April 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: parameterizing behaviour with tags to study acoustic communication
by Marco Casoli 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Dear all, my co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology: Casoli M, Johnson M, McHugh KA, Wells RS, Tyack PL (2022) Parameterizing animal sounds and motion with animal-attached tags to study acoustic communication. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 76: 59 Abstract: Stemming from the traditional use of field observers to score states and events, the study of animal behaviour often relies on analyses of discrete behavioural categories. Many studies of acoustic communication record sequences of animal sounds, classify vocalizations, and then examine how call categories are used relative to behavioural states and events. However, acoustic parameters can also convey information independent of call type, offering complementary study approaches to call classifications. Animal-attached tags can continuously sample high-resolution behavioural data on sounds and movements, which enables testing how acoustic parameters of signals relate to parameters of animal motion. Here, we present this approach through case studies on wild common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Using data from sound-and-movement recording tags deployed in Sarasota (FL), we parameterized dolphin vocalizations and motion to investigate how senders and receivers modified movement parameters (including vectorial dynamic body acceleration, “VeDBA”, a proxy for activity intensity) as a function of signal parameters. We show that (1) VeDBA of one female during consortships had a negative relationship with centroid frequency of male calls, matching predictions about agonistic interactions based on motivation-structural rules; (2) VeDBA of four males had a positive relationship with modulation rate of their pulsed vocalizations, confirming predictions that click-repetition rate of these calls increases with agonism intensity. Tags offer opportunities to study animal behaviour through analyses of continuously sampled quantitative parameters, which can complement traditional methods and facilitate research replication. Our case studies illustrate the value of this approach to investigate communicative roles of acoustic parameter changes. The paper is Open Access and can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-022-03154-0 For any further information, please get in touch with me at mc286(a)st-andrews.ac.uk Kind regards, Marco Casoli ----------------------- Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews KY16 8LB, Fife, UK

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Florida Manatee and Marine Turtle Management Job Opportunity
by Pasawicz, Michelle 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Greetings everyone, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking a fish and wildlife professional with strong leadership ability, supervisory experience, and editorial skills for oversight of the Environmental Commenting Program under the purview of the FWC Imperiled Species Management Section. This position is responsible for the supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of Program staff, developing and reviewing proposed conservation measures to reduce potential adverse impacts to species under the responsibility of the Section, with a focus on Florida manatee and marine turtle conservation. Please follow this link to the job posting to learn more about this opportunity: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-ADMINISTRATIVE-SECRETARY-Pending… Sincerely, Michelle R. Pasawicz Biological Administrator Imperiled Species Management Section Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission<https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/manatee/> Michelle.Pasawicz(a)MyFWC.com<mailto:Michelle.Pasawicz@MyFWC.com>

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New Publication: Rise of the Machines: Best Practices and Experimental Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Dorsal Fin Image Matching Systems for Bottlenose Dolphins
by Reny Tyson Moore 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of myself and my co-authors, we would like to alert you to our new publication examining computer-assisted dorsal fin image matching systems that has recently been published in Frontiers in Marine Science as part of The Dolphins of Sarasota Bay: Lessons from 50 years of Research and Conservation Research Topic. *Citation:* Tyson Moore, R.B., Urian, K., Allen, J.B., Cush, C., Parham, J., Blount, D., Holmberg, J., Thompson, J. and Wells, R. 2022. Rise of the Machines: Best Practices and Experimental Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Dorsal Fin Image Matching Systems for Bottlenose Dolphins. *Frontiers in Marine Science*, p.445. *Abstract:* Photographic-identification (photo-ID) of bottlenose dolphins using individually distinctive features on the dorsal fin is a well-established and useful tool for tracking individuals; however, this method can be labor-intensive, especially when dealing with large catalogs and/or infrequently surveyed populations. Computer vision algorithms have been developed that can find a fin in an image, characterize the features of the fin, and compare the fin to a catalog of known individuals to generate a ranking of potential matches based on dorsal fin similarity. We examined if and how researchers use computer vision systems in their photo-ID process and developed an experiment to evaluate the performance of the most commonly used, recently developed, systems to date using a long-term photo-ID database of known individuals curated by the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. Survey results obtained for the “Rise of the machines – Application of automated systems for matching dolphin dorsal fins: current status and future directions” workshop held at the 2019 World Marine Mammal Conference indicated that most researchers still rely on manual methods for comparing unknown dorsal fin images to reference catalogs of known individuals. Experimental evaluation of the finFindR R application, as well as the CurvRank, CurvRank v2, and finFindR implementations in Flukebook suggest that high match rates can be achieved with these systems, with the highest match rates found when only good to excellent quality images of fins with average to high distinctiveness are included in the matching process: for the finFindR R application and the CurvRank and CurvRank v2 algorithms within Flukebook more than 98.92% of correct matches were in the top 50-ranked positions, and more than 91.94% of correct matches were returned in the first ranked position. Our results offer the first comprehensive examination into the performance and accuracy of computer vision algorithms designed to assist with the photo-ID process of bottlenose dolphins and can be used to build trust by researchers hesitant to use these systems. Based on our findings and discussions from the “Rise of the Machines” workshop we provide recommendations for best practices for using computer vision systems for dorsal fin photo-ID. The article and supplementary materials can be accessed via https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.849813, or you can email me at renytyson(a)gmail.com <renytyson(a)gmai.com> for copies. Best, Reny Tyson Moore -- Reny Tyson Moore, PhD Staff Scientist Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (352) 408-6018 cell rtysonmoore(a)mote.org <rtyson(a)mote.org>

