August 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

CIMAS Postdoctoral Associate Position Right Whales
by Jesse Wicker - NOAA Affiliate 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

The Department of Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to work in Miami, FL. *Transforming Lives* The University of Miami is among the top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation, and one of the largest private employers in South Florida. With more than 16,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe. The University is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value. Through values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, and Teamwork (DIRECCT) the U community works together to create an environment driven by purpose, excellence, community, and service. The Department of Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to work in Miami, FL. We seek a postdoctoral associate to join our group and work as a biologist in the Marine Mammal Program of the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The incumbent’s primary activities will be developing and implementing a framework to assess the risk of interactions between vessels and North Atlantic right whales using information on whale distribution and abundance, vessel traffic, and models of encounter and mortality rates. Candidates for this position should have: (1) Ph.D. in oceanography, marine biology, statistics, or related discipline (2) demonstrated experience in programming languages such as R or Matlab (3) previous experience working with large, spatially explicit data sets (4) the ability and desire to work as part of a collaborative team (5) demonstrated technical writing ability (6) demonstrated ability to work independently to complete complex tasks. The position will be located at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division located in Miami, FL. Remote work may be required due to considerations related to COVID-19. Curriculum Vitae and the contact information for 3 people who can provide letters of recommendation are required. The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here <https://www.hr.miami.edu/careers/eo-ada/index.html> for additional information. To apply please click on the link below: *https://umiami.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCareerStaff/job/Miami-FL/RSMAS---Postdoctoral-Associate---CIMAS_R100047993-1 <https://umiami.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCareerStaff/job/Miami-FL/RSMAS…>* -- Jesse Wicker NOAA Affiliate UM/CIMAS Research Associate (305) 361-4461 75 Virginia Beach Dr. <https://maps.google.com/?q=75+Virginia+Beach+Dr.+Miami,+FL+33149&entry=gmai…> Miami, FL 33149 <https://maps.google.com/?q=75+Virginia+Beach+Dr.+Miami,+FL+33149&entry=gmai…>

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New article:
by Ada Natoli 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

Dear MARMAN Subscribers, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our new research article published in Marine Mammal Science: Ada Natoli, André E. Moura, Neftalí Sillero, 2021. *Citizen science data of cetaceans in the Arabian/Persian Gulf: Occurrence and habitat preferences of the three most reported species.* Mar Mam Sci. 2021;1–21. *Abstract:* Citizen science data are becoming increasingly relevant in wildlife studies, especially when obtaining data requires costly logistics. In the Arabian/Persian Gulf, baseline information about cetaceans is scarce despite their regular presence. From 2012 to 2019, a citizen science campaign conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) obtained information on 1,292 cetacean sightings. These were methodically validated by experts, resulting in 1,103 records where species was confidently assigned. From the 12 species reported, we analyzed the spatial patterns of occurrence and drivers of habitat preference for the three most reported species: Tursiops aduncus (Ta 53%), Sousa plumbea (Sp 45%), and Neophocaena phocaenoides (Np 2%). Ecological niche modelling, considering seven environmental variables (physicochemical: temperature, silicate, calcite, pH; physiographic: distance from coast, bathymetry; biological: chlorophyll) showed subtle niche partitioning among the three species. Our results suggest different diets and energy requirements for Np, with Ta and Sp, segregating mostly by different patterns of space use. Specifically, Sp prefers close proximity to shore, particularly areas with complex networks of inland canals. This information provides an estimate of habitat preferences, that can be used in formulating effective conservation measures. Sp shows the narrowest area of suitable habitat and is at particular risk from habitat degradation. Link to the article: http://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12865 Best regards Ada -- Ada Natoli (PhD) UAE Dolphin Project www.uaedolphinproject.org Email: ada.natoli(a)uaedolphinproject.org Email: ada.natoli(a)gmail.com Phone: +971 (0) 44321211 Mobile: +971 (0) 509551742

