June 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

VisGAR - Cetacean Guide request for images
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 06 Jun '22

06 Jun '22

Hi All, Last Fall, the Visual Guides of Animal Reproduction (VisGAR - https://visgar.vetmed.ufl.edu/ ), added a new guide, the Cetacean Guide to the existing seven guides (Bovine, Bubaline, Canine, Caprine, Equine, Ovine, Porcine). The increased virtual use of the guides during the pandemic inspired us to expand the guides in numbers. VisGAR is working on establishing a Curation Advisory Committee which consists of a curator for each of the individual guises. The diversity of the cetacean guide is a challenge. I am currently serving as the curator for the Cetacean Guide, and I welcome new images. If you have any that you would like to share, please feel free to e-mail us at (VISGAR(a)ad.ufl.edu<mailto:VISGAR@ad.ufl.edu>). Most Sincerely, Iske Larkin [AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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New publication: Cellular Prion Protein Expression in the Brain Tissue from Brucella ceti-Infected Striped Dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba)
by Sandro Mazzariol 06 Jun '22

06 Jun '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are very happy to share our recent publication on the *Cellular Prion Protein Expression in the Brain Tissue from Brucella ceti-Infected Striped Dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba)* You will find the open access publication here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/10/1304 *Angelucci CB, Giacominelli-Stuffler R, Baffoni M, Di Francesco CE, Di Francesco G, Di Renzo L, Tittarelli M, Petrella A, Grattarola C, Mazzariol S, Sierra E, Fernández A, Di Guardo G. Cellular Prion Protein Expression in the Brain Tissue from Brucella ceti-Infected Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Animals. 2022 May 19;12(10):1304.* *Abstract* *Brucella ceti*, a zoonotic pathogen of major concern to cetacean health and conservation, is responsible for severe meningo-encephalitic/myelitic lesions in striped dolphins (*Stenella coeruleoalba*), often leading to their stranding and death. This study investigated, for the first time, the cellular prion protein (PrPc) expression in the brain tissue from *B. ceti*-infected, neurobrucellosis-affected striped dolphins. Seven *B. ceti*-infected, neurobrucellosis-affected striped dolphins, found stranded along the Italian coastline (6) and in the Canary Islands (1), were investigated, along with five *B. ceti*-uninfected striped dolphins from the coast of Italy, carrying no brain lesions, which served as negative controls. Western Blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with an anti-PrP murine monoclonal antibody were carried out on the brain parenchyma of these dolphins. While PrPc IHC yielded inconclusive results, a clear-cut PrPc expression of different intensity was found by means of WB analyses in the brain tissue of all the seven herein investigated, *B. ceti*-infected and neurobrucellosis-affected cetacean specimens, with two dolphins stranded along the Italian coastline and one dolphin beached in Canary Islands also exhibiting a statistically significant increase in cerebral PrPc expression as compared to the five *Brucella* spp.-negative control specimens. The significantly increased PrPc expression found in three out of seven *B. ceti*-infected, neurobrucellosis-affected striped dolphins does not allow us to draw any firm conclusion(s) about the putative role of PrPc as a host cell receptor for *B. ceti*. Should this be the case, an upregulation of PrPc mRNA in the brain tissue of neurobrucellosis-affected striped dolphins could be hypothesized during the different stages of *B. ceti* infection, as previously shown in murine bone marrow cells challenged with *Escherichia coli*. Noteworthy, the inflammatory infiltrates seen in the brain and in the cervico-thoracic spinal cord segments from the herein investigated, *B. ceti*-infected and neurobrucellosis-affected striped dolphins were densely populated by macrophage/histiocyte cells, often harboring *Brucella* spp. antigen in their cytoplasm, similarly to what was reported in macrophages from mice experimentally challenged with *B. abortus*. Notwithstanding the above, much more work is needed in order to properly assess the role of PrPc, if any, as a host cell receptor for *B. ceti* in striped dolphins. Regards Sandro Mazzariol

