October 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: "Tidal flow masks detections of harbour porpoises: Implications for passive acoustic studies of cetaceans.
by Gemma Veneruso 22 Oct '25

22 Oct '25

Hello MARMAM community, I am pleased to share our paper recently published Open Access in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA): Gemma Veneruso, Lucille Chapuis, Gordon D. Hastie, Lewis Le Vay and Line S Cordes (2025) "Tidal flow masks acoustic detections of harbour porpoises (*Phocoena phocoena*): Implications for passive acoustic studies of cetaceans. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0039560 ABSTRACT: Passive acoustics is widely used to detect vocalising cetaceans, yet in tidal environments, strong currents facilitate sediment transport, creating “flow noise” that may mask signals and bias detection ranges. Although detection ranges are known to vary with background noise, the magnitude and spatiotemporal scale of such variation in tidal environments remain poorly quantified. Flow noise may fluctuate within tidal cycles and across small spatial scales, with consequences for estimating cetacean occurrence. To examine this, we tested the effects of flow noise on harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) echolocation click detection, from data collected from an array of moored recorders in a tidal stream environment. Flow noise overlapping with porpoise clicks varied by up to 29 dB in mean sound pressure levels within tidal cycles ( 12 h). Differences between sites<500 m apart were also significant, and modelled relationships between porpoise occurrence and tidal flow speed changed when a fixed detection threshold was applied. These findings show that flow noise in tidal habitats is heterogeneous across space and time, which may bias estimates of cetacean occurrence and distribution. Accounting for flow noise is therefore essential in ecological studies and is particularly relevant in environmental assessments of tidal energy developments. With best wishes, Gemma Veneruso

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International Save the Vaquita Day 2025
by Thomas Jefferson 22 Oct '25

22 Oct '25

Dear MARMAMers, This is a reminder that International Save the Vaquita Day 2025 will be held this Saturday, 25 October, starting at 9 am (Pacific). It will be a virtual event, with a half-day live-stream of informative talks and video content. Tune in directly at https://vaquita.day/2025 or see https://vivavaquita.org/international-save-the-vaquita-day/ for more details. Best wishes, Tom Jefferson Director, VIVA Vaquita

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Call for collaboration: Hg Toxicokinetics in Humpback Whales
by Susan Bengtson Nash 22 Oct '25

22 Oct '25

Dear Colleagues, We are seeking collaborations to investigate Hg toxicokinetics in Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, with the goal of facilitating long-term, non-lethal, biomonitoring. Specifically, we are seeking sample sharing from stranded, adult, humpback whales where necropsy has been performed and samples from multiple organs are available. Due to the rarity of i) adult strandings, and ii) timely access for necropsy, we are expanding our search via the MARMAM platform. If you are the curator of such samples and would be interested in joining this collaboration (which is anticipated to be performed as part of a research student project and result in joint publication), please do get in touch. All the best, Susan Professor Susan Bengtson Nash Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Laboratory School of Environment and Science Griffith University, Nathan Campus. 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia. AnMAP: Development Lead | Humpback Whale Sentinel Programme: Coordinator | Antarctica InSync: Australian Thematic Lead Email: s.bengtsonnash(a)griffith.edu.au

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In search of Chelonia C-POD or F-POD Deep (rated 2000 metres) - surplus units available for purchase?
by Natalie Hodges 21 Oct '25

21 Oct '25

I'm hoping to source 3-5 of these units - the deep-rated version (2000m) of either the F-POD <https://www.chelonia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DeepF-POD-User-Guide.…> or the older model C-POD. The manufacturer Chelonia Ltd. have limited supply of parts for producing additional units, so I am wondering whether any groups have used these for projects that have now been completed, and would be interested in selling them on? Many thanks! Natalie Hodges nataliehodges(a)islandschool.org Research Faculty, Cape Eleuthera Institute Eleuthera, The Bahamas [image: image.png] <https://ceibahamas.org/> Natalie Hodges Research Faculty Cape Eleuthera Institute <https://ceibahamas.org/> Cell: 242-826-1665

