program are subject to >> funding and program needs. These positions will be for all or a subset of >> the 6 major monk seal sub-populations in the NWHI. Fieldwork is >> accomplished by 2-4 member teams consisting of a leader and one or more >> assistants in remote camps. Researchers live in either wall tents or >> buildings at the various sites. All sites are accessible by ship (2-8 >> day travel; 830-2,300 km from Honolulu), and one is also accessible by >> plane. Few (if any) resupply opportunities exist and communication with >> others outside of field sites is limited throughout deployment due to the >> remoteness and lack of infrastructure. >> >> >> The employment period is expected to include approximately one month of >> training and packing in Honolulu. Once the field season is over, an >> additional ~1-2 weeks of employment may take place in Honolulu to clean up >> gear and summarize data. Dates are subject to change, but the positions >> may begin as early as late February/early March or April with a field >> deployment approximately 4-6 weeks after start dates. Field staff could be >> deployed for approximately 4.5-5 months with a tentative return date in >> early September. The position end date is expected to be 1-3 weeks upon >> return from the field. Applicants must be flexible in their availability as >> dates could change, including unforeseen delays such as inclement weather >> or other hip delays. >> >> Travel to and from Honolulu and food, lodging, and transportation in >> Honolulu before deployment are not provided. Transportation between >> Honolulu and field sites and food and lodging costs during deployment and >> in the field are covered by the program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, >> departure delays could result in longer periods in Honolulu that may result >> in additional uncompensated living expenses. >> >> Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien, and must >> be able to meet both the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic >> and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access the >> work location, and also the health requirements to board a NOAA vessel. >> >> >> Instructions to apply for both positions are in the job postings below. *You >> must clearly address all qualifications in your cover letter and resume. If >> you do not clearly address all qualifications, we may not be able to >> consider you as an applicant. *For example, to address the experience >> qualification, you must indicate in your cover letter how many years of >> field experience you have and be sure that is reflected in your resume. >> >> >> >> Interested individuals will need to apply directly to RCUH Human >> Resources via one of the methods stated in the job posting. Applications >> for both positions must be submitted/received by the* closing date on >> 12/14/2020 (11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time receipt time). * If you do >> not have access to the RCUH system and the closing date is imminent, you >> may send additional documents to rcuh_employment(a)rcuh.com. If you have >> questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call >> (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872. Follow the link below to access both >> recruitments. *If applying for both positions, you must do so >> separately. * >> >> >> >> >> >> JIMAR/PIFSC HMSRP Field Camp Research Technician (leader) – search job ID >> # 220543 >> >> >> >> JIMAR/PIFSC HMSRP Field Camp Research Assistant - search Job ID #220542 >> >> >> https://hcmweb.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_S… >> >> -- >> Lizabeth Kashinsky (she/her) >> *JIMAR Program Supervisor* >> Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program >> >> *Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center * >> >> NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce >> >> 1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176 >> Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 >> >> Office: (808) 725-5719 >> >> Mobile: (808) 285-4578 >> >> www.fisheries.noaa.gov >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >

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Job Posting: Environmental Specialist - Protected Resources
by Emma Dvorak 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

