July 2022 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Recent accidental entanglements of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Colombian Pacific
by Isabel Cristina Avila 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Dear colleagues We are pleased to share with you our new publication where we present recent cases of entanglements (2016-2021) for humpback whales in Colombia, South America: *Avila, I.C.*, Ortega, L.F. Isaza-Toro, E & E. Ángulo. 2022. Recent accidental entanglements of humpback whales in the Colombian Pacific. Aquatic Mammals 48 (4): 341-348. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.48.4.2022.341 Abstract: Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a migratory species that inhabits annually the waters of the Colombian Pacific for breeding. Accidental entanglement in fishing nets is a recurring threat to humpback whales globally. This study presents 14 recent cases (2016-2021) of accidental entanglements of humpback whales in the Colombian Pacific. Data was taken opportunistically during visits and stays in the area, and through information given from the local community and fishermen. We registered 14 entangled individuals, four of them were calves and 10 were adults. Most humpback entanglement cases involved surface gillnet gear, specifically trammel nets. Although these entanglement cases were sighted in Colombia, we cannot assure that these events occurred there, nor can we confirm whether the events occurred while fishing or in ghost-nets (ALDFG). Our results indicate that bycatch of humpback whales in Colombia has increased, and could be higher. This study highlights the importance of continuing monitoring whales and entanglements, and exalts the participation of the local community and environmental authorities as a primary source of information. In order to reduce this threat, it is recommended to move towards a fishery management that considers the migration times of whales and the use of technical methods to mitigate bycatch. For additional information please contact me at: isabelc.avila(a)gmail.com Best regards, Isabel C. Avila -- Dr. Isabel Cristina Avila Jiménez Marine Biologist PhD in Environmental Sciences Research Associate of the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Hannover, Germany Research member of the Animal Ecology group, Universidad del Valle, Colombia E-mails: isabel_c_avila(a)yahoo.com / isabelc.avila(a)gmail.com https://www.tiho-hannover.de/itaw/beschaeftigte/beschaeftigte-buesum/isabel…

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Working with MPAs for marine megafauna monitoring and conservation
by ALan Rees 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Dear List Member Conservation and monitoring actions to benefit marine megafauna within MPA settings are often undertaken by a range of actors, such as the MPA authority itself, NGOs, and academic research institutes etc. In cases where there is more than one entity conducting activities within the MPA, the MPA authority obviously requires access to information collected by others to effectively carry out its main role of managing the area. The international NGO MedPAN (Mediterranean Protected Area Network; https://medpan.org/) is seeking to review examples of best practices for cooperation between MPA practitioners, scientists, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in order to strengthen and consolidate collaborations across its region within a standardised framework. If you are involved with work in and for an MPA and would like to contribute to this initiative, I would very much appreciate hearing from you. Please click on the link to access a short questionnaire. Your participation can remain anonymous and responses to all questions are optional. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CB7DCZ/ <https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CB7DCZ/> Additionally, if you have any documentation, such as Memoranda of Understandings, which would be of relevance that you could share, or if you are aware of any suitable online resources, I welcome receiving them off the list to my email alanfrees(a)gmail.com <mailto:alanfrees@gmail.com>. Thank you for your attention ALan -__-__-__-__-__-__-__- ALan F. Rees, PhD - Testudo (Journal of the British Chelonia Group), Associate Editor - Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter, Editorial Board - Marine Turtle Newsletter, Editorial Board - MedTurtle list Moderator

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NOAA Fisheries Hiring
by Benjamin Laws - NOAA Federal 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

NOAA Fisheries is announcing two separate employment opportunities. The first announcement is for a Senior Biologist who will perform as the MMPA Offshore Wind Team Lead (ZP-0401-4). The announcement is open for 14 days, from July 13th, 2022 to July 27th, 2022. The individual in this position will provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to the team processing MMPA Incidental Take Authorizations for Offshore Wind projects. The position is advertised here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/664894100 The second announcement is for a 4-year Term position as a Senior Biologist (ZP-0401-4). The announcement is open for 14 days, from July 13th, 2022 to July 27th, 2022. The individual in this position will serve as a senior analyst on the team processing MMPA Incidental Take Authorizations for Offshore Wind projects. The position is advertised here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/664902300

