September 2024 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

MARMAM: Job posting for 2 Tenure track assistant professor positions in nekton ecology including marine mammals
by Juli Harding 15 Sep '24

15 Sep '24

Job posting: Assistant Professors of Marine Science, Marine Biology: nekton ecology The Department of Marine Science within the Gupta College of Science at Coastal Carolina University invites applications for two nine-month Assistant Professor tenure track positions beginning in August 2025. Applicants with a Ph.D. in marine science, marine biology, or a related field are invited to apply. The successful candidates will be expected to teach introductory marine science, an upper-level marine biology lecture and laboratory, as well as upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses within the applicants' areas of expertise. Applicants with post-doctoral experience are preferred. We invite applicants from all areas of marine biology that would complement our existing faculty expertise. Applicants with research programs focused on nekton ecology related to fishes and fisheries, sharks, or marine mammals in estuaries and the coastal zone including applied conservation and management issues are especially encouraged. The new faculty members are expected to develop viable externally funded local and regional research programs that actively involve both undergraduate and graduate students. The Department of Marine Science, one of the largest departments within the University, is committed to collaborative, interdisciplinary education and research. The department offers B.S. degrees in Marine Science and Marine Coastal Environmental Science, an M.S. in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies, and a Ph.D. in Marine Science: Coastal Marine Systems Science as well as undergraduate minors in Marine Science, Environmental Science, and Coastal Geology. We seek highly motivated individuals with a commitment to undergraduate and graduate education that embraces the teacher-scholar model and provides active learning experiences in classroom and field settings especially through research opportunities. Candidates should submit a letter of application, a current CV, copies of all transcripts, contact information for 3 references and statements of teaching philosophy and research interests electronically at: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ccu/jobs/4585943/assistant-professor-of-… . These positions will be open until filled; however, priority review of applications will begin September 22, 2024 and continue until the positions are filled. Anyone interested in applying should see the full description at Coastal Carolina University’s Jobs website: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ccu/jobs/4585943/assistant-professor-of-… and follow the application instructions there. Juliana M. Harding, Ph.D. Professor/Chair Department of Marine Science Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29528

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Issue 50.5 is published online for Aquatic Mammals journal
by Kathleen Dudzinski 14 Sep '24

14 Sep '24

Dear MARMAM Subscribers, The 5th issue of volume 50 (50.5) of Aquatic Mammals journal is available online and officially published Sunday, September 15th. Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php With regards, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal business(a)aquaticmammalsjournal.org <mailto:business@aquaticmammalsjournal.org> Articles with ** are open access: Juan José Alava and Patricia Rosero R. (2024). The Northernmost Record of a Stranded Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) Calf in Ecuador’s North Coast: Notes on Stranding Causes and Distribution Expansion in the Southeastern Tropical Pacific. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 373-382. María Camila Rosso-Londoño, Stephane P. G. de Moura, Juan David Palencia, Marcela Portocarrero-Aya, Dalila Caicedo-Herrera, Enrique Crespo, Stefanía Diaz, Glaucia Sasaki, Pâmela Emanuelly Cattani,and Fernando Trujillo. (2024). Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Suitability Prediction of the Guiana Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin in the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 383-401. Eliana Zuazquita, Jimena Belgrano, Miguel Iñíguez-Bessega, Ramiro Sarandon, and Alexandre N. Zerbini. (2024). Seasonal Occurrence of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in Miramar, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, Between 2016 and 2019. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 402-408. Aline Athayde, Sara Pereira Bragança, and Salvatore Siciliano. (2024). Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Harassment on Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Offshore Brazilian Waters. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 409-414. Sarai Cortez-Casamayor, Aldo S. Pacheco, Lenin Oviedo, José David Palacios-Alfaro, Sierra Goodman, Frank Garita-Alpízar, David Herra-Miranda, Julieta Mora Valencia, Manuel Perez Castillo, CaterinaGutierrez, Salvador Gubbins, Sebastian Silva, and Ted Cheeseman. (2024). From Breeding to FeedingGrounds: Tracking the Survival of a White Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 415-422. Gonzalo Medina-Vogel, Diego Navarro Vivar, and Carlos Calvo-Mac. (2024). Assessment of the Distribution and Coexistence of Two Sympatric Otter Species in the Chiloé Archipelago, Chile, Using Photo-Identification. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 423-429. Cristiane G. de Moraes, Miriam Marmontel, and Paulo De Marco Júnior. (2024). Group Dynamics and Social Structure of the Inia araguaiaensis in the Tocantins River, Brazilian Cerrado. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 430-444. **Ronald A. Kastelein, Lean Helder-Hoek, Laura Van Acoleyen, Linde N. Defillet, and John M. Terhune. (2024). Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift and Testing the Equal-Energy Hypothesis in a Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) After Exposure to a Continuous Noise Band at 8 kHz, and a Revised TTS-Onset Function. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 445-459. Book Review **Zachary Davis. (2024). Book Review: Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by L. Brunelle and J. Chin. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 460. Erratum **Lemnuel V. Aragones, Alessandra Nicole L. Morado, Marie Christine M. Obusan, Honey Leen M. Laggui, Jonah L. Bondoc, Leo Jonathan A. Suarez, and Ewen Kye Lawler. (2024). Erratum: Spatiotemporal Variation of Stranded Marine Mammals in the Philippines from 2005 to 2022: Latest Stranding Hotspots and Species Stranding Status. Aquatic Mammals, 50(5), 461-462.

