May 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Flukebook.org: Release v.2021-04-30
by Jason Holmberg 20 May '21

20 May '21

We are pleased to announce the Wildbook software release v.2021-04-30, which is reflected in the Flukebook.org platform for cetacean photo ID. Wildbook DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4776841 Wildbook Image Analysis (WBIA) DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4477622 For an overview of Flukebook's multi-species, multi-modal machine learning for photo ID, please see: https://docs.wildme.org/docs/researchers/ia_pipeline Community support for Wildbook is provided at: https://community.wildme.org Release notes for April 2021 **Flukebook New Features** -Improved google maps display for GPS coordinates. -Users can cycle through annotations in an Encounter Gallery image, allowing for easier navigation and clearer understanding. -Added additional data formats for bulk import of genetic data (genotype). ** General Wildbook Bug Fixes ** -WB-1606 Special characters now better supported in Sighting IDs. -WB-1604 Non-primary annotations now display correctly in IA results. -WB-1602 Bulk import option to send to detection no longer sends to identification as well. -WB-1598 Bulk imports detection operations no longer resulting in periodic missing detections. -WB-1591 Bulk imports no longer stripping special characters from all strings. -WB-1569 Encounter.occurrenceRemarks no longer getting imported twice. -WB-1539 Submission page no longer defaults to expensive all-location ID jobs. -WB-1537 Missing images no longer returning an error. WB-1196 Inspect links on IAResults are no longer displayed if there are no visualized computer vision results associated (per algorithm). WB-652 Media assets added via the encounter page now display correctly. **Wildbook-IA Release Notes (Machine Learning)** The following updates were made to WBIA last month. SAGE-252 Added ID support with CurvRank V2 on fin whales and grey whales, including a new multi-species dorsal detector [also SAGE-45]. SAGE-248 New detection support for grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), trained as a multi-species seal detector. **Bug Fixes** - SAGE-259 Fix data migration issue from Flukebook. - SAGE-261 Updated automatic security alert rules for secure storage volumes. Jason Holmberg (he/him/his) Executive Director, Wild Me <https://wildme.org/> A.I. and humans combating extinction together.

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Fall and Winter Internships
by Erich Dietterle 20 May '21

