September 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Aquatic Mammals Issue 49.5 is available
by Kathleen Dudzinski 15 Sep '23

15 Sep '23

Dear MARMAM Subscribers, Happy Summer! The 5th issue of volume 49 (49.5) of Aquatic Mammals journal is available online and will be officially published on Friday (15 September). Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php With regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> Articles with ** are open access: Chiaki Yamato, Kotaro Ichikawa, Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, and Nobuaki Arai. (2023). First Record of Conspecific Aggression in Dugongs (Dugong dugon) in Thailand. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 411-421. **Ronald A. Kastelein, Lean Helder-Hoek, Laura Van Acoleyen, Linde N. Defillet, Léonie A. E. Huijser, and John M. Terhune. (2023). Underwater Sound Detection Thresholds (0.031-80 kHz) of Two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) and a Revised Generic Audiogram for the Species. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 422-435. Jennifer E. Flower, Ane Uriarte, Barbara J. Mangold, Melissa Joblon, Anne Gilewski, James E. Bailey, James Hammond, Neha Mishra, S. Emi Knafo, Whitney Phipps, and Allison D. Tuttle. (2023). Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement for Management of Non-Obstructive Hydrocephalus in a Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus). Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 436-442. **Lesly J. Cabrias-Contreras, Dalila Caicedo-Herrera, Ruby A. Montoya-Ospina, Sandra Millán-Tripp, Yenyfer Moná-Sanabria, Isabel V. Gómez-Camelo, Laura Jaramillo-Ortíz, Ana M. Aguirre-González, Bert Rivera-Marchand, and Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni. (2023). Hematology and Blood Chemistry Reference Intervals for Antillean Manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Colombia. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 443-461. Sergey V. Fomin, Ivan D. Fedutin, Ekaterina A. Borisova, Ilya G. Meschersky, and Olga A. Filatova. (2023). Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Found in the Stomach of a Stranded Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Commander Islands, Western North Pacific. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 462-467. Fernando Vilchez-Delgado, Susana Cárdenas-Alayza, Selene Diaz, Sandra Márquez-Alvis, Fátima Gúzman, Alejandro Pereda-Sanchez, Evelin García-Collave, Shaleyla Kelez, Yuri Hooker, and Carlos Calvo-Mac. (2023). South American Fur Seals (Arctocephalus australis) Out of Range in Northern Peru. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 468-474. Jong-U Kim, Younggeun Oh, Youmin Kim, and Jeong-Hoon Kim. (2023). Rare Observation of a Living Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) at Terra Nova Bay, Victoria Land Coast, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 475-479. Carl C. Kinze and Thomas A. Jefferson. (2023). Further Notes on the Early Nomenclature of Small Cetaceans. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 480-490. **Iain Kerr, Alicia Pensarosa, and Andy Rogan. (2023). Dr. Roger Payne: A Tribute. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 491. ** Kathleen M. Dudzinski (2023). Letter from the Managing Editor. Aquatic Mammals, 49(5), 492-493

1 0

New paper: Far-Field Effects of Impulsive Noise on Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins
by Fernandez, Oihane 15 Sep '23

