August 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

PSO/MMO Training Course on Sept. 23-24
by Angela Bostwick 04 Aug '23

04 Aug '23

MPSC is offering an online training course that provides Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification on September 23rd and 24th. This training is approved by the federal agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to provide Protected Species Observer Certification for geological and geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, and the certification is often accepted in many other regions or industries where monitoring and mitigation is needed for reducing impacts to protected species. Course cost includes the instruction, advice on applying to PSO positions, the professional certification, and the provision of various regulatory documents and supplementary identification guides which will be yours to keep. This course will examine the regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected fish, how to locate and identify the animals, and objective reporting for regulatory agencies. After discussing regulatory requirements, we will examine key identifying traits and behaviors of protected species found in the region. The course will also include a discussion on the different techniques for locating animals, estimating distance, and the monitoring gear that is required. Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting me at ABostwick(a)psocertifications.com, or by phone at 832-523-2402. Thank you, Angela Bostwick Founder / Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/

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UF Fall online aquatics courses - Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues and Marine Mammal Biology
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 04 Aug '23

04 Aug '23

Hi All, Registration is currently open for Fall 2023. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues and Marine Mammal Biology courses, fully online. Classes start Wednesday August 23rd and run through Wednesday, December 6th. Registration will remain open through Aug 29th. Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues Class (VME-4012, VME-6010) is an online course (3 credits) designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with an emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. Students enrolled at any College or University can take this course. *This class is also available at the graduate level and can be included in a graduate certificate* Marine Mammal Biology (VME-6014) is an online graduate course that will provide graduate students with a detailed overview of marine mammal species including cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, mustelids, and ursids. Each module will broadly explore a particular ecological, biological, or physiological theme related to the study of marine mammals, including taxonomy and biodiversity, diving physiology, thermoregulation, foraging ecology, and reproduction as well as the many conservation and management issues faced by different marine mammal species. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. 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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New publication: Zoop to poop: assessment of microparticle loads in gray whale zooplankton prey and fecal matter reveal high daily consumption rates
by Hildebrand, Lisa 03 Aug '23

03 Aug '23

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new research paper in Frontiers in Marine Science, where we found high estimated microparticle consumption rates in gray whales and in their zooplankton prey. Torres LG, Brander SM, Parker JI, Bloom EM, Norman R, Van Brocklin JE, Lasdin KS, Hildebrand L (2023) Zoop to poop: assessment of microparticle loads in gray whale zooplankton prey and fecal matter reveal high daily consumption rates. Front. Mar. Sci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1201078 Abstract: The ocean continues to be a sink for microparticle (MP) pollution, which includes microplastics and other anthropogenic debris. While documentation of MP in marine systems is now common, we lack information on rates of MP ingestion by baleen whales and their prey. We collected and assessed MP loads in zooplankton prey and fecal samples of gray whales (*Eschrichtius robustus*) feeding in coastal Oregon, USA and produced the first estimates of baleen whale MP consumption rates from empirical data of zooplankton MP loads (i.e., not modeled). All zooplankton species examined were documented gray whale prey items (*Atylus tridens, Holmesimysis sculpta, Neomysis rayii*) and contained an average of 4 MP per gram of tissue, mostly of the microfiber morphotype. We extrapolated MP loads in zooplankton prey to estimate the daily MP consumption rates of pregnant and lactating gray whales, which ranged between 6.5 and 21 million MP/day. However, these estimates do not account for MP ingested from ambient water or benthic sediments, which may be high for gray whales given their benthic foraging strategy. We also assessed MP loads in fecal samples from gray whales feeding in the same spatio-temporal area and detected MP in all samples examined, which included microfibers and significantly larger morphotypes than in the zooplankton. We theorize that gray whales ingest MP via both indirect trophic transfer from their zooplankton prey and directly through indiscriminate consumption of ambient MPs when foraging benthically where they consume larger MP morphotypes that have sunk and accumulated on the seafloor. Hence, our estimated daily MP consumption rates for gray whales are likely conservative because they are only based on indirect MP ingestion via prey. Our results improve the understanding of MP loads in marine ecosystems and highlight the need to assess the health impacts of MP consumption on zooplankton and baleen whales, particularly due to the predominance of microfibers in samples, which may be more toxic and difficult to excrete than other MP types. Furthermore, the high estimated rates of MP consumption by gray whales highlights the need to assess health consequences to individuals and subsequent scaled-up effects on population vital rates. Open access paper available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1201078/full Regards, Lisa -- Lisa Hildebrand, M.S. (she/her) PhD Candidate Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab <https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab> Marine Mammal Institute Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences Oregon State University MMI Profile <https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/people/lisa-hildebrand> | GEMM Lab Blog <http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/> *Land Acknowledgement:* Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon ( https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (https://ctsi.nsn.us)

