June 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Opportunity - ORCA Ocean Conservationist - Oslo (Norway) or Copenhagen (Denmark)
by Kate Weston 07 Jun '24

07 Jun '24

Would you like to join ORCA’s growing team of at-sea conservation professionals? We have an exciting opportunity to join our team of Ocean Conservationists sailing from *Oslo or Copenhagen* working on board the DFDS Crown Seaways. *Please note the candidate will need to be fluent in English as well as either Norwegian or Danish to be eligible for this role. * With our unique take on marine conservation, ORCA is a charity that’s entirely dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world. We work to identify and protect critical whale and dolphin habitats in our waters and beyond. What makes ORCA unique is our dedication to combining accessible marine education with our conservation activities, allowing us to give ordinary people opportunities to take an active role in marine science and conservation. A key part of ORCA’s education and outreach work is the Ocean Conservation programme, which we deliver across the world on board ferry and cruise ships. Working closely with our cruise and ferry partners, Ocean Conservationists work remotely at sea, inspiring thousands of passengers every year. The team will educate passengers on the marine wildlife around them during their voyage and show them the wonders of the ocean. We are looking for passionate individuals to showcase the diversity and abundance of wildlife that can be spotted across *Norway & Denmark*; encouraging passengers to help protect the whales and dolphins. This education work is conducted through lectures, or other interactive activities. In addition, you will be collecting scientific data based on your sightings using the OceanWatchers app, data that contributes to the protection of whales and dolphins. *This role is on a fixed-term basis, week commencing *06/07/2024 - 02/10/2024 (approximately). The role is for 37.5 hours per week, paid monthly at UK National Living Wage for time on ship only which is as follows: - Rotation 1 - 06/07 - 18/07 - Rotation 2 - 07/08 - 27/08 - Rotation 3 - 16/09 - 02/10 *You must be 18 or over to apply for this role.* To apply for the Ocean Conservationist role, please send a 2-minute video outlining why you think you’d be a good fit for this role and why you want to help protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises, as well as an up-to-date CV (no more than 2-pages). Applications should be submitted through the Application Form on the ORCA website. The deadline for this position is Wednesday 12th June 23:59 (BST). Interviews are anticipated to take place online on Thursday 20th June. Find out more at www.orca.org.uk/vacancies

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Great Opportunity! Marine Mammal Compliance Coordinator - Rice's Whale - Fully Remote
by Adriene Dickerson 06 Jun '24

06 Jun '24

Interested in supporting NOAA's South East Regional Office in protecting critical habitats for Rice's Whale, Bryde's Whale, and Right Whale species? Check out the link below for more details! https://phh.tbe.taleo.net/phh04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=ERT&cws=… Best, *Adriene Dickerson, PHR, SHRM-CP* Senior Technical Recruiter 301-323-1408 adriene.dickerson(a)ertcorp.com *ERT | *Earth Resources Technology, Inc. 14401 Sweitzer Ln. Ste 300 Laurel, MD 20707 https://www.ertcorp.com

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Stranding Response & Research Technician with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
by Erin R. Bates 06 Jun '24

06 Jun '24

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is currently seeking an Exhibits Technician I - Stranding Response and Research Technician. This position serves as part of the Stranding Response Program team of staff, volunteers, and interns. Team members are often assigned a primary area of responsibility based on candidate experience and skill level, as well as programmatic needs. Regardless of primary assignment, all team members are expected to have foundational skills and working knowledge in the coordination of response to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles, medical treatment and husbandry involved in the rehabilitation of sea turtles, assistance with database entry and quality control of case and sample information, assistance with necropsies on sea turtles and marine mammals, and rotation of hotline coverage and outreach activities. For more details on the position and to apply, please follow this link: https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=VBGOV&cws=3… Erin Bates Stranding Response Rehabilitation Manager P. (757) 385-6481 | Stranding Response Hotline (757) 385-7575 EBates(a)VirginiaAquarium.com <http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/> 717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 [Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center] <https://virginiaaquarium.com/>

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Marine Mammal Field Survey and Data Collection Course
by Anne Sleeman 05 Jun '24

