November 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Posting: Research Technician for Pacific Whale Foundation (Maui, USA)
by PWF Research Department 04 Nov '22

04 Nov '22

Job Posting: Research Technician for Pacific Whale Foundation (Maui, USA) The research department at Pacific Whale Foundation is recruiting for the newly created position of Research Technician, to report directly to our Research Manager, Dr. Shannon Barber-Meyer. Pacific Whale Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit dedicated to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship. Our researchers have studied whales and dolphins throughout the Pacific for over 40 years. The long-term goal of our research program is to identify and assess major threats to whales and dolphins around the world and develop science-based solutions to mitigate these problems. The Research Technician will be responsible for supporting and assisting with our long-term humpback whale and dolphin research in Hawai’i. The focus will be on UAS (drone) related research, but will also include collecting ID photographs, behavioral observations, and associated data from a dedicated research vessel. Data are expected to be processed daily and in a timely manner. The successful Research Technician candidate works at the direction of the Research Manager and will hold an FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft System – Remote Pilot License or be able to obtain one upon hire. They will also possess a Bachelor of Science degree (or higher) or extensive relevant work experience and have a working knowledge of marine mammal field techniques, including photo-identification procedures and methodologies. This is a regular, full-time (40 hours per week), hourly, exempt, position based out of Ma’alaea Harbor, Maui, Hawai'i. The successful candidate must possess the ability to work a flexible field schedule that may include weekends, evenings and holidays as fieldwork is heavily weather dependent. The team often works above the standard 40 hours per week when the weather permits, and time off in lieu is given to account for this. Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States of America. Pay starting from $47,000 per year, based on skills and experience. Apply online at: https://1.adp.com/97rPnPCRBss Applications will only be accepted through the above link (no phone calls or drop-ins please). To read more about Pacific Whale Foundation's research, visit our website https://www.pacificwhale.org/research/<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pacif…> The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time. Pacific Whale Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer in support of efforts to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Research Program Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Ma‘alaea Road, Suite 211, Wailuku HI, 96793, USA Telephone: +1 (808) 856-8305 Fax: +1 (808) 856-8363 PacificWhale.org<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pacifi…>

1 0

New Paper & Webinar Invite: Redefining North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat-Use Patterns Under Climate Change
by Emily Knight 04 Nov '22

04 Nov '22

Join us on Wednesday, November 30, 3pm ET/12pm PT for a webinar featuring Drs. Charles Greene, Cornell University, Erin Meyer-Gutbrod, University of South Carolina, Kimberley Davies, University of New Brunswick to discuss their project, Climate Change and the Oceanography of the North Atlantic Right Whale Population<https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/climate-change-and-the-oc…>. Over the course of the last several years, the team has produced key results advancing our understanding of right whale foraging, breeding, and transiting: * Ocean Regime Shift is Driving Collapse of the North Atlantic Right Whale<https://tos.org/oceanography/article/ocean-regime-shift-is-driving-collapse…>, August 2021, Oceanography (blog summary<https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/news-and-publications/cross-currents/2021/h…>) * Redefining North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat-Use Patterns Under Climate Change<https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lno.12242>, November 2022, Limnology and Oceanography (blog summary<https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/news-and-publications/cross-currents/2022/n…>) In the webinar, the research team will present the main conclusions from the project as a whole, including details on the results from their latest paper, and share their perspectives on what comes next to better understand and preserve North Atlantic right whales for the future. * Title: Redefining North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat-Use Patterns Under Climate Change * When: Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 3pm ET/12pm PT * Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hcDWFaeVTZaY_D19HLedhQ Please share this invite with your networks! Thanks, -- Emily Knight Manager, Lenfest Ocean Program [LenfestOceanProgram-Logo-Color-(2)] 901 E Street NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20004 SIGN UP<https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/about-us/contact-us/lenfest-newsletter-sign…> FOR LENFEST OCEAN NEWS w: 202-540-6389 | c: 202-384-6534 | e: eknight(a)lenfestocean.org<mailto:eknight@lenfestocean.org> www.lenfestocean.org<http://www.lenfestocean.org/>|twitter: @lenfestocean<https://twitter.com/LenfestOcean>

