April 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL
by AIMM Internships 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

*BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor, hiking, kayaking, surf classes and others. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from June to end of November 2025. The minimum internship attendance is 14 days. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos, commercial dolphin watching boats and from the shore. Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions. The field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: - Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; - Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; - Access and collect environmental data; - Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; - Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos; - Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals; - Land base monitoring of marine mammals. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2025 season, please contact: interns(a)aimmportugal.org *Included* in the fee is: - Accommodation in AIMM field station; - Transportation to/from the marina; - All meals at home (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); - Fieldwork; - Theoretical classes. *Not included* in the fee is: - Transportation to/from Albufeira; - Meals in restaurants; - Free time activities; - Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); - Others personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* - Be above the age of 16; - Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; - Be autonomous and flexible; - Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; - Speak English; - Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: - Relevant marine mammal field experience - Working experience on research vessels - Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms - Experience in photo-identification - Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION:* You can apply on AIMM website here <http://www.aimmportugal.org/opportunities/dolphin-research-internship/>*.* *or * Send us an e-mail to: interns(a)aimmportugal.org, with the subject “*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*” with your CV and motivation letter. We will send you a confirmation email with the availability and all the other details. Applications will be accepted during all season. However, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. The follow links are a shorts videos about the internship in Albufeira. You get a different perspective and feedback from old participants about it: http://bit.ly/aimm-movie <https://bit.ly/AIMM-movie> https://youtu.be/hTJJQPHBdI0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTIEQEsftA *Contacts*: interns(a)aimmportugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | Thank you, AIMM Team [image: Logo AIMM] <https://www.aimmportugal.org/> Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho *Marine Environment Research Association* m: (00351) 912596211 e: interns(a)aimmportugal.org www.aimmportugal.org <https://www.facebook.com/AIMM.org> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8jcTONJZsvaQ3tZiQtRFNQ> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/aimm-portugal---marine-environment-researc…> <https://www.instagram.com/aimmportugal_org/>

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New publication on "Modeling Life History Parameters in Marine Mammals: Bayesian Hierarchical Analysis of Ontogenetic Dietary Shifts in Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins" (Yuen-Wa Ho)
by Yuen Wa Ho 20 Apr '25

20 Apr '25

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent publication in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology: Ho, Y.-W., Karczmarski, L., Lin, W., Lo, M.C.Y., Wu, Y., & Baker, D.M. (2024). Modeling Life History Parameters in Marine Mammals: Bayesian Hierarchical Analysis of Ontogenetic Dietary Shifts in Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins. Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology, 98(1), 1-16. The article is available online Open Access at: https://doi.org/10.1086/734631 Abstract: Weaning represents a pivotal ontogenetic process for mammals, marking the transition from parental provisioning to indepen- dent foraging. In monophyodont species, distinct growth layer groups that are deposited in their teeth as the animals age rep- resent a permanent chronological archive of physiological events across the animals’ lifetimes. Thus, biochemical analysis of annual dentine increments provides a means to explore animal physio- logical history. We examined the age-specific pattern, individual- level variations, and sex-related differences in dentine nitrogen isotopic values in the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) using tooth samples collected from 38 carcasses that stranded ashore in the Pearl River Delta region, southeast China, between 2007 and 2018. The longitudinal isotopic records ar- chived in dolphin teeth offered insights into their foraging ecology and individual ontogenetic dietary life history. The overall pattern of d15N isotopic values in the incremental layers, analyzed under a hierarchical Bayesian framework, indicates that humpback dol- phins typically undergo an ontogenetic dietary shift (i.e., wean) before reaching the age of 3 yr (mean: 2.394 5 0.143 yr), albeit there is considerable individual heterogeneity (range: 1.548– 4.180 yr), with males consistently weaning∼3.5 mo earlier than females. Our study underscores the importance of quantifying on- togenetic parameters at the individual level, as overlooking indi- vidual variations in life history events (such as the age of weaning) may introduce biases in the broader population-level life history metrics. The application of hierarchical Bayesian modeling proved effective in quantifying individual heterogeneity and factoring it into the estimates of ontogenetic dietary shifts—an important com- ponent in analyses of broader population-level processes. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best regards, Derek ------------------ Yuen-Wa (Derek) Ho Research Scientist, Cetacea Research Institute, Hong Kong hoyuenwa[at]cetacea-institute.org