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UPDATE! The Marine Mammal Center: Applications Open! Marine Mammal Medicine & Pathology Veterinary Externships, Rotations, and Fellowships
by Sarah Tatum 21 Oct '25

21 Oct '25

Greetings all, The Marine Mammal Center's Teaching Hospital applications are open! * Veterinary Technician Student Externship Rotation, DEADLINE: Nov. 2nd * Pathology and Diagnostic Fellowship, DEADLINE: Nov. 10th. * International Veterinary Fellowship Program in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology, DEADLINE: Nov. 16th * Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship, DEADLINE: Dec. 7th * Pathology Veterinary Student Externship Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine, DEADLINE: Dec. 7th * Clinical Veterinary Student Externship Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine, DEADLINE: Dec. 7th * Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Resident Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology, Rolling Applications. Apply for Marine Mammal Medicine & Pathology Veterinary Externships, Rotations, and Fellowships here: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/9c4f5683-4962-4559-ad7… DETAILS: Train and Learn Alongside Our Experts * The Marine Mammal Center is the largest marine mammal teaching hospital and a critical training ground for health and welfare professionals from around the world, combining high-quality animal care with a hands-on learning environment. * Veterinary and husbandry professionals can apply for a competitive weeks- or months-long internship or externship, residency or international veterinary fellowship, giving veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students and animal care staff worldwide a chance to learn and train alongside experts onsite at The Marine Mammal Center. * Our Teaching Hospital combines practical experience, innovative medicine and meaningful professional collaboration with the Center’s staff and volunteers. * Apply for Externships, Rotations, and Fellowships here: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/9c4f5683-4962-4559-ad7… Than you! [Icon Description automatically generated with low confidence] Sarah Tatum (she-her) Human Resources Specialist TatumS(a)tmmc.org<mailto:tatums@tmmc.org> | MarineMammalCenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

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New publication: Acute leptospirosis in rehabilitated seals in Ireland
by Michelle Imlau 21 Oct '25

21 Oct '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are excited to share our recent publication on acute leptospirosis in rehabilitated seals in Ireland : Imlau, M., Russel, T., Browne, J. A., O'Connell, R. A., Gray, H., Doyle, B., & Jahns, H. (2025). *Leptospira interrogans *serovar Copenhageni infection and exudative glomerulonephritis in rehabilitated gray seals (*Halichoerus grypus*) and harbor seals (*Phoca vitulina*) in Ireland. *Veterinary microbiology*, *311*, 110764. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110764 Highlights - *L. interrogans* serovar Copenhageni caused jaundice in Irish seals in rehabilitation. - Exudative glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage were common in these seals. - No involvement of immune complexes in exudative GN as determined by TEM. - Multilocus sequence typing used secY, adk, icdA, LipL41, rrs2, and LipL32. - MLST on tissue samples successfully characterized *Leptospira *to species level. Graphical Abstract: [image: image.png] Abstract: Leptospirosis in pinnipeds is nearly exclusively reported in California sea lions (*Zalophus californianus*), in which the disease is believed to be endemic. There, the Pomona serovar is the predominant cause and severe lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis is the characteristic pathological finding. The present study reports on nine cases of leptospirosis in gray seals (*Halichoerus grypus*) and harbor seals (*Phoca vitulina*) diagnosed over a period of 13 months at the Seal Rescue Centre, County Wexford, Ireland. The seals presented with jaundice, additional clinical signs included labored breathing and coughing, hemoptysis, epistaxis and anorexia. The seals were either found dead or had a clinical course of 6 days maximum. During post mortem examination the main gross lesions were jaundice and varying degrees of visceral hemorrhages. Common histological findings were acute renal tubular necrosis, exudative glomerulonephritis (GN), hepatocyte dissociation and pulmonary hemorrhage. Exudative GN was characterized by markedly expanded urinary spaces filled with extravasated erythrocytes and fibrin in the absence of immune complexes. This unique lesion has only recently been associated with leptospirosis in dogs. Immunohistochemistry and/or PCR detected *Leptospira* sp. in the affected seals. Subsequent multilocus sequence typing using six different primer pairs targeting *secY*, *adk*, *icdA*, *LipL41*, *rrs2*, and *LipL32* obtained sequences that closely matched *L. interrogans* isolates belonging to the Copenhageni serovar. The infection occurred in the center and terrestrial reservoirs such as rats are a likely source. This report details for the first time the presentation and diagnosis of an important zoonosis in seals in rehabilitation. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or wish to receive the pdf. Best, Michelle *Michelle Imlau* *DVMS (Dr. med. vet.), Dipl. **ECVP* *EBVS®** European Specialist in Veterinary Pathology* Wildlife Division - Co-Head of Diagnostics E: michelle.imlau(a)gmail.com W: michelle.imlau(a)unibe.ch Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health <https://www.fiwi.vetsuisse.unibe.ch/> Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology Vetsuisse Faculty Länggassstrasse 122 3012 Bern

