October 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New book - We Are All Whalers
by Michael Moore 20 Oct '21

20 Oct '21

Dear Colleagues - I've written a book about right whales - it's about us humans too. It's on virtual and real bookshelves now. See https://www2.whoi.edu/staff/mmoore/we-are-all-whalers/ Please tweet and share as if the survival of the North Atlantic right whale species depends on it - as in a small part it does. Apologies in advance for the postscripts - but anthropogenic trauma begets and deserves anthropomorphism. -- Michael Moore Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods hole, MA, USA

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New Publication Cetaceans Guatemala - Ortíz et al., 2021
by andrea cabrera 20 Oct '21

20 Oct '21

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce a new paper on stranding cetaceans along the Pacific coastline of Guatemala over the last 15 years. Ortiz-Wolford J, Corona-Figueroa MF, Dávila V, Cabrera AA. 2021. Cetacean stranding records along the Pacific coastline of Guatemala, 2007–2021: Implications for management, conservation and research. Marine Policy 134:104827 Abstract Cetacean strandings constitute one of the most important sources of information for studying cetacean diversity and obtaining basic biological data. The Guatemalan Pacific Ocean supports a high diversity of cetaceans, with at least 19 confirmed species records. However, little is known about cetacean strandings in Guatemala and their association with anthropogenic activities. We reviewed the occurrence of cetacean strandings on the Pacific coastline of Guatemala between 2007 and 2021. Stranding records were obtained from publications and citizen science such as sporadic reports from third parties, local and social media. In total, 39 stranding events from 12 species were recorded over the 15-year period examined. Stranded species belong to five families: Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae and Eschrichtiidae. The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, n = 6), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, n = 6), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris, n = 5), spotted dolphin (S. attenuata, n = 4), and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, n = 4) were the most frequently stranded species. For three of the stranded species, the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), these stranding records represent the first confirmed report of the species in Guatemalan waters. Although we could not determine the cause of stranding in most cases, at least 15% of stranded individuals presented marks or injuries that could be associated with anthropogenic activities, such as fisheries or vessel strikes. This study highlights the importance of stranding data and the need to create a national network to allow timely response to stranding events and to enable improved data collection protocols. A well-curated cetacean stranding database is crucial for scientific research as well as to implement management and conservation measures to protect these species in the region. The paper is open-access and freely available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X21004383 Best regards,Andrea Cabrera ------------------------------ Andrea Cabrera, PhD Section for Evogenomics, Globe Institute, University of CopenhagenØster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 København K, 7, Building: 7.203 Marine Evolution and Conservation, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences , University of GroningenNijenborgh 7 9747 AG, Groningen The Netherlands

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New publication - Towards mitigating marine-mammal and sea-turtle mortalities in small-scale fisheries
by Rita de Castro 19 Oct '21

19 Oct '21

Dear colleagues and MARMAM Subscribers, On behalf of myself and my co-authors, I am pleased to announce that our recent publication in Regional Studies in Marine Science is now available online: - Towards mitigating marine-mammal and sea-turtle mortalities in small-scale fisheries. - Rita M. de Castro, Matt K. Broadhurst, Camila Domit Abstract: Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are often considered sustainable; but comprise 95% of global fishers and cumulatively evoke substantial ecosystem impacts that include collateral mortalities. Marine mammals and sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to SSF and have been the focus of conservation strategies. However, many strategies have fallen short of objectives. This study aimed to elucidate and help resolve associated issues by: compiling global efforts to mitigate marine-mammal and sea-turtle bycatches/fishing mortalities among SSF; identifying successful outcomes and influencing factors; and then suggesting steps for mitigating remaining problems. Among 150 articles, there was exponential temporal output, with gillnets the most studied gear (67%). Approximately 71% of all publications proposed mitigation measures but of these, efficacy was assessed in fewer than 2/3. While essential for conservation, community engagement was poorly initiated—although relevant studies have increased in the last decade, which may be correlated with studies describing management approaches instead of typical bycatch assessments. Mitigation measures were assessed in a ‘strength– weaknesses–opportunities-and–threats’ analysis. Mitigation measures should benefit multiple species (‘strengths’), avoid high costs/maintenance (‘weaknesses’), be supported by community engagement and governmental aid/enforcement (‘opportunities’), and consider non-compliance (‘threats’). Collateral mortalities can be reduced among SSF, but regional adoption of technology requires impetus that is best achieved via community engagement. The article can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101999 For further information or to request a copy of the pdf, please contact me at rita_de_castro(a)live.com.pt. Thank you! Kind regards, Rita Meireles de Castro.

