January 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Registration is open for the 9th DCLDE
by Eva-Marie Nosal 04 Jan '22

04 Jan '22

Aloha Marine Mammal Community, Registration for the 9th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization and Density Estimation (DCLDE) of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics is now open. The early-bird registration deadline has been extended to January 21, 2022. Register here: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/ore/dclde/register/ With over 85 presenters and 5 tutorials/workshops, DCLDE 2022 is really shaping up. We are preparing for an in-person event with virtual participation options available to accommodate those who otherwise cannot join us. Note: While we remain optimistic and hopeful for an in-person event, we are preparing for a switch to fully-virtual if necessary. A decision on this will be made in early February. Best regards, Erin Oleson and Eva-Marie Nosal DLCDE 2022 Oahu Co-chairs https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/ore/dclde/ dclde2020(a)gmail.com

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New publication
by Beth Brady 04 Jan '22

04 Jan '22

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to present our recently published paper in Marine Mammal Science titled "Behavior related vocalizations of the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Citation: Brady, B., Moore, J., & Love, K. (2021). Behavior related vocalizations of the Florida manatee (*Trichechus manatus latirostris*). *Marine Mammal Science*, 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12904 Abstract Florida manatees (*Trichechus manatus*) produce five broadly defined call types (squeaks, squeals, high squeaks, chirps, squeak-squeals) but their use in social and nonsocial settings is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate whether call categories and structure of manatee vocalizations varied with behavior. Multiple hydrophones were used to record vocalizations in four different environments and broad behavioral states. Vocalizations recorded from resting, cavorting, stressed, or feeding wild animals were subjected to mixed linear effects models to test whether vocalizations produced varied with behavior and calf presence. Measures of duration, entropy, and frequency modulation were extracted from vocalizations to investigate if structural parameters differ among behaviors. Although all five call categories were recorded, results suggest manatees vocalize using primarily three call types and vary the structure of the call based on behavior. High squeaks were correlated with calf presence. High entropy squeals were proportionally higher during cavorting suggesting they may be related to a heightened state of arousal. Squeaks were the dominant call type produced and were longer in duration and higher in frequency modulation when animals were stressed. This research provides a foundation for comparative studies on vocal behavior for the Florida manatee as well as studies on related species. The publication is in early view online, Please email bbrady(a)mote.org for a pdf. Best, Beth Brady, PhD Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Manatee Research Program Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-388-4441 Ext. 408

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GEMM Lab blog and new IndividuWhale website
by Dawn, Allison H 04 Jan '22

04 Jan '22

Hello! I am pleased to share a new website, http://individuwhale.com, developed by researchers with the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab (GEMM lab) led by Dr. Leigh Torres. The site gives visitors a chance to meet and learn more about some of Oregon's most iconic gray whales. Learn more: https://beav.es/UyZ I would also like to share the GEMM lab’s most recent blog posts. We have a new post every Monday, feel free to subscribe for weekly updates. See below! Looking for micro in the macro: microplastics in cetaceans https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2021/12/13/looking-for-micro-in-the-m… Of snakes and whales: How food availability and body condition affect reproduction https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2021/12/06/of-snakes-and-whales-how-f… Harmful algal blooms expose southern right whales to domoic acid and can potentially cause endocrine alterations https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2021/11/29/harmful-algal-blooms-expos… Best, Allison H. Dawn (she/her) MSc Student, Marine Mammal Institute The Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences Oregon State University dawna(a)oregonstate.edu [Image.png] [Image.png]

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New paper on participatory bycatch risk assessment for humpback whales in northern Peru
by Anna B Costanza 03 Jan '22

03 Jan '22

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of our collaborators, we are pleased to announce publication of our latest open-access paper in Frontiers in Marine Science under the research topic Assessment Approaches to Support Bycatch Management for Marine Mammals<https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/20611#articles>: Participatory Risk Assessment of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Bycatch in Northern Peru. You can find the article at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.776965 Uncertainties about the magnitude of bycatch in poorly assessed fisheries impede effective conservation management. In northern Peru, small-scale fisheries (SSF) bycatch negatively impacts marine megafauna populations and the livelihoods of fishers which is further elevated by the under-reporting of incidents. Within the last decade, accounts of entangled humpback whales (HBW) (Megaptera novaeangliae) off the northern coast of Peru have increased, while Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles (LBT) (Dermochelys coriacea) have seen over a 90% decline in nesting populations related in large part to bycatch mortality. By leveraging the experience and knowledge of local fishers, our research objectives were to use a low-cost public participation mapping approach to provide a spatio-temporal assessment of bycatch risk for HBW and LBT off two Peruvian fishing ports. We used an open-source, geographic information systems (GIS) model, the Bycatch Risk Assessment (ByRA), as our platform. Broadly, ByRA identifies high bycatch risk areas by estimating the intersection of fishing areas (i.e., stressors) with species habitat and evaluating the exposure and consequence of possible interaction between the two. ByRA outputs provided risk maps and gear risk percentages categorized as high, medium, and low for the study area and seven subzones for HBW in the austral winter and LBT in the austral summer. Overall, the highest bycatch risk for both species was identified within gillnet fisheries near the coast. Bycatch risk for most gear types decreased with distance from the coast. When we separated the ByRA model by port, our map outputs indicate that bycatch management should be port specific, following seasonal and spatial variations for HBW, and specific fishing gear impacts for HBW and LBT. Combined with direct bycatch mitigation techniques, ByRA can be a supportive and informative tool for addressing specific bycatch threats and marine megafauna conservation goals. ByRA supports a participatory framework offering rapid visual information via risk maps and replicable methods for areas with limited resources and data on fisheries and species habitat. [https://www.frontiersin.org/files/MyHome%20Article%20Library/776965/776965_…]<https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.776965> Participatory Risk Assessment of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Bycatch in Northern Peru<https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.776965> doi.org Happy new year! Kind regards, -- Anna Costanza & Ellen Hines The Marine and Costal Conservation and Spatial Planning Lab San Francisco State University Estuary & Ocean Science Center 3152 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA, USA acostanza(a)mail.sfsu.edu