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new publication: Tracking Fin Whale Morphology with Drone Photogrammetry: Growth Tendencies, Developmental Changes, and Sexual Dimorphism (EDMAKTUB)
by Dorottya Mészáros 17 Apr '25

17 Apr '25

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to share with you our new publication "Tracking Fin Whale Morphology with Drone Photogrammetry: Growth Tendencies, Developmental Changes, and Sexual Dimorphism". The full manuscript can be found here: Website: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/4/290 PDF Version: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/4/290/pdf Abstract: Morphological changes during body development measurements are crucial in understanding growth rates, allometric relationships, and sexual dimorphism. Recent advances in drone technology provide a new perspective enabling an indirect, non-invasive morphological assessment of free-ranging cetaceans. In this study, 10 body parameters were measured and examined with drone-based aerial photogrammetry across 82 individual fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) along the Catalan coast of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, between 2021 and 2023. The growth pattern of each body parameter relative to the total length was determined as negative allometry. The developmental changes depicted that the head region at first decreases proportionally until the animal reaches approximately 14 m in length. Then, it remains constant until 18 m, subsequently followed by a relative increase. The difference in the growth rates among the sexes leads to a proportional shift between females and males approximately between 15 and 17 m in length. Overall, males exhibit a more rapid body elongation, along with moderate development of the other body parameters, while females display the contrary. The morphological parameters reveal insights into the population status dynamics and provide information on the reproductive status. These parameters are critical for the proper conservation and management of the local population of the species. Dorottya Mészáros Researcher EDMAKTUB Cetacean Research Assosiation <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Vírusmentes.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Underwater Acoustics: 2025 DOSITS Webinar Series
by Ellen Bellagamba Fucile 17 Apr '25

17 Apr '25

The Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS)<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dosits.org_&d=DwMFa…> program hosts a resource rich website aimed at introducing users to the science and uses of Sound in the Sea by people and animals, with specific sections on how marine animals use underwater sound and the potential effects of underwater sound on marine animals. The DOSITS Team is pleased to announce that it will again facilitate a free, four-part webinar series on underwater sound. Topics covered will include Marine Invertebrates and Sound, Marine Mammals and Offshore Wind, Sound and Signal: How Fishes Hear and Communicate Through Sound; and Risk Management. Each webinar will run approximately 60 minutes in length and will consist of a presentation by one or more experts followed by a period of facilitated discussion. The webinar series is open to all interested individuals; however, registration is required for each webinar. For more information about the DOSITS 2025 webinars, please visit the DOSITS website: https://dosits.org/decision-makers/webinar-series/2025-webinar-series/ Marine Invertebrates and Sound The first 2025 webinar, Marine Invertebrates and Sound, will be held on April 30, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET. Dr. Marta Solé, a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Applied Bioacoustics (LAB) – Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona TECH (UPC) will present. Register here<https://uri-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5StzO0OFRKGkp_mX4FDgvQ> Wildlife and Offshore Wind The second 2025 webinar, Offshore Wind and Sound, will be held on June 4, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET. Dr. Doug Nowacek, from the Bioacoustics and Engineering Lab at Duke University will present. Register here<https://uri-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gH6ki9k-Ss6-iQszLtKzKg>. Professional development certificates are available to people who attend in real time or watch the archived video of all four DOSITS webinars in a calendar year. To qualify for a Professional Development certificate, you must complete the questionnaire associated with each webinar (which will be provided after the webinar takes place). For any questions or concerns about the DOSITS webinars, please contact the DOSITS Team (dosits(a)etal.uri.edu<mailto:dosits@etal.uri.edu>)

