September 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper regarding franciscana dolphin
by Bárbara Manhaes 29 Sep '21

29 Sep '21

Dear collegues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our new work published in STOTEN (Science of the Total Environment) regarding temporal trends in trace elements bioaccumulation in franciscana dolphin from Espirito Santo state coast. The paper is available open access until November 03, 2021 at:https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1dlFZB8ccq-v0 Here is the Abstract:One of the largest environmental disasters worldwide occurred on November 5th, 2015, when the Fundão dam collapsed in Mariana (Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil). The tailing mud flooded the Doce River basin and reached the sea in the coast of Espírito Santo State (ES), Southeast Brazil. This coastal region is the habitat of the most isolated population of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei), with the lowest populational census and lowest genetic diversity in Franciscana Management Area Ia (FMA Ia) - 18° 25′S and 21° 17′S. This study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation of trace-elements (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, and Zn) in muscle, liver and kidney of franciscana dolphins collected near the Doce River's mouth before (n = 32) and after (n = 19) the tailing mud reached the sea. The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) showed increasing temporal trends of Hg and Zn in muscle and liver after the dam failure, probably related to higher concentrations and bioavailability in the water column and sediments from the Doce River. Declining trends were found for As and Cu muscular and hepatic concentrations and Fe concentrations in kidney due to their lower bioavailability after the disaster, caused by association with tailings mud trapped in the riverbanks and suspended particulate material. Additionally, higher As and Hg concentrations found in the first period of sampling may be due to historical contamination by mining activities. The full extent of the impacts caused by the Fundão dam failure is still unknown. However, due to their rapid increase and remobilization process, toxic effects can be induced in the biota by these elements. Elements' bioaccumulation in this study contributes to the knowledge of franciscana dolphins from FMA Ia. Considering the conservation concern regarding this franciscana population and its scarce knowledge, the impact of this disaster can be alarming for species conservation. Best regards, Bárbara Manhães Moura Reis Doutora em Ciências Biológicas (Biofísica), Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroMestre em Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de JaneiroBióloga, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Izabel Gurgel"(MAQUA)- FAOC (UERJ) Avenida São Francisco Xavier 524 Maracanã- Rio de Janeiro-RJ- Cep 20550-900 Tel: (21) 2334-0795

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Open Call for Papers on Marine Mammals in the North Atlantic (Extended Deadline)
by Heleen Middel 29 Sep '21

29 Sep '21

NAMMCO is please to announce that the deadline for submissions for publication in Volume 12 of the NAMMCO Scientific Publication series has been extended to December 31st 2021. NAMMCO NAMMCO (the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission) is an intergovernmental organization providing advice based on the best available science and user knowledge for the sustainable management of marine mammals in the North Atlantic. Further information about the organisation can be found at www.nammco.org<http://www.nammco.org>. About NAMMCO Scientific Publications NAMMCO Scientific Publications<https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP> (NSP) is a free, open access, peer-reviewed academic journal established to make scientific knowledge relevant for the conservation and management of marine mammals widely available. It has a particular interest in publishing work that, despite its central importance for assessment and management, may be difficult to publish in other journals due to its apparent routine nature or lack of novelty (e.g. baseline or monitoring work). Previous volumes of NSP have focused on particular themes, with submissions often invited from global experts in the field. For Volume 12, however, we will have our first open call and welcome submissions on any topic related to marine mammals in the North Atlantic. Call for Papers We are now calling for papers for publication in Volume 12 of the NAMMCO Scientific Publications series. We are interested in work from any discipline with relevance for the conservation and management of marine mammals in the North Atlantic. Submissions can be in the form of original Research Articles, Literature Reviews, Technical or Policy Notes, or Workshop Reports. Submission, Review & Publication Process Manuscripts can be submitted online here<https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/about/submissions> and to do so, at least one author will need to register as a user. The Guidelines for Authors are available here<https://nammco.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/nammco_guidelines_for_authors_…>. Note that although authors may submit their article in any format they prefer, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, they will need to ensure that it is transferred into the NAMMCO Scientific Publications Template<https://nammco.no/topics/scientific-publication-series/#authors>. Authors are therefore also welcome to use this template to structure their initial submission. Manuscripts submitted as original Research Articles or Literature Reviews will be sent for blind peer review by at least two reviewers. Manuscripts submitted as Notes are not necessarily sent for peer review but will be reviewed by at least the one of the Editors. If accepted for publication, the manuscript will be published online as soon as it is finalised and authors will therefore not have to wait for the entire volume to be complete before their work is made publicly available. Contact Should you have any questions about the journal, the open call, or the suitability of your work for the volume, you can contact the the Associate Editor Heleen Middel at heleen(a)nammco.org<mailto:heleen@nammco.org>

