January 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Minke whale habitat selection in NW Iberian Peninsula
by Severine Methion 03 Jan '25

03 Jan '25

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce our new publication: Thibault, R., Methion, S. & Diaz Lopez, B. (2025). Fine-scale habitat selection of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Northwest Iberian Peninsula waters. Marine Biology 172, 27.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04586-0 Abstract:The escalating impact of human activities on marine ecosystems necessitates a thorough understanding of how marine predators, such as cetaceans, respond to environmental changes. Our investigation focused on minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) distribution in a region profoundly affected by human activities and marked by episodes of coastal upwelling in the north-west Iberian Peninsula. Data collection spanned from April 2016 to October 2022, involving dedicated daily research boat surveys along the south coast of Galicia (Spain). We used generalized additive models and 11 environmental variables to examine the determinants shaping the small-scale distribution of minke whales in these waters. Our findings indicated that minke whale distribution is driven by three non-persistent environmental variables: sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration. The presence of minke whales is likely intricately linked to dynamic interactions among these factors and prey availability, demonstrating fine-scale habitat selection by the species. This insight contributes valuable information to the limited understanding of minke whale ecology in the North-East Atlantic. The study's outcomes offer essential support for managers in devising effective management and conservation strategies, aiming to alleviate the detrimental impacts of human activities on minke whale distribution. Feel free to contact me to request a pdf or for any question regarding our work at severine(a)thebdri.com Kind regards, Severine Methion, PhDBDRI Research Scientisthttp://www.researchgate.net/profile/Severine_Methionhttps://orcid.… Bruno Díaz López, PhDBDRI Directorhttp://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bruno-Diaz-Lopezhttps://orcid.o… Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRIAv. Beiramar 192, 36980, O Grove, Pontevedra, Spainwww.thebdri.comFind us on Facebook & Instagram (@thebdri) | | Libre de virus.www.avg.com |

1 0

New publication: Ecological role of marine mammals in the Magellan Strait: Insights from trophic modeling (Haro, Daniela)
by Daniela Haro 03 Jan '25

03 Jan '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I would like to share our recently published paper: Haro, D., Labra, F. A., Neira, S., Hernández-Padilla, J. C., & Arreguín-Sánchez, F. (2025). Ecological role of marine mammals in the Magellan Strait: Insights from trophic modeling. *Ecological Modelling*, *501*, 110944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2024.110944 Abstract Predators, such as marine mammals, impact the structure and functioning of marine communities. Due to their energy requirements, the wide variety of prey and the diversity of ecological niches they occupy, these organisms exert effects on diverse ecosystems. To evaluate the ecological role and trophic impact of the marine mammals in the Magellan Strait, Chile, we built a food web model using the Ecopath software. In this system, marine mammals occupied the third and fourth trophic levels and fed on prey from 20 functional groups, from zooplankton (i.e., sei whales, dolphins) to sea lions and seabirds (i.e., killer whales). Killer whales played the ecological role of key species in this ecosystem, potentially controlling the biomass of large predators and explaining 100 % of their mortality caused by predation. This potential control favored a biomass increase of fish such as salmon (52 % of their biomass), silverside (45 %) and Patagonian robalo (42 %). South American sea lions had a high trophic impact on the ecosystem groups’ biomass, being a significant predator of salmon (76 % mortality). The results support the hypothesis that humpback whales are the main consumer of Fuegian sprats and squat lobsters, with 43 % and 40.7 % of the total prey consumption, respectively. Trophic generality significantly and directly correlated with the trophic level of consumers (t = 5.92; r = 0.78, p < 0.001), demonstrating that high trophic level organisms feed on a greater prey diversity. Trophic vulnerability and trophic level presented a significant inverse correlation (s = 3883.2; ρ = -0.69; p < 0.001), indicating that functional groups at higher trophic levels had either few or no predators in the Magellan Strait ecosystem. The results do not allow us to conclude that higher trophic-level organisms have a greater impact on the food web. We suggest that the trophic impact is related to multiple factors like predator biomass, feeding habits and prey biomass consumption in a particular system. This study is the first model to evaluate the ecological role of marine mammals in the food web of the Magellan Strait, Chile. Cheers, -- *Daniela Haro Díaz*

