January 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Due in 1 week: Workshop proposals for ECS2023
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 04 Jan '23

04 Jan '23

ECS 2023 - WORKSHOP PROPOSALS DUE 12 JANUARY 2023 We invite you to submit proposals for workshops in any area related to marine mammal science for the 34th European Cetacean Society Conference (April 16-20 Galicia, NW Spain). In particular, workshops on challenging, emerging areas related to the conference topic (“OUR OCEANS, OUR FUTURE. MARINE MAMMAL BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY & THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES”) are especially sought. We particularly encourage proposals for highly interactive and collaborative workshops to foster new ideas and gather feedback. The expected dates of the workshops would be April 16th and 17th, 2023, before the main track of the ECS conference (18-20 April). Submission GuidelinesWorkshop Proposals and any related enquiries should be sent by email to the ECS2023 local organizing committee (ecs2023(a)thebdri.com) The LOC will be glad to provide workshop organizers with advice on every aspect of organizing the event including the logistics and venue. Each workshop proposal must include: - Title and brief technical description of the workshop, specifying the goals and the technical issues that will be the focus of the workshop. - Workshop Organizers (names, affiliation and contact information) - Preferred date (16th or 17th April) and duration of the workshop (Half-day or Full-day) - Tentative program; maximum number of participants (unique, creative and novel workshop formats are strongly encouraged). Workshop chair(s) will be responsible for the following: 1. Assuming full responsibility for the workshop presentation, review process, and registrations. There will be additional cost for workshop participants that are NOT included in the registration costs for the ECS conference (20 euros for half-day and 30-euros for full day). 2. Selecting the participants and the workshop format. 3. Promoting the workshop beyond the conference web page. 4. If the workshop is too small (i.e., does not attract enough participants), the ECS 2023 Organizing Committee may propose merging that workshop with another workshop with a similar topic. We therefore encourage workshop organizers to attract a large community. In extreme situations, we may also cancel workshops if there is not a sufficient number of submissions. 5. Organizers (including co-organizers) are expected to attend their entire workshop, and to provide a summary of the event to the ECS 2023 organizers. Important Dates Workshops Proposal Submission deadline 12 January 2023 23:45 CET ECS 2023 Early registration deadline 15 Feb 2023 23:45 CET ECS 2023 Late registration deadline 15 Mar 2023 23:45 CET We hope that scientists and students from all over the world will visit Galicia! We are currently working hard to organise multiple networking events in the beautiful coastal town of O Grove. Stay tuned for more updates! <https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/34th-annual-conference-ga…> Hasta pronto! Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI - www.thebdri.com Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain Tel. 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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NOAA Fisheries Announces Issuance of Proposed Incidental Take Rule for Gulf of Mexico to Correct Error
by Benjamin Laws - NOAA Federal 04 Jan '23

04 Jan '23

Today, NOAA Fisheries issued a proposed Incidental Take Rule pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), related to geophysical surveys on the outer continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA Fisheries is taking this action to correct errors in the information that supported the findings for the 2021 rule. NMFS does not propose changes to the current regulations that govern the authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to those surveys. The regulations have functioned as intended for many survey actions and have allowed the oil and gas industry to achieve compliance with the MMPA in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the take number errors have limited NOAA Fisheries’ ability to issue requested authorizations for take of certain species. Following completion of this corrective rulemaking, if appropriate, NOAA Fisheries anticipates that these implementation issues will be resolved. NOAA Fisheries has proposed no changes to the existing regulations, but has considered new scientific information, produced corrected, updated take numbers that will afford more flexibility to applicants, and has reassessed the necessary statutory findings. NOAA Fisheries has preliminarily determined that the existing regulations include appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize impacts to marine mammals. The regulations are based on extensive reviews of scientific literature on the effects of noise on marine mammals and their habitat as well as previous public comments received. BOEM has responsibility for permitting these surveys and is the agency charged with making decisions about energy development in waters of the outer continental shelf. Under the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries is charged with the conservation and protection of marine mammals, including the appropriate authorization of otherwise prohibited incidental take of marine mammals. You can find the proposed rule here ( https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-oil-and…) The comment period will be open through February 6, 2023.

