November 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Spatiotemporal models highlight influence of oceanographic conditions on common dolphin bycatch risk in the Bay of Biscay
by lola.gilbert＠lilo.org 29 Nov '21

29 Nov '21

Dear MARMAM colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication exploring relationships between oceanographic conditions and common dolphin bycatch risk in the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic) in Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol 679 : Gilbert L, Rouby E, Tew-Kaï E, Spitz J, Peltier H, Quilfen V, Authier M (2021) Spatiotemporal models highlight influence of oceanographic conditions on common dolphin bycatch risk in the Bay of Biscay ABSTRACT: The population of short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis of the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) has been subjected to potentially dangerous levels of bycatch since the 1990s. As the phenomenon intensifies, it represents a potent threat to the population. Here, we investigated the relationship between bycatch mortality and oceanographic processes. We assumed that oceanographic processes spatiotemporally structure the availability and aggregation of prey, creating areas prone to attract both common dolphins and fish targeted by fisheries. We used 2 datasets from 2012 to 2019: oceanographic data resulting from a circulation model and mortality data inferred from strandings. The latter allows location of mortality areas and quantification of the intensity of mortality events at sea. We fitted a series of spatiotemporal hierarchical Bayesian models using integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA). Results provided first insights on how bycatch of common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay might be related to key seasonal and dynamic oceanographic features. We showed that from a statistical predictive point of view, the monthly trend of 2019 bycatch mortality could be predicted with few oceanographic covariates. This study highlights how gaining knowledge about environmental influences on interactions between short-beaked common dolphins and fisheries could have great conservation and management value. Identified relationships with oceanographic covariates were complex, as expected given the dynamic aspects of oceanographic processes, dolphins and fisheries distributions. Further research focusing on smaller time scales is needed to elucidate proximal drivers of common dolphin bycatch in the Bay of Biscay. Access to the article here: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v679/p195-212/ Please feel free to contact me at lola.gilbert(a)univ-lr.fr for a full copy and for any question or comment! Best regards, Lola Gilbert ----------------- J'utilise Lilo, le moteur de recherche qui finance des projets sociaux et environnementaux et sa messagerie mail qui minimise mon impact carbone https://www.lilo.org?utm_source=maillilo

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Sea Watch Foundation Internship Opportunity
by katrin.lohrengel＠seawatchfoundation.org.uk 29 Nov '21

29 Nov '21

Interns are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) with the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project”. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and supports the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of vessel-based and land-based surveys. SWF has been monitoring these populations on behalf of the Welsh government (through funding provided by Natural Resources Wales) for two decades. Cardigan Bay contains Britain’s largest coastal population of bottlenose dolphins, for which two Special Areas of Conservation have been established under the EU Habitats Directive. Interns will assist New Quay staff by taking part in the following tasks: Land-based surveys Boat-based surveys Photo-identification matching Data entry Raising public awareness Education initiatives and events Assisting with and participation in training courses and other needs of the charity. In addition to these tasks, we have some specialist equipment: a hydrophone, a polecam, and an aerial drone to opportunistically collect acoustic, video and aerial data during boat-based surveys. Sea Watch has also been contributing to a project to collect dolphin blow samples for population genetics and microbiome analyses. Interns interested in these subjects may also have the opportunity to assist in data collection for these projects. Interns are required from early April until the end of October 2022. The research season is split into four separate periods, each lasting 7 weeks. The research periods for the 2022 season are: Period 1: April 11 - May 29  Period 2: May 30- July 17  Period 3: July 18 - September 4  Period 4: September 5- October 23 Interns are expected to arrive on the first day of their chosen period and depart on the first day of the next period. Unfortunately these dates are not flexible. Preference will be given to those applying for more than one period. Interns will be based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Accommodation is provided by a private landlord through rental of a house that interns share at a rate of around £74 per person per week. Rooms are shared between two or three people, with a total of nine people in the house at any given time. Please be aware that while every effort is made to accommodate interns in single sex rooms, in some cases it might not be possible. If you have a strong preference, please indicate so in the application form and we will try our best to accommodate this. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Important skills/qualifications Essential: an ability to work independently in a meticulous and reliable manner strong commitment to volunteering work willingness to work long hours outdoors in often changeable Welsh weather good IT skills (Office package) an ability to get on well with others in a small team and in shared accommodation Desirable: a strong interest and some knowledge of British cetaceans a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar prior experience in boat-based survey work good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking experience in interacting with the public All interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in boat survey protocols, and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins. Normal office hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs, but field work regularly falls outside these hours. Please note that while we are hopeful that the field season will progress as planned, if new COVID restrictions are imposed in 2022, internships may need to be postponed or suspended, although there are various home based volunteering roles that can be undertaken should this occur. International applications are welcome but it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure visa requirements are met and we ask applicants to highlight their chosen visa option in their application. Please note that Sea Watch Foundation is unable to sponsor visa applications for Research Interns. If you are interested in this position, please contact Katrin on katrin.lohrengel(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk with a completed Research Intern application form (available on the Sea Watch website) and CV by 31st January 2022. Decisions will be made by 21st February 2022.