15 Sep '23

Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors I would like to share our recent publication in Frontiers in Marine Science (open access): Fernandez-Betelu O, Graham IM, Brookes KL, Cheney BJ, Barton TR and Thompson PM (2021) Far-Field Effects of Impulsive Noise on Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:664230. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.664230 The paper was published as part of the Frontiers research topic "Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) Studies in the Ocean" and can be downloaded freely from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.664230/full Abstract Increasing levels of anthropogenic underwater noise have caused concern over their potential impacts on marine life. Offshore renewable energy developments and seismic exploration can produce impulsive noise which is especially hazardous for marine mammals because it can induce auditory damage at shorter distances and behavioral disturbance at longer distances. However, far-field effects of impulsive noise remain poorly understood, causing a high level of uncertainty when predicting the impacts of offshore energy developments on marine mammal populations. Here we used a 10-year dataset on the occurrence of coastal bottlenose dolphins over the period 2009-2019 to investigate far-field effects of impulsive noise from offshore activities undertaken in three different years. Activities included a 2D seismic survey and the pile installation at two offshore wind farms, 20-75 km from coastal waters known to be frequented by dolphins. We collected passive acoustic data in key coastal areas and used a Before-After Control-Impact design to investigate variation in dolphin detections in areas exposed to different levels of impulsive noise from these offshore activities. We compared dolphin detections at two temporal scales, comparing years and days with and without impulsive noise. Passive acoustic data confirmed that dolphins continued to use the impact area throughout each offshore activity period, but also provided evidence of short-term behavioral responses in this area. Unexpectedly, and only at the smallest temporal scale, a consistent increase in dolphin detections was observed at the impact sites during activities generating impulsive noise. We suggest that this increase in dolphin detections could be explained by changes in vocalization behavior. Marine mammal protection policies focus on the near-field effects of impulsive noise; however, our results emphasize the importance of investigating the far-field effects of anthropogenic disturbances to better understand the impacts of human activities on marine mammal populations. Please, do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions regarding our work (oihane.fernandez(a)abdn.ac.uk) Kind regards, Dr Oihane Fernandez-Betelu Research Fellow Lighthouse Field Station, Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cromarty IV11 8YL. Tel: 01381600548 [Aberdeen_Uni_logo_big low res]<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/lighthouse/> [FB_FindUsOnFacebook-320] <https://www.facebook.com/lighthousefieldstation> [follow us on twitter logo] <https://twitter.com/cromartylh> The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683. Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain na charthannas cl?raichte ann an Alba, ?ir. SC013683.

1 1

A review of inorganic contaminants in Australian marine mammals, birds and turtles
by Jane Hall 14 Sep '23

14 Sep '23

My coauthors and I would like to share our recent publication out in Environmental Chemistry this week. Jarolimek Chad V., King Josh J., Apte Simon C., Hall Jane, Gautam Anil, Gillmore Megan, Doyle Christopher (2023) A review of inorganic contaminants in Australian marine mammals, birds and turtles. Environmental Chemistry , -. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN23057 Open access available here: https://www.publish.csiro.au/EN/EN23057 Abstract. A comprehensive compilation of the published data for trace element concentrations (metals and metalloids) in Australian marine mammals, birds and turtles is presented. The majority of studies have relied on the utilisation of opportunistically collected samples, animal strandings and bycatch. This has resulted in large gaps in geographical, temporal and species coverage data. For instance, little or no data are available for cetaceans in New South Wales or the Northern Territory, and out of 14 endemic species of dolphins, data only exist for seven species. The aforementioned data gaps make it hard to identify statistically significant trends, a problem compounded by data being reported in the form of ranges without raw data. Trace element concentrations measured in various marine species and their tissue types are extremely variable, with ranges typically spanning several orders of magnitude, but are generally comparable with international data. Trends in contaminant concentrations with tissue type follow generally accepted patterns of behaviour for higher organisms, with the highest mercury concentrations in liver and cadmium in kidney tissues. Herbivores have lower contaminant loadings than carnivores, reflecting the importance of diet, and there are identifiable age-related trends for elements such as mercury. The lack of supporting pathology on dead and stranded animals and data on specimens from uncontaminated locations restrict conclusions on organism health impacts. There have been some attempts to use non-invasive sampling of indicator tissues such as fur, bristle and feathers. However, it is currently difficult to extrapolate these data to estimate contaminant concentrations in major organs. Recommendations for future investigations are made. Jane Hall BSc Grad Dip Sci (Biomedical) CF Wildlife Health Project Officer Australian Registry of Wildlife Health Taronga Conservation Society Australia Cammeraygal Country P 02 9978 4788 E jhall(a)zoo.nsw.gov.au [cid:image001.jpg@01D63B59.A1C552C0]I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work and pay my respect to Elders both past & present.