05 Jun '24

Marine Mammal Field Survey and Data Collection Course Hello MARMAM Happy summer to our friends in the Northern Hemisphere and a happy winter to those Down Under. As the need for advanced data collection, collaboration, mapping, and analysis continues to grow—and budgets and time remain tight—we are proud to offer the MARMAM community a one-time, free-of-charge course on utilizing WatchSpotter to enhance your field survey data collection research efforts. The course will highlight special features specifically designed for researching Marine Mammals in the field. With years of in-field and in-lab experience, our founders know firsthand the challenges of conducting successful field research. This course will cover everything from survey structure to data management and visualization, helping you maximize your time in the field and, more importantly, the data you collect. This course will be live, providing an amazing opportunity for interactive learning. Space is extremely limited, as we believe a small group will offer the best experience for all participants. If you do not currently have a WatchSpotter subscription, no worries! You are welcome to join us anyway. Upon completing the course, you will receive a discount code for a one-year subscription to WatchSpotter Pro. Please email info(a)watchspotterpro.com for more details on dates and times. If you would like to learn more about WatchSpotter prior to committing to the course, kindly visit our website at https://www.watchspotterpro.com/ You can also reach out to me directly at asleeman(a)watchspotterpro.com or call me at +1-772-444-1001 Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers Anne Anne Sleeman Founder and CEO, WatchSpotter 772-444-1001 Ext 101 <772-444-1001+Ext+102> | 401-644-4 <401-644-4661>891 | www.WatchSpotterPro.com <https://www.watchspotterpro.com/> asleeman(a)watchspotterpro.com

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JNCC MMO course (remote delivery) and online PSO course
by Carolyn Barton 04 Jun '24

04 Jun '24

Spaces are available on a JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters on 24th and 25th June 2024, remote delivery by Zoom. 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 JNCC guidelines for geophysical surveys, pile driving and explosives 5) Data recording and reporting requirements 6) Visual monitoring and distance estimation 7) Overview of passive acoustic monitoring 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 £180 (180GBP). 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 .

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Job opening: Environmental Specialist
by Emma Dvorak 04 Jun '24

04 Jun '24

Environmental Specialist Integrated Statistics is looking for an Environmental Specialist to work with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Greater Atlantic Regional Field Office (GARFO) in Gloucester, MA. The Environmental Specialist will support the NMFS GARFO, Protected Resources Division (PRD), which is responsible for implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) covering the geographic range from Maine through Virginia. *This position is concerned with regulatory and analytical processes, rather than with field research.* *Duties* The Environmental Specialist assists with marine mammal and sea turtle stranding and disentanglement program support, as well as providing support for other marine mammal and sea turtle conservation efforts. Stranding and Disentanglement program support: * Conduct data entry of various marine mammal and sea turtle stranding and disentanglement data and perform audits and quality control to ensure accuracy. This includes data on large whale unusual mortality events (UME) and sea turtle cold stun and entanglement events. Also, obtain large whale data from the network, and compile and deliver reports to inform Northeast Fisheries Science Center serious injury/mortality determinations on a monthly basis. * Provide coverage, as needed, to sea turtle and marine mammal stranding and disentanglement coordinators on regional stranding and disentanglement response hotlines. Includes rotating nighst, weekends and holidays. * Provide policy and analytical support for the development of policies to reduce serious injuries and mortalities, especially related to entanglements of marine mammals through the amendment of take reduction plans. * Prepare reports summarizing data generated from stranding or entanglement events including marine mammal UMEs and sea turtle cold stun events, if triggered. Also coordinate and support analysis of gear that has been removed from marine mammals and sea turtles * As needed, review large whale serious injury and mortality data and coordinate and support analysis and curation of gear that has been removed from marine mammals and sea turtles. * Also, review applications for Exempted Fishing Permits and provide guidance on measures and best management practices designed to minimize and monitor effects on right whales and other protected species. General Division Support: * Support the regional right whale recovery and take reduction team coordinators in planning and executing take reduction team meetings. * Develop and assemble meeting materials, conduct literature reviews, take notes and draft meeting key outcome reports, maintain research and management priority lists to support team coordinators. * As needed, provide administrative assistance to PRD Grant and Scientific Permit Review Programs by tracking incoming review requests for permits and projects. * Provide administrative support for the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Team, including copying, mailing, filing, ordering supplies and equipment answering phones, note taking, arranging meetings, setting up and providing technical support for webinars, copying documents and preparing incoming and outgoing mail and budget tracking. * Prepare administrative records for actions including copying, organizing, indexing and numbering all relevant documents. * Provide assistance in conducting education and outreach pertaining to the MMPA and ESA. * As needed, assist team coordinators in drafting technical reports, outreach documents, taskers, and briefing materials as needed. *Qualifications* The Environmental Specialist should possess: * A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. * Demonstrated knowledge of the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other applicable statutes and policies. * Work experience in the review and development of technical reports including analyses of the impact of human actions on the marine environment. * Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and organization skills. * Data curation, entry, database management and data analysis experience preferred. Knowledge of R and GIS a plus. * Ability to work independently, and to meet appropriate project milestones. * US citizenship and presence. * Experience in marine mammal or sea turtle stranding response a plus. The position is full-time and eligible for the benefits described on the Integrated Statistics website. The rate of pay is approximately $36/hr. Hybrid or remote work may be possible. The position is for one year, with the possibility of extension. To apply for this position, go to https://jobs.intstats.com/JobDetails.jsp?jobListingId=312 or visit www.integratedstatistics.com, click Employment Opportunities, click the job name and click the Apply Here link. Integrated Statistics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, Integrated Statistics is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans. For assistance with accessibility of applications, posters, forms, and/or documents, please email the Integrated Statistics office. -- Integrated Statistics, Inc. 16 Sumner Street Woods Hole, MA 02543 Cell: (508) 648-8308 Office: (508) 540-8560 Fax: (508) 721-6841