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New Publication: Acoustic analysis of crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) vocalizations in Southern Kerguelen Plateau region of East Antarctica
by Harsha Nagaraj 28 Nov '21

28 Nov '21

Dear MARMAMers, We are delighted to share our publication titled 'Acoustic analysis of crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) vocalizations in Southern Kerguelen Plateau region of East Antarctica.' Nagaraj, H., Owen, K., Lea, M-A., Miller, B.S. (2021). " Acoustic analysis of crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) vocalizations in Southern Kerguelen Plateau region of East Antarctica". Journal of Acoustical Society of America 150 (5), 3353-3361. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0006789 Abstract: Crabeater seals are circumpolar, ice-dependent seals that produce distinct vocalizations during the breeding season. This study provides the first description of the acoustic repertoire of the crabeater seal in East Antarctica, using data from a stationary hydrophone at 1.8 km depth in the Southern Kerguelen Plateau region in 2014–2015. Two call types were identified in the data set: the low and the high moan calls. Of the 8821 calls detected, 92.5% were classified as low moan calls and 7.5% were high moan calls. The mean duration of the two call types was similar (2.3 and 2.8 s, respectively), however, the high moan calls had a higher frequency range (1020–4525 Hz, n =11) than the low moan calls (360–2753 Hz, n =120). The calls were primarily detected in the austral spring. Diel analysis showed that the low moan calls were mostly made at nighttime or proximal to dusk and dawn. The results of this study could aid in the development of automated detectors for crabeater seal vocalizations. This would facilitate comparisons of the distribution and abundance of the species using extant acoustic data and could increase knowledge on the breeding behavior of crabeater seals. Please don't hesitate to send an email to *nharsha1996(a)gmail.com <nharsha1996(a)gmail.com> *requesting a copy and for more information. -- Best Regards *Harsha Nagaraj*

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New ACCOBAMS book on the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and adjacent area
by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara 26 Nov '21

26 Nov '21

Dear Colleagues, we are pleased to announce the publication of a new book entitled: “Conserving whales, dolphins & porpoises in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and adjacent areas: an ACCOBAMS status report 2021”, published by the CMS Agreement of the conservation of cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS). A PDF version of the book can be freely downloaded from the following link: https://accobams.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACCOBAMS_ConservingWDP_web-… <https://accobams.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACCOBAMS_ConservingWDP_web-…> Best regards to all, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara and Arda M. Tonay

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Call for submissions for a Special Issue in Journal Sustainability (Patricia Arranz)
by Patty Arranz 26 Nov '21

26 Nov '21

Dear Colleagues, Journal* Sustainability* (ISSN 2071-1050; IF 3.251) is currently running a Special Issue entitled “*Sustainable Conservation of Marine Mammals: Latest Advances and Prospects*". We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue with a comprehensive *R**eview* paper or full *O**riginal **R**esearch **A* *rticle* reporting the latest experimental and theoretical research progress with high quality results from your group. For further reading, please follow the link to the Special Issue Website at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/marine_mammals_c… The submission deadline is *30 April 2022*. You may send your manuscript now or up until the deadline. Submitted papers should not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. We also encourage authors to send a short abstract or tentative title to the Editorial Office in advance ( sustainability(a)mdpi.com) *Sustainability* is a fully open access journal. Open access (unlimited and free access by readers) increases publicity and promotes more frequent citations, as indicated by several studies. Open access is supported by the authors and their institutes. For further details on the submission process, please see the instructions for authors at the journal website ( https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/instructions) We look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Dr. Patricia Arranz *Guest Editor*