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SMM Editors' Select Series on Juny 16th: Examining the Eastern North Atlantic right whale: insights from genetic analysis
by Student Members-at-Large Society for Marine Mammalogy 06 Jun '22

06 Jun '22

Greetings MARMAM! Join us on *Thursday, June 16th 4 PM ADT (12 AM PDT / 3 PM EDT / 7 PM GMT ) * for the next SMM Seminar Editors' Select Series: Examining the Eastern North Atlantic right whale: insights from genetic analysis with Dr. Brenna Frasier of Saint Mary's University. Free to attend. Registration required. Presented online on Zoom. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hLrr4SKAQi-wLPXyakLgtA 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:* The North Atlantic right whale was once present in both the Western and Eastern North Atlantic, but has been extirpated from the Eastern North Atlantic as a result of over a thousand years of whaling activities. It has not been identified whether the animals that were once present in the Eastern North Atlantic were a distinct population from the small group of animals remaining today in the Western North Atlantic. Whaling records suggest that animals in each of these regions may have had distinct habitats, and possibly distinct populations, but what does genetic data suggest? To address this question, we examined the genetic characteristics of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from 24 whale bones that range in age from the 4th to the 20th century from around the North Atlantic. The interpretation of the results is challenging, especially in a species that has a long history of commercial whaling. However, all evidence combined suggests that there was some degree of isolation between whales in each of these two regions. *About the presenter:* Brenna Frasier is trained as a biologist and has studied marine mammals for almost 25 years. Her research has focused on DNA analysis (primarily ancient DNA) as a tool to address evolutionary, conservation and species management questions with a particular interest in examining human use of whales over the last millennia, whether for commercial or subsistence use. This has culminated in projects examining 20th century whaling in Antarctica, 16th century Basque whaling of right and bowhead whales along the coast of Canada, and Norse whale-use over the past 1000 years around the North Atlantic. While most of her work has focused on marine mammals such as the North Atlantic right whale, beluga whale and Maritimes walrus, she has also studied a variety of other animals, including the Sable Island horses and several bat species. Brenna has a passion for facilitating science and natural history learning and communicating science in unique and natural environments which has led to an array of other outreach-based projects including the development of marine mammal and forensic science camps for teens, supporting a local Forest School, writing for an array of audiences and completing field guides to assist in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) studies on marine mammals in the Canadian Arctic. She is currently the Curator of Zoology of the Nova Scotia Museum, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 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: Systematic validation and assessment of immunohistochemical markers for central nervous system pathology in cetaceans
by Ksenia Orekhova 02 Jun '22

02 Jun '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are very happy to share our most recent publication on the *Systematic validation and assessment of immunohistochemical markers for central nervous system pathology in cetaceans, with emphasis on auditory pathways*. You will find the open access publication here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269090 Citation: Orekhova K, Centelleghe C, Di Guardo G, Graïc J-M, Cozzi B, Trez D, Verin R, Mazzariol S (2022) Systematic validationand assessment of immunohistochemical markers for central nervous system pathology in cetaceans, with emphasis on auditory pathways. PLoSONE 17(6):e0269090 Abstract: Cetacean neuropathology is a developing field that aims to assess structural and neurochemical changes involved in neurodegenerative, infectious and traumatic processes, however markers used previously in cetaceans have rarely undergone systematic validation. This is a prerequisite to investigating the potential damage inflicted on the cetacean auditory system by anthropogenic noise. In order to assess apoptotic, neuroinflammatory and structural aberrations on a protein level, the baseline expression of biomarker proteins has to be characterized, implementing a systematic approach to validate the use of anti-human and anti-laboratory animal antibodies in dolphin tissues. This approach was taken to study 12 different antibodies associated with hypoxic-ischemic, inflammatory, plastic and excitatory-inhibitory changes implicated in acoustic trauma within the ventral cochlear nuclei and inferior colliculi of 20 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Out of the 12 tested antibodies, pro-apoptotic protease factor 1 (Apaf-1), diacylglycerolkinase-ζ (DGK-ζ), B-cell lymphoma related protein 2 (Bcl-2), amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and neurofilament 200 (NF200) were validated employing Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results of the validation process indicate specific patterns of immunoreactivity that are comparable to those reported in other mammals, thus suggesting a key panel of IHC biomarkers of pathological processes in the cetacean brain. As a consequence, the antibodies tested in this study may constitute a valid tool for supporting existing diagnostic methods in neurological diseases. The approach of systematic validation of IHC markers in cetaceans is proposed as a standard practice, in order for results to be transparent, reliable and comparable. Please feel free to contact us for any questions you may have. Best wishes, Ksenia Orekhova _____________________________________________________________ Ksenia Orekhova, DVM, Doctoral candidate Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) - Università degli Studi di Padova (It) ksenia.orekhova(a)phd.unipd.it ksenia.orekhova(a)studenti.unipd.it