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PhD Opportunity at UNCW
by Luis Huckstadt 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

*PhD Graduate Assistantship in Marine Predator Physiological Ecology at UNC Wilmington* *Agency* University of North Carolina, Wilmington – Department of Biology and Marine Biology *Location* Wilmington, North Carolina *Job Category* Graduate Assistantship *Salary* TBD – Competitive Graduate Teaching Assistantship and Research Assistantships *Start Date* 01/6/2022 *Last Date to Apply* 11/15/2021 (encouraged to apply earlier for 1st consideration) *Website* https://uncw.edu/bio/Faculty_Tift.html *Description* The UNCW Comparative Physiology Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated, responsible, and independent individual that is interested in pursuing a PhD position in physiological ecology of polar marine top predators in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), as part of the NSF-funded project *‘**Effects of a Changing Climate on the Habitat Utilization, Foraging Ecology and Distribution of Crabeater Seals**’ *(more information here <https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2042032>)*. *This project is a collaborative effort between UNCW, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), and the British Antarctic Survey. We are looking for a student with excellent quantitative and analytical skills, interested in foraging ecology, diving physiology, and behavior of marine predators. Expertise programming in R, Matlab, and/or python is highly desirable. Experience working with wild pinnipeds, stable isotopes, and biologging data (satellite telemetry) are advantageous. The successful applicant will ideally also have experience with field work in extreme environments, particularly polar environments. Ideal start date will be early January 2022. The student will earn a Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative, and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (Wilmington, NC, USA). Student support will be provided via a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and tuition waivers. The student will also be strongly encouraged to pursue independent grants and fellowships. The supervision team includes Dr. Michael Tift (UNCW), and Dr. Luis Huckstadt (UCSC). University of North Carolina, Wilmington provides an engaged and dynamic academic experience, with over 2,200 graduate students and over 16,700 students in total enrollment. UNCW is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer that promotes achievement and success for all persons. The campus is located on the southeast coast of North Carolina, less than 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. UNCW has a separate Center for Marine Science which is approximately 7 miles from main campus and sits directly on the Intracoastal Waterway of the Atlantic Ocean. *Qualifications* Applicants must have a strong academic background and a B.S. degree focused on ecology, physiology, wildlife conservation, or closely related field. Applicants should have proven laboratory experience that is highlighted in their letters of recommendation. *A background in stable isotopes and computer programming is desired*. Students are expected to conduct their thesis/dissertation research project and complete required course work. Excellent verbal and written English communication skills are essential. Interested applicants should review material regarding the UNCW Graduate Program (https://uncw.edu/bio/graduate.html) and the UNCW Comparative Physiology Lab under the supervision of Dr. Michael Tift ( https://uncw.edu/bio/Faculty_Tift.html) If you’re interested in applying, *first* send a single document (Word or PDF) to Dr. Michael Tift (tiftm(a)uncw.edu) *and* Dr. Luis Huckstadt ( lahuckst(a)ucsc.edu) that contains the following: 1) Contact information for three (3) references that can speak to your expertise and skills 2) Current CV (which includes undergraduate and/or graduate GPA, research skills, publications, and relevant work experience) 3) Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, if available) 4) 1-2 pg cover letter that highlights your research interests, research background, future career directions, and hypothesis driven research questions related to the following; a. The effects of climate change on marine top predators. b. Foraging ecology of marine top predators. c. Physiology and health of marine top predators, with emphasis on polar marine mammals. If you would like to apply to the graduate program at UNC Wilmington, please use the following link to fill out an official application ( https://www.uncw.edu/gradschool/admissions/index.html) The deadline to apply for Spring Semester of 2022 is November 15th, 2021 at midnight EST. However, candidates are encouraged to apply early as review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. ---------------------------------------- Luis A. Huckstadt, Ph.D (He/Him/His) Assistant Researcher Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Ph: (831) 239-5762 www.luishuckstadt.com Twitter: @LuisHuckstadt

