May 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Short aerial video of Cuvier's and sperm whales, Hellenic Trench, Greece
by Alexandros Frantzis 07 May '21

07 May '21

Dear Marmam and ECS members, We hope you all keep being well, healthy and busy with interesting projects. You may wish to watch an almost 3 min video with aerial views of Cuvier's beaked whales, sperm whales and striped dolphins from the area of the Hellenic Trench IMMA. The video is available at the following Youtube link: https://youtu.be/K3bkhu4dR3Q It is the first video that we have uploaded to our new Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyp-eiteK0GBb0Lr5psk0g During the next days we will upload a longer shot from the logging sperm whale social unit that appears in the video, with all the very interesting behavior that preceded and followed the tail-slapping appearing in 0:47 and 0:53, so please keep the link or subscribe to the Pelagos channel if you are interested. More videos (old and new) with interesting sperm whale behavior including the behavior of a sperm whale social unit during a birth(!) and other cetacean related content will hopefully follow. The shots of the current short video were recorded during the surveys of the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute along the Hellenic Trench in 2019 and 2020 with the kind support of OceanCare, Switzerland. Best wishes, Alexandros -- ___________________________________________ Dr. Alexandros Frantzis Scientific director Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute Terpsichoris 21 16671 Vouliagmeni, GREECE Tel.: +30-210-8960108 e-mail: afrantzis(a)otenet.gr website: http://www.pelagosinstitute.gr ___________________________________________ -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Entanglement Response Specialist - Provincetown, MA USA
by Stephanie Richardson 07 May '21

07 May '21

*Marine Animal Entanglement Response Specialist II* *Full Time (40 hours per week)* The Center for Coastal Studies (Provincetown MA USA) is seeking a response specialist for its Marine Animal Entanglement Response program. CCS is a private, non-profit institution with an emphasis on marine mammal research and conservation. Response specialists are on call to respond to entangled whales and sea turtles following strict protocols that emphasize human safety and data collection. Specialists participate in at-sea operations, data processing, administrative tasks and supervision of trainees. They are expected to interface with the public and professional mariners and to participate in other CCS research programs as needed. CCS is searching for level-headed candidates that can work calmly and problem solve under stressful conditions. Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in a biological field; at least one year of at-sea working experience; small boat handling experience; excellent computer and communication skills; strong focus and attention to detail; the ability to work and communicate well at sea and in a wide range of weather conditions. Prior experience working with large animals and database management skills are desirable. Applicants must be physically able to execute the work of the position. Capable of lifting 50 lbs. or more, and working at sea for long periods of time. Weekends and scheduling flexibility required. This position is full-time, year-round, with the potential for annual renewal. It is open to citizens of the US and those authorized to work in the US. The position offers a fantastic benefits package, with health/dental insurance, paid vacation and retirement plan. Interested candidates please submit PDF cover sheet, resume and two references to: Stephanie Richardson Human Resource Manager Email: srichardson(a)coastalstudies.org -- Stephanie Richardson Human Resource Manager Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue Provincetown, MA 02657 t. (508) 487-3622 Ext. 113

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Cetacean Session #4: Rapid Large-Scale Social Learning in Sperm Whales
by Jared Towers 06 May '21

06 May '21

In Cetacean Session #4 on Thursday, May 13th at 4:00 pm Pacific Time we will take a closer look at the paper 'Adaptation of sperm whales to open-boat whalers: rapid social learning on a large scale?' recently published in Biology Letters with its lead author, Hal Whitehead. As one of the foremost authorities on culture in whale and dolphin societies, we will also discuss this topic with Hal while taking live Q&A from the audience. Register for the session at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/cetacean-session-4/register Cetacean Sessions is a free 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. Thx. Jared Towers

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New publication: population trends in bottlenose dolphin stocks around the Hawaiian Islands
by Amy Van Cise 06 May '21

