June 2020 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Bottlenose Dolphin Project Research in Venezuela. Interns and Volunteer Program 2020.
by Sergio Cobarrubia 03 Jun '20

03 Jun '20

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PROJECT RESEARCH IN VENEZUELA. INTERNS AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 2020. BACKGROUND: The Laboratory of Ecosystems and Global Change (LEGC) of the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC, www.ivic.gob.ve) invites the second season of internships-volunteering (2020) in the study of coastal dolphins. LEGC is a scientific team that among its research lines on the fauna of coastal and riparian ecosystems, it has established the first one on aquatic mammals in Venezuela. On the other hand, Provita is an important NGO that contributes to the research and conservation in Venezuela. This research will begin with a project focused on sociobiology (social structure, social networks and bioacoustics) of resident groups of the coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the central coast of Venezuela. This, after an experience of 5 years in that locality studying ecological aspects of T. truncatus ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-018-0401-1) The coast of Aragua not only home this species, but also the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), the common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) and the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Of which basic information is collected too. LEGC interns and volunteers are young, hard-working who are willing to contribute to research by learning as they experience fieldwork in teams, field techniques for collecting and processing data and methodologies. All team members and interns share academic space, housing in the Institute, housework in the study area, knowledge and experience in a friendly and multicultural environment. The internship consists of three weeks: The first week of theoretical-practical introduction (24 theoretical hours and 16 practicals hours) at the IVIC Ecology Center ( www.ivic.gob.ve/es/investigacion-3/centros-31/ecologia-316) The second week of seven field surveys for data collection (42 h) on the Cata Bay (Aragua state) and the third week for data processing and analysis at the IVIC Ecology Center (40 h). The volunteering consist of the second and third weeks. WHERE: Theory: LEGC, Center of Ecology (IVIC) Miranda State, Caracas (10 23 N - 66 58 W). Practice: Cata Bay, western coast of the (rain forest) National Park Henry Pittier, Aragua state (central coast of Venezuela) 150 km from Caracas (DC) (10 29 N - 67 44 W). PROGRAM: Interns (Three weeks), Volunteers (Two weeks). 1st WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns). - Monday: What is a cetacean? The cetaceans and the human in history. Origin, evolution and diversity. Adaptations for aquatic life: Anatomy and Physiology. Life histories. Biogeography Distribution. Ecology Behavior. Conservation. - Tuesday: Identification of species reported for Venezuela. Basic logistics for the study of cetaceans on the mainland, sea and air. Basic equipment to collect information. - Wednesday: How to detect cetaceans and record an effective sighting? Basic data to collect during a sighting, calibration and use of GPS. Configuration and use of the SLR cameras. Download of sightings (GIS). Download pictures and selection (software). - Thursday: Daily encounter ratio. Photo-identification as a tool for ecological and behavioral studies. Estimates of abundance. Local distribution and areas of action. - Friday: Residential patterns. Behavior (deployments, states, daily budget). Habitat use. Social structure and social networks. Bioacoustics. Saturday: Break. Sunday: Transfer to the Cata Bay. 2nd WEEK (Cata Bay-Provita, 42 hours. For Interns and Volunteers). The field surveys will be carried out in a fishing vessel of 9 m in length by 2 of beam, no roof. The field work will depend