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New publication on sexual dimorphism in Hawaiian delphinids
by Shelby Yahn 04 Jan '23

04 Jan '23

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of our article, which is now available online: Yahn, S. N., Baird, R. W., Mahaffy, S. D., & Robertson, K. M. (2023). Sexually dimorphic characteristics of short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales, pygmy killer whales, and melon-headed whales assessed using fin and body morphometrics from photographs taken at sea. Marine Mammal Science 39(1):98-113. Doi 10.1111/mms.12963. Abstract Adults of many free-ranging delphinid species cannot be reliably sexed at sea. Sexually mature, known-sex adult short-finned pilot, pygmy killer, melon-headed, and false killer whales were profiled from at-sea photos to assess proportional fin and body dimorphism. Males of all four species had larger dorsal fins proportional to anterior body length. False killer whales showed no further dimorphism, while melon-headed whales showed subtle dimorphism in dorsal fin overhang. Pygmy killer whales showed subtle dimorphism in lateral positioning of the top-most point and overhang. Lastly, short-finned pilot whales showed strong dimorphism in the leading edge, lateral positioning of the top-most point, and height of the overhang. Generalized linear models showed strong predictive accuracy for pilot and false killer whales, and moderate accuracy for pygmy killer and melon-headed whales. Results indicate that adult short-finned pilot and false killer whales can be accurately sexed in the field or via morphometrics. Adult pygmy killer and melon-headed whales have subtle sexual dimorphism that can be detected using morphometrics. The presence of dimorphism gives insight into potential reproductive strategies and social structure. Further analysis is needed to explore morphometric differences between inshore and pelagic populations of these species, as well as ontogenetic growth between life stages. The paper can be viewed at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mms.12963 Please contact me with any questions, comments, or PDF requests. Best, Shelby and co-authors ================================================================= Shelby Yahn Research Associate, Cascadia Research Collective Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA Shelby.Yahn(a)gmail.com https://cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii_publications/

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New publication on responses of a central-place forager to changes in prey availability
by Elizabeth A McHuron 04 Jan '23

04 Jan '23

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are excited to share our most recent publication in the Journal of Theoretical Biology that explores how prey availability influences behavioral responses and reproductive success of a central-place forager, using data from northern fur seals. The paper can be freely accessed (for the next 50 days) using this link <https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gM2b57imC4by>. I am also happy to provide a pdf through email (emchuron(a)uw.edu) The abstract is pasted below. McHuron, EA, JT Sterling, M Mangel. 2023. The influence of prey availability on behavioral decisions and reproductive success of a central-place forager during lactation. Journal of Theoretical Biology 560, 111392. *Abstract* Marine central-place foragers are increasingly faced with altered prey landscapes, necessitating predictions of the impact of such changes on behavior, reproductive success, and population dynamics. We used state-dependent behavioral life history theory implemented via Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) to explore the influence of changes in prey distribution and energy gain from foraging on the behavior and reproductive success of a central place forager during lactation. Our work is motivated by northern fur seals (*Callorhinus ursinus*) because of the ongoing population decline of the Eastern Pacific stock and projected declines in biomass of walleye pollock (*Gadus chalcogrammus*), a key fur seal prey species in the eastern Bering Sea. We also explored how changes in female and pup metabolic rates, body size, and lactation duration affected model output to provide insight into traits that might experience selective pressure in response to reductions in prey availability. Simulated females adopted a central-place foraging strategy after an initial extended period spent on land (4.7–8.3 days). Trip durations increased as the high energy prey patch moved farther from land or when the energy gain from foraging decreased. Increases in trip duration adversely affected pup growth rates and wean mass despite attempts to compensate by increasing land durations. Metabolic rate changes had the largest impacts on pup wean mass, with reductions in a pup’s metabolic rate allowing females to successfully forage at distances of 600+ km from land for up to 15+ days. Our results indicate that without physiological adaptations, a rookery is unlikely to be viable if the primary foraging grounds are 400 km or farther from the rookery. To achieve pup growth rates characteristic of a population experiencing rapid growth, model results indicate the primary foraging grounds need to be <150 km from the rookery. Happy New Year! Best, Liz McHuron Elizabeth McHuron, PhD Research Scientist, UW CICOES

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New paper in harbour seal population genetics
by krissisteinmetz＠aol.com 03 Jan '23