1 0

New Publication: Stomach content analysis of coastal cetaceans in Malaysia
by Cindy Peter 02 Jan '25

02 Jan '25

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share our new publication titled ''*Stomach content analysis reveals insights into the feeding ecology of coastal cetaceans in Sarawak, Malaysia*''. Abstract: This study examined the stomach contents of seven Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (*Neophocaena phocaenoides*), two Irrawaddy dolphins (*Orcaella brevirostris*), and one Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (*Sousa chinensis*) retrieved from stranding and bycatch events along the Sarawak coastline. >From these stomach contents, 170 fish, 150 cephalopod, and six crustacean loose prey items were found, representing 23 prey species from 18 families. Prey item importance was assessed using the percentage by number and percentage by frequency of occurrence methods as well as a modified index of relative importance. The diet of finless porpoises comprised 64% cephalopods, 33% fish and 3% crustaceans. The prey items found in Irrawaddy dolphins stomachs comprised 99% fish and 1% cephalopods. All three cetacean species were found to feed on fish across a wide range of trophic levels. Finless porpoises and Irrawaddy dolphins shared the most numerically important fish family, the Engraulidae (anchovies). Meanwhile, the Ariidae (catfish) family was the most numerically important fish family for the humpback dolphin. A few prey species found in the stomach contents (i.e. anchovies, drums or croakers, marine catfish and false trevally) are commercially important fish species in Sarawak. This overlap, coupled with previous studies that demonstrate co-occurrence of cetacean hotspots and artisanal and commercial fishing effort, suggests a high likelihood of cetacean-fisheries interactions and elevated risk of cetacean entanglement and mortality. This is a serious concern, as humpback dolphins and finless porpoises are considered Vulnerable and Irrawaddy dolphins Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. All dolphins and finless porpoises are also listed as Totally Protected in Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance (1998). Citation: Lawrence, E.E.J., Peter, C., Minton, G., Grinang, J., Gumal, M., Zulkifli Poh, A.N., Soon, V., Wilson, A., Bali, J., Ambie, S., Abdillah, D.N., Jackery, I., Choo, S., and Tuen, A.A. (2025). Stomach content analysis reveals insights into the feeding ecology of coastal cetaceans in Sarawak, Malaysia. Ocean & Coastal Management, 261: 107522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107522 Free access to the full article is available until 7 February 2025 on the link here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1kI273RKK--sJK Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. On behalf of all the authors, Kind regards, Cindy Peter -- Cindy Peter, MSc (Marine Ecology) Research Fellow and Lecturer Sarawak Dolphin Project Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation University Malaysia Sarawak https://www.facebook.com/SarawakDolphinProject <http://www.ibec.unimas.my/SDP2008> Office: +60 82 583 069

1 0

Seeking MAER Specialist I
by Valerie Daniels 02 Jan '25

02 Jan '25

Job Title: Marine Animal Entanglement Response Specialist I Reports To: MAER Director Job Classification: Full-Time FLSA Status: Salary Exempt/ $60,000 Annually Job Summary: CCS is internationally known for its marine mammal science and disentanglement work. The MAER program aids marine animals with life-threatening entanglements while simultaneously collecting data needed to better understand and solve the entanglement problem. • Ongoing training to disentangle whales and sea turtles following strict protocols that emphasize human and animal safety; • Maintains a hotline for reports and specialists are on call to respond to reported events; • Responsible for program data processing/management, trainee supervision, communicating with the public and maritime community and administrative tasks; • Work closely with other CCS marine mammal research programs in the field and the lab, as well as collaborators locally and internationally. Prerequisites: • At least one year of at-sea work experience; • Excellent computer and communication skills; • Strong focus and attention to detail; • Ability to work and communicate well at sea and in a wide range of weather conditions; • Prior experience working with entangled animals, small boat handling and a background in science are preferred; • Applicants must be physically able to execute the work of the position. Weekends and scheduling flexibility required. Please send cover letter, resume, and 2 professional references to employment(a)coastalstudies.org by Friday February 28, 2025. No Phone Calls, please. The Center for Coastal Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Diversity of opinions, experience, and backgrounds is a key asset. Valerie Daniels Human Resources Manager Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue Provincetown, MA 02657

