July 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on elephant seals biologging and active acoustics
by TOURNIER Martin 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce our new article in Journal of Marine Systems : Tournier, M., Goulet, P., Fonvieille, N., Nerini, D., Johnson, M., & Guinet, C. (2021). A novel animal-borne miniature echosounder to observe the distribution and migration patterns of intermediate trophic levels in the Southern Ocean. Journal of Marine Systems. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2021.103608 Abstract: Despite expanding in-situ observations of marine ecosystems<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/m…> by new-generation sensors, information about intermediate trophic levels<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/trophic-l…> remains sparse. Indeed, mid-trophic levels, while encompassing a broad range of zooplankton<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/zooplankt…> and micronekton<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/micronekt…> organisms that represent a key component of marine ecosystems and sustain large and diverse communities of marine predators, are challenging to sample and identify. In this study, we examined whether an animal-borne miniature active echosounder can provide information on the distribution and movements of mid-trophic level organisms. If so, such a sonar tag, harnessing the persistent diving behaviour of far-ranging marine mammals<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/marine-ma…>, could greatly increase the density of data on this under-studied biome. High-frequency (1.5 MHz) sonar tags were deployed simultaneously with oceanographic tags on two southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/m…>), at the Kerguelen Islands and Valdés Peninsula<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/peninsula> (Argentina), and recorded acoustic backscatter<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/backscatt…> while the seals foraged respectively in the Indian and the Atlantic sectors of the Southern Ocean<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/southern-…>. The backscatter varied widely over time and space, and the seals attempted to capture only a small fraction of the insonified targets. Diel vertical migration<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/d…> patterns were clearly identifiable in the data, reinforcing our confidence in the ability of the sonar tags to detect living mid-trophic organisms along with possibly sinking biological detritus<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/detritus>. Moreover, CTD tags attached to the same animals indicated how the abundance, size distribution, and diel migration<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/diel-migr…> behaviour of acoustic targets varied with water bodies. These preliminary results demonstrate the potential for animal-borne sonars to provide detailed in-situ information. Further validation effort will make it a valuable tool to refine the estimation of carbon export fluxes as well as for assessing the variation of mid-trophic level biomass according to oceanographic domains and seasons. Please feel free to ask for the PDF. Regards, Martin Tournier, Ph.D. candidate Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC, UMR 7372 CNRS/ULR) martin.tournier(a)cebc.cnrs.fr

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New publication: Acoustic repertoire of hooded seals
by Heloise Frouin-Mouy 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Dear MARMAM community, My co-author and I are pleased to announce that the following paper on acoustic repertoire of hooded seals is now available online: Frouin-Mouy, H., & Hammill, M. 2021. In-air and underwater sounds of hooded seals during the breeding season in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 150, 281-293 https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0005478 Abstract: The hooded seal is a migratory species inhabiting the North Atlantic. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) conducted over spatial scales consistent with their known and potential habitat could provide insight into seasonal and spatial occurrence patterns of this species. Hooded seal airborne and underwater acoustic signals were recorded during the breeding season on the pack ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in March 2018 to better characterize their acoustic repertoire (notably underwater calls). In-air and underwater signals were classified into 12 and 22 types, respectively. Signals produced by males through the inflation and deflation of the proboscis and septum were the predominant sounds heard on the ice surface. Five of the 22 underwater signals were proboscis and septum noises. The remaining underwater signals (17) were categorized as voiced calls and further analyzed using two classification methods. Agreement with the initial subjective classification of voiced calls was high (77% for classification tree analysis and 88% for random forest analysis), showing that 12-13 call types separated well. The hooded seal's underwater acoustic repertoire is larger and more diverse than has been previously described. This study provides important baseline information necessary to monitor hooded seals using PAM. Please feel free to reach out (hfrouinmouy(a)uvic.ca) with questions or to obtain a pdf copy of the article. Best, Heloise Héloïse Frouin-Mouy, PhD

