November 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Using acoustic monitoring to reveal nearly year-round presence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the waters of southern Iceland
by Carola Chicco 14 Nov '24

14 Nov '24

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share the following publication: Chicco, C., Papale, E., Wensveen, P. J., Mouy, X., & Samarra, F. I. P. (2024). Using acoustic monitoring to reveal nearly year-round presence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the waters of southern Iceland. Marine Mammal Science, e13198. The article can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13198 Abstract: Icelandic waters are a crucial feeding ground for North Atlantic humpback whales, yet their occurrence in these subarctic waters remains underexplored. This study examined seasonal and diel patterns in humpback whale occurrence off the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, southern Iceland, from June 2018 to May 2019, using automated acoustic detections from bottom-moored hydrophones. Vocalizations were manually categorized into social calls, song fragments, or songs. Further classification identified seven social sound types and 25 unique song units. Humpback whales were detected on 126 out of 329 recording days and were present in nearly all months except April and May. Social calls were most common in summer and fall, while song fragments and songs were prevalent in winter. No diel singing pattern was observed. These findings suggest southern Iceland serves as a vital habitat for humpback whales, acting as a feeding ground in summer and a migration stopover or overwintering site in winter. The study underscores the potential of acoustic monitoring to uncover important habitats year-round, especially when field observations are scarce, and emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of habitat use. Continued acoustic monitoring could provide further insights into the whales' behavioral patterns and preferences, essential for their conservation. For any queries feel free to contact me at carola.chicco(a)polito.it or carola.chicco(a)gmail.com Best wishes, Carola

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New publication on population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters with implications for the T.t.ponticus
by Arda M. Tonay 14 Nov '24

14 Nov '24

Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. We would like to inform you that the new paper on "Population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters based on mtDNA sequences with implications for the Black Sea subspecies Tursiops truncatus ponticus" has been published in the Mitochondrial DNA Part A. Tonay, A.M., Uzun, B., Dede, A., Danyer E., Danyer Aytemiz, I., Amaha Öztürk A., Archer, F.I., Öztürk, B., Bilgin, R. 2024. Population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters based on mtDNA sequences with implications for the Black Sea subspecies Tursiops truncatus ponticus. Mitochondrial DNA Part A. <https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427216> https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427216 You can view the article at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427216 Abstract The bottlenose dolphin is a widely distributed species found in temperate waters, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Black Sea population is recognized as a distinct subspecies, Tursiops truncatus ponticus, due to genetic and morphological differences. This study analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of 73 bottlenose dolphin samples collected between 1999 and 2016 along the Turkish Black Sea coast, Turkish Straits System (TSS ), Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas revealing 14 haplotypes, eight of which are reported here for the first time. The haplotype network shows two main nodes with star-like sub-networks, but no apparent geographic pattern. The lack of geographical groupings of haplotypes indicates the high mobility of the species within the sampled area. The northern Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (NBS) appear to be genetically differentiated from those in the southwestern Black Sea (SBS), Mediterranean, and Atlantic Ocean, but not from the TSS and Aegean Sea populations. Besides, SBS bottlenose dolphins were differentiated only from those in the western Mediterranean (WM) and the Atlantic. Therefore, NBS and SBS bottlenose dolphins should at least be categorized as different populations. However, contrary to some previous studies there was no evidence supporting the classification of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins as a separate subspecies. The TSS differs only from the Atlantic and the Aegean, and functions like a migratory 'melting pot' for surrounding populations. Despite the largest sample size, NBS bottlenose dolphins exhibited the lowest haplotype and nucleotide diversity. This low genetic diversity and potential isolation from adjacent populations highlight the need for prioritizing the conservation of NBS bottlenose dolphins. Pdf request can be sent to <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Kalenderhane Mah. Onaltı Mart Şehitleri Cad. No: 2 Fatih 34134 İstanbul, Türkiye Tel: +90 212 440 0000/20159 Fax: +90 212 440 0232 <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr <http://subilimleri.istanbul.edu.tr/> http://subilimleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, 34820 İstanbul, Türkiye Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771 -- *Yasal Uyarı:* Bu elektronik posta, **buradan* <https://bilgiislem.istanbul.edu.tr/tr/duyuru/e-posta-yasal-uyari-e-mail-dis…> *ulaşabileceğiniz Koşul ve Şartlara tabidir. *Disclaimer: *This email is subject to the Terms and Conditions available *here.* <https://bilgiislem.istanbul.edu.tr/tr/duyuru/e-posta-yasal-uyari-e-mail-dis…>

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A Review of Small cetacean Hunts in Greenland
by nicola hodgins 14 Nov '24