20 May '21

Hi MARMAM community, I would like to announce internship opportunities with Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for the upcoming fall and winter based out of Long Island, New York. Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Internship Program Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) is a 501 © 3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting conservation of our marine environment through action. Our overall goals are to: understand the overall status of sea turtle and marine mammal populations in the Northwest Atlantic, investigate stranding occurrences in relation to wild population status, understand the impacts of development and human activity on wild populations and strandings, and to increase public participation in conservation efforts. Some of our action items to reach these goals include data research, surveys and health assessments, involvement in the Specially Trained Animal Response Team, response to entangled and out-of-habitat animals, necropsies, beach monitoring, public outreach, and education. The following internship opportunities are just some of the ways in which students can become involved with AMSEAS and gain experience within the marine mammal and sea turtle stranding network. Application Instructions: 1. Apply by filling out an application on our website: http://www.amseas.org/volunteer/ 2. Send a cover letter, resume, and have three letters of recommendation (two being academic) sent to either response(a)amseas.org<mailto:education@amseas.org>, or to PO Box 932, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 *These are unpaid internships. Earning course credit for these opportunities is required to be considered as an intern. Conservation Research Program Join our conservation efforts through a Conservation Research Internship. Conduct beach monitoring events including beach clean ups, cold stunned sea turtle monitoring, and seal surveys. Work with previously collected data to help bring a better understanding of the animals and debris found within Long Island’s marine habitats, Specific projects include: 1. Pinniped Population Documentation: Work with the team to conduct boat- and land-based seal surveys. Observe and record environmental conditions and animals sighted. Take photographs to identify any animals sighted down to the species level. 2. GIS/ Database Management: Develop database for storing stranding, survey, and satellite tracking data. Map strandings real time for monthly stranding trend review, and keep the team up to date with real time stranding trends. Map satellite tagged animals and input data from tags into the database. 3. Wild Population Surveys: Work with biologists on data collected from aerial, land, and boat-based surveys. Maintain data entry for these trips, learn about conducting and leading each type of survey, and work with photographs collected from surveys to count animals and identify natural or human caused injuries. 4. Marine Debris Documentation: Lead two beach cleanup activities per week, one north shore beach one south shore beach. Educate the public on the harms of marine debris and data collection techniques. Record data from each site, compile at the end of internship to compare amount collected at each site and difference in items collected. Create marine debris content to be used on AMSEAS website and presented at educational opportunities. Skills important to the internship are attention to detail, the ability to work individually or as a part of a team, and the ability to train and lead small groups for beach monitoring efforts. Our objectives are to train students to successfully monitor the beaches of our local marine environment and collect data to help gain a better understanding of these individual landscapes and their properties. Students will also receive training in what to do in the case of marine mammal and sea turtle sightings and strandings. This internship will provide students with firsthand knowledge on the impacts of marine debris on our environment, will allow them to quantify and qualify the marine debris specific to individual beaches, and how to involve our communities in taking action to make a positive impact. Data collected will contribute to efforts in mitigation. Education Program Work with our Education and Outreach Team to promote an informed community that is aware of our marine environment and its inhabitants, our human impact, and how to impact the environment in a positive way. Help us with our outreach efforts by conducting community beach clean ups, and education programs geared to a variety of ages through an Education Internship. Skills required for this internship include the ability to communicate in writing and in public speaking, and a basic knowledge of environmental science. Our objectives are to provide students with hands on education experience in a variety of outlets and audiences. Students will train to communicate with and teach local communities about our marine environment, the marine mammals and sea turtles inhabiting our waters, the anthropogenic threats that they face, and how we can work together to help create a healthier environment. Students will not only have the opportunity to grow in their ability to educate the public but will also learn more about our ocean's need for conservation, and how to promote conservation as a part of this marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response team. Stranding Investigation Program Work with our Field Response Team to conduct stranding investigation efforts, including necropsies for the marine mammals and sea turtles that wash up on our shores through a Stranding Investigation Internship. Focal areas include: 1. Response: Response to a specific species or taxa (i.e. Sea turtles, or more specifically Loggerhead sea turtles). Complete all data collection required for those animals, and compile cause of mortality tables. 2. Necropsy: Perform necropsies on a specific species or taxa. Collect a variety of samples to assist with the overall findings. 3. Communications & Outreach: Analyze data associated with responses, strandings, and necropsies. Compile tables and charts of findings for communication purposes. Compare current results to findings from previous years. Skills this internship requires include the ability to work as a member of a team, participation in lecture-based training and flexibility regarding some of the hands-on experiences like necropsy events, which do not have much notice due to the nature of these events. Our Objectives for students include learning basic methodology of strandings tools and procedures, gaining practical experience in applying tools and techniques during strandings, developing communication plans to disseminate strandings findings and trends, , growing in knowledge of marine mammal and sea turtle anatomy, and a variety of roles within stranding investigation process. Communications and Business Program Work with the AMSEAS team to further spread the efforts of marine conservation through an internship with our Communications and Business Program. Help spread the word by using social media and marketing platforms to reach a wide variety of audiences. Skills this internship include are the ability to effectively and professionally communicate with the public through social media, effectively communicate as a team within all aspects of AMSEAS, and gauge public interest in relation to conservation efforts. Our objectives for students include improving general communication skills, identifying and developing engaging ways to promote marine conservation, analyzing the trends in communications with a wide audience, and developing marketing plans to further conservation efforts. Best, Erich Dietterle Atlantic Marine Conservation Society Field Biologist and Educator response(a)amseas.org Cell: (631) 461-0512 Stranding Hotline: (631) 369-9829 www.amseas.org<http://www.amseas.org/> The information contained in this email message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the designated recipient named above. This message may be privileged and confidential. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this message and any attached documents in error, that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of the message and documents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by telephone or reply email and immediately delete it and any accompanying documents.

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Job Opportunity: Florida Manatee and Marine Turtle Management
by Phillips, Christina 20 May '21

20 May '21

Greetings everyone, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking a Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III to aid the Imperiled Species Management Section with developing conservation measures to reduce potential adverse impacts to species under the responsibility of the Section, with a focus on Florida manatee and marine turtle conservation. Please follow this link to the job posting to learn more about this opportunity: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-F-&-W-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-III-7… Sincerely, Christina Phillips Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV Imperiled Species Management Section Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Email: Christina.Phillips(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Christina.Phillips@MyFWC.com>

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New publication: an increase in the detection rate of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise
by Ms Kylie Owen 20 May '21

