October 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on empirical tests for changes in diving behavior
by Dr Robert Schick, Ph.D. 21 Oct '22

21 Oct '22

On behalf of my co-authors, I’m pleased to announce the recent publication of our paper that developed methods to detect changes in diving behavior of Ziphius cavirostris following exposure to simulated mid-frequency sonar. Publication details are: Kernel density estimation of conditional distributions to detect responses in satellite tag data. Joshua Hewitt, Alan E. Gelfand, Nicola J. Quick, William R. Cioffi, Brandon L. Southall, Stacy L. DeRuiter & Robert S. Schick. Animal Biotelemetry Volume 10, Article number: 28 (2022) Abstract Background As levels of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment rise, it is crucial to quantify potential associated effects on marine mammals. Yet measuring responses is challenging because most species spend the majority of their time submerged. Consequently, much of their sub-surface behavior is difficult or impossible to observe and it can be difficult to determine if—during or following an exposure to sound—an observed dive differs from previously recorded dives. We propose a method for initial assessment of potential behavioral responses observed during controlled exposure experiments (CEEs), in which animals are intentionally exposed to anthropogenic sound sources. To identify possible behavioral responses in dive data collected from satellite-linked time–depth recorders, and to inform the selection and parameters for subsequent individual and population-level response analyses, we propose to use kernel density estimates of conditional distributions for quantitative comparison of pre- and post-exposure behavior. Results We apply the proposed method to nine Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) exposed to a lower-amplitude simulation of Mid-Frequency Active Sonar within the context of a CEE. The exploratory procedure provides evidence that exposure to sound causes animals to change their diving behavior. Nearly all animals tended to dive deep immediately following exposure, potentially indicating avoidance behavior. Following the initial deep dive after exposure, the procedure provides evidence that animals either avoided deep dives entirely or initiated deep dives at unusual times relative to their pre-exposure, baseline behavior patterns. The procedure also provides some evidence that animals exposed as a group may tend to respond as a group. Conclusions The exploratory approach we propose can identify potential behavioral responses across a range of diving parameters observed during CEEs. The method is particularly useful for analyzing data collected from animals for which neither the baseline, unexposed patterns in dive behavior nor the potential types or duration of behavioral responses is well characterized in the literature. The method is able to be applied in settings where little a priori knowledge is known because the statistical analyses employ kernel density estimates of conditional distributions, which are flexible non-parametric techniques. The kernel density estimates allow researchers to initially assess potential behavioral responses without making strong, model-based assumptions about the data. https://animalbiotelemetry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40317-022-00…

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Re: [MARMAM] Semester by the Bay Program in Homer, Alaska
by Kenneth Goldman 21 Oct '22

21 Oct '22

Dear Marmam Community, I am writing to ask and encourage you to share the following information with your colleagues and students about a wonderful program offered at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus. The Semester by the Bay Program is an Alaska, place-based experiential learning program in Homer, Alaska is an ideal place to study and explore Marine Biology and Conservation Ecology. We hope that all we offer (e.g. experiential learning, internships, incredible courses with world-renowned instructors, with access to one of the richest marine estuaries in the world) can work into your students’ academic goals. Our Fall semester focuses on Marine Mammal Biology, while our spring semester focus is Conservation Ecology. We are currently recruiting students and planning for the Spring 2023 semester. We will be offering a 16 credit transcripted certificate in Ecology. Classes offered include: BIOL 473 Conservation Biology (3CR) BIOL 483 Exploration Ecology (2CR) BIOL 484 Experiential Learning: Exploration Ecology Field Study (4CR) BIOL 490 Global Climate Change (3CR) BIOL 492A Undergraduate Seminar in Conservation Ecology (1CR) BIOL 495A Internship in the Biological Sciences (3CR) EACH FALL we also offer a 16 credit Marine Mammal Biology Certificate program. Classes offered include: BIOL 325 Advanced Marine Skeletal Articulation (2CR) BIOL 430 Marine Mammal Biology (3CR) BIOL 432 Experiential Learning: Marine Mammal Biology (2CR) BIOL 458 Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals (3CR) BIOL 459 Experiential Learning: Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals (2CR) BIOL 492A Undergraduate Seminar in Marine Mammal Conservation (1CR) BIOL 495A Internship in the Biological Sciences (3CR) Each of these two separate semester packages of 16 credits includes an opportunity for students to both participate in an internship and conduct guided undergraduate research. Some internships offer free or reduced housing and students receive in-state tuition. Completion of either semester’s hands-on, intensive program will earn a student a stand-alone degree called an Occupational Endorsement Certificate. We will work with students and their institutions to ensure course transferability in addition to earning these certificates Please see our website for more information on internships and the SBB program https://semesterbythebay.org/ Thank you very much for your time and attention to this email, and for your help in spreading the word about our programs. Please contact me directly if you have any questions. Regards, Ken Goldman ------- Kenneth J. Goldman, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor of Biology University of Alaska Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College Kachemak Bay Campus 533 East Pioneer Ave. Homer, Alaska 99603 email: kjgoldman(a)alaska.edu