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Online Internship/course at Marine Mammal Research Association for Fall/Winter 2021
by Selina Brouwer 19 Oct '21

19 Oct '21

Dear all, *Please find below details of our Remote Internship with the Marine Mammal Research Association - **Deniz Memelileri Araştırma Derneği (DMAD).* Due to COVID-19 it is still challenging to travel safely to other countries at this moment, but that doesn't mean that you can't benefit from our knowledge and develop your career or get help with your thesis remotely. Students, graduates, career changers etc can receive both research and public outreach experience working with the DMAD team. http://www.dmad.org.tr/remote-internships WHO IS DMAD AND WHAT DO WE DO? DMAD - Marine Mammals Research Association have scientific projects running in Turkey, Montenegro and Albania. We conduct long-term studies of marine mammals in Istanbul, Antalya, the Levantine sea, Montenegrin coastal waters and the northern coastline of Albania. We aim to address questions about marine mammal abundance, distribution and behaviour, define critical habitats and investigate the impact of major threats, ranging from tourism to hydrocarbon exploration. Our wider attention focuses on the promotion and implementation of awareness initiatives targeted at the local community. More details on the projects can be found here: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-projects ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: The DMAD team provides lectures and training as well as constant supervision. You will be given the chance to learn the most popular methodologies used in marine mammal research including: -Cetacean species identification within the Mediterranean -Population statuses and threats to marine mammals within the Mediterranean -Software used in the field (Pythagoras, Logger 2010) -Data analysis using GIS, R, Distance, Mark -Passive Acoustic Monitoring using PamGuard, Raven -Residency Pattern Analysis -Population Estimation -Scientific support on manuscript and technical report writing including thesis supervision PARTICIPATION FEE: The internship is for 2 months and is more than 100 hours and requires a contribution fee of 560euro, which fully goes to supporting the project. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEE: -Video recordings -Scientific support through weekly Skype calls -Real data and practical examples to work through -Certification of participation HOW TO APPLY Our Remote Internship is an ongoing project that starts every first Monday of the month. The next one starts on the 1st of November; the number of places has a limit. It is also possible to change the internship to a course, please contact us for more information. Email your CV and cover letter to info(a)dmad.org.tr, giving details of your specific interests so that we can help you to develop a personal project. If you wish to have more info about our other internships please take a look at some of our web pages and social media: Our research: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-projects Our remote internships: http://www.dmad.org.tr/remote-internships Our publications: http://www.dmad.org.tr/our-publications All the best and stay safe, -- DMAD-Team *info(a)dmad.org.tr <info(a)dmad.org.tr>* *www.dmad.org.tr <http://www.dmad.org.tr/>* *Follow us on: Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/DMADforNature/> & **Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/>*

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New Paper: Elephant seal weaning mass, population density, and maternal age
by Rachel Holser 18 Oct '21

18 Oct '21

Dear Colleagues, My coauthors and I are excited to share our new publication using 40 years of data to examine the contributions of population density, maternal effects, and ocean conditions to weaning mass in the northern elephant seal. This article is open access and can be found here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.1258 - Holser Rachel R. <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/author/Holser%2C+Rachel+R>, - Crocker Daniel E. <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/author/Crocker%2C+Daniel+E>, - Robinson Patrick W. <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/author/Robinson%2C+Patrick+W>, - Condit Richard <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/author/Condit%2C+Richard> and - Costa Daniel P. <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/author/Costa%2C+Daniel+P> 2021Density-dependent effects on reproductive output in a capital breeding carnivore, the northern elephant seal (*Mirounga angustirostris*) Proc. R. Soc. B.288 20211258 Abstract: All organisms face resource limitations that will ultimately restrict population growth, but the controlling mechanisms vary across ecosystems, taxa, and reproductive strategies. Using four decades of data, we examine how variation in the environment and population density affect reproductive outcomes in a capital-breeding carnivore, the northern elephant seal (*Mirounga angustirostris*). This species provides a unique opportunity to examine the relative importance of resource acquisition and density-dependence on breeding success. Capital breeders accrue resources over large temporal and spatial scales for use during an abbreviated reproductive period. This strategy may have evolved, in part, to confer resilience to short-term environmental variability. We observed density-dependent effects on weaning mass, and maternal age (experience) was more important than oceanographic conditions or maternal mass in determining offspring weaning mass. Together these findings show that the mechanisms controlling reproductive output are conserved across terrestrial and marine systems and vary with population dynamics, an important consideration when assessing the effect of extrinsic changes, such as climate change, on a population. Feel free to contact me at rholser(a)ucsc.edu if you have any questions. All the best, Rachel Holser -- Rachel Holser, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher Institute of Marine Sciences University of California, Santa Cruz 115 McAllister Way Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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New paper: Year-round distribution and residency patterns of killer whales in the Gulf of Alaska
by Hannah Myers 18 Oct '21

