May 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Life Studies Job Opportunity: Operations Coordinator
by Stephanie Marcos 16 May '21

16 May '21

*Marine Life Studies is seeking an Operations Coordinator (OC) who will help with day-to-day management under supervision of the Executive Director and Operations Manager. OC will manage overall operations and is responsible for the effective and successful management of Marine Life Studies’ Research, Education, and Whale Rescue programs. * *Duties:* * -Helps coordinate and schedule volunteers * *-Presents education programs for Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, schools, etc.* *-Conducts whale and dolphin behavior on research boat surveys* *-Seek, write, and edit grants * * -Manages social media websites (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc)* * -Maintain website* *-Directs/trains volunteers in data input & other standard operation procedures* *-Plans fundraisers, meetings, and events* *-Develop and distribute newsletters and emails for supporters* *-L2+ Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® member * *-Engage as Project Manager for Detection and Removal of Derelict Fishing Gear from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Project* *Requirements:* *-Good physical fitness: be comfortable on boats in offshore waters* *-Working knowledge in Microsoft Office* *-Must be able to commit to 4 working days per week* *-Must have people management skills* *Preferred candidates (not having the following conditions does not disqualify the candidate)* *-Basic marine mammal response/research experience* *-Basic seamanship* *-Familiarity with using photography/videography equipment* *-Flexible daily schedules (whale rescue events are unpredictable; our days may start earlier or end later than scheduled.* *Salary: Salary will be based on experience.* *Required application materials:* *-Cover Letter explaining why you are interested * *-CV (Please include references)* * -Email them to: **info(a)marinelifestudies.org* <info(a)marinelifestudies.org> * -Subject: Operations Coordinator Application (First and Last Name)* *Marine Life Studies, PO Box 163, Moss Landing, CA 95039. (831.901.3833)* -- Stephanie Marcos | Operations Manager (she/her/hers) [image: www.MarineLifeStudies.org] <http://www.MarineLifeStudies.org> www.MarineLifeStudies.org <http://www.marinelifestudies.org/> P.O. Box 163 Moss Landing, CA. 95039 Marine Life Studies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/MontereyBayMarineLifeStudies> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/MLSNewsSplash> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/marinelifestudies/>

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Nautical tourism affects common bottlenose dolphin foraging success in a NATURA 2000 site, NE Adriatic; a new article
by mag. Darja Ribaric 15 May '21

15 May '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-author and I are very happy that a new peer-reviewed article is published in the Mediterranean Marine Science, with the title: Nautical tourism affects common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus M.) foraging success in a NATURA 2000 site, North-Eastern Adriatic Sea Views: 429 Downloads: 22 DARJA RIBARIC, JACK CLARKSON DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.24475 Link to the article: https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/ 24475 >From the abstract: Several studies indicate that unregulated nautical tourism can have negative implications on cetacean behaviour. In recent years, dolphin watching activities (DWA) have increased off the West coast of Istria, Croatia, a region in which the NATURA 2000 site: "Akvatorij zapadne Istre" that has been proposed to be designated for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus M.). . Between 2016 and 2019, we compared dolphin group behaviours from this region during impact (presence of nautical tourism boats - NTBs) and control (absence of NTBs) scenarios: - 48.5% of NTBs were observed within 15m of the dolphin focal groups and - 97% were observed within 50 m distance. . The greatest rates of displacement in dolphin focal groups occurred when NTB numbers were greatest per individual dolphin. . Markov chain analyses were used to quantify the short-term effects of NTB presence on dolphin behaviour. In the presence of NTBs, dolphins were more likely to spend time milling and less time foraging. Cumulative behavioural budgets indicated that vessel exposure levels of already 14% were enough to statistically affect milling and foraging behaviours, respectively. . To lessen the lack of sustainable DWA, the implementation of relevant guidelines, e.g., Global Best Practice Guidance for Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watching (50 m no approach and 300 m caution zone) is therefore crucial to mitigate any long[1]term consequences the actions of NTBs may have on this key species. . To date, 162 bottlenose dolphins have been photo-identified off West coast of Istria and cumulative interference to this population could affect direct ecosystem functioning. Keywords: Common bottlenose dolphin; dolphin watching; nautical tourism; behavioural transitions; NATURA 2000 site; North-Eastern Adriatic cid:image002.jpg@01D51B94.BBC57F50 mag. DARJA RIBARIČ, MPhil in Biological Sciences <mailto:darja.ribaric@vivamar.org> darja.ribaric(a)vivamar.org President and Head researcher <https://www.vivamar.org/> VIVAMAR Society for the Sustainable Development for the Sea Dolphin Research & Conservation / Marine Wildlife Awareness FIRST NATURA 2000 scientific publication on dolphins off Istria logo_manjse Recognised by the Ministry of the Environment for the public interest 215-10/2007/4