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New publication: Electrocardiographic scaling reveals differences in electrocardiogram interval durations between marine and terrestrial mammals
by Storlund, Rhea 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

Dear MARMAM Community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent open-access publication comparing cardiac electrical activity in marine and terrestrial mammals. Storlund, R. L., Rosen, D. A. S., and Trites, A. W. (2021). Electrocardiographic scaling reveals differences in electrocardiogram interval durations between marine and terrestrial mammals. Front. Physiol. 12:690029. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.690029 Access the full article here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.690029 Abstract: Although the ability of marine mammals to lower heart rates for extended periods when diving is well documented, it is unclear whether marine mammals have electrophysiological adaptations that extend beyond overall bradycardia. We analyzed electrocardiographic data from 50 species of terrestrial mammals and 19 species of marine mammals to determine whether the electrical activity of the heart differs between these two groups of mammals. We also tested whether physiological state (i.e., anesthetized or conscious) affects electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. Analyses of ECG waveform morphology (heart rate, P-wave duration, and PQ, PR, QRS, and QT intervals) revealed allometric relationships between body mass and all ECG intervals (as well as heart rate) for both groups of mammals and specific differences in ECG parameters between marine mammals and their terrestrial counterparts. Model outputs indicated that marine mammals had 19% longer P-waves, 24% longer QRS intervals, and 21% shorter QT intervals. In other words, marine mammals had slower atrial and ventricular depolarization, and faster ventricular repolarization than terrestrial mammals. Heart rates and PR intervals were not significantly different between marine and terrestrial mammals, and physiological state did not significantly affect any ECG parameter. On average, ECG interval durations of marine and terrestrial mammals scaled with body mass to the power of 0.21 (range: 0.19–0.23) rather than the expected 0.25—while heart rate scaled with body mass to the power of –0.22 and was greater than the widely accepted –0.25 derived from fractal geometry. Our findings show clear differences between the hearts of terrestrial and marine mammals in terms of cardiac timing that extend beyond diving bradycardia. They also highlight the importance of considering special adaptations (such as breath-hold diving) when analyzing allometric relationships. Please get in touch if you have any questions. All the best, Rhea — Rhea Storlund MSc (she/her) PhD Candidate (Zoology) Marine Mammal Research Unit The University of British Columbia Twitter: @RheaStorlund Email: r.storlund[at]oceans.ubc.ca<http://oceans.ubc.ca>

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Open Marine Mammal Regulatory Biologist Positions with United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska
by Franks, Sierra E 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

Hello, Please see the current vacancy announcement for positions within our program. I am happy to answer questions. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/615408700 Fish and Wildlife Biologist<https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/615408700> This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12 www.usajobs.gov Sierra E. Franks (she/her) Regulatory Program Branch Manager DOI Diversity Change Agent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Marine Mammals Management Alaska Regional Office 1011 East Tudor Road, MS-341 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Work Cell #: 907-268-0577 sierra_franks(a)fws.gov fws.gov/alaska/pages/marine-mammals-management<https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/marine-mammals-management> doi.gov/pmb/eeo/diversity-change-agents<https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/diversity-change-agents> “You don't have to be one of, to stand with”

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Ruling to protect spinner dolphins in Hawaii
by Lars Bejder 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