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Please Post: Marine Genomics Tenure-track position at GELIFES, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
by Per Palsbøll 21 Oct '22

21 Oct '22

There is an opening for a tenure track position at the level of Assistant/Associate Professor at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES <https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/>) of the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands of possible interest to MARMAM subscribers. The position fallS under the Rosalind Franklin Fellowship Program. The Rosalind Frank <https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/rff/>lin Fellowship Program <https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/rff/> aims at promoting the advancement of talented female researchers and is addressed to women in industry, academia or research institutes who aspire to become a Full Professor at a European top research university. The relevant position is in: Ecological genomics of marine/intertidal ecosystems Detailed information on the specific profile can be found here <https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/organisation/vacancies>. Applications are due by the 27th of October 11:59pm Dutch local time (CET) via the on-line application at this link <https://bit.ly/3RQEMTR>. Additional information: Profiles: https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/organisation/vacancies <https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/organisation/vacancies>Terms and conditions + application process: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-0… <https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-0…> Best regards, Per ---------- Per J. Palsboll (he/him) Professor of Marine Evolution and Conservation Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 6 5777 9495 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands Adjunct scientist Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, U.S.A. ---------- "How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress." As quoted in "Niels Bohr : The Man, His Science, & the World They Changed" (1966) by Ruth Moore, p. 196 ----------

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Article on Mindful Conservation
by Fabian Ritter; MEER e.V. 21 Oct '22

21 Oct '22

Dear Marmamers, with great pleasure I want to make you aware of a current article reflecting on marine mammal conservation in a more holistic manner. This article is based on my talk at this year's Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS), which many of you have encouraged me to publish "poperly". Luckily, /Advances in Marine Biology/ accepted the article to be included as an editorial to its latest volume: Ritter, F. - _Marine mammal conservation in the 21st century: A plea for a paradigm shift towards mindful conservation. /Advances in Marine Biology/, ISSN 0065-2881, https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2022.09.001 _ _Abstract:_ Marine mammals are regarded in high esteem by the general public, and are recognized as flagship species for conservation, while at the same time they suffer from anthropogenic impacts on a global scale, and often in extreme ways. It seems there is a huge discrepancy between how we humans think about our fellow creatures in the sea, and how we behave to impact and/or conserve them. Here, I examine why the purely scientific and thus intellectual approach to marine mammal conservation has had limited success over the past decades. While there are some obvious success stories in cetacean conservation, the situation today is, for many species and populations, more dire than it has ever been. The idea of ‘we need to know more’—a credo of the scientific community—often is politically misrepresented to postpone necessary conservation decisions. To adapt our path towards more profound and, importantly, more effective marine conservation, as conservationists we need to go deeper and change the narrative of separation, i.e., the concept of humans being set apart from the rest of nature. Instead, there is a need to create a narrative of connectedness, i.e., the consciousness of humans being an integral part of the planetary system. Rather than telling horror stories about the plight of marine mammals, conservationists also need to trigger positive emotions about them in ourselves. More holistic aspects of conservation need to be incorporated in our future efforts, including the fuller integration of traditional knowledge and indigenous wisdom, recognizing ecosystem functions of marine life and protecting the processes they sustain, respecting ‘holiness’ of nature while focusing on the animals’ individuality, personhood and the cultural identity of distinct cetacean communities. Effective marine mammal conservation will be possible only on the basis of a profound change of our own values and a fundamental change of the societal system(s) we are living in. This link will bring you to the website where the article can be _viewed and downloaded freely until 06 December 2022_. No sign up, registration or fees are required. https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1fx38Es4JKUCb Best wishes to all, Fabian -- _____________ Fabian Ritter President M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T +49-(0)30-644 97 230 ritter(a)m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org "The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to have the questions to." -after Douglas Adams-

