December 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: Mediterranean Gate Sanctuary for the Protection of Cetaceans
by Joan Giménez Verdugo 02 Dec '25

02 Dec '25

Dear MARMAM community, We are pleased to share our recently published open-access article in *Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems*: *Mediterranean Gate Sanctuary for the Protection of Cetaceans* by Joan Giménez, Ana Cañadas, and Renaud de Stephanis https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70255 *Summary:* The Alboran Sea, located in the western Mediterranean, hosts a rich and ecologically important cetacean community, including endangered species such as the Mediterranean common dolphin. Current marine protected areas (MPAs) in the region are limited and fail to address the wide-ranging needs of these species. In this study, we: - Synthesized existing national and international conservation initiatives in the Alboran Sea. - Applied a spatial prioritization framework using species distribution models and threat-based cost analyses. - Identified critical areas requiring enhanced protection and proposed the creation of a large-scale marine sanctuary—the *Mediterranean Gate Sanctuary*—to connect existing MPAs and safeguard cetacean habitats. The proposed sanctuary emphasizes a *threat-based, species- and space-oriented approach*, fostering transnational collaboration and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective conservation and sustainable marine management. The full article is available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70255 We hope this work contributes to ongoing discussions on marine spatial planning and cetacean conservation. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments. Best regards, Joan Giménez -- [image: image.png]

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New paper on spatial bycatch analysis of marine mammals and seabirds in Alaskan waters
by Simone Tava 02 Dec '25

02 Dec '25

Dear MARMAM community, Me and my co-author are pleased to share our new published Open Access article focusing on the spatial patterns and drivers of marine mammal and seabirds bycatch in Alaskan waters. This study applies Open Access data, Machine Learning algorithms and GIS-based spatial analysis and manually digitized historical records to overcome data accessibility challenges, offering a comprehensive view of bycatch risk across regions and taxa. Title: A Closer Look at Seabird and Marine Mammal Bycatch Data in Alaska’s Longline Groundfish and Pacific Halibut Fisheries: A Reassessment with Open Access and Machine Learning Ensembles Explicit in Space and Time Shows Deficiencies. Authors: Simone Tava & Falk Huettmann Abstract: Bycatch, the capture of non-target species during fishing operations, causes significant ecological, physical, and socio-economic impacts. Despite widespread Open Access policies worldwide, effective bycatch assessment using Open Access data remains obstructed by cultural barriers, data deficiencies, and insufficient data sharing practices. This study evaluated Open Access datasets in the context of estimated bycatch in Alaskan EEZ fisheries, an underutilized approach in fisheries policies aimed at improving transparency. We used Machine Learning and GIS data to evaluate longline fisheries’ impacts on marine populations by analyzing ten key species and producing replicable results. We reassessed accuracy and quality of existing bycatch estimation in Alaskan longline groundfish fisheries. Our findings revealed data aspects related to greater impacts on bycatch species than previously reported, with potential ecological effects extending beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Spanning 1995–2001, we included projections for 2050, identifying systemic underestimations in current fisheries law and data policy. Our assessment raises concerns about governance and sustainable certifications within US fisheries, especially under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (lacking effective bycatch data/policies) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) without mandatory Open Access or software standards. The current data practices are outdated and require revision, they hinder professional performance, progress, trust, and accountability in validating sustainable fisheries governance in the US and its role as a global model. Our results favor adopting documented Open Access workflows explicit in space and time as best practice enhancing transparency and sustainability and improving fisheries management, addressing sustainability gaps in current practices. Journal: Data Science Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2025-034 We hope this contribution will support ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at reducing bycatch in the North Pacific and Arctic ecosystems. If you have any questions and would like to discuss the work further or are working on similar topic and would like to explore opportunities to collaborate then please get in touch. Best regards, Simone Tava, University of Southampton Email: tavasimone(a)gmail.com

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New publication: Seasonal and Diel Diversity in Foraging Behaviour of Harbour Porpoises Within Their Distributional Range in the Northeast Atlantic
by Jasmine Stavenow Jerremalm 01 Dec '25