1 0

Marine Mammal Veterinary Externship at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center; Laguna Beach, CA
by Dr. Kaylee Brown 14 Sep '23

14 Sep '23

Dear Colleagues, The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education, and collaboration. As part of our mission of education, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers a 4-week externship for veterinary students that provides experience in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy and research. Position: Marine Mammal Veterinary Student Externship Location: Laguna Beach, California Duration: 4-weeks Dates: January 1st, 2025 - August 1st, 2025 Due Date: November 1st, 2023, or sooner; applications will be reviewed as received Description: The extern will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, as well as assist animal care staff and volunteers with daily care and feeding of the patients. Externs will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, anesthesia, biological sample collection, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy and surgery depending on the needs of the patients at the time of their externship. In addition, externs will participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds and cetaceans. Externs will be required to complete a small project. Results will be presented to Pacific Marine Mammal Center staff and volunteers, with the potential of completing a research project that can be presented at a conference and/or published in a peer-reviewed journal. This is an unpaid position. Preference will be given to students who will be in their final clinical year of veterinary school at the time of the externship. Travel, transportation, and housing will not be provided and is the responsibility of the extern. Please note that housing in this area can be expensive and plans should be made accordingly. Requirements and Preferences: * Preference will be given to students in their final clinical year of veterinary school at the time of the externship * Must be able to lift 50 pounds, be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and maintain a safe work environment * Unpaid position: Travel, transportation, and potentially housing will be the student's responsibility * Hours and availability: 40 hours per week; must be available for after-hours emergencies, weekends and holidays * Preference will be given to those with marine mammal and/or research experience * Excellent communication skills * Ability to accurately and effectively complete medical records To apply, please include the below materials with PDF saved with the applicant’s last name: 1. Cover letter, including 3 preferred blocks consisting of 4-weeks (if the student schedule is completely open for several months, please indicate that as well) 2 Curriculum vitae and three professional references 3. One letter of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and/or clinical performance (these can be submitted to Hospital(a)pacificmmc.org directly from the writer) All materials should be submitted no later than Wednesday, NOVEMBER 1st, 2023: To: Hospital(a)pacificmmc.org Subject: 2025 Veterinary Student Externship Program Attn: Dr. Kaylee Brown Veterinary Student Externs — Pacific Marine Mammal Center (pacificmmc.org)<https://www.pacificmmc.org/veterinary-externships> Sincerely, Kaylee Brown, DVM and Alissa C. Deming, DVM, MS, PhD [cid:83150cd5-7d84-4c85-a11c-31870c1958d8]<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> www.pacificmmc.org<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> Kaylee Brown, DVM Associate Veterinarian O: (949) 494-3050 20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651

1 0

IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue & Research Stranding Internships - Winter/Spring 2024
by Kasper, Kira 14 Sep '23

14 Sep '23

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is currently accepting applications for winter/spring 2024 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships. IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship Winter/Spring Session 2024 (Middle of January, 2024 - Last Week of May, 2024) Complete Applications due: October 15th, 2023 Program Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue and Research program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our program strives to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding "hot spot," with an average of over 264 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins. In addition to stranding response, IFAW's MMRR division is introducing the Cetacean Intensive Care Unit (CICU) located at the Dolphin Rescue Center in Orleans, MA. CICU is a short-term holding facility (96 hours) that aims to provide rehabilitative care to dolphins and porpoises experiencing acute effects of stranding. Stranding Intern Duties * Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data. * Marine mammal stranding response and necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings. o May have the opportunity to assist the CICU program with aspects of their operations opportunistically and as needed. This could include animal care (i.e. in-water support, assist during procedures, monitoring animal behavior etc.), CICU education and outreach, CICU readiness and cleaning, etc. * Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies. * Data entry / sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc. * Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events. Please see the following link for the full posting and to apply: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1059IFFA/JobBoard/17b588a3-808b-4bc9-aea8… Kira Kasper (she/her) Stranding Biologist Marine Mammal Rescue and Research 290 Summer Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 United States Please note: my schedule varies regularly and I often work outside of the M-F 9-5 timeframe. +1 774 721 1080 (work cell) +1 508 743 9548 (stranding hotline) www.ifaw.org<https://www.ifaw.org/> [ifaw]<https://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

1 0

New Publication on Northern Bottlenose Whales Habitat Use in North Atlantic
by Doris Woo 14 Sep '23