03 Jan '23

Hi all, My co-authors and I are pleased to share the publication of our recent paper: Steinmetz, K., Murphy, S., Cadhla, O.Ó., Carroll, E.L., Onoufriou, A.B., Russell, D.J.F. et al. (2022). Population structure and genetic connectivity reveals distinctiveness of Irish harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and implications for conservation management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 1– 19. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3909 Abstract1. The identification of discrete intraspecific units, such as genetically informed management units (MUs), is important to effectively develop and implement conservation strategies for protected species. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) occurring in Irish waters are currently viewed as a single nationwide panmictic population (and hence MU), although this assumption is not based on any knowledge of population structure because of the lack of available genetic data.2. Thus, the present study used mitochondrial control region sequences and between nine and 11 microsatellite loci from harbour seals from Ireland and Northern Ireland (up to n = 123) and adjacent UK/European waters (up to n = 289) to provide insights into the genetic population structure and diversity of harbour seals in the areas studied.3. Within the island of Ireland, genetic analyses revealed the presence of three genetically distinct local populations, characterized by high genetic diversity, hereby defined as: East Ireland (EI), North-west & Northern Ireland (NWNI), and South-west Ireland (SWI).4. Using previously published and newly generated data, a subsequent wider scale analysis revealed that the EI and SWI local populations were genetically distinct from neighbouring UK/European areas, whereas seals from the NWNI area could not be distinguished from a previously identified Northern UK metapopulation. Migration rate estimates showed that NWNI receives migrants from North-west Scotland, with NWNI acting as a genetic source for both SWI and EI.5. The present study provides the most comprehensive genetic assessment of harbour seals in European waters to date, with findings indicating that conservation strategies for harbour seals in Irish waters should be amended to accommodate at least three genetically distinct local populations/MUs. The use of approaches considering both ecological and genetic parameters is recommended for future assessments and delineation of units of ecological relevance for conservation management purposes. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366659911_Population_structure_and… Please feel free to email kristina_steinmetz(a)web.de or kristina.steinmetz(a)research.gmit.ie for a copy if you cannot access it. Kind regards,Kristina Steinmetz, PhDMarine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Galway, Ireland

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Fully Customizable Data Collection Platform for Marine Mammal Research
by Anne Sleeman 03 Jan '23

03 Jan '23

Fully Customizable Data Collection Platform for Marine Mammal Research Happy New Year MARMAM Community! We are thrilled to be heading into 2023 as the Primer Customizable Data Collection Software Provider! As a member of the Society of Marine Mammals, our founding partner realizes the importance of an affordable, scalable, and easy-to-use customizable database software program. Designed initially with Citizen Science in mind, our flagship product WatchSpotter Pro has grown to become the De Facto standard software for volunteer programs, citizen science, and global collaborations. We are thrilled to offer our fellow MARMAMERS special pricing packages! Please visit our website at www.watchspotterpro.com<http://www.watchspotterpro.com> or kindly reach out to discuss how WatchSpotter Pro can help you and your team meet your research objectives. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers and Happy New Year. Anne Anne Sleeman asleeman(a)watchspotterpro.com<mailto:asleeman@watchspotterpro.com> Founding Partner, WatchSpotter A Shackleton Research Trust Joint Venture

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Marine Mammal Veterinary Preceptorship Announcement
by Walk, Dominique 03 Jan '23

03 Jan '23

Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is now accepting applications through February 12th, 2023 for marine mammal veterinary preceptorship positions. The preceptorship begins on May 15th, 2023, and extends through August 15th, 2023. Applicants must be able to commit to the full preceptorship as partial terms are currently not offered. MMoME is a non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles between Kittery and Rockland, Maine, covering some of the busiest seal stranding activity on the East Coast. MMoME also operates a unique triage and rehabilitation center which provides critical care to sick and injured pinnipeds from all over New England. Additionally, our mission heavily encompasses marine mammal research and education. We are seeking actively enrolled veterinary students to assist with the upcoming 2023 harbor seal pup season. Preceptors, interns, and volunteers are critical in fulfilling our mission and are given the unique opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. On a day-to-day basis, preceptors work under the supervision and direction of MMoME staff and join our marine mammal veterinarian for regular patient rounds and a mentored project. Additionally, preceptors work daily alongside non-veterinary interns as a team leader to accomplish our broad scope of work during our busiest time of year. Preceptors will learn marine mammal field health assessment, handling, husbandry, and clinical care of pinnipeds, as well as data collection, necropsy, and sampling of deceased marine mammals. The preceptorship is based out of Midcoast Maine (town of Brunswick), though travel throughout our response region and New England will be necessary. Preceptors will be required to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours per week (4-5 days/week), and will include holidays, weekends, late nights, early mornings, and overnight care for critical patients as needed. For a more detailed description of the preceptorship, applicant requirements, and to apply, visit https://www.mmome.org/veterinary-preceptorship/ *Dominique Walk* *Assistant Stranding Coordinator* *Marine Mammals of MaineOffice: 207-844-8718* *Reporting Hotline: 1-800-532-9551* *www.mmome.org <http://www.mmome.org>*