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4-D virtual necropsy
by Ellen Chenoweth 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

A virtual whale necropsy is available to the public via the UAS Whale Lab Website <https://uas.alaska.edu/research/whalelab/>. This resource consists of sequential 3D scans of a dead whale from discovery through a necropsy examination to assess the possible cause of death, and decomposition (time is the 4th dimension, not smell, as some have suggested!). We include also a workshop version suitable for small groups middle school through adult that takes about 90 minutes. This is a freely available resource funded by NIH through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and we hope it is useful for many different purposes. We encourage you to share with anyone who might be interested. Thank you to everyone who provided valuable feedback and we look forward to more feedback (via the form linked in the necropsy) as we continue to make additions and corrections. -- Ellen Chenoweth, Ph.D. Program Director UAS Rural Alaska Students in One-Heath Research (RASOR) https://rasor.alaska.edu/ UAF Research Advising and Mentoring Professional Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Rm 108 UAS Sitka 1332 Seward Ave Sitka, Alaska 99835 Phone (907) 747-7791 http://www.alaska.edu/blast/ (she/her)

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Whalepoint volunteer positions 2022
by Hermann Meuter 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

CetaceaLab, aka Whalepoint, is a land based whale research station located in the territory of the Gitga’at First Nation on Gil Island, British Columbia, Canada. We are now accepting applications for the 2022 field season from mid May until the end of September. All positions are for a minimum of 4-8 weeks in duration. There is a weekly fee for food. These are volunteer/intern positions to help with the collection of visual and acoustic data on the habitat use and abundance of northern resident/transient Killer whales, Humpback whales and Fin whales. Due to our extreme remote location, applicants need to be in good physical condition, able to participate with the daily routine of living off the grid and comfortable sleeping in a tent in the wilderness of BC. There are no roads, very limited Internet access, very limited medical service and power is completely off the grid. - Daily shifts involve scanning for whales, documenting all sightings and behaviour and identifying whales. - Listening and recording all whale vocalizations that are transmitted to the lab facility from our network of hydrophone stations - Data entry from land based and marine vessel-based surveys - Identification work of all whales from photographs taken in the field Experience in carpentry, electronics, IT, social media, website building and environmental communications would be a valuable asset. Interested applicants should send their CV and a letter of motivation to: whalepoint(a)outlook.com<mailto:whalepoint@outlook.com> References will be contacted. More information about our research can be found at: www.whalepoint.org<http://www.whalepoint.org> All the Best and Good Luck, Hermann Meuter

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Post Doc opportunity
by Ghazal, Maha 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

