October 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job opportunities with NMFS
by Rebeccah Hazelkorn - NOAA Federal 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

The Direct Hire Announcement for *Natural Resources Specialists, ZP-0401-3/4 * has been posted. *Two positions* with the National Marine Fisheries Southeast Regional Office will be filled from this announcement, with one in St. Petersburg/Jacksonville, FL, Brunswick/Savannah, GA, and one in Saint Petersburg, FL The selected "Large Whale Recovery Coordinator" will work with state and federal agencies, academics, and other organizations to coordinate recovery of ESA listed whales in the Southeast (e.g., North Atlantic right whales, Rice's whales, sperm whales). The selected "Small Cetacean Conservation Coordinator" will work with state and federal agencies, academics, and other partners/organizations to coordinate conservation of MMPA protected small cetaceans in the Southeast (e.g., bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales). The announcement: *https://www.usajobs.gov/job/685029200 <https://www.usajobs.gov/job/685029200>* will be open for *7 days*, from *10/24/22-10/31/22 * Please circulate to qualified candidates who can assist us with: - Recommending effective conservation activities to support sustainable fisheries and minimize adverse effects on protected species and critical habitats - Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with counterparts, scientists, government partners and constituents. - Serving as an independent regional expert and point of contact (POC) management needs, communicating information to leadership, training staff in areas of expertise, collaborating to identify annual priorities, and providing technical guidance. - Reviewing, gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing scientific data and technical information to determine environmental impacts on biological resources and aquatic habitats. - Writing biological and regulatory documents required under Federal environmental laws and processes. - Developing natural resource plans, management strategies, or impact assessments with corresponding conservation measures. - Coordinating the completion of scientific, technical or regulatory work among interdisciplinary or inter-organizational groups. - Preparing reports and making presentations conveying technical information to a wide variety of audiences including the general public. *Note: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance.* Feel free to contact Laura Engleby with any questions at laura.engleby(a)noaa.com -- Rebeccah A. Hazelkorn Protected Resources Division NOAA, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Office: 727-551-5751 Cell: 941-724-3906

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U.S. Navy Living Marine Resource Program Need Topic - call for pre-proposals
by LMR Program 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

The U.S. Navy Living Marine Resources (LMR) applied research program is seeking pre-proposals pertaining to one need topic. The FY23 need topic pertains to automated detection of marine mammals for unmanned surface vessel strike avoidance. Details regarding the need topic mentioned above and what information is required in a pre-proposal can be found at https://exwc.navfac.navy.mil/lmr/proposals. All pre-proposals should be submitted via email to exwc_lmr_program(a)navy.mil. Pre-proposals pertaining to this need topic will be accepted until 11:59 PM PST on 05 December 2022.

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Publication on Risso's dolphin behaviors from Southern California
by David Sweeney 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

Dear marmam community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent research article: Rone BK, Sweeney DA, Falcone EA, Watwood SL and Schorr GS (2022) Movements and diving behavior of Risso’s dolphins in the Southern California Bight. Front. Mar. Sci. 9:873548. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.873548 The paper can be downloaded from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.873548/full Abstract: Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), uncommon prior to the 1970’s, are now regularly observed within the Southern California Bight. During long-term cetacean monitoring programs on United States Navy range areas in the Southern California Bight from 2009–2019, we deployed 16 Argos-linked satellite tags on Risso’s to acquire objective, detailed depictions of their movements and behaviors. Individuals were tracked for a median of 10.7 days (range = 0.8 – 19.7). Kernel density estimation suggested individuals utilized the entire Southern California Bight with the 50% core use area centered around San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands where most of the tag deployments occurred. Grand median dive depth was 101 m (max = 528) and dive duration was 5.6 min (max = 11.1). We used generalized mixed models to assess seasonal and environmental effects on distribution and diving behavior including month, distance to shore, time of day, lunar phase, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll-a residuals. Animals were further from shore (including islands) during a full versus new moon and from the mainland during the last versus first quarter moon. Animals also tended to be closer to land in the fall and early winter months. Dives were deeper yet shorter during the night, during a full moon, and when animals were further offshore. Animals conducted nearly twice as many dives at night compared to day, though deep dives (> 500 m) occurred at all times of day. This study provides insights into Risso’s distribution and behavioral trends while identifying priorities for future research. Feel free to email Brenda Rone (brenda.rone(a)marecotel.org) our corresponding author, with any questions. Best, David Sweeney -- David Sweeney, Research Assistant Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research 2468 Camp McKenzie Trail NW, Seabeck WA 98380-4513 dsweeney(a)marecotel.org | 224-804-7754 www.marecotel.org Follow MarEcoTel on Facebook, <https://www.facebook.com/marecotel/> Twitter <https://twitter.com/marecotel>, and Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/marecotel/>