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Welcome to the Annual SealSpotter Challenge - 5th year celebration
by Rebecca McIntosh 02 Jun '22

02 Jun '22

Hello MARMAN, We are excited to invite you to participate in the 5th Annual SealSpotter Challenge to monitor the Australian fur seal population. Please share this email and join the facebook event should you wish to register<https://www.facebook.com/events/561960748827753/?active_tab=about>. Thanks for your past participation and we hope that you get involved again this year. Bec McIntosh and Ross Holmberg Phillip Island Nature Parks, Australia [https://mcusercontent.com/b111331f39558af1eff1d09a9/images/83aa4fb4-2309-81…] Womin jeka (Welcome) Greetings from Phillip Island Nature Parks! [https://mcusercontent.com/b111331f39558af1eff1d09a9/images/04fefe0b-2867-91…]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pengu…> Seal Spotter Challenge 8 - 22 June 2022 Australian fur seals play an important role in Australia's marine ecosystems. There are around 20,000 seals at Seal Rocks (off Phillip Island) and 10,000 at The Skerries (near Mallacoota). Every breeding season our research team conducts cutting-edge conservation research using RPA (a.k.a 'drone'). They fly the drone over the seal colonies at Seal Rocks and at The Skerries, taking photos for the purposes of monitoring the population size and pup numbers, this allows them to monitor the sites regularly and detect any population changes quickly (such as a drop in pup numbers, or more seals being entangled in marine plastic). There are thousands of seal photos that need counting, so we hope you can help us by taking on the role of Citizen Scientist this June and completing the Seal Spotter Challenge. All you need is a computer and love for our planet! Plus, participants will go into the draw to win an Australian fur seal adoption<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpenguinfo…> through our Penguin Foundation!* This year’s Seal Spotter Challenge commences on 8 June and concludes on 22 June 2022. Read on HERE<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pengu…> *TCs apply. [Share]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebo…> Share<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebo…> [Tweet]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.co…> Tweet<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.co…> [Forward]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fus19.forwa…> Forward<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fus19.forwa…> We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of Millowl (Phillip Island), the Bunurong/Boonwurrung. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. [Facebook]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebo…> [Twitter]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitte…> [Link]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instag…> [Website]<https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pengu…> Copyright © 2022 Phillip Island Nature Parks, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: PO Box 97 Cowes, Victoria 3922 Australia Rebecca McIntosh Marine Scientist Phillip Island Nature Parks Tel: +613 5951 2844 PO Box 97 Cowes, Victoria 3922 Australia Email rmcintosh(a)penguins.org.au Web www.penguins.org.au<http://www.penguins.org.au> [Banner]<https://www.penguins.org.au> IG@PhillipIslandNP<https://www.instagram.com/phillipislandnp/>| T@PhillipIslandNP<https://twitter.com/PhillipIslandNP>| FB@PhillipIslandNatureParks<https://www.facebook.com/PhillipIslandNatureParks/>| #PhillipIslandNP -- NOTICE - This message is confidential, and may contain proprietary or legally privileged information. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete it immediately. Under no circumstances does Phillip Island Nature Park accept liability for any loss or damage which may result from your receipt of this message or any attachments.

