December 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Bottlenose dolphins share fish farm areas while maintaining sexual segregation: investigating group memberships through spatially and temporally explicit parameters
by Giovanni Bearzi 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

A new article on bottlenose dolphin social structure, proposing a relatively novel method to define associations, has just been published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. You are welcome to contact the first author <silvia.bonizzoni(a)gmail.com> to request a pdf copy. Bonizzoni S., Genov T., Bearzi G. 2022. Bottlenose dolphins share fish farm areas while maintaining sexual segregation: investigating group memberships through spatially and temporally explicit parameters. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3908 ABSTRACT 1. Group membership is a key attribute of animal societies and central to the study of social structure in several taxa. However, social structure analyses are sensitive to the way data are collected and associations defined. 2. In this study, a time–space method was used to investigate the social structure of common bottlenose dolphins *Tursiops truncatus* observed and photographed across 7 years in the semi-enclosed Gulf of Corinth, Greece. Instead of adopting traditional group definitions, individuals were considered as being members of the same group if photographed within a specific time and space window. This approach can be applied post hoc across studies and can offer advantages under challenging sampling conditions (e.g. when dealing with groups spread over vast areas or when group membership is otherwise hard to assess). 3. Dolphins were mostly found around coastal cage aquaculture facilities farming European sea bass *Dicentrarchus labrax* and gilthead seabream *Sparus aurata*. 4. Dolphins formed clusters largely or entirely composed of individuals of the same sex, suggestive of sex-based homophily. Habitat partitioning was not detected: there was substantial spatial overlap among dolphin clusters, with all individuals using a relatively small area in the northern portion of the Gulf, where most of the productive fish farms were located. Associations between females were stronger than those between males, and daughters tended to stay in the group of their mothers. 5. Sex-based social clustering may allow females and calves to limit interactions with potentially aggressive males, while individuals of both sexes benefit from prey concentrated around fish farms. 6. Adaptation to foraging around farms can result in trade-offs between the costs and benefits of nourishment and social interaction. This may have both positive or negative effects on the animals that should be considered in the context of ensuring their favourable conservation status. - - - - - - - Giovanni Bearzi http://www.dolphinbiology.org/people/giovanni_bearzi.htm

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Stipend supported internships in cetacean ecology
by Julia O'hern 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

The Marine Mammal Center is excited to announce our first annual stipend supported internships in cetacean field ecology! Thanks to a generous donation, two concurrent internships will be offered this March-August. The goal of the program is to provide two early-career opportunities of improved accessibility while enriching our work with new and diverse perspectives. Interns will receive monthly stipends, mentorship, and will participate in regular field surveys as well as other research activities. Fieldwork will be conducted from the Center’s small research vessels in an open ocean environment. Office work and data analysis will primarily take place at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Monthly stipends are aimed at reducing the financial barrier to participation in this early-career opportunity in marine mammal research. Stipends this year will be $1300/month. Housing may not unfortunately be available, however potential candidates can indicate on their applications if this is a requirement for them to participate in the event that housing does become available. Please note, the successful candidates must complete a W-9 with a valid SSN or Tax Identification Number. For more information, requirements, and to apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1417490/Marine-Mam…

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Proposed Rule for the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Farm Project
by Jaclyn Daly - NOAA Federal 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced proposed incidental take regulations, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to govern the incidental harassment of marine mammals related to the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Farm Project offshore Rhode Island. These regulations would govern the “take” of small numbers of marine mammals exposed to elevated underwater noise generated by the project’s activities over a five-year period. Under power purchase agreements, the project would provide 704 megawatts of power to Rhode Island and Connecticut. The public comment period on the proposed regulations will be open from December 23, 2022 through January 23, 2023. Documents associated with this proposed action, including information on how to submit a public comment, are available on our website. NOAA Fisheries has preliminarily determined that the project would have a negligible impact on all marine mammal species and stocks predicted to be in the project area. The proposed incidental take regulations would allow for the authorization of both Level A harassment (i.e., injury) and/or Level B harassment (i.e., behavioral disturbance) of small numbers of marine mammals during the five-year period. However, no Level A harassment (i.e., permanent loss of hearing sensitivity) for North Atlantic right whales is anticipated or proposed to be authorized. No mortality or serious injury is expected or proposed to be authorized. The proposed regulations include mandatory mitigation measures that avoid and minimize the impacts of the project’s activities on marine mammals and their habitat, as well as monitoring and reporting requirements to better understand those impacts. This regulatory action is part of NOAA’s ongoing work to ensure the nation’s robust deployment of offshore wind energy is done in a manner that avoids and minimizes risks to protected resources, habitats, and managed Fisheries.

