November 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Extended deadline for summary submission/Call for Papers to Nov 30th 2023: Special Research topic in Frontiers in Conservation Science: Rebounding Marine Mammal Species and Conservation Recovery Challenges
by andrea bogomolni 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

Dear Marmam Community, We have an extension deadline for this special research topic! -Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline now *30 November 2023* We are excited for this special research topic in Frontiers in Conservation Science; Human-Wildlife Interactions on "*Rebounding Marine Mammal Species and Conservation Recovery Challenges*." Topic Editors are Andrea Bogomolni, Kristina Cammen and Jennifer Jackman. To submit your summary and for more information go to: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/58906/rebounding-marine-mammal-… ------ Marine mammals have been valued for millennia for their cultural significance and more often, their exploitative resource value. Many large whale species remain imperiled or are only recently returning from the brink of extinction. In contrast, recent conservation measures have allowed for the successful rebound and recovery of many cetaceans and pinniped species, some to the point of perceived “overabundance”, whether referring to 1,200 Hawaiian monk seals or 7 million harp seals. In addition to their continued intrinsic value alive and thriving, today we also appreciate the value of marine mammal species to ecosystem health. Yet, as we grapple with a lack of historical baselines, and uncertain ecological and social carrying capacities, several conflicts are emerging at the growing interface between humans and marine mammals. These conflicts include ship strikes, depredation, bycatch, impacts of ecotourism, competition for resources, changing cultural values and political challenges to marine mammal conservation. Despite the emergence of theory and application of human dimensions of wildlife in the terrestrial realm, the rebound of marine mammals and how we address these conflicts in the coastal and ocean environment are often overlooked when discussing human-wildlife conflict issues and solutions. This Research Topic aims to increase awareness of these issues to advance the discussion on how we can address these challenges in ocean systems. This Research Topic welcomes case studies, original research, methods, perspectives, reviews, and policy briefs, on themes such as: • Case studies of rebounding marine mammals from around the world. • Examples of community outreach, education, and engagement related to rebounding populations. • Human dimensions of wildlife research studies, which specifically address the ocean system or the lack of human dimensions research on marine species and their interactions with humans. • Ecological studies, which quantify the impact of growing marine mammal populations or estimate ecological carrying capacity. • Sociological studies, which consider differing stakeholder values, the social carrying capacity of marine mammals, and how increasing human populations are a factor in these conflicts. • Marine policy, politics, and economic analyses, such as evaluation of how resources are distributed for marine mammal management. • Studies of the impacts of current politics, policy and management on marine mammals. • Environmental ethics studies, for example, of moral obligations to exploited populations of marine mammals.

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Center for Whale Research 2024 Research Internship
by michael＠whaleresearch.com 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