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New publication : Ontogenetic and seasonal analysis of the diet and isotopic niche of humpback whales in the Magellan Strait, Chile
by Daniela Haro 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the paper: Haro, D., P. Sabat, J. Acevedo, J. Capella, B. Cáceres, A. Aguayo-Lobo, F. Martínez. 2021. Ontogenetic and seasonal analysis of the diet and isotopic niche of humpback whales in the Magellan Strait, Chile. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 669: 213–226. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13733 https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v669/p213-226/ ABSTRACT: The ecological niche is dynamic, since the position and width of the niche can vary at different spatial and temporal scales. We examined the trophic ecology of southeast Pacific humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Magellan Strait feeding area in 2011, 2012 and 2017, analyzing changes in diet and the width of the isotopic niche in relation to ontogeny and seasonality. The isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in whale skin and in putative prey species was analyzed. Bayesian mixing models were used to determine the diet, and the isotopic niche was estimated using the standard ellipse area. Differences were found between the diets of juveniles and adults; Fuegian sprat Sprattus fuegensis was consumed mostly by adult individuals. We found no differences in the diet or in the isotopic niche of humpback whales throughout the feeding season in all years. This study suggests that the differences in diet between age classes are influenced by the ability to find and capture prey, whereas seasonality does not influence the niche width of humpback whales in the Magellan Strait. Our results suggested that fluctuations in the abundance of prey populations could influence in the trophic niche dynamics of humpback whales in the Magellan Strait. In particular, a reduction in the availability of Fuegian sprat would mainly affect adult individuals, leading to a dietary switch and/or to an expansion of their feeding area. Please contact me at <dharod(a)santotomas.cl <daniela.haro.diaz(a)gmail.com>> for a PDF copy or questions. -- *Daniela Haro Díaz*

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Aquatic Mammals journal issue 47.4 is available online
by Kathleen Dudzinski 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Dear MARMAM and ECS Talk subscribers, Happy July! 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 4, 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 4 (Items preceded by an ** are open access) Victoria Sorriba, Lia Lujan, Viviana De los Santos, Adam W. Stern, Federico R. Vilaplana Grosso, and Juan Pablo Damián. (2021). Comparison Between Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography for the Detection of Metal Fragments in Postmortem Examined Pinniped Skulls. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 321-329. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.321 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.321> Nicoli Eiras, Samira Costa-Silva, Thais H. M. Melo, Luciana Veríssimo, and Milton C. C. Marcondes. (2021). Unusual Behaviour of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Mothers and Calves. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 330-336. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.330 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.330> Holli C. Eskelinen and Brittany L. Jones. (2021). Acoustic Characteristics of Bubblestream-Associated Whistles Produced by Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) During the First Thirty Days of Life. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 337-348. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.337 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.337> **Douglas J. Krause and Jefferson T. Hinke. (2021). Finally Within Reach: A Drone Census of an Important, But Practically Inaccessible, Antarctic Fur Seal Colony. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 349-354. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.349 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.349> Brian C. Balmer, Stephen D. McCulloch, Todd R. Speakman, Jeffrey Foster, Larry J. Hansen, Wayne E. McFee, and Gregory D. Bossart. (2021). Comparison of Short-Term Satellite Telemetry and Long-Term Photographic-Identification for Assessing Ranging Patterns of Individual Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Waters Around Charleston, South Carolina, USA . Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 355-361. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.355 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.355> Guillermo J. Sánchez Contreras, Barbara Biancani, Nicola Pussini, Claudia Gili, Livio Galosi, and Giacomo Rossi. (2021). Multimetastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens; Shaw, 1800). Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 362-370. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.362 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.362> Jessica Post, Mystera M. Samuelson, Debra P. Moore, and Moby Solangi. (2021). Brachygnathia Superior Observed in a Juvenile Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 371-375. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.371 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.371> **Miriam Marmontel, Danielle dos Santos Lima, Claudia Funi, Valdenira Ferreira dos Santos, and Marcelo Oliveira-da-Costa. (2021). Unveiling the Conservation Status of Inia and Sotalia in the Brazilian Northeastern Amazon. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 376-393. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.376 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.376> **Ronald A. Kastelein, Lean Helder-Hoek, Linde N. Defillet, Léonie A. E. Huijser, John M. Terhune, and Robin Gransier. (2021). Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Due to One-Sixth-Octave Noise Bands Centered at 2 and 4 kHz: Effect of Duty Cycle and Testing the Equal-Energy Hypothesis. Aquatic Mammals, 47(4), 394-418. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.394 <https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.47.4.2021.394>