Environmental Specialist - Protected Resources Integrated Statistics is looking for an Environmental Specialist to work with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). The position supports the Protected Resources Division (PRD). The position will begin with a period of remote work to accommodate pandemic restrictions, but may be on-site in Gloucester MA after that. The GARFO Protected Resources Division’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Program develops and implements measures to respond to, conserve, and protect endangered and protected marine mammals and sea turtles. The program implements recovery programs for endangered marine mammal and sea turtles through the Endangered Species Act and protects marine mammals from commercial fisheries interactions through take reduction planning under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The program also responds to animals in distress through the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network, and the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. *Duties* The Environmental Specialist provides technical assistance to all three programs by undertaking these tasks: _Writing and editing_ * Support the regional right whale recovery coordinator in planning and executing implementation team meetings. * Support the regional take reduction team coordinator in planning and executing take reduction team meetings. * Provide policy and analytical support for the development of policies to reduce entanglements of marine mammals through the amendment of take reduction plans. * Collaboration, organization, and meeting facilitation. * Prepare a final report summarizing the tasks completed under this project. _Data management_ * Conduct data entry. Perform audits and quality control to ensure accuracy. Data includes stranding and disentanglement data for protected species, large whale unusual mortality events (UME), sea turtle cold stun events, etc. * As needed, provide reports on serious injury/mortality determinations, by obtaining large whale data, compiling results and delivering reports within the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). * As needed, provide data summary reports that summarize data generated from stranding or entanglement events such as marine mammal UMEs and sea turtle cold stun events. * Coordinate and support report development and analysis of gear which has been removed from marine mammals and sea turtles. _Outreach_ * Assist in conducting education and outreach pertaining to the MMPA and ESA. _Administration_ * Provide backup coverage to sea turtle and marine mammal stranding and disentanglement coordinators on regional stranding and disentanglement response hotlines. * Enter and track incoming review requests for permits and projects, to support PRD Grant and Scientific Permit Review Programs. * Perform administrative support tasks including copying, mailing, filing, ordering supplies and equipment, and budget tracking. * Perform communication support tasks including answering phones, note taking, arranging meetings, copying documents and preparing incoming and outgoing mail. * Prepare administrative records for actions including copying, organizing, and indexing and numbering all relevant documents in support of regional records management specialist. *Qualifications* * A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or a related field. * 5 years of experience in writing technical reports and policy papers. A writing sample and/or test may be requested. * Demonstrated experience working independently with relevant environmental regulations (NEPA, ESA, MMPA, MSFCA) and species or issues of concern. * Demonstrated experience in organizing meetings, including: setup, use, and troubleshooting of various webinar and presentation platforms; agenda building; negotiated decision making; note taking; meeting summation; and debriefing. * Experience in working collaboratively on contentious issues. * Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation. * Attention to detail, excellent organization, and ability to prioritize multiple tasks. * The position is open to US citizens only. * Database, GIS, and R programming skills are a plus. * Knowledge and experience in negotiated decision making is a plus. * Public communication, stakeholder engagement, and outreach experience are pluses. The position is full-time and the rate of pay is $32/hr. The position is eligible for the benefits described on the Integrated Statistics website. To apply for this position, go to www.integratedstatistics.com, click Employment Opportunities, click the job name and click the Apply Here link. Integrated Statistics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, Integrated Statistics is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans. For assistance with accessibility of applications, posters, forms, and/or documents, please email the Integrated Statistics office. -- Integrated Statistics, Inc. 16 Sumner Street Woods Hole, MA 02543 Cell: (508) 648-8308 Office: (508) 540-8560 Fax: (508) 721-6841 -- Integrated Statistics, Inc. 16 Sumner Street Woods Hole, MA 02543 Cell: (508) 648-8308 Office: (508) 540-8560 Fax: (508) 721-6841

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SMM Forum on Unpaid Positions recording available
by Eric Archer and Tara Cox Ad hoc Diversity Committee 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Dear Colleagues, We want to reach to thank all who joined us on November 25, 2020 for our forum on unpaid positions. In particular we would like to thank our panelists, Drs. Auriel Fournier, Diane Gendron, Tara Cox, and Cindy Peter, who took the time to share their experiences and important perspectives. We've had a lot of feedback that these were greatly appreciated and helpful in framing our discussion. For those of you who missed it, a recording of the live event is available on the SMM YouTube Channel here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lndXvE0nR0c&t=2s>. We covered a lot of ground during the event, and for that we found the discussion to be very productive. However, there were also many comments made and questions posed that we just did not have the time to address. We are in the process of collating those and following up on them. We hope to share these and continue the conversation over the next 4-6 weeks. We welcome any other input members of the community may have in the interim. Thank you for being a part of this important conversation. -- Eric Archer and Tara Cox Co-Chairs, Ad hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee Society for Marine Mammalogy diversity(a)marinemammalscience.org