Center for Whale Research Summer 2024 Research Internship General Description The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is seeking applications for two research interns for the summer of 2024. This is a three-month position, working with the CWR research and education staff on San Juan Island, Washington, to conduct on-the-water field work, catalog and analyze data, and communicate scientific information to the public. The successful applicants will be provided with housing, training by CWR research and education staff, and a $1,000/month subsistence stipend. About the Center for Whale Research The Center for Whale Research is an internationally recognized non-profit research institution based in Friday Harbor, Washington, USA. For the last four decades, the CWR has conducted rigorous, non-invasive demographic and behavioral research on killer whales in the Pacific Northwest, with particular emphasis on the endangered southern resident killer whales. As part of our primary research project, Orca Survey, the CWR completes an individual-level photo-ID census of the SRKW every year. Additionally, the CWR conducts behavioral studies of killer whales using unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) to understand their foraging, movement, and social structure. More information about the CWR, including our mission, goals, current research, and past publications, is available on our website (whaleresearch.com) Role and Responsibilities This internship aims to provide training and experience to students and early career researchers who hope to pursue a career in marine mammal research and conservation. Interns will participate in the CWR’s Orca Survey and Aerial Observation research programs, both on the water and in the office. The successful applicant will gain training and experience in: * Small boat operations and safety * Cetacean photography for individual identification and health assessment * Killer whale behavioral observation and sampling * Unoccupied aerial system (UAS) operations for behavioral observation * Data cataloging and management, including photographs, videos, and behavior notes * Identification of individual resident and Bigg’s killer whales * Communicating science to the general public This work will involve early mornings, long days on the water in a small, open boat, and long hours of computer work cataloging and analyzing video and photographs. Interns will spend one day per week in the CWR’s Orca Survey Outreach Center in Friday Harbor, communicating research and delivering short presentations to the public. Interns will receive science communication training from the CWR’s education and outreach staff. Duration The internship will begin on June 15, 2024, and end on September 15, 2024. Eligibility Applicants must either hold or be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (i.e. life and environmental sciences). All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and be able to live and study in the USA. Required Skills and Experience * Experience being part of a collaborative research team in field or laboratory settings * Able to live in a communal setting * Good teamwork and communication skills * Highly motivated and eager to learn * Computer literate, particularly with Microsoft Office and file management systems * Comfortable communicating information to the general public, both one-on-one and in presentations * Physically able to lift equipment up to 70 lbs and spend long days on a moving vessel with significant wind and sun exposure * Comfortable with a flexible work schedule - will likely include early mornings and late evenings on the boat for fieldwork Application Process To apply for this internship, please fill out this form: <https://forms.gle/ZExqoBxqqAaYBPB38> https://forms.gle/ZExqoBxqqAaYBPB38 In addition to answering some basic questions, you will be asked to upload a cover letter, CV, and contact information for two references. In your cover letter, please clearly outline why you would like to undertake this internship, what you hope to accomplish in your career more generally, and any challenges or barriers you’ve faced in your career and education. Applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in marine and life sciences are highly encouraged to apply. Applications close on February 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM, Pacific. Applicants will be notified whether they have been short-listed in early March. Short-listed candidates will then be invited to a brief online interview with the CWR research team, with interviews held in March. Short-listed candidates will be informed whether they were selected in early April. If you have any questions, please email Michael Weiss: <mailto:michael@whaleresearch.com> michael(a)whaleresearch.com

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New publication: common dolphin and minke whale habitat preferences over the Malin Shelf.
by Morgane Pommier 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share with you our new publication "Exploring environmental and biological drivers of cetacean occurrence in the cross-border region of the Malin Shelf using data from a European fishery survey" available in open-access at: Frontiers | Exploring environmental and biological drivers of cetacean occurrence in the cross-border region of the Malin Shelf using data from a European fishery survey (frontiersin.org) <https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1224267/full?&utm_s…> *Pommier, M., O'Donnell, C., Barile, C., McGill, R., Berrow, S., & O'Brien, J. Exploring environmental and biological drivers of cetacean occurrence in the cross-border region of the Malin Shelf using data from a European fishery survey. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 1224267.* Abstract: Irish and Scottish waters are important habitats for cetaceans in Europe. Yet, little data is available for the region of the Malin Shelf, north of Ireland. Despite a rich species diversity, relative cetacean abundance appears low compared to hotspots documented west of Scotland and Ireland. Whether this perceived low prevalence accurately portrays an ecological discontinuity or arises from a lack of published results and low survey effort in that transborder area remains unclear. Here, we used sighting records from a multi-disciplinary fisheries survey, the Western European Shelf Pelagic Acoustic Survey (WESPAS), to explore cetacean habitat preferences over the Malin and Hebridean shelves. Northern minke whale and common dolphin occurrence was modelled within a Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) framework, against selected environmental and biological variables. No correlation was observed between cetacean presence and in-situ prey biomass. Minke whale distribution was better explained by oceanography, notably proxies for frontal activity, and primary productivity. Common dolphins similarly showed preferences for shelf waters within 5-25km of fronts, but also affinities for fine substrates. Favourable habitats identified by the models were consistent with literature around the Hebrides and shed light on potentially important areas along the Islay front and north of Donegal, so far unreported due to data deficiency. Results will contribute towards informing future monitoring, strategic management and conservation efforts in this cross-border region. Kind regards, Morgane Pommier