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All you ever wanted to know about river dolphins, where to find them and how to protect them
by Daphne Willems 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Dear MarMam-colleagues, It is with great pride that I share with you the first online global knowledge database on river dolphins: www.riverdolphins.org<http://www.riverdolphins.org> Today, RiverDolphins.org<http://www.riverdolphins.org> sees the light. This online knowledge base is an unprecedented resource and a source of inspiration for anyone living in river dolphin river basins or working on these iconic species - so that together we can ensure their survival. The website was developed by WWF and partners, and commissioned by the World Bank. RiverDolphins.org boasts the most comprehensive overview of all river dolphin species<https://www.riverdolphins.org/river-dolphins-worldwide/> and conservation and management 'best practices' from around the world. These include best practices in community engagement<https://www.riverdolphins.org/best-practices/community-engagement/>, addressing threats<https://www.riverdolphins.org/best-practices/addressing-threats/>, conservation planning<https://www.riverdolphins.org/best-practices/conservation-planning/> and research and monitoring<https://www.riverdolphins.org/best-practices/research-and-monitoring/>, compiled through an extensive literature review and interviews with scientists, government representatives, multi-lateral organizations and conservation organisations working in every river basin that hosts river dolphin populations. Best Practices and case studies from around the world: from Water stewardship to Water Reserves, from Community governed fisheries to Environmental impact assessments: you can find it all at one place! The database includes an unprecedented collection of scientific literature and downloadable resources: you can search hundreds of river dolphin resources: on the species, their river basins, the threats they face and how to apply best practices through inspiring case studies. Have a look and get inspired; together, we can safe these species, their rivers and the people that depend on them! Best wishes, Daphne Willems Global River Dolphin Rivers Initiative Lead E: dwillems(a)wwf.nl | M: +31 (0) 6 19302529 Skype: daphne.willems Twitter: @WWFRiverDolphin [cid:image001.png@01D7789A.05652390]<https://www.wnf.nl/> [cid:image002.png@01D7789A.05652390]<https://www.wnf.nl/>

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PhD available on communicative cognition in whales in Australia
by Michael Noad 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