14 Nov '24

Dear Marmammer's, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm delighted to share our new paper reviewing small cetacean hunts in Greenland. Dolman, S.J., Hodgins, N.K. and Ugarte, F., 2024. A review of small cetacean hunts in Greenland. Marine Policy, 170, p.106401. Seven odontocete species are targeted by hunters in Greenland. Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhal (Monodon monoceros) are hunted under annual quotas. Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), white beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca) and long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) are hunted without quotas. From 1993–2023, 109, 645 small cetaceans have been recorded in the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) catch database as hunted in Greenland. The hunt follows the scientific advice in 3 out of 25 populations considered: the hunt is higher than the advice for 12 and there has been no assessment or advice for 10. Population trends are unknown for 14 populations, while numbers are stable or increasing in 6 and decreasing in 4. One population has been extirpated by hunting. Catches of all small cetaceans have increased since data records are available, including for narwhal and beluga since quotas have been in place. In some cases, insufficient monitoring and inaccurate reporting occur and there is a lack of data to assess struck and lost rates and times to death. Narwhals are experiencing significant declines in abundance due to hunting, particularly in East Greenland, where recovery may be compromised. To ensure the protection of small cetaceans in Greenland, management is required for all hunts, consistent with international conservation management recommendations. Measures should ensure sustainability, include stuck and lost and additional anthropogenic threats, be precautionary, based upon up-to-date knowledge of population status and trends and consider welfare aspects and recovery rates. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X24003993 [https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308597X23X00219-cov150h.gif]<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X24003993> A review of small cetacean hunts in Greenland<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X24003993> Seven odontocete species are targeted by hunters in Greenland. Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhal (Monodon monoceros) are hunted under annual … www.sciencedirect.com Thanks, Sarah, Nicola and Fernando.

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JNCC-recognised MMO course (remote) + PSO course (online)
by Carolyn Barton 13 Nov '24

13 Nov '24

Spaces are available on a JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters on 5th and 6th December 2024, remote delivery by Zoom. The course is taught by an instructor with over 25 years' experience of training MMOs, working as an MMO, analysing MMO data and being involved with the development of JNCC guidelines. The course will cover all the information needed for work as a Marine Mammal Observer in UK waters: 1) Impacts of noise on marine mammals 2) Introduction to activities that require mitigation 3) Legislation protecting marine mammals and marine licensing 4) Detailed examination of the suite of JNCC mitigation guidelines for different offshore activities 5) Data recording and reporting requirements 6) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 7) Overview of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) 8) Working as an MMO / PAM operator 9) Identification of marine mammals Zoom sessions will be a mixture of lectures and exercises, over 1.5 days. There is also an online multiple choice exam to be done at your convenience after the Zoom sessions (re-sits are possible if you don't pass first time). Each delegate gets individual feedback on their exercises and the exam. On successful completion of the course you will receive JNCC-recognised certification, which is required for work as an MMO in UK waters. The cost of the MMO course is £150 (150GBP), which includes a comprehensive resource pack and ongoing support available after the course. Also available is an online, self-navigated PSO course, for Protected Species Observers working in offshore waters of the US Gulf of Mexico and US Atlantic on activities such as geophysical surveys and offshore wind energy developments. Topics include: 1) Marine mammals and sea turtles, their biology and threats to populations 2) Sound in the seas and the impact of noise on marine mammals 3) US legislation protecting marine mammals and sea turtles 4) Activities requiring mitigation 5) Geophysical survey mitigation 6) Vessel strike avoidance 7) Explosive removal of structures 8) Offshore wind energy developments and mitigation 9) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 10) Introduction to passive acoustic monitoring 11) Working as a PSO 12) Life at sea 13) Identification of marine mammals and sea turtles 14) Final assessment The cost of the PSO course is £180 (180GBP). On successful completion of the course you will receive PSO certification, which is required as part of the approval process for work as a PSO in US waters. For further details and for a registration form for either course see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk . ReplyForward Add reaction

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Employment Opportunities Supporting the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources
by BRUCE Morehead 13 Nov '24

13 Nov '24

Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking candidates for multiple positions to support NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources, These positions will provide assistance for reviewing projects requiring incidental take authorizations or directed take permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Links to the individual position vacancy notices are provided below: Senior Analyst: MMPA Support Services- Directed Take Program https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… Senior Analyst; MMPA Support Services-Incidental Take Authorizations https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… Senior Analyst; MMPA Support Services- Offshore Wind Development https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… Analyst 2: MMPA Support Services- Offshore Wind Development https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm…

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Automatic Manatee Call and Mastication Detection
by research＠cetalingua.com 13 Nov '24