on the climatic conditions, however, the Aragua coast offers few climatic inconveniences throughout the year. There will be 7 mornings of field surveys in the week, after each survey is lunch, rest and then proceed to download the data of sightings and then interpret them preliminarily and discuss them. We recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cool pants, hat and sunscreen (30-50 PF). In the field surveys, it will be implemented: - The identification and recognition of the elements of the marine landscape and the method of tracking and detection of cetaceans. - Ethical navigation mode to study cetaceans. - The basic data collection / sighting. - Use of GPS. - Use of SRL digital camera. - Counting of individuals and composition of a group. - Identification of the behavioral states that configure group behavior and its recording. - Use of hydrophone. - Identification and counting of birds. -Identification and counting of vessels and other antropic objects. In the afternoon the information of the sightings will be downloaded: - Sighting forms. - Latitude and longitude. - Photographs and their selection. - Voice recordings (behavior). - Recordings of vocalizations. - Shark whales sightings. - Birds sightings. - Vessels and anthropic objects sightings. 3rd WEEK (LEGC-Ecology Center, 40 hours. For Interns and volunteers). PRACTICAL FEES: Accommodation (IVIC students residence and apartment in Cata Bay), food and transport (airport-IVIC-Cata Bay-IVIC-airport) are paid. The cost of internships is US $ 720 for the compensation of logistical expenses of the field surveys. For more information, please contact:sergio.cobarrubia@gmail.com. There is also the opportunity for 6-week internships and two field survey sessions (1,250 USD). The logistic cost for volunteers is US $ 500. *Ask all your questions, especially to mitigate concerns regarding Venezuela. Since our nation is the object of an intense media campaign where opinion matrices project false dystopian scenarios.* WHEN: During the year there will be 6 internships-volunteering sessions (February, April, June, August, October, November). For interns, second, third and fourth week of the months scheduled. For volunteers, third and fourth week of the scheduled months. VACANTS: 4 people / session. Not included in the rate: - Meals in restaurants - Free time activities - Personal insurance (all participants must have health and / or travel insurance) - Personal expenses. INTEREST IS EXPECTED: - Being over 18 years - Iterns: Preference will be given to undergraduate students and professional students (biology, marine biology, environmental, conservation and plus). - Volunteer: No preferences. - Have a mature attitude towards the investigation of marine mammals and environment. - Be autonomous and flexible. - To be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors in the sea - Speak Spanish, English or Portuguese. ACADEMIC CREDITS: The LEGC will certify the work performed by intern or volunteer through a diploma with the recognition of the hours (academic-practical) worked. APPLICATION AND QUESTIONS: Applicants must write to sergio.cobarrubia(a)gmail.com with the subject "DOLPHINS PROJECT_Name". You will be sent a confirmation email with all the details about the study area and the species present, the practices and requesting your CV resume, motivation letter (small statement about what your expectations are and why you want to work with LEGC) and the internship month of your choice. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, however, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. PLUS: The possibility of making one-day expedition to the pelagic habitat is opened, this other expedition will allow us to watch Atlantic spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins or pilot whales. -- *Sergio Enrique Cobarrubia Russo* Laboratorio de Ecosistemas y Cambio Global Centro de Ecología Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Venezuela.

