October 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

IMMS Animal Care internship (spring)
by Carrigen Manns 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

Hello! I am the intern coordinator for IMMS in Gulfport, Mississippi. Below I will have the outline of our internship that people are welcome to use to apply. Looking for an animal care internship? The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, MS is accepting applications for our spring term. *The deadline for applications is November 30th, please visit our website for details on how to apply or send questions to cmanns(a)imms.org https://imms.org/internship/ The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience. The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Interns will also complete a project during their internship, as well as help staff with daily water quality. Because we want interns to have a well-rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Interested applicants must follow the directions listed on the website to apply. Interns must be: • 18 years or older. • A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences. • Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position. • Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. • Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. • Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions. • Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn. • Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements. • Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations Please let me know if you have any questions or need any more information. Carrigen Manns Internship Coordinator IMMS- Gulfport, MS

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SMM Workshop: Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection Through Legal Understanding
by Natalie Barefoot 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

***ONE SEAT LEFT*** Dear Marmamers, Have you ever wondered how your science and knowledge could have more impact? On Sunday, November 10, we will be holding a half-day workshop at SMM in Perth titled: “Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection through Legal Understanding<https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718155120528-adffd079-3ee3>” Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the many different avenues in which you can engage so that your science can feed into policies and processes. The workshop will present in three parts: Part 1: Legal Frameworks and landscape: We will untangle the different legal frameworks that govern marine mammals and points of entry for you and/or your science. Part 2: Expert discussion: Learn from the best - hear the stories and receive practical tips from those who do and have done this. Dr. Alex Zerbini <https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandre-zerbini-70090b149/> and Dr. Lindsay Porter OBE<https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-porter-obe-a3974a8/> will join us for a roundtable discussion on their experiences of bringing science into law and policy. Part 3: Apply it: Using case studies, we will apply what we’ve learn. Let’s take your science to the next level!! Click on this link if you would like to join us: Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection through Legal Understanding<https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718155120528-adffd079-3ee3> Sincerely, Natalie Barefoot & Helen Mitcheson 🐋🐬🦭 Natalie Barefoot Executive Director Cet Law, Inc. www.cetaceanlaw.org [signature_3826711297]

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New paper on chemical pollution and diet tracers among six cetacean species in the Northwest Atlantic
by Anaïs Remili 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

Dear members of the MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent open-access publication in *Science of the Total Environment*: *Legacy persistent organic pollutants among multiple cetacean species in the Northwest Atlantic*. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176746 You can find a recap of our main findings aimed at the public, as well as an infographic recap of the paper here: https://whalescientists.com/canadian-whales-contamiants/ Here is the abstract of the paper: The historical contamination of eastern Canadian shelf waters remains an ongoing concern, predominantly stemming from anthropogenic discharges in the Great Lakes region. Although legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were banned decades ago, it remains unclear whether their concentrations have sufficiently decreased to safer levels in cetaceans that feed in the continental shelf waters of the northwestern Atlantic. This study compares polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OC) accumulation in six cetacean species sampled in the Northwest Atlantic from 2015 to 2022. We assessed the influence of relative trophic level and foraging habitat preferences on POP accumulations among species using stable isotopes and fatty acids as dietary tracers. We further identified the species most susceptible to the effects of these contaminants. Killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) exhibited the highest PCB (~100 mg/kg lw) and OC concentrations, followed by other odontocetes, with lowest concentrations in mysticetes. Stable isotope analysis revealed an unexpected lack of correlation between 15N values and contaminant levels. However, there was a positive correlation between 13C values and POP concentrations. Cetaceans foraging on pelagic prey species, as indicated by elevated proportions of the FA markers 22:1n11 and 20:1n9, had lower contaminant loads compared to cetaceans with benthic/coastal FA signatures. PCB and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) concentrations are lower now in most cetacean species than in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to regulatory measures restricting their production and use. Although current PCB concentrations for most species are under the thresholds for high risks of immune and reproductive failure, concentrations in killer whales exceed all established toxicity thresholds, underscoring the need for further action to reduce sources of these contaminants to the continental shelf waters of the northwestern Atlantic. Please reach out to me if you have questions/comments: anais_remili(a)sfu.ca If you wish to discuss it in person, see you in Perth for SMM. Cheers, Anais ____________ Anais Remili, PhD Postdoctoral fellow Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology Lab Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University https://anaisremili.com/