13 Nov '24

Hello, We are happy to introduce our Manatee Call Detection Model. This model achieved 0.92 precision and 0.87 accuracy, recall, and F1 score on a previously unseen dataset. It can make binary detection of whether a manatee call is present or not in a 10-second window. It works best with 48 kHz sampling rate audio recorded in freshwater manatee habitats or rehabilitation facilities. Please test it here: demo.cetalingua.com. You can upload your own short sample and automatically calculate accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score for your dataset. We also have a Marine Manatee Call Detection Model for habitats with abundant snapping shrimp, and a Manatee Mastication Detection Model that detects mastication presence in 48 kHz sampling rate audio recorded in freshwater habitats or rehabilitation facilities. Please send us a short audio sample (research at cetalingua dot com) and we will calculate the performance metrics for your data. We can also train a highly specialized model for your habitat. Please email us at research at cetalingua dot com for more details.

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CLOSING SOON - ORCA Ocean Conservationist Training Course 2025
by Kate Weston 13 Nov '24

13 Nov '24

Would you like to join ORCA’s team of at-sea conservation professionals? We have an exciting opportunity to join our 2025 Ocean Conservationist Training Course. ORCA is a charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises worldwide by identifying and protecting critical whale and dolphin habitats. What makes ORCA unique is our commitment to combining accessible marine education with our conservation activities, allowing ordinary people to participate in marine science and conservation. *About the Role* A key part of ORCA’s education and outreach work is delivered by the Ocean Conservation Network, on board ferries and cruise ships globally. You'll be part of the Ocean Conservationist Network for three years and will have the opportunity to work remotely at sea on different contracts, inspiring millions of passengers every year. The work on board is divided into two key areas: 1. *Inspiring the Public *- Deliver lectures and workshops to people of all ages and backgrounds. - Engage with passengers through activities throughout the ship on a more personal basis, taking every opportunity to inspire people to care about the marine environment. 2. *Data Collection *- Conduct daily wildlife watches and collect data on cetaceans using our ORCA OceanWatchers app. - Act as guides during wildlife watches, helping guests have unforgettable wildlife experiences at sea. *Who We’re Looking For* We are looking for passionate and enthusiastic science communicators - people who are able to light a spark of excitement in people of all ages and backgrounds to inspire them to take action to protect the ocean. Ocean Conservationists are the face of ORCA’s work and bring dedication and commitment to helping give everyone who cares about whales and dolphins an active role in safeguarding their future. *About the Training Course:* - *Online Training: *Part-time from January to May 2025 (note: the course is expected to require around 2-3 hours per week on average of your time, with a combination of lectures at set times and assignments to complete in your own time). - *In-person Training:* A 1-week at-sea training course in June 2025 (note: there are two slots for in-person training from 13/06/2025 to 30/06/2025). The training will provide you with - A background in ORCA and our work. - An in-depth look into the Ocean Conservationist program. - Skills to collect cetacean data using ORCA’s OceanWatchers app - Skills to run an educational programme on board. The training course is free and is open to UK and non-UK residents. *How to Apply* - *Submission:* Submit an up-to-date CV and a 2-minute video outlining why you would make a good Ocean Conservationist via the application form. - *Deadline:* Applications close on Sunday 17th November 2024 at 23:59 (UK). Applicants must complete the entire online application form to be considered. - *Contact:* If you have any questions, please email oc(a)orca.org.uk *Find out more and apply at * https://orca.org.uk/vacancies/ocean-conservationist-training-course-2025

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New publication: Trophic ecology, based on stable isotope values, of long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas stranded on the Icelandic coast
by Filipa Samarra 12 Nov '24

12 Nov '24

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share the following publication: Samarra FIP, Borrell A, Selbmann A, Chosson V, Chicco C, Haas CE, Basran CJ, Smith A, Ovide BG, Einarsson GÞ, Halldórson SD, O‘Brien ES, Eleman A, Sigurðsson GM, Aguilar A (2024) Trophic ecology, based on stable isotope values, of long-finned pilot whales *Globicephala melas* stranded on the Icelandic coast. Marine Ecology Progress Series 748: 163-174 The article can be accessed here: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v748/p163-174/ Abstract: In Iceland, occurrences of long-finned pilot whales *Globicephala melas* and strandings in coastal waters are irregular and thought to be related to prey movements; however, little is known about the population’s trophic ecology, making it difficult to assess its role in the regional ecosystem. To investigate the trophic niche of the species, we measured δ13C and δ15N values from skin and muscle samples collected from 16 strandings (12 single and 4 mass strandings) spanning 33 yr (1988-2021). We tested the effects of sex, age class and body length on δ13C and δ15N values within the species. We found that δ13C values did not differ between sexes or age classes, nor did they vary with body length. Values of δ15N did not vary with sex or body length, but varied slightly between adults and juveniles, albeit not sufficiently to support a difference in trophic levels. Whales from different mass stranding events showed similar stable isotope niche widths (approximately 0.20‰2) and overlapping isotope niches (generally >45% of the standard ellipse area corrected for small sample size). Overall, pilot whales in this region showed a narrow isotopic niche width and low intraspecific variation in isotopic niche. Future analyses using complementary chemical tracers and stomach contents will be important to identify the factors driving these patterns. The first measurements of the stable isotope niche of pilot whales presented here provide a baseline for future studies to determine niche overlap between cetaceans in Iceland, contributing to their management and conservation. For any queries or to request a copy of the PDF please feel free to contact me at fips at hi.is or fipsamarra at gmail.com Best wishes, Filipa