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New publication on false killer whale social clusters in Hawai‘i
by Sabre Mahaffy 03 Aug '23

03 Aug '23

New publication on false killer whale social clusters in Hawai‘i. Mahaffy, S.D., R.W. Baird, A.E. Harnish, T. Cullins, S.H. Stack, J.J. Currie, A.L. Bradford, D.R. Salden, and K.K. Martien. 2023. Identifying Social Clusters of Endangered Main Hawaiian Islands False Killer Whales. Endangered Species Research 51:249-268 doi: 10.3354/esr01258 The paper is open access: https://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2023/51/n051p249.pdf ABSTRACT: The presence of distinct social groups within an animal population can result in heterogeneity in many aspects of its life history and ecology. The ability to accurately assess social group membership increases with the number of times individuals are identified, but obtaining sufficient sightings of rarely-encountered species can be difficult. Three social clusters were previously identified for the endangered population of false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens around the main Hawaiian Islands, using modularity among associations within a 12-year photographic dataset with no restrictions on the number of times seen. In this study, we used photo-identification data over a 23-year period to reassess the number and membership of social clusters within the population, restricting analyses to individuals seen on at least five different days. We compared the robustness of clustering assignments from six community detection algorithms using modularity and found that the three highest-ranking algorithms all identified the same number (four) and membership of social clusters. Spatial use of clusters varied among the islands, with three of the four clusters encountered regularly only off one or two of the three main island study areas. Comparison of genetic differentiation between social clusters revealed significant differentiation in nuclear DNA among clusters. Furthermore, all individuals in two of the clusters possess the same mitochondrial DNA haplotype, while in the other two clusters approximately 40% of animals possess a second haplotype. This level of clustering and associated heterogeneity within the population may have implications for mark-recapture abundance estimation, as well as for mitigating exposure to anthropogenic activities, including interactions with fisheries. HŌʻULUʻULU MANAʻO Pili nā ʻano like ʻole o ka nohona a me ke kālaikaiaola o nā pūʻuo holoholona i ka loaʻa ʻana o nā pūʻulu kikoʻī. Piʻi aʻe ka hiki ke helu kūponoʻia ka māhuahua ʻana o nā heluna o ia mau pūʻulu i ka helu ʻana i nā wā e ʻike ʻia ai kēlā me kēia holoholona, ʻo ka lawa ʻana naʻe o ka ʻike ʻana i nā lāhulu ʻane halapohe kekahi ālaina. Hōʻia ʻia ʻekolu pūʻulu o ke koholā ʻane halapohe, ʻo ka Pseudorca crassidens, a puni nā mokupuni nui ʻewalu o Hawaiʻi, ma ka hoʻowaeʻanona ʻana i ka pilina i loko o kekahi ʻikepili kiʻa he ʻumikūmālua makahiki me ke kāohi ʻole i ka nui o ka ʻike ʻia ʻana. Ma kēia kilo ʻana, ua hoʻohana mākou i ka ʻikepili ma o nā makahiki he iwakāluakūmākolu i mea e hōʻoia hou ai i ka heluna a me nā lālā o nā pūʻulu launa i loko o kekahi pūʻuo holoholona, a pāpā ʻia nā kālailaina i nā mea i ʻike ʻia ma ʻelima mau lā ʻokoʻa ma ka liʻiliʻi loa. Hoʻohālikelike mākou i ke ʻano me ka ikaika o kēia mau pūʻulu launa ma ka hoʻohana ʻana i ka hoʻowaeʻanona ʻana ma ʻeono pūʻulu haʻilula a ʻo ka mea i loaʻa, ʻo ia hoʻi ka ʻike ʻana, ma o nā haʻilula nui ʻekolu, i ka heluna a me ka lālā hoʻokahi o nā pūʻulu launa. Loli ka hoʻohana ʻana i ke koana o nā pūʻulu ma waena o nā mokupuni, ʻike ʻia ʻekolu pūʻulu ma hoʻokahi a ʻelua paha mokupuni mai loko mai o nā mokupuni nui ʻekolu e kālailai ʻia ana. Ma ka hoʻohālikelike ʻana aku i nā hiʻohiʻona ōewe ʻokoʻa o nā pūʻulu launa, ʻike ʻia ka ʻokoʻa ʻano nui ma ka piko ōewe o nā pūʻulu. A no laila, loaʻa i nā mea a pau o ia mau pūʻulu ʻelua ke ōewe hoʻoilina hoʻokahi, a ma nā pūʻulu ʻē aʻe ʻelua, loaʻa he hiʻohiʻona ōewe ʻelua i nā holoholona he 40 pākēneka. Hiki nō paha i kēia ʻano hoʻopūʻulu ʻana me kēia ʻano waeʻanona ōewe hoʻopili ma kekahi pūʻuo ke pili i ke kuhi ʻana i ka nui ma ka hopu kaha ʻana, a i ke kāohi a hoʻēmi ʻana mai i nā hopena o nā hana kanaka, e laʻa hoʻi me ka hana ma ke kai lawaiʻa. If you are interested in more information on our Hawai‘i publications see https://cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii_publications/ [https://cascadiaresearch.org/files/2022/04/cascadia-logo-no-words.svg]<https://cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii_publications/> Publications, reports and presentations based in whole or in part on our Hawai‘i research - https://cascadiaresearch.org<https://cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii_publications/> Peer-reviewed publications The following is a list of publications based in whole or in part on our work or that we have contributed to on Hawaiian whales and dolphins. PDF copies of most of our peer-reviewed publications, graduate theses, popular articles, contract reports, government reports, and many of our recent conference presentations can be downloaded below. If there is a cascadiaresearch.org  Cheers, Sabre ----------------------------------------- Sabre Mahaffy, M.Sc. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Ave. Olympia, WA 98501 www.cascadiaresearch.org