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New Article: Steroid hormone profiles and body conditions of migrating male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
by Greta Dalle Luche 28 Aug '21

28 Aug '21

Dear MARMAN Subscribers, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our new research article in General and Comparative Endocrinology: Dalle Luche, G., Boggs, A.S., Kucklick, J.R., Hawker, D.W., Wisse, J.H., Bengtson Nash, S.B., 2021. Steroid hormone profiles and body conditions of migrating male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 113888. ABSTRACT: Simultaneous analysis of multiple steroid hormones from remotely obtained blubber biopsies has the potential to concurrently provide information regarding stress and reproductive status from free-swimming cetaceans, while also investigating correlations between hormone concentrations and other health biomarkers. In this study we measured blubber concentration profiles of eight reproductive and adrenal steroid hormones (17α-hydroxy-progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone, cortisol, 11-deoxy-corticosterone, oestrone, and oestradiol) together with body condition, as determined by the inverse Adipocyte Index, of 101 male humpback whales. Whales were sampled randomly at two time points, while migrating to and from their northeast Australian breeding grounds, allowing for intra- and inter-seasonal profile analysis. Testosterone, progesterone and cortisol together with androstenedione 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and oestrone concentrations (the latter quantified for the first time in live biopsied male humpback whales) decreased between the northward and southward migrations. Decreasing testosterone levels during the height of humpback whale conceptions suggests asynchronicity between blubber testosterone levels and the expected peak of male fertility. Statistically significant relationships between levels of certain steroid analytes were observed and appeared to change between the early and late breeding seasons. During the northward migration, testosterone, progesterone, androstenedione, oestrone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels were positively correlated. Cortisol concentrations correlated positively with those of testosterone during the northward migration, but negatively during the southward migration. Androstenedione and testosterone were positively correlated with adiposity during the late breeding season. These hormone-hormone and hormone-adiposity correlations may be reflective of the activation of certain steroid hormone synthesis pathways, or alternatively, of concomitant physiological stimuli. As steroid hormones work in concert, information on multiple steroid hormones is needed to interpret endocrinological status and understand the relationships between these compounds and ancillary health markers. This study provides steroid hormone profiles of wild male humpback whales, as well as the first insight into seasonal male endocrinology as a function of adiposity. Link to article: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0016648021001817?token=EA2C90A77… [https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0016648021001817-ga1.jpg]<https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0016648021001817?token=EA2C90A77…> Steroid hormone profiles and body conditions of migrating male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)<https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0016648021001817?token=EA2C90A77…> Simultaneous analysis of multiple steroid hormones from remotely obtained blubber biopsies has the potential to concurrently provide information regar… reader.elsevier.com  Please feel free to contact me (dalleluche.greta(a)gmail.com) for a pdf copy of the paper. Kind regards, Greta - Dr. Greta Dalle Luche, PhD

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New publication announcement: Evidence of stereotyped contact call use in narwhal (Monodon monoceros) mother-calf communication
by Audra Ames 28 Aug '21