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New Publication on blue and sei whale acoustic presence from glider surveys in Chilean Patagonia
by Susannah Buchan 20 Oct '22

20 Oct '22

Dear Colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of our new paper* "**Distribution of blue and sei whale vocalizations, and temperature - salinity characteristics from glider surveys in the Northern Chilean Patagonia mega-estuarine system" * by Susannah J. Buchan, Laura Gutierrez, Mark F. Baumgartner, Kathleen M. Stafford, Nadin Ramirez, Oscar Pizarro, Jose Cifuentes. An open access copy can be found here: https://internal-journal.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.903964… Abstract Northern Chilean Patagonia is a mega-estuarine system where oceanic waters mix with freshwater inputs in the coastal fjords, channels and gulfs. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of blue and sei whales with respect to oceanographic conditions of the study area from the estuarine inner sea to the outer ocean. Ocean gliders were used, mounted with a hydrophone to determine acoustic presence of whales (Southeast Pacific and Antarctic blue whale song calls, and blue whales D-calls; sei whale downsweeps and upsweeps), and a temperature and salinity instrument. Four glider deployments were carried out in April 2018 and April-June 2019 navigating a total of 2817 kilometers during 2110 hours. To examine interannual variation, the average percentage of day with presence of calls was compared between years using the adjusted p-values for one-way ANOVA and descriptive statistics. To examine spatial variation between the hourly acoustic presence of blue whales and sei whales and temperature and salinity conditions, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used. Salinities were higher in 2019 compared to 2018. Southeast Pacific blue whales produced song calls throughout the study area in both years, across estuarine and oceanic areas, but percentage of day with presence was higher in 2019 vs 2018. Percentage of day with presence of D-calls was similar between years, but higher in oceanic areas during both study periods. In contrast, the spatial pattern of sei whale acoustic presence was ambiguous and interannual variability was high, suggesting that sei whales preferred estuarine areas in 2018 and oceanic areas in 2019. We discuss possible explanations for observed acoustic presence in relation to foraging behavior and prey distribution. Kind regards, Susannah -- Susannah J. Buchan, PhD Associate Researcher, COPAS Sur-Austral & Visiting Professor, University of Concepción, Chile Associate Researcher, CEAZA Research Center, Chile Guest Investigator, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA Email: sbuchan@udec.cl/sjbuchan@gmail.com Cel. Chile: +56 9 6646 8466/ Cel. España: +34 695 06 62 24 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2180-1432

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Australia/New Zealand SMM student chapter monthly catch up
by Ciara Browne 19 Oct '22

