November 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Paper: FTIR analysis identifies microplastics in stranded common dolphins from New Zealand waters
by Karen Stockin 12 Nov '21

12 Nov '21

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the team, I am pleased to share our recent publication in Marine Pollution Bulletin - Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis identifies microplastics in stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from New Zealand waters. The paper is open-access and available for free download here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X21011188?via%3Di… Abstract Here we provide a first assessment of microplastics (MPs) in stomach contents of 15 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from both single and mass stranding events along the New Zealand coast between 2019 and 2020. MPs were observed in all examined individuals, with an average of 7.8 pieces per stomach. Most MPs were fragments (77%, n = 90) as opposed to fibres (23%, n = 27), with translucent/clear (46%) the most prevalent colour. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed polyethylene terephthalate (65%) as the most predominant polymer in fibres, whereas polypropylene (31%) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (20%) were more frequently recorded as fragments. Mean fragment and fibre size was 584 μm and 1567 μm, respectively. No correlation between total number of MPs and biological parameters (total body length, age, sexual maturity, axillary girth, or blubber thickness) was observed, with similar levels of MPs observed between each of the mass stranding events. Considering MPs are being increasingly linked to a wide range of deleterious effects across taxa, these findings in a typically pelagic marine sentinel species warrants further investigation. Additional related papers can also be freely downloaded from here<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/journal-articles> Best wishes, Karen Karen A Stockin, PhD Professor – Marine Biology Rutherford Discovery Fellow – Royal Society Te Aparangi Cetacean Ecology Research Group | School of Natural and Computational Sciences | Massey University Private Bag 102 904, North Shore, Auckland 0745, New Zealand Physical Address: Building 5, Gate 4, The Station Crescent, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand [cid:image001.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0]+64 (0)21 423997 • k.a.stockin(a)massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.a.stockin@massey.ac.nz> • http://www.cetaceanecology.org<http://www.cetaceanecology.org/> [cid:image002.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Stockin> [cid:image003.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?user=3veDZKUAAAAJ&hl=en> [cid:image004.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0] <https://twitter.com/karen_stockin> [cid:image005.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/posts/3281214818613245> [cid:image006.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=926050> [cid:image007.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:image008.png@01D7D870.EEED60F0]<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/>

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New Publication: Acoustic differentiation and classification of wild belugas and narwhals using echolocation clicks
by Marie Zahn 12 Nov '21

12 Nov '21

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our new publication "Acoustic differentiation and classification of wild belugas and narwhals using echolocation clicks" in *Scientific Reports*. The paper is open-access and available online here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01441-w. You can access the PDF for download here: https://rdcu.be/cBgzQ. Abstract: Belugas (*Delphinapterus leucas*) and narwhals (*Monodon monoceros*) are highly social Arctic toothed whales with large vocal repertoires and similar acoustic profiles. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) that uses multiple hydrophones over large spatiotemporal scales has been a primary method to study their populations, particularly in response to rapid climate change and increasing underwater noise. This study marks the first acoustic comparison between wild belugas and narwhals from the same location and reveals that they can be acoustically differentiated and classified solely by echolocation clicks. Acoustic recordings were made in the pack ice of Baffin Bay, West Greenland, during 2013. Multivariate analyses and Random Forests classification models were applied to eighty-one single-species acoustic events comprised of numerous echolocation clicks. Results demonstrate a significant difference between species’ acoustic parameters where beluga echolocation was distinguished by higher frequency content, evidenced by higher peak frequencies, center frequencies, and frequency minimums and maximums. Spectral peaks, troughs, and center frequencies for beluga clicks were generally > 60 kHz and narwhal clicks < 60 kHz with overlap between 40–60 kHz. Classification model predictive performance was strong with an overall correct classification rate of 97.5% for the best model. The most important predictors for species assignment were defined by peaks and notches in frequency spectra. Our results provide strong support for the use of echolocation in PAM efforts to differentiate belugas and narwhals acoustically. Citation: Zahn, M.J., S. Rankin, J.L.K. McCullough, J.C. Koblitz, F. Archer, M.H. Rasmussen, K.L. Laidre. Acoustic differentiation and classification of wild belugas and narwhals using echolocation clicks. *Sci Rep* 11, 22141 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01441-w Cheers, Marie -- *MARIE ZAHN | *she/her PhD Student, Laidre Lab <https://staff.washington.edu/klaidre/> School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington w| mariezahn.com m| 262.497.9223

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New Publication: Intraseasonal variation in southeast Pacific blue whale acoustic presence, zooplankton backscatter, and oceanographic variables on a feeding ground in Northern Chilean Patagonia
by Susannah Buchan 12 Nov '21