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New publication on harbor seal in-water site fidelity
by Cindy Elliser 04 Jun '24

04 Jun '24

Dear Marmam community, On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce the open-access publication of our paper: "In-Water Photo Identification, Site Fidelity, and Seasonal Presence of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in Burrows Pass, Fidalgo Island, Washington" by Ciera J. Edison *,Cindy R. Elliser and Katrina H. White https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/2/22?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3fNbCn2xn4… Little is known about the in-water behavior and site fidelity of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii), as most photo-identification (photo-ID) studies are typically conducted while they are hauled-out on land. We investigated in-water site fidelity rates and seasonal presence in Burrows Pass, Washington, using photographs collected during a long-term photo-ID and behavioral study from January 2015 through November 2019. There was a minimum of 161 individuals and a maximum of 286 individual harbor seals using Burrows Pass. Harbor seals were present in all seasons, with the lowest sighting rates during summer. Individuals were more likely to be sighted/re-sighted in fall and spring. There was large variations in the level and seasonality of site fidelity among individuals. The majority of seals (69.62%) were seen only once, but 22.69% showed low to moderate site fidelity (2–5 sightings) and 7.69% showed strong site fidelity (≥6 sightings) over seasons and across years. These seasonal variations were likely due to foraging, life history, and individual behavioral variabilities. Studies like this provide necessary information about harbor seal in-water site fidelity and behavior, which are less well known but vitally important in harbor seal management and conservation. Please reach out to Ciera.Edison(a)pacmam.org with any questions! Best, Cindy Elliser Cindy Elliser, PhD Research Director Pacific Mammal Research www.pacmam.org 360-202-2860

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IMMS Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Fall Internship
by Kailey Pamperin 03 Jun '24

