April 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Odontocete cetaceans foraging behind trawlers, worldwide
by Giovanni Bearzi 10 Apr '22

10 Apr '22

Dear colleagues, we just published a comprehensive 51-pp review on cetaceans foraging behind trawlers, worldwide. For a pdf please contact the first author, Silvia Bonizzoni <silvia.bonizzoni(a)gmail.com>. Bonizzoni S., Hamilton S., Reeves R.R., Genov T., Bearzi G. 2022. Odontocete cetaceans foraging behind trawlers, worldwide. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-022-09712-z ABSTRACT Several populations of odontocete cetaceans, including at least 19 species, have modified their behavior and adapted to foraging in association with trawlers. We review information on odontocete interactions with different types of trawlers across 13 Food and Agriculture Organization fishing areas around the world. We also review knowledge gaps, the effects on odontocete ecology, distribution, behavior and social organization, the main mitigation options, and some management avenues that could help reduce incidental mortality. Trawlers involved in the interactions varied greatly in gear and target species, implying odontocetes have developed behavioral specializations to forage under a variety of conditions. Specialized behavior included venturing into a moving trawl net to feed on the organisms trapped in the net, feeding on fish stirred up by the net, extracting fish from the outer mesh, feeding on catch lost during hauling, and scavenging on discarded catch. Foraging behi! nd trawlers facilitates access to prey, and in some instances may compensate for scarcity of natural prey within areas exposed to intensive fishing or environmental degradation. This opportunistic foraging strategy, however, exposes the animals to potential harm and mortality in trawl gear. The combined effect of facilitated foraging and bycatch on the status and trends of odontocete populations is unknown. The economic damage caused by odontocetes, e.g. in terms of loss of marketable catch and gear damage, remains largely conjectural. Attempts to reduce depredation and/or bycatch in trawl gear have included acoustic deterrents and exclusion devices installed in nets, although neither technique has proven to be consistently effective. - A one-page synthesis can be found in the European Cetacean Society (2022) poster that can be downloaded from the link below: https://www.dolphinbiology.org/_download/literature/Bearzi_etal_ECS_2022.pdf Sincerely, Giovanni Bearzi https://www.dolphinbiology.org/people/giovanni_bearzi.htm

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New paper on dolphins communication and social behaviour
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 09 Apr '22

09 Apr '22

Dear colleagues, I am delighted to share with you my latest study for a better understanding of dolphin vocal communication and social behaviour: Diaz Lopez, B. Context-dependent and seasonal fluctuation in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) vocalizations. Animal Cognition (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-022-01620-w AbstractA fundamental question in animal behaviour is the role of vocal communication in the regulation of social interactions in species that organise themselves into social groups. Context dependence and seasonality in vocalizations are present in the communication of many species, although very little research has addressed this dependence in marine mammals. Thestudy presented here examined variations in the rate at which free-ranging dyads of bottlenose dolphins emit social-signals in an effort to better understand the relationship between vocal communication and social context. The results demonstrate that changes in the social-signal production in bottlenose dolphins are related to the sex of the partner, mating season and social affiliation between the components of the dyad. In a context of foraging behaviour on the same feeding ground, mixed (male–female) dyads were found to emit more pulsed burst sounds during the mating season. Another relevant aspect of the study seems to be the greater production of agonistic social-signals in the dyads formed by individuals with a lower degreeof social affiliation. Overall, this study confirms a clear relationship between dyad composition and context-specific social-signals that could reflect the motivational state of individuals linked to seasonal changes in vocal behaviour. Please find a free full-text access to read the paper by using the following link: https://rdcu.be/cKYHn I hope you enjoy reading, and please do not hesitate to contact me (bruno(a)thebdri.com) if you have any question regarding to this article or to request a PDF copy. Best regards, Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.DChief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI - www.thebdri.comAvenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, SpainTel. 0034 684248552 he/him/his ResearchGate - GoogleScholar -https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0388-3289 Follow BDRI on Facebook , Instagram or mention us on Twitter. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.

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IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue & Research Stranding Internships - Fall 2022
by Kasper, Kira 09 Apr '22

09 Apr '22

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is currently accepting applications for fall 2022 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships. IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship Fall (First Week of September, 2022 - Middle of January, 2023) Complete Applications due: May 1st, 2022 Program Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our program strives to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding "hot spot," with an average of over 261 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Stranding Intern Duties * Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Marine mammal stranding response and necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events. Please see the following link for the full posting and to apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8… Kira Kasper Stranding Biologist Marine Mammal Rescue and Research 290 Summer Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 United States Please note: my schedule varies regularly and I often work outside of the M-F 9-5 timeframe. +1 774 721 1080 (work cell) +1 508 743 9548 (stranding hotline) www.ifaw.org<https://www.ifaw.org/> [ifaw]<https://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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SMM Editors' Select Series for April 21st: Tagging, Ranging Patterns, and Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins off Argentina and Brazil with Dr. Randall Wells
by Student Members-at-Large Society for Marine Mammalogy 08 Apr '22

