April 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

JNCC-recognised MMO course, May 2023
by Carolyn Barton 27 Apr '23

27 Apr '23

JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters, 25 & 26 May 2023, 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). The cost of the course is £200 (200GBP) payable after the course (10% discount available for students or recent graduates). There is no cancellation fee. The course is limited to small numbers; each delegate gets individual feedback on their exercises and the exam. 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 . Carolyn Barton

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New publication: Exposure and behavioural responses of tagged bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) to vessels in the Pacific Arctic
by Morgan J. Martin 27 Apr '23

27 Apr '23

Greetings! On behalf of my coauthors, I am happy to share the link to an open-access paper we published today in* Arctic Science*: Martin, M.J., Halliday, W.D., Citta, J.J., Quakenbush, L., Harwood, L., Lea, E.V., Dawson, J., Nicoll, A., Insley, S.J. (2023) Exposure and behavioural responses of tagged bowhead whales (*Balaena mysticetus*) to vessels in the Pacific Arctic. *Arctic Scienc*e. e-First: https://doi.org/10.1139/as-2022-0052 Link to the freely downloadable paper: https://doi.org/10.1139/AS-2022-0052 *Abstract:* Arctic marine mammals face many challenges linked to climate change, including increasing anthropogenic noise from vessel traffic. The bowhead whale (*Balaena mysticetus* Linnaeus, 1758), an Arctic endemic cetacean, relies on acoustic communication, with documented overlapping frequencies between communication and vessel noise. Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort (BCB) bowhead whales migrate through areas with the highest levels of vessel traffic in the Pacific Arctic. Here, we document the spatial and temporal overlap between 25 satellite-tagged BCB bowhead whales and vessels during July–December, 2012–2018. We report 1332 occasions when a vessel was within 125 km of a tagged whale, and where possible, quantified changes in swim speed to investigate individual behavioural responses to vessel approaches within a 50 km radius (n = 18 encounters). In the quantitative analysis, bowhead whales were not observed to alter swim speed within 8–50 km of vessels (we could not assess distances <8 km). Our results suggest that bowhead whales did not exhibit detectable long-range (i.e., up to 50 km) behavioural responses to vessels, consistent with observations of closely related North Atlantic right whales (*Eubalaena glacialis* (Muller, 1776)), for which vessel strikes are a leading cause of mortality. More work is required to assess how bowhead whales react to vessels at closer distances. Please check out this website for a list of additional publications on our research on marine mammals and noise in the Arctic: http://www.arcticnoise.ca/publications.html Please feel free to email me for a pdf copy of our new paper if you have issues accessing the link. mjmartin(a)sandiego.edu Cheers, Morgan J. Martin, PhD Wildlife Conservation Society Canada University of Victoria, B.C., Canada

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MMO, PSO & PAM Training Course 2023
by Tabbi McGhee 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

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 course in-person near Edinburgh at OSC's Dunbar headquarters: 30th May to 2nd June 2023 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 Tabbi McGhee PA to Directors & Office Manager 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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Prey selection by Rice's whales in the Gulf of Mexico: new paper
by Jeremy Kiszka 25 Apr '23

