October 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Micro-scale spatio-temporal patterns in porpoise activity
by Johanna Stedt 09 Dec '24

09 Dec '24

Dear all, We are pleased to share our new publication: Micro-scale spatial preference and temporal cyclicity linked to foraging in harbour porpoises. Stedt J, Wahlberg M, Carlström J, Nilsson PA, Amundin M, Oskolkov N & Carlsson P. (2023) Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 708:143-161. doi: 10.3354/meps14268 Abstract: Habitat heterogeneity is a crucial driver for species distribution across scales. Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena basin-wide distribution is linked to prey availability, and small-scale (kilometres to tens of kilometres) differences in distribution are prevalent. However, information on porpoise distribution and foraging-behaviour variations on a micro-scale (~100 m to kilometres) is limited. To monitor harbour porpoise distribution and foraging activity on a micro-scale, we deployed passive acoustic dataloggers, logging porpoise acoustic activity at 6 sites in a small, high porpoise-density area in southern Sweden. Data were collected for almost a year, giving detailed time series on porpoise activity. The time series were analysed using dynamic time warping to compare activity patterns between sites. Large differences were found between sites separated by only a few hundred meters, indicating micro-scale spatial preference. Spectral analysis for temporal cyclicity in activity revealed a dominant peak for 24 h cycles with higher activity at night for all sites. All sites also had a second peak for 29.5 d, linked to the lunar cycle with higher activity during full moon. Activity was overall highest during autumn and winter (September-December). Spatial and temporal patterns were linked to foraging, showing a positive correlation between porpoise presence and the percent of time present with detected foraging. The study demonstrates that harbour porpoise spatial distribution on a micro-scale should be considered in e.g. behavioural, management and conservation studies and actions. In addition, we show that time series statistical methodology is informative and appropriate for analysis of acoustic temporal data. The paper is open access and can be freely downloaded at: https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m708p143.pdf Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Best regards, Johanna Stedt Johanna Stedt PhD student Aquatic Ecology Department of Biology Lund University Sölvegatan 37, 223 62 Lund, Sweden Phone + 46 (0)73 738 30 36 E-mail: johanna.stedt(a)biol.lu.se<mailto:johanna.stedt@biol.lu.se> Personal webpage: Johanna Stedt<https://portal.research.lu.se/portal/en/persons/johanna-stedt(d8f35e4a-cb7e…>

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CWC - Marine Program Assistant (Seasonal Position)
by Heather Henderson 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

California Wildlife Center (CWC) - current staff position - Seasonal Marine Program Assistant (MPA). California Wildlife Center is located in Malibu, California, and responds to reports of stranded marine mammals 365 days a year. Our on-site rehabilitation facility, serving California sea lions and Northern elephant seals, is active from January through July, the busiest stranding months. Summary: This is a full-time, seasonal, hourly position. The Seasonal Marine Program Assistant (MPA) is an experienced marine mammal rehabilitative care provider, who works under the supervision of the Marine Program Manager, Stranding Coordinator, and often without supervision. This position is scheduled from February through July 2025. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned): * Perform all duties of a marine mammal rehabilitator including, but not limited to: large animal restraint, patient intakes, oversee and perform general husbandry tasks of marine mammal patients, administer medication and fluid therapies, gavage feeding of seals and sea lions, assist with patient releases, maintain all rehabilitation equipment and enclosures. * Provide CWC marine mammal program support. * Provide marine animal response, rescue, and transport. * Facilitate volunteer and intern training and leadership. * Works with Marine Program staff to assess stranded marine mammal as soon as possible. * Utilize a tracking system for animals placed on 24-hour watch. * Transport of stranded marine mammals to the appropriate rehabilitation facility. * Manage maintenance of assigned equipment. * Maintain high quality records of all patients on site and data collected during stranding responses. * Establish and maintain good rapport with representatives of various public agencies and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. * Assist in the response and collection of dead-stranded marine mammals. * Perform rescues of injured and contaminated marine birds within our response area. * Responsible for closely supervising up to four volunteers/interns per shift, ensuring that all safety guidelines are followed while performing rescues, completing husbandry tasks, and providing care for all patients. Experience and Requirements: * Two years’ direct experience in pinniped rehabilitation and husbandry. * Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and be comfortable driving a 12-person van (Ford Transit VN) and a Ford F-150 extended cab pickup truck. * Must be able to work cooperatively with co-workers, volunteers, interns, and the public. * Must be able to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions. * Must be able to efficiently handle multiple responsibilities. * Must possess good verbal and written communication skills. * Upon hire, must pass a background check and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. * Commitment to professionalism. Desired qualification: * BA/BS or higher degree (preference given to marine biology fields of study). * Excellent public relations skills. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; routine exposure to zoonotic diseases, aggressive and feral animals; outside weather conditions of extreme heat, cold and precipitation. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. Contact: To apply, please email cover letter and resume to Heather Henderson (hhenderson(a)cawildlife.org<mailto:hhenderson@cawildlife.org>) We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome a diverse pool of applicants. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO For more information about the programs at California Wildlife Center, visit: cawildlife.org<http://cawildlife.org> [cid:f2c2a575-1793-4b98-95c0-d64bbde7b5de] Heather Henderson Marine Program Manager California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu CA 90265 310/458-WILD (9453) cawildlife.org<https://cawildlife.org/> |[cid:de5a0262-5a97-4883-b4f7-329d9e9ee975]<https://www.instagram.com/cawildlife/>|[cid:a71b1dac-d272-4ff5-ace2-6e40909b8358]<https://www.facebook.com/californiawildlifecenter>