28 Aug '21

Dear colleagues, On behalf of myself and my co-authors, we are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in PLoS ONE. Ames AE, Blackwell SB, Tervo OM, Heide-Jørgensen MP (2021) Evidence of stereotyped contact call use in narwhal (Monodon monoceros) mother-calf communication. PLoS ONE 16(8): e0254393. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254393 Abstract: Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are gregarious toothed whales that strictly reside in the high Arctic. They produce a broad range of signal types; however, studies of narwhal vocalizations have been mostly descriptive of the sounds available in the species’ overall repertoire. Little is known regarding the functions of highly stereotyped mixed calls (i.e., biphonations with both sound elements produced simultaneously), although preliminary evidence has suggested that such vocalizations are individually distinctive and function as contact calls. Here we provide evidence that supports this notion in narwhal mother-calf communication. A female narwhal was tagged as part of larger studies on the life history and acoustic behavior of narwhals. At the time of tagging, it became apparent that the female had a calf, which remained close by during the tagging event. We found that the narwhal mother produced a distinct, highly stereotyped mixed call when separated from her calf and immediately after release from capture, which we interpret as preliminary evidence for contact call use between the mother and her calf. The mother’s mixed call production occurred continually over the 4.2 day recording period in addition to a second prominent but different stereotyped mixed call which we believe belonged to the narwhal calf. Thus, narwhal mothers produce highly stereotyped contact calls when separated from their calves, and it appears that narwhal calves similarly produce distinct, stereotyped mixed calls which we hypothesize also contribute to maintaining mother-calf contact. We compared this behavior to the acoustic behavior of two other adult females without calves, but also each with a unique, stereotyped call type. While we provide additional support for individual distinctiveness across narwhal contact calls, more research is necessary to determine whether these calls are vocal signatures which broadcast identity. The publication can be open-accessed via https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254393 or you can email a request for a PDF to aames(a)oceanografic.org<mailto:aames@oceanografic.org>. Many thanks for your interest in the article, and thank you to the PLOS ONE editors and the reviewers of the publication for their contributions to the finished article. Best, Audra -- Audra Ames, Ph.D. Research Scientist, Fundación Oceanografic T: (+34) 96 1975526 Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic), 1B 46013 Valencia Spain

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New publication on use of drones for dugong research
by Anant Pande 26 Aug '21

26 Aug '21

[image: image.gif]Dear Marmammers We are pleased to announce our latest publication on the use of drones for dugong research in India. This is the first time an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has been used in the country to assess marine mammal populations. We also detected several other species of conservation importance while conducting these surveys. This work paves way for more detailed systematic surveys in the future to estimate dugongs and other marine megafauna populations along the vast Indian coastline. Sagar Rajpurkar, Anant Pande, Sajal Sharma, Swapnali Gole, Sohini Dudhat, J. A. Johnson, K. Sivakumar (2021) Light-weight unmanned aerial vehicle surveys detect dugongs and other globally threatened marine species from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. *Current Science, 121(2).* You may access the article from the link: *https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/121/02/0195.pdf <https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/121/02/0195.pdf>* regards Anant Anant Pande, Ph.D Project Scientist Ravi Sankaran Fellow, 2012 JC Daniel Young Conservation Leader, 2019 Early Career Researcher Awardee (PSG), 2021 Ph no: +91-135-2646211-215 ext. 5007 Twitter: @AnantPande28 Former Team Lead - Indian Polar Research Network <http://iprnindia.wixsite.com/iprn> Project SEABIRD - http://pagodroma.blogspot.com https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anant_Pande <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anant_Pande> [image: Mailtrack] <https://mailtrack.io?utm_source=gmail&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=sig…> Sender notified by Mailtrack <https://mailtrack.io?utm_source=gmail&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=sig…> 08/27/21, 10:55:19 AM

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New publication synthesizing emerging themes in Population Consequences of Disturbance models
by Kelly Keen 26 Aug '21

26 Aug '21

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication, “Emerging themes in Population Consequences of Disturbance models” in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Keen KA, Beltran RS, Pirotta E, Costa DP. 2021 Emerging themes in Population Consequences of Disturbance models. Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20210325. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0325 <https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0325>. Abstract: Assessing the non-lethal effects of disturbance from human activities is necessary for wildlife conservation and management. However, linking short-term responses to long-term impacts on individuals and populations is a significant hurdle for evaluating the risks of a proposed activity. The Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCoD) framework conceptually describes how disturbance can lead to changes in population dynamics, and its real-world application has led to a suite of quantitative models that can inform risk assessments. Here, we review PCoD models that forecast the possible consequences of a range of disturbance scenarios for marine mammals. In so doing, we identify common themes and highlight general principles to consider when assessing risk. We find that, when considered holistically, these models provide valuable insights into which contextual factors influence a population’s degree of exposure and sensitivity to disturbance. We also discuss model assumptions and limitations, identify data gaps and suggest future research directions to enable PCoD models to better inform risk assessments and conservation and management decisions. The general principles explored can help wildlife managers and practitioners identify and prioritize the populations most vulnerable to disturbance and guide industry in planning activities that avoid or mitigate population-level effects. The publication is open access and available at: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.0325 <https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.0325>. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Best, Kelly -- Kelly Ann Keen PhD Student | Costa Lab Ecology & Evolutionary Biology | UC Santa Cruz keakeen(a)ucsc.edu <mailto:keakeen@ucsc.edu> | kelly.a.keen(a)gmail.com <mailto:kelly.a.keen@gmail.com>