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Science Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
by Simon Berrow 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

The IWDG wish to recruit a full-time Science Officer to contribute to the continued growth of the IWDG and deliver on its strategic plan. The Science Officer will join its core team based in the Shannon Dolphin Centre, Kilrush, Co Clare. The Science Officer will be expected to manage IWDG archived data, manage IWDG science projects, identify relevant opportunities to collect and interpret IWDG data, contribute to conservation actions and policies, identify gaps in IWDG scientific knowledge and priorities for scientific research and will be encouraged to seek funding for research projects. Closing date: 31 October 2024 @ 5pm https://iwdg.ie/iwdg-wish-to-recruit-a-full-time-science.../ <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fiwdg.ie%2Fiwdg-wish-to-recruit…> -- -------- Dr Simon Berrow Chief Executive Officer Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland, V15 E762 www.iwdg.ie / http://consulting.iwdg.ie Office; 065 9051763 / Mobile: 086 8545450 Charity Number: CHY 11163 Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20029913

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Reminder: Contemporary Evaluation of Ethics within the Society for Marine Mammalogy - workshop and online survey
by Rebecca Boys 13 Oct '24

13 Oct '24

Dear MARMAMers, This is a reminder email to ask for your opinions via a survey on ethics in marine mammal science. Please click HERE<https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29rnbQqpX6gHYCq> to commence the online survey (est. 10 mins). We have extended the deadline to Friday 25th October to ensure as many members as possible have their say. On Saturday 9th November, as part of the SMM biennial pre-conference workshop, we will be hosting 'Refresh: A Contemporary Evaluation of Ethics within the Society for Marine Mammalogy<https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1718132271312-4d7c7a23-e1ca>'. In recognition of the fact ethics represents a membership-wide conversation and that not all members will be able to attend the upcoming conference workshop, the workshop organisers launched an online survey to offer all SMM members the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions about ethics within SMM. Have your say on the future of ethics within the society by clicking HERE<https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29rnbQqpX6gHYCq> to commence the online survey (est. 10 mins) which closes Friday 25th October (midnight GMT). Registrations for in-person workshop remain open via the conference website, with limited virtual attendance still possible – please contact ethicschair(a)marinemammalscience.org<mailto:ethicschair@marinemammalscience.org> for further details. Thank you, On behalf of the workshop organising committee ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys, Ph.D. Marine Biologist Research Associate Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand [cid:dafd60fb-fe5e-4af0-8f19-7f60a142255f]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:42fcc31e-a6d2-4428-b0b7-04e266f7c699] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:290ba11e-b203-406c-bbe8-dba6fa8e377b] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:c9b8f920-7e09-43d8-8077-816ba00cd2a5] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHN…> [cid:a29e62d9-4f09-452a-bc82-8546dee8ab2d] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:9ef0c7b4-d020-46e9-8ee9-23e0af3ebd66] www.cetaceanecology.org/<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/> European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand [cid:03aa3969-1cbd-4fbe-8f17-ffced0025017] [cid:cda21df2-3fa8-4c1b-b0f6-0fd85e889728] Rebecca Boys (she/her) Senior Scientific Officer | Marine NCEA Marine & Fisheries: Our vision - clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse ocean and seas Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs E: rebecca.boys(a)defra.gov.uk Office location: Horizon House, Bristol Learn more about the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA)<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-capital-and-ecosystem-as…> programme. If I am sending this email outside of regular working hours, it may be because I’m working flexibly. There is no expectation for you to respond outside of your usual working hours.

