September 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Stranding Coordinator position open in Massachusetts
by Regina Asmutis-Silvia 02 Sep '21

02 Sep '21

Whale and Dolphin Conservation's North American office is seeking a Stranding Coordinator to develop and grow a new marine mammal stranding response program on the south shore of Massachusetts, USA. The ideal applicant is detail-oriented, enjoys wearing multiple hats and problem solving, thrives in a high-energy role, and values their contribution as an integral part of our mission. This is a fulltime salaried position with a start date of October 1st, 2021. Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/212414738565156<https://form.jotform.com/212414738565156> Please direct any questions to jobs(a)whales.org<mailto:jobs@whales.org> The Stranding Coordinator will be responsible for the following: * Coordinate responses to live and dead marine mammal strandings within the response area * Ensure the program is legally compliant * Manage and disseminate data * Recruit and manage volunteers and interns * Work with community and network partners * Support the development and growth of the program. They will also seek ways to grow and support our efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of marine mammal science and conservatio<https://us.whales.org/about/diversity/>n. The role is based in our dog-friendly office in Plymouth, MA. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply as the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Qualifications Required: * BS/BA or equivalent professional experience * Minimum of 2 years of previous marine mammal stranding response experience * A valid Massachusetts driver's license, or ability to acquire one * Ability to walk on rough terrain (including during inclement weather), swim, and lift 50 pounds * Must be fluent in English (speaking, writing, reading) * Strong writing and verbal communication, interpersonal and organization skills * Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products required * Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 * Must comply with all organizational COVID-19 preventative measures * Must be able to work nights and weekends * Must be able to legally work in the United States Preferred: * Understanding of veterinary technology, photography, small boat handling, vehicle trailering, and database management is ideal * Experience conducting necropsies and tissue sampling * Proficient in Gulf of Maine marine mammal species identification * Current CPR and First Aid Certifications Benefit package options: * 68% employer-paid health premiums * Dental, and/or vision * Retirement plan - Massachusetts Defined Contribution CORE Plan (CORE Plan) * PTO that begins with 15 days, and 10 holidays * Dog-friendly office About the Organization: For 30 years, Whale and Dolphin Conservation<http://us.whales.org/> (WDC) has been working across the globe in the marine conservation field. We are guided by a simple principle - whales play a critical role in the health of our marine and global ecosystems. For over a decade, WDC's North American office has implemented programs specifically dedicated to the protection of endangered species, including the North Atlantic right whale and Southern Resident orca. Visit whales.org<https://us.whales.org/> to learn more. This Company Describes Its Culture as collaborative, team-oriented, very driven, and dog friendly. The Whale & Dolphin Conservation embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. This Job Is: Perfect for someone who has a passion for marine conservation and science and will work hard to support a growing office toward its goal of a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. Regina Asmutis-Silvia Executive Director WDC North America Pronouns: she, her, hers Telephone: +1 508 746 2522 WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation 7 Nelson Street Plymouth, MA 02360-4044 United States whales.org<http://whales.org> [WDC - Protecting Whales and Dolphins for over 30 years]<https://whales.org/> [WDC on Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/uswhalesorg> [WDC North America on Twitter] <https://www.twitter.com/whales_org> [WDC on Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/whales_org> [WDC on YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/whalesorg> [WDC Blogs] <https://us.whales.org/category/news/> [WDC E-Newsletter] <https://us.whales.org/> [WDC on GuideStar]<https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0749188> ________________________________ Whale and Dolphin Conservation ("WDC"), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360-4044 Tel: +1 (508) 746-2522 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. ________________________________

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New publication: Where, when, and why do western North Atlantic humpback whales begin to sing?
by Katie Kowarski 02 Sep '21