19 Oct '22

Dear MARMAMers, The Australia New Zealand Student Chapter of the Society of Marine Mammalogy hosts a monthly online connect group with guest speakers aimed at students and early career researchers in the marine mammal field. The next group meeting is Wednesday 26th October with Associate Professor Guido J. Parra joining us to talk about 'Every day is day one: uncensored tips for becoming a "successful" marine mammalogist'. We hope to see many of you there! Join via this zoom link: https://massey.zoom.us/j/89927852459?pwd=5pnvsmuy4xKnK1oXSxa1_TXQbCS6-u.1 (Password: 003359) These groups will happen on the last Wednesday of each month at 12pm WA (GMT+8)/5pm NZ (GMT+13) via the same link with guest speakers from various sectors to talk about the different career paths available in marine mammal science and providing advice, tips, and encouragement for early-career researchers as well as to help students build better connections and stay informed. Please get in touch if you have any questions: anzscsmm(a)gmail.com<mailto:anzscsmm@gmail.com> https://www.facebook.com/groups/ANZSCSMM/ https://marinemammalscience.org/professional-development/chapters/australia… On behalf of the chapter heads Grace Russell (Southern Cross University), Brodie Elsdon (Curtin University), Gabrielle Genty (Flinders University), Ciara Browne (Curtin University), Courtney Ogilvy (University of Auckland) and Rebecca Boys (Massey University)

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New publication on foraging ecology of harbour porpoises in Greenland
by Marie Louis 19 Oct '22

19 Oct '22

Dear all, We are pleased to share our publication: Louis M., Routledge J., Heide-Jørgensen M.P., Szpak P., Lorenzen E.D. 2022. Sex and size matter: foraging ecology of offshore harbour porpoises in waters around Greenland. Marine Biology 169: 140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-022-04123-x Abstract Individuals of different sex or age can vary in their prey and habitat resource use due to differences in behaviour, life history, energetic need, or size. Harbour porpoises are small cetaceans that need to feed constantly to meet their high metabolic demands. In West Greenland, the species has a unique offshore, deep-water ecology. Here, we use bone collagen carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope compositions to elucidate sex and size differences in the foraging ecology of harbour porpoises from this region. Female harbour porpoises are larger than males; we find females have a higher trophic level, and δ15N significantly positively correlates with size for females. This indicates that size may matter in the ability of females to handle larger prey and/or dive deeper to catch higher trophic level prey. The results suggest that females, which also nurse their calves, may be under different ecological constraints than males. We also analysed the harbour porpoise data with available stable isotope data from Greenland populations of belugas and narwhals. We find that harbour porpoises have a lower trophic level than the other species, which is consistent with their smaller body size, and their diet consisting primarily of capelin. Furthermore, harbour porpoises have the largest ecological niche of the three species, in accordance with tagging studies indicating they have a wider range than belugas and narwhals and occur in shelf and deep offshore waters of the sub-arctic and North Atlantic. The article is available at:<https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-018-3341-z> https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-022-04123-x You can also email me for a copy. On behalf of all co-authors, Marie

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New publication: Dredging activity in a highly urbanised estuary did not affect the long-term occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and long-nosed fur seals
by Katharina Peters 18 Oct '22

18 Oct '22

Kia ora MARMAM community, My colleagues and I are very happy to share the publication of our new paper: ‘Dredging activity in a highly urbanised estuary did not affect the long-term occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and long-nosed fur seals’ in Marine Pollution Bulletin. Citation: M. I. Bossley, A. Steiner, G. J. Parra, F. Saltré and K. J. Peters (2022). Dredging activity in a highly urbanized estuary did not affect the long-term occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and long-nosed fur seals. Marine Pollution Bulletin 114183 Abstract: Dredging is an excavation activity used worldwide in marine and freshwater environments to create, deepen, and maintain waterways, harbours, channels, locks, docks, berths, river entrances, and approaches to ports and boat ramps. However, dredging impacts on marine life, including marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians), remain largely unknown. Here we quantified the effect of dredging operations in 2005 and 2019 on the occurrence of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) in the Port River estuary, a highly urbanized estuary in Adelaide, South Australia. We applied generalised linear models to two long-term sighting datasets (dolphins: 1992–2020, fur seals: 2010–2020), to analyse changes in sighting rates as a function of dredging operations, season, rainfall, and sea surface temperature. We showed that the fluctuations in both dolphin and fur seal occurrences were not correlated with dredging operations, whereas sea surface temperature and season were stronger predictors of both species sighting rates (with seals more prevalent during the colder months, and dolphins in summer). Given the highly industrial environment of the Port River estuary, it is possible that animals in this area are habituated to high noise levels and therefore were not disturbed by dredging operations. Future research would benefit from analysing short-term effects of dredging operations on behaviour, movement patterns and habitat use to determine effects of possible habitat alteration caused by dredging. Available open-access at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22008657 Ngā mihi, Katharina Katharina J. Peters, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Ōtautahi, Aotearoa | Christchurch, NZ [A picture containing shape Description automatically generated]<https://www.aim.uzh.ch/de/members/researchersandpostdocs/katharinapeters.ht…>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katharina_Peters>[A close up of a logo Description automatically generated]<https://twitter.com/kjopeters>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&pli=1&user=7QWvsMUAAAAJ>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://katharinajpeters.weebly.com/>[A picture containing object, kit, drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharina-j-peters-b47b5370/>[A picture containing game, table Description automatically generated]<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/dr-katharina-j-peters>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.instagram.com/katharina.j.peters/>