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Job Opening: Wildlife Biologist at Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
by Pearson, Linnea E (DFG) 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

The Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game is seeking an individual to assist with monitoring and conservation research of marine mammal species within areas including Southeast Alaska, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea. We are seeking someone to work Full Time, Year Round, though the listing description says Seasonal. The position will design, plan and perform scientific research for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Gulf and Bering Marine Mammal Program. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, thoughtful, and self-motivated biologist able to ask insightful questions, creatively solve problems, and work independently and as part of a group. The incumbent must be physically able to work outdoors in harsh weather, have experience leading field research teams, developing and implementing research projects, and as a wildlife biologist performing field work studies on marine mammals. Desired experience in ecology, population monitoring, and/or cetacean biology. The position is based in Juneau, AK. The posting is currently open to Alaska Residents, and closes on Nov 12, 2024. The full posting can be found here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/jobs/newprint/4707885 Linnea E. Pearson, Ph.D. (she/her) Wildlife Biologist Lead, Gulf and Bering Sea Marine Mammal Program ADF&G- Division of Wildlife Conservation linnea.pearson(a)alaska.gov Office: 907-465-4313

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New publication: Stress and Reproductive Hormones of Free-Ranging Dolphins Across a Natural Salinity Gradient
by Guinn, Makayla 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of all authors, we are pleased to announce our recent publication in ACS Omega: Guinn, M. A., Elliott, J. Y., Wittmaack, C. S., Sinclair, C., Abdulla, H. A., & Orbach, D. N. (2024). Stress and Reproductive Hormones of Free-Ranging Dolphins Across a Natural Salinity Gradient. ACS Omega. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c05466 ABSTRACT: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabit environments with variable natural salinities and experience physiological imbalances from extreme salinity fluctuations. Low salinity exposure (��10) disrupts osmoregulation and increases the production of steroid hormones aldosterone (electrolyte balance) and cortisol (stress response). The effect(s) of high salinity exposure (>35) on steroid hormone production in bottlenose dolphins has not previously been assessed. We measured stress hormones (aldosterone, corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone) and reproductive hormones (progesterone and testosterone) in three stocks of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins inhabiting different natural salinities across the Gulf of Mexico (0�C30, 22�C35, 36+). Hormones were extracted from the blubber of 82 remotely biopsied dolphins and quantified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometry. A positive correlation was found between cortisol (10.38 �� 0.8 ng/g, n = 13) and salinity (r = 0.62). Aldosterone (58.9 �� 17.2 ng/g, n = 5) was quantified in dolphin blubber for the first time and was detected across the salinity gradient but was not significantly related to salinity levels. Concentrations of testosterone were seasonally variable. This study enhances our understanding of how climate changes and extensive anthropogenic stressors challenge homeostasis in a marine bioindicator species. Open access to the article is available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.4c05466 Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Best, Makayla Guinn, M.S. Ph.D. Student FABEMM Lab <https://jrich40.wixsite.com/tcbdolphinproject> NRT STAGES<https://www.tamucc.edu/science/departments/physical-sciences/coastal-marine…> Alum Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Tidal Hall 354 [cid:156dad38-b3cb-4571-a3c8-57919224541a]