12 Nov '21

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of our study entitled "*Intraseasonal variation in southeast Pacific blue whale acoustic presence, zooplankton backscatter, and oceanographic variables on a feeding ground in Northern Chilean Patagonia*" in Progress in Oceanography. Authors: Buchan Susannah J, Pérez-Santos Iván, Narváez Diego, Castro Leonardo, Stafford Kathleen M., Baumgartner Mark F., Valle-Levinson Arnoldo, Montero Paulina, Gutiérrez Laura, Rojas Constanza, Daneri Giovanni, Neira Sergio The Abstract can be found below and the full open source paper at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661121001920?via%3Di… For any further information, please email: sjbuchan(a)gmail.com. Kind regards, Susannah ___________________________________________________________ Abstract: Seasonal variation in the acoustic presence of blue whale calls has been widely reported for feeding grounds worldwide, however variation over the submonthly scale (several days to <1 month) has been examined to a much lesser extent. This study combines passive acoustic, hydroacoustic, and *in situ* oceanographic observations collected at a mooring in the Corcovado Gulf, Northern Chilean Patagonia, from January 2016-February 2017, to examine the temporal variation in blue whale acoustic occurrence and prey backscatter over seasonal and submonthly scales. Time series data for a) Southeast Pacific blue whale song calls and D-calls, b) zooplankton backscatter, c) tidal amplitude, and d) meridional and zonal wind stress were examined visually for seasonal trends. To examine submonthly timescales over the summer feeding season (January-June), wavelet transforms and wavelet coherence were applied; generalized linear models (GLM) were also applied. There was a 3-month lag between the seasonal onsets of high zooplankton backscatter (October) and blue whale acoustic presence (January), and an almost immediate drop in blue whale acoustic presence with the seasonal decrease of backscatter (June). This may be due to the use of memory by animals when timing their arrival on the feeding ground, but the timing of their departure may be related to detection of low prey availability. Over the summer feeding season, blue whale acoustic presence was strongly associated with zooplankton backscatter (GLM coefficient p<<0.0001). Song calls followed a seasonal cycle, but D-calls appeared to respond to short term variations in environmental conditions over submonthly scales. Results suggest that spring tides may increase prey aggregation and/or transport into the Corcovado Gulf, leading to increased blue whale acoustic presence over 15-day or 30-day cycles; and short-lived events of increased wind stress with periodicities of 2-8 days and 16-30 days, may also contribute to the aggregation of prey. We discuss the strengths and limitations of coupling passive and active acoustic data to examine drivers of blue whale distribution. -- Susannah J. Buchan, PhD Associate Researcher, COPAS Sur-Austral & Visiting Professor, University of Concepción, Chile Associate Researcher, CEAZA Research Center, Chile Guest Investigator, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA Email: sbuchan@udec.cl/sjbuchan@gmail.com Cel. Chile: +56 9 6646 8466/ Cel. España: +34 695 06 62 24 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2180-1432

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Release of Offshore Wind Passive Acoustic Monitoring Guidelines
by Jaclyn Daly - NOAA Federal 12 Nov '21

12 Nov '21

NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have developed new passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) guidelines designed to help safeguard marine resources as offshore wind energy development expands in U.S. waters. The framework provides holistic recommendations for offshore wind stakeholders nationwide to effectively monitor and reduce the impact of wind energy projects on marine animals using PAM. The recommendations cover six components: species of interest; system type; recording technology; study design; system and data analysis requirements; and data archiving, reporting, and visualization. In addition to broad national recommendations, the publication includes supplements featuring example uses of the framework tailored to understanding and minimizing the impacts of offshore wind development in U.S. waters on endangered whales and other marine mammals.The open-access paper was published in Frontiers of Marine Science on October 27, 2021: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.760840/full. The corresponding NOAA Fisheries webstory can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-passive-acoustic-monitorin…. -- Jaclyn Daly-Fuchs Fishery Biologist MMPA Incidental Take Program <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-…> National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-…>1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 phone: 301-427-8438

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A call for information on vessel strikes with large whales in the ETP
by Nico Ransome 11 Nov '21