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New publication: A piece of the puzzle: analyses of recent strandings and historical records reveal new genetic and ecological insights on New Zealand sperm whales
by Katharina Peters 02 Jun '22

02 Jun '22

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are happy to share our recent publication in Marine Ecology Progress Series: Palmer, E., A. Alexander, L. Liggins, M. Guerra, S. J. Bury, H. Hendriks, K. A. Stockin, and K. J. Peters (2022) A piece of the puzzle: analyses of recent strandings and historical records reveal new genetic and ecological insights on New Zealand sperm whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 690:201-217. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14051 Abstract: Cetacean strandings provide important opportunities to extend current knowledge on species or populations, particularly for species that are notoriously difficult to study, such as sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus (parāoa). Between 25 May and 9 June 2018, 13 male sperm whales stranded in Taranaki, New Zealand (NZ), with an additional male stranding 1 mo later in Clifford Bay, Marlborough. We profiled these 14 males for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to examine their similarity to sperm whales from other geographic areas. Analyses of mtDNA revealed 7 haplotypes, including 1 not previously described (‘New’), and an additional haplotype (‘M’) new to NZ that had been previously reported in sperm whales of the Pacific region. Analysis of rare haplotypes found in NZ males suggested genetic links within NZ and the Southwest Pacific. Differences in stable isotope ratios indicated that, despite the close temporal proximity of these stranding events, individuals originated from at least 2 separate groups, with the whale stranded in Clifford Bay identified as being a regular visitor to Kaikōura, South Island. The analysis of stranding records in NZ dating back to 1873 indicated an increase in recorded single strandings since 1970, and a peak in single strandings in the austral summer months, but no seasonality for mass strandings. Sex predicted latitudinal location for single strandings, with 95.1% of female strandings occurring north of 42°S, fitting the general global distribution of female sperm whales limited to lower latitudes. This study provides the first temporal and spatial assessment of sperm whale strandings in NZ and highlights the need for future research on movements and genetic exchange between NZ sperm whales and sperm whales in the wider Pacific region. TUHINGA WHAKARĀPOPOTO: E mihi ana mātou ki a Tangaroa (ā, e ai ki ētahi iwi a Te Tai Tokerau, ki a Tāne-Mahuta anō hoki) rāua ko Hinemoana, te kāinga o te parāoa. Ka mihi hoki mātou ki ngā whānau, ngā hapū, me ngā iwi e tiaki i tēnei taonga. Hoki atu ki te parāoa, nāna I whakapapa pounamu te moana hei ara mō te rangahau nei. I tua atu ki te hiranga o te pae parāoa (Physeter macrocephalus) ki ngā Māori (he kai, he mea whakairo hoki nā te kaiwhakairo), he mea hira ki te ao pūtaiao i te mea he āheinga tēnei ki te whakahōhonu tō tātou mātauranga kararehe o te moana. He kōtuku rerenga tahi te mahi rangahau parāoa. Mai i te 25 o Mei ki te 9 o Hune 2018, tekau mā toru ngā parāoa taurawhi e pae ana i ngā uta o Taranaki. Āpiti atu ki tērā, kōtahi te parāoa taurawhi e pāea i te Hūrae 2018 kei Te Tauihu-o-te-waka (Clifford Bay). Mā te mtDNA (he momo ira e tukua iho ngā māmā anake) me