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Manatee Age Estimation Papers
by Gina Lonati 26 Aug '21

26 Aug '21

Dear MARMAM Community, On behalf of my co-authors at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, I am pleased to announce two publications related to age estimation of Florida manatees using growth layers in their earbones: Lonati, G. L., Howell, A. R., Hostetler, J. A., Schueller, P., de Wit, M., Bassett, B. L., Deutsch, C. J., and Ward-Geiger, L. I. (2019) Accuracy, precision, and error in age estimation of Florida manatees using growth layer groups in earbones. Journal of Mammalogy, 10(4): 1350-1363. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyz079 (open access) Ages of Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) can be estimated by counting annual growth layer groups (GLGs) in the periotic dome portion of the tympanoperiotic complex of their earbones. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages an archive of more than 8,700 Florida manatee earbones collected from salvaged carcasses from 1989 to 2017. Our goal was to comprehensively evaluate techniques used to estimate age, given this large sample size and changes to processing protocols and earbone readers over time. We developed new standards for estimating ages from earbones, involving two independent readers to obtain measurements of within- and between-reader precision. To quantify accuracy, precision, and error, 111 earbones from manatees with approximately known ages (first known as calves: “KAC”) and 69 earbones from manatees with minimum known ages (“MKA,” based on photo-identification sighting histories) were processed, and their ages were estimated. There was greater precision within readers (coefficient of variation, CV: 2.4–8.5%) than between readers (CV: 13.1–13.3%). The median of age estimates fell within the true age range for 63.1% of KAC cases and was at least the sighting duration for 75.0% of MKA cases. Age estimates were generally unbiased, as indicated by an average raw error ± SD of −0.05 ± 3.05 years for the KAC group. The absolute error (i.e., absolute value of raw error) of the KAC data set averaged 1.75 ± 2.50 years. Accuracy decreased and error increased with increasing known age, especially for animals over 15 years old, whose ages were mostly underestimated due to increasing levels of resorption (the process of bone turnover that obscures GLGs). Understanding the degree of uncertainty in age estimates will help us assess the utility of age data in manatee population models. We emphasize the importance of standardizing and routinely reviewing age estimation and processing protocols to ensure that age data remain consistent and reliable. -------------------- Lonati, G. L., Howell, A. R., Schueller, P., and Deutsch, C. J. (2021) Using tetracycline to evaluate age estimation in a long-lived aquatic mammal. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 45(2): 340-350. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1192 (available upon request - gina.lonati(a)unb.ca) Age estimation is useful for understanding population parameters and, in many vertebrates, relies on the principle that growth layer groups (GLGs) are deposited annually in specific tissues. In Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), GLGs in earbones are used to estimate age at death. Opportunities to validate the rate of GLG deposition in earbones from manatees >15 years old are rare, yet important for ensuring accurate age estimation across the species’ lifespan. Tetracycline injection is a useful method for validating GLG interpretations, particularly when the exact age of an animal is unknown. Since 1997, we collected earbones from 10 manatees that were ≥13–69 years old at death and had been injected with tetracycline 9–37 years before death. The number of years since injection (YSI) was estimated by photographing earbone cross-sections under ultraviolet light, measuring the distance between the fluorescent tetracycline mark and earbone edge, processing the earbones to visualize GLGs, superimposing the distance to evaluate the marks’ locations relative to GLGs, and counting the GLGs between the mark and earbone edge. Seven earbones had tetracycline marks, although 2 of the marks were dull or discontinuous. On average, estimated YSI was 5.6 (SD = 7.5) years less than the known YSI; however, the error was nearly always ≤2 years for manatees that had been injected <20 years before death, consistent with an annual rate of GLG deposition at younger ages. Resorption (i.e., bone turnover) that obliterated GLGs was likely why YSI was underestimated in old manatees with longer post-injection intervals, although we cannot exclude the possibility that GLG deposition rate may slow in old age. We discuss how age, extrinsic stressors, life history events, and laboratory processing may affect tetracycline visibility, earbone growth, and GLG interpretation. Our study reinforces the challenges with accurately estimating the age of old individuals in long-lived mammalian species. Please reach out with any questions. Thank you! Gina & colleagues Gina Lonati PhD Student (she/her) University of New Brunswick Saint John https://glonati2222.wixsite.com/research gina.lonati(a)unb.ca