14 Sep '23

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of all co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our latest article on the habitat use of northern bottlenose whales in the NE North Atlantic. Woo KY, Isojunno S, Miller PJO (2023). Habitat use of the northern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon ampullatus near Jan Mayen, North Atlantic. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 718: 99-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14374 PDF version can be obtained upon individual request to Prof. Patrick Miller <pm29(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:pm29@st-andrews.ac.uk>> or me <doris.wky(a)hotmail.com<mailto:doris.wky@hotmail.com>>, or via ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372425554_Habitat_use_of_the_north… ABSTRACT Habitat use of the northern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon ampullatus in the Northeast Atlantic is poorly understood. This study aimed to identify locally utilised habitat features and create predictions of northern bottlenose whale habitat use over a wider area around the island of Jan Mayen, Norway. Bottlenose whales were sighted regularly near Jan Mayen in June 2014-2016 at higher rates than over a wider study region reported in other studies, indicating that the Jan Mayen habitat may be a hotspot of bottlenose whale presence in early boreal summer. Habitat models were created by fitting generalised additive models of selected environmental variables to sighting occurrence and additional whale sightings given a first encounter (total number of sightings - 1) recorded in June 2014-2016. Higher occurrence was estimated at steeper topography and April-average chlorophyll concentration below 0.4 mg m-3. Additional whale sightings given a first encounter were predicted to be higher at water depths (<1000 m) with steep topography, and deeper water (depths between 1300 and 2000 m) with a gentle seafloor slope. Spatial predictions largely corresponded with field observations that indicated high usage around the submarine canyon regions in the east and southeast of Jan Mayen Island. This study highlights the likely importance of steep and deep bathymetric features in shaping patterns of habitat use of this deep-diving species. Predictions of habitat use over a wider area not covered by the analysed surveys require validation; however, these data could inform conservation and management efforts to minimise spatial overlap between potential high-use areas and potentially disruptive anthropogenic activities. Best wishes, Doris (Ka Yi) Woo

1 0

New Paper: Migratory destinations of humpback whales in Nicaragua
by Association ELI-S 13 Sep '23

13 Sep '23

Association ELI-S <eliscientific(a)gmail.com> mar. 28 juin 2022 23:54 À marmam-request Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication in Scientific Reports De Weerdt, J., Pacheco A., Calambokidis J., Castaneda M., Cheeseman T., Frisch A., Garita F., Hayslip C., Martinez-Loustalot P., Palacios M.D., Quintana E., Ransome N., Urban J., Clapham P. and Van der Stocken T. 2023. Migratory destinations and spatial structuring of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering off Nicaragua. Scientific Reports. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-41923-7 Abstract. Understanding the migratory patterns of large whales is of conservation importance, especially in identifying threats to specific populations. Migration ecology, including migratory destinations, movements and site fidelity for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) remain poorly studied in parts of the range of the Central America population, considered endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act. This study aimed to investigate the migratory destinations of humpback whales sighted at two study sites in Nicaragua, which are part of the Central America population. A ten-year photographic database of humpback whales observed off Nicaragua was combined with citizen science contributions and sightings from dedicated research programs. The resulting image collection was compared with available historical photo identifications and databases using an automated image recognition algorithm. This approach yielded 36 years of photographic identification totaling 431 recaptures in Nicaragua (2006–2008 and 2016–2021) and 2539 recaptures (1986–2020) in both feeding and breeding grounds of 176 unique individuals sighted in Nicaragua. Our results showed that photo-identified whales were recaptured between October and April in breeding grounds and year-round in feeding grounds between British Columbia and California, with peak recaptures between June and October. Our study provided first-time evidence on fne-scale site affinity of individual humpback whales within Nicaraguan waters and to other breeding and feeding grounds. The pdf of the paper is available here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-41923-7 If you wish to support this project you can order an original whale bracelet that is handmade and custom made by Association ELI-S. https://eli-s.com/shop/, consider a donation <https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6DCP5GMKBKYLA>, or follow us on our social media. Best regards, *Joëlle De Weerdt* *I support Whale Research in Nicaragua with my online searches on lilo <http://www.lilo.org/fr/?utm_source=eli-scientific>* PhD Candidate at Vrije Universiteit University Award winner of Jane Goodall Institute and Fondation Yves-Rocher Scientist at Association ELI-S --------------------- www.eli-s.com Find more on Association ELI-S: Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/AssociationELIS> | Instagram <http://www.instagram.com/association.elis> | Twitter <http://twitter.com/ELI_Scientific> | Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjeseHPDvE6pq-MmoZXWNkg> ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joelle-De-Weerdt> | ORCiD <https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4054-6609> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo%C3%ABlle-de-weerdt/>

