July 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Opportunity: University of Miami/NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center
by Melissa Soldevilla - NOAA Federal 28 Aug '25

28 Aug '25

Dear colleagues, Through our partnership with the University of Miami, the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center marine mammal branch in Miami, FL is looking to hire a full-time research associate with expertise in passive acoustics to help us with upcoming field work and data analyses. This position at the University of Miami RSMAS campus can be found on the UM job site (www.miami.edu/careers) as requisition R100061685. Please share this info with any potential applicants and feel free to contact me at melissa.soldevilla(a)noaa.gov with any questions. Best wishes, Melissa ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Melissa Soldevilla, PhD Research Fishery Biologist Marine Mammal & Turtle Division NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami, FL 33149

1 4

Workshop and special issue on ML/AI in Marine Mammal Research
by Christine Erbe 26 Aug '25

26 Aug '25

Dear Colleagues, We would like to let you know about a workshop on “Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Marine Mammal Research” to be held Sunday, Nov 10, at the SMM conference in Perth, Western Australia: Workshops - SMM Conference | | | | | | | | | | | Workshops - SMM Conference SMM2024 workshops are half day, full day, or two day events that are proposed and organised by individual resear... | | | The workshop will accommodate both in-person and virtual/online attendance. Online attendance is free of charge. If you wish you join online, please register your name and email address with Guy: oliver(a)ucsc.edu The workshop will cover ML/AI methods in marine mammal bioacoustics, photogrammetry, behaviour analysis, distribution modeling, and ethics. We are also running a special issue on the topic in a peer-reviewed journal (we’re still negotiating with potential publishers, but will let you know in due course). The special issue will take manuscripts focussing on methods or results. If you are interested in finding out how to contribute to this special issue, please contact Christine: c.erbe(a)curtin.edu.au Have a nice day, everyone. Cheers, Christine Erbe Guy Oliver Shyam Madhusudhana Paul Nguyen Hong Duc Aiden Lundberg

2 2

Photo-identification Volunteer Position in Kaikōura, New Zealand, 3 month period
by Krista Van Der Linde 19 Aug '25

19 Aug '25

Sperm Whale Photo-identification Volunteer Position in Kaikōura, New Zealand for three-month period A volunteer is required to assist with sperm whale photo-identification research in Kaikōura, New Zealand. DATES: Currently volunteers are needed from 20th April – 31st October 2025. A minimum commitment of three months is required, and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. FIELDWORK: The volunteer position involves conducting field surveys for marine mammals, primarily focussing on sperm whales and collecting photo-identification. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individuals based on fluke characteristics, and the use of databases for archiving field data. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding, but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (data analysis, photo-identification). Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Surveys will be conducted from a 24 m tourism vessel. RESPONSIBILITIES: . Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys from a tourism vessel collecting environmental, location, and behavioural data. . Subsequent data entry and archiving of photo-identification information. As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions provided. The successful candidate should arrange their own accommodation in Kaikōura, living expenses, travel costs and visa. PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking, and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means time off during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits. . Have a mature and independent attitude towards marine mammal research . Be able to work independently . Speak fluent English . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude . Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation . Participants should be comfortable working on boats QUALIFICATIONS: . The project is well suited to upper-level undergrads, recent graduates and graduate students who have some background in biology, marine biology, ecology, zoology, or related fields . Basic computer proficiency in MS Office Preferred qualifications but not required: . Field research including photo-identification experience . Previous experience in survey techniques and especially in marine mammal research . Prior experience working on research vessels APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should send a short email to krista(a)whalewatch.co.nz, using ‘photo-identification position’ as the subject line. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, the dates when you are available to assist on the project, your qualifications and relevant experience. Please also attach a brief CV including at least one reference acknowledging your relevant experience. Early application is recommended as applications will be examined in order of reception. Best, Krista ---------------------------------- Dr. Krista van der Linde Principle Marine Mammal Scientist Whale Watch Kaikōura Tel: +64 (0)220 256 290 Email: krista(a)whalewatch.co.nz<mailto:krista@whalewatch.co.nz> Krista Van Der Linde | Whale Watch Kaikōura, PO Box 89, Kaikōura | www.whalewatch.co.nz <http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/> [Image] <https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/> [cid:image001.jpg@01DBA55F.A374D260] <https://www.kaikoura.co.nz/> [cid:image002.jpg@01DBA55F.A374D260] <https://www.alpinepacific.nz/> Kaikōura - An Earthcheck Platinum Certified Community – www.kaikoura.co.nz<http://www.kaikoura.co.nz/> Whakaarohia a Papatūānuku i mua i te tānga mai o tēnei ī-mera. Please consider the environment before printing this email. CAUTION: If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you must not use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email message or its attachments. If you received this message in error, please return the original message to the writer by email and destroy any copies.

