May 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

NOAA Fisheries will Request Public Comment on Proposed Incidental Take Regulations for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project, Offshore Virginia
by Kelsey Potlock - NOAA Federal 03 May '23

03 May '23

Dear Colleagues, On May 4, 2023, NOAA Fisheries will open a 30-day public comment period on the proposed incidental take regulations related to Dominion Energy’s CVOW-C Project <https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/CVOW-C>. The project would be located offshore of Virginia within the Virginia Wind Energy Area <https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/virginia-activities> and would provide 2,500-3,000 megawatts of power to Virginia. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, these proposed regulations would govern the “take,” of small numbers of marine mammals exposed to elevated underwater noise generated by Dominion Energy’s activities over a five-year period. No marine mammal mortality or serious injury is expected or proposed to be authorized. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries has preliminarily determined authorizing the requested take regulations would have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks. The proposed regulations include mandatory mitigation measures such as seasonal restrictions, use of sound attenuation devices, soft starts and ramp-ups, visual and acoustic monitoring, and implementation of clearance and shut down zones. These mitigation measures are expected to minimize both the probability and severity of impacts to all marine mammals and their habitats, including North Atlantic right whales. The proposed regulations also include monitoring and reporting requirements to better understand those impacts. The public comment period on the proposed regulations will be open for 30 days (May 4 - June 5, 2023). Documents associated with this proposed action, including information on how to submit a public comment, will be available on our website <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-dominio…> tomorrow. This regulatory action is part of NOAA’s ongoing work to ensure the nation’s deployment of offshore wind energy is done in a manner that avoids and minimizes impacts to protected resources and their habitats. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns. - - - - - *Kelsey Potlock, M.Phil* *(she/her/hers)* *Marine Resources Management Specialist* Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce www.fisheries.noaa.gov Google Voice Phone Number: (301) 427-8410 Email: *kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov <kelsey.potlock(a)noaa.gov>*><((((º>·.¸. ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> [image: icon-facebook.png] <https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheries>[image: icon-twitter.png] <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-youtube.png] <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov>[image: icon-instagram.png] <http://www.instagram.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-linkedin.png] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/noaa-fisheries>

1 0

New publication: Good fences make good neighbours: territorial male Cape fur seals use spatial acoustic map of neighbours
by Mathilde Martin 02 May '23

02 May '23

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to inform you our new publication in Behaviour: /Good fences make good neighbours: territorial male Cape fur seals use spatial acoustic map of neighbours/ Mathilde Martin, Tess Gridley, Simon Elwen, Isabelle Charrier Abstract: In territorial species, individual recognition among neighbouring males is likely to reduce energy expenses and risk of injury associated with the costly period of maintaining territory during the breeding season. This study explored neighbour–stranger vocal recognition in male Cape fur seals, one of the most colonial and polygynous mammals. Playback experiments revealed that territorial males were able to recognise the calls of their neighbours, in combination with their relative spatial position to their own harem. No ‘dear-enemy’ nor ‘nasty neighbour’ effects were detected. However, the strongest responses observed were towards the calls of familiar neighbours played back from an incongruent location, simulating a situation in which a neighbour is outside its own territory. The colony structure and movements of the seals across the day could explain such results. This study has implications for understanding how vocal signals regulate interactions among males in polygynous mammals, particularly during the competitive mating period. https://brill.com/view/journals/beh/aop/article-10.1163-1568539X-bja10218/a… Please do not hesitate to contact me 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: BLOCKEDmathildemartin-research[.]com/BLOCKED

1 0

Contributors to the Handbook of Marine Mammals who have died
by Thomas Jefferson 01 May '23

01 May '23

Dear MARMAM, We are currently working on the second edition of the Handbook of Marine Mammals, originally edited by Ridgway and Harrison. Sadly, many of the contributors to the first edition have passed away and we want to honor them in the new edition. We are having trouble finding the years of birth and death for the following colleagues:Robin C. BestKeith A. HayGeorge E. Heinsohn If you can help with any of this info., we would really appreciate it.Best wishes,Tom Jeffersonsclymene(a)aol.com