08 Apr '22

Greetings MARMAM! Join us on *Thursday, 21 April 2022 at 3 PM EDT (12 PM PDT / 7 PM GMT)* for the next SMM Seminar Editors' Select Series: Tagging, Ranging Patterns, and Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins off Argentina and Brazil with Dr. Randall Wells of the Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. Dr. Wells will be joined by his co-authors, Prof. Marta Cremer, Leonardo Berninsone and Dr. Krystan Wilkinson, for a Q&A session following his presentation Free to attend. Registration required. Presented online on Zoom. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dTGrhyElS5iYsRTejxMSVQ Space on Zoom is limited to the first 500 attendees. The talk will also be streamed live on the SMM Facebook page. *The SMM Seminar Editors' Select Series highlights the latest and most exciting marine mammal science published in the Marine Mammal Science Journal. This is your chance to engage with marine mammal scientists, learn and ask questions from anywhere in the world. All are welcome. * *About this talk:* Franciscanas are the most endangered cetaceans in the Southwestern Atlantic, where they are exposed to human activities such as artisanal gillnet fishing and coastal development. A need for information on ranging patterns and behavior led to efforts to attach satellite-linked tags to franciscanas in three bays in Argentina and Brazil during 2005-2013. Residency, with small home ranges, occurred at each site. Movements were influenced by tides. The dolphins used the entire water column, exposing them to gillnets regardless of net depth. Definable ranges facilitate relating specific geographically based threats to appropriate population units, increasing the potential for effective conservation. *About the presenter:* Randall Wells is a co-founder and directs the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, which conducts the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population. He began studying bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, as a high school volunteer at Mote Marine Laboratory in 1970. Wells received his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of South Florida in 1975, his Masters in Zoology from the University of Florida in 1978, his PhD in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1986, and he was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1987. Wells joined the Chicago Zoological Society staff in 1989. Wells’ current research program uses a collaborative approach to examine the behavior, social structure, life history, ecology, health, and population biology of bottlenose dolphins along the central west coast of Florida, with studies focusing on up to five concurrent generations of a locally resident ~170-member dolphin community. Recent research topics include the effects of human activities on coastal dolphins, such as boat traffic, fishing activities, human feeding of wild dolphins, and environmental contaminants, and the impacts of other environmental disturbances such as red tides. He has conducted research on a variety of marine mammals including Hawaiian spinner, Atlantic spotted, franciscana and other dolphin species, vaquita porpoises, bowhead, humpback, blue, and gray whales, and manatees. Wells has authored or co-authored 4 books and more than 285 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He has been presenter or co-author of more than 700 presentations at professional meetings or invited public or university lectures. Wells is past-President of the international Society for Marine Mammalogy, and received the society’s Kenneth S. Norris Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Wells also serves on the Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals for the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, on the NOAA/USFWS Atlantic Scientific Review Group, and he is past-chair of the NOAA/USFWS Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events. Wells serves on IUCN’s Cetacean Specialist Group, and on the Steering Group for the national Animal Telemetry Network. Best regards, *Ayça Eleman, Ph.D. Candidate* *Theresa-Anne Tatom-Naecker, Ph.D. Student* *Eric Angel Ramos, Ph.D.* *Student Members-at-Large* Society for Marine Mammalogy

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New publication: Adapting photo-ID methods for difficult to ID species
by Cindy Elliser 08 Apr '22

08 Apr '22

Dear Marmam community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to announce the publication of our recent paper in Mammalian Biology: "Adapting photo‑identification methods to study poorly marked cetaceans: a case study for common dolphins and harbor porpoises" Full view-only access to the article can be found here: https://rdcu.be/cKKEK This article is a contribution to the special issue on “Individual Identification and Photographic Techniques in Mammalian Ecological and Behavioural Research – Part 1: Methods and Concepts” — Editors: Leszek Karczmarski, Stephen C.Y. Chan, Daniel I. Rubenstein, Scott Y.S. Chui and Elissa Z. Cameron. Abstract: Historically, traditional photo-identification (photo-ID) methods have been applied to cetaceans with relatively small group sizes, closed and/or small populations, distinctive dorsal fin nicks and/or notches and behavior allowing for photographic capture. Conversely, species with larger group and/or population sizes that often occur in open populations, which have less distinctive natural markings and/or whose behavior is prohibitive for photographic capture, have not been the focus of many photo-ID studies. We review two successful photo-ID studies on species that have less distinctive markings, but differ in habitats and behavior: (1) common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that live in oceanic environments, have large group sizes, occur in open populations and are easily observed and (2) harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) that live in coastal environments, have small group sizes, but are behaviorally cryptic and elusive. We discuss how traditional photo-ID methods were adapted by incorporating different: (1) identification sides; (2) identification features; (3) levels of photo quality (PQ); (4) distinctiveness and; (5) methods for error checking. Adaptations include: using symmetry of the identification features to determine if both sides of the animal are used, using more than one identification feature, developing a matrix for describing/ sorting by the identification features, using three levels of distinctiveness, incorporating PQ and distinctiveness into a flowchart to identify distinctively marked individuals (DMIs) and applying a more rigorous review process to identify possible errors in cataloguing. We discuss how adapting traditional photo-ID methods will improve our ability to use photo-ID for species not traditionally studied using this method. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Best, Cindy Cindy Elliser, PhD Research Director Pacific Mammal Research www.pacmam.org 360-202-2860