25 Apr '23

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my coauthors, I am happy to share the link to an open-access paper we published today in Scientific Reports: Kiszka, J.J., Caputo, M., Vollenweider, J., Heithaus, M.R., Dias, L.A. & Garrison, L.P. Critically endangered Rice's whales (Balaenoptera ricei) selectively feed on high-energy prey in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientific Reports, 13: 6710. Link to the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-33905-6 Abstract: Determining the drivers of prey selection in marine predators is critical when investigating ecosystem structure and function. The newly recognized Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) is one of the most critically endangered large whales in the world and endemic to the industrialized Gulf of Mexico. Here, we investigated the drivers of resource selection by Rice’s whales in relation to prey availability and energy density. Bayesian stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) mixing models suggest that Rice’s whales feed primarily on a schooling fish, Ariomma bondi (66.8% relative contribution). Prey selection using the Chesson’s index revealed that active prey selection was found to be positive for three out of the four potential prey identified in the mixing model. A low degree of overlap between prey availability and diet inferred from the mixing model (Pianka Index: 0.333) suggests that prey abundance is not the primary driver of prey selection. Energy density data suggest that prey selection may be primarily driven by the energy content. Results from this study indicate that Rice’s whales are selective predators consuming schooling prey with the highest energy content. Environmental changes in the region have the potential to influence prey species that would make them less available to Rice’s whales. Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University https://environment.fiu.edu Principal Investigator, Marine Conservation Ecology Lab. https://marineconservationecologylab.com 3000 NE 151 St., FL-33181, North Miami, USA. Office (direct): (305)-919-5234 [cid:be29e8a8-61eb-4421-a3af-fd09403863e6]

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New publication - Humpback whales abundance on the east coast of South Africa
by Elisa Seyboth 25 Apr '23

25 Apr '23

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: C Wilkinson, E Seyboth, J Olbers, E Vermeulen, R Kramer & K Findlay. 2023. Estimating population changes in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae migrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, DOI:10.2989/1814232X.2023.2193591 Abstract: Shore-based surveys of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were performed from Cape Vidal, on the eastcoast of South Africa (iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, Indian Ocean), from two independent platforms between27 June and 7 August in 2018 and 2019, to estimate the relative abundance and growth rate of the C1 breeding substock of the species. Observed whale groups were tracked by analogue survey theodolites, and observednumbers were adjusted to account for daily sighting effort and the proportions of groups missed by observers.Daily sighting frequency was aggregated across the season to result in annual relative abundance estimates of 10 499 (2018) and 11 009 (2019) individuals, with peak frequencies from 28 July to 3 August in both years. Whencompared with previous estimates from the same study area, we estimated an average annual increase rate of 7.4% to 8.8% over 31 years from 1988. These results indicate a slowing of the rate of increase from previous estimates,which could suggest that the population is approaching pre-exploitation numbers or that yet unidentified threats are negatively impacting the growth rate. Continued monitoring of the recovering humpback whale stocks is critical to identify any possible effects of Southern Ocean ecosystem changes on the stock health of these whales. The paper can be accessed here<https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2023.2193591> or upon request to christopher.wilkinson(a)up.ac.za . [https://covers.tandf.co.uk/og/TAMS.png]<https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2023.2193591> Estimating population changes in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliaemigrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa<https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2023.2193591> Shore-based surveys of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were performed from Cape Vidal, on the east coast of South Africa (iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, Indian Ocean), from two independ... doi.org  This is a contribution of the Whales and Climate Research Program<https://whalesandclimate.org/>. With kind regards, Elisa. -- Dr Elisa Seyboth Postdoctoral Research Fellow Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria, South Africa Collaborating Researcher Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG - Brazil Tel.: +27 082 420 2047 www.researchgate.net/profile/Elisa_Seyboth<http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elisa_Seyboth>

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New Publication: "First description of a Gammaherpesvirus in a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea"
by Danny Morick 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

Dear MARMAM community, on behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to share with you a new publication: "First description of a Gammaherpesvirus in a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea" https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11259-023-10125-x Abstract In September 2020, a male common dolphin (*Delphinus delphis*) was found dead on a beach near Bat-Yam, Israel. A small, raised, well circumscribed penile lesion (*i.e.,* mass) was identified and removed for histology and molecular characterizations. By histology, the penile mass presented focal keratinization of the squamous epithelium and a mild ballooning of acanthocytes in lower epithelium levels, as well as features compatible with viral plaques, and tested positive for a gammaherpesvirus through molecular characterization analyses. Tissue samples from the lungs, liver, and spleen, however, tested negative for herpesvirus infection. The gammaherpesvirus detected herein is similar to other isolates found in several areas worldwide in different cetacean species. This is the first reported case of gammaherpesvirus infection in dolphins from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, indicative of the need for long-term assessments to create viral infections databases in cetaceans, especially in a climate change context, which is likely to intensify infectious disease outbreaks in marine mammals in the future. Danny Morick