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Guadalupe fur seal article
by Casandra Gálvez 03 Jun '20

03 Jun '20

Hello I just want to share this article about Guadalupe fur seal growth and survival. Impacts of extreme ocean warming on the early development of a marine top predator: The Guadalupe fur seal https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2019.102220 Highlights * The northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave occurred in 2014-2016. * An anomaly of +1 °C reduces the weight of Guadalupe fur seal neonates in ~1.7 kg. * The lowest neonatal survival coincided with the highest warming variability (2015). * Extreme warming in 2014-2015 could have reduced nursing females prey availability. * Climate change would affect this subspecies' early development. Abstract >From fall 2013 through 2015, a large-scale, multi-year warm water anomaly occurred in the northeast Pacific Ocean. The phenomenon had negative impacts on some oceanic predators, including higher mortalities and poor body conditions. We studied the effect of this warm water anomaly on the weight gain of Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus philippii townsendi) neonates off the coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Individuals were captured, marked, and weighed every 13-15 days, up to 60 days of age, during the early nursing seasons (mid-June to mid-August) of 2014-2016 at this subspecies' only reproductive colony, located on Guadalupe Island. The body weight was measured at each capture and recapture. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to explore the impact of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on the neonates' weights. The hierarchical structure included connected models for the spring-summer SST trend around the colony, the neonatal body weight gain with age, and the relationship between the anomalies of both variables. Marked neonates were also tracked in order to estimate survival rates during first two months of age. Overall, positive SST anomalies had a negative effect on neonatal body weight gain. The northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave precipitated the lowest weights at birth and the slowest weight gain in 2014, as well as low weights and the lowest survival rate in 2015, likely due to the persistence of the warm anomalies. The evident sensitivity of Guadalupe fur seal neonates to regional warming conditions highlights their vulnerability under scenarios of climate change, which could impede this subspecies' continued recovery from near extinction. Best regards, Casandra Gálvez, Enviado desde Outlook Mobile<https://aka.ms/blhgte> ________________________________ From: MARMAM <marmam-bounces(a)lists.uvic.ca> on behalf of marmam-request(a)lists.uvic.ca <marmam-request(a)lists.uvic.ca> Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 1:00:28 PM To: marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca <marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca> Subject: MARMAM Digest, Vol 179, Issue 1 Send MARMAM mailing list submissions to marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to marmam-request(a)lists.uvic.ca You can reach the person managing the list at marmam-owner(a)lists.uvic.ca When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of MARMAM digest..." Today's Topics: 1. New publications on whale acoustics use (burnhamr) 2. New paper on cetacean abundance in the Central North Atlantic (Daniel Pike) 3. Competition Announcement - bycatch mitigation research (Lydia Tivenan) 4. New publication: Cetacean Skeletons Demonstrate Ecologically Relevant Variation in Intraskeletal Stable Isotopic Values (Kerri J. Smith) 5. New paper about Effect ranges of underwater noise from anchor vibration operations in the Wadden Sea (Schaffeld, Tobias) 6. Request for information on harbor porpoise behavior (Bill Keener) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:51:23 -0700 From: burnhamr <burnhamr(a)uvic.ca> To: marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca Subject: [MARMAM] New publications on whale acoustics use Message-ID: <fc219314c657f189a14a17d28c84f564(a)uvic.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I'm happy to share 2 new publications The first is a continuation of the discussion of 'Whale Geography' (previous discussion here:https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133317734103) Burnham, R.E. 2020. Whale Geography: A species-centric approach applied to migration' 44 (3)_: _419-434 It can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133320922417 Abstract: Understanding the biogeography of a species begins by mapping its presence over time and space. The use of home ranges, breeding and feeding areas, migration paths and movement patterns between the two are also inherent to their ecology. However, this is an overly simplified view of life histories. It ignores nuanced and complex exchanges and responses to the environment and between conspecifics. Having previously advocated for a more species-centric approach in a discussion of 'whale geography', I look to better understand the driving factors of migrations, and the information streams guiding the movement, which is key to the biogeography of large whale species. First, I consider the processes underlying the navigation capacities of species to complete migration, and how, and over what scales, sensory information contributes to cognitive maps. I specifically draw on examples of large-scale, _en masse_ migrators to then apply this to whales. I focus on the acoustic sense as the principal way whales gain and exchange information, drawing on a case study of grey whale (_Eschrichtius robustu_s) calling behaviour to illustrate my arguments. Their consistent employment of far-propagating calls appears to be tied to travel behaviours and probably aids navigation and social cohesion. The range over which calls are being propagated to conspecifics, or perhaps being echoed back to the individual, underlies the distance over which the cognitive maps are being both formed and employed. I believe understanding these processes edges us closer to understanding species biogeography. The second is adaptation of a paper myself and colleagues published on our glider research in the offshore waters of the Canadian Pacific that has been adapted for a younger audience in Frontiers for Young Minds. Burnham R.E. 2020. Learning About Whales by Listening for Their Calls. Front. Young Minds. 8:55. Accessed here: https://kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2020.00055 Abstract: Populations of large whales have been reduced to very low numbers, primarily by hunting. As the number of whales became smaller, they became harder to find. In the past, whalers knew where to go to hunt, but now scientists who study whales can find it hard to know which areas whales use to feed, breed, or even travel through. We now realize how important whales are for keeping oceans healthy, so scientists are trying to learn as much as they can about large whales. Underwater sound recordings are helping us find some of the rarest whales in the northeast Pacific by listening for their calls. We use underwater microphones, called hydrophones, set on the ocean floor and on ocean gliders, which are small submarines, to help us learn about where whales are, when they are there, and most importantly, what they are doing. The original article this is adapted from is: Burnham, R. E., Duffus, D. A., and Mouy, X. 2019. The presence of large whale species in Clayoquot Sound and its offshore waters. _Cont. Shelf Res._ 177:15-23. doi: 10.1016/j.csr.2019.03.004 If you would like a PDF of any of these papers feel free to contact me Rianna Burnham, PhD.

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New publication: Cetacean Skeletons Demonstrate Ecologically Relevant Variation in Intraskeletal Stable Isotopic Values
by Kerri J. Smith 03 Jun '20