18 Oct '21

My coauthors and I are pleased to share our new paper on the year-round distribution and residency patterns of killer whales in the Gulf of Alaska, published open access in *Scientific Reports*. Myers, H.J., Olsen, D.W., Matkin, C.O., Horstmann, L.A., Konar, B.H. Passive acoustic monitoring of killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) reveals year-round distribution and residency patterns in the Gulf of Alaska. *Sci Rep* *11*, 20284 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99668-0 Abstract Killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) are top predators throughout the world’s oceans. In the North Pacific, the species is divided into three ecotypes—resident (fish-eating), transient (mammal-eating), and offshore (largely shark-eating)—that are genetically and acoustically distinct and have unique roles in the marine ecosystem. In this study, we examined the year-round distribution of killer whales in the northern Gulf of Alaska from 2016 to 2020 using passive acoustic monitoring. We further described the daily acoustic residency patterns of three killer whale populations (southern Alaska residents, Gulf of Alaska transients, and AT1 transients) for one year of these data. Highest year-round acoustic presence occurred in Montague Strait, with strong seasonal patterns in Hinchinbrook Entrance and Resurrection Bay. Daily acoustic residency times for the southern Alaska residents paralleled seasonal distribution patterns. The majority of Gulf of Alaska transient detections occurred in Hinchinbrook Entrance in spring. The depleted AT1 transient killer whale population was most often identified in Montague Strait. Passive acoustic monitoring revealed that both resident and transient killer whales used these areas much more extensively than previously known and provided novel insights into high use locations and times for each population. These results may be driven by seasonal foraging opportunities and social factors and have management implications for this species. Thank you, Hannah Hannah Myers PhD Student College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks hmyers8(a)alaska.edu

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New Paper: Ocean warming threatens southern right whale population recovery
by Macarena Agrelo 18 Oct '21

18 Oct '21

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of myself and my co-authors, we are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in “Science Advances”. “Ocean warming threatens southern right whale population recovery” Whales contribute to marine ecosystem functioning, and they may play a role in mitigating climate change and supporting the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) population, a keystone prey species that sustains the entire Southern Ocean (SO) ecosystem. By analyzing a five-decade (1971–2017) data series of individual southern right whales (SRWs; Eubalaena australis) photo-identified at Península Valdés, Argentina, we found a marked increase in whale mortality rates following El Niño events. By modeling how the population responds to changes in the frequency and intensity of El Niño events, we found that such events are likely to impede SRW population recovery and could even cause population decline. Such outcomes have the potential to disrupt food-web interactions in the SO, weakening that ecosystem’s contribution to the mitigation of climate change at a global scale. M. Agrelo, F. G. Daura-Jorge, V. J. Rowntree, M. Sironi, P. S. Hammond, S. N. Ingram, C. F. Marón, F. O. Vilches, J. Seger, R. Payne, P. C. Simões-Lopes, Ocean warming threatens southern right whale population recovery. Sci. Adv. 7, eabh2823 (2021). The paper is available on the following link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abh2823 For further information on this publication please contact me at maca.agrelo(a)gmail.com Thank you! Macarena Macarena Agrelo [image: ] Ph.D. student of Ecology Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina | Brasil Researcher at the Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas www.ballenas.org.ar | Argentina

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Vacancy: NAMMCO Scientific Secretary
by Heleen Middel 18 Oct '21