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New publication on southern sea otter fur buoyancy across ontogeny
by Kate Riordan 13 Sep '24

13 Sep '24

Hi Marmam community, My co-authors and I are excited to share our new study on southern sea otter fur buoyancy across ontogeny, and how the fur buoyancy is affected by crude oil and Dawn dishwashing detergent. Riordan, K., Dean, A. E., Kerr, S. J., Thometz, N. M., Batac, F. I. and Liwanag, H. E. M. (2024). A novel comparison of southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) fur buoyancy across ontogeny. J. Exp. Biol. 227, jeb247134. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.247134 https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article-abstract/227/17/jeb247134/36190… Abstract: Sea otters are extremely positively buoyant and spend most of their time resting at the water surface. It is understood that some of this buoyancy comes from the air layer that sea otters maintain in their pelage, with the lungs providing an additional source of positive buoyancy. Past studies have investigated the fur buoyant force in adult sea otters; however, little is known about the fur buoyant force in younger age classes. This study compared ontogenetic changes in the fur buoyant force of southern sea otter (*Enhydra lutris nereis*) pelage. We measured the fur buoyant force of pelt samples, scaled that to the whole animal, and calculated mass-specific fur buoyant force for six age classes: neonates (<1 month), small pups (1–2 months), large pups (3–5 months), juveniles (6 months–1 year), subadults (1–3 years) and adults (4–9 years). Each pelt sample was measured under three conditions: control, oiled and washed with Dawn® dish soap. Oiled and washed pelts had a lower fur buoyant force compared with the control pelts across all age classes. When oiled, the air layer of the pelt is ruined and no longer provides sufficient positive buoyancy. Pelts washed with Dawn® had higher variability in buoyant force compared with other conditions, and the air layer was not restored consistently. When we scaled up, we found that younger age classes were more buoyant because of their larger surface area to volume ratio. These differences in buoyancy may underlie variations in energetic costs and behavior among sea otters across development. The article is not open access, so it is available upon request! Thank you, *Kate Riordan* M.S. in Biological Sciences Biologist/Environmental Scientist www.seaottersavvy.org/consultation-services (805) 235-0760

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New Publication: Illustrated cross-sectional computed tomography of the cetacean abdomino-pelvic organs
by Prof. KOT Brian Chin Wing 13 Sep '24