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paper on pneumothorax in small odontocetes
by Mariano Domingo Alvarez 03 Aug '23

03 Aug '23

Dear all, Me and co-authors are pleased to announce the publication of our paper Tension pneumothorax in small odontocetes, in the journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. The publication is open access, and is available at https://www.int-res.com/articles/dao_oa/d155p043.pdf Video files of CT scan of two of the cases are available as supplementary materials of the publication, but for those of you interested, we will be pleased to share DICOM files on demand. See below the abstract of the publication. Tension pneumothorax in small odontocetes Laura Martino, José Luís Crespo-Picazo, Daniel García-Parraga, Jaume Alomar, Bárbara Serrano, Alex Cobos, Maria Dolores Pérez-Rodriguez, María Frau, Yvonne Espada, Maria Lourdes Abarca, Paula Escaño, Mariano Domingo ABSTRACT: Pneumothorax, the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, occurs when air enters the pleural space by the pleuro-cutaneous, pleuro-pulmonary, or pleuro-oesophageal-mediastinal route. Tension pneumothorax is an infrequent and severe form of pneumothorax where a positive pressure in the pleural space is built up during at least part of the respiratory cycle, with compression of both lungs and mediastinal vessels, and, if unilateral, with midline deviation towards the unaffected hemithorax. We describe 9 cases of tension pneumothorax in 3 species of small cetaceans (striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba, common dolphin Delphinus delphis, and common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus) from the western Mediterranean coast of Spain, and one case from a dolphinarium. Computed tomography (CT) imaging performed in 2 carcasses before necropsy showed lung compression, midline deviation, and pressure on the diaphragm, which was caudally displaced. Tension pneumothorax was recognized at necropsy by the presence of pressurized air in one of the hemithoraces. Seven of the pneumothorax cases were spontaneous (2 primary and 5 secondary to previous lung pathology). In the other 2 dolphins, the pneumothorax was traumatic, due to oesophageal-pleural perforation or rib fractures. We hypothesize that pneumothorax in dolphins is predominantly tensional because of their specific anatomical and physiological adaptations to marine life and the obligate exposure to extreme pressure changes as diving mammals. Best regards Mariano Domingo Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary School of Barcelona Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona IRTA-CReSA mariano.domingo(a)uab.cat 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Catalunya

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Survey Job Announcement
by Melanie White 03 Aug '23

03 Aug '23

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Survey Job Announcement Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), a non-profit research and conservation organization, is seeking temporary seasonal right whale aerial survey positions from November 2023 through April 2024. These positions are in anticipation of research activities to be conducted in the southeastern United States, contingent upon funding. Applicants must be able to work for the entirety of the project. CMARI is currently seeking both a Team Leader position and Aerial Observer positions. Aerial survey flights will occur up to five days per week. These positions will be required to complete an aviation and marine safety/survival training course. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. Group housing is provided. For more information and to apply: Right Whale Aerial Observer: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83437&c… Right Whale Aerial Team Leader: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83433&c… Please upload your cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information of three professional references during your application submission by August 19, 2023. Melanie White North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Project Manager Research Biologist Mobile: 518-339-1202 mwhite(a)cmaquarium.org www.CMAResearchInstitute.org 249 Windward Passage Clearwater, Florida 33767 U.S.A.