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ACS Orange County Naturalist Class 2024
by hannah rich 16 Nov '23

16 Nov '23

The American Cetacean Society invites you to our annual Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification Course. Certified Naturalists can represent ACS-OC on board whale-watching vessels, at schools, and other venues. Course Info: 11 week hybrid course (alternating Zoom / in-person at Orange Coast College) Thursday evenings @ 7 PM Required national ACS membership fee: $35 (naturalist student price) Course fee: $175 includes: ACS-OC Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification after successful completion of final exam. Official ACS-OC badge with name and naturalist title. Unlimited access to lecture recordings and course materials. Celebratory graduation whale watch trip with all your new ACS-OC friends! Free for you with the option to bring friends and family! Course and Registration info can be found at our website: https://www.acsorangecounty.org/naturalists

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New publication: Non-lunge feeding behaviour of humpback whales associated with fishing boats in Norway (Takashi Iwata)
by Takashi Iwata 16 Nov '23

16 Nov '23

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of our collaborators, we are pleased to share the following paper recently published in Ethology, "Non-lunge feeding behaviour of humpback whales associated with fishing boats in Norway." Takashi Iwata, Kagari Aoki, Patrick J. O. Miller, Martin Biuw, Michael J. Williamson, Katsufumi Sato You can find the article at: https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13419 Top marine predators, such as odontocetes, pinnipeds, and seabirds, are known to forage around fishing boats as fishermen aggregate and/or discard their prey. Recently, incidents of humpback whales interacting with fishing boats have been reported. However, whether humpback whales utilise discard fish as a food source and how they forage around fishing boats is unknown. This study reports, for the first time, the foraging behaviour of a humpback whale around fishing boats. Three whales were tagged using a suction-cup tag containing a video camera, and a behavioural data logger in the coastal area of Tromsø, Norway. Video data from one tagged whale showed that the whale remained in close vicinity of fishing boats for 43 min, and revealed the presence of large numbers of dead fish, fish-eating killer whales, fishing boats, and fishing gear. In waters with large numbers of dead fish, the whale raised its upper jaw, a motion associated with engulfing discard fish from fishing boats, and this feeding behaviour differed markedly from lunge-feeding observed in two other whales in the same area. This behaviour was defined as “pick-up feeding”. No lunge feeding was seen on the data logger when the whale foraged around fishing boats. This study highlights a novel humpback whale foraging strategy: low energy gain from scattered prey but also low energy costs as high-energy lunge feeding is not required. Kind regards, Takashi Iwata -- Takashi Iwata (Ph.D) Assistant Professor Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University 5-1-1 Fukaeminamimachi, Higashinada, Kobe, Hyogo, 658-0022, JAPAN Tel: +81 78 4316323 E-mail1: iwatatakashi(a)gmail.com E-mail2: iwata(a)panda.kobe-u.ac.jp URL:https://iwatatakashi.wixsite.com/tiwata-en URL:http://researchmap.jp/iwatatakashi/?lang=english

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Shining light on dolphin physiology
by Andreas Fahlman 16 Nov '23