Hello, We have a post doc opportunity on acoustic disturbance impacts on marine mammals in the Eastern Canadian Arctic (English and French details below). Please share! Thanks, Maha ---------------------------------------------------- Maha Ghazal (she/her) Biologist Arctic Aquatic Research Division Central and Arctic Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6 Government of Canada P: 204-588-8174 Post-doctoral research opportunity on acoustic disturbance impacts on marine mammals in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Government of Canada Postdoctoral Research Program Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking an enthusiastic, team-oriented, and self-motivated candidate for a 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowship leading a research project to document and model underwater noise levels in the Canadian Arctic as well as investigate potential zones of impact of noise on marine mammals. This is an exciting opportunity to work with long-term datasets from different areas in the Canadian Arctic (Northern Baffin Island, Baffin Bay, Hudson Bay). The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Marianne Marcoux<https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=6Fg9rU0AAAAJ&hl=fr> and Dr. Cory Matthews<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cory-Matthews> at the Freshwater Institute (DFO, Winnipeg). They will also work with a team of collaborators from DFO, the University of Manitoba and the University of Windsor. The successful candidate will also be involved in review processes related to marine noise in the Arctic. The main project objective is to assess potential disturbance from shipping noise on Arctic marine mammals in the study areas. Specific objectives include: 1) Analyse currently available acoustic data from Northern Baffin Island, Baffin Bay, and Hudson Bay; 2) Develop and deploy a network of PAM recorders throughout key areas of the study region, determined in collaboration with Inuit colleagues, to collect additional acoustics data; 3) Model anthropogenic sound propagation based on current and predicted shipping levels; and 4) Combine all data (e.g., marine mammal presence and behavior, shipping data) to identify spatiotemporal overlaps between species habitat and threats. Essential Qualifications: Graduation within the last three (3) years with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of natural and applied sciences with a specialization in Marine Biology or Oceanography. Candidates must also possess the following experience criteria and key competencies: · Official Language Requirement: English Essential · Experience in planning and conducting research · Experience in working with a team of researchers and support staff. · Experience providing technical support for scientific and field or laboratory projects relating to acoustics/bioacoustics. * Experience inputting and processing scientific data using computer software related to acoustics. * Experience in operating and maintaining acoustic field equipment. · Experience in providing technical advice or information on: acoustic data sample and data collection, or equipment and methodologies, or project/survey logistics to meet goals and objectives. · Productivity/Recognition: Refers to recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed scientific journals, or other communications resulting from: o Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems; OR o Operational research and scientific analysis; OR o Planning, analysis, and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development; OR o Developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment. · Key Competencies: o Adaptability o Initiative o Judgment o Teamwork o Interactive Communication o Uphold Integrity and Respect Who Can Apply: Canadians and non-Canadians. Preference will be given to Canadian veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order. Location: The position is based out of DFO’s Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Funding: This is a 2-year position that is available to start as early as January, 2022, and will be completed no later than March 31, 2024. Funding includes a salary starting at ~$61,000–$67,000 per year depending on experience (see SE-RES-1<https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/careers-cra/information-m…> Step 1–3 pay scales), medical and dental benefits, and travel and equipment support. The Canadian Government Postdoctoral Research Program<https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/nrcan/career-opportunities/programs-graduates/postd…> is administered by Natural Resources Canada (NRC). We are committed to employment equity and encourage applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, and persons with disabilities. Contact: For more information, candidates can contact the project leads (Marianne.Marcoux(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:Marianne.Marcoux@dfo-mpo.gc.ca> and Cory.Matthews(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca) Interested candidates should submit their application through the Canadian Government Postdoctoral Research Program<https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/nrcan/career-opportunities/programs-graduates/postd…> and notify Dr. Marianne Marcoux (marianne.marcoux(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<file:///C:/Users/matthewscjd/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/BRKDMIIV/marianne.marcoux@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>) of their submission. Candidate evaluations will begin as early as December 15th, 2021 until the position is filled. Possibilité de recherche postdoctorale sur les répercussions des perturbations acoustiques sur les mammifères marins dans l’est de l’Arctique canadien. Programme de recherche postdoctorale du gouvernement du Canada Pêches et Océans Canada (MPO) est à la recherche d’un(e) candidat(e) enthousiaste, ayant l’esprit d’équipe et motivé(e) pour une bourse postdoctorale de deux ans, afin