1 0

Marine Mammals of Maine 2025 Harbor Seal Pup Internship Announcement
by Walk, Dominique 02 Jan '25

02 Jan '25

Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is accepting applications now through February 5th, 2025 for the summer harbor seal pup season internship. This internship begins on May 6th, and concludes on August 15th, 2025. MMoME is a non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles between Kittery and Rockland, Maine, covering some of the busiest seal stranding activity on the East Coast. MMoME also operates a unique triage and rehabilitation center which provides critical care to nearly 50 sick and injured pinnipeds annually. Additionally, our mission and work heavily encompasses marine mammal research, education, and outreach. MMoME is seeking flexible, positive, and independent interns who will be given the unique opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Interns will learn marine mammal field health assessment, handling, basic husbandry and clinical care of pinnipeds, as well as Level A data collection, sampling and necropsy of deceased marine mammals. The internship is based out of Midcoast Maine (town of Brunswick), though travel throughout our response region and New England will be necessary. Interns will work as a team alongside volunteers and staff to accomplish MMoME’s broad scope of work during our busiest time of year and will be required to dedicate 40-50 hours per week to the internship (approximately 4 days/week). These hours will include holidays, weekends, late nights and early mornings. This internship is unpaid. Intern housing is provided for a monthly fee. There are numerous seasonal job opportunities available in the area to supplement income, and work schedules are specifically created to enable interns to acquire a seasonal job if needed. *Key Tasks and Responsibilities:* *Stranding Response:* respond to live and dead cetacean, pinniped, and sea turtle strandings to collect Level A data, perform health assessments, monitor, relocate, or collect for rehabilitation or humane euthanasia. Carcass collection for disposal or necropsy will also be required. *Patient Care:* assist with all aspects relating to the care of sick, injured, and abandoned pinnipeds (primarily harbor seal pups) undergoing short, or long-term care at MMoME’s center. Tasks include extensive daily cleaning of animal enclosures/dishes/laundry, etc., meal prep, tube-feeding, assisting with medical procedures, animal restraint for exams, running diagnostic lab samples, charting, medical record maintenance, and patient transport to other long-term care facilities. *Necropsy:* transport carcasses to necropsy and compost sites, assist staff with necropsy of fresh dead pinnipeds (both from the field, and rehab patients that pass), and cetaceans, archive necropsy samples, and maintain and clean necropsy equipment. *Education and Outreach:* give presentations to the public about the organization, attend outreach and fundraising events, and help create educational materials. *Other Tasks:* additional time will be spent on data entry, fundraising, lots of cleaning, and other tasks as needed. *Internship Requirements:* - Must be 18 years of age or older to apply. This internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university or graduated within 3-4 years from an undergraduate program. -The ideal candidate is working towards a career in marine mammal science, veterinary technology, marine biology, environmental education, or a related field. -Must commit to at least three full months, and be available from May 6, 2025, through August 15th, or later through October 19th, 2025. *All interns must be able to start on May 6th-no exceptions possible.* -Must have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and willing/able to drive a full-size truck in urban and rural areas. -Must be able to work independently and as part of a team with other interns, volunteers, and staff, and be adaptable to a fast-paced, changing, and often unpredictable schedule. -Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and be in good physical shape. -Individuals that are passionate, responsible, hardworking, eager to learn, flexible, able to work under minimal supervision, able to work well with others on a team, and detail-oriented are encouraged to apply. -Preference given to individuals with a demonstrated interest in marine mammals and are specifically interested in marine mammal response and care. Previous marine mammal experience or animal husbandry is a plus. *How to Apply:* Please send a letter of interest which addresses *all* of the following questions: 1. Why you would like to be considered for this internship 2. How you meet the requirements 3. What your expectations of this internship are 4. What you hope to gain from this internship 5. The start and end dates you can commit to Your application must also include a resume and one professional letter of recommendation. Completed applications can be sent to info(a)mmome.org by 11:59 PM EST on February 5th, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Learn more at www.mmome.org. We look forward to your application for this exciting and unique experience! *Dominique Walk* *Assistant Stranding Coordinator* *Marine Mammals of MaineOffice: 207-844-8718* *Reporting Hotline: 1-800-532-9551* *www.mmome.org <http://www.mmome.org>*

1 0