April 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Whale-watching boat noise summary
by Kate Sprogis 23 Apr '23

23 Apr '23

Dear Colleagues, We provide a summary for the importance behind reducing boat noise in the whale-watching industry, and highlight the need for incorporation of a boat noise emission threshold into whale-watching guidelines: https://theconversation.com/whale-watching-guidelines-dont-include-boat-noi…. Perhaps your local or National government would be interested in considering whale-watch boat noise (e.g., by only using quieter boats)? Authors: Dr Kate Sprogis, Associate Prof. Fredrik Christiansen and Dr Patricia Arranz. Kind regards, Kate Sprogis, PhD Marine Mammal Researcher Great Southern Marine Research Facility Albany campus WA 6330 Australia +61 8 9842 0881 * kate.sprogis(a)uwa.edu.au [UWA on Twitter]<https://twitter.com/KateSprogis>[UWA on Instagram]<https://www.instagram.com/katesprogis/>[UWA on Linked In]<linkedin.com/in/kate-sprogis-23abb58b>[cid:image005.png@01D976A2.0F66DFC0]<http://www.katesprogis.wordpress.com/> [cid:image006.png@01D976A2.0F66DFC0] [cid:image007.jpg@01D976A2.0F66DFC0] Recent publications: * Sprogis, K.R., and Parra, G.J. 2022. Coastal dolphins and marine megafauna in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia: informing conservation management actions in an area under increasing human pressure. Wildlife Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR22023 * Sprogis, K. R., D. Holman, P. Arranz, and F. Christiansen. 2023. Effects of whale-watching activities on southern right whales in Encounter Bay, South Australia. Marine Policy. 150:105525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105525

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New publication on individual variability in humpback whale songs
by Luca Lamoni 23 Apr '23

23 Apr '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are excited to share this new open-access publication: Luca Lamoni, Ellen C. Garland, Jenny A. Allen, Jennifer Coxon, Michael J. Noad, Luke Rendell; Variability in humpback whale songs reveals how individuals can be distinctive when sharing a complex vocal display. J Acoust Soc Am 1 April 2023; 153 (4): 2238. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0017602 Abstract: Individually distinctive acoustic signals in animal vocal communication are taxonomically widespread, however, the investigation of these signal types in marine mammals has focused only on a few species. Humpback whale songs are a stereotyped, hierarchically structured vocal display performed by males, and hence thought to be sexually selected. Within a population, whales conform to a common version of the song despite the song constantly evolving. While humpback songs have been studied extensively at the population level, individual level variation has been rarely described, with inconclusive results. Here, we quantified inter- and intra-individual variability at different levels in the song hierarchy using songs from 25 singers across two song types from the eastern Australian population song of 2002 (12 singers), and the revolutionary song introduced in 2003 (13 singers). Inter-individual variability was found heterogeneously across all hierarchical levels of the song structure. In addition, distinct and individually specific patterns of song production were consistently recorded across song levels, with clear structural differences between the two song types. These results suggest that within the constraints of song conformity, males can produce individually distinctive patterns that could function as an advertisement to females to convey individual qualities. The publication is available in open access here: https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0017602 If you have any questions or need a pdf copy of the paper, you can reach me at: luca.lamoni(a)ices.dk or lucalamoni(a)gmail.com

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FW: Reminder - UF Summer online aquatics courses - Manatee Health
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 22 Apr '23

22 Apr '23

Hi All, Registration is currently open for Summer 2023. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Manatee Health & Conservation course, fully online. Classes starts Monday May 15th and run through Friday Aug 11th. Registration will remain open through May 17th. Manatee Health and Conservation Class (VME4016 and VME6017) is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Senior Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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DOSITS Free Underwater Sound Webinar - April 25, 2023 - Overview of Natural Underwater Sound
by Ellen Bellagamba Fucile 21 Apr '23

21 Apr '23

**apologies for cross-postings** The Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dosits.org_&d=DwMFa…> Team is pleased to announce that it will again facilitate a free, four-part webinar series on underwater sound. Topics covered will include natural underwater sound, extreme sounds (natural and anthropogenic), the potential impacts of underwater sound associated with vessels (Saturn Project), and how animals (marine mammals, fishes, and even humans) may use ambient sound. Each webinar will run approximately 60 minutes in length and will consist of a presentation by one or more experts followed by a period of facilitated discussion. The webinar series is open to all interested individuals; however, registration is required. For a registration link and other details, please visit the 2023 Webinar Series page on the DOSITS website: https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/2023-webinar/. The first webinar in the 2023 series will take place on April 25, 2023, at 12pm ET; Dr. Jen Miksis-Olds will provide an overview of natural underwater sound on a global scale. This webinar, and others in the 2023 series, will be hosted via Zoom, and also streamed live on YouTube. Participants can ask questions through either platform. All webinars will be recorded, and the webinar recordings will be available on the DOSITS website (and on Vimeo). DOSITS will again offer a free Certificate of Professional Development in association with the 2023 Underwater Acoustics Webinar Series. For certificate requirements and other details, please visit the 2023 DOSITS Webinar Series page: https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/2023-webinar/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__dosits.org_decision-2D…>. Questions? Please contact the DOSITS Team at dositswebinar(a)uri.edu.