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New Publication: Influence of vessel disturbance on pacific harbour porpoise echolocation
by Karina Dracott 20 Oct '25

20 Oct '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication "Influence of vessel disturbance on Pacific harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena vomerina) *echolocation" in Ecological Applications. ABSTRACT: Vessel disturbance is one of many anthropogenic threats that are negatively impacting coastal cetacean populations worldwide. Noise pollution from vessels can cause varying levels of disturbance in cetaceans, depending on several factors such as vessel type and speed. Pacific harbour porpoises (*Phocoena phocoena vomerina*) are distributed throughout coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean, with large aggregations observed near the entrance to the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia, Canada. This area serves as an important year-round foraging ground for harbour porpoises. However, it is also one of the fastest growing container ports in North America, with planned increases in activity. Harbour porpoises are highly sensitive to vessel-related acoustic disturbances, but the effects of vessel activity on their foraging rates remain unclear. In this study, we used a combination of land-based surveys, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) devices (C-PODs and F-PODs), and automatic identification system (AIS) data to investigate the relationship between vessel activity and harbour porpoise echolocation activity—both foraging and non-foraging— adjacent to the Port. Our results show that an increase in the total number of vessels negatively affected both foraging and non-foraging echolocation activity, with less echolocation observed in the presence of more ferries and tugs. Similarly, vessels traveling at higher speeds (>6 m/s kn) had a negative effect on echolocation activity. Tugboats and passenger vessels, in particular, had a wider range of effects on all harbour porpoise echolocation activity. Our findings indicate that implementing a vessel slowdown (~5 m/s) along the approach to the Port of Prince Rupert could reduce disturbances to harbour porpoises and likely benefit other coexisting species that rely on quiet oceans for communication and foraging. Dracott, K., Robinson, C. V., Dares, L., Woodley, E., Migneault, A., & Birdsall, C. (2025). Influence of vessel disturbance on Pacific harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena vomerina*) echolocation. *Ecological Applications*, *35*(6), e70076. Please find the open access publication at: *https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.70076* <https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.70076> Kind regards, Karina Dracott -- Karina Dracott <https://www.karinadracott.com/about> MRM, Coastal and Marine Resource Management MERS Research Associate Email: Karina.Dracott(a)gmail.com

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New publication: "Acoustic Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) Around a Fishing Net During a Bycatch Event."
by Luiz Gustavo Ramos Arrial 20 Oct '25

20 Oct '25

Dear MARMAM Community, The co-authors of this paper and I are pleased to share our new open-access publication in Marine Mammal Science, a short note entitled "Acoustic Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins (*Pontoporia blainvillei*) Around a Fishing Net During a Bycatch Event." The study reveals interesting insights into the behavior of this species, considered the most endangered dolphin in the Western South Atlantic, in a bycatch situation. Arrial, L. G. R., R. L. Paitach, P. V. de Castilho, and M. J. Cremer. 2025. "Acoustic Behavior of Franciscana Dolphins (*Pontoporia blainvillei*) Around a Fishing Net During a Bycatch Event." Marine Mammal Science e70087. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70087. Best regards, Luiz Gustavo Ramos Arrial -- Luiz Gustavo Ramos Arrial Biólogo (CRBIO n°:129452/09-D), Mestre em Ecologia. CV: lattes.cnpq.br/3774127553816113