11 Nov '21

Dear Marmam community, As part of regional consultancy work for the WWF, l am continuing to construct a database of large whale/ship strikes from the Eastern Tropical Pacific region (Mexico to Peru). If anyone has information on collisions with whales in the region, especially those that have occurred since 2017, I would greatly appreciate if you could report it to me: nicola.ransome(a)murdoch.edu.au The consultancy work involves engaging major stake holders and government bodies, and has the potential to have multiple impacts in reducing the risk of vessel collisions to large whales regionally. Thank you so much, Nico Nicola Ransome MSc. Researcher and PhD Student, Murdoch University, Western Australia nicola.ransome(a)murdoch.edu.au https://amru.org.au/group-member/nicola-ransome/ Australia: (+61) 0457 491 843/Mexico: (+52) 322 121 3917 [cid:11e4780d-4e04-494a-8eb0-2fca0f0ddace]

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Two messages about new articles.
by Sergio Cobarrubia 11 Nov '21

11 Nov '21

*Message: 1.* Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in Journal of Marine Science: S. Cobarrubia-Russo, I. Sawyer, M. Gomez-Alceste and A. Molero-Lizarraga (2021) Site Fidelity and Residency of Tursiops truncatus off the Aragua Coast, Venezuela-First Records of Long Residency. ABSTRACT: This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the residency patterns of a coastal population of bottlenose dolphin off the coast of Aragua, Venezuela, over a multi-year period. Using photo-identification, the most recent study (2019-2020) identified 56 individuals with the time between encounters from one to 344 days between the first and last sighting. Site Fidelity (SF) and Residence (RES) indices were calculated and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) modeling was performed, with three patterns of residence obtained: resident (25%), semiresident (17.86%) and transient (57.14%). These results were contrasted with remodeled data from a previous study (2006-2007), showing similar patterns: resident (24.44%), semi-resident (28.89%) and transient (46.67%). Importantly, two individuals were found to have been resident over the extended period. A breeding female sighted for the first time in 2004 and again in 2020 (16 years) and the other from 2005 to 2020 (15 years). This region is an important area for marine mammals, known to support a resident reproductive population over many years, as well as seabirds, sea turtles, whale sharks and fishermen. We recommend that consideration be given to designating the waters as a Marine Protected Area to safeguard the existing population and provide benefit to the surrounding marine environment. The full article is Open Access and available online at: https://doi.org/10.30564/jms.v3i4.3811 Please feel free to contact me (sergio.cobarrubia(a)gmail.com) with any questions. *Message: 2* Dear MARMAM community, I am pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in Journal of Fisheries Research: S. Cobarrubia-Russo (2021) Home ranges of predators and small sources of marine biomass. ABSTRACT: The meaning of the ecological term home range defines an important ecological aspect of mobile animals and has "evolved" in an attempt to project the most comprehensive definition. In a study of home ranges and ranges of two species of coastal dolphins and fishermen on the western coast of Aragua, Venezuela, South Caribbean, it was observed that these three species coincided in a specific area, so that a spatial analysis determined a small and important source of biomass that provides prey throughout the year for dolphins, fishermen and local people. This note aims to highlight the ease of defining these areas and their conservation importance as sources of protein for humans and other predators Please feel free to contact me (sergio.cobarrubia(a)gmail.com) to ask for a full copy. -- *Sergio Enrique Cobarrubia Russo* Laboratorio de Ecosistemas y Cambio Global Centro de Ecología Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Venezuela.

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PSO Job posting Immediate Start (USA)
by Cassandra Dahl 11 Nov '21

11 Nov '21

Dear Marmam Community, We are seeking an experienced National Marine Fisheries Service approved PSO for an upcoming dredging and marine construction project in Florida. Candidates with U.S. work rights and previous Hopper Dredging and Clamshell Dredging experience are required. Looking to fill an immediate opening in Tampa starting December 01, 2021, with ongoing work. Housing is provided along with competitive compensation, and a professional work environment. Requirements: Protected Species Observer / Marine Endangered Species Observer: - Bachelor Degree in Marine Biology or related field. - Prior protected species observing experience during dredging, or marine construction projects, especially clamshell. - Previous experience monitoring for Sea Turtles and Manatees. - National Marine Fisheries Unconditional Approval Letter. - Excellent communication and report writing skills. - Must have own vehicle and smart phone. - Experience working outdoors in the elements for extended periods of time. For more information and to submit your resume email: seasea.dahl(a)gmail.com Kind Regards, Cassandra Dahl

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Remembering and celebrating Bernie McConnell
by Michael Fedak 11 Nov '21