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New publication: A novel expert-driven methodology to develop thermal response curves and project habitat thermal suitability for cetaceans under a changing climate
by Andreia Gonçalves Sousa 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of our paper: A novel expert-driven methodology to develop thermal response curves and project habitat thermal suitability for cetaceans under a changing climate. Sousa, A., Fernandez, M., Alves, F., Arranz, P., Dinis, A., González García, L., Morales, M., Lettrich, M., Encarnação Coelho, R., Costa, H., Capela Lourenço, T., Azevedo, N.M.J. & Frazão Santos, C. (2022). A novel expert- driven methodology to develop thermal response curves and project habitat thermal suitability for cetaceans under a changing climate. Science of The Total Environment, 160376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160376 Abstract Over the last decades, global warming has contributed to changes in marine species composition, abundance and distribution, in response to changes in oceanographic conditions such as temperature, acidification, and deoxygenation. Experimentally derived thermal limits, which are known to be related to observed latitudinal ranges, have been used to assess variations in species distribution patterns. However, such experiments cannot be undertaken on free-swimming large marine predators with wide-range distribution, like cetaceans. An alternative approach is to elicit expert's knowledge to derive species' thermal suitability and assess their thermal responses, something that has never been tested in these taxa. We developed and applied a methodology based on expert-derived thermal suitability curves and projected future responses for several species under different climate scenarios. We tested this approach with ten cetacean species currently present in the biogeographic area of Macaronesia (North Atlantic) under Representative Concentration Pathways 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5, until 2050. Overall, increases in annual thermal suitability were found for *Balaenoptera edeni*, *Globicephala macrorhynchus*, *Mesoplodon densirostris*, *Physeter macrocephalus*, *Stenella frontalis*, *Tursiops truncatus* and *Ziphius cavirostris*. Conversely, our results indicated a decline in thermal suitability for *B. physalus*, *Delphinus delphis*, and *Grampus griseus*. Our study reveals potential responses in cetaceans' thermal suitability, and potentially in other highly mobile and large predators, and it tests this method's applicability, which is a novel application for this purpose and group of species. It aims to be a cost-efficient tool to support conservation managers and practitioners. Our paper is available for free until January 14th at https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1g8rWB8ccuvQU Best, Andreia Sousa ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Community art and science project for ocean conservation (432Hz <https://project432hz.webnode.pt/>)* *Whale watching and climate change project (WHALES CLIMATE <https://sites.google.com/view/whales-climate/home>)* *Climate Change Impacts Adaptation and Modelling* *(CCIAM <http://ce3c.ciencias.ulisboa.pt/team/CCIAM>)* *Centre for Ecology Evolution and Environmental Changes* *(CE3C <http://ce3c.fc.ul.pt/>)Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências* *(FC.ID <http://www.fciencias-id.pt/>)* Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal Phone: +351 217 500 000, line 21403 Skype ID: andreiagsousa

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Literature review: lipid-loss in blubber biopsies
by Conor Ryan 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Dear Colleagues, Jo Kershaw and I would like to inform you of our forthcoming review paper in Marine Biology, in which we tackle the question: do dead cetaceans really have more blubber lipid than live ones? I would be happy to provide a pdf if you wish to read the full paper. The web link, title and abstract are below. Best wishes Conor Ryan Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-022-04138-4 Title: Lipid-loss in blubber biopsies is universal in cetaceans highlighting a need for new health assessment measures Abstract: For cetaceans to be sentinels of environmental change, reliable methods to assess overall health and physiological state are required. Blubber lipid content of remotely darted biopsies has been used to approximate energy stores and overall health. However, studies on beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and killer whales (Orcinus orca) found a sampling effect (lipid-loss) biasing blubber biopsy lipid content. To determine if this applies to all cetaceans, we conducted a literature review, comparing the lipid content of outer blubber from biopsy (darted) and stranding (excised) samples for 27 species. For 16 species of five taxa (Balaenidae, Balaenopteridae, Delphinidae, Physeteridae and Ziphiidae), independent observations (n = 1346) of both biopsies and strandings were available. With taxon as a factor, a beta regression model (pseudo-R2 = 0.638) determined that the mean lipid content of biopsies is 11.1 ± 1.9% lower than that of strandings. Post hoc Šidák tests confirmed that the difference among sampling methods was statistically significant (α = 0.05) for all taxa (p < 0.001). This is a universal problem, likely due to tissue disruption associated with the force of the biopsy dart resulting in lipid loss and confirms that biopsy lipid content estimates are unreliable indicators of health or body condition. Our results have unexplored implications for the quantification of blubber biopsy lipid fractions for fatty acid or contaminant analyses, for example. There is a welfare and conservation imperative to develop alternative markers of overall health and physiological state from biopsies. In this regard, emerging technologies such as ‘omics analyses look particularly promising. website: conorryan.photography twitter: @whale_nerd <https://twitter.com/whale_nerd> instagram: @whale_nerd <https://www.instagram.com/whale_nerd/>