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7th International Bio-Logging Symposium - Abstract Deadline Extension and Open Registration
by Charles Littnan - NOAA Federal 14 May '21

14 May '21

Aloha again fellow bio-loggers! We are pleased to share two bits of good news: 1. The abstract submission deadline has been extended to 31 May 2021 2. Registration is now open! A reminder that we hope for BLS7 to be inclusive of as much cutting edge bio-logging as ever. Please use this extra time to also spread the word to your colleagues and friends in other fields and other countries. Share your science by submitting your abstract here: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/login?redirect=/stages/1709/submitter Registration costs will be $150 for professionals and $50 for students with additional discounts for those from traditionally lower funded countries and for early registration. Early-bird registration discounts available until July 1. Registration after October 1 will increase to $175 for professionals and $75 for students. Join the conversation by registering at a reduced rate: https://www.xcdsystem.com/bls/member/ Please visit our website at www.bls7hawaii.com, follow the International Bio-Logging Society on Twitter (@biologging), and spread the word far and wide to anyone you think might be interested in joining us. Aloha, Charles, Josh, Kenady, Aude, and Kim Email questions to: bls7hawaii(a)gmail.com

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Monday's Ocean Talks with Dr. Heidi C. Pearson
by AIMM Internships 14 May '21

14 May '21

*Mondays Ocean Talks* Interview with Dr. Heidi C. Pearson 17rd May, 3 pm (GMT+1) on AIMM YouTube channel https://youtu.be/bB6-F5ks2jA Mondays Ocean Talks are a set of recorded interviews between Joana Castro, the founder of AIMM, and invited guests from all over the world who play an important role within the ocean and marine life. The Mondays Ocean Talks were launched in February and every two weeks a new interview is released. Each interview has a duration of appr. one hour and presents an informal talk, a sharing of experiences and an exchange of knowledge. The interviews are completely free to access from AIMM YouTube channel. Subscribe and meet an Ocean Researcher! The next interview will be with Dr. Heidi C. Pearson. You can find out more information about Dr. Heidi C. Pearson https://www.grida.no/staff/75 More info: info(a)aimmportugal.org AIMM Team -- AIMM Portugal - Ass. Investigacao do Meio Marinho | Marine Environment Research Association Website: www.aimmportugal.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AIMM.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AIMMPortugal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimmportugal_org/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/AimmportugalOrg <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Sem vírus. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Beluga paper combining genetics and habitat models
by Mikkel Skovrind 14 May '21