de diriger un projet de recherche visant à documenter et à modéliser les niveaux de bruit sous-marin dans l’Arctique canadien ainsi qu’à étudier les zones potentielles de répercussions du bruit sur les mammifères marins. Il s’agit d’une occasion passionnante de travailler avec des ensembles de données à long terme provenant de différentes régions de l’Arctique canadien (nord de l’île de Baffin, baie de Baffin, baie d’Hudson). La personne retenue travaillera en étroite collaboration avec Marianne Marcoux<https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=6Fg9rU0AAAAJ&hl=fr> et Cory Matthews<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cory-Matthews> à l’Institut des eaux douces (MPO, Winnipeg). Ils travailleront également avec une équipe de collaborateurs du MPO, de l’Université du Manitoba et de l’Université de Windsor. La personne retenue participera également aux processus de révision liés au bruit marin dans l’Arctique. L’objectif principal du projet est d’évaluer les perturbations potentielles causées par le bruit de la navigation sur les mammifères marins de l’Arctique dans les zones d’étude. Parmi les objectifs, mentionnons les suivants : 1) analyser les données acoustiques actuellement disponibles dans le nord de l’île de Baffin, la baie de Baffin et la baie d’Hudson; 2) créer et déployer un réseau d’enregistreurs de surveillance acoustique passive dans des zones clés de la région d’étude, déterminées en collaboration avec des collègues inuits, afin de recueillir des données acoustiques supplémentaires; 3) modéliser la propagation du son anthropique en fonction des niveaux de navigation actuels et prévus; 4) combiner toutes les données (par exemple, la présence et le comportement des mammifères marins, les données sur la navigation) pour cerner les chevauchements spatio-temporels entre l’habitat des espèces et les menaces. Qualifications essentielles Obtention, au cours des trois (3) dernières années, d’un doctorat acceptable d’un établissement d’enseignement postsecondaire reconnu dans un domaine des sciences naturelles et appliquées, avec spécialisation en biologie marine ou en océanographie. Les candidates et candidats doivent également satisfaire aux critères d’expérience et posséder les compétences clés suivants : · Exigences relatives aux langues officielles : Anglais essentiel · Expérience de la planification et de la réalisation de recherches · Expérience de travail avec une équipe de chercheurs et un personnel de soutien · Expérience de la prestation de soutien technique dans le cadre de projets de recherche scientifique, sur le terrain ou en laboratoire, en acoustique/bioacoustique * Expérience de la saisie et du traitement de données scientifiques à l’aide de logiciels liés à l’acoustique * Expérience de l’utilisation et de l’entretien d’équipement acoustique de terrain · Expérience de la prestation de conseils ou de renseignements techniques sur la collecte d’échantillons de données et de données acoustiques, l’équipement et les méthodologies, ou la logistique des projets/sondages pour atteindre les buts et objectifs · Productivité et reconnaissance : S’entend d’une réalisation reconnue, en tant qu’auteur ou rédacteur en chef de rapports, de livres, de textes, d’articles de revues scientifiques à comité de lecture ou d’autres produits de communication, publiés ou non, qui sont le fruit des activités suivantes : o recherche, développement expérimental ou tâches associées à l’équipement et aux problèmes opérationnels; o recherche opérationnelle et analyse scientifique; o planification, analyse et évaluation des programmes de recherche et de développement canadiens et étrangers; o travaux de mise au point qui aboutissent à l’obtention de brevets, de droits d’auteur ou à la création d’espèces, de fonctions ou de modèles améliorés, ou à la reconnaissance des spécialistes du domaine de la recherche. · Compétences clés : o Adaptabilité o Esprit d’initiative o Jugement o Esprit d’équipe o Communication interactive o Préserver l’intégrité et le respect Qui peut postuler : Canadiens et non-Canadiens. La priorité sera accordée aux vétérans et aux citoyens canadiens, dans cet ordre. Lieu : Le poste est basé à l’Institut des eaux douces du MPO à Winnipeg, au Manitoba. Financement : Il s’agit d’un poste de deux ans qui peut commencer dès janvier 2022 et qui se terminera au plus tard le 31 mars 2024. Le financement comprend un salaire débutant à ~61?000 $-67?000 $ par an en fonction de l’expérience (voir SE-RES-1<https://www.canada.ca/fr/agence-revenu/organisation/carrieres-a-arc/renseig…> échelles salariales 1–3), des régimes d’assurance de soins médicaux et dentaires, ainsi qu’une aide aux déplacements et à l’équipement. Le Programme de recherche postdoctorale du gouvernement canadien<https://www.rncan.gc.ca/rncan/possibilites-de-carrieres-rncan/programmes-po…> est administré par Ressources naturelles Canada (RNCan). Nous souscrivons au principe de l’équité en matière d’emploi et encourageons les femmes, les membres de minorités visibles, les Autochtones et les personnes handicapées à présenter une demande. Personne-ressource : Pour en savoir plus, les candidates et candidats peuvent s’adresser aux chefs de projet (Marianne.Marcoux(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:Marianne.Marcoux@dfo-mpo.gc.ca> et Cory.Matthews(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:Cory.Matthews@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>). Les candidates et candidats intéressés doivent soumettre leur demande par l’entremise du Programme de recherche postdoctorale du gouvernement canadien<https://www.rncan.gc.ca/rncan/possibilites-de-carrieres-rncan/programmes-po…> et en informer Marianne Marcoux (marianne.marcoux(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<file:///C:/Users/ROBICHEAUE/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/I89LZNS4/Melanie.Leger@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>). Les évaluations des candidates et candidats commenceront dès le 15 décembre 2021 jusqu’à ce que le poste soit pourvu.