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Job Posting - Research Technician in Passive Acoustics, Noise Modeling, Fish Acoustics, & Bottlenose Dolphin Monitoring
by Montie, Eric 21 Apr '23

21 Apr '23

Dear Colleagues, Please forward this official University of South Carolina (USC) job posting to interested candidates: The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab and the Lowcountry Dolphin Conservation Program (Supervisor Dr. Eric Montie) is looking for a motivated Research Technician to join our Team. The Research Technician will (i) assist a Team of scientists to measure underwater-radiated noise (URN) levels of vessels in shallow coastal oceans; (ii) help with population studies of bottlenose dolphins in the estuaries of Beaufort-Bluffton-Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA; and (iii) assist with our Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS). Duties include reviewing passive acoustic datasets using Adobe Audition to identify sound-producing fish, marine mammals, and vessels; analyzing these datasets using MATLAB or R; operating small research vessels (16 - 21 feet) during dolphin surveys; boat and trailer cleaning/maintenance; routinely checking safety gear; lifting and deploying heavy scientific equipment; transporting vessels for maintenance; washing field trucks; and cleaning field bay. The position is from 5/15/2023 to 5/14/2024, with a possible extension pending funding and performance. The position is 40 hours/week at $20.00 per hour, which equates to a yearly salary of approximately $41,600. Health insurance is included and employees may elect to participate in the SC Retirement System. Qualified candidates must have a MS in Biology, Marine Biology, Computational Science, or related degree; demonstrate programming experience in MATLAB or R applicable to analyzing acoustic datasets; and experience working on small research vessels or an OUPV/Six-pack Captain's License. Please submit a CV with a list of three references on the USC application site: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/143744. Thank you, Dr. Montie Eric W. Montie, M.S., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology Director of the Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab & The Lowcountry Dolphin Conservation Program Department of Natural Sciences University of South Carolina Beaufort One University Boulevard Bluffton, SC 29909 Office Phone: (843) 208-8107 Fax: (843) 208-8294 Email: emontie(a)uscb.edu<mailto:emontie@uscb.edu> https://www.uscb.edu/montie http://marinebiology.cofc.edu/about-the-program/faculty-listing/montie-eric… https://www.facebook.com/MarineNeuroLabAtUSCB/

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Job Posting
by Jenny Atkinson 20 Apr '23

20 Apr '23

The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program: 2023 Seasonal Vessel Operator/Educator Opening The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking a vessel operator for the 2023 summer field season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. The Soundwatch program mission is to reduce vessel disturbance to marine wildlife, particularly the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch is looking for vessel operators/educators to: carry out program objectives; educate boaters on best practices for viewing marine wildlife before they leave the shore; reinforce the learning experience in the actual context where disturbances take place; develop and evaluate community-based voluntary guidelines; and provide a scientific platform to monitor vessel activities around marine mammals. The Soundwatch program is operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. To learn more, please visit our <https://whalemuseum.org/pages/soundwatch-boater-education-program> website and read Soundwatch's most recent Contract Report and publications. Vessel operators/educators will conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal <https://www.bewhalewise.org/> Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and collect data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other marine wildlife. The data is used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. Vessel operators/educators report to the Soundwatch Program Coordinator and work cooperatively with other museum staff, program interns and volunteers. This position is classed as Seasonal Field Work Contractor, June-September. Hourly wage for this position is commensurate with experience and starts at $25.00/hour. VESSEL OPERATOR/EDUCATOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Seasonal field operations: * Conduct full- or half-day on-the-water educational patrols and monitoring of whale watch activities June-September. * Maintain daily boat patrol protocols and data collection procedures on whale watching and marine wildlife viewing trends, guideline compliance measurements and educational materials distribution. * Prevent wildlife disturbance by intercepting boaters before they reach wildlife areas. * Monitor activities within San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area including recreational and fishing pressure in reserve areas, including National Wildlife Refuge Areas and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Biological Preserve Areas. * Maintain equipment and collection materials. * Work with Soundwatch volunteers and interns. * Maintain communications with whale research and commercial whale-watch community. * Report marine mammal strandings to the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Small Vessel operations: * Perform routine maintenance and minor boat/engine repair, maintain vessel/engine/operation and safety equipment, communicate with coordinator and/or mechanic for troubleshooting advice, provide vessel operation briefing to interns and volunteers. Education/Outreach on marine stewardship: * Distribution of educational materials on-the-water, regional boating facilities and organizations. * Participate in local education and outreach events. Soundwatch field data-entry: * Assist with field season data entry. Assist with the update of annual commercial whale watch industry information and ID book. * Assist with training of volunteers and interns. Keep track of volunteer activities for future reporting. APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: * Valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license (for the entirety of their position) and CPR/First Aid certification. * A Washington state boater license. * Bachelor's degree in marine/wildlife sciences. * Understand and have experience with recovery priorities related to endangered SRKWs. * Soundwatch operates under a NOAA NMFS research permit which requires vessel operator candidates to have relevant field experience. The successful candidate must be approved for operation by NMFS as a condition for hiring. * Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as crews will be working closely together both on and off water. HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION: Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Please include any start/end dates and passport status. Submit application materials via email as one PDF. Please include in your subject line: Soundwatch Vessel Operator Application (Last Name). Soundwatch Vessel Driver/Educator should plan to be in place by May 15, 2023 (Exact start date negotiable). Active review of submitted applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The successful candidate will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Alanna Frayne Soundwatch Boater Education Program and Be Whale Wise Coordinator <mailto:alanna@whalemuseum.org> alanna(a)whalemuseum.org Please feel free to contact with any questions. Thank you for sharing this with your list! Jenny L. Atkinson Executive Director The Whale Museum P. O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (360) 378-4710 ext. 26 www.whalemuseum.org