03 Jun '24

Dear Marman Members, The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is currently conducting interviews for our Research Internship Program this Fall. Below is a description of the position. Best Regards, Kailey Pamperin Research Program Institute for Marine Mammal Studies *Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program Fall Internship* *Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS)* *Gulfport, Mississippi* Application Deadline: July 1st Internship Dates: September - November *Job Description* IMMS’ Research Internship Program is designed to provide exceptional research and learning experiences in a real-world setting to early career scientists in the fields of marine biology and ecology, marine mammal population ecology and behavior, veterinary sciences and conservation. In this position, interns will primarily assist the institute’s Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program in collecting and processing photographs of bottlenose dolphins in the Mississippi Sound. Interns will also gain diverse experience working in other program areas including marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, sea turtle surveys, aquaria maintenance and animal care, and marine education and conservation. *As part of a research team, primary duties include: * Sort and process photographs of bottlenose dolphins Conduct boat-based bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys up to 7 days per month in estuarine and nearshore marine Gulf Coast waters. Dolphin surveys generally take around 8 hours and may occur in challenging weather and coastal conditions. Photograph dolphins and collect survey data during boat-based field surveys Match dolphin photographs to our catalog of known individuals using finFindR Enter collected bottlenose dolphin and environmental data in FinBase/Microsoft Access Assist in diverse research efforts related to bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and estuarine and near-shore marine ecology When needs arise, assist other program areas including stranding response, sea turtle surveys, animal care and marine education. *Internship Requirements* Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in biology, marine science, marine biology, marine and estuarine ecology, oceanography or a related field. Previous research experience is preferred. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all of the duties described in this internship position. Internship positions are 40 hours per week (generally Mon-Fri/8 am-4 pm). As needs arrive, responding to stranded dolphins and sea turtles, for instance, interns may need to shift their schedules to assist our Stranding Department in these efforts. Internship start and end dates for this Fall are flexible. We do require a minimum of a 12-week commitment for this internship position. *Additional Information* Research internships are unpaid positions. IMMS provides a $30 reimbursement per week for groceries. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. To apply, please send a completed application form (found on our IMMS website), resume (with 3 references), a copy of your college transcripts, and a one-page statement of interest to researchintern(a)imms.org. For information about the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, please visit our website https://imms.org/internship/.

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Post-Doctoral Position: The role of marine mammals and seabirds in shaping the early life history of salmon
by Stewart, Joshua 03 Jun '24

03 Jun '24

The Ocean Ecology Lab at the Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University (Newport, OR) seeks a postdoctoral research scholar. Starting salary: $61,000. www.oceanecologylab.org<http://www.oceanecologylab.org> Marine mammal populations were heavily depleted by harvest in the 19th and 20th centuries, dramatically diminishing their role in marine ecosystems. As a result of national and international protection, many marine mammal populations have made strong recoveries, in some cases reaching or approaching their historical abundances in recent decades. As these populations have recovered, their role in structuring marine ecosystems has become more apparent. While most modern research on marine mammals was conducted on severely depleted populations, the top-down effects of marine mammals (in particular toothed whales and pinnipeds) as meso- and top-predators in marine systems have become increasingly important in both research and management settings. Pacific salmon are critical components of ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and fisheries. Climate change poses a significant threat to salmon, particularly through reduced marine survival in warmer seas. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms leading to reduced marine survival is limited, hampering the ability of managers to develop effective strategies to recover salmon populations and support their resilience to rapid environmental change. The early life history of salmon—as they migrate out of freshwater habitats and enter marine systems for the first time—is associated with extraordinarily high (>90%) mortality rates. These outmigration periods are predictable in space and time and bring juvenile salmon through pinch points, making them especially susceptible to predation. However, the relative contributions of mammal, bird, and fish predators to juvenile salmon mortality remains a major and pressing knowledge gap. This collaboration between Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute and NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center seeks to improve our understanding of how marine mammals and seabirds may shape the early life history of endangered Pacific salmon. We seek to assess the presence, density, and movement of mammal and bird predators during crucial periods for Chinook salmon in the Columbia River plume. Understanding these predator-prey dynamics is essential for formulating strategies to enhance the resilience of salmon populations to environmental changes. The project will use line- and strip-transect surveys, thermal imaging, and AI to estimate the densities of potential predators during salmon smolt outmigration, aiming to inform life cycle models and enhance management tactics for salmon resilience and recovery. We seek a full-time postdoctoral scholar to conduct research on marine predator-prey dynamics, with a particular focus on avian and mammalian predators' interactions with salmon populations. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in marine biology, ecology, biological oceanography, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of field research in marine ecosystems. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive experience designing and conducting strip-transect and/or line-transect surveys for seabirds and marine mammals. The successful candidate will design and lead line- and strip-transect surveys in the Columbia River Plume; collect thermal imaging data and develop methods for estimating predator densities from thermal images; lead or collaborate on the development of machine learning tools to automatically detect marine mammals and seabirds in thermal images; estimate environmental drivers of mammal and seabird densities; estimate trends in the density and regional abundance of marine predators; and explore relationships between predator densities and salmon marine survival. In addition to data collected during the study period, the postdoctoral scholar will have access to extensive, long-term marine mammal, seabird, and salmon time series data collected by the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and a 30+ year citizen science dataset on the relative abundance of seabirds in southern Washington. The postdoctoral scholar will be encouraged to develop additional projects and outputs that align with their background, expertise and interest in topics related to the primary research objectives. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of researchers at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute and NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center, contributing critical knowledge towards the resilience and recovery of endangered salmon populations. This full-time appointment offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity for significant professional development in a supportive academic setting. The postdoctoral scholar will have field research support from research technicians, graduate students, and undergraduate research assistants, analytical support from collaborators at the OSU Center for Quantitative Life Sciences, and supervision and mentoring from OSU faculty and NOAA scientists. Required qualifications: * Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ecology, or related field. * Experience designing and conducting line- and/or strip-transect surveys for marine mammals and/or seabirds. * Experience analyzing line-/strip-transect data. * Strong statistical and data analysis skills, including advanced abilities in a programming language such as R or Python. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a successful publication record. * Proven ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. * Proven ability to lead complex field research projects. Additional preferred qualifications: * Familiarity with or experience studying salmon or other anadromous/marine fishes. * Experience using imagery tools in a research setting (e.g. photo identification, drone/stereo-video photogrammetry, thermal imagery). * Experience with or interest in developing machine learning or computer vision tools. Key Responsibilities: * Lead field research initiatives to collect data on marine birds and mammals in the Columbia River plume. * Analyze large datasets using advanced statistical software and contribute to the development of AI algorithms for species identification. * Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate research findings into salmon life cycle models and management strategies. * Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and present findings at scientific conferences. Please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and how you meet the above qualifications, your CV, 1-3 representative scientific publications, and contact information for three references to joshua.stewart(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:joshua.stewart@oregonstate.edu>. The first review of applications will be on June 15th, but further consideration of applications may continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The appointment will initially be made for a term of one year, with the possibility for renewal up to 2.5 years based upon a satisfactory performance review. The starting salary for this position will be $61,000. Start date is negotiable but preferably by September 2024. The scholar will be supervised by Joshua Stewart (OSU MMI), David Huff (NOAA NWFSC), and Brian Burke (NOAA NWFSC).