16 Nov '23

Dear MarMamers We would like to share our new open-access publication that investigated the use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy as a non-invasive tool to study physiology in the bottlenose dolphin. We report preliminary data which indicate that this technology allows us to measure blood flow and tissue and blood oxygenation in this dolphins. The details about the paper can be found below, and please send me or Alex Ruesch (aruesch(a)andrew.cmu.edu) an email if you have any questions. Sincerely, Andreas Title: Evaluating feasibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in dolphins Authors: Ruesch, A., Acharya, D., Bulger, E., Cao, J., McKnight, J. C., Manley, M., Fahlman, A., Shinn-Cunningham, B. G. and Kainerstorfer, J. M. Journal: Journal of Biomedical Optics doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.28.7.075001 Abstract: Significance: Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) could help to understand how echolocating animals perceive their environment and how they focus on specific auditory objects, such as fish, in noisy marine settings. Aim: To test the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in medium-sized marine mammals, such as dolphins, we modeled the light propagation with computational tools to determine the wavelengths, optode locations, and separation distances that maximize sensitivity to brain tissue. Approach: Using frequency-domain NIRS, we measured the absorption and reduced scattering coefficient of dolphin sculp. We assigned muscle, bone, and brain optical properties from the literature and modeled light propagation in a spatially accurate and biologically relevant model of a dolphin head, using finite-element modeling. We assessed tissue sensitivities for a range of wavelengths (600 to 1700 nm), source-detector distances (50 to 120 mm), and animal sizes (juvenile model 25% smaller than adult). Results: We found that the wavelengths most suitable for imaging the brain fell into two ranges: 700 to 900 nm and 1100 to 1150 nm. The optimal location for brain sensing positioned the center point between source and detector 30 to 50 mm caudal of the blowhole and at an angle 45 deg to 90 deg lateral off the midsagittal plane. Brain tissue sensitivity comparable to human measurements appears achievable only for smaller animals, such as juvenile bottlenose dolphins or smaller species of cetaceans, such as porpoises, or with source-detector separations ≫100 mm in adult dolphins. Conclusions: Brain measurements in juvenile or subadult dolphins, or smaller dolphin species, may be possible using specialized fNIRS devices that support optode separations of >100 mm. We speculate that many measurement repetitions will be required to overcome hemodynamic signals originating predominantly from the muscle layer above the skull. NIRS measurements of muscle tissue are feasible today with source-detector separations of 50 mm, or even less..

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JNCC-recognised MMO course
by Carolyn Barton 15 Nov '23

15 Nov '23

There will be a JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters on 30th November and 1st December, remote delivery by Zoom. This course will cover all the information needed for work as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) in UK waters. Taught by an instructor with over 25 years experience, the course content includes: 1) Impacts of noise on marine mammals 2) Introduction to activities that require mitigation 3) Legislation protecting marine mammals and marine licensing 4) Detailed examination of the JNCC guidelines for geophysical surveys, pile driving and explosives 5) Data recording and reporting requirements 6) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 7) Overview of passive acoustic monitoring 8) Working as an MMO/ PAM operator 9) Identification of marine mammals Zoom sessions will be a mixture of lectures and exercises, over 1.5 days. Any exercises not completed during the sessions can be completed in your own time. There is also an online multiple choice exam to be done at your convenience after the Zoom sessions (re-sits are possible if you don't pass first time). Each delegate gets individual feedback on their exercises and the exam. The cost of the course is £180 (180GBP). On successful completion of the course (including the exercises and exam) you will receive JNCC-recognised certification, which is required for work as an MMO in UK waters. For further details and for a registration form see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk .

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New publication: Habitat use of Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis in a heavily urbanized embayment
by Meirelles, Carol 15 Nov '23