1 0

33 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) approved in an expanding portfolio of global ocean areas awaiting conservation measures
by Erich Hoyt 13 Sep '23

13 Sep '23

International recognition of iconic whale and dolphin paradises of the South American Atlantic coast The IMMA Secretariat of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force is pleased to announce that this week 33 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) have been identified and put on the map in the South West Atlantic Ocean from the Guianas, north of the Brazilian Amazon, to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. This is the final result from a year-long process, including an intensive week-long scientific workshop last December with 31 of the region’s scientists gathering data on candidate IMMAs which were then submitted for peer review. Besides the 33 newly approved IMMAs, 5 areas have been assigned Area of Interest (AoI) status. IMMAs are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. They are not legal designations but independent, peer-reviewed assessments based on a set of criteria supported by data. “We welcome this global recognition of our iconic marine treasures off the east coast of South America,” said José Truda Palazzo, Jr. from the Instituto Baleia Jubarte (Humpback Whale Institute) which hosted the December workshop in Praia do Forte, Brazil. The region’s notable habitats for marine mammals include Abrolhos Bank and Fernando de Noronha islands off Brazil as well as the Straits of Magellan and Patagonian waters of Península Valdés in Argentina and the Paramaribo River in Suriname, among others. “For the past few decades we have intensified our research into the region’s rare, endemic, threatened marine mammals,” added Miguel Iñíguez from Fundación Cethus and Whale and Dolphin Conservation, based in Argentina. The South West Atlantic Ocean (SWATLO) region features southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), some of which travel from Antarctica to this region. Besides the prevalent spinner (Stenella longirostris) and common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), there are species endemic to the region including the Commerson’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii ssp. commersonii), the vulnerable franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), the vulnerable Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ssp. gephyreus) and the near threatened Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis). The vulnerable West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is found along the coasts of the Guyanas and northeastern Brazil. The week-long IMMA workshop, held in Praia do Forte, Brazil, in December 2022, was organized and run by the IMMA Secretariat of the IUCN Task Force on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, and hosted by Instituto Baleia Jubarte. Workshop participants started by considering 112 preliminary areas of interest (pAoI). The pAoI selected to advance to candidate IMMAs were defended with text supporting various criteria based on scientific evidence and detailed mapping along with a strong rationale for the boundaries chosen. The review and mapping of these areas is now complete. The results from the Brazilian workshop mean there are now 242 IMMAs globally, each with portfolios, maps and other background information on the IMMA e-Atlas. According to Task Force co-chairs Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara and Erich Hoyt, the IMMA team along with 267 marine mammal scientists have now examined 72% of the ocean, 13% of which are IMMAs, and are hoping in the next 4-5 years to complete the decade-long global scientific assessment of the habitats of the 133 marine mammal species. In the meantime, the IMMA work continues to forge ahead in the North East Atlantic with final results due by early 2024 and the North West Atlantic and Caribbean, with a workshop planned for May 2024 and final results to be released no later than early 2025. More information on the project: • The South West Atlantic IMMA region comprises approximately one quarter of the Atlantic Ocean. The Task Force has now examined 72% of the global ocean for IMMAs. IMMAs amount to 13% of the examined area. The total surface area for all 242 IMMAs is 33.3 million square kilometers. • The global total of IMMAs now stands at 242, as well as 30 candidate IMMAs and 157 areas of interest (AoI). The e-Atlas showing maps of all the IMMAs and Aoi identified to date is here: https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas/ • Area of Interest or AoI status is not as strong as IMMA status but it is valuable in terms of facilitating and focusing future monitoring and research activities on marine mammals in the region which may in future help turn it into an IMMA. • The IMMA initiative is a partnership between the IUCN Joint SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, Tethys Research Institute and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). A recent paper in Frontiers in Marine Science details the Task Force IMMA work (2016-2022): https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/download/the-important-marine-mammal-ar… • The work of the Task Force for its IMMA initiative has been financed mainly by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) as part of the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI). Individual regions have been funded by the French Biodiversity Agency through the IUCN Marine and Polar Programme and by the Mava Foundation. Funding in the preparatory stages came from the Animal Welfare Institute and Pacific Life Foundation. Additional funding for the South West Atlantic IMMA region came from OceanCare both in preparation for the IMMA work as well as for the workshop itself. The Brazilian Instituto Baleia Jubarte (Humpback Whale Institute) hosted the workshop and provided additional financial support for local expenses and airport transfers as well as providing their venue for the opening session. • This news release and a final report on the South West Atlantic Ocean IMMA region are available for free download on the marinemammalhabitat.org website. To download the South West Atlantic IMMA report, go to https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/resources/documents/ To obtain shapefiles and detailed background information for the 242 approved IMMAs, go to https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/immas/imma-spatial-layer-download/ For more information, story leads, contacts and media use of photos and maps, contact Erich Hoyt, erich.hoyt(a)imma-network.org — Erich Hoyt Co-chair, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force — Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara Co-chair, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force — Gill Braulik Deputy chair, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force