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New publication: A long-term shift in the summer distribution of Hector’s dolphins is correlated with an increase in cruise ship tourism
by William Carome 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a paper on long-term trends in distribution of Hector's dolphins in the most recent volume of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. The citation and abstract are given below and the full .pdf is available via Open Access at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aqc.3881 Carome, W., Slooten, E., Rayment, W., Webster, T., Wickman, L., Brough, T. et al. (2022). A long-term shift in the summer distribution of Hector’s dolphins is correlated with an increase in cruise ship tourism. *Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems*, 32( 10), 1660– 1674. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3881 Before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ship tourism had been one of the fastest growing segments of global tourism, presenting a range of potential impacts. At Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand, the number of annual cruise ship visits more than quadrupled following earthquake damage to Ōtautahi Christchurch's Lyttelton Port in 2011. Akaroa Harbour is an area of core use for endangered and endemic Hector’s dolphins (*Cephalorhynchus hectori*). Dolphins here are exposed to some of the highest levels of cetacean tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand. Relationships were examined between growth in cruise ship visits, as well as tours focused specifically on dolphins, and long-term trends in summer distribution of Hector’s dolphins at Akaroa Harbour, from 2000 to 2020. Core use areas for Hector’s dolphins within the harbour were quantified via kernel density estimation using data from 2,335 sightings from over 8,000 km of standardized survey effort. Data were allocated into four periods based on varying levels of tourism. Dolphin habitat preference varied over time, with the greatest change occurring between 2005–2011 and 2012–2015. When comparing these periods, the spatial overlap of core habitat was less than 24%. Dolphin distribution shifted towards the outer harbour after 2011 and has remained relatively consistent since. The observed shift in distribution coincided with the more than fourfold increase in annual cruise ship visits to Akaroa Harbour. Several pressures related to cruise ship tourism are likely to have influenced habitat preferences of dolphins. Further investigation into causal factors of the observed shift is warranted. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of cruise ship and wildlife tourism is in flux. Our findings suggest that the future re-development of this industry should follow a precautionary approach, with the onus on industry to provide evidence of sustainability before proceeding. You are very welcome to contact me (william.carome(a)gmail.com) with any questions. Ngā mihi, Will Carome

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Proposed Rule for the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the Construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Facility off New Jersey
by Kelsey Potlock - NOAA Federal 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

NOAA Fisheries has received a request for five-year Incidental Take Regulations and an associated Letter of Authorization from Ocean Wind, LLC, a subsidiary of Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC’s and a joint venture partner of the Public Service Enterprise Group Renewable Generation, LLC, for the incidental take of small numbers of marine mammals during the construction of the Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind energy facility in a designated lease area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A-0498) offshore of New Jersey. The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take, by both Level A and Level B harassment, of small numbers of marine mammals over a 5-year period incidental to construction-related pile driving activities (impact and vibratory), potential unexploded ordnances or munitions and explosives of concern (UXOs/MECs) detonation, and high-resolution geophysical (HRG) site characterization surveys conducted by Ocean Wind in Federal and State waters off of New Jersey. These regulations propose to authorize the take of individuals by Level B harassment and, for some species, by Level A harassment incidental to the construction activities previously described. No mortality or serious injury is expected or proposed to be authorized. NOAA Fisheries’ proposed regulations would require mitigation measures that are expected to reduce adverse impacts to marine mammals, including operational measures that reduce the likelihood of injury and time/area limitations that reduce the probability and severity of behavioral disturbance in areas where marine mammals conduct important behaviors or where sensitive species congregate. Required monitoring and reporting will increase our understanding of the impacts of the activity on marine mammals. The proposed rule can be accessed at the following link and will have a 30 day public comment period, starting on October 26, 2022 and ending November 25, 2022: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-23200. Please visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-… for more information on NOAA Fisheries’ incidental take program under the MMPA. Thank you, Kelsey - - - - - *Kelsey Potlock, Marine Resources Management Specialist **(she/her/hers)* Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce www.fisheries.noaa.gov Google Voice Phone Number: (301) 427-8410 Email: *kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov <kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov>*><((((º>·.¸. ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> [image: icon-facebook.png] <https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheries>[image: icon-twitter.png] <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-youtube.png] <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov>[image: icon-instagram.png] <http://www.instagram.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-linkedin.png] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/noaa-fisheries>