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SMM2021 Conference - rescheduled for August 2022
by Amy Hirons 26 Aug '21

26 Aug '21

Hello SMM Community, The SMM2021 Conference Team has been carefully monitoring Covid-19 infections and vaccination trends globally throughout the pandemic. Keeping in mind the safety and welfare of all participants, we have decided it is in everyone's best interests to postpone and reschedule the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals until Summer 2022. Workshops will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 30 and 31 July and the conference will take place 1-5 August 2022. All conference venues will remain the same. We are certain this announcement will generate many questions. We ask that you refer to the SMM2021 Conference web site (smmconference.org) where a link will direct you to a Question and Answer page for some of the most commonly asked questions. You may also reach out to the specific unit (ie. Registration) for more answers to other questions. We are committed, now more than ever, to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging conference for everyone. We hope to see you in person or online at SMM2021 in Palm Beach, Florida in August 2022. Regards, Amy C. Hirons and Jeremy Kiszka, Conference Co-Chairs Stephen Trumble and Sascha Usenko, Conference Scientific Program Co-Chairs Amy C. Hirons, PhD SMM2021 Conference Co-Chair Associate Professor Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Nova Southeastern University 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania Beach, FL 33004 (o) 954-262-3620 (OC) Pronouns: she, her(s) hirons(a)nova.edu<mailto:hirons@nova.edu> https://works.bepress.com/amy-hirons/about/ http://nsuoc-cmol.weebly.com/ [cid:59a74325-5984-4b7e-9082-eb53f13346ef] [cid:eaf16423-9820-49df-aa76-6bbe3e663df6] [https://www.nova.edu/brand/_images/sig-images/logo-email.png] [https://www.nova.edu/brand/_images/sig-images/spacer-1x10.gif] [https://www.nova.edu/brand/_images/sig-images/return-of-the-sharks-transpar…]<https://www.nova.edu/ehs/cv19-resources/index.html> Be a Smart Shark. nova.edu/cv19<https://www.nova.edu/ehs/cv19-resources/index.html> [https://www.nova.edu/brand/_images/sig-images/spacer-1x20.gif] [facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/NSUFlorida> [instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/nsuflorida/> [snapchat] <https://www.snapchat.com/add/nsusharks> [twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/nsuflorida> [youtube] <http://www.youtube.com/c/novasoutheasternuniversity> [linkedin] <https://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=18106> [https://www.nova.edu/brand/_images/sig-images/spacer-1x10.gif]

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New Article: Quantifying the effects of tidal turbine array operations on the distribution of marine mammals: Implications for collision risk
by Joseph Onoufriou 25 Aug '21