13 Sep '24

Dear MARMAM Group Readers, On behalf of the Aquatic Animal Virtopsy Lab (https://www.facebook.com/AAVLab2014) in City University of Hong Kong, my colleagues and I are pleased to share our new paper “Illustrated cross-sectional computed tomography of the cetacean abdomino-pelvic organs”, in the Annals of Anatomy. Access the manuscript and download the fulltext at https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1jhcl3LynVvZn4 before 20 October 2024 for Free! Cite this paper: Kot, B. C. W., Yeong, J. W. Y., Kwan, A. S. Y., Ho, G. Y. H., Ho, H. H. N., Tsui, H. C. L., Chung, T. Y. T., & Gerussi, T. (2024). Illustrated cross-sectional computed tomography of the cetacean abdomino-pelvic organs. Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft, 256, 152317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152317 Anatomy fundamentals are essential for understanding the relationship between the various components of the animal body. Understanding anatomy is a very essential key to diagnosing patients and to the practice of health and medicine. With our experiences on conducting cetacean virtopsy since 2014, postmortem computed tomography (CT) has been extensively used and thereby, we documented the cross-sectional CT imaging anatomy of the cetacean abdomino-pelvic region (using Indo-Pacific finless porpoises as the illustration) for the first time. The manuscript was an excellent demonstration of teamwork among several student researchers in our AAVLab since 2020, which is now published in the Annals of Anatomy as a standard anatomical reference for cetacean scientists, researchers, students, and veterinarians worldwide. Highlight: • Understanding the normal abdomino-pelvic topography in cetaceans is important. • Computed tomography assists abdomino-pelvic anatomical studies and postmortem assessments in stranded cetacean. • Addition of angiography with PMCT (PMCTA) is essential to enhance the contrast between abdomino-pelvic structures and organs. I would like to extend my gratitude to readers of our work, as well as editors and reviewers for their contributions to this finished version. If you have any questions regarding the work or would like a direct copy, please do not hesitate to get in touch, at briankot(a)cityu.edu.hk. Happy reading 🙂 Warm regards, Brian Kot Ph.D. in Diagnostic Imaging, B.Sc. (Hons) in Radiography, Cert. (RPC), CAS (Forensic Imaging & Virtopsy) Assistant Professor Department of Infectious Diseases and Pubic Health Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences City University of Hong Kong T: (852) 3442 7681 E: briankot(a)cityu.edu.hk W: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/ph/staff/dr-brian-kot-chin-wing Aquatic Animal Virtopsy Lab Website: https://aavlab2014.wixsite.com/aavlab2014 Follow us at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAVLab2014 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aavlab2014 X: https://x.com/aavlab2014 Disclaimer: This email (including any attachments) is for the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential information and/or copyright material. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email and all copies from your system. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, reproduction, copying, distribution, or other form of unauthorized dissemination of the contents is expressly prohibited.

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Final Incidental Harassment Authorization for the Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Project Phase 2, Offshore Massachusetts
by Jessica Taylor - NOAA Affiliate 13 Sep '24

13 Sep '24

Dear Colleagues, On September 13, 2024, NOAA Fisheries is announcing issuance of an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) related to the construction of the Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Project Phase 2. This IHA authorizes the take, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment, of marine mammals incidental to pile driving associated with the installation of 15 monopile foundations. As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the IHA includes mandatory mitigation measures to be undertaken by the wind developer that ensure the “least practicable adverse impact” on marine mammals and their habitat, as well as monitoring and reporting measures to better understand those impacts. NOAA Fisheries determined that underwater noise generated by the project’s activities over a one-year period may harass marine mammals. We determined that the number and manner of “take,” in the form of harassment, that is authorized in an IHA, would have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks. No mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal species is authorized or anticipated to occur incidental to the specified activity. This regulatory action is part of NOAA’s ongoing work to ensure the nation’s deployment of offshore wind energy is done in a manner that avoids and minimizes impacts to protected resources and their habitats. It considered, though is separate from, response to the Vineyard Wind 1 blade failure incident. Documents associated with this final action are available on our website. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-vineyar… Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Jessica -- Jessica Taylor, M.E.M. (she/her) Senior Analyst, ESA/MMPA Support Services Contractor with Ocean Associates, Inc. Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 427-8475 Email: Jessica.Taylor(a)noaa.gov

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New publication on movement and diving behavior of sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska
by Lauren Wild 12 Sep '24