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DMAD Joint JNCC and ACCOBAMS PAM/MMO Course
by DMAD Marine Mammals Research Association 20 Apr '23

20 Apr '23

Joint Course on ACCOBAMS Highly Qualified Marine Mammals Observers (MMO) and Operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring Systems (PAM) and JNCC Certifications Marine Mammals Research Association (DMAD) under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area) will be running a brand-new training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems with ACCOBAMS and JNCC certifications. There will be a limited number of subsidised positions for Turkish students and early-career researchers, and these will be offered on a first come, first served basis. When: 17th to 25th June 2023/ Where: Fethiye, Turkey/ Price*: €550-900 (Table 1)* The Qualification: The ACCOBAMS qualification qualifies people to work as MMOs/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 24 countries, where it is the agreed course requirement for such work. After the course, The ACCOBAMS highly qualified MMO/PAM operators will be able to work to minimize the impact of noise on cetaceans, by applying the knowledge, expertise and skills acquired during the training course, and to use the standard procedures, forms and manuals, in accordance with the ACCOBAMS principles. Speakers and Presenters: MMO&PAM operator Patrick Lyne, DMAD founder and director Dr. Aylin Akkaya Requirements: - Graduated/current student in biology or ecology or have experience that demonstrates a commitment to the environment and its conservation. - Minimum 30 days-at-sea as a marine observer (with references/records ) - Basic knowledge to recognize the different species and understand the behaviour of animals at sea - Basic knowledge on sound - Ability to communicate in English Topics Covered in the Training Course: - Introduction to underwater acoustics - Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics - Introduction to human activities generating underwater noise and impacts on marine mammals - Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures and ACCOBAMS Guidelines - Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM - Introduction to the “life style” onboard - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the acoustic and visual sightings. - Using PAM for survey and research - Introduction to hardware used for PAM - Hands on training with PAMGUARD - Tips and troubleshooting. For more information or to apply e-mail: info(a)dmad.org.tr Table 1. Price List for different course options Course category Price (Euro) ACCOBAMS and JNCC certification (7 days) 900 ACCOBAMS certification only (6 days) 800 ACCOBAMS certification for the experienced MMO/PAM (6 days, no boat surveys) 650 MMO members (6 days, no boat surveys) 600 *Price covers the training and certificates *Accommodation and transportation cost belongs to the participant *There will be one day of boat-based training where there is a strong chance of sperm whales’ encounters that allows you to practice your learned skills during the course. The Application Steps and The Deadlines; - First Step: Application deadline 15.05.2023 - Second Step: Assessment of the Applicants between 16.05.2023-21.05.2023 - Third Step: Informing Successful Applicant 22.05.2023 (Due to the workload we will only inform the successful candidates, if you not sure please don’t hesitate to contact us) - Payment of the Course Fee by 01.06.2023 - Start of the Course 17.06.2023 - End of the Course 25.06.2023 Please contact us at info(a)dmad.org.tr expressing your interest or and we will send you an application form. Or if you have any further questions you can contact us on this address too.