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Registration is now open for The Whale Museum's 2nd annual Global Orca Workshop (Virtual)
by tracie merrill 20 Oct '25

20 Oct '25

You are invited to join The Whale Museum’s 2nd Annual Global Orca Workshop Dear MARMAM Community: You are invited to join The Whale Museum’s 2nd Annual Global Orca Workshop on Thursday, November 13 from 8:00 am - 4.00 pm (Pacific Time). Back by popular demand, this workshop will take place virtually through Zoom! This workshop is open to the public with the theme of: Understanding orca ecotypes around the world: Who are they and what are they facing in today’s changing ocean environments. We have focused this workshop on orca ecotypes that were not covered in last year's workshop. Invited Presenters include: * Georgina Gemmell, Administrator at Orca Project Sri Lanka and The Northern Indian Ocean Killer Whale Alliance (NIOKWA), on Sri Lankan & Indian Ocean Orcas * Dr. Paul Tixier, Researcher at MARBEC Université de Montpellier-CNRS -IFREMER-IRD, on Crozet Orcas * Dr. Filipa Samarra, Lead Investigator on the Icelandic Orca Project, on Icelandic Orcas * Dr. Isabella Reeves, PostDoc Researcher at Flinders University, on Australian Orcas * Dr. Thomas Doniol-Valcroze, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on updates of Canadian research on North Pacific Orcas (Northern Residents, Bigg’s, and Offshore killer whales) * Jessica Farrer, Research Director at The Whale Museum, on Antarctic Orca scat research and climate change impacts The registration fee is $40 USD for non-members; $30 USD for current TWM or SSAMN members. Questions can be directed to Tracie Merrill at tracie(a)whalemuseum.org<mailto:tracie@whalemuseum.org>. The Zoom link and workshop agenda will be sent to registrants at email provided at registration closer to start of workshop. For a limited time after the workshop, recordings of presentations will be made available to registrants. You can register at: https://whalemuseum.org/products/2nd-global-orca-workshop-virtual Sent from Outlook<http://aka.ms/weboutlook>

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New publication
by Isabel C. Avila 20 Oct '25

20 Oct '25

I'm pleased to share our recent publication on humpback whales in Colombian waters: 'Interactions Between Tourism Vessels and Humpback Whales in the Gulf of Tribugá, Colombia.' Reference: Girón-Castaño, L.V., Vallejo, A.C., Avila, I.C. & Giraldo, A. (2025). Interactions Between Tourism Vessels and Humpback Whales in the Gulf of Tribugá, Colombia. Oceans, 6(4), 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans6040067 Abstract Whale-watching is a growing ecotourism activity in Colombia that offers economic benefits but may pose behavioral risks to humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) if not properly managed. Although preventive recommendations exist to promote sustainable practices, their effectiveness remains largely unquantified in the Colombian North Pacific. This study evaluates adherence to whale-watching regulations and describes humpback whale behavioral responses to vessel presence in the Gulf of Tribugá, a key breeding and calving area. Data were collected from tourism vessels during July and September 2023, documenting 236 whales across 99 groups—71% of which included calves. The predominant whale response to vessels was neutral (74%), while evasive behaviors occurred in 22% of encounters, particularly among mother–calf pairs. Surface-active behavior was infrequent (22%) and most observed in calf–escort groups, serving as a supplementary indicator of behavioral state. Compliance with whale-watching recommendations varied: although most encounters involved a single vessel (57%) and averaged 16 min in duration, only 14% of vessels maintained the recommended minimum distance of 100 m. These findings highlight persistent gaps in regulatory adherence and underscore the need for strengthened enforcement and adaptive management to ensure sustainable whale-watching practices in Colombia’s North Pacific. The publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/6/4/67

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