03 Jun '20

Dear all, We are pleased to share our recent publication on carbon and nitrogen isotope variation in cetacean skeletons. Smith KJ, Sparks JP, Timmons ZL and Peterson MJ (2020) Cetacean Skeletons Demonstrate Ecologically Relevant Variation in Intraskeletal Stable Isotopic Values. *Front. Mar. Sci.* 7:388. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00388 Conservation science requires quickly acquiring information and taking action in order to protect species at risk of extinction. Stable isotope measurements are one way to rapidly gather data regarding species’ foraging ecology and habitat use, and passively collected samples limit additional stress to at-risk species. For these samples to be useful, however, we must know how representative they are of the stable isotope ratios of the entire organism. Bone tissue, often stored in museum collections or research centers, may be the most readily available tissue from rare, endangered, or extinct vertebrates, but using bone requires practitioners to understand intraskeletal stable isotope variation. We sampled the same eight skeletal elements from 72 cetacean skeletons from 14 species to evaluate intraskeletal variation in carbon and nitrogen isotope values. We found considerably more variation than anticipated. Carbon intraskeletal ranges varied from 0.4 to 7.6‰, with 84.7% (*n* = 61) of skeletons having a range >1‰, and 55.5% (*n* = 40) exhibiting a range >2‰. Similarly, nitrogen intraskeletal ranges varied from 0.4 to 5.2‰, with 59.7% (*n* = 43) of skeletons exhibiting a range >1‰, and 15.3% (*n* = 11) with a range >2‰. There were differences in which bones contributed most to intraskeletal variation; however, we advise against using humeri and mandibles as these bones presented the most consistent trends in deviation from the intraskeletal means for both isotopes. The large intraskeletal variation we observed is likely due to changes in foraging behavior or habitat use being reflected differently in bone isotope ratios due to differences in bone turnover rates. We suggest that for cetaceans, intraskeletal carbon isotope ranges >1‰ and nitrogen ranges >2‰ are ecologically relevant, and that using different bones from animals of the same population may produce false positive differences in foraging behavior or habitat within the population if intraskeletal variation is not considered. Future studies should use the same bones from each animal and conduct species-specific analyses of intraskeletal variation, if possible, when using specimens of opportunity. Failure to consider this variation could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding a species range or key habitats, jeopardizing conservation efforts. Cheers, Kerri *--Kerri J. Smith, Ph.D.* Postdoctoral Researcher - Baylor University Research Fellow - Smithsonian Institution Website <https://kerrijsmith.wordpress.com/> “The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” -Charles Darwin

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Competition Announcement - bycatch mitigation research
by Lydia Tivenan 03 Jun '20

03 Jun '20

*Competition Announcement - Chance to win marine acoustic equipment for bycatch mitigation research!* To celebrate the recent publication, "Assessing the Effects of Banana Pingers as Bycatch Mitigation Device for Harbour Porpoises *(Phocoena phocoena)"* by Omeyer et al., 2020, Fishtek Marine in collaboration with Chelonia LTD are running an exciting competition, for marine mammals scientists working in bycatch mitigation research. We are giving away $8000 of marine acoustic equipment (x2 C-PODs, x1 cycling Banana pinger). *Who should apply?* Anyone working with fisheries with the aim of reducing cetacean bycatch and ideally with the ability to publish scientific research. Applicants should demonstrate a drive and strategy to achieve a conservation outcome on a regional scale in the next 3 years. We would also welcome Government regulators and fisheries authorities looking to comply with the new Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) import provisions to apply. Preference for those working in the gill, drift and set net fisheries with cetacean bycatch issues and those working with Narrow Band High Frequency species (NBHF) and protected species. **Deadline for applications 30th June 2020** Read Omeyer et al., 2020 (open access) paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00285/full For more information about Fishtek Marine and how to apply: https://www.fishtekmarine.com/competition/ Find out more about Chelonia LTD: https://www.chelonia.co.uk/ Many thanks, Lydia *Lydia Tivenan – *Bycatch Mitigation Assistant, Fishtek Marine Ltd. Unit 1a Webbers Way, Dartington, Devon. TQ9 6JY. United Kingdom. *t.* +44 (0)1803 225253 *e.* lydia.tivenan(a)fishtekmarine.com *w.* http://www.fishtekmarine.com

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New publications on whale acoustics use
by burnhamr 02 Jun '20