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New paper on integrating multidisciplinary research on blue whales and sonar
by Enrico Pirotta 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper is now available online: Enrico Pirotta, Cormac G. Booth, John Calambokidis, Daniel P. Costa, James A. Fahlbusch, Ari S. Friedlaender, Jeremy A. Goldbogen, John Harwood, Elliott L. Hazen, Leslie New, Jarrod A. Santora, Stephanie Watwood, Christina Wertman, Brandon L. Southall. From individual responses to population effects: Integrating a decade of multidisciplinary research on blue whales and sonar. Animal Conservation. Abstract: As ecosystems transform under climate changes and expanding human activities, multidisciplinary integration of empirical research, conceptual frameworks, and modelling methods is required to predict, monitor and manage the cascading effects on wildlife populations. For example, exposure to anthropogenic noise can lead to changes in the behaviour and physiology of individual marine mammals, but management is complicated by uncertainties on the long-term effects at a population level. We build on a decade of diverse efforts to demonstrate the strengths of integrating research on multiple stressors for assessing population-level effects. Using the case study of blue whales exposed to military sonar in the eastern north Pacific, we model how behavioural responses and environmental effects induced by climate change affect female survival and reproductive success. Environmental changes were predicted to severely affect vital rates, while the current regime of sonar activities was ! not. Simulated disturbance had a stronger effect on reproductive success than adult survival, as predicted by life-history theory. We show that information on prey resources is critical for robust predictions, as are data on baseline behavioural patterns, energy budgets, body condition, and contextual responses to noise. These results will support effective management of the interactions between sonar operations and blue whales in the study area, while providing pragmatic guidance for future data collection to reduce key uncertainties. Our study provides important lessons for the successful integration of multidisciplinary research to inform the assessment of the effects of noise and other anthropogenic stressors on marine predator populations in the context of a changing environment. Keywords: anthropogenic disturbance, climate change, data integration, marine mammals, mechanistic modelling, military sonar, population consequences of disturbance, spatial planning. A PDF copy of the paper can be downloaded for free from: https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acv.12785 Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work. Best Regards, Enrico Pirotta

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New publication regarding marine mammal strandings in India
by sohini dudhat 17 Apr '22

17 Apr '22

Dear MARMAM team, We are happy to share our recent publication 'Spatio‑temporal analysis identifies marine mammal stranding hotspots along the Indian coastline'. The publication is open access, and can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06156-0 Abstract: Marine mammal strandings provide vital information on species’ life histories, population health and status of marine ecosystems. Opportunistic reporting of strandings also serve as a powerful low cost tool for monitoring these elusive mammals. We collated data over ~ 270 years available through various open access databases, reports and publications. Annual strandings along the Indian coast (mean = 11.25 ± SE 9.1) increased in the last two years of the study (2015–2017, mean = 27.66 ± SE 8.5 strandings /year). We found that stranding events spike during June—September along the west coast and during December–January along the east coast. We identified several sections of the coastline, such as Mumbai (0.38 strandings/km), Kozhikode (0.28 strandings/km), Tuticorin (0.4 strandings/ km), Rameswaram (1.82 strandings/km), Chennai (0.32 strandings/km) and Bhubaneshwar (0.26 strandings/km) with a higher number of stranded animals reported. Emerging Hotspot Analysis located new and consecutive hotspots along the north-west coast, and sporadic hotspots along the south-east coast. We recommend establishing regional stranding response centres at the identified hotspots coordinated by a National Stranding Centre with adequately trained personnel and central funding support. Regular stranding response training programs for field veterinarians, and frontline personnel of State Forest Departments near stranding hotspots would provide an improved understanding of marine mammal health and threats in Indian waters. Further, the suggested National Stranding Centre needs to maintain a ‘National Stranding Database’ for long-term marine mammal conservation planning in India. Please feel free to contact us regarding any questions. Kind regards, Sohini Dudhat