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Post Doc opportunity
by Ghazal, Maha 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

Hello, We have a post doc opportunity on acoustic disturbance impacts on marine mammals in the Eastern Canadian Arctic (see attached for details). Please share! Thanks, Maha ---------------------------------------------------- Maha Ghazal (she/her) Biologist Arctic Aquatic Research Division Central and Arctic Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6 Government of Canada P: 204-588-8174

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Call for submissions for a Special Issue in Aquatic Mammals Journal
by Kathleen Dudzinski 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

Dear Colleagues, For Aquatic Mammals journal, I share with you the following call for submissions: A Special Issue to Celebrate Aquatic Mammals journal’s 50th Anniversary Anecdotal Observations of Aquatic Mammals In 1972, Aquatic Mammals journal began publishing mostly narrative accounts related to the care, nutrition, transport, and housing of aquatic mammals, with a focus on dolphins and pinnipeds. Over the years, as our understanding and knowledge of aquatic mammals increased, contributions shifted to focus on topics and samples that could be assessed quantitatively. It is understood that scientific studies (research generally) are based on a foundation of reproduceable methodologies with multiple observations and data points assessed statistically. Now, 50 years later, we are pleased to announce a planned special issue of Aquatic Mammals that acknowledges how the journal began and welcomes the insight to be gained from rare observations of individuals in both in- and ex-situ settings. Most marine mammals are cryptic, difficult to observe, and often require large costs and time to compile samples that allow for a rigorous assessment. Even in the 2020s, for many species, a simple dated geographic location or single observation of behavior provides invaluable insight and direction for research. Unforeseen and unique behaviors (actions and interactions) may offer unexpected insight into the nature and society of a cryptic species. Rare behaviors (e.g., tool use, infanticide) or unusual circumstances allow the observer a more refined view of an individual, small group, or species–yet these observations are usually not available for distribution through the peer-review platform. The current scientific, peer-review literature does not typically encourage publication of ‘anecdotal’ observations. As such, these insights, if not archived in some manner, may be lost from the collective record. This special issue in Aquatic Mammals is intended to celebrate the insight that can be gained from rare or opportunistic observations in the field or in a managed care setting and is dedicated to capturing these observations for the record. We encourage contributors to set their accounts into the literature as much as possible, to contextualize the anecdote (single or rare observation) such that its scope, generality, and potential application are recognized and that it might inspire new research and avenues of thought. Our goal is to offer this special issue as a collective record so these insights and observations may provide perspective to our research and the animals we study. Logistics Submissions - content We encourage contributors to write their observation(s) into a short narrative that will be reviewed by experts in the field so that well-supported, relevant anecdotes will be published. A recommended length ranges from 2,500-5,000 words, not including references. If available, photographs can be included as figures. Space will be available for supplemental video files (edited to final format for review, contact the managing editor with questions about video format). Examples include new and rare behaviors, especially those documented photographically (or with video) at the time of the observation. First or only sightings of a species in a never-before-documented location is another example. Deadlines 30 April 2022 – deadline to submit a manuscript for peer-review consideration 1 May – 30 June 2022 – review process of all submitted manuscripts 1 July 2022 – date by which all review decisions delivered to contributors 1 July – 15 Aug. 2022 – contributors revise manuscripts and return to journal for copyediting 15 Aug – 31 Oct. 2022 – review galleys as available, confirm final versions, page fees paid (See the journal website for details on page fees, or contact the managing editor.) Planned Publication Issue/Date Issue 48.6: The special issue is planned for the 6th issue of volume 48 in Aquatic Mammals, that publishes on 15 November 2022. Costs Typical page fees will apply for publication in Aquatic Mammals. These fees are described on the journal’s web site (page fee description <https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=art…>). In brief, page fees are charged based on the number of galley pages, not word document pages. Contact the managing editor with questions. To Submit a Manuscript: Visit out Manuscript Fast track web site at: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php <http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php> For more Information, contact Aquatic Mammals journal’s managing editor: Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Managing Editor, Aquatic Mammals business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org>

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