te kanoirite pūmau (te waro me te hauota) ka whakaahuatia ngā parāoa taurawhi. Ka whakaahua, ka kite ngā ritenga ki ngā tini parāoa nō ngā wāhi kē. E whitu ngā momo mtDNA e hua ana mai i te tātaritanga nei. Inarā, ko tētahi o ngā momo mtDNA he momo hou (‘New’), ko tētahi atu he momo kāore anō i kitea kei Aotearoa engari i kitea kei Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa whānui (‘M’). E ai ki ngā momo mtDNA mokorea, he kaha ake te whanaungatanga o ngā parāoa taurawhi o Aotearoa ki ngā parāoa uwha nō Aotearoa, nō te māuru-mā-tonga o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa hoki. Ko ngā rerekētanga o ngā ōwehenga kanoirite pūmau e whakahahaki he rerekē te kāhui parāoa kei Taranaki ki te parāoa kei Clifford Bay, ahakoa he tata te wā e pae ana ngā parāoa nei i uta. Riterite tonu te parāoa i pāea kei Clifford Bay ki te toro ki Kaikōura. Ko ngā hua o te tātaritanga o ngā pūkete pāea kei Aotearoa (mai rā ano i te tau 1873), e tini piki ai ngā nama o te parāoa kōtahi e pae ana i uta mai rā anō i te tau 1970. I te raumati, ka tūtuki te tihi o ngā pae parāoa kōtahi. Heoi anō, he ōrite te nama o ngā pae parāoa e maha, puta noa i te tau. Ko te ira o te parāoa e aweawe te wahi e pāea. Arā, koni atu i te 95.1% o ngā parāoa uwha kōtahi e pae i ngā uta ki te tokerau o te ahopae 42°S. Orua tonu tēnei ki te mōhiohio ka noho ngā parāoa uwha ki ngā wai mahana, kei ngā ahopae o raro. Ahakoa kua kī te kete o Te Ao Māori i te mātauranga o ngā parāoa me ngā kāhui parāoa, ko tēnei te wā tuatahi e whakatere, e whakamānu te waka rangahau ki te rapu mātauranga parāoa mo te ao pūtaiao e pā ana ki ngā wahi me ngā wā i pae ai ngā parāoa ki Aotearoa. Kāore anō te kete mātauranga kia kī. He tino hira ngā hua o tēnei rangahau, engari he nui ngā pātai e toe ana. Me kohi tonu te mātauranga mō ngā haerenga o te parāoa, me te whakawhiti ira o ngā parāoa o Aotearoa me ngā parāoa o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa whānui. Whaowhia te kete. The article is available via open-access at: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14051 Ngā mihi, Katharina Katharina J. Peters, PhD Research Associate Cetacean Ecology Research Group | School of Natural Sciences | Massey University Private Bag 102 904, North Shore, Auckland 0745, New Zealand • k.peters(a)massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.peters@massey.ac.nz> Postdoctoral Researcher Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Ōtautahi, Aotearoa | Christchurch, NZ • katharina.peters(a)canterbury.ac.nz<mailto:k.peters@massey.ac.nz> [A picture containing shape Description automatically generated]<https://www.aim.uzh.ch/de/members/researchersandpostdocs/katharinapeters.ht…>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katharina_Peters>[A close up of a logo Description automatically generated]<https://twitter.com/kjopeters>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&pli=1&user=7QWvsMUAAAAJ>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://katharinajpeters.weebly.com/>[A picture containing object, kit, drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharina-j-peters-b47b5370/>[A picture containing game, table Description automatically generated]<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/dr-katharina-j-peters>[A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated]<https://www.instagram.com/katharina.j.peters/> [A picture containing knife Description automatically generated]<http://www.cetaceanecology.org/>