02 Sep '21

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication! Katie Kowarski, Salvatore Cerchio, Hal Whitehead & Hilary Moors-Murphy (2021) Where, when, and why do western North Atlantic humpback whales begin to sing?, Bioacoustics, DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2021.1972838 <https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2021.1972838> The article is freely available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09524622.2021.1972838 - At the onset of the winter breeding season, male humpback whales begin a prominent breeding behaviour, singing. Early songs are produced on summer feeding grounds prior to migration, but little is known about the proximate cues for the initiation of this behaviour, nor where or when it begins. We document the phenology of humpback whale singing along the western North Atlantic coast ranging from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to Massachusetts, U.S.A. through the fall-winter of 2015-16 (seven stations) and 2016-17 (three stations). Acoustic data from static recorders were categorized as containing humpback whale non-song calls, song fragments, or full songs. First heard in September, singing occurred throughout the fall-winter, but was not regular until October. Latitude, temperature, photoperiod, sea surface pressure, and wind speed were considered as potential explanatory variables for four definitions of song onset using forward stepwise regression. Final models included the environmental variables with photoperiod negatively correlated to singing (coefficient = -657; p-value = 0.04). Reliable environmental cues, such as photoperiod, may produce a heritable physiological response, resulting in whales acquiring the capacity and motivation to sing, with the subsequent timing and nature of song production influenced by other factors.

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New publication: Runs of homozygosity in killer whale genomes provide a global record of demographic histories
by Andrew Foote 02 Sep '21

02 Sep '21

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a new open access publication: Runs of homozygosity in killer whale genomes provide a global record of demographic histories The article is open access and therefore freely available to download using this link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mec.16137 It will feature in the upcoming special issue of Molecular Ecology on using whole genome sequencing. Abstract: Runs of homozygosity (ROH) occur when offspring inherit haplotypes that are identical by descent from each parent. Length distributions of ROH are informative about population history; specifically, the probability of inbreeding mediated by mating system and/or population demography. Here, we investigated whether variation in killer whale (Orcinus orca) demographic history is reflected in genome-wide heterozygosity and ROH length distributions, using a global data set of 26 genomes representative of geographic and ecotypic variation in this species, and two F1 admixed individuals with Pacific-Atlantic parentage. We first reconstructed demographic history for each population as changes in effective population size through time using the pairwise sequential Markovian coalescent (PSMC) method. We found a subset of populations declined in effective population size during the Late Pleistocene, while others had more stable demography. Genomes inferred to have undergone ancestral declines in effective population size, were autozygous at hundreds of short ROH (<1 Mb), reflecting high background relatedness due to coalescence of haplotypes deep within the pedigree. In contrast, longer and therefore younger ROH (>1.5 Mb) were found in low latitude populations, and populations of known conservation concern. These include a Scottish killer whale, for which 37.8% of the autosomes were comprised of ROH >1.5 Mb in length. The fate of this population, in which only two adult males have been sighted in the past five years, and zero fecundity over the last two decades, may be inextricably linked to its demographic history and consequential inbreeding depression. We hope this study will be of interest to the Marmam community. Andy Foote and coauthors

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New publication on killer whale predatory scarring on mysticetes
by Enrico Corsi 01 Sep '21

01 Sep '21

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors at Cascadia Research Collective and I recently published a new paper on killer whale predatory scarring in blue, humpback and grey whales in the eastern North Pacific. Corsi, E., Calambokidis, J., Flynn, K. R., & Steiger, G. H. (2021). Killer whale predatory scarring on mysticetes: A comparison of rake marks among blue, humpback, and gray whales in the eastern North Pacific. Marine Mammal Science, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12863 Abstract: We investigated the predator–prey relationship between baleen whales and killer whales by observing predatory scarring (rake marks) on the tail flukes of three mysticete species from the eastern North Pacific Ocean: humpback, blue, and gray whales. We integrated both qualitative scores and new quantitative measures to compare predatory scarring left by killer whales on the three species. We found statistically significant interspecies differences in incidence, location, and accumulation rates of scarring. Gray whales showed a higher incidence of predatory scarring compared to the other two species. Humpback and gray whales bore most of their rake marks on the trailing edge of the tail fluke, while blue whales showed more evidence of predatory scarring on the leading edge of the fluke, potentially consistent with previously hypothesized theories of flee versus fight responses to killer whales for different mysticete species. Of whales with scarring, blue whales were twice as likely to suffer from fluke mutilation compared to humpback and gray whales. Humpback and gray whales were also significantly more likely to accumulate new rake marks over the years compared to blue whales. We examine how these differences provide insight into the prey-specific hunting behavior of killer whales. Please feel free to contact me at ecors003(a)fiu.edu or our corresponding author, John Calambokidis, at calambokidis(a)cascadiaresearch.org if you have any questions. Best regards, -- *Enrico Corsi* _________________________________________ Biology PhD student - Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Department of Biological Sciences - Marine Conservation Ecology Lab, North Miami, FL, USA

