September 2021 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Singing fin whale swimming behavior
by Regina Guazzo 07 Sep '21

07 Sep '21

Dear Colleagues, I hope you are doing well. My co-authors and I are excited to announce the following open-access publication: Guazzo RA, Durbach IN, Helble TA, Alongi GC, Martin CR, Martin SW and Henderson EE (2021) Singing Fin Whale Swimming Behavior in the Central North Pacific. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:696002. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.696002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.696002 Abstract: Male fin whales sing using 20 Hz pulses produced in regular patterns of inter-note intervals, but little is known about fin whale swimming behavior while they are singing. Even less is known about fin whales in Hawaiian waters because they have rarely been sighted during surveys and passive acoustic monitoring has been limited to sparse hydrophone systems that do not have localization capabilities. We hypothesized that fin whale kinematics may be related to their singing behavior, or external variables such as time and sea state. To investigate this hypothesis, we analyzed 115 tracks containing 50,034 unique notes generated from passive acoustic recordings on an array of 14 hydrophones from 2011 to 2017 at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility off Kauai, Hawaii. Fin whales swam at an average speed of 1.1 m/s over relatively direct paths. We incorporated the whales' speed and turning angle into hidden Markov models to identify different behavioral states based on the whales' movements. We found that fin whale kinematic behavioral state was related to the vocalization rate (also known as cue rate) and time of day. When cue rate was higher, fin whales were more likely to swim slower and turn more than when cue rate was lower. During the night, fin whales were also more likely to swim slower and turn more than during the day. In addition, we examined whether the presence of singing fin whales was related to time and sea state using generalized additive models. Fin whale track presence was affected by day of the year and song season, and possibly also wind speed and wave height. Although the track kinematics from the fin whale tracks presented here are limited to a subset of whales that are acoustically active, they provide some of the only detailed movements of fin whales in the region and can be compared against fin whale swim speeds in other regions. Understanding how fin whale swimming behavior varies based on their vocalization patterns, time, and environmental factors will help us to contextualize potential changes in whale behavior during Navy training and testing on the range. Please email me (regina.guazzo(a)spawar.navy.mil) if you have any questions about this work. All my best, Regina Regina A. Guazzo, PhD Whale Acoustic Reconnaissance Project (WARP) Environmental Readiness Branch Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (c) 908.507.1421

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New publication: Towards a better characterisation of deep-diving whales’ distributions by using prey distribution model outputs?
by Auriane Virgili 07 Sep '21

07 Sep '21

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new manuscript in PLoS ONE: Virgili, A., Hedon, L., Authier, M., Calmettes, B., Claridge, D., Cole, T., ... & Ridoux, V. (2021). Towards a better characterisation of deep-diving whales’ distributions by using prey distribution model outputs?. PloS one, 16(8), e0255667. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255667 Abstract: In habitat modelling, environmental variables are assumed to be proxies of lower trophic levels distribution and by extension, of marine top predator distributions. More proximal variables, such as potential prey fields, could refine relationships between top predator distributions and their environment. In situ data on prey distributions are not available over large spatial scales but, a numerical model, the Spatial Ecosystem And POpulation DYnamics Model (SEAPODYM), provides simulations of the biomass and production of zooplankton and six functional groups of micronekton at the global scale. Here, we explored whether generalised additive models fitted to simulated prey distribution data better predicted deep-diver densities (here beaked whales Ziphiidae and sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus) than models fitted to environmental variables. We assessed whether the combination of environmental and prey distribution data would further improve model fit by comparing their explanatory power. For both taxa, results were suggestive of a preference for habitats associated with topographic features and thermal fronts but also for habitats with an extended euphotic zone and with large prey of the lower mesopelagic layer. For beaked whales, no SEAPODYM variable was selected in the best model that combined the two types of variables, possibly because SEAPODYM does not accurately simulate the organisms on which beaked whales feed on. For sperm whales, the increase model performance was only marginal. SEAPODYM outputs were at best weakly correlated with sightings of deep-diving cetaceans, suggesting SEAPODYM may not accurately predict the prey fields of these taxa. This study was a first investigation and mostly highlighted the importance of the physiographic variables to understand mechanisms that influence the distribution of deep-diving cetaceans. A more systematic use of SEAPODYM could allow to better define the limits of its use and a development of the model that would simulate larger prey beyond 1,000 m would probably better characterise the prey of deep-diving cetaceans. This publication is open-access and can be found at this link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0255667… Enjoy your day! -- Dr Auriane VIRGILI Ingénieure de recherche Observatoire Pelagis UMS 3462 CNRS/La Rochelle Université 5 Allées de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle Tél : 05 16 49 67 20 Standard: 05 46 44 99 10 E-mail : auriane.virgili(a)univ-lr.fr http://observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/