20 May '21

Hey everyone, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new article showing an increase in the detection rate of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise in Swedish waters. Owen K, Sköld M, Carlström J (2021) An increase in detection rates of the critically endangered Baltic Proper harbor porpoise in Swedish waters in recent years. Conservation Science and Practice, e468,https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.468 Abstract: The Baltic Proper harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is currently listed as critically endangered (CR), with the Static Acoustic Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Harbor Porpoise (SAMBAH) project concluding that only ~500 individuals remain. This population has a distribution that spans the waters of nine countries, making regular abundance estimates and management action challenging. Given the continued decline of other depleted porpoises, namely the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), the question is often raised about whether management action would even have a positive impact, or whether it is too late for population recovery. When abundance estimates are sparse over time, monitoring programs at key sites are likely to serve as the best indication of population trends, and may provide an early indication of changes at the population level. We compared passive acoustic monitoring data from 12 stations that were utilized both in the SAMBAH project (2011–2013) and as a part of the Swedish National Monitoring Program (2017–2020) to determine trends in detection rates. There was a 29% increase in mean daily detection rate during May–October (over the breeding season) between the two study periods. At the three stations with the highest number of detections, log linear regression revealed a yearly increase of 2.4% between 2011 and 2019 (−4.4–9.6, 95% CI). This may be indicative of the beginnings of population recovery, or simply an indication that the decline has stalled. The rate of increase is still well below what is likely to be possible for porpoise populations, and unlikely to buffer against any potential increase in pressures in the future. We therefore call for urgent management action to remove threats and protect this CR population, the only resident cetacean in the Baltic region, in order to give it the best chance of recovery. The article is open access and available here: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/csp2.468 If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch. Kind Regards Kylie Owen

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New paper on wildlife health assessments (including cetaceans, pinnipeds and sirenians) and their implications for conservation
by Sara K 19 May '21

19 May '21

Dear Colleagues, I am very happy to share our review on Wildlife Health Assessments, which was recently published in Conservation Biology. We conducted a systematic and global examination on wildlife health assessment studies to identify trends in study design and diagnostic methods used, and discuss the implications for conservation. Marine mammal species included in this manuscript: Pinnipeds: bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), spotted seal (Phoca largha), ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata), leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), weddel seal (Leptonychotes weddellii), Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii), Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi), crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga), Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), Harp seal (Phoca groenlandicus). Sirenians: Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus). Cetaceans: beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Other: sea otter (Ehydra lutris). Feel free to check out the manuscript in the link below (open access), or have a look at the attached PDF. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.13724 <https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.13724> Abstract: Wildlife health assessments help identify populations at risk of starvation, disease, and decline from anthropogenic impacts on natural habitats. We conducted an overview of available health assessment studies in noncaptive vertebrates and devised a framework to strategically integrate health assessments in population monitoring. Using a systematic approach, we performed a thorough assessment of studies examining multiple health parameters of noncaptive vertebrate species from 1982 to 2020 (n = 261 studies). We quantified trends in study design and diagnostic methods across taxa with generalized linear models, bibliometric analyses, and visual representations of study location versus biodiversity hotspots. Only 35% of studies involved international or cross-border collaboration. Countries with both high and threatened biodiversity were greatly underrepresented. Species that were not listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List rep- resented 49% of assessed species, a trend likely associated with the regional focus of most studies. We strongly suggest following wildlife health assessment protocols when planning a study and using statistically adequate sample sizes for studies establishing reference ranges. Across all taxa blood analysis (89%), body composition assessments (81%), physical examination (72%), and fecal analyses (24% of studies) were the most common meth- ods. A conceptual framework to improve design and standardize wildlife health assessments includes guidelines on the experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, and species conservation planning and management implications. Integrating a physiological and ecological understanding of species resilience toward threatening processes will enable informed decision making regarding the conservation of threatened species. Kind regards, Sara Kophamel ___ Sara Kophamel PhD Candidate | James Cook University College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences Townsville 4811, QLD, Australia Ph: +61 422 808 532 ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sara_Kophamel> Twitter <https://twitter.com/SaraK0P>

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Job Opening
by Kelley Reardon 19 May '21