15 Nov '23

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication in the Marine Ecology Progress Series: Meirelles, A. C. O., Choi-Lima, K. F., Campos, T. M., Monteiro-Filho, E. L.A., & Lotufo, T. M.C. (2023). Habitat use of Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis in a heavily urbanized embayment. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 722, 195-206. Abstract: Understanding environmental and anthropogenic variables that influence the presence of dolphins in coastal areas is fundamental for conservation planning and forecasting. In this study, we applied generalized additive models to identify areas of high probability of occurrence of Guiana dolphins in Mucuripe embayment, a heavily urbanized area in northeastern Brazil. Sighting and effort data were collected during systematic, boat-based surveys between 2009 and 2011. Models were built using 70% of the data to test the model and 30% to evaluate its predictive performance. Variables investigated included depth, slope, seabed complexity, and distance to the coast, breakwaters, and the fishing grounds. The best model explained 40.8% of the total deviance. Seabed complexity, distance to the breakwaters and distance to the fishing grounds were the most important variables, with dolphins showing a preference for areas with a less complex seabed immediately adjacent to the breakwaters (<500 m, decreasing with distance) as well as a preference for fishing grounds (again decreasing with distance). Using the validation data, the model showed excellent performance. The habitat use and preference of Guiana dolphins in the study area seem to be mainly influenced by foraging opportunities, with dolphins concentrating in areas with higher prey abundance and where foraging success is higher because of a strategy called ‘barrier-feeding’, in which animals herd fish against piers, breakwaters, and the coast. Kind regards, Carol. Carol Meirelles, PhD (she/her) Marine Mammal Research Unit Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada

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New paper on assessing faecal glucocorticoids in gray whales exposed to stressors
by Enrico Pirotta 15 Nov '23

15 Nov '23

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper is now available online: Enrico Pirotta, Alejandro Fernandez Ajó, KC Bierlich, Clara N. Bird, C. Loren Buck, Samara M. Haver, Joseph H. Haxel, Lisa Hildebrand, Kathleen E. Hunt, Leila S. Lemos, Leslie New, Leigh G. Torres. Assessing variation in faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in gray whales exposed to anthropogenic stressors. Conservation Physiology. Abstract: Understanding how individual animals respond to stressors behaviourally and physiologically is a critical step towards quantifying long-term population consequences and informing management efforts. Glucocorticoid (GC) metabolite accumulation in various matrices provides an integrated measure of adrenal activation in baleen whales and could thus be used to investigate physiological changes following exposure to stressors. In this study, we measured GC concentrations in faecal samples of Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) collected over seven consecutive years to assess the association between GC content and metrics of exposure to sound levels and vessel traffic at different temporal scales, while controlling for contextual variables such as sex, reproductive status, age, body condition, year, time of year and location. We develop a Bayesian Generalized Additive Modelling approach that accommodates the many complexities of these data, including non-linear variation in hormone concentrations, missing covariate values, repeated samples, sampling variability and some hormone concentrations below the limit of detection. Estimated relationships showed large variability, but emerging patterns indicate a strong context-dependency of physiological variation, depending on sex, body condition and proximity to a port. Our results highlight the need to control for baseline hormone variation related to context, which otherwise can obscure the functional relationship between faecal GCs and stressor exposure. Therefore, extensive data collection to determine sources of baseline variation in well-studied populations, such as PCFG gray whales, could shed light on cetacean stress physiology and be used to extend applicability to less-well-studied taxa. GC analyses may offer greatest utility when employed as part of a suite of markers that, in aggregate, provide a multivariate measure of physiological status, better informing estimates of individuals’ health and ultimately the consequences of anthropogenic stressors on populations. Keywords: anthropogenic stressors, baleen whales, dose-response functions, faecal hormone metabolites, glucocorticoids, Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales, physiological variation. A PDF copy of the paper can be downloaded for free from: https://academic.oup.com/conphys/article/11/1/coad082/7410313 Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work. Best Regards, Enrico Pirotta

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New publications on Wind Energy related research
by Genevieve Davis - NOAA Federal 15 Nov '23