1 3

Hiring 2 Positions: Acoustic Analyst & Large Whale Biologist
by Amy Whitt 31 Jul '25

31 Jul '25

1. *Acoustic Analyst* Azura is seeking an Acoustic Analyst with experience in cetacean acoustics to support the Protected Species Division of the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). *Work Schedule:* Full time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday) *Location: *Remote or NEFSC lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts *Link to Full Job Announcement:* https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/azura-consulting-llc-acoustic-analyst-44b26… *2. Large Whale Aerial Survey Biologist* Azura is seeking a Large Whale Aerial Survey Biologist to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). The primary responsibilities will include conducting aerial surveys and working with the resulting data. *Work Schedule:* Full time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday) *Location: *NEFSC lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts *Link to Full Job Announcement:* https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/azura-consulting-llc-large-whale-aerial-sur… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Azura Consulting LLC (Azura) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply for this position. Azura is a woman-owned small business headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We offer 'big city' resources with 'small town' customer service. We specialize in protected species research, conservation, and management. Please see our website for more information: azuraco.com -- *Amy D. Whitt, M.E.M.* CEO, Senior Scientist Azura Consulting LLC WOSB | EDWOSB *c* 870-919-2636 *o* 972-905-1416 www.azuraco.com

1 0

Bioacoustics Data Analysis (BIAC05)
by Oliver Hooker 31 Jul '25

31 Jul '25

Dive Deep into Marine Mammal Acoustics with BIAC05 *Course:* Bioacoustics Data Analysis (BIAC05) *Dates:* 6–10 October 2025 (Western European Time) *Format:* Live‑online instruction via video link *Fees:* £360 (early bird, first 10), £400 standard registration ------------------------------ Why This Course Is Perfect for Marine Mammal Researchers - *Tailored for acoustic/ecological science*: While the BIAC05 course content is broad enough to support diverse taxa, it is ideally suited to marine mammal researchers working with cetacean signals, as it covers spectral analysis, annotation, and signal structure quantification using R. - *Hands-on training in R with bioacoustics tools*: You’ll work with ‘wave’ audio objects, build spectrograms via Fourier transforms, import Raven Pro annotations, refine them using warbleR, and learn quality‑control processes essential for accurate acoustic datasets. - *Quantitative skills relevant to marine research*: Learn to extract biologically meaningful variation and control for annotation error—critical when studying high‑frequency click trains in dolphins or whales. ------------------------------ Who Should Apply - Post-graduate students and academics focused on *marine mammal behavior, biodiversity, conservation, or monitoring* - Wildlife biologists and conservationists working with *passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)* platforms - Current R users aiming to specialize in *bioacoustics workflows for marine applications* ------------------------------ What You’ll Gain - Proficiency in R-based signal analysis and annotation processing - Confidence in building, comparing, and interpreting structural metrics of marine mammal vocalisations - Best practices for ensuring data integrity and replicability in acoustic research - A toolbox ready for deployment in marine mammal monitoring, behavioral studies, or ecological assessments ------------------------------ How BIAC05 Adds Value to Your Marine Mammal CV When paired with practical PAM experience (e.g. PAMGuard, CPOD, Raven), this course equips you with a quantitative edge widely recognised in marine mammal science circles Completing this course demonstrates expertise in: - Recognizing and processing cetacean housing click‑trains with rigorous code - Interpreting acoustic communication in ecological or conservation contexts - Leveraging reproducible R pipelines for analysis and collaboration Please email oliver(a)prstats.org any questions. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