06 May '21

Dear MARMAM, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm happy to announce the publication of our new paper, available at Endangered Species Research <https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v45/p37-53/>: Van Cise, AM, RW Baird, AE Harnish, JJ Currie, SH Stack, T Cullins, AM Gorgone. 2021. Mark-recapture estimates reveal declines in abundance of common bottlenose dolphin stocks in the main Hawaiian Islands. Endangered Species Research 45:37-53. doi: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01117 <https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v45/p37-53/> *Abstract*: Species conservation relies on understanding population demographics, yet this information is lacking for many species and populations. Four stocks of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus inhabiting the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands (USA) are exposed to anthropogenic disturbances including fisheries interactions, tourism, naval activities, ocean noise, and contaminants. Although these stocks are managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a demographic assessment has not been undertaken since 2006, and there is currently no information on population trends. We combined regular survey effort with citizen science contributions to estimate apparent survival and annual abundance within each stock using photographs collected between 2000 and 2018. Over this time period, we collected 2818 high-quality identifications of 765 distinctive individuals across all 4 stocks. Analyses of inter-annual movements indicated that individuals exhibit restricted habitat use within stocks, which contributed to non-random sampling. Annual abundance estimates ranged from the 10s to the low 100s. Apparent survival ranged from 0.84 to 0.9, with lower-than-expected estimates in all stocks. Annual abundance estimates declined in 3 of the 4 stocks; however, this decline was not significant for the Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau and O‘ahu stocks, and may be an artifact of sampling design in all stocks. Given the small population size for these stocks, it is important to closely monitor trends in abundance as a first step in mitigating negative effects of anthropogenic activities. Future efforts should focus on consistent geographic coverage in all stocks to decrease model uncertainty and improve trend assessment. The paper is open access and can be downloaded from ESR <https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v45/p37-53/>, but please feel free to reach out to me or my co-authors with any questions you may have. Warm regards, Amy <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< Amy M. Van Cise, Ph.D. <https://amyvancise.weebly.com/> (she/her/hers) Research Associate, North Gulf Oceanic Society <http://www.whalesalaska.org/> Visiting Scientist, Genetics and Evolution Program <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/genetics-and-evoluti…> NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Blvd E Seattle, WA

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Cetacean-fisheries interactions in the Adriatic - new paper
by Martina Đuras 06 May '21

06 May '21

Dear MARMAM Community, here is a link to our paper on the cetacean-fisheries interactions recorded over the past 30 years in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea: <http://vetarhiv.vef.unizg.hr/papers/2021-91-2-9.pdf> http://vetarhiv.vef.unizg.hr/papers/2021-91-2-9.pdf Martina Đuras, Ana Galov, Kim Korpes, Magdalena Kolenc, Matea Baburić, Andrea Gudan Kurilj, Tomislav Gomerčić (2021): Cetacean mortality due to interactions with fisheries and marine litter ingestion in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea from 1990 to 2019. Veterinarski arhiv 91: 189-206. doi 10.24099/vet.arhiv.0942 Abstract Different anthropogenic threats negatively influence the survival of cetaceans in all world seas. Thanks to a long-running marine mammal surveillance program, we are able to report results of a detailed analysis on the influence of cetacean-fisheries interactions and marine litter ingestion on cetacean mortality in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea during the last three decades. Total number of dead cetaceans was 459 and included 334 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 40 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), ten Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), six Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and four fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). Three hundred of them were postmortally examined. Cetacean-fisheries interactions occurred frequently in the Adriatic Sea being detected in 96 (20.9%) of the recorded cases. Bycatch was the most abundant cetacean-fisheries interaction with 66 (14.4%) cases recorded. Good nutritional condition and evidence of recent feeding were the most common findings recorded in bycatch cases, followed by persistent froth in the airways, edematous lungs, bruises and an amputated fluke or tail. Cetacean-fisheries interactions other than bycatch affected 30 animals and included larynx strangulations, long-term tail entanglement and fishing gear in the stomach. Ingestion of marine litter that was not related to fisheries was recorded in four animals. This study reveals considerable negative anthropogenic influence on cetaceans in the Adriatic Sea, especially the bottlenose dolphin that is considered the most frequent cetacean species therein and calls for an urgent development of the cetacean bycatch reduction program. Finally, it demonstrates the importance of sustaining national surveillance programs for gaining scientifically based knowledge important for cetacean protection and prospects for their long-term survival. Kind regards, Martina Đuras Izv. prof. dr. sc. Martina Đuras Zavod za anatomiju, histologiju i embriologiju Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb 01/2390-252 Assoc. Prof. Martina Đuras Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia +38512390252

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Publication: PhotoID Reveals the Threat of Entanglement for Endangered Northern Bottlenose Whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus)
by Laura Joan Feyrer 05 May '21