15 Nov '23

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce 3 recent publications from our Passive Acoustics Branch in the ICES Journal of Marine Science special issue "Assessing the impact of expanding offshore wind energy". All are open access: 1. Davis, G.E., Tennant, S.C., Van Parijs, S.M. Upcalling behaviour and patterns in North Atlantic right whales, implications for monitoring protocols during wind energy development, *ICES Journal of Marine Science*, 2023;, fsad174, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad174 Abstract: Offshore wind energy is rapidly developing in US waters, with construction underway off Southern New England (SNE), an important region for many species, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW). A data-driven understanding of NARW upcalling behaviour is presented here to help establish proper monitoring protocols for mitigating impacts. Analyses of individual upcalls from 2 years of acoustic recordings showed that NARWs were detected at least 1 day every week throughout both years, with highest NARW presence from October to April. Weeks with more days of acoustic presence typically had more hours with calling activity, but the number of upcalls within a day or hour was variable, reflective of the social function of the upcall. Within SNE, on average, 95% of the time NARWs persisted for 10 days, and reoccurred again within 11 days. An evaluation of the time period over which it is most effective to monitor prior to commencing pile driving activities showed that with 1 h of pre-construction monitoring there was only 4% likelihood of hearing a NARW, compared to 74% at 18 h. Therefore, monitoring for at least 24 h prior to activity will increase the likelihood of detecting an up-calling NARW. 2. Holdman, A.K., Tregenza, N., Van Parijs, S.M., DeAngelis, A.I. Acoustic ecology of harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*) between two U.S. offshore wind energy areas, *ICES Journal of Marine Science*, 2023;, fsad150, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad150 Abstract: Offshore wind energy is set to develop rapidly in waters off the east coast of the United States. There is considerable overlap between areas proposed for offshore wind development and harbour porpoise habitats in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Southern New England waters. Baseline data on the occurrence and foraging activity of porpoises was collected using 10 echolocation-click detectors (F-PODs) from 2020 to 2022. Porpoises were present year-round in the GOM with peak detections in the summer and fall. In line with previous reported distribution patterns, porpoise occurrence in Southern New England was high in fall, winter and spring, but porpoises were largely absent in the summer. One site in the GOM, Mount Desert Rock (MDR), was an anomaly as porpoise detections here were highest in the winter. On average, foraging was identified in 29% of all porpoise detections, with the most foraging occurring at MDR (53%). Results from generalized additive models suggest that time of year, hour of day, lunar illumination, and temperature are significant contributors to porpoise presence and/or foraging effort. European studies show that harbour porpoises exhibit behavioural changes, disruption of foraging and displacement due to wind energy development. Therefore, early identification of areas of importance, mitigating impacts, and monitoring changes is essential for the protection of this species in US waters. 3. Van Parijs, S.M., DeAngelis, A.I., Aldrich, T., Gordon, R., Holdman, A., McCordic, J.A., Mouy, X., Rowell, T.J., Tennant, S., Westell, A., Davis, G.E. Establishing baselines for predicting change in ambient sound metrics, marine mammal, and vessel occurrence within a US offshore wind energy area, *ICES Journal of Marine Science*, 2023;, fsad148, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad148 Abstract: Evaluating potential impacts on marine animals or increased sound levels resulting from offshore wind energy construction requires the establishment of baseline data records from which to draw inference. This study provides 2 years of baseline data on cetacean species’ presence, vessel activity, and ambient sound levels in the southern New England wind energy area. With eight species/families present in the area for at least 9 months of the year, this area represents an important habitat for cetaceans. Most species showed seasonality, with peak daily presence in winter (harbour porpoise, North Atlantic right, fin, and humpback whales), summer (sperm whales), spring (sei whales), or spring and fall/autumn (minke whales). Delphinids were continuously present and blue whales present only in January. The endangered North Atlantic right whales were present year round with high presence in October through April. Daily vessel presence showed an increase from summer through fall/autumn. On average, ambient sound levels were lowest in summer and increased late 2021 through 2022 with most temporal variability occurring across lower frequencies. The area showed a complex soundscape with several species sharing time–frequency space as well as overlap of vessel noise with the communication range of all baleen whale species. Cheers, *Genevieve Davis* *Passive Acoustics Branch* Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce Phone: 508-495-2325‬ NEFSC Passive Acoustic Research: www.fisheries.noaa.gov <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/endangered-species-…> NEFSC Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map (PACM) <https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/>

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