1 0

2026 Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Internship Announcement
by Alexis Sierra 31 Jul '25

31 Jul '25

2026 Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Internship Announcement California Wildlife Center is excited to announce internship opportunities for the Winter, Spring and Summer 2026!  California Wildlife Center is in Calabasas, California, and responds to reports of stranded marine mammals 365 days a year along the Malibu Coastline.  Our pinniped rehabilitation facility is active during the region’s period of highest strandings, which is January through July.  Winter Session = December 15th through January 25th (flexible start & end dates) Spring Session = March 2nd through May 31st Summer Session = June 1st through August 9th Time Commitment:            28-40 hours per week Vaccination Requirement: To be considered, applicants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Summary/Program Description The California Wildlife Center (CWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife. Our Marine Mammal program supports this mission through the response of all live and deceased marine mammals stranded in Malibu (LA County) and focuses on the on-site rehabilitation of young California Sea Lion and Northern Elephant Seal pups. This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the marine mammal rehabilitation field. Working closely with the Marine Mammal program staff, individuals are exposed to various aspects of pinniped stranding response and rehabilitation, including logistics, assessment, capture, restraint, transportation, husbandry, data collection, and public relations. The marine mammal team also performs rescues on native marine avian species, providing interns with a view into the skills necessary for capture and transport of these species. To minimize cross contamination potential, all rehabilitative care of non-marine mammal species is handled solely by the hospital personnel. Intern Responsibilities Under supervision of Marine Mammal staff, experiences will include: * Assessment of stranded marine mammals on the beach; collecting detailed information about species, location, and observations regarding the animal. Accurately dispatching information to the shift lead, to assess if needing a rescue. * Assisting or leading responder teams in the capture and handling of stranded marine mammals needing medical attention. * Maintaining good rapport with representatives of various public agencies, as well as members of the public by providing education on the beach and answering the marine mammal rescue phone. * Maintaining detailed records of daily activities including reports of stranding, human interaction, and patient health status. * Performing daily husbandry tasks in the marine mammal enclosures for patients admitted to the on-site rehabilitation facility. * Administering feeds, diet preparation, and animal restraint as assigned. May assist staff with intake examinations, release evaluations, and veterinary care as needed. * Working closely with Marine Mammal department staff to provide patient-specific rehabilitative care. * Adhering to all safety guidelines set forth by California Wildlife Center and the Marine Mammal Department. * Providing appropriate transport conditions for stranded marine mammals to the rehabilitation facility. * Participating in releases of healthy marine mammal patients back to their Pacific Ocean home. * Assisting with marine mammal post-mortem response on the beach, on site necropsy, sample collection, and data entry.   Winter Session will focus on rescue and rehabilitation of California sea lion pups, and facility preparation for the busy season. Spring Session will focus on in-house rehabilitation of Northern elephant seal pups. All species and age classes are rescued during this session, then transported to other rehabilitation centers for continued care. Spring stranding months are the busiest and most demanding. Summer Session will focus on responding to larger California sea lions and releasing rehabilitated Northern elephant seals. Qualifications This internship is open to all applicants at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If an intern intends to receive academic credit, they will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal stranding response, interns may be requested to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Interns must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Interns will be required to have good physical strength and the ability to lift/carry 50 lbs. Ability to safely walk on beaches of rocky terrain to assist in marine mammal response. The ability to spend extended periods outdoors and on your feet walking, standing, and crouching, including carrying kenneled large animals to the response vehicles. Interns must maintain professionalism with staff, volunteers, and the public. Interns must have the ability to operate in a fast-paced, high stress environment and assist in situations involving sick and injured marine mammals. Must have the ability to multi-task, be adaptable, have attention to detail and be willing to learn. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience not required. Housing and transportation are the sole responsibility of the intern. Must have own transportation and current drivers’ license   To apply - Submit the following items via email to: Alexis Sierra / asierra(a)cawildlife.org * Letter of intent * Resume * Proof of COVID Vaccination Your letter of intent should the session(s) that you are applying for and detail your specific areas of interest. Please visit our website for more information about the programs at CWC:   http://cawildlife.org/volunteer/internshipsexternshipspreceptorships/  Alexis Sierra, RVTg Stranding Coordinator California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu CA 90265 310/458-WILD (9453) cawildlife.org<https://cawildlife.org/> |[cid:ff435484-90dd-474a-9e10-39bb13715039]<https://www.instagram.com/cawildlife/>|[cid:8dc60b24-57d1-4b5c-8ad3-93f46b81f928]<https://www.facebook.com/californiawildlifecenter>