1 0

Cetacean Sessions episode 15: Cetacean Strandings: Causes, Consequences, and their Scientific Value
by Anaïs Remili 01 May '23

01 May '23

Dear members of the MARMAM community, Join us on Crowdcast for episode 15 of Cetacean Sessions: This year, Bay Cetology <https://baycetology.org/> is partnering with Whale Scientists <https://whalescientists.com/>. This season is all about new cetacean research generated by passionate early-career researchers. Cetacean Sessions is a free seasonal bi-weekly webinar series where we discuss impactful cetacean science with those conducting it around the world. It is informal, educational, interactive, and geared towards those studying or interested in cetaceans. Cetacean Sessions was created by Bay Cetology and is being hosted by Anaïs and Naomi, the co-founders of Whale Scientists. Cetacean Sessions #15 <https://www.crowdcast.io/c/cetacean-session-15> will happen on Monday, May 8th 2023 at 8 am EST (2 pm Western Europe time). In this session, we are extremely happy to introduce Dr. Katharina Peters and Dr. Rebecca Boys, who will discuss some of their recent work on cetacean strandings <https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2023.901402>. Dr. Boys will begin the seminar by discussing her work on cetacean strandings and welfare. Then Dr. Peters will discuss the value of strandings to scientific knowledge. The presentation and discussion will be followed by a live Q&A. Questions about early-career tips or experiences are welcome! Please visit our Crowdcast channel to register and for more information on our upcoming sessions: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/cetacean-session-15 Thanks, and stay tuned for the next episode's announcement! Anaïs from Whale Scientists

1 0

Khmer Ocean Life - Marine Mammal Internship in Cambodia
by Khmer Ocean Life 30 Apr '23

30 Apr '23

*Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Internship – Coastal Cambodia * Khmer Ocean Life is a new NGO in Cambodia, based in the coastal town of Kampot. The organisation focuses on supporting the conservation of coastal cetacean species (Irrawaddy dolphin, Indo-pacific humpback dolphin) and dugongs through research, capacity building and outreach. Khmer Ocean Life was founded by two experienced marine mammal researchers and conservationists, with support from the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration. We are currently looking for marine mammal research interns to join the team from *May 2023 until the end of 2024!* *Project activities: * · observational land surveys · observational boat surveys with community fishers · photo-identification · passive acoustic monitoring · social science · data entry, processing, and analysis · potential for aerial surveying using drones · turning findings into reports and articles for peer-review · responding to marine mammal strandings · social media and content creation · education and outreach *Basic internship training schedule* Session 1: Introduction to Khmer Ocean Life Session 2: Research method training on observational land and boat surveying techniques Session 3: Marine mammal identification and behaviour training Session 4: Marine vessel identification training Session 5: Data sheet and data entry training Session 6: Drone footage analysis training Session 8: Theory test Session 9: Photo ID training Session 10: GIS training You are also welcome to conduct your own research or outreach project with us, depending on your interest, skill set and length of stay. *Internship requirements:* We are looking for individuals with a keen interest in marine mammals and their conservation. We are looking for dedicated, motivated, and hard-working interns that are likely university students or recent graduates. We are looking for those who can join us for a minimum period of two months and are happy to commit to early mornings for surveys. *Project site description:* The project is based in Kampot, Cambodia. The project office and intern accommodation are at the same site. Intern accommodation is fitted with everything you will need, a kitchen, washing machine and even a balcony – it is very comfortable and right in the heart of the town. The accommodation is included in the fee, but your food is not, giving you freedom with your meals and the chance to explore Khmer food as you like. *Application process and costs:* There is a cost associated with this internship, to cover : · accommodation · dolphin research training What the fee does not cover: · lights · food · insurance and vaccines There are limited spaces available, if interested, please send a CV/resume to Rose, stating your available dates and desired length of stay, to cambodiadolphinproject(a)gmail.com

1 0