Dear Marmam-readers, The following may be of interest to you. NOAA Fisheries has announced two rules to enhance the protection of spinner dolphins in Hawaii: 1. A final rule that prohibits swimming with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards. The rule applies in waters within two nautical miles of the Hawaiian Islands. This rule will go into effect on October 28, 2021. The final rule is available here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/enhancing-protections-hawaiian-spinne… . 2. A proposal to establish time-area closures at particular locations off Hawaii Island and Maui. This proposed rule aims to establish time-area closures of spinner dolphins’ five essential habitats from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. NOTE: NOAA is accepting comments from the public on the proposed time-area rule until December 27, 2021. The proposed time-area closures rule is available in the Federal Register: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-establish-time-area-clo… . Please do submit comments on this important rule. Kind regards, Lars Bejder -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [image: University of Hawaii at Manoa] Lars Bejder | Professor, Marine Mammal Research Program | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology | *Website*: www.mmrphawaii.org

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track2KBA: An R package for identifying important sites for biodiversity from tracking data
by Charlotte Boyd 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

On behalf of my co-authors, I’m delighted to share our paper, just published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, presenting the new R-package track2KBA: An R package for identifying important sites for biodiversity from tracking data. Abstract: 1. Identifying important sites for biodiversity is vital for conservation and management. However, there is a lack of accessible, easily applied tools that enable practitioners to delineate important sites for highly mobile species using established criteria. 2. We introduce the R package ‘track2KBA’, a tool to identify important sites at the population level using tracking data from individual animals based on three key steps: (a) identifying individual core areas, (b) assessing population-level representativeness of the sample and (c) quantifying spatial overlap among individuals and scaling up to the population. 3. We describe package functionality and exemplify its application using tracking data from three taxa in contrasting environments: a seal, a marine turtle and a migratory land bird. 4. This tool facilitates the delineation of sites of ecological relevance for diverse taxa and provides output useful for assessing their importance to a population or species, as in the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Standard. As such, ‘track2KBA’ can contribute directly to conservation planning at global and regional levels. The early view paper is available open access at this link: https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13713 And here’s a cool twitter thread<https://twitter.com/SeabirdStudent/status/1442790787054555141> .. -- Charlotte Boyd, PhD KBA Expert North America Office IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 1630 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20009 Tel. +1 202-518-2075 www.iucn.org<http://www.iucn.org>

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Mailing List Submission - PSO/ESO/PAM Job Opportunities
by William Byrd 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

Hi all! A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is looking for several PSO/MMO/ESO/PAM candidates to support a number of upcoming projects. We have upcoming dredging, geophysical, seismic, construction, wreck removal, and other projects on the horizon. These projects vary in duration, location and start date with some being immediate and some others turning on throughout the year. We have multiple openings on multiple projects so please share this message with your network and anyone else you feel might be interested in this type of work. Please visit our website to learn more about AIS. The link is Home - A.I.S., Inc. (aisobservers.com)<https://aisobservers.com/>. For a more personalized experience, please reach out to our Manager of Talent Acquisition, William Byrd. He can be reached at 774-762-7019 Regards, William Byrd Manager, Talent Acquisition A.I.S., Inc. 540 Hawthorne Street North Dartmouth, MA, 02747 Mobile: 774-762-7019 Email: williamb(a)aisobservers.com<mailto:williamb@aisobservers.com> Visit Our Careers Page: https://aisobservers.com/careers/

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Manatee Photo-identification internship
by Jennifer H. Johnson 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