1 0

Part-Time Job Opportunity: Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program
by Joanna T. Daniel 13 Sep '23

13 Sep '23

Hello all, The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program is currently advertising to fill a paid, part-time staff opening. The selected candidate will work approximately 30-32 hours per week at a rate of $15/hr. Though this position emphasizes a focus in sea turtle husbandry and rehabilitation, the selected candidate should expect to gain exposure and experience in all aspects of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, including response to live and dead stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, rehabilitation of sea turtles, and necropsy of sea turtles and marine mammals, among other tasks and duties. Please see the following link for more information and application instructions. We look forward to hearing from those interested! https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/support/work-with-us Joanna Daniel Stranding and Research Technician P: (757) 385-6489 JDaniel(a)VirginiaAquarium.com Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center<http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/> Stranding Response Hotline: (757) 385-7575 717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 [cid:cf221490-d485-4803-a7c6-b6833ce60e30]

1 0

New Publication: The Prelude to Industrial whaling: Utilizing Zooarchaeological Analysis and Collagen Mass-Peptide Fingerprinting to Reconstruct Ancient Whaling and Whale Populations
by Youri van den Hurk 13 Sep '23

13 Sep '23

NEW PAPER! https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230741 Whaling in Europe is known to have been performed for hundreds of years. Many northern and western European countries performed whaling, especially in Arctic waters around Svalbard and Greenland, since the seventeenth century. But the targets and practices of pre-industrial whaling in Europe remain poorly understood. Now, a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science suggests these early whaling activities were widespread and had a significant impact of whale populations in European waters. I led this group endevour and analyzed 719 archaeological bones from all over northern and western Europe and examined the preserved protein to identify the species. Collagen tends to have a different structure for most mammals and is useful for species identification purposes. We discovered that many bones belonged to two whale species no longer present in European waters. Over 300 whale bone specimens are thought to derive from the North Atlantic right whale. This large whale species can currently only be found on the North American side of the North Atlantic, but these bones indicate that the species was previously widely targeted in European waters. This species is critically endangered and only 300-400 individuals remain. The second species that was encountered in high numbers is the grey whale. Just over 100 whale bones were identified as belonging to this species. This species is now extinct in the North Atlantic and can currently only be found in the North Pacific. Both the North Atlantic right whale and the grey whale are highly coastal species. This put them within the reach of medieval whalers such as the Basques, northern Spaniards, Normans, Flemish, and Scandinavians. Medieval whaling probably played a significant role in the ultimate disappearance of these animals from European waters. Additionally, we suggests that whaling was conducted even longer ago. The Late Stone Age Vlaardingen-Culture, present in the western part of the Netherlands around 3500-2500 BCE, might have targeted the grey whale. Grey whale bones have been found at various archaeological sites pertaining to the Vlaardingen-Culture, which might signify one of the oldest whaling traditions in Europe. Looking into the past provides a better understanding of where the North Atlantic right whale and grey whale were once present, and what their migration patterns were. Over the past two decades at least three grey whale individuals have re-entered the North Atlantic, presumably through the northwest Passage (which is ice free for longer periods of time due to ongoing climate change) from the North Pacific. Understanding how early whaling activities impacted European whale populations is vital for conservation efforts. If a return to European waters occurs we can potentially better safeguard the grey whale by knowing where they once thrived. This study was funded by the European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, KNAW Ecology grant, and the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Project 4-OCEANS.

1 0