12 Sep '24

My co-authors and I are pleased to share a publication on the sperm whale movement in the Gulf of Alaska: Wild, L.A., Mueter, F.J., Andrews, R.D., Straley, J.M. (2024). *Movement and diving behavior of satellite-tagged male sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska.* Front. Mar. Sci., 11: 1394687. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1394687 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.… Abstract: Male sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are known to interact with and depredate from commercial longline fishing vessels targeting sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This study aims to better understand their movement patterns and diving behavior in this region, and in relation to depredation behavior. Between 2007 and 2016 a total of 33 satellite tags were deployed on sperm whales interacting with fishing vessels in the eastern GOA. A subset of these tags also collected dive characteristics. We used state space models to interpolate hourly positions from tags and estimate behavioral state from 29 usable tag records, 14 of which had associated dive information. Whales exhibited slower horizontal movement (1.4 km/hr) within GOA waters compared to south of the GOA (5.5 km/hr), indicating tagged whales sped up when they left the region. Behavioral states indicated primarily foraging behavior (82% of locations) in the GOA and primarily transiting behavior (74% of locations) when whales left the GOA. Dive data showed average ( ± Standard Deviation) maximum dive depths of 396 m ( ± 166), and dive durations of 32 min (± 9). Generalized additive models indicated that dives were significantly deeper and longer during the daytime than dawn, dusk, or nighttime, and dives were significantly deeper and shorter during quarter moons, when tidal currents are weakest. Maximum dive depth decreased in areas of higher sablefish CPUE, suggesting a potential link between the sablefish fishery and depredation behavior. As seafloor depth increased, up to 800 m, dives became deeper, indicating that whales were likely targeting both bathypelagic and mesopelagic prey. This highlights the importance of the GOA continental slope as a foraging ground for male sperm whales. This enhanced understanding of sperm whale foraging ecology informs management and conservation efforts in high latitude foraging grounds. The article is open access, but if you have any questions regarding the work or would like a direct copy, please don't hesitate to get in touch, at lawild(a)alaska.edu Thank you, - Lauren -- Lauren Wild, PhD Research Biologist Fisheries & Marine Mammalogy Sitka, Alaska 907-738-5315 (cell) www.seaswap.info

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ACCOBAMS Course for Marine Mammals Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring
by Oceanomare Delphis 12 Sep '24

12 Sep '24

Oceanomare Delphis Onlus and CIBRA, under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS, will be running a training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems. When: 18-23 November 2024 Where: Genoa (Italy) Participation fee: 750 Euro The ACCOBAMS certification qualifies people to work as MMO/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in 24 countries. After the course, The ACCOBAMS highly qualified MMO/PAM operators will be able to work to minimize the impact of noise on cetaceans by applying the knowledge, expertise, and skills acquired during the training course and using the standard procedures, forms, and manuals, following the ACCOBAMS principles. Speakers and Presenters: Giovanni Caltavuturo, Claudio Fossati, Guido Gnone, Patrick Lyne, Michele Manghi, Barbara Mussi. Requirements: - Graduated/current biology or ecology student or have experience demonstrating a commitment to the environment and its conservation - Minimum 30 days at sea as a marine observer - Ability to recognize the different species and understand the behaviour of animals at sea - Ability to communicate in English - Have a theoretical understanding of acoustic issues - Ability to recognize the different vocalizations of marine mammals Topics Covered in the Training Course: - Introduction to underwater acoustics - Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics - Introduction to human activities generating underwater noise and impacts on marine mammals - Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures, and ACCOBAMS Guidelines - Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM - Introduction to the lifestyle onboard - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map acoustic and visual sightings - Using PAM for survey and research - Introduction to the hardware used for PAM - Hands-on training with PAMGUARD-Tips and troubleshooting - Autonomous acoustic bottom recorders - The Intercet platform For more information or to apply, email postmaster(a)oceanomaredelphis.org Fees cover the training, the certificate, lunches and coffee breaks (the accommodation is not included).

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New Marine Mammal Genomics Position at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center
by Nicole Vollmer - NOAA Affiliate 12 Sep '24

12 Sep '24

New Marine Mammal Genomics Position at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center The Marine Mammal Molecular Genomics Lab (MMMGL) at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking highly motivated candidates for a Senior Research Associate I position through the University of Miami. The MMMGL works on a variety of projects focused on marine mammal species from the northwest Atlantic and U.S. Gulf of Mexico, aimed at informing management and conservation actions. The successful applicant will conduct lab work including DNA extraction, PCR, next-generation library preparation, genotyping, and sequencing, as well as operating, maintaining, and organizing schedules for laboratory equipment. The position will also require collection of eDNA samples, laboratory processing utilizing quantitative/digital PCR methodologies, and performing metabarcoding and next-generation sequence analysis for multiple marine species. This is a full-time position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The position is based in Crowley, Louisiana and is open to everyone, regardless of citizenship. Candidates must have a Master's degree or higher in marine biology or related field, as well as experience involving eDNA collection and analysis, metabarcoding, and microbiomics. Anyone interested in applying should see the full description on the University of Miami Careers website ( https://careers.miami.edu/us/en/job/R100080497/Senior-Research-Associate-I) and follow the application instructions posted there. The position's requisition is R100080497. -- Nikki Vollmer Associate Scientist, Contractor with University of Miami-CIMAS in support of the Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce (337) 291-3148 (Google Voice) www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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New publication: Maritime traffic alters distribution of the harbour porpoise in the North Sea (Remi Pigeault)
by Pigeault, Rémi 12 Sep '24