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Eastern Tropical Pacific Sperm whale Research Workshop
by Ana Eguiguren 18 Oct '22

18 Oct '22

Hi all, I'd like to share an invitation to the “Chachalotes del Pacífico (Sperm Whales of the Pacific) Workshop” which will take place virtually between November 21st through 23rd, 2022. the workshop will be structured as follows: Day 1: oral presentations of research on sperm whales in the eastern tropical Pacific. Day 2: workshops on field methods and data analysis for data collected on sperm whales with hands-on demonstrations. Day 3: round table for the creation of a sperm whale research and conservation network for the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. While the workshop will be conducted mostly in English, discussions, and material will be available in Spanish. The workshop is intended for Researchers that work with sperm whales in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), including faculty, graduates, undergraduates, and government officials. This is a free and fully online event! You can find more information and register through the following link: https://cachalotesdelpacifico.weebly.com Please share with colleagues and students, and if you have any thoughts or questions, please email me at: anaeguibur(a)gmail.com Best, Ana Eguiguren (she/her - PhD candidate -Whitehead Lab - Dalhousie University)

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New publication: Sperm whale acoustic abundance and dive behaviour in the western North Atlantic (Annabel Westell)
by Annabel Westell - NOAA Affiliate 18 Oct '22

18 Oct '22

Hello MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the open access publication of our manuscript "Sperm whale acoustic abundance and dive behaviour in the western North Atlantic" in Scientific Reports. The publication is freely available here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20868-3 Westell, A., Sakai, T., Valtierra, R. *et al.* Sperm whale acoustic abundance and dive behaviour in the western North Atlantic. *Sci Rep* 12, 16821 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20868-3. Abstract Sperm whales are an ideal species to study using passive acoustic technology because they spend the majority of their time underwater and produce echolocation clicks almost continuously while foraging. Passive acoustic line transect data collected between June and August 2016 were used to estimate a depth-corrected acoustic abundance and study the dive behaviour of foraging sperm whales in the western North Atlantic Ocean. 2D localizations (n = 699) were truncated at a slant range of 6500 m and combined with the multipath arrivals of surface reflected echoes to calculate 3D localizations (n = 274). Distance sampling using depth-corrected perpendicular distances resulted in a 10.5% change in the acoustic abundance estimate (2199 whales, CV = 14.6%) compared to uncorrected slant ranges (1969 whales, CV = 14.1%), and a detection function that was a better fit for the data. Sperm whales exhibited multiple foraging strategies, with bottom phases occurring at depths of 400–800, 800–1200, or > 1200 m, accounting for an average 39.2, 49.5, or 44.9% of the total recorded dive time, respectively. These results suggest that estimating 3D localizations using acoustic line transect data improves acoustic abundance estimation and can be used to answer population level questions about foraging ecology. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you, Annabel Westell, Contractor Passive Acoustic Research Group | Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA Email: Annabel.Westell(a)noaa.gov

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