October 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

NOAA Fisheries Proposed Rule for the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Training and Testing in the HSTT Study Area
by Leah Davis - NOAA Federal 02 Oct '23

02 Oct '23

Tomorrow, NOAA Fisheries is publishing a proposed rule to modify existing regulations and Letters of Authorization (LOAs) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act that govern incidental take of marine mammals by the U.S. Navy in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area. NOAA Fisheries proposes to authorize two additional takes of large whales by serious injury or mortality by vessel strike over the remainder of the HSTT authorization period (through December 2025). The current HSTT regulations (50 CFR Part 218, Subpart H) and LOAs authorize the take of three large whales by serious injury or mortality by vessel strike. This proposed modification is based upon new information regarding U.S. Navy vessel strikes in southern California. In 2021, two separate U.S. Navy vessels struck unidentified large whales off the coast of southern California on two separate occasions, one whale in June 2021 and one whale in July 2021. In May 2023, a U.S. Navy vessel struck another large whale off the coast of southern California. Based on available photos and video, NMFS and the Navy have determined this whale was either a fin whale or sei whale. Separately, a foreign naval vessel struck two fin whales in southern California in May 2021. Given the new information regarding U.S. Navy vessel strikes of large whales off the coast of southern California, the proposed rule includes a revised analysis of vessel strike in the HSTT Study Area and a proposal to authorize two additional takes by serious injury or mortality for large whales from vessel strikes, beyond that authorized in the 2020 HSTT final rule <https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/07/10/2020-14181/taking-and-…> . NOAA Fisheries is seeking comment on this proposed rule for 45 days and will consider all information, suggestions, and comments related to the rule during the development of final regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by the Navy, if final regulations are appropriate. -- *Leah Davis *(she/her) Biologist, Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources | NOAA Fisheries (301) 427- 8431 www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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JNCC MMO Remote Seiche Training
by Marketing 02 Oct '23

02 Oct '23

JNCC MMO Remote Seiche Training<https://www.facebook.com/seichetraining?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVLfLc0RQ9Zh1jXWK0m…> + (optional) PSO training. October 19-20th via Microsoft Teams. Insight into life offshore and the practicalities of the MMO role ensure a very thorough preparation for prospective MMOs. However, those from an industry background (working alongside MMOs) will benefit from the full exploration of the complexities of mitigation requirements. A scientific background will be an advantage to delegates and a keen interest in marine mammals is key. A certificate for offshore work will be awarded upon successful completion of this course. + (optional) PSO our Seiche Training certificate for training will be awarded on completion of the course - A certificate for offshore work will be awarded upon approval from BOEM of this professional qualification. Delegates need to have a scientific background, preferably in biology and marine sciences. To book on to our training or to find out more email training(a)seiche.com<mailto:training@seiche.com> Marketing Seiche Ltd E: marketing(a)seiche.com W: https://www.seiche.com Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom Seiche Ltd is registered in England & Wales. Registered number: 1468514. Registered Office: Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom The information contained in this e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, is privileged and confidential, and solely intended for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you should not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use the information, and you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete this e-mail and attached documents.

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New publication: Inter-site variability in the Cape fur seal's behavioural response to boat noise exposure
by Mathilde Martin 01 Oct '23

01 Oct '23

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our article recently published in Marine Pollution Bulletin: *Inter-site variability in the Cape fur seal's behavioural response to boat noise exposure* Mathilde Martin, Tess Gridley, Simon Elwen, Isabelle Charrier Abstract: The impact of man-made noise on wildlife is recognised as a major global concern affecting many taxa in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with the degree of impact varying among individuals or species. Understanding the factors inducing intra-species differences in response to noise is essential for the development of adapted and effective mitigation measures. This study compares the behavioural response of Cape fur seals to boat noise exposures at two study sites showing differences in their level of exposure to anthropogenic activities, and individual composition. Increased vigilance was found for Lambert's Bay seals exposed to high noise level (70–80 dB) compared to those tested at Cape Town harbour. Comparisons with a similar study performed in Namibia were made. Intrinsic factors such as individuals' age-class, sex or arousal state as well as extrinsic factors such as the ambient noise and the nature/extent of human-seal interactions were suggested to induce such variation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115589 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115589>Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need the pdf version or if you have any questions, Best regards, -- *Mathilde MARTIN, PhD* Acoustic Communications Team, Department Cognition & Network Neuroscience NeuroPSI - Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience 151 rue de la Rotonde, 91400 Saclay, FRANCE https://neuropsi.cnrs.fr Tel: +33 (0)1 69 82 63 56 Email: mathilde.martin(a)universite-paris-saclay.fr Website: https://mathildemartin-research.com/

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New publication: Composition of cetacean communities worldwide shapes their contribution to ocean nutrient cycling (Lola Gilbert)
by lola.gilbert＠lilo.org 01 Oct '23

01 Oct '23

Dear Marman community, On the behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our article recently published in Nature Communications: Gilbert, L., Jeanniard-du-Dot, T., Authier, M. et al. Composition of cetacean communities worldwide shapes their contribution to ocean nutrient cycling. Nat Commun 14, 5823 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41532-y The article is available in open access here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41532-y.pdf Abstract: Defecation by large whales is known to fertilise oceans with nutrients, stimulating phytoplankton and ecosystem productivity. However, our current understanding of these processes is limited to a few species, nutrients and ecosystems. Here, we investigate the role of cetacean communities in the worldwide biological cycling of two major nutrients and six trace nutrients. We show that cetaceans release more nutrients in mesotrophic to eutrophic temperate waters than in oligotrophic tropical waters, mirroring patterns of ecosystem productivity. The released nutrient cocktails also vary geographically, driven by the composition of cetacean communities. The roles of small cetaceans, deep diving cetaceans and baleen whales differ quantitatively and functionally, with contributions of small cetaceans and deep divers exceeding those of large whales in some areas. The functional diversity of cetacean communities expands beyond their role as top predators to include their role as active nutrient vectors, which might be equally important to local ecosystem dynamics. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Best, Lola Gilbert lola.gilbert(a)univ-lr.fr PhD candidate at the Centre for Biological Studies of Chizé-La Rochelle

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