14 May '21

We are pleased to share our new beluga paper. "Circumpolar phylogeography and demographic history of beluga whales reflect past climatic fluctuations" https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15915 Authors: Mikkel Skovrind, Marie Louis, Michael V Westbury, Cristina Garilao, Kristin Kaschner, José Alfredo Samaniego Castruita, Shyam Gopalakrishnan, Steen Wilhelm Knudsen, James S Haile, Love Dalén, Ilya G Meshchersky, Olga V Shpak, Dmitry M Glazov, Viatcheslav V Rozhnov, Dennis I Litovka, Vera V Krasnova, Anton D Chernetsky, VM Bel ‘kovich, Christian Lydersen, Kit M Kovacs, Mads Peter Heide‐Jørgensen, Lianne Postma, Steven H Ferguson, Eline D Lorenzen Abstract: Several Arctic marine mammal species are predicted to be negatively impacted by rapid sea ice loss associated with ongoing ocean warming. However, consequences for Arctic whales remain uncertain. To investigate how Arctic whales responded to past climatic fluctuations, we analysed 206 mitochondrial genomes from beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) sampled across their circumpolar range, and four nuclear genomes, covering both the Atlantic and the Pacific Arctic region. We found four well‐differentiated mitochondrial lineages, which were established before the onset of the last glacial expansion ~110 thousand years ago. Our findings suggested these lineages diverged in allopatry, reflecting isolation of populations during glacial periods when the Arctic sea‐shelf was covered by multiyear sea ice. Subsequent population expansion and secondary contact between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans shaped the current geographic distribution of lineages, and may have facilitated mitochondrial introgression. Our demographic reconstructions based on both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes showed markedly lower population sizes during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) compared to the preceding Eemian and current Holocene interglacial periods. Habitat modelling similarly revealed less suitable habitat during the LGM (glacial) than at present (interglacial). Together, our findings suggested the association between climate, population size, and available habitat in belugas. Forecasts for year 2100 showed that beluga habitat will decrease and shift northwards as oceans continue to warm, putatively leading to population declines in some beluga populations. Finally, we identified vulnerable populations which, if extirpated as a consequence of ocean warming, will lead to a substantial decline of species‐wide haplotype diversity. On behalf of all co-authors, Mikkel and Eline

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New publication on killer whale movements associated with herring density
by Emma Vogel 14 May '21

14 May '21

Dear MARMAM Community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am excited to share our recent publication: Vogel, Emma F., Martin Biuw, Marie-Anne Blanchet, Ian D. Jonsen, Evert Mul, Espen Johnsen, Solfrid Sætre Hjøllo, Morten Tange Olsen, Rune Dietz, and Audun Rikardsen. "Killer whale movements on the Norwegian shelf are associated with herring density." Marine Ecology Progress Series 665 (2021): 217-231. ABSTRACT: Killer whales Orcinus orca have a cosmopolitan distribution with a broad diet ranging from fish to marine mammals. In Norway, killer whales are regularly observed feeding on overwintering Norwegian spring-spawning (NSS) herring Clupea harengus inside the fjords. However, their offshore foraging behavior and distribution are less well understood. In particular, it is not known to what degree they rely on the NSS herring stock when the herring move to deeper offshore waters. Satellite telemetry data from 29 male killer whales were analyzed to assess whether their offshore foraging behavior is linked to herring distribution. Unlike most marine predator-prey studies that use indirect proxies for prey abundance and distribution, our study utilized 2 herring density estimates based on (1) direct observations from acoustic trawl survey data and (2) simulations from a fully coupled ecosystem model. Mixed effects models were used to infer the effect of herring density and light intensity on whale movement patterns. Our results suggest that killer whales follow NSS herring over long distances along the coast from their inshore overwintering areas to offshore spawning grounds. All whales changed from fast, directed, to slow, non-directed movement when herring density increased, although individuals had different propensities towards movement. Our data indicated that whales continue to feed on herring along the Norwegian shelf. We conclude that NSS herring constitute an important prey resource for at least some killer whales in the northeastern Atlantic, not only during the herring overwintering period, but also subsequently throughout the herring spawning migration. The full article is available at: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13685 To request a PDF copy or for further information please reach out to me at emma.vogel(a)uit.no<mailto:emma.vogel@uit.no> Kind regards, Emma ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Emma Vogel (she/her) Emma.vogel(a)uit.no<mailto:Emma.vogel@uit.no> Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) UiT – The arctic university of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway Twitter: @efvogel<https://twitter.com/efvogel> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Open PhD studentship
by Kimberley Davies 13 May '21