18 Oct '21

The Secretariat of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO), based in Tromsø in northern Norway, has an opening for a full-time Scientific Secretary as soon as possible at the earliest convenience of the applicant. NAMMCO NAMMCO is an inter-governmental advisory body for the conservation and management of marine mammals in the North Atlantic. This includes both cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals and walruses). Based on the best available scientific and user knowledge, the Commission provides management advice to the governments of its member countries: Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Norway. Scientific Secretary Position The Scientific Secretary is responsible for planning, coordinating and participating in the work of the NAMMCO Scientific Committee and its associated expert Working Groups. The primary tasks of the position will include: rapporteuring and report writing, as well as editing and collating scientific publications. The Scientific Secretary will also assist the Secretariat in preparing for high level international science/policy meetings; keeping the NAMMCO website up to date with relevant documents, data and research on marine mammals; contributing to communication and public outreach through social media engagement; and formatting policy reports and research articles. The Scientific Secretary will be appointed Editor to the academic journal NAMMCO Scientific Publications, with responsibility to recruit and process submissions to the journal. Skills Required This position requires an experienced scientist with a good background in wildlife or fisheries biology. Research experience in or knowledge of marine mammal biology, including knowledge of survey methods, population biology and stock assessment in the context of sustainable management, is highly desirable. Participation in scientific projects of direct relevance to NAMMCO is encouraged where feasible. A higher degree is preferred. Excellent spoken and written English, a high-level competence in both Word and Excel as well as a good ability in communication and dissemination of scientific information to a general audience are essential. Familiarity with website editing using Wordpress, knowledge of GIS (or another mapping software) and database maintenance is desirable. A working knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage. The person filling this position should have good leadership qualities and be able to work confidently alone as well as in a team. The Secretariat is small, and teamwork is important. Given the nature of working in a Secretariat for an inter-governmental advisory body, the candidate should also be flexible, solution-oriented, willing to perform diverse tasks as they arise, and able to meet deadlines under pressure. Working conditions The position attracts an international standard salary based on the ICSC-UN professional scale (P3 level, step 1), with private pension scheme, as well as assistance in relocation expenses, and 6 weeks annual vacation with home travel allowance. The initial appointment will be for 4 years, including a three-month probation period, and may be renewed. The person filling this position should be prepared to travel extensively for meetings within and outside member countries for up to 12 weeks each year. Application Applications should include: - an application letter describing the candidate, how they meet the skills required and their motivation to apply for the position; - a CV (curriculum vitae) detailing education, work experience, and any publications; and - the names, affiliations and contact details of three referees. These documents should be sent electronically marked "confidential" to the General Secretary, to genevieve(a)nammco.org <mailto:genevieve@nammco.org> Please specify how you became aware of the vacancy. All applications will be acknowledged. Applications close the 30th of November 2021, 23:59 Norwegian time UTC +1 For further details on the job description and other information, please contact the General Secretary of NAMMCO on genevieve(a)nammco.org<mailto:genevieve@nammco.org> or call +47 950 21 228. It is also recommended to visit the NAMMCO website www.nammco.org <http://www.nammco.org/> to learn more about the work of this international organisation and its goals and affiliations. Heleen Middel Assistant Scientific Secretary NAMMCO - North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission POB 6453, Sykehusveien 21-23 N-9294 Tromsø, Norway Mob.: +47 41075821 E-mail: heleen(a)nammco.no<mailto:heleen@nammco.no> [cid:image001.png@01D7C406.140886F0]

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new open acoustic data resource
by John Ryan 17 Oct '21

17 Oct '21

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to offer free open access to 6+ years of nearly continuous passive acoustic monitoring data from the central California Current System, in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Data from this continuously growing archive are available at the original sample rate of 256 kHz, as well as daily files decimated to 16 kHz and 2 kHz. Beyond data, the project includes example tutorials of data analysis in the cloud for research topics including marine mammals and anthropogenic noise. We hope these data and analysis tools will help enable comparative studies of marine mammals across ecosystems. Access: https://registry.opendata.aws/pacific-sound/ Please let us know if you have any questions about data access or analysis tools. Best regards, John Ryan and the MBARI Ocean Soundscape team

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New publication on foraging ecology of South American fur seals
by Renan Lima 16 Oct '21

16 Oct '21

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce that our newest paper in Aquatic Ecology is now online: "Segregation of diets by sex and individual in South American fur seals" RC de Lima, V Franco-Trecu, TS Carrasco, P Inchausti, ER Secchi, S Botta https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10452-021-09915-9 Abstract Trophic niche width and individual specialization among marine predators are often subjected to seasonal constraints. Differences are expected to arise for sexually dimorphic species exposed to distinct ecological opportunities, as well as intrinsic differences in physiological abilities or energetic requirements. We assess seasonal and sexual differences in isotopic niche overlap and width and analyze inter-individual foraging variation throughout the year of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis). We obtained chronologically ordered δ13C and δ15N data from vibrissae of 25 males and 24 females from southern Brazil and Uruguay. There were significant differences between sexes for both isotopes with males showing higher values (δ13C = − 14.5 ± 0.5‰; δ15N = 18.9 ± 1.2‰) than females (δ13C = − 15.2 ± 0.5‰; δ15N = 17.8 ± 1.2‰), but not among seasons or years. A very small isotopic niche overlap found between sexes (1.1–9.5%), with limited seasonal variation, likely resulted from differences in prey consumption and foraging habitats. Compared to other seasons, females had a wider isotopic niche in spring. While males showed seasonal stability in the foraging niche, females showed some small variation, which is probably influenced by central place foraging. Both sexes had considerable interindividual variation in estimated dietary composition and had different proportions of potential prey contribution at the population level. These findings enlighten the knowledge of South American fur seal trophic ecology, and how they may seasonally and spatially shift their foraging strategies according to their distinct life histories. It ultimately reflects in a small niche partitioning and possibly low intraspecific competition at the species northernmost area of occurrence in the western South Atlantic. Please feel free to contact me via email (renancdl(a)gmail.com) for any questions or a pdf copy of the paper. Best regards, Renan Lima -- MSc Renan Costa de Lima Doutorando do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha - EcoMega Instituto de Oceanografia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG) Fone: +55(53)99718994

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