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IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue & Research Stranding Internships - Winter/Spring 2022
by Kasper, Kira 06 Sep '21

06 Sep '21

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is currently accepting applications for winter/spring 2022 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships. IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship Winter/Spring (Middle of January, 2022 - Last Week of May, 2022) Complete Applications due: October 1st, 2021 Program Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our program strives to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding "hot spot," with an average of over 261 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Stranding Intern Duties * Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Marine mammal stranding response and necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events. Please see the following link for the full posting and to apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8… Kira Kasper Stranding Biologist Marine Mammal Rescue and Research 290 Summer Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 United States Please note: my schedule varies regularly and I often work outside of the M-F 9-5 timeframe. +1 774 721 1080 (work cell) +1 508 743 9548 (stranding hotline) www.ifaw.org<https://www.ifaw.org/> [ifaw]<https://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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New publicaiton
by Rachel Probert 05 Sep '21

05 Sep '21

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication. Probert R, Bastian A, Elwen SH, James BS, Gridley T (2021) Vocal correlates of arousal in bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops* spp.) in human care. PLoS ONE 16(9): e0250913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250913 Abstract: Human-controlled regimes can entrain behavioural responses and may impact animal welfare. Therefore, understanding the influence of schedules on animal behaviour can be a valuable tool to improve welfare, however information on behaviour overnight and in the absence of husbandry staff remains rare. Bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops* spp.) are highly social marine mammals and the most common cetacean found in captivity. They communicate using frequency modulated signature whistles, a whistle type that is individually distinctive and used as a contact call. We investigated the vocalisations of ten dolphins housed in three social groups at uShaka Sea World dolphinarium to determine how patterns in acoustic behaviour link to dolphinarium routines. Investigation focused on overnight behaviour, housing decisions, weekly patterns, and transitional periods between the presence and absence of husbandry staff. Recordings were made from 17h00 – 07h00 over 24 nights, spanning May to August 2018. Whistle (including signature whistle) presence and production rate decreased soon after husbandry staff left the facility, was low over night, and increased upon staff arrival. Results indicated elevated arousal states particularly associated with the morning feeding regime. Housing in the pool configuration that allowed observation of staff activities from all social groups was characterised by an increase in whistle presence and rates. Heightened arousal associated with staff presence was reflected in the structural characteristics of signature whistles, particularly maximum frequency, frequency range and number of whistle loops. We identified individual differences in both production rate and the structural modification of signature whistles under different contexts. Overall, these results revealed a link between scheduled activity and associated behavioural responses, which can be used as a baseline for future welfare monitoring where changes from normal behaviour may reflect shifts in welfare state. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions: rachelprbrt(a)gmail.com Best regards, -- Rachel Probert PhD candidate, Marine Biology, Bioacoustics Sea Search Research and Conservation, Muizenberg, Cape Town School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Cell: +27767831809 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SeaSearch

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New publication - potassium chloride euthanasia of pinnipeds
by Emily Whitmer 05 Sep '21

05 Sep '21

All – We are pleased to announce a new publication regarding potassium chloride euthanasia of pinnipeds. The manuscript is available open-access at: https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/10.2460/javma.259.2.197 Whitmer, E. R., Trumbull, E. J., Harris, H. S., Whoriskey, S. T., & Field, C. L. (2021). Use of potassium chloride for low-residue euthanasia of anesthetized California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) with life-threatening injury or disease. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 259(2), 197-201. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the efficacy of potassium chloride (KCl) for low-residue euthanasia of anesthetized pinnipeds in field settings for which carcass retrieval for disposal is not feasible. ANIMALS Stranded, free-ranging California sea lions (CSLs; Zalophus californianus; n = 17) and northern elephant seals (NESs; Mirounga angustirostris; 6) with lifethreatening injury or disease between May and August 2020. PROCEDURES Each animal was anesthetized and then received a lethal dose of KCl solution administered by IV or intracardiac injection. The effective KCl dose; durations to cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and pupil dilation; and presence or absence of agonal breaths, muscle fasciculations, or skeletal movements were recorded. RESULTS Mean effective dose of KCl was 207.4 mg/kg (94.3 mg/lb) for the 17 CSLs and 209.1 mg/kg (95.0 mg/lb) for 5 of 6 NESs (1 outlier NES was excluded). The range in duration from the beginning of KCl injection to cardiac arrest was 0 to 6 minutes, to pupil dilation was 0 to 5 minutes, and to respiratory arrest was 0 to 5 minutes. Muscle fasciculations, skeletal movements, and agonal breaths were observed in both species during and after KCl administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of KCl provides an effective, low-residue method of euthanasia in anesthetized CSLs and NESs. Our recommended dose for these species is 250 mg KCl/kg (113.6 mg KCl/lb) delivered by intracardiac injection. Compared with euthanasia by barbiturate overdose, the use of KCl reduces the potential for secondary intoxication of scavengers and is appropriate in field scenarios in which the carcass cannot be retrieved for disposal. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021;259:197–201) Emily R. Whitmer, DVM WhitmerE(a)tmmc.org<mailto:WhitmerE@tmmc.org>