1 0

Applied Spatial and Spatio-Temporal Modelling using R-INLA
by Oliver Hooker 30 Jul '25

30 Jul '25

Applied Spatial and Spatio-Temporal Modelling using R-INLA *Do you work with marine mammal sightings, telemetry, or acoustic data? Ready to deepen your analysis with advanced spatial modelling techniques?* Join our 5-day *Spatial and Spatio-Temporal Modelling using R-INLA* course, designed for researchers working with complex spatial datasets—especially in *marine ecology and conservation*. *Course Dates:* 22–26 September 2025 *Instructor:* Prof. Virgilio Gómez Rubio, author of *Bayesian Inference with INLA* This course will give you practical experience in: - Building spatial and spatio-temporal models using the *R-INLA* package - Applying spatial models to *presence-absence*, *density estimation*, and *environmental drivers* - Implementing best practices for *reproducibility* and *interpretability* Why it's ideal for marine mammal researchers: - Understand how to model *spatial autocorrelation* in sightings or acoustic detections - Explore how *Bayesian methods* can improve inference for small or patchy datasets - Learn to address *data gaps*, *observation bias*, and *temporal dynamics.* This course is ideal for *PhD students, postdocs, academics, and professionals* working in marine mammal ecology, conservation, or spatial data analysis. *Limited places available – early booking is advised!* -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

1 0

Introduction to Generalised Linear Mixed Models for Ecologists (MMIE01)
by Oliver Hooker 29 Jul '25

29 Jul '25

Learn GLMMs for Marine Mammal Research *Course Title:* *Introduction to Generalised Linear Mixed Models for Ecologists (MMIE01)* *Dates:* 22–26 September 2025 *Format:* Live online (UK/WET timezone) with 30-day access to recordings *Cost:* £400 early bird (first 10 places), £450 thereafter *Register at:* www.PRstatistics.org <https://www.prstats.org/course/introduction-to-generalised-linear-mixed-mod…> ------------------------------ Unlock the Power of GLMMs for Marine Mammal Ecology If you're studying *dolphins, whales, seals, or other marine mammals*, you’re likely working with complex, hierarchical data—acoustic detections, repeated sightings, movement tracks, photo-ID data, or behavioural observations. This hands-on course introduces *Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs)*—a powerful statistical framework ideal for analyzing structured ecological data like: - *Repeated sightings* of individual animals - *Photo-ID data* with individual-level random effects - *Group-living behaviour* and spatial hierarchies - *Presence–absence, count, and binary data* from surveys or monitoring - *Zero-inflated or overdispersed datasets* (e.g. from passive acoustic monitoring) ------------------------------ What You'll Learn (Marine Mammal Focused) Over five immersive days, you'll cover: The theory behind GLMMs—fixed vs. random effects, and why they matter in marine mammal studies Modelling repeated measures, individual variation, and temporal autocorrelation Tools to fit GLMMs using R (lme4, glmmTMB, and brms) Bayesian approaches with brms—great for small sample sizes or hierarchical uncertainty Diagnostics, visualisation, and interpretation, tailored to marine ecology datasets Case studies and examples from real marine mammal research ------------------------------ Who Should Attend? This course is ideal for: - Marine mammal ecologists (students, researchers, NGOs, consultants) - Those analysing data with *individual IDs, time-series, or grouped observations* - Anyone using R and wanting to improve their ecological modelling skills *Basic familiarity with R and linear models is recommended*, but not required. ------------------------------ Ready to Make the Most of Your Marine Mammal Data? Whether you're analysing bottlenose dolphin group dynamics, sperm whale dive behaviours, or seal haul-out patterns, *GLMMs can help you draw stronger, more reliable inferences* from your data. *Register now* to secure the early bird rate - https://www.prstats.org/course/introduction-to-generalised-linear-mixed-mod… Email oliverhooker(a)prstatistics.com -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