PhD available on animal communicative cognition The Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratories (CEAL) group at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, is seeking applicants for one PhD position. UQ is routinely listed in the top 50 or so universities in the world and has one of the largest marine science programs in Australia. CEAL has been studying humpback whale vocal communication since 2002. CEAL is situated at the Moreton Bay Research Station at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Is (Minjerribah) near Brisbane. MBRS is a 30 min ferry trip from the mainland (Cleveland, where several of our PhD students live) and about 90 min from the centre of Brisbane, the main St Lucia campus of the University, and the Brisbane international and domestic airports. North Stradbroke Island itself is a beautiful island with good surf beaches, national parks, diving, and camping. The CEAL group has a primarily focus on cetacean acoustic behaviour and communication, the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals, cetacean physiology, and cetacean population dynamics. We value a team-based approach, where supervisors and researchers work effectively together on various projects. We also value gender equity and cultural diversity within the lab. As part of the lab PhD programme, we offer experience in field data collection, grant and report writing, and statistical data analysis. We are also able to offer students industry placements, where we encourage and support students to gain real-world experience. Our lab would provide a challenging but impactful PhD experience and, as such, we are seeking an enthusiastic and capable student with strong interests in animal acoustic communication and cognition. This PhD will be part of a larger study on the hearing of humpback whales funded by the Living Marine Resources program, U.S. Navy. Applicants should therefore have a background and general interest in animal communication, behaviour and cognition and should hold an honours degree or masters degree (or equivalent). Successful applications will be put forward for a scholarship to the University which will fully cover tuition and pay a living stipend. Due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions, domestic (Australian and New Zealand) students will be preferred. Please see below for more details. Background Humpback whales are renowned for their complex communication repertoire. However, much less is known about how these animals hear, and perceive, different sound sources. A previous study (project BRAHSS; https://www.brahss.org.au) led by CEAL, Curtin University, and the University of Sydney, found that humpback whales changed their migratory behaviour in response to the noise from seismic air guns. However, these behavioural changes were found to be relatively 'subtle'. One hypothesis that may explain these subtle behavioural changes is that the air gun 'bang' is a similar to the sound of a humpback 'breach'. Therefore, humpback whales perceive these sounds as being 'familiar' and do not respond dramatically to them. This hypothesis will be the focus of the PhD project. CEAL is leading a new study of the hearing range, and hearing sensitivity, of humpback whales. To do this, 'tones' of various frequencies will be played back to humpback whales following on from a previous experiment that found a clear and measurable avoidance response to a 2 kHz tone (Dunlop et al. 2013). Part of this new study will include a 'positive control'; sounds from killer whales. We expect these sounds to elicit a 'fear' response in whales meaning we would expect a clear avoidance respond as soon as they hear them giving us a basis with which to measure the behavioural response to tones. The fact that humpback whales clearly avoided a 2 kHz tone, and this response seemed to be of greater magnitude than was found to the seismic air gun array, may be due to the fact that the 2 kHz tones sounded similar to killer whale sounds. In other words, 'tones' and 'killer whale sounds' do not sound like conspecific sounds, and may elicit a more 'fearful' response. The PhD project will compare the behavioural response of humpbacks to tones, killer whale sounds, air guns, and sounds made by conspecifics to test if sound context, familiarity, and 'meaning' could explain differences in observed behavioural responses. You will use data already collected on humpback whale responses to conspecific sounds and air gun sounds (project BRAHSS). In addition, you will be part of the HHARC (Hearing in Humpbacks Acoustic Research Collaboration) project field effort (2021 - 2024) to collect further data on humpback responses to 'tones' and 'killer whale sounds' (Peregian Beach field site). For further information on the field site and earlier studies see CEAL publications. Results will extend our knowledge of animal perception of sound (cognition) as well as how, and why, whales respond to various anthropogenic noise sources. Ultimately, this will help make improvements to ocean policy aimed at mitigating the negative effects of anthropogenic noise on large whales. Applying for the positions For this PhD, the applicant's background should be in biology and/or ecology with quantitative training and experience preferred (e.g. in R). You should also have experience in scientific writing (preferably as an author on a peer reviewed publication) and be able to produce a sample of your writing, be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of hypothesis testing and experimental design, and have some experience in data processing and analysis. To apply for this PhD position, the applicant should send a cover letter to Rebecca Dunlop r.dunlop(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:r.dunlop@uq.edu.au> which includes why you would like to undertake this project, a summary of their relevant qualifications and experience (including your response to the criteria outlined above), information on your status as a domestic or international applicant, and where you are currently residing. You should also include a CV and a copy of your academic transcript. Emails should have the subject "PhD expression of interest" followed by the applicant's surname. Strong applicants will then be put forward to the University to compete for a scholarship. If successful, you will start in 2022. It should be noted that 'strong' candidate usually have at least one first-authored publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Rebecca Dunlop BSc PhD r.dunlop(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:r.dunlop@uq.edu.au> Director of Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratories Moreton Bay Research Station, University of Queensland Corner of Flinders Avenue and Fraser Streets Dunwich,

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Vacancy for Modeller at International Whaling Commission
by Iain Staniland 13 Jul '21

13 Jul '21

Dear MarMam, We have an exciting opportunity to work within the Secretariat of the International Whaling Commission See: https://iwc.int/vacancies Lead for Modelling and Statistics This position will oversee the programming and implementation of cetacean population models and the management of related data. An important part of the role is to evaluate the sustainability of aboriginal harvest quotas through computer simulations and involves close collaboration with members of the Scientific Committee and other Commission stakeholders. The post holder will also have line management responsibility for three statistical officers. We are looking for candidates with substantial programming and analytical experience, skilled in leadership and management, and confident in building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have good communication skills, including the ability to explain technical material to a non-scientific audience. Overseas applications are welcomed, noting that the successful applicant will need to be based in Cambridge, UK. Applications can be made by sending a CV and covering letter setting out how you meet the requirements in the person specification<https://iwc.int/public/downloads/clAf3/Lead-for-modelling-stats050721.pdf> to Julie Creek<mailto:julie.creek@iwc.int> (Julie.Creek(a)iwc.int<mailto:Julie.Creek@iwc.int>) by 00:00 GMT on Sunday 1st August 2020. Equal opportunities statement We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment Dr. Iain Staniland Head of Science, Conservation and Management INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION The Red House, 135 Station Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9NP, UK t. +44 (0) 1223 233971 d. +44 (0) 1223 606128 www.iwc.int<http://www.iwc.int/> Working hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday [cid:image001.png@01D77800.2BED3CE0] This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the named addressee you should delete the email and notify the sender immediately. E-mails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Any opinion and other statement contained in this message and any attachment are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the International Whaling Commission.