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Job Posting: Elakha Alliance Executive Director
by Katie Russell 15 Apr '22

15 Apr '22

The Elakha Alliance is hiring an Executive Director. Here is a the link to the full position description<https://www.elakhaalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Elakha-Executive-…> and a quick summary: The Elakha Alliance (www.elakhaalliance.org<http://www.elakhaalliance.org>) is an Oregon-based nonprofit that includes conservationists, academics, lawyers, tribal members, and scientists. The Elakha Alliance’s mission is to restore a healthy population of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) to the Oregon coast, and to thereby make Oregon's marine and coastal ecosystem more robust and resilient. To help the Elakha Alliance achieve this goal, we seek an entrepreneurial, strategic thinking individual with excellent communication skills. The individual must be adaptable, and able to respond positively to opportunities and changing circumstances. The individual also must be an affable and outgoing “team player” who will reinforce Elakha’s collaborative leadership style and motivate others within and outside the organization to embrace our shared vision. The E.D. will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with the Board President as duties transition, while also working with the Board of Directors as a whole, Elakha scientific advisors, the Elakha External Advisory Council, interested Tribes, and Elakha employees and contractors. Compensation and Benefits: Starting salary range is $90-$110K, negotiable based on qualifications and experience. Starting Health Care stipend of $400 per month. Generous vacation and wellness benefits. How to Apply and the Selection Process: Please submit a resume and a cover letter. The cover letter should address: ● What motivated you to apply for Elakha’s E.D. position ● How your skills and experience match up with Elakha’s needs ● How your skills and experience match up with specific responsibilities of the position ● The date you could commence working Submit your materials to Elakha’s strategic advisor, Jonathan Poisner (jonathan(a)elakhaalliance.org<mailto:jonathan@elakhaalliance.org>). Review of applications will begin on May 15, 2022. Finalists will be interviewed by the Search Committee. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Katie Russell (she/her/hers) Master of Environmental Studies Student | University of Oregon Board Member | The Elakha Alliance Board Secretary | National Network of Ocean and Climate Interpretation krussel3(a)uoregon.edu<mailto:krussel3@uoregon.edu> | (650) 465-1796 “Being the people of this blue planet is our most Profound privilege and power, For if we be the ocean’s saviors, Then it is surely ours.” * Amanda Gorman, Ode To Our Ocean

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Call for Submissions: Areas of Interest to inform the regional identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in the “South East Tropical and Temperate Pacific Ocean” Region
by simo.pani＠inwind.it 15 Apr '22

15 Apr '22

**Deadline for Proposals – April 30th 2022** The IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (MMPATF) would like to remind those interested of the final opportunity to submit preliminary Areas of Interest to inform the future identification of IMMAs in the “South East Tropical and Temperate Pacific Ocean” Region. The aim of the IMMA classification is to identify discrete habitat areas that are judged to be important for one or more marine mammal species and that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. This will be achieved by the use of the IMMA selection criteria, which have been developed in partnership with the marine mammal science and conservation community. These criteria will be used as part of a process of regionally convened expert workshops, where information on marine mammals and potential Areas of Interest for IMMAs will be critically assessed. The MMPATF would now like to remind those interested to submit their Areas of Interest, and other relevant information on marine mammals, which could be of assistance to identify IMMAs in the “South East Tropical and Temperate Pacific Ocean” Region at the next IMMA Regional Workshop of experts, 06-10 June 2022. Please follow the link below to submit your IMMA Area of Interest for consideration by the MMPATF (information and additional instructions are provided on each page of the standard submission form). https://forms.gle/8b6CusWtEWuG7pw39 For further information about the IMMA initiative, the IMMA selection criteria, or the other activities of the MMPATF, please visit the Task Force website. http://www.marinemammalhabitat.org If you require any further assistance or information about the use of the submission form, or would prefer an alternative means of submitting your IMMA areas of interest, please contact me AND Caterina Lanfredi (simone.panigada(a)imma-network.org, caterina.lanfredi(a)imma-network.org) Looking forward to hearing from you, best regards and thanks you for your support and cooperation, Simone Panigada IUCN Joint SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (MMPATF)

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Job announcement: Term position to assist with SARs
by Nancy Friday - NOAA Federal 13 Apr '22