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Final Rule for the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Navy Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Study Area
by Leah Davis - NOAA Federal 03 Jan '23

03 Jan '23

NOAA Fisheries issued regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the incidental take of marine mammals by the U.S. Navy’s training activities in the Gulf of Alaska Study Area over a seven-year period from February 2023 to February 2030. These regulations authorize take of individuals of 16 species of marine mammals by Level A harassment and Level B harassment incidental to the Navy’s use of sonar and other transducers and in-air detonations at or near the surface (within 10 m above the water surface) during training activities. No mortality or serious injury and no Level A harassment from non-auditory tissue damage is anticipated or authorized. You can access the final rule at: *https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-us-navy-training-activities-gulf-alaska-study-area <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-us-navy…>* . We anticipate the published version of the rule to appear in the January 4, 2023 issue of the *Federal Register*. NOAA Fisheries has also issued an Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 biological opinion on this action. Based on our biological opinion effects analyses, we concluded that the proposed action would likely adversely affect, but is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the following species: blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale (Mexico DPS), North Pacific right whale, sei whale, sperm whale, and 10 ESA-listed fish species (i.e., ESUs or DPSs). Similarly, we concluded that the proposed action is not likely to destroy or adversely modify designated (or proposed) critical habitat for any of the ESA-listed species affected by GOA activities. NOAA Fisheries’ regulations require mitigation and monitoring measures that are expected to reduce adverse impacts to marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries and the Navy have worked together to develop a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures including procedural mitigations that reduce the likelihood of mortality, injury, hearing impairment, and more severe behavioral responses for most species, as well as time/area mitigation that further protect areas where marine mammals conduct important behaviors and/or sensitive species congregate, which further reduces the likelihood of takes that are likely to impact reproduction or survival. Overall, NOAA Fisheries and the Navy have developed adaptive management and a robust monitoring plan specifically for these training activities to help better understand the effects of Navy activities on protected marine species. Please visit *https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-marine-mammal-protection-act* <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-…> for more information on NOAA’s incidental take program under the MMPA. [image: image.png] Geographic Mitigation Areas for Protected Marine Species in the GOA Study Area -- *Leah Davis *(she/her) Biologist, Office of Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce Office: (301) 427- 8431 www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL
by AIMM Internships 02 Jan '23

02 Jan '23

*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL* *BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor, hiking, kayaking, surf classes and others. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from 15tg April to 30th November 2023. The minimum internship attendance is 7 days, preferably starting on a Monday. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos. Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions. The field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer, but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: - Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; - Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; - Access and collect environmental data; - Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; - Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos; - Measure water visibility with the Secchi disk methodology; - Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals; - Land base monitoring of marine mammals. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2023 season, please contact: interns(a)aimmportugal.org *Included* in the fee is: - Accommodation in the research house; - Transportation to/from the marina; - Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); - Fieldwork in the research vessel. *Not included* in the fee is: - Transportation to/from Albufeira; - Meals in restaurants and snacks; - Free time activities; - Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); - Personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* - Be above the age of 16; - Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; - Be autonomous and flexible; - Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; - Speak English; - Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: - Relevant marine mammal field experience - Working experience on research vessels - Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms - Experience in photo-identification - Professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID - Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: * You can apply on AIMM website here <http://www.aimmportugal.org/opportunities/dolphin-research-internship/>*.* *or * Send us an e-mail to: interns(a)aimmportugal.org, with the subject “*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*” with your CV and motivation letter. We will send you a confirmation email with the availability and all the other details. Applications will be accepted during all season. However, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. The follow links are a shorts videos about the internship in Albufeira. You get a different perspective and feedback from old participants about it: http://bit.ly/aimm-movie <https://bit.ly/AIMM-movie> https://youtu.be/hTJJQPHBdI0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTIEQEsftA *Contacts*: interns(a)aimmportugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | <http://aimm-marineresearch.blogspot.com/>

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