25 Aug '21

New Article: Quantifying the effects of tidal turbine array operations on the distribution of marine mammals: Implications for collision risk Dear MARMAM, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in Renewable Energy: Joe Onoufriou, Debbie J.F. Russell, Dave Thompson, Simon E. Moss & Gordon D. Hastie. (2021) Quantifying the effects of tidal turbine array operations on the distribution of marine mammals: Implications for collision risk. Renewable Energy. (180) 157-165 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.08.052. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812101212X) Abstract: Owing to their predictability, tidal currents are an attractive source of renewable energy. However, data on the environmental impacts, especially at array scale, are lacking. We present a spatial analysis of telemetry data, identifying the effects of the presence and operations of the world's first commercial sized tidal turbine array on the movements of an acoustically sensitive marine mammal; the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). No significant change in at sea distribution was detected between pre and post installation of the 4 turbine array. However, seals showed overt avoidance responses during turbine operations, with a significant decrease in predicted abundance (95% CIs: −11%, −49%) within ∼2 km of the array. These results provide important information for estimating collision rates between seals and tidal turbine arrays and demonstrate an analytical framework which can be used to assess the effect of arrays on other marine animal distributions. Collision risk models used to estimate collision rate between tidal turbines and marine mammals traditionally assume some non-empirical degree of avoidance, or no avoidance. The avoidance response elicited by seals to these devices could reduce the likelihood of direct collisions, with estimated avoidance rates measured here suggesting a decrease in total number of between 0.4% and 2% per annum. Further, given sustained barrier effects were not identified, avoidance may only be occurring during the potentially dangerous periods during operations thereby not restricting movement through the site at all times. However, future environmental impact assessments and spatial planning for array deployments should consider the potential for repulsion of acoustically sensitive top-predators away from ecologically important sites. Keywords: Environmental monitoring; Tidal stream turbines; Spatial ecology; Marine spatial planning; Mammal behaviour please feel free to e-mail me at *j <jo26(a)st-andrews.ac.uk>ojo.onoufriou(a)gmail.com <ojo.onoufriou(a)gmail.com>* if you have any questions or would like a pdf copy. Best wishes, Joe Onoufriou & co-authors

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New publication: Use of satellite imagery to identify southern right whales
by Audrey Amorim Corrêa 24 Aug '21

24 Aug '21

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our article in the Marine Mammal Science Journal: Corrêa, A. A., Quoos, J. H., Barreto, A. S., Groch, K. R., & Eichler, P. P. B. (2021). Use of satellite imagery to identify southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on a Southwest Atlantic Ocean breeding ground. Marine Mammal Science, 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12847 Abstract: Satellite imagery has been used to improve scientific research worldwide. In this study, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was chosen to test the use of medium, high, and very high resolution (VHR) satellite images, on the Brazilian breeding ground. These images were used to identify the whales and were compared to aerial survey data collected in the same area. The VHR satellite images from the Pleiades-1A satellite, available on Google Earth, displayed the best results when compared to those from Sentinel 2, Landsat 8, Rapid Eye, and Planet Scope. No significant differences were observed (Mann-Whitney U test) between the possible whales recorded in the satellite images and of real whales recorded in situ by aerial surveys while considering either the number of groups (p = .841, n = 5) or the total number of animals (p = .222, n = 5). Further, when using VHR images, the geographical positions of the whales recorded in situ had a positive correlation with the positions generated from the satellite images (Mantel test: r = 0.52, p = .001, n = 13). This technique may represent an important tool for detecting right whales, especially in countries where research funding is scarce. This publication is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12847 Please contact me directly if you would like a PDF copy: audreyamorimcorrea(a)gmail.com Sincerely, Audrey Amorim Corrêa -- Audrey Amorim Corrêa Bióloga, Lab. de Informática da Biodiversidade e Geoprocessamento Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental Universidade do Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI Itajaí/SC-Brasil

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