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New publication: IndoCet paper on strandings in the south-western Indian Ocean
by Stephanie Plön, PhD 03 Aug '23

03 Aug '23

Hi MarMamers, On behalf of my co-authors from the IndoCet network it is my pleasure to announce our new publication on strandings in the south-western Indian Ocean (SWIO): Plön, S., Norman, S., Adam, P. A., Andrianarivelo, N., Bachoo, S., Braulik, G., Collins, T., Estrade, V., Griffiths, O., Inteca, G., Khan, N., Marinesque, S., Mederic, E., Mwang’ombe, M., Olbers, J., Ramoelintsalama, L., Reeve-Arnold, K., Rocha, D., Gullan, A. D., Saloma, A., Vermeulen, E., Vitry, H., Wilkinson, C. and V. Dulau. 2023. Spatio-temporal trends in cetacean strandings and response in the southwestern Indian Ocean region - 2000 to 2020. *Journal of Cetacean Research and Management *24: 95-119. Abstract: The south‐western Indian Ocean (SWIO) is a region of global importance for marine mammal biodiversity, but our understanding of most of the species and populations found there is still rudimentary. The Indian Ocean Network for Cetacean Research (IndoCet) was formed in 2014 and is dedicated to the research of all cetacean species across the SWIO. Since 2019, there have been efforts to create a regional network for coordinated response to stranding events as well as training and capacity building in the SWIO region. The present analysis represents a first investigation of stranding data collected by various members and collaborators within the IndoCet network, covering over 14,800km of coastline belonging to nine countries/territories. Between 2000–2020, there were 397 stranding events, representing 1,232 individual animals, 17 genera and 27 species, belonging to six families: four balaenopterids, one balaenid, one physeterid, two kogiids, six ziphiids and 14 delphinids. Seven mass strandings were recorded: two were composed of three to 20 individuals and five composed of > 20 individuals. Spatial analysis of stranding events indicated that local spatio‐temporal clusters (excessive number of events in time and geographic space) were present in all countries/territories, except for the Comoros. The only significant cluster was detected on the southwest coast of Mauritius, just west of the village of Souillac. The SWIO region predominantly comprises relatively poor countries/territories, but imminent Ocean economy developments are prevalent throughout the region. This study highlights the importance of establishing baselines upon which any future potential impact from anthropogenic developments in the region can be measured. The article can be downloaded at: https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v24i1.396 Please feel free to email me if you have any questions: stephanie.ploen(a)gmail.com Kind regards, Stephanie

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New publication: Genetic data reveals wintering ground affiliation of humpback whales from the Mexican Central Pacific
by Karen Martien - NOAA Federal 02 Aug '23

02 Aug '23

Dear MARMAM community: My co-authors and I are happy to announce the online publication of the following paper: Llamas-González, M., C.D. Ortega-Ortiz, L.M. Enríquez-Paredes, U.A. González-Peral, E. Bautista Guerrero, K.K. Martien. 2023. Genetic data reveals wintering ground affiliation of humpback whales from the Mexican Central Pacific. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.13053 <http://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13053> *Abstract*: Two groups of humpback whales inhabit the waters off the Pacific coast of Mexico - the coastal wintering aggregation in the north (MX), and the southern Mexico/Central America wintering aggregation (S-MX/CEA) in the south. However, along the coast of the Mexican Central Pacific (MCP), the population affiliation of humpback whales is uncertain. Some studies have concluded that the MCP whales are part of S-MX/CEA, while others have suggested that the MCP may represent an overlap zone between the two wintering aggregations. In this study, data from 354 biopsy samples were collected over a 12-year sampling period, to provide genetic insight into the affiliation of MCP whales and to the boundaries between the wintering aggregations. Using mitochondrial control region sequences, we find that the majority (73%) of MCP whales are part of MX, but that the boundary between the two wintering aggregations may shift latitudinally depending on environmental conditions. The high haplotypic (h ± SD=0.859±0.0138) and nucleotide diversity (π ± SD=0.0145 ±0.0075) of the MCP whales are also consistent with our sample including animals from both wintering aggregations. More research is needed to better describe the ranges of the MX and S-MX/CEA wintering aggregations to ensure their successful conservation and management. If you have trouble accessing the PDF (available at http://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13053) please contact Myriam Llamas-González ( myriam_llamas(a)ucol.mx) Christian Orega-Ortiz (christian_ortega(a)ucol.mx) or Karen Martien (Karen.Martien(a)noaa.gov) -- Karen K. Martien, Ph.D. (she/her <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>) Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 858-546-7058 Karen.Martien(a)noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-mmgenetics *I sometimes work irregular hours, but I respect your work schedule and do not expect an action or reply outside of your working hours.*