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Biological Scientist, Right Whale Aerial Observer, Florida
by Pitchford, Tom 01 Sep '21

01 Sep '21

OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035 Date: Sep 1, 2021 Location: SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL, US, 32080 Direct link to job posting: https://jobs.myflorida.com/s/3eKWzu Requisition No: 450401 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035 Position Number: 77903035 Salary: $16 per hour Posting Closing Date: 09/14/2021 North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Observer (Seasonal) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Section: Wildlife Research – Marine Mammals Job Location: St. Augustine, FL (St. Johns County) Rate of Pay: $16.00/hr; 40 hrs/week including weekends and holidays The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify website<http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce_operations/human_resource_management…>. Observer positions are temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will not be eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits. Anticipated end date for this position is 4/2/2022. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: FWC’s FWRI conducts research and monitoring activities for right whales in the southeastern United States. Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and data collection for federal assessment of the status and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale population. Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather permitting, from December 1st through March 31st. Observers collect in-flight survey data and right whale photo-documentation and assist with data entry, processing, and archival tasks as well as photo-identification. Observers also provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and must communicate effectively with partner state and federal agencies and NGO representatives, as well as the general public. Observers may assist with vessel surveys and photo-identification, multi-agency genetic sampling effort, field necropsies of right whales, large whale disentanglement, and documentation of large whale reports from the public. Prior to the start of surveys on December 1st (dates TBA, likely mid-November), applicants will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine safety and survival training as well as training to introduce the skills and responsibilities of an observer with FWC’s North Atlantic right whale program. Applicants must be willing to regularly work weekends, holidays, and evenings. Observer positions are temporary/seasonal and contingent upon funding. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. Preference may be given to candidates with previous aerial and/or marine mammal survey experience and practical knowledge of photo-identification techniques.  Preference may also be given to candidates who demonstrate experience in database entry and hands-on experience with digital SLR cameras and lenses.    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Applicant must be able to: thrive in a small team environment and maintain successful working relationships; apply basic methods of data collection and field research; utilize problem solving techniques and work independently; carry-out daily manual labor (able to vertically lift at least 50 lbs.); excel under adverse field conditions including a full day seated in a small aircraft or aboard a small vessel; swim sufficiently to save oneself; and understand and correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures.  TO APPLY: Applicants are required to apply by completing a State of Florida Employment Profile online in People First (http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com<http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/>) by midnight on the closing date stated. Additionally, in order to be considered for this position, applicants must include a cover letter highlighting their relevant qualifications for this position, a resume or CV, and contact information for at least three professional references.  If you experience technical difficulties during the application process, please call People First at 1-877-562-7287. (TTY applicants call 1-866-221-0268).    WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?  Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.   WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory Workers’ Compensation - mandatory Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements) Deferred Compensation - voluntary Employee Assistance Program – voluntary   WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? Any form of paid leave Paid holidays Participation in the Florida Retirement System Reinstatement rights or retention rights The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Nearest Major Market: Jacksonville

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Fall Internship - Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program
by Sarah R. Mccormack 01 Sep '21