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Dedicated app for the study of cetacean behaviour: PADOC now also available in Italian and with a survey logbook!
by Adrien Gannier 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Dear MARMAMers, We are happy to share that /PADOC/, an Android mobile application dedicated to the real-time study of wild cetaceans behaviour, is now also entirely available in *Italian*. The app, as some of you already know, is designed to enable cetacean researchers to *study and record behaviours* by logging various observations such as group structure, cetacean positions and movements (speed, heading), or surface events (breaches, blows, boat avoidance, social behaviours, etc). Time and position are automatically recorded with any logged input. Of course, you can also log human actions and movements in order to be able to detect and qualify potential *anthropogenic disturbances*. An *On-effort Survey logbook* has also been recently added to the app, in which you can regularly indicate weather conditions and environmental data, such as wind speed, cetacean detectability or other parameters, so that you can save useful data even when no cetaceans are in sight. Your research data remains yours and is only stored on your mobile device. The app is available for free in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese on the *Play Store*: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.cetaces.padoc . Please don’t hesitate to send us any suggestion or feedback, new features are regularly added to /PADOC/, so every comment you provide could be useful! You can read more about /PADOC/ on the dedicated page (https://www.cetaces.org/padoc/padoc-application-en/ ); we hope that the app will fulfil your needs during your cetologic fieldworks, and we wish you some merry holidays to end 2022. Laurent, Adrien and /PADOC/ development team __________ /Adrien Gannier/ /Dr Vét. / Groupe de Recherche sur les Cétacés - France/ /+33.6.84.39.47.35/ /www.cetaces.org <http://www.cetaces.org>/

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New publication on Distribution of Southern Hemisphere fin whales in the Southern Ocean
by Sacha Viquerat 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Dear MARMAM community! We are very happy to announce our latest publication in Frontiers in Marine Science: Viquerat, S., et al. (2022). "Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods." Frontiers in Marine Science 9. Abstract: Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data. The Article is open access and can be downloaded via: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.1040512/full Cheers, Sacha

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new paper on the role of whales in the carbon cycle
by Heidi Pearson 15 Dec '22

15 Dec '22

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our new article with you, "Whales in the carbon cycle: can recovery remove carbon dioxide?", published in *Trends in Ecology and Evolution.* It is open-access <https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(22)00279-8> and freely available to all. Heidi C. Pearson, Matthew S. Savoca, Daniel P. Costa, Michael W. Lomas, Renato Molina, Andrew J. Pershing, Craig R. Smith, Juan Carlos Villaseñor-Derbez, Stephen R. Wing, Joe Roman *Abstract* The great whales (baleen and sperm whales), through their massive size and wide distribution, influence ecosystem and carbon dynamics. Whales directly store carbon in their biomass and contribute to carbon export through sinking carcasses. Whale excreta may stimulate phytoplankton growth and capture atmospheric CO2; such indirect pathways represent the greatest potential for whale-carbon sequestration but are poorly understood. We quantify the carbon values of whales while recognizing the numerous ecosystem, cultural, and moral motivations to protect them. We also propose a framework to quantify the economic value of whale carbon as populations change over time. Finally, we suggest research to address key unknowns (e.g., bioavailability of whale-derived nutrients to phytoplankton, species- and region-specific variability in whale carbon contributions). best regards, Heidi Heidi Pearson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Marine Biology University of Alaska Southeast 11066 Auke Lake Way, AND 1 Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 907.796.6271 *Our campus resides on the unceded territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan on Lingít Aaní, also known as Juneau and Douglas, Alaska, which also houses neighboring X̱aadas and Ts’msyen peoples.*

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Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research has died
by Lisa Moorby 15 Dec '22