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Marine Mammal Training Courses - Vancouver, BC in September 2021
by Edgewise Environmental 13 Jul '21

13 Jul '21

Edgewise Environmental will be back in BC this fall for the practical sessions of our training courses. If you have a background in marine biology or already work within the marine industry, this is for you! Don't miss out on the chance to expand your skill-set with hands-on learning and gain valuable marine knowledge in observation, mitigation, and acoustics! Increase corporate skills in Canadian marine mammal mitigation and regulations to ensure proper protocol and understanding for all. Our training programs will provide you with the knowledge and know-how to work within the marine environmental industry throughout British Columbia and nationwide. Our Canada-Marine Mammal Observer training program focuses on mitigation processes of offshore aspects that may impact marine mammals. Our Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator training program focuses on passive acoustic mitigation processes required for offshore and coastal programs in Canada. Both are comprehensive training programs - theory is delivered online with an in-person, at-sea practical! Take advantage of our upcoming courses this fall in BC and expand your comprehension of marine mammal mitigation and acoustics. Visit our website at https://www.edgewiseenvironmental.com/training/ to learn more or register. If you have questions or require more information, please email info(a)edgewiseenvironmental.com Edgewise Team Edgewise Environmental Ltd. St. John's, NL, Canada phone: 1 (709) 770-0492 info(a)edgewiseenvironmental.com www.edgewiseenvironmental.com [image: Facebook icon] <https://www.facebook.com/edgewiseenvironmental> [image: LinkedIn icon] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/edgewise-environmental/> [image: Twitter icon] <https://twitter.com/edgewiseNL> [image: Instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/edgewiseenvironmental> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: *The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. *

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Your Voices are needed to Save The Vaquita!
by THOMAS KIECKHEFER 12 Jul '21

12 Jul '21

Dear MARMAM, As part of this year’s International Save the Vaquita Day on Saturday, 24 July, we will be presenting a series of short video clips of marine mammal researchers, conservationists and enthusiasts of all ages explaining why they think the vaquita needs to be saved from extinction. We invite you ALL to send in 30-60 second video clips. Details about how the videos should be filmed and sent in can be found at: https://vivavaquita.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-submit-video-for-… Please keep your clips under 60 seconds, and end with the following statement: “President Obrador, please do not allow your country’s only endemic porpoise species to go extinct. Salvemos a la vaquita! Gracias!” Please send your video in before July 20th. Thanks! VIVA Vaquita #SaveTheVaquita Sent by vivavaquita.org

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review on the impacts of climate change on cetaceans
by Jared Towers 12 Jul '21

12 Jul '21

On behalf of my co-authors I'm happy to announce that our systematic review on the impacts of climate change to cetaceans is now published open access in Climate Change Ecology. van Weelden, C., Towers, J.R. and Bosker, T. 2021. Impacts of climate change on cetacean distribution, habitat and migration. Climate Change Ecology 1:100009 Abstract: Climatic changes have had significant impacts on marine ecosystems, including apex predators such as cetaceans. A more complete understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on cetaceans is necessary to ensure their conservation. Here we present a review of the literature on the impacts of climate change on cetacean distribution, habitat and migrations and highlight research gaps. Our results indicate that due to rising sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and/or reducing sea ice extent, a variety of impacts on the distribution, habitat and migration of cetaceans have been observed to date and several more are predicted to occur over the next century. Many species have demonstrated a poleward shift, following their preferred SSTs to higher latitudes, and some have altered the timing of their migrations, while others appear not to be affected. These changes may benefit certain species, while others will be placed under extreme pressure and may face increased risk of extinction. Broader implications may include increased inter-specific competition, genetic alterations, ecosystem-level changes and conservation challenges. Existing research on the topic is both extremely limited and unevenly distributed (geographically and phylogenetically). Further research is necessary to determine which species and populations are most vulnerable and require the earliest conservation action. This article is freely available online and in PDF at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666900521000095?via%3Di… best regards, Jared Towers Bay Cetology

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