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new publication: Autonomous wave gliders as a tool to characterize delphinid habitats
by Jessica Carvalho 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to share our new publication "Autonomous wave gliders as a tool to characterize delphinid habitats along the Florida Atlantic coast" with you all. The full manuscript can be found here: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19204 Abstract: As climate change and anthropogenic activities continue to impact cetacean species, it becomes increasingly urgent to efficiently monitor cetacean populations. Continuing technological advances enable innovative research methodologies which broaden monitoring approaches. In our study, we utilized an autonomous wave glider equipped with acoustic and environmental sensors to assess delphinid species presence on the east Florida shelf and compared this approach with traditional marine mammal monitoring methods. Acoustic recordings were analyzed to detect delphinid presence along the glider track in conjunction with subsurface environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, current velocity, and chlorophyll-a concentration. Additionally, occurrences of soniferous fish and anthropogenic noise were also documented. These in-situ variables were incorporated into generalized additive models (GAMs) to identify predictors of delphinid presence. The top-performing GAM found that location, sound pressure level (SPL), temperature, and chlorophyll-a concentration explained 50.8% of the deviance in the dataset. The use of satellite environmental variables with the absence of acoustic variables found that location, derived current speed and heading, and chlorophyll-a explained 44.8% of deviance in the dataset. Our research reveals the explanatory power of acoustic variables, measurable with autonomous platforms such as wave gliders, in delphinid presence drivers and habitat characterization. Jessica Carvalho Research Scientist Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

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Final week of registration for May introductory distance sampling workshop: deadline 23Apr
by Eric Rexstad 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

If you wish to learn about design and analysis of distance sampling surveys for marine mammals, you have one more week to register for the St Andrews introductory distance sampling survey. The workshop takes place 05-16 May 2025 and registration for the workshop closes 23 April 2025. Complete workshop details and registration link can be found here: https://distancesampling.org/training/announcements/intro-may-2025.html If you have questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Eric Rexstad Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews Registered Charity in Scotland SC013532

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New publication: Indigenous Knowledge as a sole data source in habitat selection functions
by Rowenna Gryba 15 Apr '25

15 Apr '25

Dear marmam folks, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication on Indigenous Knowledge as a sole data source in habitat selection functions. We apply the methods to a case study of ringed seals in waters near Utqiaġvik, Alaska. The article is available at https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2411946122 and abstract is below. Cheers, Rowenna Gryba -------------------------- Indigenous Knowledge as a sole data source in habitat selection functions Rowenna Gryba. Andrew Von Duyke, Henry P. Huntington, Billy Adams, Brower Frantz, Justin Gatten, Qaiyaan Harcharek, Robert Sarren, Greg Henry, and Marie Auger-Méthé Abstract: While Indigenous Knowledge (IK) contains a wealth of information on the behavior and habitat use of species, it is rarely included in the species–habitat models frequently used by Western species management authorities. As decisions from these authorities can limit access to species that are important culturally and for subsistence, exclusion of IK in conservation and management frameworks can negatively impact both species and Indigenous communities. In partnership with Iñupiat hunters, we developed methods to statistically characterize IK of species–habitat relationships and developed models that rely solely on IK to identify species habitat use and important areas. We provide methods for different types of IK documentation and for dynamic habitat types (e.g., ice concentration). We apply the method to ringed seals (natchiq in Iñupiaq) in Alaskan waters, a stock for which the designated critical habitat has been debated in part due to minimal inclusion of IK. Our work demonstrates that IK of species–habitat relationships, with the inclusion of dynamic habitat types, expands on existing mapping approaches and provides another method to identify species habitat use and important areas. The results of this work provide a straightforward and meaningful approach to include IK in species management, especially through comanagement processes.

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OFFICIAL PROGRAM Ship / Whale Collisions Workshop, June 16, Brest, France
by Caroline Bourgeois 15 Apr '25

15 Apr '25

To List of all MARMAM members, marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca OFFICIAL PROGRAM for the Ship / Whale Collisions Workshop Dear guest, I’m pleased to inform you that the official program for the Ship/Whale Collisions Workshop, part of the OCEANS 2025 conference, has now been finalized and validated. See Workshop OCEANS_2025._fnlV5.pdf - Google Drive<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfR1ucginlfB4-Zq_hgyFYiVldCMS0Bu/view> This event will take place on Monday June 16, 2025, in Brest, France, at Le Quartz, ahead of the official opening of the IEEE OCEANS 2025 conference. Every year, thousands of whales are injured or killed by ship strikes — and most people never hear about it. Our 1st international Ship / Whale Collisions Workshop is · Raising awareness on Collisions impacts, · Supporting all detection methods and Innovations, · Strengthen Responsibility at Sea promoting safer shipping routes, · and Protecting these incredible animals. Because saving whales shouldn’t be an issue. You can help change that. 🌊 Register today. Share the message. Be part of the solution. https://brest25.oceansconference.org/register-now/ Please let me know if you need further assistance. Thank you, at your disposal, best regards, Caroline Caroline Bourgeois Business Developer – Anti-Collisions [Une image contenant Police, Graphique, graphisme, logo Description générée automatiquement] 📱 +33(0) 6 56 68 39 78 📧caroline.bourgeois(a)greenov.green<mailto:caroline.bourgeois@greenov.green> 🌐 greenov.green<https://greenov.green/> 🔗 LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenov-fr/>