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New publication on the movements and spatial usage of harbour seals in the Elbe estuary in Germany
by Abbo van Neer 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

Dear MARMAM community, on behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to share with you a new publication presenting first results of a study during which we tagged harbour seals in the Elbe estuary in Germany. Title: Movements and spatial usage of harbour seals in the Elbe estuary in Germany Authors: van Neer, A., Nachtsheim, D., Siebert, U. & Taupp, T. Abstract: Harbour seals are top predators in the North Sea and regarded as sentinels for ecosystem health. A few hundred also occur in adjacent estuaries, such as the Elbe estuary, Germany. However, only little is known about how these animals use this dynamic tidally influenced habitat, which has been under high anthropogenic pressure for decades. In this context, nine harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Elbe estuary were equipped with biotelemetry devices to track their movements over multiple months. Harbour seal movements were characterised by short trips (trip length outside pupping season for females: 9.0 ± 1.12 km, males: 7.0 ± 1.24 km) as well as small home ranges (median 50% home range for females: 16.3 km², males: 36.1 km²) compared to harbour seals from marine regions. Within the estuary, the animals utilised the fairway, river branches and tributaries. During the pupping season in June and July, four seals showed strongly reduced trip lengths and durations, increased daily haul out durations as well as smaller home ranges. Even though a continuous exchange with harbour seals from the Wadden Sea likely occurs, most individuals in this study spent the entire deployment duration inside the estuary. This indicates that the Elbe estuary provides a suitable habitat for harbour seals, despite extensive anthropogenic usage, calling for further studies on the consequences of living in such an industrialised habitat. The article is open access and freely available online via https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-33594-1 Please feel free to get in touch with us in case you have any questions. Cheers On behalf Abbo van Neer __________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Abbo van Neer Mühlenweg 10 25761 Warwerort E-Mail: abbo.van.neer(a)outlook.de Mob.: +49 160 90 23 10 72

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New publication - Organobromine in Rough-toothed dolphins from SWAO
by Nara Oliveira 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are excited to share our new publication with you entitled "*An additional threat to populations predicted to collapse: Organobromine compounds of natural and anthropogenic sources in rough-toothed dolphins from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean*". The publication goes about the bioaccumulation of natural and synthetic organobromine compounds in rough-toothed dolphins from the SWAO, that are closely associated with coastal environments. You can find the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138237 Abstract: Organic contaminants with toxic effects, like the conventional brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and BFRs of emergent concern, and their synergistic effects with other micropollutants, can be an additional threat to delphinids. Rough-toothed dolphins (*Steno bredanensis*) populations strongly associated with coastal environments already face a potential risk of decline due to high exposure to organochlorine pollutants. Moreover, natural organobromine compounds are important indicators of the environment's health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB) and the methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs) were determined in the blubber of rough-toothed dolphins from three ecological populations from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Southeastern, Southern and Outer Continental Shelf/Southern populations, SE, S, and OCS/S, respectively). The profile was dominated by the naturally produced MeO-BDEs (mainly 2′-MeO-BDE 68 and 6-MeO-BDE 47), followed by the anthropogenic BFRs PBDEs (mainly BDE 47). Median ΣMeO-BDE concentrations varied between 705.4 and 3346.0 ng g−1 lw among populations and ΣPBDE from 89.4 until 538.0 ng g−1 lw. Concentrations of anthropogenic organobromine compounds (ΣPBDE, BDE 99 and BDE 100) were higher in SE population than in OCS/S, indicating a coast – ocean gradient of contamination. Negative correlations were found between the concentration of the natural compounds and age, suggesting their metabolization and/or biodilution and maternal transference. Conversely, positive correlations were found between the concentrations of BDE 153 and BDE 154 and age, indicating low biotransformation capability of these heavy congeners. The levels of PBDEs found are concerning, particularly for SE population, because they are similar to concentrations known for the onset of endocrine disruption in other marine mammals and may be an additional threat to a population in a hotspot for chemical pollution. Let me know if you have any thoughts! Kind regards, -- *MSc. Nara de Oliveira Ferreira* _____________________________________________________________ *Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA -UERJ)* Mestre em Ecologia e Evolução - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Doutoranda em Biofísica - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Contato: + 55 21 98585.9916