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New publication: distribution and seasonality of the Omura's whale in Australia
by Ciara Browne (Student) 12 Oct '24

12 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication on the distribution and seasonality of the Omura’s whale in Australia based on passive acoustic recordings. You can find the open access article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/20/2944 Citation: Browne, C.E.; Erbe, C.; McCauley, R.D. Distribution and Seasonality of the Omura’s Whale (Balaenoptera omurai) in Australia Based on Passive Acoustic Recordings. Animals 2024, 14, 2944. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14202944 Abstract: The Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) is one of the most recently described species of baleen whale. Initially known only from stranding and whaling specimens, it has now been identified in all ocean basins excluding the central and eastern Pacific. Unlike most baleen whales that migrate between the poles and the equator seasonally, the Omura’s whale is known to inhabit tropical to sub-tropical waters year-round. In Australian waters, there remain fewer than 30 confirmed visual sightings over the past decade. However, based on acoustic records, the Omura’s whale has been detected off areas of the northwest coast of Australia year-round. This study utilises passive acoustic recordings from 41 locations around Australia from 2005 to 2023 to assess the distribution and seasonality of the Omura’s whale. The seasonal presence of Omura’s whale vocalisations varied by location, with higher presence at lower latitudes. Vocalisations were detected year-round in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in the Timor Sea, and near Browse Island and Scott Reef, in the Kimberley region. In the Pilbara region, acoustic presence mostly peaked from February to April and no acoustic presence was consistently observed from July to September across all sites. The most southerly occurrence of Omura’s whale vocalisations was recorded off the North West Cape in the Gascoyne region. Vocalisations similar but not identical to those of the Omura’s whale were detected in the Great Barrier Reef. The identified seasonal distribution provides valuable information to assess environmental and anthropogenic pressures on the Omura’s whale and to aid in creating management and conservation policies for the species in Australia. Best wishes, Ciara Ciara Browne BSc (Hons I) PhD Candidate | Centre for Marine Science and Technology Curtin University – Perth, Western Australia ciara.browne(a)postgrad.curtin.edu.au

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Job Opportunity: Large Whale Aerial Survey Biologist (Full-time)
by Amy Whitt 11 Oct '24

11 Oct '24

Azura is seeking a full-time Large Whale Aerial Survey Biologist to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Branch (PSB) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The Biologist will assist in the collection and analyses of aerial and shipboard right whale survey data, including studying the distribution of right whales in relation to human activities and the impacts of those activities on right whale behavior, health, population dynamics, and ecology. The primary responsibilities will include conducting aerial surveys and working with the resulting data. The visual survey information collected by NOAA is used to assist in the management of protected species, evaluate the impacts of various human activities on the species, and aid in education and conservation efforts. Work is to be conducted at the NEFSC facility in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. This full-time position is for one year with a possibility of extension. Work is expected to begin as early as November 2024 (pending NOAA security processing). For more information and to apply, please go to Azura's Job Board at https://azuraco.com/jobs/ or use this direct link to the job announcement: https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/azura-consulting-llc-large-whale-aerial-sur… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Azura Consulting LLC (Azura) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply for this position. www.azuraco.com

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FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
by nicole adimey 11 Oct '24

11 Oct '24

> Dear MARMAM Community, > > Please join us for the Tenth International Sirenian Symposium! This > full-day event will be hosted in association with the Biennial > Conference this November in Perth Australia on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at > the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. If you are interested > in attending please register at the pre-conference workshop webpage at: *https://www.smmconference.org/workshops > <https://www.smmconference.org/workshops>*. > > This Symposium will be an entire day dedicated to international > collaboration, networking and mentorship among those interested in Sirenian > research and conservation. Objectives for the Symposium include: supporting > collaboration and building Sirenian networks among scientists across > Sirenian Range States (the >80), especially in the 70+ developing > countries, disseminating new Sirenian science, addressing current and > emerging threats and promoting mentoring for students interested in marine > mammal science and conservation. Presentations may include human > interactions, physiology, monitoring applications, modeling, genetics, > captive care and rehabilitation, management, general biology, stranding > response and education/outreach. The agenda will include full length > presentations, speed talks, a poster session, an update from the Sirenian > Specialist Group and time allotted for networking. For additional > information contact Nicole Adimey at: *adimey22(a)gmail.com > <adimey22(a)gmail.com>.* > > ----------------------------------- > -- Nicole Adimey 904-655-0730