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Volunteer / Drone pilot / student project opportunity: Drone project at Aarhus University, Denmark, investigating seal tourism in the Danish Wadden Sea during May-August 2022 and/or 2023.
by Emilie Nicoline Stepien 08 Apr '22

08 Apr '22

The department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University is currently looking for a volunteer / student interested in investigating the effects of tourism on harbour and grey seals in the Danish Wadden Sea using drones. You will be functioning as a visual observer, as well as a drone pilot for a small commercial drone, looking into human behaviour around the seals. It is possible to do the fieldwork as part of a student project and/or thesis for bachelor or master students. No drone experience is needed (although preferable) but you should be willing to occasionally work during weekends since the data collection is highly weather dependant. Period: 1st May – 31st August 2022 Location: Fieldwork will be done from Fanø and Mandø, Denmark. Accommodation will be on Fanø and/or Esbjerg. Candidates that are available for most of the period will be prioritised. The fieldwork will be repeated in 2023 (if you are not available in 2022). Accommodation and food are covered during the field work. Please submit current resume to stepien(a)ecos.au.dk<mailto:stepien@ecos.au.dk> Kind regards Emilie Nicoline Stepien Ph.d. Student, Biology Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University Section for Marine Mammal Research Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark Phone: +45 25 70 97 91 e-mail: stepien(a)ecos.au.dk<mailto:stepien@ecos.au.dk>

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Request for Proposals
by Gumbleton, Sarah 07 Apr '22

07 Apr '22

Hello MARMAM community, Alabama Marine Resources Division is seeking proposals for a social science study on public perceptions of Alabama’s sea turtle and estuarine bottlenose dolphin populations; and a fishery science study to characterize the extent of sea turtle and bottlenose dolphin interactions with Alabama’s commercial and recreational hook-and-line fishing vessels. More information on this project can be found here: https://www.outdooralabama.com/request-proposals. The submission deadline is May 13th at 12 PM CST. Any questions can be emailed to me (Sarah.Gumbleton(a)dcnr.alabama.gov<mailto:Sarah.Gumbleton@dcnr.alabama.gov>) with a carbon copy to Nicole.Shaffer(a)dcnr.alabama.gov<mailto:Nicole.Shaffer@dcnr.alabama.gov>. Thank you. Best, Sarah Gumbleton Biologist Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources P.O. Drawer 458 Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 968-9715 (Office) (251) 257-9981 (Cell)

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New paper on seasonal and diel trends of D and SEP calls of Chilean blue whales
by Laura Redaelli 07 Apr '22

07 Apr '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our study entitled "Seasonal trends and diel patterns of downsweep and SEP calls in Chilean blue whales" in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Authors: Redaelli Laura, Mangia Woods Sari, Landea Rafaela, Sayigh Laela. The abstract can be found below and the full open access paper at: JMSE | Free Full-Text | Seasonal Trends and Diel Patterns of Downsweep and SEP Calls in Chilean Blue Whales (mdpi.com) <https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/3/316> For any further information, please reach out to laura.redaelli.95(a)gmail.com Best regards, Laura Abstract: To learn more about the occurrence and behaviour of a recently discovered population of blue whales, passive acoustic data were collected between January 2012 and April 2013 in the Chiloense ecoregion of southern Chile. Automatic detectors and manual auditing were used to detect blue whale songs (SEP calls) and D calls, which were then analysed to gain insights into temporal calling patterns. We found that D call rates were extremely low during winter (June–August) but gradually increased in spring and summer, decreasing again later during fall. SEP calls were absent for most winter and spring months (July–November) but increased in summer and fall, peaking between March and April. Thus, our results support previous studies documenting the austral summer residency of blue whales in this region, while suggesting that some individuals stay longer, highlighting the importance of this area as a blue whale habitat. We also investigated the daily occurrence of each call type and found that D calls occurred more frequently during dusk and night hours compared to dawn and day periods, whereas SEP calls did not show any significant diel patterns. Overall, these findings help to understand the occurrence and behaviour of endangered Chilean blue whales, enhancing our ability to develop conservation strategies in this important Southern Hemisphere habitat. -- *Laura Redaelli* Marine Biology MSc. Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands +393204681866