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New publication: Further insights on Burmeister's porpoise in the Southwestern Atlantic
by Rafael Ramos de Carvalho 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new article published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. R. R. Carvalho, J. Ikeda, Y. Daoualibi, E. B. Guari, P. Teixeira, E. B. Santos-Neto, J. Lailson-Brito, L. Barbosa, M. Ramos-Nogueira and A. F. Azevedo. Revealing further insights on extralimital records of Burmeister's porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis, Burmeister, 1865) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 104, e96, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315424000924 Abstract Burmeister’s porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis) is an endemic species found in both the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, along the coastal regions of South America. In the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, the species is reported from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina to Santa Catarina, Brazil, and the Falkland Islands. This study provides new insights on two stranded P. spinipinnis specimens in Southeastern Brazil, including the first occurrence in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Despite the advanced decomposition of the carcasses, which limited necropsy findings, we provide new data on the general characteristics of the specimens found in this extralimital geographical range, such as total body length, age, sex, vertebral count, and cranial measurements. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to reach out at carvalho.ramos(a)yahoo.com.br. Kind regards, Rafael Carvalho -- BiólogoDoutor em Ecologia e Evolução-PPGEE/UERJ Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Izabel Gurgel" - MAQUA Faculdade de Oceanografia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ tel.: (21) 2334-0065 / 2334-0795 cel.: (21) 99802-3536http://lattes.cnpq.br/6546679825444246

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New publication about Polyomavirus in dolphins
by Carlos Sacristán Yagüe 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, On behalf of all co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our article about polyomavirus in dolphins of Brazil. Duarte-Benvenuto A, Diaz-Delgado J, Ewbank AC, Groch KR, dal Bianco V, Costa-Silva S, Zamana-Ramblas R, Favero C, Castaldo Colosio A, da Cunha Gomes Ramos H, Santos-Neto E, Lailson-Brito J, Carvalho V, Ribeiro VL, Bertozzi CP, Freitas Pessi C, Sacristan I, Catao-Dias JL, Sacristan C. 2024. Identification of a potential novel polyomavirus in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), Brazil. Veterinary Quarterly. 44(1):1-7 https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2024.2413185 You can discover more at the link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01652176.2024.2413185?src= Best regards, Carlos Sacristan

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2025 Soundwatch Internship Openings
by Alanna Frayne 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program: 2025 Summer Internship Openings The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking interns for the 2025 summer field season (May - September). Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a nonprofit organization located in Friday Harbor, Washington. 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 two interns to help conduct vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and record data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other marine wildlife. This data is used to inform and update marine mammal management strategies including state, federal, and international vessel regulations. To learn more, please visit our website and read Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications. Internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. Interns are responsible for securing their own housing and their own mode of transportation. This position includes a stipend to offset housing costs. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to assist interns in locating suitable housing options. INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES: • Perform a variety of tasks related to data recording and photography in the field aboard small research vessels. • Perform a variety of tasks related to data entry and photo filing in a research office setting. • Participation and staffing of public outreach and education events throughout the field season. APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: • Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September. • Ability to work approximately 35-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun. • At least 18 years of age, able to lift 40 lbs., able to swim, and not easily susceptible to seasickness. This position requires extensive boating aboard small vessels and is not suitable for those prone to seasickness. • Ability to spend long hours on the water aboard a small vessel, sometimes in demanding seasonal conditions. Field days occur four to five times a week and may exceed eight hours per day. • Exhibit strong communication skills, professionalism, and diplomacy. • Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and Google Workspace. • US passport, enhanced driver's license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EID) is required. Documents must be valid through December 2025. • Up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification. • Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences. • Knowledge of the area and Southern Resident killer whales is preferred but not required. • A state boater license or equivalent safe boating card is preferred but not required. • Wildlife photography experience is a plus but not required. HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION: Please provide the following: 1. Letter of interest including your start/end date and passport/ID status 2. Your resume/CV 3. Contact information for three references. Submit application materials via email as one PDF if possible. Please include in your subject line: Soundwatch Internship Application (Last Name). PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Alanna Frayne Soundwatch Boater Education Program Director alanna(a)whalemuseum.org Active review of applications will begin immediately and continue until 02 Dec 2024, or until positions are filled. Final selections made before 01 Feb 2025. Please feel free to contact with any questions. Alanna Frayne (she/her) Soundwatch Program Director The Whale Museum 62 First St N | Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Please be advised that my response may be delayed during the field season (May-September).