01 Sep '21

The Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is now accepting Stranding Response Intern applications for Fall 2021. The application deadline is September 12, 2021. Internships will be approximately four months long, starting in October. Internships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations. Please note that all positions are non-compensatory and housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit. Position Overview Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) interns promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Stranding work is unpredictable, therefore experiences will vary by internship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session. Duties * Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field. * Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection, photographing, carcass removal, and cleaning. * Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning. * Assist staff with new admits and daily treatments of patients. Restrain animals for exams, collect vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, take photographs, administer medications, and perform wound care. * Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning gear. * Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls and completing response paperwork. * Assist with freezer inventory and sample dissemination. * Assist with water quality sampling. * Complete other tasks as assigned by VAQS staff. Qualifications * Must be at least 18 years old. * Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have recently graduated (within last two years). * Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50lbs and walk long distances on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and wind. * Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team. * Should be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals. * Should be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans (preferred). Willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required). * Background in biology and familiarity with stranding response (preferred). * Experience with DSLR cameras and Microsoft Access (preferred). Position Requirements * Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. * Must comply with all organizational COVID-19 preventative measures such as mask-wearing. * Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving. * Possess a valid driver’s license. * Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check. Internship Learning Objectives Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills: * Attend and assist with post-mortem examinations on sea turtle and marine mammals. * Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including vitals collection, wound treatment, administering medications, and blood processing. * Complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Level A forms. Intern Schedule Intern is expected to be available 3-4 days per week, 8am-4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected. Minimum Commitment Required 24-32 hours per week for the duration of the internship. Intern Supervisor/Mentor Stranding & Research Scientist: Field Response & Volunteer Manager Work Location Virginia Aquarium’s Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center Application Requirements If applying via email, please send application to interns(a)virginiaaquarium.com<mailto:interns@virginiaaquarium.com> and copy vaqstranding(a)gmail.com<mailto:vaqstranding@gmail.com>. A complete Stranding Response Intern packet must include the following components. Incomplete applications will not be considered. * Cover letter. There is some flexibility with internship start/end dates; please include any known schedule conflicts in your cover letter. * Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center internship application form. * Two references; must be academic and/or professional references. * Resume * College transcript(s) For more information about the application process, please visit: https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/about-us/Pages/internship-application.aspx Sarah McCormack Stranding & Research Scientist: Field Response & Volunteer Manager P: (757) 385-6485 C: (917) 880-2160 SMccormack(a)VirginiaAquarium.com Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center<http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/><http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/><http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/> Stranding Response Hotline: (757) 385-7575 717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 [cid:a9b9b645-712a-4417-b5a4-382c4533ff0c]

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new paper on a spatial analysis of beaked whale foraging during two ocean mapping surveys
by Hilary Kates Varghese 31 Aug '21

31 Aug '21

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our work, “Spatial Analysis of Beaked Whale Foraging During Two 12 kHz Multibeam Echosounder Surveys,” in Frontiers in Marine Science. This article is freely available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2021.654184. The abstract and full citation are included below for your convenience. ABSTRACT: To add to the growing information about the effect of multibeam echosounder (MBES) operation on marine mammals, a study was conducted to assess the spatial foraging effort of Cuvier’s beaked whales during two MBES surveys conducted in January of 2017 and 2019 off of San Clemente Island, California. The MBES surveys took place on the Southern California Antisubmarine Warfare Range (SOAR), which contains an array of 89 hydrophones covering an area of approximately 1800 km2 over which foraging beaked whales were detected. A spatial autocorrelation analysis of foraging effort was conducted using the Moran’s I (global) and the Getis-Ord Gi∗ (local) statistics, to understand the animals’ spatial use of the entire SOAR, as well as smaller areas, respectively, within the SOAR Before, During, and After the two MBES surveys. In both years, the global Moran’s I statistic suggested significant spatial clustering of foraging events on the SOAR during all analysis periods (Before, During, and After). In addition, a Kruskal-Wallis (comparison) test of both years revealed that the number of foraging events across analysis periods were similar within a given year. In 2017, the local Getis-Ord Gi∗ analysis identified hot spots of foraging activity in the same general area of the SOAR during all analysis periods. This local result, in combination with the global and comparison results of 2017, suggest there was no obvious period-related change detected in foraging effort associated with the 2017 MBES survey at the resolution measurable with the hydrophone array. In 2019, the foraging hot spot area shifted from the southernmost corner of the SOAR Before, to the center During, and was split between the two locations After the MBES survey. Due to the pattern of period-related spatial change identified in 2019, and the lack of change detected in 2017, it was unclear whether the change detected in 2019 was a result of MBES activity or some other environmental factor. Nonetheless, the results strongly suggest that the level of detected foraging during either MBES survey did not change, and most of the foraging effort remained in the historically well-utilized foraging locations of Cuvier’s beaked whales on the SOAR. Kates Varghese, H., Lowell, K., Miksis-Olds, J., DiMarzio, N., Moretti, D., and Mayer, L. (2021). Spatial Analysis of Beaked Whale Foraging During Two 12 kHz Multibeam Echosounder Surveys. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, 1139. Doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.654184 Thank you! Hilary Kates Varghese (she/her/hers) PhD Candidate-Earth Sciences, Oceanography University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA hkatesvarghese(a)ccom.unh.edu

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