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New article on killer whale blood crossmatching
by Sarah Teman 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

Hi MARMAM, We would like to share our new paper, "Blood crossmatching patterns in a population of killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) in managed care", published in *Marine Mammal Science.* Citation: Nollens, H. H., Teman, S. J., Burgess, R. L., St. Leger, J. A., & Schmitt, T. L. (2023). Blood crossmatching patterns in a population of killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) in managed care. *Marine Mammal Science. * https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13024 Abstract: Blood crossmatching is necessary to determine transfusion compatibility between individuals, especially for species for which blood groups have not yet been defined, such as the killer whale (*Orcinus orca*). This study evaluated methodology for crossmatching in killer whales from a managed care population using individuals of known lineages. Twenty killer whales were evaluated for major or minor crossmatch incompatibilities, determined by evidence of macro-agglutination. Crossmatching incompatibilities were rarely observed, both when considering 1+ reactions as incompatibilities (~15%; 59/400 pairings with 1+ to 4+) and when omitting 1+ reactions (6%; 24/400 pairings with 2+ to 4+). A universal red blood cell donor within this population (whale T) and universal recipients of red blood cells within this population (whales E, M, O, P, R, S) were identified. Relationships were examined between the most common major crossmatch phenotypes and maternal or paternal lineages. Since these whales have not been previously transfused, the diversity of crossmatch reactions could indicate the presence and diversity of preexisting alloantibodies in killer whale plasma. This study highlights the clinical value of applying a personalized medicine approach to a managed care population. If you would like to request a PDF please email steman(a)uw.edu. Best, Sarah Teman MS Student Laidre Lab - University of Washington

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Bottlenose dolphin distribution in a Mediterranean area exposed to intensive trawling
by Giovanni Bearzi 23 Apr '23

23 Apr '23

Dear colleagues, our latest work on the effects of trawling on bottlenose dolphins has been published in Marine Environmental Research. Bonizzoni S., Gramolini R., Furey N.B., Bearzi G. 2023. Bottlenose dolphin distribution in a Mediterranean area exposed to intensive trawling. Marine Environmental Research 188, 105993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105993 ABSTRACT – The Adriatic Sea is one of the areas most exposed to trawling, worldwide. We used four years (2018–2021) and 19,887 km of survey data to investigate factors influencing daylight dolphin distribution in its north-western sector, where common bottlenose dolphins *Tursiops truncatus* routinely follow fishing trawlers. We validated Automatic Identification System information on the position, type and activity of three types of trawlers based on observations from boats, and incorporated this information in a GAM-GEE modelling framework, together with physiographic, biological and anthropogenic variables. Along with bottom depth, trawlers (particularly otter and midwater trawlers) appeared to be important drivers of dolphin distribution, with dolphins foraging and scavenging behind trawlers during 39.3% of total observation time in trawling days. The spatial dimension of dolphin adaptations to intensive trawling, including distribution shifts between days with and without trawling, sheds light on the magnitude of ecological change driven by the trawl fishery. The paper will be freely available at the link below until June 8, 2023: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1gxjAW5UJNpY0 Alternatively, you may request a pdf copy to the first author, Silvia Bonizzoni <silvia.bonizzoni(a)gmail.com> We would welcome any feedback or suggestions! Cheers, Giovanni Bearzi ——————— http://www.dolphinbiology.org/people/giovanni_bearzi.htm

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