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New publication on Transcritpomic analysis of North Atlantic Right Whale
by Annalaura MANCIA 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Dear MARMAM members, On behalf of all the authors, I would like to share with you our last paper published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology: *Transcriptome analysis of cadmium exposure in kidney fibroblast cells of the North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) *by Ierardi JL, Velosa A, Mancia A. *Abstract:* An 8X15k oligonucleotide microarray was developed consisting of 2334 Eubalaena glacialis probes and 2166 Tursiops truncatus probes and used to measure the effects, at transcriptomic level, of cadmium exposure in right whale kidney fibroblast cells. Cells were exposed to three concentrations (1 μM, 0.1 μM, and 0.01 μM) of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) for three exposure times (1, 4, and 24 h). Cells exposed to 1 μM CdCl2 for 4 h and 24 h showed upregulated genes involved in protection from metal toxicity and oxidative stress, protein renaturation, apoptosis inhibition, as well as several regulators of cellular processes. Downregulated genes represented a suite of functions including cell proliferation, transcription regulation, actin polymerization, and stress fiber synthesis. The collection of differentially expressed genes in this study support proposed mechanisms of cadmium-induced apoptosis such as ubiquitin proteasome system disruption, Ca2+ homeostasis interference, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell cycle arrest. The results also have confirmed the right whale microarray as a reproducible tool in measuring differentiated gene expression that could be a valuable asset for transcriptome analysis of other baleen whales and potential health assessment protocols. The full paper is available under the following link: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1cB-v5SMCg%7EbA1 <https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1cB-v5SMCg~bA1> Best regards, Annalaura Mancia -- *Annalaura Mancia, PhD* *Assistant Professor* *University of Ferrara* *Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology* *Via L. Borsari, 46* *44121, Ferrara, FE, Italy* *work: +390532455704* *cell: +393421470120* *fax: +390532455715* *Email: annalaura.mancia(a)unife.it <annalaura.mancia(a)unife.it>* *Skype: annalaura5*

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Project Manager - dugong and seagrass conservation
by Vic Cockcroft 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

This is a call for Expressions of Interest in the position of Project Manager for a dugong and seagrass conservation project, entitled: Building Local Capacity for Sustainable Livelihoods and Community-based Conservation of Dugongs and Seagrass in Bazaruto Archipelago Region, Mozambique. The Project Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including science, stewardship and broad community relations and relations with our Partners and Funders. The position is in the Bazaruto Archipelago region,Mozambique. For more information take a look atwww.dugongs.org <http://www.dugongs.org/> For a full TOR please contact Dr. Vic Cockcroft at_vic(a)dugongs.org <mailto:vic@dugongs.org>_ and Dr. Almeida Guissamulo at_aguissas(a)gmail.com <mailto:aguissas@gmail.com>_ Closing date for applications is 15 January 2021. -- Centre for Dolphin Studies Dugongs Western Indian Ocean Director: V.G. Cockcroft P.O. Box 1856, Plettenberg Bay South Africa. 6600. Mobile/Cell: 27 (0)81 737 4533 www.dolphinstudies.org www.dugongs.org SKYPE: Cockcroft.s.home This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom addressed. It may contain information that is confidential or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, please don't disseminate, copy or distribute this message, or associated files. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and delete it from your computer. -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com