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New paper - Abundance and survival of Guiana dolphins
by Ana Carolina Meirelles 07 Apr '22

07 Apr '22

Dear MARMAM members, On behalf of all the authors, I would like to share with you our new publication in the Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems journal (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.3804) Abundance and effect of health status on apparent survival of Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis, in an open embayment in north-eastern Brazil Ana Carolina Oliveira de Meirelles, Katherine Fiedler Choi-Lima, Thaís Moura Campos Vila Nova, Emygdio Leite de Araujo Monteiro-Filho, Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo Abstract - Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) inhabit shallow waters of the tropical western Atlantic, an area that is now mostly occupied by cities and harbours. Demographic studies have been concentrated in sheltered areas of south/south-eastern Brazil. - This study investigated site fidelity and estimated population abundance and apparent survival of Guiana dolphins in Mucuripe Embayment (ME), on the north-eastern Brazilian coast, through photo-identification surveys and closed and open population mark–recapture models, from October 2009 to September 2011. - Forty-six Guiana dolphin groups were recorded (in groups of between one and eight dolphins, with a mean ± SD of 3.49 ± 2.33) in 27 out of 40 surveys. Twenty-five animals were photo-identified, with eight considered to have a ‘poor health’ status. The standardized site fidelity index (SSFI) was low (0.25). - Using the program capture, the time and heterogeneity model (Mth) resulted in a total abundance estimate of 39, with a Coefficient of Variation (CV) of 21% (95% CI 35–80%). In program mark, model averaging resulted in a total abundance estimate of 33 (CV 32%, 95% CI 30–100%). Using a CV of 21%, the power to detect a decline of 50% during the study period was 0.44 and the power to detect a decline of 5% a year was 0.11. To detect these declines with a 0.90 power, 12 years of monitoring would be necessary. - The annual adult apparent survival rate was low (0.71; CV 19%; 95% CI 0.40–0.90), and differed for dolphins in ‘good’ (0.64; CV 28%, 95% CI 0.27–0.89) and ‘poor’ (0.85; CV 22%; 95% CI: 0.23–0.99) health. - The low abundance of Guiana dolphins in ME indicates that conservation actions should start immediately, such as creating a marine protected area, continuing awareness campaigns, using by-catch reduction technologies, developing new regulations, and promoting law enforcement. Monitoring studies must continue with increased effort to reduce uncertainty in estimates and to improve the power to detect trends of decline. All the best, Carol.________________________________ Dra. Ana Carolina Oliveira de Meirelles Alves CamposPh.D Tropical Marine SciencesCetacean and Sirenian Specialist

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New paper on cost of somatic growth in southern right whales
by Fredrik Christiansen 07 Apr '22

07 Apr '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following paper in Marine Ecology Progress Series: Christiansen, F., Bejder, L., Burnell, S., Ward, R. & Charlton, C. 2022. Estimating the cost of growth in southern right whales from drone photogrammetry data and long-term sighting histories. Marine Ecology Progress Series 687: 173-194. Abstract: Animal body size and growth patterns play important roles in shaping the life history of species. Baleen whales include the largest animals on the planet, with somatic growth costs expected to be substantial. We used unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry and long-term individual sighting histories from photo identification (1991-2019) to estimate the cost of somatic growth for southern right whales (SRWs) Eubalaena australis. A Richards length-at-age growth model was developed, based on 161 calves, 20 yearlings, 1 juvenile and 23 adults, ranging in age from newborn to 27 yr. Predicted lengths were 4.7 m at birth, 12.5 m at minimum age of first parturition (6 yr) and an asymptotic length of 14.3 m. A volume-at-age curve was estimated from the body volume versus length relationship, and converted to a mass-at-age curve, using data on body tissue composition of North Pacific right whales E. japonica (n = 13). The energetic cost of growth was estimated using published estimates of tissue lipid and protein concentrations. The cost of growth for SRWs (in MJ d-1) was 2112 at birth, 544 at 4 mo, 314 at 1 yr (~weaning age), 108 at 5 yr (minimum age of sexual maturity), 51.5 at 10 yr and 5.2 at 30 yr. The cumulative cost to age 30 was 764.3 GJ, but varied widely (458-995 GJ) depending on the tissue energy content. Our estimates represent a healthy SRW population, and provide a baseline to investigate individual and population level impacts of anthropogenic disturbance (including climate change). The paper can be accessed (for subscribers) from the following link: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v687/p173-194/ If your institute does not have a subscription, feel free to email me and I will send you a copy directly. Best regards, Fredrik Christiansen Assistant Professor Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark f.christiansen(a)bio.au.dk http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkA5Y3EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fredrik_Christiansen3/?ev=hdr_xprf

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