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Seeking Postdoc applications for Arctic marine mammal modeling
by Jean-Pierre Desforges 02 Jun '22

02 Jun '22

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead a DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) funded project to develop dynamic bioenergetic models for key Arctic marine mammal species in Canada like bowhead whales, walrus, and beluga. The project goal is to use the energy budget models to evaluate population dynamics over time in response to multiple stressors typical of Arctic environments, like climate change, contaminants, and shipping. Applicants should have strong skills or interest in ecological modeling, including dynamic energy budgets and/or individual based models, and should be familiar with mammalian biology and ecology. Project funding is available for roughly 2 years, with chance of extension pending additional funding. Position can start ASAP so apply now! There is also flexibility in remote working, especially for the initial months of the project. More details and application info can be found here: https://www.northstarats.com/University-of-Winnipeg/Postdoctoral-Fellow-in-… For more information, please contact: Dr. Jean-Pierre Desforges Assistant Professor – Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Stress University of Winnipeg, Department of Environmental Studies and Science 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg MB, Canada Phone: 204-786-9290 E-mail: j.desforges(a)uwinnipeg.ca t: @DesforgesJP https://desforgeslab.weebly.com/

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Abstract deadline extension for the 3rd African Bioacoustics Community conference 2022
by African Bioacoustics Community 02 Jun '22

02 Jun '22

*Announcement:* *ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENSION!!!* *3rd African Bioacoustics Community conference!* 2 to 7 October 2022 Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa We are pleased to let you know that the abstract deadline for the 3rd African Bioacoustics Community Conference has been extended to the *6th of June 2022*! *Click* the l*ink* below to *submit your abstract* today to present a talk or poster, at the third African Bioacoustics Community Conference! https://africanbioacoustic.wixsite.com/abcommunity/abstractsubmission *Registration and accommodation are open to book!Click here to register: * https://africanbioacoustic.wixsite.com/abcommunity/registration You can still join us even if you’re not presenting!! Email Jackey Deacon: dot(a)mpu.co.za to book your accommodation. Follow us on our social media for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/africanbioacousticscommunity/ https://twitter.com/afribioacoustic -- <https://www.instagram.com/africanbioacoustics/> <https://twitter.com/AfriBioacoustic> <https://www.facebook.com/africanbioacousticscommunity> <https://www.givengain.com/cc/african-bioacoustics-community/?fbclid=IwAR3MV…> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Paper in Frontiers: SAvE Whales by OceanCare is the first integrated sperm whale localisation system worldwide
by slueber＠oceancare.org 01 Jun '22

01 Jun '22

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of OceanCare, I am delighted to bring the results of a three-year pilot project to your attention which focussed on the development and validation of a real-time acoustic observatory for sperm-whale localization in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The project results have just been published in FRONTIERS and can be accessed under the following LINK. A real-time acoustic observatory for sperm-whale localization in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.873888/full> For additional information about the context of the project, the situation of sperm whales in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the threat ship collisions pose to this regional population, as well as context given to the potential as well as limitations of the developed system please refer to the article as well as the enclosed communication to the media by OceanCare. OceanCare is extremely grateful to the scientists, experts and partners involved within this project, in particular the Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics FORTH (Greece), the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute (Greece), Marine Traffic and CINTAL at the University of the Algarve (Portugal). We are likewise very grateful for the generous support we have received from donors who made it possible to funding this project. We hope that the expertise and knowledge gathered within this project boost efforts to implement this and similar systems as a complementary measure to re-routing and slowing down shipping speed to reduce the risk of collisions between vessels, sperm whales and other large toothed whale species. Please do not hesitate getting back in case you have further inquiries. Kind regards Sigrid ____________________________________ OceanCare Sigrid Lueber, President and Founder Gerbestrasse 6, P.O.Box 372 CH-8820 Waedenswil - Switzerland Phone: +41-44-780 6688 Directline: +41-43- 477 6124 Cellphone +41-79-475 2687 slueber(a)oceancare.org<mailto:slueber@oceancare.org> www.oceancare.org<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.oceancare.org%2f&c=E…> OceanCare is a Swiss non-profit organisation. It was founded in 1989 and has a strong commitment to realistic and cooperative initiatives. The organisation works at national and international level in the areas of marine pollution, environmental changes, fisheries, whaling, sealing, captivity of marine mammals and public education. OceanCare holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and is partner of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the UNEP/CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS), as well as UNEP/MAP. Since 2021, OceanCare is accredited observer to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The organisation has been an observer at the IWC since 1992. OceanCare has also been accredited as part of the Major Group 'Science & Technology' to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), which is the governing body of UNEP and is a part of the UNEP Global Partnership on Marine Litter. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender and delete the message.