1 0

Open Marine Wildlife Analyst positions at APEM
by Jessie Behr 04 Nov '22

04 Nov '22

There are open Marine Wildlife Analyst positions available at APEM: Job Title: Marine Wildlife Analyst Salary: Competitive and Rewarding + Benefits Hours: 37.5 Location: Flexible across the UK Successful applicants should preferably have a degree in biology / environmental science / remote sensing or relevant experience in bird identification or other ornithology or marine mammal related work. You will be self-motivated, enthusiastic and able to work to tight deadlines. You will be an active team player. Understanding of MS Office packages such as Excel and some experience of GIS software packages is essential. Previous experience undertaking ornithology fieldwork surveys would be desirable. You must be able to record data carefully and systematically, and write clearly. Flexibility and reliability are key requirements in this role and a good attention to detail is required. This is the link to see all details of the position: https://careers.apemltd.co.uk/jobs/2189533-marine-wildlife-analyst-ref-2059 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

1 0

Updated URL: Postdoc position in underwater / marine-mammal acoustics at Curtin U in Perth Australia
by Christine Erbe 03 Nov '22

03 Nov '22

Dear Colleagues, My most sincere apologies; the university changed the URL on 1 November! The Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, is looking for a 3-year postdoc in underwater acoustics (incl. soundscapes and marine mammal bioacoustics). https://staff.curtin.edu.au/job-vacancies/?ja-job=594336 Applications close 15 Nov 2022. Cheers, Christine Christine Erbe, Ph.D. Director | Centre for Marine Science & Technology (CMST) John Curtin Distinguished Professor | School of Earth & Planetary Sciences Curtin University GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia 6845 Email | C.Erbe(a)curtin.edu.au Web | http://cmst.curtin.edu.au Facebook | fb.me/CMSTCurtin Twitter | @CMST_oceans

1 0

New publication: "Exposure to whale watching vessels affects dive ascents and resting behavior in sperm whales"
by Cláudia Inês Botelho de Oliveira 03 Nov '22

03 Nov '22

Dear MARMAMers, We are very pleased to announce the publication of the following paper, in Frontiers of Marine Science: Oliveira C, Pérez-Jorge S, Prieto R, Cascão I, Wensveen PJ and Silva MA (2022) Exposure to whale watching vessels affects dive ascents and resting behavior in sperm whales. Front. Mar. Sci. 9:914397. Abstract: Disturbance from whale watching can induce a wide range of behavioral responses in cetaceans, some of which can affect their energetic balance and, ultimately, their long-term fitness. However, assessing disturbance effects on deep-diving cetaceans remains challenging, as the majority of their activities occurs underwater and are difficult to monitor from surface observations. To surpass this limitation, we attached high-resolution multi-sensor tags (DTAGs) on 24 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) off the Azores, an area of intense whale watching, to evaluate changes in movement and acoustic parameters related to foraging effort and dives, locomotion effort, and non-foraging behavior. These parameters were compared between periods of exposure and non-exposure to whale watching vessels, using linear mixed-effect models to assess the presence of short-term effects, accounting for individual differences in behavior. We found no significant changes in foraging effort (number of buzzes, bottom phase depth, proportion of search and foraging phases) and overall dive behavior (dive duration, proportion of dive phases, and descending or ascending pitch) between non-exposure and exposure periods. In contrast, variation in body pitch during non-foraging periods increased during exposure but not variation in body roll. Taken together, these results suggest increased movements during resting activity, which may carry energetic costs to whales and impact their health. Vertical velocity during ascents was also significantly higher in response to vessel exposure, suggesting that sperm whales increased the frequency of fluke strokes, which was consistent with a higher Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration (ODBA) during ascents, incurring in higher energy expenditure. If the detected changes are repeated across multiple exposures, they might affect the individual's energetic budget, and consequently their fitness. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the short-term behavioral responses of sperm whales to whale watching vessels and highlights the need for further studies examining the potential consequences from repeated disturbance to individuals. The paper is available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.914397/full?&utm_so… DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.914397<https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.914397> Best wishes, Cláudia Oliveira [cid:image001.png@01D8EF78.0528E5F0] Cláudia Oliveira Marine Biologist, PhD Tel: (+351) 292 200 400 VOIP: 3123 Email: claudia.ib.oliveira(a)uac.pt<mailto:claudia.ib.oliveira@uac.pt> Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - Okeanos, Universidade dos Açores Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 4 - 9901- 862 HORTA Faial, Açores, Portugal www.uac.pt<http://www.uac.pt> www.okeanos.uac.pt<http://www.okeanos.uac.pt> http://whales.scienceontheweb.net/index.php [signature_1538040023] P Por favor considere as suas responsabilidades ambientais: Não imprima este documento se não necessitar dele em papel. The information contained in this e-mail is LEGALLY PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, or you have received this communication in error, please be aware that any dissemination, distribution or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited, and please notify us immediately and return the original message to us at the address above. Thank you.