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New paper: Augmenting cetacean playback experiments with new observation technologies
by Stephanie King 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share our recent paper on integrating new observation techniques with playback experiments to investigate cetacean social cognition in the wild: King, S. L., & Jensen, F. H. (2022). Rise of the machines: Integrating technology with playback experiments to study cetacean social cognition in the wild. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 00, 1– 14 Abstract 1. Cetaceans represent an evolutionary peak in terms of their cognitive capacities, complex communication systems and their structured, multilevel societies. However, the difficulty of observing their behaviour underwater means that studying whale and dolphin sociality in the wild poses some significant methodological challenges. 2. Traditionally, playback experiments have been used to explore aspects of communication and cognition in whales and dolphins, particularly with trained animals under human care. However, while these studies have provided major breakthroughs in our understanding of cetacean social cognition, it is difficult to know whether these findings generalize to wild animals. 3. In recent years, new state-of-the-art technology (drones and non-invasive sound and movement tags) have revolutionized the field of marine mammal behaviour, providing unparalleled information on the fine-scale behaviour of individuals in the wild. Here, we review the state of the field, combining published studies with our own extensive experience, to demonstrate how these new technologies fundamentally change the behavioural metrics that we are able to measure; allowing us to move from categorical observations to quantifying fine-scale changes in movement, activity and vocal behaviour. 4. We discuss how conducting playback experiments alongside these new technologies combines rigorous experimental design with strong ecological validity and increased reproducibility and can be adapted for many social species, setting the standard for high-calibre, field-based experiments that explore animal social cognition in the wild. The paper is open access and is available here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.13935 This is part of a special issue on 'Contemporary methods for studying animal sociality in the wild' - a joint effort between Methods in Ecology and Evolution and Animal Ecology. All the best, Stephanie and Frants ---------------------------------- Dr Stephanie L. King - Senior Lecturer FHEA School of Biological Sciences Life Sciences Building | 24 Tyndall Avenue University of Bristol | Bristol BS8 1TQ | U.K. +44 (0) 117 39 41191 Twitter: @_StephanieLKing<https://twitter.com/_stephanielking> website: www.cetaceancommcog.com<http://www.cetaceancommcog.com/> website: www.sharkbaydolphins.org<http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org> [signature_3532699137] I am a friend of the LGBQT and BAME communities because I believe in equality for everyone

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Remembering Bill Perrin
by Eric Archer - NOAA Federal 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Dr. William F. Perrin on July 11, 2022 at the age of 83. Starting in the late 1960’s, as a student of Ken Norris and Carl Hubbs, Bill began conducting what would become critical early research on dolphins killed in the eastern Tropical Pacific tuna purse-seine fishery. His work highlighted the growing problems in this fishery, which in turn was influential issues leading to the enactment of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Additionally, the rigor and scope of his pioneering work on the taxonomy, life history, population ecology, and behavior of these species has raised the bar for all future studies. Bill can truly be considered the father of modern marine mammal taxonomy. It is impossible to accurately convey the ways Bill has instrumentally changed and guided the field of marine mammal science. He has served as a president of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, chair of the SMM International Relations Committee, and founder of the SMM Taxonomy Committee. He has been an editor of Marine Mammal Science, associate editor of the Journal Mammalogy, editor of the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals along with Bernd Würsig and Hans Thewissen, and editor of the World Cetacean Database. Over several decades, he has been a leader of critical cetacean conservation work done with many national committees like of Committee of Scientific Advisors, Marine Mammal Commission and international organizations such as the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group and their Red List and the Scientific Committee of the IWC and the Scientific Committee of the CMS. He is also known for his work with numerous regional organizations, particularly his studies and capacity building in southeast Asia and western Africa. He and his wife, Dr. Louella Dolar, extensively studied cetaceans around the Philippines, and lobbied for their continued conservation. For almost 50 years, Bill had a celebrated career at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, where he served as a Senior Scientist for much of that time. He was also an adjunct Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD and the University of Washington. Bill’s publication record is awe-inspiring. He not only wrote and co-authored hundreds of papers, but also edited many important books and special journal issues. The students, coworkers, and colleagues around the world who have had the pleasure to be mentored by and work closely with Bill have all enjoyed not only his remarkable and organized mind, but also his passion for the work and unique sense of humor. Those who knew him well understood that his gruff exterior was only a thin cover for a man who was overly generous with his time and resources. He would regularly go out of his way to provide help to aspiring biologists, many of whom would later become friends. The field of marine mammalogy has lost one of its most influential and important scientists and leaders. We offer our love and support to his family in these difficult times. We take some comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will live on in all of us whose lives he has touched. We will miss him terribly. Eric Archer, Lisa Ballance, Bob Brownell, Jr., Tom Jefferson, Sarah Mesnick -- *Eric Archer, Ph.D. *(he/him/his <https://www.glsen.org/activity/pronouns-guide-glsen>) Leader, Marine Mammal Genetics Program <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/marine-mammal-geneti…> Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/NOAA) 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 USA 858-546-7121 Adjunct Professor, Marine Biology <http://profiles.ucsd.edu/frederick.archer> Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California, San Diego GitHub: github.com/ericarcher ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3179-4769 ---- " *The universe doesn't care what you believe. The wonderful thing about science is that it doesn't ask for your faith, it just asks for your eyes.*" - Randall Munroe "*Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.*" - Benjamin Franklin "*...but I'll take a GPS over either one.*" - John C. "Craig" George