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Montenegro Dolphin Research (MDR) positions available
by DMAD Marine Mammals Research Association 31 May '22

31 May '22

THE PROJECT The Montenegro Dolphin Research is a scientific project run by Marine Mammals Research Association (DMAD). Our study is the only long term research study of marine mammals in Montenegrin and Albanian coastal waters. We aim to address questions about marine mammal abundance, distribution and behavior, define critical habitats and investigate the impact of major threats, ranging from tourism to seismic practices. Our wider attention focuses on the promotion and implementation of awareness initiatives targeted at the local community, particularly youth and women. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We offer several volunteering and internship positions: this is a valuable opportunity for graduates that wish to gain experience in the marine mammal research field, and undergraduates that would like to obtain internship academic credits. It could be used to develop a scientific project for BSc and MSc thesis. However, we are also open to accept applications from anyone whose love for dolphins is strong and sincere. Opportunities are available starting from July 2022 onwards. This project runs year round with prefered arrival within the first week, or just before, of candidates prefered month. The minimum duration of the placements is 2 MONTHS, with possible exceptions for skilled candidates. FIELD WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES -Performing land-based surveys at least three times a week, including sunrise and sunset hours; -Performing boat-based surveys once a week, weather allowing -Collecting dolphins sighting and behavior data, as well as environmental and anthropogenic data; -Operating theodolite and managing its software Pythagoras; -Data entry and analysis; -Cataloging and matching individuals of target species for photo-ID studies via Discovery software; -Raising stakeholder awareness through conservation actions. -Promoting citizen-science activities TRAINING The Montenegro Dolphin Research team provides intensive lectures and field work training as well as constant mentoring every week. You will be given the chance to learn the most popular methodologies used in marine mammals research such as: -ArcGIS mapping -Theodolite operation and Pythagoras software; -Photo-identification; -Discovery software; -Systematic data collection and data analysis; -Visual and acoustic behaviour of marine mammals -Scientific manuscript and technical report writing skills PROJECT PARTICIPATION FEE The positions require a contribution fee from 880 Euros/month which fully goes to support the project and the participation fee includes: -Accommodation -Transportation between the project sites within and between Montenegro and Albania -Training and lectures -Scientific support -Field work -Use of the equipment Applicants are responsible for their transportation to/from Montenegro, meals, insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance) and personal expenses. HOW TO APPLY Email your CV and motivation letter to info(a)dmad.org.tr, explaining why you are the perfect asset for our team and which goals you hope to achieve with us! Please mention the PERIOD OF INTEREST AND DURATION OF AVAILABILITY! If you wish to have more info about our work and get to know us better follow our websites: DMAD - Marine Mammals Research Association www.dmad.org.tr https://www.instagram.com/DMADforNature/ https://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/ All the best, *Thalia de Haas* *Volunteer Coordinator of Montenegro Dolphin Research* *Researcher of DMAD-Marine Mammals Research Association * *WhatsApp +31645402061* *Skype: thalia.dehaas* *Thalia.deHaas(a)dmad.org.tr <thalia.dehaas(a)dmad.org.tr>* *https://www.instagram.com/marinevagabond <https://www.instagram.com/marinevagabond>* *General* *info@d <info(a)dmad.org.tr>m <info(a)dmad.org.tr>ad.org.tr <info(a)dmad.org.tr>* *www.dmad.org.tr <http://www.dmad.org.tr/>* *https://www.instagram.com/DMADforNature/ <https://www.instagram.com/DMADforNature>* *https://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/ <https://www.facebook.com/DMADforNature/>* [image: MDR Logo.jpg]

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