01 Dec '25

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to share our new open-access paper entitled: “Large‐Scale Passive Acoustic Monitoring Data Shows Seasonal and Diel Diversity in Foraging Behaviour of Harbour Porpoises Within Their Distributional Range in the Northeast Atlantic”, published in Ecology and Evolution Authors: Stavenow Jerremalm, J., Beesau, J., Carlström, J., Eriksson, P., Jessopp, M., Kavanagh, A., Loisa, O., Michel, M., Owen, K., Rasmussen, M. H., Samaran, F., Todd, N. R. E., & Rogan, E. Abstract: Latitudinal gradient can influence ecosystem dynamics and species distribution, yet the influence on some aspects, such as intraspecific diversity, is less well understood. The large-scale distribution of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Northeast Atlantic, indicates that ecological adaptations within the species might be greater than currently recognised. This study investigates variation in foraging behaviour using long-term passive acoustic monitoring data collected between 2009 and 2023 from Iceland, Sweden, Ireland, and France. In each area, Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) were used to investigate the influence of large-scale environmental variables (water temperature, salinity, primary production, diel phase and daylength) on foraging behaviour. Our results show variability and complexity in foraging and differences in temporal patterns between areas. In the northernmost regions, with the largest variation in daylight, foraging behaviour was related to diel phase, with primarily nocturnal foraging recorded during the year, but with predominantly diurnal foraging in Iceland during late fall. In the southernmost regions, less effect of diel phase on foraging was found. Harbour porpoises in Sweden and Iceland exhibited increased day-round foraging during calving periods, highlighting the role of reproductive energetics in behavioural adaptations, and the complexity and importance of foraging during different seasons. Our findings underscore the influence of environmental drivers in shaping foraging strategies, supporting the concept that harbour porpoises optimise these based on local conditions and prey availability. Using long-term datasets, spanning broad geographical and temporal scales, this study contributes to the wider ecological understanding of animals with extensive latitudinal distributions, highlighting intra-species variance and the need for region-specific conservation and management It can be found open-access here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72566 Best wishes, Jasmine Jasmine Stavenow Jerremalm PhD researcher School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences | University College Cork MaREI Centre | Sustainability Institute - Beaufort Building | University College Cork Email: jstavenow(a)ucc.ie | Web: www.marei.ie<http://www.marei.ie/> | www.ucc.ie/en/bees/<https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/>

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New Research Topic Open for Submissions!
by Rebecca Boys 01 Dec '25

01 Dec '25

Dear MARMAMers, Apologies for cross-posting. Dr. Yann Henaut (ECOSUR Conservation and Biodiversity) and I are pleased to announce that our Research Topic in Frontiers in Ethology 'Advancing Marine Mammal Welfare Through Ethological Insights: Behavioral Responses to Stressors in Wild, Rehabilitation, and Managed Care Settings' is now open for submissions! Here's a link to find out more about the project https://www.frontiersin.org/researchtopic/75704. If you are interested in potentially submitting a paper for this Research Topic please let us know. Thank you very much, Rebecca and Yann ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys, Ph.D. Marine Biologist Research Affiliate Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand [cid:ef72834b-5c9d-48a8-bf28-98bc089b6b1d]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:a00c8134-2d35-4701-af64-34311e33c725] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:93e543b3-8e13-49bf-9c96-a6888f63c5a1] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:6cd89dc2-f1a7-4caf-84a0-e7d59d66cf05] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHN…> [cid:97c08c2f-cef4-45db-8a26-43e210d1cfad] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m…> [cid:bc62822b-6b32-4155-a0d9-455a4cc255a8] www.cetaceanecology.org/<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/> European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand [cid:2d0919f2-e231-4b26-932d-dedfd01d7309]

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Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Position
by Erin B. Bates 01 Dec '25

01 Dec '25

The Virginia Aquarium is currently hiring an Exhibits Technician as part of the Stranding Response Program. The Stranding Response & Research Technician is expected to have foundational skills and a working knowledge of the stranding field and may be assigned a primary area of responsibility based on experience and skill level. Duties include - fielding calls from the public regarding stranded animals and coordination of response under the guidance of senior staff, documentation and data collection for stranding events, participation in live animal stranding events, assistance with post-mortem exams (necropsies), and providing for the needs of patients undergoing rehab at the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center. To learn more and apply for the position, please visit the City of Virginia Beach Career Page<https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=VBGOV&cw…>. The position closes Tuesday December 2 and I apologize for the quick turn-around but it looks like my initial email may have been lost in the shuffle of the holiday season.

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