11 Nov '21

All of us here at SMRU are still reeling after the recent sudden death of Bernie McConnell, who was SMRU's Deputy Director and Head of Instrumentation. We've set up an online book of remembrance which is a place where we can all record and share our favourite memories of Bernie. This link [https://rememberancebook.net/book/bernie-mcconnell/] allows us to record our favourite memories of Bernie and I'd like to strongly encourage everyone to contribute. As the oldest extant member of SMRU by some margin, this is not something I ever expected to have to do. I was far more likely to be a target of such a link rather than writing this invitation. Bernie probably did more to generate material for such a remembrance than anyone I know. I am not a gambling man, but I am willing to bet that even those of you who have known him only briefly will have stories to tell, so imagine the memories I have collected over the 40 years that Bernie and I have been friends and colleagues. I first met Bernie when he joined SMRU in 1980 and we soon began working together to provide the means to study marine mammals at sea using technology. This followed another tragedy that SMRU suffered in 1983, a helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of two of SMRU's founder members, Mike Curry and Bill Vaughan. Mike was involved in efforts to develop telemetry approaches. After the crash Bernie, Dave Thompson and I took on the role of continuing those early efforts, working on Argos satellite telemetry but also real time tracking with VHF and acoustic devices. It was an exciting if, sometimes, frustrating time but also great fun. And Bernie always made sure that it was of that. At that stage, the work involved lots of field work in remote places, working in small boats and aircraft, using fragile equipment and a lot of glue. If you know Bernie at all, you will immediately see the potential for a wealth of stories and memorable events. It is now more than forty years on and our ability to learn about the lives of marine mammals at sea has been transformed. Bernie's role in this transformation is recognized by us all and has continued right up to his untimely death. This remembrance site is not intended to be so much about the science, but rather to present a chance to preserve the joy and fun that Bernie brought to and derived from the work. Amazingly, Bernie has been able to maintain his output of memorable events, , unabated throughout the entirety of his >40 years at SMRU, only, sadly, to have it cut short now by his unexpected, sudden death. I think we are all richer for Bernie's inimitable interventions. So, it will be good to record them. Outside of work, Bernie had what can only be described as a full social life and a wide range of interests. Knowing him as I do, I am certain that there are several parallel streams, rich with anecdotes and stories so I feel sure that there will be no shortage of material. As my ability for detailed recollection fades with age, I can only hope that you will all help to maintain our memories of Bernie via this link. So please contribute and give life to memories of a great character that we all have only just begun to miss. Thanks, Mike Fedak

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Marine Biologist Position
by Hassrick, Jason 10 Nov '21

10 Nov '21

Below is a link to a position description for a marine biologist, preferably with expertise on marine mammals to work on offshore wind projects on the east coast. https://www.icf.com/careers/jobs/senior-marine-biologist-R2104610 JASON HASSRICK +1.628.895.6716 direct, +1.530.312.3275 mobile ICF Fish and Aquatic Science Team<https://www.icf.com/work/environment/aquatic-sciences>

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New publication on noise impact on whale resting and nursing using drones
by Patty Arranz 10 Nov '21

10 Nov '21

Dear Colleagues, The paper ‘‘Decreased resting and nursing in short-finned pilot whales when exposed to louder petrol engine noise of a hybrid whale-watch vessel*'* is published today in the journal *Scientific Reports*. You can download the pdf from this link: http://nature.com/articles/s41598-021-00487-0. The work is the result of the joint effort of researchers from the University of La Laguna (Spain), Aarhus University (Denmark) and University of Iceland (Iceland), as well as a collaborating whale watching operator from Tenerife, Canary Islands. Authors: Patricia Arranz, Maria Glarou, Kate R. Sprogis. Previous research has found that noise produced by whale-watch vessels can affect whale behaviour. However, despite global effort for implementing best-practice principles, to date, there are no regulations on whale-watch vessel noise levels. We used drones to observe the behaviour of short-finned pilot whale mother and calf pairs off the coast of Tenerife, Spain. We found that, compared to those not approached by a vessel, mothers who were approached by a vessel with petrol engines spent on average 29% less time resting and 81% less time nursing their calves. There were no significant effects on behaviour from the vessel when using the quieter electric engines. These results suggest that these behavioural changes could increase the energy consumption of mothers and reduce calf energy intake, with potential negative implications for calf survival. The findings demonstrate that, even if whale-watch vessels comply with current guidelines, louder engines can have a greater impact on whale behaviour. We suggest that noise produced by whale-watch vessels be minimised and the noise levels from whale-watch vessels considered in existing guidelines, in order to limit disturbance to whales. Reference: P. Arranz, M. Glarou, K. Sprogis. 2021. Decreased resting and nursing in short‑finned pilot whales when exposed to louder petrol engine noise of a hybrid whale‑watch vessel. Scientific Reports, 11:21195 Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Kind regards, Patricia, Maria and Kate CONTACT: Patricia Arranz (University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain) Email: arranz(a)ull.edu.es

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