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Re: [MARMAM] New publication: A review of beaked whale stranding incidents from the inshore waters of eastern Canada
by Tonya Wimmer 01 Jun '24

01 Jun '24

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent publication: McAlpine, D.F., T. Wimmer, W. Ledwell, P.-Y. Daoust, L. Bourque, J.W. Lawson, W. Bachara, Z.N. Lucas, G.A. Reid, S.Lair, A. François, and R. Michaud. 2023. A review of beaked whale (Ziphiidae) stranding incidents from the inshore waters of eastern Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 137(3): 201–231. Open access: https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v137i3.2967 Abstract: Cetaceans of the family Ziphiidae (beaked whales) include some of the least known whale species. We review 78 ziphiid stranding incidents from the inshore waters of eastern Canada (defined as the Atlantic provinces north to central Labrador, including the Gulf coast of Quebec, from ~latitude 43.5°N to 55.0°W), with outcomes that involve 84 individual whales. This includes all eastern Canadian ziphiid stranding incidents known to us from the first report of 24 February 1934 to 31 December 2021 for the five species documented from eastern Canada: Northern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), Sowerby’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bidens), Blainville’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), True’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon mirus), and Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris). Northern Bottlenose Whale (41.0% of incidents, 40.4% of individuals) and Sowerby’s Beaked Whale (46.1% of incidents, 46.4% of individuals) have stranded most frequently, with the remaining three species stranding very rarely in the region. An average of 0.55 individual ziphiids/year were reported stranded from 1934 to 1999 in eastern Canada, but since 2000 this has increased to an average of 2.2 stranded individuals/year. Much of this increase is undoubtedly due to improved reporting, but other factors may also be involved. We emphasize the importance of the ongoing documentation of cetacean stranding incidents, but especially the need to better understand causes of ziphiid mortality, particularly for those species that reach the edge of their range in the western North Atlantic or are of conservation concern. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Laurie D. Murison (1959–2021) with the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station, who devoted her life to the conservation and understanding of cetaceans of Atlantic Canada. A tribute by McAlpine and Edwards can be found here: https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/3355/3133 Cheers, Tonya -- * Tonya Wimmer, MSc.* Executive Director, Marine Animal Response Society * (she/her)* Emergency hotline: 1-866-567-6277 <%28866%29%20567-6277> www.marineanimals.ca *I live and work on Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people.*

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