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New Harbour Porpoise Publication
by Sinead Murphy 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Dear All, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of our paper Murphy, S., Petitguyot, M.A.C., Jepson, P.D., Deaville, R., Lockyer, C., Barnett, J., Perkins, M., Penrose, R., Davison, N.J., and C. Minto. 2020. Spatio-temporal variability of harbour porpoise life history parameters in UK waters. Frontiers in Marine Science. doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.502352<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.3389%2Ffmars.2020.5…>. The full article is available via open access - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.502352/full [https://www.frontiersin.org/files/MyHome%20Article%20Library/502352/502352_…]<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.502352/full> Frontiers | Spatio-Temporal Variability of Harbor Porpoise Life History Parameters in the North-East Atlantic | Marine Science<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.502352/full> Harbor porpoises exhibit early maturation, relatively short gestation/lactation periods and a faster rate of reproduction as compared to other cetacean species. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence both population vital rates and population structure, which ultimately cause changes in dynamics within and between populations. Here, we undertook a retrospective analysis of mortality ... www.frontiersin.org Merry Christmas Sinéad ABSTRACT: Harbor porpoises exhibit early maturation, relatively short gestation/lactation periods and a faster rate of reproduction as compared to other cetacean species. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence both population vital rates and population structure, which ultimately cause changes in dynamics within and between populations. Here, we undertook a retrospective analysis of mortality data collected over a 24-year period for assessing life history traits of the North-east Atlantic harbor porpoise population. We use time-period specific models for key life history relationships that considered cause of death of individuals (as a proxy for health status), sex and management unit (MU). Sexual variation in asymptotic length, asymptotic age, average length at 50% maturity (L50) and average age at 50% maturity (A50) were observed, with females attaining a larger asymptotic length, larger L50, and delaying attainment of both sexual and physical maturity, compared to males. While females are constrained in their minimum body size due to giving birth to proportionally larger offspring, males exhibited more plasticity in size at sexual maturity, enabling re-allocation of available energy resources toward reproduction. Data were then used to compare biological parameters among two porpoise MUs in United Kingdom waters, both of which in the current study exhibited reduced reproductive rates compared to other geographic regions. In both MUs, females significantly increased their A50 and males significantly declined in their L50. An increase in the age at asymptotic length was also observed in both sexes, along with a significant decline in the Gompertz growth rate parameter that was more apparent in the female data. While availability of suitable prey resources may be a limiting factor, a combination of other factors cannot be ruled out. Porpoises in the Celtic and Irish Seas MU were significantly larger in their maximum length, asymptotic length and L50 compared to porpoises in the North Sea MU throughout the study period, suggesting limited gene flow between these two MUs. These results justify the maintenance of these harbor porpoise MUs or assessment units, as two separate units, within the range of the North-east Atlantic population, and for indicator assessments under the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Dr Sinéad Murphy Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology Marine and Freshwater Research Centre Department of Natural Sciences School of Science and Computing Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland, H91 T8NW • sinead.murphy(a)gmit.ie<mailto:sinead.murphy@gmit.ie> sites.google.com/view/sinead-murphy researchgate.net/profile/Sinead_Murphy2 Tá an ríomhphost seo faoi réir an tséanta seo leanas atá le fáil ag Séanadh Ríomhphost GMIT<http://www.gmit.ie/general/seanadh-riomhphoist> This email is subject to the following disclaimer available at GMIT Email Disclaimer<http://www.gmit.ie/general/email-disclaimer>

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New papers on harbor porpoises from the southern North Sea
by IJsseldijk, L.L. (Lonneke) 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the two recent publications as part of the stranding research on harbor porpoises in the Netherlands: IJsseldijk, L.L., Scheidat, M., Siemensma, M., Couperus, B., Leopold, M., Morell, M., Gröne, A., and Kik, M.J.L. (2020) Challenges in the Assessment of Bycatch: Postmortem Findings in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Retrieved From Gillnets. Veterinary Pathology Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300985820972454 Abstract: Bycatch is considered one of the most significant threats affecting cetaceans worldwide. In the North Sea, bottom-set gillnets are a specific risk for harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Methods to estimate bycatch rates include on-board observers, remote electronic monitoring, and fishermen voluntarily reporting; none of these are systematically conducted. Additionally, necropsies of stranded animals can provide insights into bycatch occurrence and health status of individuals. There are, however, uncertainties when it comes to the assessment of bycatch in stranded animals, mainly due to the lack of diagnostic tools specific for underwater entrapment. We conducted a literature review to establish criteria that aid in the assessment of bycatch in small cetaceans, and we tested which of these criteria applied to harbor porpoises retrieved from gillnets in the Netherlands (n ¼ 12). Twenty-five criteria were gathered from literature. Of these, "superficial incisions," "encircling imprints," and "recent ingestion of prey" were observed in the vast majority of our confirmed bycatch cases. Criteria like "pulmonary edema," "pulmonary emphysema," and "organ congestion" were also frequently observed, although considered unspecific as an indicator of bycatch. Notably, previously mentioned criteria as "favorable health status," "absence of disease," or "good nutritional condition" did not apply to the majority of our bycaught porpoises. This may reflect an overall reduced fitness of harbor porpoises inhabiting the southern North Sea or a higher chance of a debilitated porpoise being bycaught, and could result in an underestimation of bycatch rates when assessing stranded animals. Willems, D., IJsseldijk, L.L., van den Broek, H., and Veraa, S. (2020) Vertebral pattern variation in the North Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) by computed tomography. The Anatomical Record Available at: https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.24524 Abstract: Vertebral series in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal. In contrast to studying skeletons from museums, in which small bones can be missed, evaluation of full body computed tomography (CT) scans provides an overview of the vertebral column, while maintaining interrelationship of all structures. The aim of this study was to document variations in vertebral patterning of the harbor porpoise via evaluation of CT images of intact stranded harbor porpoises. The harbor porpoises were divided into age classes, based on developmental stage of reproductive organs on postmortem examination and closure of proximal humeral physis on CT. Numbers of vertebrae per series, fusion state of the syncervical, type of first hemal arch, number of double articulating ribs, and floating ribs were recorded based on CT images. Included in the study were 48 harbor porpoises (27 males and 21 females), which were divided in two age classes (27 immatures and 21 adults). Total vertebral count varied from 63 to 68 with vertebral formula range C7T12‐14L12‐16Cd29‐33. Twenty‐five different vertebral formulas were found, of which C7T13L14Ca30 was the most common (n = 8, 17%). Thoracic vertebrae with six, seven, or eight double articulating ribs and zero, one, or two vertebrae with floating ribs were seen. Four different fusion states of the syncervical and four types of hemal arches were recognized. This study showed a great variation in vertebral patterning in the harbor porpoise, with homeotic and meristic variation in the thoracic, lumbar, and caudal vertebral series. Best wishes, Lonneke IJsseldijk Lonneke L. IJsseldijk<https://www.uu.nl/medewerkers/LLIJsseldijk> | Project Manager Cetacean Research | Utrecht University | Veterinary<https://www.uu.nl/organisatie/faculteit-diergeneeskunde> Medicine | Biomolecular Health Sciences | Pathology | Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht | room O.170 | (+3130) 253 5312 | (+316) 244 556 98 | l.l.ijsseldijk(a)uu.nl<mailto:l.l.ijsseldijk@uu.nl>| Follow us @ | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/strandingresearch> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonneke-ijsseldijk-64014226/> | Online<http://www.uu.nl/strandingsonderzoek> [cid:6089ffc2-cad0-4374-9009-1b5dead237ba]