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Fin whales in the Great Bear Rainforest (British Columbia, CA)
by Eric Keen 05 Sep '21

05 Sep '21

Colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, and with special recognition of our collaborators in the Gitga'at First Nation, I share news of this recent publication: Keen EM, Pilkington J, O’Mahony É, Thompson K-L, Hendricks B, Robinson N, Alidina H, Meuter. H, Picard CR, Wray J. (2021) Fin whales of the Great Bear Rainforest: *Balaenoptera physalus velifera* in a Canadian Pacific fjord system. PLoS ONE 16(9): e0256815. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256815 Abstract Fin whales (*Balaenoptera physalus*) are widely considered an offshore and oceanic species, but certain populations also use coastal areas and semi-enclosed seas. Based upon fifteen years of study, we report that Canadian Pacific fin whales (*B*. *p*. *velifera*) have returned to the Kitimat Fjord System (KFS) in the Great Bear Rainforest, and have established a seasonally resident population in its intracoastal waters. This is the only fjord system along this coast or elsewhere in which fin whales are known to occur regularly with strong site fidelity. The KFS was also the only Canadian Pacific fjord system in which fin whales were commonly found and killed during commercial whaling, pointing to its long-term importance. Traditional knowledge, whaling records, and citizen science databases suggest that fin whales were extirpated from this area prior to their return in 2005–2006. Visual surveys and mark-recapture analysis documented their repopulation of the area, with 100–120 whales using the fjord system in recent years, as well as the establishment of a seasonally resident population with annual return rates higher than 70%. Line transect surveys identified the central and outer channels of the KFS as the primary fin whale habitat, with the greatest densities occurring in Squally Channel and Caamaño Sound. Fin whales were observed in the KFS in most months of the year. Vessel- and shore-based surveys (27,311 km and 6,572 hours of effort, respectively) indicated regular fin whale presence (2,542 detections), including mother-calf pairs, from June to October and peak abundance in late August–early September. Seasonal patterns were variable year-to-year, and several lines of evidence indicated that fin whales arrived and departed from the KFS repeatedly throughout the summer and fall. Additionally, we report on the population’s social network and morphometrics. These findings offer insights into the dynamics of population recovery in an area where several marine shipping projects are proposed. The fin whales of the Great Bear Rainforest represent a rare exception to general patterns in this species’ natural history, and we highlight the importance of their conservation. A PDF of this paper is available open-source from PLoS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256815 Best wishes, Eric Keen ericmkeen(a)gmail.com

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Flukebook.org: Release v.2021-09-01
by Jason Holmberg 05 Sep '21

05 Sep '21

We are pleased to announce the Wildbook software release v.2021-09-01, which is reflected in the Flukebook.org platform for cetacean photo ID. Wildbook DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5394255 Related WBIA DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4784646 For an overview of Flukebook's multi-species, multi-modal machine learning for photo ID, please see: https://docs.wildme.org/docs/researchers/ia_pipeline Community support for Wildbook is provided at: https://community.wildme.org RELEASE NOTES FOR AUGUST AND JULY 2021 CHANGES - Sighting/Occurrence search now sorts users alphabetically. - Improved Sighting/Occurence comment import behavior from bulk import. - Individual matching results correctly displays images that have been corrected with an orientation network (theta rotation). - Added additional metadata reports for bulk imports. - Added fluke matching support for gray whales. BUG FIXES - WB-1772: Corrected thumbnail orientation, which impacted bounding boxes on encounters. - WB-1741: Collaborations were causing database connections to leak, impacting memory. - WB-1730: Sequential naming for marked individuals made more robust for large catalogs. - WB-1727: Multiple attributes can be edited on an individual and encounter. - WB-1536: Button UX improved when managing the identity metadata on an encounter. - WB-1456: Merged names displaying as appropriate. - WB-605: Search results highlight in red when you need to request access to the object. WILDBOOK IA (WBIA) MACHINE LEARNING CHANGES The following updates were made to WBIA in July and August: - SAGE-20: New CurvRank V2 and PIE V2 support for gray whales added to WBIA and deployed in Flukebook - SAGE-347: Fix GPU configuration error to enable bounding box orientation (theta rotation). - SAGE-320: Accept URL and detail fields on detection API calls. - SAGE-319: Added detection status to REST API callback response. Jason Holmberg (he/him/his) Executive Director, Wild Me <https://wildme.org/> A.I. and humans combating extinction together.