19 May '21

Verto Education <https://www.facebook.com/vertoeducation/?__cft__[0]=AZUiBLbxa5FUn3k9ubbMjuG…> is hiring faculty for Fall 2021. Opportunities available include faculty positions for Environmental Science in Costa Rica, Hawaii, or Fiji. Please feel free to connect directly with me if you or anyone you know is interested. Those with expertise in the semester locations and/or who live locally are especially encouraged to apply. Title: Faculty, Environmental Science Location: Costa Rica, Hawaii, or Fiji (hiring for all locations) Type: Fall Semester Adjunct or Full-time Contract, with option for renewal in Spring 2022. Adjunct available only for those who reside in the semester location Dates: Early August through mid-December, 2021 Min. Experience: 2 years teaching experience Verto is on a mission to help change Higher Education in positive, student-focused ways. We want to make immersive travel and experiential education a core part of every students’ college degree. Verto Education, in partnership with over sixty colleges and universities, offers the only international freshman year experience that gives students full college credit and a pathway to a bachelor’s degree in four years. POSITION DESCRIPTION Verto provides dynamic, engaging, academically rigorous courses for all students on our programs. We seek highly motivated, student-oriented educators who will bring the courses alive for students through a combination of active classroom learning and experiential field activities. Faculty must possess a strong commitment to undergraduate experiential education. Verto courses are 3 or 4 credit courses, depending on the discipline. You will maintain all academic information related to the course and provide assessments of student learning. Faculty work with team members on location, such as Academic Success Coordinators, and Program Leaders, to provide excellence in teaching and learning to a diverse student body. Throughout their time in a semester, faculty ensure that academic functions and processes run smoothly within Verto and in coordination with our academic partners. You will also be responsible for completing processes required by Verto’s schools of record to establish academic credentials as defined by regional accreditation organizations. These include the verification of academic rosters, processing student withdrawals, and submitting grades in a timely manner. POSITION DUTIES During the semester you’ll teach in a classroom setting (though not a typical one!) and accompany your students on certain excursions designed to connect to course content. You’ll meet with the Director of Academics bi-weekly to discuss successes, areas where further support will aid faculty, staff, or students, and resolve any challenges that might arise. The Director of Academics will help ensure unity across instructors, offer feedback and coaching, and provide a selection of course materials. While this position is an academic position, the ideal candidate will be a team player, ready and willing to jump in and assist where necessary to support students. Faculty will teach up to 5 sections of one course described below. Course Offerings for Fall 2021: Environmental Science (max section size: 24 students) This science-based course takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the environmental crisis that confronts us all. Topics include ecological principles, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, renewable and non-renewable energy, water resources, air and water pollution, and solid waste management. Field studies may include restoration projects, surveys of local ecosystems and flora and fauna populations, and visits to local environmental, agricultural, or scientific facilities. Responsibilities: - Provide an engaging classroom experience based on the experiential learning model and structured academic activities. - Engage with students and help them connect the coursework to what they are experiencing in the field. - Collaborate with a dynamic team of Program Leaders, Faculty, Academic Success Coordinators, Regional Managers, and in-country partners to support students as they navigate potential challenges of a traveling program. - Facilitate coursework in compliance with credit requirements. - Maintain flexibility with the curriculum as dictated by a changing travel itinerary. - Build and maintain positive relationships with Verto students, staff, and community partners. - Evaluate students’ course submissions, provide ongoing, formative feedback, and score student work in a timely manner. Verto uses Canvas as our Learning Management System (LMS). - Assess student mastery of Student Learning Outcomes for the course and organization. - Diligently meet the specific, documented needs of students with academic accommodations. - Work closely with Academic Success Coordinators on specific student issues related to student academic success in your course(s). - Participate in faculty training & development - Other duties as reasonably assigned. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE - Master’s or Ph.D. in the field of study or a closely related field. - Minimum eighteen graduate credits in the field of study. - A minimum of two years teaching experience, preferably at the collegiate level. - Able to assess student progress on Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the course and organization. - Able to be flexible and adapt to challenges as they arise. - Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills. - Ability to work with careful attention to the fine details. - Ability to receive and apply feedback. - Appreciation for and proven record of successfully working with students of diverse economic, racial, cultural, and educational backgrounds. - Success in teaching students with varied learning styles and abilities. - Passion for discussion-based learning and helping students make meaning of their experiences. - Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamwork. What we’re looking for: - Faculty who are intellectually curious and motivated, and understand how to teach concepts in various teaching settings (i.e. with or without access to technology and internet). - Faculty who are willing to go that extra mile to ensure students succeed in academics and in college. - Faculty who excel at and love teaching, but are also willing to learn from their students. - Faculty who are flexible with fast-paced and changing environments. - Faculty on a mission to change the current status of higher education in the US for the better. - Verto seeks faculty who excel in teaching above all else. Application Instructions To apply, please submit the following in this application: - Cover Letter that articulates your experience in relation to the job description. If you have experience living or working in Fiji, please indicate this in your cover letter. - Current CV. - Names and contact information of three persons who will provide a professional recommendation. Email to careers(a)vertoeducation.org - Teaching Philosophy Statement. - Unofficial transcripts of your graduate work. If your graduate degree was conferred from an institution that doesn’t traditionally issue transcripts, please upload a scanned copy of your diploma. - Teaching evaluations from up to three separate semesters, if available. At Verto Education we value voices of all backgrounds and experiences. We know that creating a diverse environment takes dedication and intentional hiring practices. We are cognizant of the gap between our current state and our commitments. In order to bridge that gap, we have to humbly evaluate where we are today. Verto sincerely appreciates candidates providing anonymous answers to our EEO questions. You are helping us be better. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Verto Education is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. https://vertoeducation.org/careers/ -- Kelley Reardon