1 0

New publication: North Atlantic right whale habitat-use patterns under climate change
by Erin Meyer-Gutbrod 03 Nov '22

03 Nov '22

Hello MARMAM, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the open access publication of our manuscript "Redefining North Atlantic right whale habitat-use patterns under climate change" in Limnology and Oceanography. Meyer-Gutbrod, E.L., Davies, K.T.A.D., Johnson, C.L., Plourde, S., Sorochan, K.A., Kenney, R.D., Christian Ramp, Gosselin, J.F., Lawson, J.W., Greene, C.H. 2022. Redefining North Atlantic right whale habitat-use patterns under climate change. Limnology & Oceanography. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12242 The publication is freely available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12242 Abstract Changes in the physical oceanography of the Northwest Atlantic stemming from both natural and anthropogenic climate change impact the foraging ecology and distribution of endangered North Atlantic right whales. In this study, right whale sightings from 1990 to 2018 were analyzed to examine decadal patterns in monthly habitat use in 12 high-use areas. Depth-integrated abundances of late-stage Calanus finmarchicus and Calanus hyperboreus were also analyzed for decadal variations in the right whale foraging habitats. There were significant differences in the occurrence, seasonal timing, and persistence of foraging habitats across these three decades. In the decades of the 1990s and the 2010s, prey was less abundant than in the 2000s, corresponding to reduced use of the Southeast US calving grounds in the winter, increased use of Cape Cod Bay in winter and spring, and reduced use of Roseway Basin in the fall. In the 2010s, right whale sightings increased in Southern New England and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the spring and summer, respectively. Summertime declines in the 2010s in late-stage copepod abundances in the Gulf of Maine and surrounding regions, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, indicate that recent increased use of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is driven by a decline in prey in traditional foraging habitats rather than by an increase in prey in the new foraging habitat. This analysis of decadal-scale differences in right whale sightings and prey abundance is critical for redefining right whale distribution patterns for the most recent (post-2010) decade. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks! Cheers, Erin Meyer-Gutbrod -- Dr. Erin L. Meyer-Gutbrod *(she/her)* Assistant Professor School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment University of South Carolina https://meyer-gutbrod.weebly.com/ emgutbrod(a)seoe.sc.edu 216-548-9082

1 0

UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference - REGISTER NOW
by UK Regional Student Chapter for the Society of Marine Mammals 03 Nov '22

03 Nov '22

Dear all, There are now just 10 days left to register for the 17th annual conference of the UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter (UKIRSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. Abstract submission deadline is Monday 14th November 2022. This is a free conference which aims to bring together students from all across the United Kingdom and Ireland who are interested in and study marine mammals. Students are encouraged to present and discuss their work with colleagues in a friendly environment and have the opportunity to attend workshops and talks given by experienced scientists and specialists. To register to attend, please visit: https://ukrsc.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/conference-2023/ For more information on the workshops and conference visit: https://ukrsc.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/10/13/ukirsc-2023-workshops-announce… We are looking forward to meeting you all in January. Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The 2023 committee can be contacted by emailing: ukrsc(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:ukrsc@st-andrews.ac.uk> Best wishes, Helen, Jules, Tim, Becca, Alice, Maeva & Morgane UKIRSC Committee Follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/UKIRSC/ https://twitter.com/UKIRSC_SMM

1 0

New Publication: Social and vocal complexity in bottlenose dolphins
by Stephanie King 03 Nov '22

03 Nov '22

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to share a new review paper on behavioural complexity in dolphins: King SL, Connor RC and Montgomery SH (2022) Social and vocal complexity in bottlenose dolphins. Trends in Neurosciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2022.09.006 Abstract: Bottlenose dolphins are highly social, renowned for their vocal flexibility, and possess highly enlarged brains relative to their body size. Here, we discuss some of the defining features of bottlenose dolphin social and vocal complexity and place this in the context of their cognitive evolution. The paper was published as part of a special series on: Neurons, brains and behavior across species and cognitive domains. The paper is OA and can be accessed here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223622001850 All the best, Stephanie ---------------------------------- Associate Professor (Reader) in Animal Behaviour School of Biological Sciences Life Sciences Building | 24 Tyndall Avenue University of Bristol | Bristol BS8 1TQ | U.K. +44 (0) 117 39 41191 Twitter: @_StephanieLKing<https://twitter.com/_stephanielking> website: www.cetaceancommcog.com<http://www.cetaceancommcog.com/> website: www.sharkbaydolphins.org<http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org> [signature_2377738201] I am a friend of the LGBQT and BAME communities because I believe in equality for everyone