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Reminder: "Experiences of Women in Marine Mammal Science" Webinar
by WIMMS 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

Dear MARMAM community - We wanted to remind you that the webinar on the “Experiences of Women in Marine Mammal Science” is taking place on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, from 4-6pm GMT+1. That’s next week! Organized by the Women in Marine Mammal Science (WIMMS) Initiative <https://marinemammalscience.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88c2080440a38…>, in association with the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) Ad-hoc Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee <https://marinemammalscience.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88c2080440a38…>, this webinar will consist of presentations by speakers from a diversity of backgrounds, career stages and sectors, and family considerations followed by a Q&A discussion with the speakers. Webinar registrants will also have access to a free virtual screening of the film “Picture a Scientist <https://marinemammalscience.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88c2080440a38…>” for a 3-day period overlapping the webinar. Registrants will soon be emailed with details on how to access the screening. You can register for the webinar here: http://tinyurl.com/2p8uw2b5 <https://marinemammalscience.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88c2080440a38…>. Please email us at <womeninmmsci(a)gmail.com> if you have any questions you would like for us to consider in advance of the Q&A discussion or about the event itself. Kind regards, The WIMMS and SMM D&I Webinar Organizing Team -- Women in Marine Mammal Science (WIMMS) Email: womeninmmsci(a)gmail.com Website: https://wimms.weebly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womeninmmsci/ Twitter: @womeninmmsci Hashtag: #womeninmmsci

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New Publication: Physiological responses of narwhals to anthropogenic noise
by Terrie Williams 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

Hello MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication that is now online in Functional Ecology: Williams, T.M., Blackwell, S.B.,Tervo, O., Garde, E., Sinding, M.S., Richter, B., and Heide-Jørgensen, M.P. (2022) Physiological responses of narwhals to anthropogenic noise: A case study with seismic airguns and vessel traffic in the Arctic. Functional Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14119 This is a companion physiological study to our previous publication concerning the behavioral responses of narwhals to seismic airguns (Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen et al. (2021) Behavioral Response Study on Seismic Airgun and Vessel Exposures in Narwhals. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.658173). Together these two studies provide a comprehensive profile of the reaction of this deep-diving, high Arctic cetacean to disturbance. In this newest physiological study we find that geographical isolation makes narwhals exceptionally vulnerable to anthropogenic activities now afforded by a larger ice-free Arctic. Measurable impacts occur across the entire oxygen pathway from respiratory to cardiovascular and locomotory function. Ultimately, energetic costs are two-fold greater for narwhals exposed to noise. Please contact me for further information about this paper. The study will also be presented at the upcoming Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference in August. Best Regards, Terrie Terrie M. Williams, PhD -- Terrie M. Williams Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831)566-9928