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New publication on the euthanasia of stranded cetaceans
by Rebecca Boys 19 May '21

19 May '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new paper: Boys, R.M.; Beausoleil, N.J.; Betty, E.L.; Stockin, K.A. Deathly Silent: Exploring the Global Lack of Data Relating to Stranded Cetacean Euthanasia. Animals 2021, 11, 1460. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051460 The paper is open access and is available for download here: https://www.mdpi.com/1116248 Abstract: The compromised state of stranded cetaceans means that euthanasia is often required. However, current knowledge and implementation of euthanasia methods remain highly variable, with limited data on the practicalities and welfare impacts of procedures. This study evaluated the available published data on cetacean euthanasia, highlighting knowledge gaps and providing direction to improve stranded cetacean welfare. A total of 2147 peer-reviewed articles describing marine mammal euthanasia were examined. Of these 3.1% provided details on the method used, with 91% employing chemical methods. Two countries, the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (NZ), provided euthanasia reports to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) between 2007 and 2020. Methods employed were reported for 78.3% and 100% of individual cetaceans euthanised in the UK and NZ, respectively. In the UK, chemical euthanasia was most common (52%), whilst in NZ only ballistics methods were used. Few data were available about time to death/insensibility (TTD); 0.5% of peer-reviewed articles provided TTD, whilst TTD was reported for 35% of individuals in the UK and for 98% in NZ. However, IWC reports lacked detail on how death/insensibility were assessed, with multiple individuals “presumed instantly” killed. Overall, the findings highlight the lack of available information on cetacean euthanasia, and suggest increased data collection and the application of appropriate methods to improve welfare. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions (r.boys(a)massey.ac.nz) Thank you, Rebecca Boys ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys Marine Biologist PhD Student Cetacean Ecology Research Group School of Natural and Computational Sciences Massey University Auckland New Zealand [cid:d28e07e9-72b3-4b23-b082-1f34668f3d8b]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:59deb976-c2e3-4ae0-a2ee-d53e44dc9963] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:6f65bb32-4b39-4c4a-9a9b-da71f90170d5] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:ea37ddd6-b63b-4538-aa42-60075a137b51] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHN…> [cid:f1d84c2a-e2d7-40eb-8f9f-03cd3e88cb64] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:72a27a4f-950a-4428-bc8b-e90f8907d0bd] www.cetaceanecology.org/<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/> Australia and New Zealand Student Chapter SMM Committee member European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand

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New publication on an uncommon stranding event of bottlenose dolphins in San Diego, CA
by Kerri Danil - NOAA Federal 19 May '21