02 Jun '20

I'm happy to share 2 new publications The first is a continuation of the discussion of 'Whale Geography' (previous discussion here:https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133317734103) Burnham, R.E. 2020. Whale Geography: A species-centric approach applied to migration' 44 (3)_: _419-434 It can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133320922417 Abstract: Understanding the biogeography of a species begins by mapping its presence over time and space. The use of home ranges, breeding and feeding areas, migration paths and movement patterns between the two are also inherent to their ecology. However, this is an overly simplified view of life histories. It ignores nuanced and complex exchanges and responses to the environment and between conspecifics. Having previously advocated for a more species-centric approach in a discussion of 'whale geography', I look to better understand the driving factors of migrations, and the information streams guiding the movement, which is key to the biogeography of large whale species. First, I consider the processes underlying the navigation capacities of species to complete migration, and how, and over what scales, sensory information contributes to cognitive maps. I specifically draw on examples of large-scale, _en masse_ migrators to then apply this to whales. I focus on the acoustic sense as the principal way whales gain and exchange information, drawing on a case study of grey whale (_Eschrichtius robustu_s) calling behaviour to illustrate my arguments. Their consistent employment of far-propagating calls appears to be tied to travel behaviours and probably aids navigation and social cohesion. The range over which calls are being propagated to conspecifics, or perhaps being echoed back to the individual, underlies the distance over which the cognitive maps are being both formed and employed. I believe understanding these processes edges us closer to understanding species biogeography. The second is adaptation of a paper myself and colleagues published on our glider research in the offshore waters of the Canadian Pacific that has been adapted for a younger audience in Frontiers for Young Minds. Burnham R.E. 2020. Learning About Whales by Listening for Their Calls. Front. Young Minds. 8:55. Accessed here: https://kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2020.00055 Abstract: Populations of large whales have been reduced to very low numbers, primarily by hunting. As the number of whales became smaller, they became harder to find. In the past, whalers knew where to go to hunt, but now scientists who study whales can find it hard to know which areas whales use to feed, breed, or even travel through. We now realize how important whales are for keeping oceans healthy, so scientists are trying to learn as much as they can about large whales. Underwater sound recordings are helping us find some of the rarest whales in the northeast Pacific by listening for their calls. We use underwater microphones, called hydrophones, set on the ocean floor and on ocean gliders, which are small submarines, to help us learn about where whales are, when they are there, and most importantly, what they are doing. The original article this is adapted from is: Burnham, R. E., Duffus, D. A., and Mouy, X. 2019. The presence of large whale species in Clayoquot Sound and its offshore waters. _Cont. Shelf Res._ 177:15-23. doi: 10.1016/j.csr.2019.03.004 If you would like a PDF of any of these papers feel free to contact me Rianna Burnham, PhD.

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Request for information on harbor porpoise behavior
by Bill Keener 02 Jun '20

02 Jun '20

Dear MARMAM community, We are working on an international collaborative paper documenting harbor porpoise mating patterns globally. If you or your colleagues have photos, videos or other data on harbor porpoise aerial behavior or mating, please reach out us. Our goal is to document whether the conspicuous behavior that we described from San Francisco Bay in our 2018 paper (the male's rapid approach to the female's left side that often ends with the male becoming aerial) occurs in all harbor porpoise populations. Our results have shown that porpoise aerial behavior may be a sign of mating activity, and such observations could factor into decisions affecting potential breeding hotspots and the designation of marine protected areas. Our open access paper in Aquatic Mammals (https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.44.6.2018.620) is available here: 44_6_keener<https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=pr…>. At the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona, we presented a poster inviting collaborators, available here: https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/assets/pdfs/vetsci-stranding/scientific-… All the best, Bill Keener (The Marine Mammal Center; keenerb(a)tmmc.org) Marc Webber (The Marine Mammal Center; webberm(a)tmmc.org) Dara Orbach (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi; dara.orbach(a)tamucc.edu) Bill Keener Research Associate Cetacean Field Research Program KeenerB(a)tmmc.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> | C: 415.297.6139 | MarineMammalCenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

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New paper about Effect ranges of underwater noise from anchor vibration operations in the Wadden Sea
by Schaffeld, Tobias 02 Jun '20