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Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID internship position for Summer 2022
by Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research 03 Jan '22

03 Jan '22

Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Internship Position for Summer 2022 The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBXCDR)/Nags Head Dolphin Watch are currently accepting applications for the 2022 summer season. The research season is May 2nd-October 22nd. Three internship positions are available for the following dates: May 2nd-September 30th, May 2nd-October 22nd, May 23rd-September 5th. Start/end dates are flexible but successful applicants must be able to commit for the entire internship period. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our program’s goal is to gain an understanding of the population dynamics, movement patterns, and behavioral ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the sounds and coastal waters near the Outer Banks. The OBXCDR conducts a long-term photo-identification monitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. Data is collected via dedicated small boat surveys as well as opportunistically from a local dolphin watch. Information from the monitoring study is used to examine annual population trends, habitat utilization, social associations, and ecology of the dolphins as well as aid in efforts to examine bottlenose dolphin stock structure and movement patterns along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Interns will gain experience in field data collection, photo-identification of dolphins, and environmental education. For more information about the OBXCDR, please visit: obxdolphins.org. The internship position will consist of bottlenose dolphin photo-identification, opportunistic/dedicated field research, and environmental education. Responsibilities include: Mate/naturalist duties aboard the Nags Head Dolphin Watch: This involves the implementation of educational programs, including public speaking aboard the eco-tours (using a microphone and one-on-one) to educate others about local dolphin biology and marine conservation, as well as additional mate duties. The mate/naturalist will also collect opportunistic photo-identification data aboard the eco-tours (photographing dorsal fins, measuring environmental parameters, and recording sighting data), organize opportunistic data for inclusion in the photo-identification catalog, and assist in general maintenance of field equipment. For additional information about the Nags Head Dolphin Watch, please see www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com<http://www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com> (70% of time) Photo-identification of dolphins in the lab: This includes photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, and assisting in maintenance of the long-term OBX catalog using the MS Access database FinBase. Additional time will also be spent completing an independent project in which the intern will match the OBX catalog to the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog (MABDC) to examine seasonal movement patterns. The MABDC is a long-term collaborative effort to gain a greater understanding of the stock structure and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. Atlantic coast. This independent project should be completed within the span of the internship. The final product of this project will be a final project report. This work will be completed in our lab space at the local Coastal Studies Institute. (20% of time) Boat-based photo-identification: The intern will assist with dedicated boat-based photo-identification surveys to examine abundances, site fidelity, and progression of skin lesions of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke Sound. Responsibilities include operating a small vessel during transect surveys and sightings, assisting with photo-identification, collecting sighting data for dolphin groups, and general maintenance of field equipment. (10% of time) This internship requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours per week, consisting of eco-tours, lab photo-identification, and dedicated surveys. The intern will carry out mate/naturalist duties and opportunistic photo-identification aboard the Nags Head Dolphin Watch for 3-4 days per week throughout the field season while 1-2 days per week will be spent conducting photo-identification in the lab. Abundance surveys will be conducted 2-4 times per month from May through October. Salary: This internship is a paid position. Applicants will receive $12/hour salary for the naturalist position on the dolphin watch. Tips aboard the dolphin tours are expected, but not guaranteed. Housing: Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding housing accommodations in the Outer Banks. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Outer Banks as well as to and from the field sites and lab. The successful applicant would ideally have the following qualifications: Minimum of 18 years of age and recently graduated with an undergraduate degree in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation Ability to swim Basic proficiency in MS Access, Word, Excel, and Picture Manager as well as digital photography Enthusiasm, attention to detail, responsible, independent, focused, and dedicated Works well in a team environment as well as individually Experience in boating and marine field data collection Experience in environmental outreach preferred Experience in photo-identification preferred First AID/CPR certification required (certification classes available in the Outer Banks) Due to employment aboard the dolphin eco-tours, all candidates must be U.S. citizens NOTE: The United States Coast Guard requires all passenger vessels to be drug free work environments. In order to work aboard the dolphin eco-tours, the intern will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and to participate in random drug testing during the period of the research season. Application Process: Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to: obxcdr(a)hotmail.com<mailto:obxcdr@hotmail.com>. Use “Dolphin photo-id internship” in the subject line of the email. Applicants must apply by February 12th to be considered for this position. Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Decisions to be made by March 1st. Jessica Taylor Executive Director, Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research P.O. Box 7721 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Obxdolphins.org

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