19 May '21

We are pleased to announce our new publication: Danil, K, N. Beaulieu-McCoy, S. Dennison, D. Rotstein, T. Rowles, S. Wilkin. 2021. Uncommon Stranding Event of Bottlenose Dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) in San Diego, California (October 2015). NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SWFSC-641, 26 p. https://swfsc-publications.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/TM/SWFSC/NOAA-TM… Executive Summary Two freshly dead, adult coastal common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), stranded one mile apart from each other on Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado, San Diego County, California on October 21, 2015. On this same day, the U.S. Department of the Navy began a major training exercise (MTE). Ten days later, an additional adult T. truncatus stranded dead in advanced decomposition along the same beach. The spatial and temporal similarities of the strandings represented an unusual occurrence for the region. Post-mortem examinations revealed that all three dolphins were in robust body condition, had no external signs of fishery interaction, and presented with subcutaneous hemorrhage in the head region concentrated along the lower jaws, with subcutaneous emphysema associated with areas of cervical blubber hemorrhage. Hemoabdomen, gas bubbles within the mesenteric and cerebral vasculature, and evidence of recent feeding were observed in both dolphins that were examined in greatest detail. Additionally, cerebral hemorrhage and hemopericardium was observed in one specimen and scant lipids in the lungs of another. The combined findings indicate that the dolphins were exposed to acute, severe trauma, likely anthropogenic in nature. Based on previous case studies, an underwater detonation, peracute underwater entrapment (PUE) (e.g. net entanglement) or mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar are the most plausible explanations for the observed trauma. However, no underwater detonations were reported as part of the MTE. Three coastal fisheries that target squid, bait, and lobster operate in October that could potentially entrap a coastal T. truncatus. However, no squid fishery vessels were operating off San Diego during this time, no bait fishing activity the day preceding the strandings occurred, and lobster pots are unlikely to entrap 3 dolphins at one time. An illegal U.S. fishery or nearshore Mexican fishery could be an alternate source of PUE. MFA sonar was in use on October 19 and 20, with the closest Navy ship within 6 NM of the stranding location. Although MFA sonar seems the most likely source of the observed trauma, PUE from an unidentified fishery or unknown source remain a possibility. -- Kerri Danil (she/her/hers) Research Biologist, Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce Cell: (858) 366-2667 Stranding hotline: (858) 546-7162 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/cetacean-health-life… https://swfsc-publications.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/?search=danil

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Cetacean Session #5: How Cetaceans Resist Cancer
by Jared Towers 19 May '21

19 May '21

In Cetacean Session #5 on Thursday, May 27th at 7:00 pm Pacific Time we will discuss how cetaceans resist cancer and its implications for understanding diseases in humans and other animals by taking a closer look at the recently published paper ‘Positive selection and gene duplications in tumour suppressor genes reveal clues about how cetaceans resist cancer’ (Proceedings of the Royal Society B) with its lead author Daniela Tejada-Martinez. Presentation and discussion will be followed by live Q&A with the audience. Register for the session at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/cetacean-session-5/register Cetacean Sessions is a bi-weekly webinar series where we discuss impactful recently published scientific research on cetaceans with those conducting it around the world. Cetacean Sessions is informal, educational, interactive and geared towards those working with or interested in cetaceans. You can register for sessions and follow our channel for free with no account creation necessary at https://www.crowdcast.io/cetaceansessions Thx. Jared Towers

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Imperiled common dolphins of the Mediterranean Sea
by Giovanni Bearzi 18 May '21

18 May '21

Dear colleagues, Tilen Genov and I published a chapter on Mediterranean common dolphins for Elsevier's upcoming "Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation": Bearzi G., Genov T. 2021. Imperiled common dolphins of the Mediterranean Sea. In D. DellaSala, M. Goldstein and M.J. Costello (eds.) Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation. Elsevier, Amsterdam. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128211397000593 ABSTRACT -- The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world's seas most affected by human activities. In this region, concern for the conservation status of the common dolphin *Delphinus delphis* has been expressed since the 1990s. Systematic culling campaigns and intentional takes represented a major cause of mortality between the 1870s and the 1970s. These killings slowed down or largely ceased in the 1970s, but other negative human impacts have increased dramatically since then. Ongoing depletion of key prey caused by overfishing, as well as food-web competition with fisheries, have been identified as important threats in recent decades. Factors that likely contributed to making common dolphins increasingly less common also include incidental mortality in fishing gear, habitat degradation, and the effects of chemical pollutants, underwater noise, and climate change. These impacts may have increased demographic fragmentation, resulting in low density or scattered occurrence acro! ss most of the basin, small group sizes, and occasional admixture with striped dolphins *Stenella coeruleoalba*. Formal commitments to protect Mediterranean common dolphins have been made repeatedly in national and international fora, but conservation action has remained largely on paper. Pdf available upon request to <giovanni.bearzi(a)gmail.com> Cheers, giovanni - - - - - - - Giovanni Bearzi <http://www.dolphinbiology.org/people/giovanni_bearzi.htm>

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