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Open Senior Marine Wildlife Survey Consultant position
by Jessie Behr 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

There is an open Senior Marine Wildlife Survey Consultant position available at APEM: Job Title: Senior Marine Wildlife Survey Consultant Salary: Competitive and Rewarding + Benefits Hours: 37.5 Location: Flexible across the UK Being an experienced consultant in a relevant sector, you will possess good knowledge of a wide range of subjects within the marine field or marine ecology space, or have an understanding of marine wildlife. The ability to produce high quality work (including data analysis and report writing) within tight deadlines will be required of you. Flexibility, reliability and excellent communication skills are also required as you will be managing a team across various locations. Prioritisation of your time and workload, producing high quality work and achieving deadlines is essential to you. You hold a degree in ecology, environmental, planning or another related field. This is the link to see all details of the position: https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/2016885-senior-marine-wildlife-survey-co… <https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/2016885-senior-marine-wildlife-survey-co…> If you are interested in the role or wish to apply, please follow the link above or contact recruitment(a)apemltd.co.uk <mailto:recruitment@apemltd.co.uk>. If you apply, please explain in your cover letter how you heard about the role and mention you were referred by myself. Best of luck! Kind regards, Jessie Behr Marine Wildlife Survey Consultant MSc Marine Conservation | BSc Biological Sciences

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Open Senior Marine Mammal Consultant position
by Jessie Behr 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

There is an open Senior Marine Mammal Consultant position available at APEM: Job Title: Senior Marine Mammal Consultant Salary: Competitive and Rewarding + Benefits Hours: 37.5 Location: Buckfastleigh - Flexible - Remote The appointed consultant will have knowledge, skills, and a minimum of two years of experience with a consulting firm or similar organisation, with cross-cutting expertise in marine mammal ecology. They will deliver a range of coastal and marine projects, requiring a detailed understanding of environmental and ecological impacts on marine mammals. The Senior Marine Mammal Consultant will be encouraged to determine opportunities to tender for and deliver a range of projects across a variety of clients, including: environmental and conservation regulatory agencies; renewable energy companies; oil and gas companies; water industry companies; and private and public sector coastal and marine infrastructure developers. All such work will be unified by the theme of sustainable development and the need for associated environmental protection and effective management. This is the link to see all details of the position: https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/2094018-senior-marine-mammal-consultant-… <https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/2094018-senior-marine-mammal-consultant-…> If you are interested in the role or wish to apply, please follow the link above or contact recruitment(a)apemltd.co.uk. If you apply, please explain in your cover letter how you heard about the role and mention you were referred by myself. Best of luck! Kind regards, Jessie Behr Marine Wildlife Survey Consultant MSc Marine Conservation | BSc Biological Sciences

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New publication on humpback whale response to noise
by Elisa Maria Girola 24 Oct '22