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New publication on using interview-based data to measure interactions of artisanal fishing and cetaceans in Sarawak, Malaysia
by Cindy Peter 20 Apr '23

20 Apr '23

Dear Marmam, We are pleased to announce another publication from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Sarawak Dolphin Project entitled "Utilizing interview-based data to measure interactions of artisanal fishing communities and cetacean populations in Kuching Bay, Sarawak, East Malaysia". Citation: Samantha A., Peter, C., Minton, G., Ngeian, J., Zulkifli Poh, A.N., Mujahid, A., and Tuen, A.A. 2023. Utilizing interview-based data to measure interactions of artisanal fishing communities and cetacean populations in Kuching Bay, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Ocean & Coastal Management 239: 106592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106592. Abstract Kuching Bay is a significant area for artisanal fishing activities as well as an Important Marine Mammal <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/marine-ma…> Area (IMMA) for coastal cetaceans. A total of 286 fishers from eight fishing communities were interviewed between 2011 and 2019 to determine the nature and extent of cetacean-fishery interactions in the area. The main types of fishing gears recorded were gillnets <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/gillnet>, trammel nets, trawl nets <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/trawl-net>, longlines, handlines and crab traps, with the use of gears varying by season and target species. Depredation, net damage, and entanglements <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/entanglement> in fishing gear were the most frequently reported negative interactions with cetaceans. Thirty-six percent of fishers reported having experienced a cetacean entanglement in their fishing gear at least once. More than half (58.1%) of the respondents who experienced bycatch <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/by-catch> were able to disentangle and release the animals alive. The more conservative calculated bycatch rate of 0.36 cetaceans per fisher over a fishing career indicates that a minimum estimated average of 19 cetaceans are involved in bycatch annually in Kuching Bay, with as many as nine of these incidents likely resulting in mortality. However, a less conservative method yields a bycatch rate of 0.57 per fisher, and estimated an average of 30 bycaught cetaceans per year. Irrawaddy dolphins (*Orcaella brevirostris*) were reported to be at the highest risk (72.9% of reported incidents), with an estimated minimum of seven individuals caught and killed per year. Despite the negative interactions, 77.2% of respondents reported a generally positive attitude toward cetaceans based on their value for tourism and as indicators of fish presence and a healthy ecosystem. Mutualistic relationships between fishers and cetaceans were documented, with 53% of respondents reporting that they feed discarded fish to cetaceans. The results of this study can be used to guide effective mitigation measures <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/mitigatio…>, which should focus on training fishers in safe handling and release of entangled cetaceans, and, more importantly, methods to prevent interactions with gillnets. Elsevier has provided the authors with a Share Link which gives free access to the article until 2 June 2023. Just click on the link to download the pdf: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gvYc3RKK-y1DN Do not hesitate to contact me (pcindy(a)unimas.my) in case of further questions! Happy Reading!! Regards, -- Cindy Peter, MSc (Marine Ecology) Research Fellow and Lecturer Sarawak Dolphin Project Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation University Malaysia Sarawak https://www.facebook.com/SarawakDolphinProject <http://www.ibec.unimas.my/SDP2008> Office: +60 82 583 069 Mobile: +60 16 892 6027

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New publication on noise and attention in dolphins during COVID-19 anthropause
by Jason Bruck 19 Apr '23

19 Apr '23

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New Publication- Deployment of Biologging Tags using UAS
by Alicia Pensarosa 19 Apr '23

19 Apr '23

Dear MARMAM Community, We are happy to share our new publication entitled “Deployment of Biologging Tags on Free Swimming Large Whales using Uncrewed Aerial Systems”, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Abstract: Suction-cup attached biologging tags have led to major advances in our understanding of large whale behaviour. Getting close enough to a whale at sea to safely attach a tag is a major limiting factor when deploying these systems. Here we present an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) based tagging technique for free-swimming large whales, and provide data on efficacy from field testing on blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin (Balaenoptera physalus) whales. Rapid transit speed and the bird’s eye view of the animal during UAS tagging contributed to the technique’s success. During eight days of field testing, we had 29 occasions when a focal animal was identified for attempted tagging and tags were successfully attached 21 times. The technique was efficient, with mean flight time of 2 min 45 sec from launch to deployment and a mean distance of 490 m from the launch vessel to tagged animal, reducing potential adverse effects resulting from close approaches for tagging. These data indicate that UAS are capable of attaching biologging tags to free-swimming large whales quickly and from large distances, potentially increasing success rates, decreasing attempt times, and reducing animal disruption during tagging. The paper is available to download for free here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.221376 Best, Alicia Alicia Pensarosa Assistant Director, Ocean Alliance, Inc. 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 apensarosa(a)whale.org<mailto:apensarosa@whale.org> 978-281-2814 ext. 100 www.whale.org<http://www.whale.org>

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