*Mote Marine Laboratory* *Manatee Research Program Internship* *Program Description* The Manatee Research Program studiesseveral aspects of the biology of manatees inhabiting the waters of southwestern Florida, including population dynamics, population genetics, habitat use, distributional patterns and social behavior. Field data and samples are collected using photo-identification, aerial surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling. >From spring through early fall, photo-identification, and behavioral sampling are conducted primarily in Sarasota and Manatee counties. During the winter, field work is conducted primarily in Charlotte Harbor and the Ft. Myers area. Aerial surveys are conducted twice per month (during the non-winter) in Sarasota County to assess relative abundance and distribution of manatees in those waters. The long-term database of the program contributes to management and conservation measurements for Florida manatees. Additionally, the program collaborates with manatee researchers throughout the state of Florida and the Caribbean. For more information about, please visit: https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research <https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research>. ** WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING INTERNS TO BEGIN IN* JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2022 *WITH APPLICATIONS DUE BY***OCTOBER 15, 2021.* *Internship Description* Internships are available during all four seasons and must be a MINIMUM of 12 weeks. Hours are typically Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, although some longer days may be required for field work (especially during the winter season). Interns should expect to spend about 20% of their time in the field and about 80% of their time in the office/lab. Field work duties include assisting with data collection, boat handling, and equipment use and maintenance. Field work requires spending long hours in the field, sometimes in uncomfortable weather conditions. Office/Lab duties include data entry, processing, matching images to known animals, equipment maintenance, and miscellaneous tasks and errands. There is no financial compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available. A few scholarships may be available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). * * *Required Qualifications* ·Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies ·A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or a related field is preferred ·Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access); previous experience using ArcMap GIS is a plus but not required ·Excellent communication skills; fluent in English ·Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift heavy objects ·Knowledge of photography/SLR camera use and/or drawing skills are a plus ·Desire and willingness to acquire knowledge and skills related to marine mammal field work and capable of working well as a team *To apply for a Manatee Research Program internship:* ·Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory’s website https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview <https://mote.org/research/internships/college-internship-program-overview>) and be sure to select “Manatee Research Program” as your first choice ·Complete and provide to Mote’s intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae /(incomplete applications will not be considered) Applicants may contact the Manatee Research Program’s intern coordinator, Jennifer Johnson, (jjohnson(a)mote.org <mailto:jjohnson@mote.org>) with questions regarding the internship. -- Jennifer H. Johnson Manatee Research Program Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 388-4441 ext. 687 jjohnson(a)mote.org

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Marine Mammal Rescue & Rehabilitation Internship - Spring 2022
by Heather Henderson 27 Sep '21

27 Sep '21

2022 Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Internship Announcement California Wildlife Center is excited to announce an internship opportunity for Spring 2022! California Wildlife Center is in Calabasas, California, and responds to reports of stranded marine mammals 365 days a year along the Malibu Coastline. Our pinniped rehabilitation facility is active during the region’s period of highest strandings, which is January through July. Spring Session = three months / twelve weeks – Early March through the end of May Time Commitment: 30-35 hours per week Vaccination Requirement: To be considered, applicants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Summary/Program Description The California Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife. CWC fulfills this mission through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, and treatment of avian and terrestrial wildlife in our rehabilitation hospital. This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the field of marine mammal rehabilitation. The spring session focusses on the in-house treatment of Northern Elephant Seal pups. Intern Responsibilities Under supervision of Marine Mammal staff, experiences will include: * Assessing stranded marine mammals on the beach * Assist or lead responder teams in the capture and handling of stranded marine mammals requiring rescue * Provide appropriate transport conditions for stranded marine mammals to the rehabilitation facility * Maintain detailed records of daily activity reports of stranding, human interaction, and patient health status * Perform daily husbandry tasks for pinniped patients admitted to the rehabilitation facility * Work closely with Marine Mammal department staff to provide patient-specific rehabilitative care * Adhere to all safety guidelines set forth by California Wildlife Center and the Marine Mammal Department * Participate in releases of healthy marine mammal patients back to their Pacific Ocean home * Maintain good rapport with representatives of various public agencies, as well as members of the public * Assist with marine mammal necropsy and sample collection Please visit our website for more information and to apply: http://cawildlife.org/volunteer/internshipsexternshipspreceptorships/ Heather A. Henderson Marine Program Manager California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu CA 90265 310-458-WILD (9453) x108 www.cawildlife.org<http://www.cawildlife.org/> [medium CA_Wildlife_Center_Logo_Since_1998_CMYK500px]

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