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New publication on Mexican orcas
by Mel Cosentino 04 Sep '21

04 Sep '21

Dear MARMAMers On behalf of myself and my co-author Nacho Oria, I am pleased to announce our recent publication titled "Insights into the foraging behaviour of an understudied orca population", recently published in the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals. It is a short note, where we describe an event that took place in the Gulf of California (Mexico) in 2018, when a group of orcas was seen chasing, and potentially feeding, on a common dolphin. The dolphin was separated from a group of about 200 animals. The behaviour of the orcas (e.g., breaching entirely out of the water) are consistent with previous observations in the area. One female was seen expelling water from her mouth while in the air. We hope this report provides new insights into this understudied orca population. The publication is open access and can be found here: Cosentino_Oria_2021 <https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/article/view/1285> Windy greetings Mel and Nacho -- *Mel Cosentino, PhD* Marine Mammal Researcher Whalesafari, Norway Aarhus University, Denmark www.PorpoiseLady.org @PorpoiseLady "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - E. Burke

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Job Opening: 2 Marine Mammal Team Assistant Supervisors opportunities at Archipelagos
by Beatriz Tintore 04 Sep '21

04 Sep '21

MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES AT ARCHIPELAGOS INSTITUTE OF MARINE CONSERVATION http://archipelago.gr/en/ Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is looking for 2 *Marine Mammal Team Assistant Supervisors* to join us in September, to assist with our expanding team and conservation efforts. We are recruiting for both term positions for the summer/autumn months, as well as for long term cooperation. WE OFFER For the trial period the travel expenses and full board accommodation are covered. If the trial period is successful, a remuneration package is possible, as we aim to develop long-term partnerships. With the use of 3 research boats, Archipelagos' Marine Mammal Team carries out research and conservation work, collecting data and monitoring the populations of dolphins, whales, monk seals and sea turtles of the region. A key aspect of this work is the assessment of habitats and population status, as well as the impact of the different factors threatening their survival. Knowledge acquired in this way enables us to fill in important knowledge gaps, as well as develop successful, targeted management and conservation plans. For over 20 years, Archipelagos has been carrying out research and conservation work collecting data and monitoring the populations of dolphins, whales, monk seals and sea turtles of the region, assessing habitats and population status as well as the impact of the different factors impacting them. Knowledge acquired in this way enables us to develop successful, targeted management and conservation plans. More information can be found at http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/marine-mammals/ ESSENTIAL REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: MSc Degree in marine sciences, with experience in marine mammal research Good comprehension of data collection methods and research and analysis principles and techniques Previous experience in marine mammal field research Experience managing and training students and/or volunteers Demonstrated leadership, supervision and team building skills Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships Ability to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions Ability to write scientific reports and papers Fluency in English Fluency in Greek (optional) Excellent computer skills Sincere interest in issues related to the protection of the environment Willingness to occasionally work during weekends and holidays Valid international driver’s license or driver’s license for the EU LOCATION: Lipsi, Samos and other northeastern Aegean islands APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit a current resume, a list of three references, and a cover letter expressing your interest to info(a)archipelago.gr *Beatriz Tintoré* *Head of the Marine Mammal Research Department* *MSc in Marine Biology* [image: Instagram] <http://instagram.com/archipelagosimc/?hl=en> [image: YouTube] <http://youtube.com/user/ArchipelagosIMC> [image: Facebook] <http://facebook.com/Archipelago.gr/> [image: Twitter] <http://twitter.com/archipelagogr?lang=en> [image: LinkedIn] <http://linkedin.com/company/archipelagos-institute-of-marine-conservation/m…>

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Manatee Photo-identification Internship
by Jennifer H. Johnson 03 Sep '21

03 Sep '21

*Mote Marine Laboratory* *Manatee Research Program Internships * *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 **September 20, 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, Jenn Johnson, (jjohnson(a)mote.org <mailto:jjohnson@mote.org>) with questions regarding the internship.

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