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New paper: Population changes in a Southern Ocean krill predator point towards regional Antarctic sea ice declines
by Els Vermeulen 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share our recent paper: Germishuizen, M., Vichi, M. & Vermeulen, E. Population changes in a Southern Ocean krill predator point towards regional Antarctic sea ice declines. *Sci Rep* 14, 25820 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74007-1 Abstract: While foraging, marine predators integrate information about the environment often across wide-ranging oceanic foraging grounds and reflect these in population parameters. One such species, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis; SRW) has shown alterations to foraging behaviour, declines in body condition, and reduced reproductive rates after 2009 in the South African population. As capital breeders, these changes suggest decreased availability of their main prey at high-latitudes, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). This study analysed environmental factors affecting prey availability for this population over the past 40 years, finding a notable southward contraction in sea ice, a 15–30% decline in sea ice concentration, and a more than two-fold increase in primary production metrics after 2008. These environmental conditions are less supportive of Antarctic krill recruitment in known SRW foraging grounds. Additionally, marginal ice zone, sea ice concentration and two primary production metrics were determined to be either regionally significant or marginally significant predictors of calving interval length when analysed using a linear model. Findings highlight the vulnerability of recovering baleen whale populations to climate change and show how capital breeders serve as sentinels of ecosystem changes in regions that are difficult or costly to study. The article is open access and can be downloaded here <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74007-1#:~:text=This%20study%20a…> With kind regards, Els Dr Els Vermeulen Senior Lecturer and Research Manager Mammal Research Institute - Whale Unit Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of Pretoria, South Africa +27 (0)60 9714301 - els.vermeulen(a)up.ac.za https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3667-1290 www.mammalresearchinstitute.science -- This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer to http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf <http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf> for full details.

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New Publication: The acoustic presence and migration timing of subarctic baleen whales in the Bering Strait in relation to environmental factors
by Erica Escajeda 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are excited to share our recent publication titled “The acoustic presence and migration timing of subarctic baleen whales in the Bering Strait in relation to environmental factors” published in *Polar Biology*. Escajeda, E.D., Stafford, K.M., Woodgate, R.A., and K.L. Laidre*. *2024. The acoustic presence and migration timing of subarctic baleen whales in the Bering Strait in relation to environmental factors. *Polar Biology*. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-024-03314-0 The publication can be viewed using the following link: https://rdcu.be/dXkny ** Abstract ** Subarctic baleen whales, including humpback (*Megaptera novaeangliae*), fin (*Balaenoptera physalus*), and gray whales (*Eschrichtius robustus*), migrate through the Bering Strait every summer to feed in the Chukchi Sea. When and where the whales are found in the region likely reflects environmental conditions. Using recordings collected between 2009 and 2018 from a hydrophone ~ 35 km north of the strait, we identified whale calls during the open-water season (May–December), examined migration timing, and investigated potential drivers of whale presence. The acoustic presence of fin and humpback whales varied across the years, while gray whales were consistently detected each year. We compared detection rates for October and November since these months had recordings each year. We observed the highest proportion of recordings with humpback whale calls for October–November in 2009, 2017, and 2018 (66–80% of recordings); the highest proportion of recordings with fin whale calls in 2015, 2017, and 2018 (75–79% of recordings); and the highest proportion of recordings with gray whale calls in 2013 and 2015 (46 and 51% of recordings, respectively). Fin and humpback whales departed the Bering Strait ~ 3 and 2 days later per year over the study period (*p *< 0.04). Both fin and humpback whales delayed their southward migration in years with warmer water temperatures (Pearson *r *≥ 0.73, *p *< 0.02). Generalized additive models of location, shape, and scale identified day of the year, water temperatures, and the lagged presence of a thermal front the previous month as drivers of acoustic presence for all three species during the open-water season. Please feel free to email with any questions: eescajeda(a)harveyecology.com Sincerely, Erica Escajeda , Ph.D. (she/her) Ecologist H. T. Harvey & Associates, Ecological Consultants eescajeda(a)harveyecology.com

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New publication: killer whale predation in the SW Indian Ocean
by Maeva Terrapon 30 Oct '24

30 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication, a Short Communication in the African Journal of Ecology: Terrapon, M., Venables, S., Lokker, A., Bertrand, N., Hooker, S. and Marshall, A. (2024), Killer Whale Predation on a Giant Manta Ray (*Mobula birostris*), a Sicklefin Devil Ray (*Mobula tarapacana*) and a Tiger Shark (*Galeocerdo cuvier*) in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Afr J Ecol, 62: e13342. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13342 Abstract: Knowledge of killer whale (*Orcinus orca*) feeding ecology in tropical waters is scarce. In the southwest Indian Ocean, opportunistic sightings provide a valuable source of information to better understand their behaviour, diet and distribution. Here, we compile existing records of killer whale predation on elasmobranchs in the southwest Indian Ocean, including sightings of three undescribed prey species regionally: a giant manta ray (*Mobula birostris*), a sicklefin devil ray (*Mobula tarapacana*) and a tiger shark (*Galeocerdo cuvier*). Documenting such observations is important to increase knowledge on killer whale ecology in the tropics and the cascading impact they might have on prey populations. You can download this Open Access paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aje.13342 Do not hesitate to reach out at maeva.terrapon(a)gmail.com if you would like to discuss this work. Many thanks, Maeva Terrapon PhD Candidate SMRU, University of St Andrews St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB Twitter: @MTerrapon The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No SC013532

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