05 May '21

Dear colleagues, We would like to to share our new paper "Origin and Persistence of Markings in a Long-Term Photo-Identification Dataset Reveal the Threat of Entanglement for Endangered Northern Bottlenose Whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus)" recently published as open access in Frontiers in Marine Science. Feyrer, L. J., Stewart, M., Yeung, J., Soulier, C., & Whitehead, H. (2021). Origin and persistence of markings in a long-term photo-identification dataset reveal the threat of entanglement for endangered northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 349. ABSTRACT Photo-identification methods depend on markings that are stable over time. Using a large dataset of photographs taken over a 31-year period, we evaluate the reliability, rate of change and demographic trends in different mark types on northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) in the Endangered Scotian Shelf population, and assess the prevalence and severity of anthropogenically caused markings. Only fin notches and back indentations were stable over long timescales, leading to 48% of the overall population being assessed as reliably marked. Males and mature males were found to have higher incidence of most mark types compared to females and juveniles. The proportion of reliably marked individuals increased over time, a trend that should be accounted for in any temporal analysis of population size using mark-recapture methods. An overall increase in marked individuals may reflect the accumulation of scars on an aging population post whaling. Anthropogenic markings, including probable entanglement and propeller-vessel strike scars, occurred at a steady rate over the study period and were observed on 6.6% of the population. The annual gain rate for all injuries associated with anthropogenic interactions was over 5 times the annual potential biological removal (PBR) calculated for the endangered population. As entanglement incidents and propeller-vessel strike injuries are typically undetected in offshore areas, we provide the first minimum estimate of harmful human interactions for northern bottlenose whales. With low observer effort for fisheries across the Canadian Atlantic, photo-identification offers an important line of evidence of the risks faced by this Endangered whale population. Best, Laura https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.620804/full?&utm_so…

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marine mammals library leftovers
by Jay R Cordeiro 05 May '21

05 May '21

There is still some availability of marine mammal and whaling books from the private collection of marine mammal biologist Dr. Thomas A. Jefferson and transferred to the non-profit organization, VIVA Vaquita. 100% of the funds raised will be donated to VIVA Vaquita and used in work to prevent the extinction of world's most endangered species of marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) For more information on VIVA Vaquita, visit the website: http://vivavaquita.org/<http://vivavaquita.org/?fbclid=IwAR2XgHbhuTXNKxUVFhocuIr28mDTDHymRI3FDC6P6D…> Complete list is available for viewing at https://sites.google.com/site/northeastnaturalhistory/home/Newest-Lists/lis… Inquiries to: j.cordeiro(a)nenaturalhistory.com Thanks Jay Cordeiro Northeast Natural History & Supply West Dennis, MA 02670 j.cordeiro(a)nenaturalhistory.com

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New paper: odontocete occurrence around Maui using PAM techniques
by Merra Howe 05 May '21

05 May '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-author Dr. Marc Lammers and I are pleased to share that our paper, “Investigating the diel occurrence of odontocetes around the Maui Nui region using passive acoustic techniques” has published in *Pacific Science*. Abstract: The distribution of odontocetes on a daily scale is largely driven by bottom-up processes that in turn influence foraging opportunities. Environmental variables such as bathymetry may help indicate productive foraging regions and serve as useful tools when assessing dolphin spatial and temporal patterns. To begin to understand daily spatial patterns of different odontocete species relative to heterogeneous benthic habitat, passive acoustic monitoring was conducted near an understudied basin of the Hawaiian Islands, the Maui Nui region (Maui, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, Moloka‘i). Results showed that the acoustic activity of smaller species was stronger at night than day, particularly closer to shelf waters. In contrast, the acoustic activity of less common larger species tended not to follow a diel pattern, except at sites of a moderate proximity to shelf waters. These findings support previous research showing that smaller odontocetes, such as spinner dolphins (*Stenella longirostris*), track and feed upon the daily vertically migrating mesopelagic boundary community at night, while larger odontocetes, such as false killer whales (*Pseudorca crassidens*), may forage across most of the region during both the day and night. This information will help inform best management practices that account for interspecies variation in use of the Maui Nui basin. https://bioone.org/journals/pacific-science/volume-75/issue-1/75.1.7/Invest… Please contact me for a full pdf of the paper. Best, Merra -- Merra Howe, M.Sc. (she/her) Policy Analyst U.S. Marine Mammal Commission 4340 E W Hwy, Bethesda, MD 20814 617-680-9848

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IMMS animal training internship (fall)
by Jennifer Pishnyuk 04 May '21

04 May '21

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, MS is accepting applications for our fall term. *The deadline for applications is June 1st.* Please visit our website for details on how to apply or send questions to jpishnyuk(a)imms.org https://imms.org/internship/ The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience. The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Interns will also complete a project during their internship, as well as help staff with daily water quality. Because we want interns to have a well-rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Interested applicants must follow the directions listed on the website to apply. Interns must be: • 18 years or older. • A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences. • Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position. • Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. • Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. • Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions. • Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn. • Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements. • Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations.

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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 04 May '21

04 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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