13 May '21

Open Position: PhD studentship in environmental modeling of baleen whale foraging habitat to advance endangered species conservation Project Description: The Davies Lab at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, Canada, is recruiting a new PhD student into our laboratory. The candidate will conduct research exploring statistical and numerical modeling approaches to characterizing baleen whale habitat using field data collected from novel autonomous ocean ecosystem monitoring platforms that simultaneously measure the distribution of whales, their prey and other key oceanographic variables. The student will have the opportunity to engage their modeling research in policy and management processes to advance real-world conservation efforts to save endangered whale species. While the focus of the project is on computer modeling, the student will have opportunities to engage in sea-going field research and work with lab members to collect data that support their modeling efforts. The student will also have the opportunity to engage with partners in industry, government, NGO and academic communities in Canada and the US. Qualifications: An M.Sc. degree and demonstrated expertise in data science, statistics, oceanography, mathematical modeling, conservation science and/or ecology. Evidence of completing a thesis, publication or scientific report is required. Desirable qualifications include experience in habitat modeling, computer programming especially in the R language, experience working with diverse partners, and scientific communication. Compensation: The position includes a $23,000 CAD per year stipend for 4 years and financial support for equipment, field data collection and conference travel. University entrance awards are additive. NSERC scholarship candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Setting: The Davies Lab is a dynamic, interdisciplinary laboratory that focusses on ocean conservation, ocean predator ecology, and oceanography. We are a sea-going laboratory offering opportunities for students to learn the ins and outs of shipboard research. Visit our website for more information about our lab and ongoing projects: https://davieslab.wixsite.com/davieslab. The University of New Brunswick Saint John is located on the Bay of Fundy. The Department of Biological Sciences at UNBSJ is a collegial and research-intensive group with a strength in marine biology. Saint John is a vibrant port city with a historical core, great nightlife and restaurants, and access to wilderness and the ocean on its doorstep. How to apply: Send a cover letter detailing the evidence that you meet the required qualifications, career goals and fit with the project and lab, a recent CV, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for 3 references to kim.davies(a)unb.ca<mailto:kim.davies@unb.ca>. Review of applications will begin on June 15, 2021. I expect the applicant to apply to the UNB Saint John Graduate Studies Program by July 15, 2021.

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Aquatic Mammals Issue 47.3 available online
by Kathleen Dudzinski 13 May '21