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New publication on sperm whale demographics in density estimation
by Alba Solsona Berga 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are excited to share our recent published open-access paper on sperm whale demographics in density estimation in the Gulf of Mexico: Solsona-Berga A, Frasier KE, Posdaljian N, Baumann-Pickering S, Wiggins S, Soldevilla M, Garrison L, Hildebrand JA (2024). Accounting for sperm whale population demographics in density estimation using passive acoustic monitoring. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 746:121-140. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14693 ABSTRACT: Sperm whales *Physeter macrocephalus* are highly sexually dimorphic, with adult males having larger bodies, more powerful echolocation clicks, and slower echolocation clicking rates compared to females. This study introduces methods for estimating sperm whale population densities in the Gulf of Mexico (GoMex) by accounting for the population demographics using passive acoustic monitoring and reveals that ignoring the differences between demographic segments can introduce bias in density estimates. Weekly densities were estimated per 3 demographic segments: social groups consisting of adult females and their offspring, mid-size animals, and adult males. Analysis revealed that the GoMex sperm whale population is primarily composed of social groups, which account for 92 to 98% of the overall population. Mid-size animals and adult males made up a small proportion of the population and were only intermittently present. Our 7 yr GoMex density estimates, including the 2010 *Deepwater Horizon* (DWH) oil spill period and subsequent years, revealed demographic-specific trends. Declines found at 2 north-central GoMex sites, coupled with increases at a southeastern site, may indicate population movements and potential impacts from the 2010 DWH oil spill and elevated noise levels from anthropogenic activities in the north-central GoMex. Please feel free to email me with any questions at asolsonaberga(a)ucsd.edu. Best, Alba *___________________________* Alba Solsona Berga (she/her/hers) Assistant Project Scientist Scripps Institution of Oceanography // UC San Diego (858) 534-8036 // asolsonaberga(a)ucsd.edu // sael.ucsd.edu

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Free Zoom Presentation Unraveling Large Whale Entanglements by Edward Lyman, Presented by ACS-OC
by hannah rich 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

Free Zoom Presentation Oct. 24th, 2025, 7-9pm hosted by the American Cetacean Society of Orange County featuring Edward Lyman. “Unraveling large whale entanglements and extending our reach in response: Examples from Hawaii and Alaska.” Ed Lyman is currently the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s Natural Resource Specialist and Regional Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator under NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. He works closely with NOAA Fisheries under their Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, and many other partners. For 30 years Ed has worked with NOAA, state agencies, and others to better understand the animals and to address the threats that impact them, especially ship-strikes and entanglements. His efforts encompass Alaska, the East and West Coasts, Hawai’i and many countries. He assists NOAA by coordinating a community-based network in Hawai’i to not only monitor the animals, but also provide safe and authorized response to entangled, or otherwise compromised large whales. Ed has participated in nearly 130 disentanglement efforts and helped free more than 70 whales from life threatening entanglements – more than 40 with the sanctuary. However, the ultimate goal is working with fishermen, scientists, managers, and others to gain valuable information – the science, that may reduce entanglement and other threats for humpback whales and other large marine animals in the future. Ed graduated from the University of New Hampshire, where he received a Master of Science degree studying semi-aquatic mammals and island biogeography. He worked for the Shoals Marine Laboratory and Sea Education Association, where he gained a strong marine background. Ed has studied whales since 1994, when he worked for the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, a non-profit whale research and rescue organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Ed also worked for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, where he worked with fishermen to reduce entanglement impact Register here: https://www.acsorangecounty.org/events Sent from my iPhone Hannah Rich Board Member American Cetacean Society of Orange County

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