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New paper : Recommendations for Sustainable Cetacean-Based Tourism in French Territories: A Review on the Industry and Current Management Actions.
by Josephine Chazot 04 Dec '20

04 Dec '20

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in Tourism in Marine Environments : *Recommendations for Sustainable Cetacean-Based Tourism in French Territories: A Review on the Industry and Current Management Actions.* Authors : Chazot, J., Hoarau, L., Carzon, P., Wagner, J., Sorby, S., Ratel, M., & Barcelo, A. Abstract : Whale-watching activities provide important socioeconomic benefits for local communities and constitute powerful platform incentives for marine mammals' protection or more broadly marine environments. However, these activities can cause adverse effects on targeted populations, with considerable downside associated risks of injuries and fatality for whale watchers during inwater interactions. France with its overseas territories has the second largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in which more than half of existing cetacean species are encountered. In these territories, recreational and commercial whale watching, including swim-with cetacean activities, have recently developed. Yet few studies focused on these activities and their associated impacts across French territories, leading to an unclear assessment of the situation. To address this issue, we reviewed cetaceans' occurrence within the French EEZ, whale-watching industry, targeted species, local management of marine mammal-based tourism activities, and regulations in France mainland and some overseas territories (Reunion Island, Mayotte, and French Polynesia). Forty Eight species are encountered in the French EEZ, and 15 are targeted by whale-watching activities. A total of 185 operators, including 34% offering swim-with-cetaceans tours, offered trips in France and overseas in 2019. While several more or less restrictive regulations exist locally, our results indicate that French's national legal framework for marine mammals' protection remains inadequate and insufficient to cope with the recent development of this activity. As conservation biologists, managers, and stakeholders from these French territories, we cooperated to provide general guidelines for a sustainable development of whale watching at a national scale. We urge (1) to legally acknowledge and regulate whale-watching commercial activities; (2) to create a national legal framework regarding whale watching and swim-with marine mammals practices, while accounting for local distinctiveness and disparities across regions; (3) to conduct more research to evaluate local short- and long-term impacts on targeted marine mammal populations as well as the socioeconomic benefits; and (4) to reinforce synergetic relations between the different stakeholders. The paper is available at: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/tme/2020/00000015/f0020003/art00… Thank You, Josephine Chazot -- josephine.chazot(a)gmail.com 06 12 08 57 12

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