15 Dec '22

Good morning, I am writing to you today to let you know that Center for Whale Research’s Kenneth C Balcomb, Founder and Senior Science, passed away today. During his long career, Ken touched many people worldwide, both scientists and those who aspired to be in his chosen field. Here is the message on our website: Kenneth C. Balcomb 1940-2022 With profound sadness, the Center for Whale Research announces the passing of our beloved founder and longtime leader Kenneth C. Balcomb. Ken’s family and loved ones surrounded him in his final hours on December 15, 2022. He was 82 years old. Ken was a pioneer and legend in the whale world. But more importantly, he was the North Star, a guiding light. Over half a century of whale research and advocacy, he lit a path for tens of thousands to follow. He was a scientist with a deep-rooted love and connection to the whales and their ocean habitat. He inspired others to appreciate both as much as he did. Ken spent much of his career detailing and documenting the lives of the Southern Resident Orca population in the Pacific Northwest’s Salish Sea. His groundbreaking Orca Survey study determined that the Resident orcas needed more food abundance in a healthy habitat to survive. He continually heralded his message to the world: “No fish, No Blackfish.” [No Chinook salmon, No Southern Resident orcas]. The Center for Whale Research’s Southern Residents orca research began in 1976; it is the longest study of this population. Ken’s goal was always for CWR’s research to continue for 150 years, provided there were whales to study. All of us at CWR share Ken’s vision and mission to preserve and protect the magnificent Southern Resident killer whales. He often said about the critically endangered Southern Residents: “I’m not going to count them to zero, at least not quietly.” The CWR board of directors and staff are dedicated to continuing Ken Balcomb’s life’s work. Thank you, Ken. We will carry you in our hearts forever. https://www.whaleresearch.com/kcb Many thanks, Lisa Moorby Communications/Web Manager WhaleResearch.com

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summer 2023 jobs in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
by Neilson, Janet L 14 Dec '22

14 Dec '22

Heads up! The National Park Service may be seeking to fill two full-time seasonal biological technician positions for next summer (approximately April/May - September/October 2023) in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, if funding allows. Details and the opportunity to apply will become available on USAJobs (https://www.usajobs.gov/) beginning Friday, December 16, 2022. To apply, wait until December 16 and then search the USAJobs site for: Keywords: "Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)" Location: "Bartlett Cove, Alaska" Note that these same job announcements may include additional Biological Science Technician positions at other duty stations in Alaska besides Bartlett Cove; these other duty stations may be listed in the same announcements. Applications will be accepted December 16, 2022 - December 22, 2022. Follow the instructions carefully and include a cover letter if at all possible. To receive consideration, your complete application package must be submitted through USAJobs by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, December 22, 2022. ***IMPORTANT: You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for these positions and the application deadline is firm. There are no exceptions. Late applications will not be accepted and we do not accept hardcopy or email application packages. Humpback Whale Population Monitoring (1 position): Seeking applicants with photo-ID and/or data management experience for a summer seasonal position in Glacier Bay National Park. This GS-6 or GS-7 position is primarily responsible for data entry and analysis, (e.g., fluke matching, MS Access databases, labeling digital images), but will also assist Park whale biologists in conducting boat-based surveys of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait once per week, to document the distribution, behavior, feeding ecology, and life histories of individually-identified humpback whales. This person also assists with marine mammal stranding response and helps maintain a 45-foot humpback whale skeleton exhibit. This seasonal position will be hired at the GS-06 or GS-07 level depending on the applicant's education and work experience. If interested in being considered for both the GS-06 and the GS-07 positions, you must submit a separate application for each. For more information, please contact Chris_Gabriele(a)nps.gov Marine Mammal Shipboard Observer (1 position): This GS-7 position is based out of Bartlett Cove, Alaska (Glacier Bay National Park) focused on marine mammal surveys. The position is part of an effort that, since 2006, has recorded the frequency of surfacing events of humpback whales in proximity of large cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park. Selectee will conduct ship-based surveys up to 4 times per week, by standing at the bow for long periods in all weather conditions using rangefinder binoculars and GPS units. Familiarity with GPS and database software is encouraged. For more information, please contact Scott_Gende(a)nps.gov Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) GS-0404-06 Applying for this GS-6 position will allow you to be considered for the Humpback Whale Monitoring position only. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) GS-0404-07 Applying for this GS-7 position will allow you to be considered for both the Humpback Whale Monitoring position *and* the Shipboard Observer position.

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