02 Jun '20

Dear Colleagues, My Co-Authors and I are pleased to advertise our recent publication. We investigated the effect ranges of underwater noise from anchor vibration operations in the Wadden Sea. This technique was used as an alternative to pile-driving. Citation: Baltzer, J., Maurer, N., Schaffeld, T., Ruser, A., Schnitzler, J. G., and Siebert, U. (2020). “Effect ranges of underwater noise from anchor vibration operations in the Wadden Sea,” J. Sea Res., 162, 101912. doi:10.1016/j.seares.2020.101912 Link to full paper: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1b9~o_VVcRgsQW Highlights · Source level of the vibration embedment noise was 148.2 dB re 1 μPa2s. · Median sound exposure levels ranged from 120 to 99 dB re 1 μPa2s at distances between 394 and 2288 m. · Vibration embedment noise might exert a behavioural reaction on a local scale. · Marine mammals and fish may be affected to distances of 375 and 766 m, respectively. Abstract: Anchor pipe vibration embedment operations during the construction of seed mussel collectors were performed in the Wadden Sea, a designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009. We recorded 200 min of underwater noise during the construction of seven anchor pipes. Underwater noise was recorded simultaneously at three positions with a water depth of 9 m with increasing distance to the construction site to assess the disturbance potential to the marine fauna. The recorded vibration embedment noise was a continuous sound with durations of 2–55 s, with most energy below 1 kHz and peak frequencies around 900 Hz. Background noise level at a distance of approximately 1 km increased around 13 dB at frequencies between 800 and 1000 Hz. We estimated the sound propagation by a non-linear logarithmic regression by means of the intercept, slope and attenuation factor, which allowed us to evaluate the received sound levels that reach an animal in certain distances from the construction site. The estimated sound exposure level (SEL) of the source was 148.2 dB re 1 μPa2s and the median SEL ranged from 120 to 99 dB re 1 μPa2s at distances between 394 and 2288 m, respectively. Behavioural thresholds for indigenous species of marine mammals in the Wadden Sea as well as representative fish species were used to determine effect radii of vibration embedment noise. Our study showed that the detected anchor pipe vibration embedment noise might exert a behavioural reaction on a local scale. Marine mammals could be affected by the construction operations up to a distance of 375 m and fish up to a distance of 766 m. These zones of responsiveness for vibration embedment operations are relatively small, compared to pile driving, which is regularly used during construction operations. Our study shows that it is important to monitor and assess any kind of noise introduction to verify, whether a sustainable human use with respect to the complied guidelines is ensured without affecting the marine fauna. That is the first step to maintain a good environmental status as implemented in the MSFD. With kind regards Tobias Schaffeld -- Tobias Schaffeld Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation Werftstr. 6 / 25761 Büsum / Germany Tel +49 511 856 8164 / Fax +49 511 856-8181 Tobias.Schaffeld(a)tiho-hannover.de<mailto:Tobias.Schaffeld@tiho-hannover.de> http://www.tiho-hannover.de/kliniken-institute/institute/institut-fuer-terr…

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New paper on cetacean abundance in the Central North Atlantic
by Daniel Pike 01 Jun '20

01 Jun '20

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in NAMMCO Scientific Publications: Pike, D.G., Gunnlaugsson, T., Mikkelsen, B., Halldórsson, S.D., Víkingsson, G.A., Acquarone, M. & Desportes, G. (2020). Estimates of the Abundance of Cetaceans in the Central North Atlantic From the T-NASS Icelandic and Faroese Ship Surveys Conducted in 2007. *NAMMCO Scientific Publications *11. https://doi.org/10.7557/3.5269 *ABSTRACT* The Trans-North Atlantic Sightings Survey (T-NASS) carried out in June-July 2007 was the fifth in a series of large-scale cetacean surveys conducted previously in 1987, 1989, 1995 and 2001. The core survey area covered about 1.8 million nm² spanning from the Eastern Barents Sea at 34°E to the east coast of Canada, and between 52°N and 78°N in the east and south to 42°N in the west. We present design-based abundance estimates from the Faroese and Icelandic vessel survey components of T-NASS, as well as results from ancillary vessels that covered adjoining areas. The 4 dedicated survey vessels used a Buckland-Turnock (B-T) mode with a tracker platform searching an area ahead of the primary platform and tracking sightings to provide data for bias correction. Both uncorrected estimates, using the combined non-duplicate sightings from both platforms, and mark-recapture estimates, correcting estimates from the primary platform for bias due to perception and availability, are presented for those species with a sufficient number of sightings. Corrected estimates for the core survey area are as follows: fin whales (*Balaenoptera physalus*): 30,777 (CV=0.19); humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*): 18,105 (CV=0.43); sperm whales (*Physeter macrocephalus*): 12,268 (CV=0.33); long-finned pilot whales (*Globicephala melas*): 87,417 (CV=0.38); white-beaked dolphins (*Lagenorhynchus albirostris*): 91,277 (CV=0.53); and white-sided dolphins (*L. acutus*): 81,008 (CV=0.54). Uncorrected estimates only were possible for common minke whales (*B. acutorstrata*): 12,427 (CV=0.27); and sei whales (*B. borealis*): 5,159 (CV=0.47). Sighting rates from the ancillary vessels, which used a single platform, were lower than those from the dedicated vessels in areas where they overlapped. No evidence of responsive movement by any species was detected, but there was some indication that distance measurements by the primary platform may have been negatively biased. The significance of this for the abundance estimates is discussed. The relative merits of B-T over other survey modes are discussed and recommendations for future surveys provided. The paper is available for download here: https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/article/view/5269 Best regards, Daniel Pike.

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