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New publication: a standardized welfare scoring method for dolphins
by agathe serres 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Dear colleagues, My Co-authors and I are pleased to share the recent publication of our article entitled “The First Standardized Scoring System to Assess the Welfare of Free-Ranging Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (*Sousa chinensis*)” in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater ecosystems. Abstract: The assessment of wild animal welfare has recently gained interest and represents a novel, complementary approach to monitoring free-ranging populations for conservation purposes. However, few attempts have been made to develop standardized welfare assessment tools for free-ranging animals. In the present study, a preliminary scoring system for the welfare assessment of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (IPHDs) was created using the Five Domains Model. During a series of online meetings, the panel established the scoring unit, the contribution of each parameter to the four physical/functional domains, the inferred mental states and impact intensity associated with each of these parameters, and the method of aggregating parameter scores within and among domains. The resulting framework includes a total of 53 parameter scores. A total of 20 welfare-status and 33 welfare-alerting parameters were identified; these are aggregated into two overall welfare grades for enhancement (positive experiences) and compromise (negative experiences). The panel attributed confidence scores to the intensity impact reflected by each parameter and associated mental states. As expected, these scores reflect higher confidence in welfare-status than welfare-alerting parameters; welfare compromise was also attributed higher confidence than welfare enhancement and Domain 1 (Nutrition) globally received higher confidence scores than other domains. As with any expert elicitation study, subjective biases likely exist; these can be reduced through further research on the suggested parameters. The framework uses current knowledge and has been developed to enable continual improvement as further evidence becomes available on various parameters. This study represents an important step in the development of a welfare assessment tool (WAT) for IPHDs. Next steps include defining measurement methods and thresholds for scoring parameter intensities, followed by reliability testing. This WAT can then be used to systematically monitor populations of IPHDs in a way that will better inform conservation measures and ensure their effectiveness. The article can be viewed here http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70004 For more information, feel free to contact us. agathe(a)idsse.ac.cn lish(a)idsse.ac.cn Best Agathe Serres On Mon 11 Nov 2024 at 04:07, <marmam-request(a)lists.uvic.ca> wrote: > Send MARMAM mailing list submissions to > marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > marmam-request(a)lists.uvic.ca > > You can reach the person managing the list at > marmam-owner(a)lists.uvic.ca > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of MARMAM digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Job Listing- Marine Mammal Responder (Brad Torsone) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2024 03:11:53 +0000 > From: Brad Torsone <bradtorsone(a)hotmail.com> > To: "marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca" <marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca> > Subject: [MARMAM] Job Listing- Marine Mammal Responder > Message-ID: > < > BYAPR20MB2821FEB81237EAA04FD28E77A45E2(a)BYAPR20MB2821.namprd20.prod.outlook.com > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > JOB LISTING- MARINE MAMMAL RESPONDER > The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, CA is looking to add a member > to their Response Team. If you are interested and meet the minimum > qualifications, please follow the directions to apply. > Preference will be given to those with wildlife capture and handling > experience, particularly with marine mammals. > > https://marinemammalcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Marine-Mammal-Respo… >

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Finn Larsen 1953 - 2024
by Per Palsbøll 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Dear friends and colleagues, We are sorry to inform you all that fellow marine mammal biologist Finm Larsen died unexpectedly on Monday, October 21st, 2024. Finn Larsen worked for many years at the Greenland Fisheries Research Institute leading the large whale program, and later with AQUA (the Danish Fisheries Institute) where he focused on fisheries bycatches of marine mammals and birds. He is missed by many, Per [Palsbøll] ---------- Per J. Palsbøll (he/him) Professor of Marine Evolution and Conservation Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Mobile +31(0)6 4870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands Adjunct scientist Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, U.S.A. ---------- "How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress." As quoted in "Niels Bohr : The Man, His Science, & the World They Changed" (1966) by Ruth Moore, p. 196 ----------

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