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FW: MMO, PSO & PAM Training Courses 2022
by Tabbi McGhee 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is offering its next Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)-approved Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Protected Species Observer (PSO), and Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEst)-approved Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) training courses. JNCC-certified MMOs comply with UK regulations, and PSOs comply with USA regulations, to minimise the risk of injury and disturbance to marine mammals from various offshore operations. OSC’s MMO course comprises theory and practice, including binocular and range estimation, and role-play sessions. The PAM course comprises theory and practice using PAM equipment in OSC's workshop facilities and/or onboard OSC’s survey vessel (subject to weather). The intention is to run the following courses in-person near Edinburgh at OSC’s Dunbar headquarters: 16th to 19th August 2022 14th to 17th November 2022 Prices are exclusive of VAT, which is charged at the current rate. A discounted package price of £700 is offered for participants who wish to attend all three courses (MMO, PSO, and PAM). Course participants will also receive a discount for purchases of marine binoculars or tripod mounts from Opticron – these should be ordered in advance of the course to ensure availability. For further details: https://www.osc.co.uk/training For course registration: https://www.osc.co.uk/jncc-registration Best wishes, OSC training team [cid:image001.png@01D86F5A.55547DD0] Admin Team Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Spott Road , Dunbar , East Lothian , EH42 1RR , Scotland, UK M: +44 (0)7368 866 235<tel:M:%20+44%20(0)7368%20866%20235> T: +44 (0)1368 865 722<tel:T:%20+44%20(0)1368%20865%20722%E2%80%8B> W: www.osc.co.uk<http://www.osc.co.uk/> . MMO or PAM requirement? We wrote the book. Now available on Amazon: www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com<http://www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com/> Tabbi McGhee PA to Directors & Office Administrator Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR, Scotland, UK M: +44 (0)7368 866 235 T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk . MMO or PAM requirement? We wrote the book. Now available on Amazon: www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com

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Return of large fin whale feeding aggregations to historical whaling grounds in the Southern Ocean
by Herr, Dr. Helena 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

Dear all, I am pleased to share with you our recent publication in Scientific Reports: Herr, H., Viquerat, S., Devas, F., Lees, A., Wells, L., Gregory, B., Giffords, T., Beecham, D., & Meyer, B. (2022, Jul 7). Return of large fin whale feeding aggregations to historical whaling grounds in the Southern Ocean. Sci Rep, 12(1), 9458. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13798-7 For the Abstract, please see below. The publication is open access and available for download at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-13798-7. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch! … and make sure to watch the videos in the Online Supplement! All the best, Helena Abstract Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi) of the Southern Hemisphere were brought to near extinction by twentieth century industrial whaling. For decades, they had all but disappeared from previously highly frequented feeding grounds in Antarctic waters. Our dedicated surveys now confirm their return to ancestral feeding grounds, gathering at the Antarctic Peninsula in large aggregations to feed. We report on the results of an abundance survey and present the first scientific documentation of large fin whale feeding aggregations at Elephant Island, Antarctica, including the first ever video documentation. We interpret high densities, re-establishment of historical behaviours and the return to ancestral feeding grounds as signs for a recovering population. Recovery of a large whale population has the potential to augment primary productivity at their feeding grounds through the effects of nutrient recycling, known as 'the whale pump'. The recovery of fin whales in that area could thus restore ecosystem functions crucial for atmospheric carbon regulation in the world's most important ocean region for the uptake of anthropogenic CO2. --- Dr. Helena Herr Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science (IMF) Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN) University of Hamburg Große Elbstraße 133 22767 Hamburg, Germany Tel +49 (0)40 42838 6677 Email helena.herr(a)uni-hamburg.de<mailto:helena.herr@uni-hamburg.de>

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New publication: Using social network analysis to confirm the 'gambit of the group' hypothesis
by Nicole Danaher-Garcia 11 Jul '22

11 Jul '22

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication "Using social network analysis to confirm the 'gambit of the group' hypothesis for a small cetacean" published in Behavioural Processes. Danaher-Garcia N, Connor R, Fay G, Melillo Sweeting K, Dudzinski K (2022) Using social network analysis to confirm the 'gambit of the group' hypothesis for a small cetacean. Behavioural Processes, 200: 104694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104694. ABSTRACT: Social network analysis (SNA) can be used to explore a population’s social structure and how individuals contribute to social cohesion. Quantifying relationships between individuals in a network can vary depending on the data available or the relationship of interest. Studies of readily visible species can use direct interaction measures in SNA, while studies of cryptic species usually rely on the ‘gambit of the group’; individuals observed in a group are considered associates. This study compared the association and pectoral fin contact (PFC) networks of Atlantic spotted dolphins around Bimini to test the ‘gambit of the group’ hypothesis. The association network had nearly three times as many edges than the PFC network. Still, the two networks were correlated; individuals with a relationship in one network had a comparable relationship in the other. Many network measures were also correlated across networks, suggesting association is an acceptable substitute for physical interaction in certain cases. The current study supports the ‘gambit of the group’, but also highlights the importance of considering what types of relationships are used in the analysis of the social system of the focal species. Please, do not hesitate to contact me at nicole(a)dcpmail.org. I would be happy to answer any questions about the study and provide a PDF copy of the article. Best regards, Nicole --Nicole A. Danaher-Garcia, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Associate Florida International University | Dolphin Communication Project

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