24 Oct '22

Dear Colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of our new paper Girola, E., Dunlop, R. A., Noad, M. J. (2022). "Singing in a noisy ocean: vocal plasticity in male humpback whales." Bioacoustics: 1-24. DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2022.2122560 Abstract The songs produced by male humpback whales are believed to be a reproductive display shared by all singers within the same population. Ocean noise can interfere with the transmission of acoustic signals such as humpback whale songs. However, humpback whales evolved in an environment characterised by variable levels of noise generated by natural sources. This study investigates whether singing males compensate for natural noise by changing the characteristics of their sounds. Songs were recorded off eastern Australia during periods of time when the soundscape was dominated by natural noise. Source level, peak frequency and duration were measured for 2,318 song units from 19 singers. Source levels were positively correlated with noise levels, while there was no correlation between the peak frequency or duration of the units and noise levels. Our study shows that male humpback whales increase the source level of their units in response to increasing natural noise, i.e. they have a Lombard response, but they do not modify their spectral or temporal characteristics. This suggests that the need to adhere to the shared repertoire prevents changes to distinctive features of song units, i.e. frequency and duration, however, vocal plasticity allows adjusting source levels to the environmental conditions. The paper can be accessed here https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2022.2122560 or you can request a pdf copy from the corresponding author (e.girola(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:e.girola@uq.edu.au>). Best regards Elisa Dr. Elisa Girola The University of Queensland Australia

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MMO Training Course, November 2022
by Carolyn Barton 24 Oct '22

24 Oct '22

JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters, 7 & 8 November 2022, remote delivery by Zoom. This course will cover all the information needed for work as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) in UK waters. Taught by an instructor with over 25 years experience, the course content includes: 1) Impacts of noise on marine mammals 2) Introduction to activities that require mitigation 3) Legislation protecting marine mammals and marine licensing 4) Detailed examination of the JNCC guidelines for geophysical surveys, pile driving and explosives 5) Data recording and reporting requirements 6) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 7) Overview of passive acoustic monitoring 8) Working as an MMO/ PAM operator 9) Identification of marine mammals Zoom sessions will be a mixture of lectures and exercises, over 1.5 days. Any exercises not completed during the sessions can be completed in your own time. There is also an online multiple choice exam to be done at your convenience after the Zoom sessions (re-sits are possible if you don't pass first time). The cost of the course is £200 (200GBP) payable after the course. There is no cancellation fee. The course is limited to small numbers; each delegate gets individual feedback on their exercises and the exam. On successful completion of the course (including the exercises and exam) you will receive JNCC-recognised certification, which is required for work as an MMO or PAM operator in UK waters. For further details and for a registration form see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk . Carolyn Barton

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FWC Southwest Field Lab Marine Mammal Internship
by Schubert, Molly 22 Oct '22

22 Oct '22

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Mammals section at the Charlotte Harbor Field Lab in Port Charlotte, FL is accepting applications for an intern to start in January 2023. The Southwest Field Lab is offering two internships to driven, self-motivated individuals for the Winter 2023 season. The expected start date for the internship is the beginning of January, however, start dates will be flexible. Working hours are typically four to five days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some additional night and weekend hours may be required. The position is located in Port Charlotte on the west coast of Florida, just north of Fort Myers. The intern's duties would include assisting with manatee and cetacean carcass salvage, necropsies, research projects (temperature monitoring, Photo ID, etc.), public outreach, and occasional rescues. The intern will also assist with office duties including mortality reports, upkeep of databases, and other office work as needed. To perform the tasks mentioned, interns will operate FWC trucks and dependent upon experience, trailers and boats up to 22' in length. At the end of the internship, interns are required to complete a project and a 10-15 minute presentation on a marine mammal topic of their choosing. Qualifications: * College juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students are eligible * Interns must have some research field experience * Interns must be comfortable operating large trucks and speaking to the public * Familiarity with digital cameras, telephoto lenses, and filters is preferred, but can be trained * Computer literacy * Previous animal handling experience is desirable but not necessary * Ability to trailer and operate watercrafts up to 22' in length and experience with radio telemetry tracking gear is desirable, but not necessary * Interns must be able to lift 50 lbs., swim, and possess a valid US driver's license * Interns should understand that this job will require them to be wet, dirty and outdoors in all weather conditions for long periods of time Application Process: If you are interested in applying for an internship with FWRI, please provide the following information: * A cover letter describing area(s) of interest and the dates, days, and hours of availability * A resume describing training and experience * Names and contact information for at least three references * An unofficial copy of your academic transcript Please send these items as e-mail attachments to: Interns(a)MyFWC.com If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to: Internship Coordinator 585 Prineville Street Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Molly R. Schubert Marine Mammal Biologist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Southwest Field Lab 585 Prineville St Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Office: (941) 249-6559 Molly.Schubert(a)myFWC.com Manatee Hotline: 1-888-404-3922

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