13 Apr '22

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, Seattle, WA) is advertising a term position to assist with managing and editing the Alaska marine mammal stock assessment reports, organizing the Stock Assessment Review Group meetings, reviewing human caused mortality and injury information, and assisting with changes and transitions we would like to implement to streamline the MML SARs process, including exploring Openscapes. The (DHA) announcement for the Biologist (Term), ZP-0401-03 position has been posted and is currently set to close on Friday, 4/15/22. NMFS-AKC-2022-0031: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/646464500 Thanks, Nancy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Nancy Friday, Ph.D. (she/her/hers, why this is important <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>) * *Deputy Director*, Marine Mammal Laboratory, AFSC * NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce * 001 206-526-6266 (office), Nancy.Friday(a)noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/marine-mammal-laboratory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “... speak your mind – even if your voice shakes.” - Maggie Kuhn

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New Publication: Changes in Sea Ice and Range Expansion of Sperm Whales in the Eclipse Sound Region of Baffin Bay, Canada
by Natalie Posdaljian 13 Apr '22

13 Apr '22

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors and myself, we are excited to share our new publication in Global Change Biology titled "Changes in sea ice and range expansion of sperm whales in the eclipse sound region of Baffin Bay, Canada" Natalie Posdaljian, Caroline Soderstjerna, Josuah M. Jones, Alba Solsona-Berga, John A. Hildebrand, Kristin Westdal, Alex Ootoowak, Simone Baumann-Pickering Abstract: Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are a cosmopolitan species but are only found in ice-free regions of the ocean. It is unknown how their distribution might change in regions undergoing rapid loss of sea ice and ocean warming like Baffin Bay in the eastern Canadian Arctic. In 2014 and 2018, sperm whales were sighted near Eclipse Sound, Baffin Bay: the first recorded uses of this region by sperm whales. In this study, we investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of sperm whales near Eclipse Sound using visual and acoustic data. We combine several published open-source, data sets to create a map of historical sperm whale presence in the region. We use passive acoustic data from two recording sites between 2015 and 2019 to investigate more recent presence in the region. We also analyze regional trends in sea ice concentration (SIC) dating back to 1901 and relate acoustic presence of sperm whales to the mean SIC near the recording sites. We found no records of sperm whale sightings near Eclipse Sound outside of the 2014/2018 observations. Our acoustic data told a different story, with sperm whales recorded yearly from 2015 to 2019 with presence in the late summer and fall months. Sperm whale acoustic presence increased over the 5-year study duration and was closely related to the minimum SIC each year. Sperm whales, like other cetaceans, are ecosystem sentinels, or indicators of ecosystem change. Increasing number of days with sperm whale presence in the Eclipse Sound region could indicate range expansion of sperm whales as a result of changes in sea ice. Monitoring climate change-induced range expansion in this region is important to understand how increasing presence of a top-predator might impact the Arctic food web. The full article is available here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.16166 Cheers, Natalie Posdaljian Ph.D. Candidate Scripps Acoustic Ecology Lab Scripps Institution of Oceanography

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Australia/New Zealand student chapter connect group
by Rebecca Boys 13 Apr '22

13 Apr '22

Dear MARMAMers, The Australia New Zealand Student Chapter of the Society of Marine Mammalogy is setting up a monthly online connect group aimed at students and early career researchers in the marine mammal field. The group will be an informal meeting to help students build better connections and stay informed. These groups will happen on the last Wednesday of each month at 12pm WA (GMT+8) on this zoom link: https://massey.zoom.us/j/87494746736?pwd=YnU1L1NiR3o4cEpNdU5xQ0hmT2RCUT09 (Password: 671798) The first group meeting is Wednesday 27th April! We hope to see many of you there! Please get in touch if you have any questions: anzscsmm(a)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) and Ciara Browne (Curtin University), Courtney Ogilvy (University of Auckland) and Rebecca Boys (Massey University) ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys Marine Biologist PhD Student Cetacean Ecology Research Group School of Natural and Computational Sciences Massey University Auckland New Zealand [cid:c74b344b-ec3d-45d3-b55b-2bd7a6a499e6]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:ab5515ce-ec77-4711-9873-101154df2dd8] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:2ac23106-33a3-4f12-99a2-f47d5933671d] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:9fcd576f-4053-4240-a33d-933eb30d8876] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHN…> [cid:70a5b078-109a-4c1e-a41c-a6e87755875d] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:91faf494-7c06-404e-b7c2-268ac5df080b] www.cetaceanecology.org/<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/> Australia and New Zealand Student Chapter SMM Committee member European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand

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