13 May '21

Dear MARMAM and ECS Talk subscribers, Happy May! I hope everyone reading this email is well! Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The titles listed below represent the contents of the most recent issue (Volume 47, issue 3, 2021) of Aquatic Mammals that is published online. Aquatic Mammals is the longest running peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on aquatic mammals and is published quarterly with manuscripts available as published PDFs in real time. Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ <http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/> To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php <http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php> Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings. With regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> Volume 47, Issue 3 (Items preceded by an ** are open access) Karl Mercera, Fanny Pilot-Storck, Birgitta Mercera, Caroline Gilbert, and Fabienne Delfour. (2021). Exploration of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Under Human Care by Enzyme Immunoassay. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 227-238. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.227>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.227 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.227> Hassen Jerbi, William Pérez, and Javier S. Tellechea. (2021). Ingestion of Floating Net Debris in Sperm Whales and Larynx Strangulation with Gillnet Parts in Bottlenose Dolphins on the Coast of Tunisia. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 239-244. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.239>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.239 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.239> **Emily K. Griffin, Patricia E. Rosel, Brian C. Balmer, Robin M. Perrtree, and Tara M. Cox. (2021). Using Photo-Identification and Genetic Data to Examine Fine-Scale Population Structure of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Estuarine Waters Surrounding Savannah, Georgia. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 245-256. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.245>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.245 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.245> Thomas A. Jefferson. (2021). Proposal to Retain the Scientific Names of Five Species of Small Cetaceans (Delphinapterus leucas, Tursiops truncatus, Lissodelphis borealis, Cephalorhynchus eutropia, and Inia geoffrensis) by Designating Their Unused Senior Synonyms as nomina oblita. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 257-267. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.257>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.257 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.257> María Pérez Tadeo, Martin Gammell, and Joanne O’Brien. (2021). Assessment of Anthropogenic Disturbances Due to Ecotourism on a Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Colony in the Blasket Islands SAC, Southwest Ireland and Recommendations on Best Practices. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 268-282. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.268>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.268 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.268> **John M. Terhune and Donald Killorn. (2021). A Method for Preliminary Assessment of the Masking Potential of Anthropogenic Noise to Baleen Whale Calls. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 283-291. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.283>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.283 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.283> David M. Donnelly, Josh D. McInnes, K. Curt S. Jenner, Micheline-Nicole M. Jenner, and Margie Morrice. (2021). The First Records of Antarctic Type B and C Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Australian Coastal Waters. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 292-302. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.292>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.292 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.292> Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, Charlotte Bie Thøstesen, Peter Teglberg Madsen, Heidi Huus Petersen, Tim Kåre Jensen, Morten Tange Olsen, and Carl Chr. Kinze. (2021). First Stranding of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) on the Danish North Sea Coast. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 303-310. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.303>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.303 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.303> Miki Shirakihara, Miki Nishita, Masao Amano, Kunio Shirakihara, Teruo Kasedou, and Toshiyuki Onoue. (2021). Failure in the Colonization of a New Area by Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), Japan. Aquatic Mammals, 47(3), 311-320. DOI: https://doi.org/ <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.311>10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.311 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.3.2021.311>

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MMHSRP's Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) available for comment
by MMHSRP PEIS Comments - NOAA Service Account 13 May '21

13 May '21

Hi all, On behalf of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), I am happy to announce the availability of a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, that evaluates the potential environmental effects associated with continued implementation of the MMHSRP. While the MMHSRP currently operates under a PEIS published in 2009, changes have been made to the Program to increase efficiency, reflect new information gained, and improve human health and safety during marine mammal entanglement response, stranding response, carcass disposal, and rehabilitation and release of animals back to the wild. This draft PEIS will supersede the 2009 PEIS, and assesses the potential environmental effects of MMHSRP activities under a range of three alternatives, characterized by different methods, mitigation measures, and levels of response. For all potentially significant impacts, the proposed PEIS identifies avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures to reduce these impacts, where feasible, to a level below significance. These mitigation measures also include the issuance of best practices and guidance documents that are contained in the PEIS as appendices. The MMHSRP welcomes public comment on this draft PEIS, including the best practices and guidance documents, as well as comments on which of the chosen alternative(s) you support/do not support. You can comment in a number of ways, including: ● The preferred method of filling out the following Google form ( https://forms.gle/d3zTanFQTS8HvqLd6) ● If your comments are extensive, you can send an email to: mmhsrp.peis.comments(a)noaa.gov. ● You can also send comments by mail to: Office of Protected Resources (1315 East West Highway, 13th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, but please know that mail is not regularly checked by MMHSRP staff as we are all working remotely due to impacts from COVID-19) We ask that you pay particular attention to the associated appendices, as these contain many new and/or revised best practices and guidance documents, including: · Standards for Release of Marine Mammals following Rehabilitation · Marine Mammal Stranding Agreement · Evaluation Criteria for Marine Mammal Stranding Agreements · Cetacean and Pinniped Transport Best Practices · Small Cetacean Intervention Best Practices · Marine Mammal Euthanasia Best Practices · Marine Mammal Carcass Disposal Best Practices · Cetacean Mass Stranding Best Practices · Live and Dead Large Whale Emergency Response Best Practices · Standards for Rehabilitation Facilities · Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia Spp.) Best Practices · NMFS Criteria for Disentanglement Roles and Training Levels · Large Whale Entanglement Response Best Practices · Small Cetacean Entanglement Best Practices · Pinniped Entanglement Response Best Practices The public comment period will be open for 45 days, and *will close on June 28, 2021*. Please contact Stephen Manley (mmhsrp.peis.comments(a)noaa.gov) if you have any questions about the PEIS or the public comment process. More information on the MMHSRP’s draft PEIS, as well as the PEIS document can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/draft-programmatic-environ…. The associated appendices for the DPEIS can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/appendices-mmhsrp-draft-pr… Thank you, Steve Manley on behalf of the MMHSRP