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New publication on flame retardants in marine mammals from three regions
by Michelle Berger 02 Aug '23

02 Aug '23

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication: Berger, M.L., Shaw, S.D., Rolsky, C.B., Chen, D., Sun, J., Rosing-Asvid, A., et al., 2023. Alternative and legacy flame retardants in marine mammals from three northern ocean regions. Environ. Pollut. 335, 122255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122255. Flame retardants are globally distributed contaminants that have been linked to negative health effects in humans and wildlife. As top predators, marine mammals bioaccumulate flame retardants and other contaminants in their tissues which is one of many human-imposed factors threatening population health. While some flame retardants, such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), have been banned because of known toxicity and environmental persistence, limited data exist on the presence and distribution of current-use alternative flame retardants in marine mammals from many industrialized and remote regions of the world. Therefore, this study measured 44 legacy and alternative flame retardants in nine marine mammal species from three ocean regions: the Northwest Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Baltic allowing for regional, species, age, body condition, temporal, and tissue comparisons to help understand global patterns. PBDE concentrations were 100–1000 times higher than the alternative brominated flame retardants (altBFRs) and Dechloranes. 2,2′,4,5,5′-pentabromobiphenyl (BB-101) and hexabromobenzene (HBBZ) were the predominant altBFRs, while Dechlorane-602 was the predominant Dechlorane. This manuscript also reports only the second detection of hexachlorocyclopentadienyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO) in marine mammals. The NW Atlantic had the highest PBDE concentrations followed by the Baltic and Arctic which reflects greater historical use of PBDEs in North America compared to Europe and greater industrialization of North America and Baltic countries compared to the Arctic. Regional patterns for other compounds were more complicated, and there were significant interactions among species, regions, body condition and age class. Lipid-normalized PBDE concentrations in harbor seal liver and blubber were similar, but HBBZ and many Dechloranes had higher concentrations in liver, indicating factors other than lipid dynamics affect the distribution of these compounds. The health implications of contamination by this mixture of compounds are of concern and require further research. The article is currently available at: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1hWUazLNSfzVV or please contact me directly for a PDF of the paper (mberger(a)shawinstitute.org) Take care, Michelle -- *Michelle Berger* Associate Scientist *Shaw Institute* Blue Hill Research Center 55 Main St, P.O. Box 1652 Blue Hill, Maine 207 374 2135 www.shawinstitute.org

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Call for submissions for LAJAM Special Issue on the Biology and Conservation of Manatees
by Meirelles, Carol 01 Aug '23

01 Aug '23

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the Guest Editors, I am pleased to announce that the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM/) will publish a *Special Issue on the Biology and Conservation of Manatees* by the end of 2023. LAJAM is published twice a year by Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos/Sociedade Latino-Americana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Aquáticos (SOLAMAC). The journal publishes articles concerning research, management, and conservation biology of aquatic mammals in Latin America. Articles on theory or techniques broadly applicable to the study of aquatic mammals are also considered. For this Special Issue, we encourage submissions dealing with the distribution, population status, biology and ecology of manatees, as well as dealing with human conflicts, population genetics, ex-situ conservation, and sampling methods. For this issue, LAJAM will publish three types of contributed manuscripts: Articles, Notes and Protocols. Manuscripts must be written in English. All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by at least 3 anonymous referees for scientific content. Guest Editors of the special issue are Drs. Carol Meirelles, João Carlos G. Borges, Rodrigo S. Amaral, and Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez. We invite you to submit your article prior to or by the 31st of July, 2023. The final decision will be communicated by 30 November 2023. The Guidelines for Authors are available here https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/about/submissions. Manuscripts can be submitted online here https://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/login?source=%2Findex.php%2Flajam%…, and to do so, at least one author will need to register as a user. Please, declare in your cover letter that you wish to submit your manuscript to the *Special Issue on the Biology and Conservation of Manatees*. Please direct any enquiries to Dr Carol Meirelles: c.meirelles(a)oceans.ubc.ca<mailto:c.meirelles@oceans.ubc.ca> Sincerely, 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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