1 0

New paper on LLD in bottlenose dolphins from the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
by Eduardo Morteo 02 Nov '22

02 Nov '22

Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce our recent publication entitled "Lobomycosis-like disease epidemiology pathology and social affiliations in bottlenose dolphins from Southwestern Gulf of Mexico", recently published in Frontiers in Marine Science. Please follow the link to have full access to this publication: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.1018118/full?&utm_s… Lobomycosis-like disease epidemiology, pathology and social affiliations in bottlenose dolphins from Southwestern Gulf of Mexico frontiersin.org You may find the abstract below. Gálvez C, Tenorio-Osorio M, Hernández-Candelario I, Delfín-Alfonso CA and Morteo E (2022) Lobomycosis-like disease epidemiology pathology and social affiliations in bottlenose dolphins from Southwestern Gulf of Mexico.Front. Mar. Sci. 9:1018118.doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.1018118 Abstract: Mycotic diseases are considered a worldwide growing concern related to public health. Lobomycosis like disease (LLD) (Lacazia loboi) is a chronic and progressive infection in skin of humans and small cetaceans present in both sides of the Americas including Mexico but information is still limited. Marine predators are indicators of potential risks for human and wildlife health including fungal diseases like LLD in bottlenose dolphins. Here we report the first findings of an initial assessment in LLD epidemiology pathology and behavioral constraints of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico (SWGM). Overall LLD prevalence in the population was low within ranges reported for the species and only in highly associated unisexual pairs near the Alvarado coastal waters. Photo-identified individuals exhibited an annual increase in average progression for LLD skin lesions. Gross lesions and skin biopsy evidenced mycotic structures and subcutaneous alterations associated to LLD. Habitat quality demographic and social characteristics of bottlenose dolphins are likely influencing LLD geographical expansion and temporal prevalence but global and local climate variability may influence LLD epidemiology implying a potential risk for human and dolphin health from coastal communities at the SWGM. Kind regards, Dr. Eduardo Morteo Director Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Universidad Veracruzana Calle Dr. Castelazo Ayala S/N, Col. Industrial Ánimas CP 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Ph/Tel: +52 (228) 841 89 00 E-mail: emorteo(a)uv.mx http://www.uv.mx/personal/emorteo/ http://uv-mx.academia.edu/EMorteo https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Morteo/?ev=hdr_xprf http://scholar.google.com.mx/citations?user=fDUl-IIAAAAJ

1 0

New publication: caretakers’ ratings of captive odontocetes
by agathe serres 01 Nov '22

01 Nov '22

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of our article entitled "Reliability of caretakers’ ratings of captive bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) and finless porpoises’ (*Neophocaena asiaeorientalis* sp.) behavioral style for welfare monitoring" in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. The article is accessible at https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/ZKABTUE8NPTSNN8DXZMA/full?target=10.1080… Abstract: Qualitative ratings are increasingly used to assess animal welfare. We investigated the associations between daily caretakers’ ratings of individuals’ behavioral style, behavior during free time, participation during training sessions, and environmental variables in captive Yangtze finless porpoises, East-Asian finless porpoises, and bottlenose dolphins. Associations between caretakers’ ratings and behavior were found, including social swimming, fast swimming, play, interaction with humans, and agonistic and socio-sexual interactions. Ratings were also associated with participation during training sessions and food intake. Social separation, transport to a new pool, high visitors’ density, and holding of a sick conspecific were associated with ratings indicating a deteriorated human–animal relationship, a lower interest/fear of the environment, and/or a higher social cohesion depending on the group. Through principal component analyses, new variables that represented both caretakers’ ratings and behavior and that could be used for an easier interpretation of the data for welfare monitoring within each group were extracted. Caretaker ratings and behavior should be used as a complement to previously validated indicators to detect changes in welfare state and understand the potential causes of these changes. Agathe Serres Postdoctoral fellow Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Sanya, China agathe.serres11(a)gmail.com *agathe(a)idsse.ac.cn <agathe(a)idsse.ac.cn>*

1 0