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SMM Editor’s Select Series for May 20th: Drones and marine mammals in Svalbard, Norway
by Student Members-at-Large Society for Marine Mammalogy 13 May '21

13 May '21

Greetings MARMAM! Join us on *20 May 2021 at 9 AM Pacific Time (4 PM UTC)* for the next SMM Seminar Editor's Select Series: Drones and marine mammals in Svalbard, Norway Free to attend Registration required. Presented online on Zoom Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jNaQy7W8R3-arpi5t5GLow Space on Zoom is limited to the first 100 attendees. The talk will also be streamed live on the SMM Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/marinemammalogy>. *The SMM Seminar Editor's Select Series highlights the latest and most exciting marine mammal science published in the Marine Mammal Science Journal. This is your chance to engage with marine mammal scientists, learn and ask questions from anywhere in the world. All are welcome. * *About this talk*: The use of drones has risen exponentially in recent years, following an increasingly widespread use among hobbyists and researchers, although their effects on wildlife behaviour are not always well known. Our project studied the impact of drones on different species of arctic marine mammals, including walruses, polar bears, belugas and harbour seals in Svalbard, in order to provide management advice to the local authorities. Over the course of several field expeditions, the team used a range of drone models, and tested different approach strategies and flight altitudes. We also measured the sound emitted by the drones to help us evaluate the impact of different type of flights on wildlife. Overall, harbour seals reacted to the drones from a distance of 80 m, while walruses reacted when flying closer than 50 m. Flying manually, especially overflying or descending over the animals, led to noisier flights and caused more disturbance than when flying in automatic mode. Polar bears noticed the drones at distances over 300 m, especially with calm weather conditions, and belugas reacted strongly when approaching the pods from the front, or at altitudes below 15 m. We recommend following trajectories that can be predicted by the animals, such as straight-line or circular paths, and using flight planner applications in order to minimise abrupt noises. Finally, events that took place and conditions prior to a flight, such as the encounter of a predator, may directly influence how wildlife reacts to drones, so we advise drone pilots to follow a precautionary principle. *About the presenter: * Albert Palomino is currently a PhD student at Universidad Austral de Chile. He graduated at UiT The Arctic University of Norway from a master’s programme in marine ecology, where he developed the project Drones and Marine Mammals in Svalbard together with researchers from the Norwegian Polar Institute. His main research interests are the effects of environmental change on marine predator population dynamics and the impact potential of anthropogenic activities on wildlife behaviour. Best regards, Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D. Candidate *Ayça Eleman, Ph.D. *Candidate *Theresa-Anne Tatom-Naecker, Ph.D. Student* *Student Members-at-Large* Society for Marine Mammalogy SMM Students: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/for-students/ Check us out on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/marinemammalogy/ <http://www.facebook.com/events/1060310684008883/> -- Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D. Candidate *Ayça Eleman, Ph.D. *Candidate *Theresa-Anne Tatom-Naecker, Ph.D. Student* *Student Members-at-Large* Society for Marine Mammalogy SMM Students: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/for-students/ Check us out on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/marinemammalogy/ <http://www.facebook.com/events/1060310684008883/>

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