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NAMMCO Internship Programme (Autumn 2025)
by NAMMCO, Intern Noor Elias 15 Apr '25

15 Apr '25

Dear MARMAM community, Applications are still open for the NAMMCO Internship Programme. This internship offers students and early career individuals a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international marine mammal management, enhance their communication and science outreach skills, and become involved in the work of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO). The internship provides valuable experience in: * Learning about the management and conservation of marine mammals * Staying informed on the latest research in the field * Expanding your professional network It also supports the development of skills in: * Communication and outreach * Organising meetings and events * Writing reports and editing website content The position is full-time and based at the NAMMCO Secretariat in Tromsø, Norway. A monthly stipend is provided to help cover living expenses. Applicants must be from NAMMCO member countries (Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway) or from EU/EEA countries. The next internship is expected to begin in autumn 2025. Application deadline: 30 April 2025 Application form: https://nammco.no/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nammco-internship_application_… More information: https://nammco.no/nammco-internship/ Please feel free to circulate this opportunity among students or early-career professionals who may be interested. Kind regards, Noor Elias Intern NAMMCO - North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission Visitors: Sykehusveien 21-23, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway Post: POB 6400, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway Mob.: +47 967 45 893

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New publication: northern fur seal habitat suitability in the Bering Sea
by Elizabeth A McHuron 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new open-access publication looking at northern fur seal habitat suitability in the eastern Bering Sea and overlap with the commercial walleye pollock fishery. The article is freely available in Movement Ecology <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-025-00545-6?utm_source=rct…> (10.1186/s40462-025-00545-6). The abstract is pasted below. Best wishes, Liz McHuron *Article info: *E.A. McHuron, E.L. Hazen,. N.A. Pelland, K.K. Kearney, W. Cheng, A.J. Hermann, R.R. Ream, J.T, Sterling. 2025. Current and future habitat suitability of northern fur seals and overlap with the commercial walleye pollock fishery in the eastern Bering Sea. Movement Ecology *Abstract: *Understanding the abiotic and biotic drivers of species distribution is critical for climate-informed ecosystem management. We aimed to understand habitat selection of northern fur seals in the eastern Bering Sea, a declining population that is also a key predator of walleye pollock, the target species for the largest U.S. commercial fishery. We developed species distribution models using random forest models by combining satellite telemetry data from lactating female fur seals tagged at different rookery complexes on the Pribilof Islands in the eastern Bering Sea with regional ocean model simulations. We explored how data aggregation at two spatial scales (Pribilof-wide and complex-specific) impacted model performance and predicted distributions. Spatial predictions under hindcasted (1992 - 2018) and projected (2050 - 2059) physical and biological conditions were used to identify areas of core habitat, overlap with commercial fishery catches, and potential changes in future habitat suitability. The most important environmental predictor variables across all models were bathymetry, bottom temperature, and surface temperature. The Pribilof-wide model both under- and overrepresented the importance of specific areas, while complex-specific models exhibited considerable variability in transferability performance. The majority of core habitat occurred on the continental shelf in areas that overlapped with commercial catches of walleye pollock during the “B” season (June - October), with an average of 76% of the total percentage of the catch occurring in core fur seal habitat within the foraging range of lactating females. Projections revealed that considerable changes in fur seal habitat suitability may occur in the coming decades, with complex-specific variation in the magnitude and direction of changes. Our results illustrate the need to sample multiple sites whenever possible and consider spatial scale when extrapolating species distribution model output for central-place foragers, even when terrestrial sites are <10 km apart. The high overlap between suitable fur seal habitat and commercial fishery catches of pollock, coupled with projected changes in habitat suitability, underscore the need for targeted studies investigating fisheries impacts on this declining population. Elizabeth McHuron, PhD Research Scientist, UW CICOES

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