12 Sep '24

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to share with you our new publication entitled 'Maritime traffic alters distribution of the harbour porpoise in the North Sea', published in Marine Pollution Bulletin. Pigeault, R., Ruser, A., Ramírez-Martínez, N.C., Geelhoed, S.C.V., Haelters, J., Nachtsheim, D.A., Schaffeld, T., Sveegaard, S., Siebert, U., Gilles, A. (2024). Maritime traffic alters distribution of the harbour porpoise in the North Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin 208: 116925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116925 Abstract: We integrated cetacean-dedicated aerial surveys (2015-2022) with environmental covariates and ship positions from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to investigate the disturbance radius and duration on harbour porpoise distribution in the North Sea, one of the most industrialised marine regions globally. Based on 81,511 km of line-transect survey effort, during which 6511 harbour porpoise groups (8597 individuals) were sighted, several proxies for ship disturbance were compared, identifying those best explaining the observed distribution of porpoises. Better model performance was achieved by integrating maritime traffic, with frequent traffic representing the most significant disturbance to harbour porpoise distribution. Porpoises avoided areas frequented by numerous vessels up to distances of 9 km. The number of ships and average approach distance over time improved model performance, while reasons for the lower performance of predicted ship sound levels remain unclear. This study shows the short-term effects of maritime traffic on harbour porpoise distribution, and attempts to integrate this anthropogenic variable into distribution models based on several maritime traffic indicators. Best regards, Remi Pigeault Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) Büsum (Germany)

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New publication on vessel noise interference with killer whale foraging success
by Jennifer B. Tennessen 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

Dear Marmam community, My co-authors and I are excited to share with you our new study on vessel noise interference with fine-scale foraging behavior of killer whales, published in Global Change Biology. The paper, "Males miss and females forgo: Auditory masking from vessel noise impairs foraging efficiency and success in killer whales" is fully available online via open access. The reference information, DOI and abstract are provided below. Tennessen, J. B., Holt, M. M., Wright, B. M., Hanson, M. B., Emmons, C. K., Giles, D. A., Hogan, J. T., Thornton, S. J., & Deecke, V. B. (2024). Males miss and females forgo: Auditory masking from vessel noise impairs foraging efficiency and success in killer whales. *Global Change Biology*, 30, e17490. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17490 Abstract Understanding how the environment mediates an organism's ability to meet basic survival requirements is a fundamental goal of ecology. Vessel noise is a global threat to marine ecosystems and is increasing in intensity and spatiotemporal extent due to growth in shipping coupled with physical changes to ocean soundscapes from ocean warming and acidification. Odontocetes rely on biosonar to forage, yet determining the consequences of vessel noise on foraging has been limited by the challenges of observing underwater foraging outcomes and measuring noise levels received by individuals. To address these challenges, we leveraged a unique acoustic and movement dataset from 25 animal-borne biologging tags temporarily attached to individuals from two populations of fish-eating killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) in highly transited coastal waters to (1) test for the effects of vessel noise on foraging behaviors—searching (slow-click echolocation), pursuit (buzzes), and capture and (2) investigate the mechanism of interference. For every 1 dB increase in maximum noise level, there was a 4% increase in the odds of searching for prey by both sexes, a 58% decrease in the odds of pursuit by females and a 12.5% decrease in the odds of prey capture by both sexes. Moreover, all but one deep (≥75 m) foraging attempt with noise ≥110 dB re 1 μPa (15–45 kHz band; *n* = 6 dives by *n* = 4 whales) resulted in failed prey capture. These responses are consistent with an auditory masking mechanism. Our findings demonstrate the effects of vessel noise across multiple phases of odontocete foraging, underscoring the importance of managing anthropogenic inputs into soundscapes to achieve conservation objectives for acoustically sensitive species. While the timescales for recovering depleted prey species may span decades, these findings suggest that complementary actions to reduce ocean noise in the short term offer a critical pathway for recovering odontocete foraging opportunities. Please feel free to email me with any questions at jtenness(a)uw.edu. Best wishes, Jennifer B. Tennessen, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist Center for Ecosystem Sentinels Department of Biology University of Washington, Seattle, WA https://ecosystemsentinels.org/

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