1 0

MARMAM Underwater Acoustics in the Marine Environment Training Course September
by Zoe Wright 29 Jul '25

29 Jul '25

Underwater Acoustics in the Marine Environment Training Course (Classroom) Date: 01-04th September Location: Okehampton Devon UK Cost: £1950 + vat As concern about the impact of underwater noise on marine wildlife increases, regulations to protect marine wildlife become more rigorous. for those working in and around the marine environment and marine mammal research and conservation. It is essential to understand the basic concepts of underwater acoustics and how noise can impact marine wildlife. This four-day Marine Acoustics uses a mixture of lectures and hands-on learning to explore the ocean environment. and explain the models that are used to measure underwater acoustics. Delegates will then investigate what can be done to mitigate underwater noise before getting to grips with environmental regulations, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), guidelines, emerging studies, and technologies in the Marine Acoustics field. UAME training course gives you the knowhow to get to grips with underwater acoustics and understand the noise issues that impact marine wildlife. Modules you will cover on this training course. * Introduction to Acoustics and Underwater Acoustics * Key Quantities, Units and Dimensions * Powers and Logs * Decibels and Use of Decibels * Reflection and Transmission at Boundaries * Ocean Environments - the Seas * More on Decibels * Spectra and Sound Sources * Noise and Reverberation * Hydrophones * Man Made noise in the Ocean * Biological Sources of Sound * Hearing response of Marine Wildlife * Impacts of noise on Marine Wildlife * Sound field Modelling * Methods of Assessment of Impacts * Environmental regulation and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) * Introduction to the Soundscape * Noise Measurements * Vessel radiated noise * Marine Seismic Assessment * Mitigation and the Effects of Sound on Marine Wildlife * Emerging Studies Delivered by leading research experts including Dr Paul Lepper and Professor Victor Humphrey. 5% student discount (proof will be required) To book and more information email training(a)seiche.com<mailto:training@seiche.com> Zoe Wright Marketing & Training Communications Officer Seiche Ltd E: z.wright(a)seiche.com W: https://www.seiche.com Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom Seiche Ltd is registered in England & Wales. Registered number: 03475558. Registered Office: Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom The information contained in this e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, is privileged and confidential, and solely intended for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient you should not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use the information, and you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete this e-mail and attached documents.

1 0

New Publication: Following the issue-attention cycle of North Atlantic right whale science, conservation, and policy in six US newspapers: 2023 and 2024
by Reamer, Marcus 28 Jul '25

28 Jul '25

Dear MARMAM Community, My coauthor and I are pleased to share our latest publication with you. In this research letter we continue exploring the issue-attention cycle about North Atlantic right whale science, conservation, and policy in U.S. news media for the years 2023 and 2024. It is available Open Access in <https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/adeeec> Environmental Research Communications<https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/adeeec>. Abstract News media play an important and influential role in socioecological systems and environmental politics, in part because industry norms, practices, and timelines do not always align with conservation needs or objectives, and because these publications serve as political arenas where stakeholders compete for inclusion and the opportunity to frame topics to serve their interests. This study continues recent research regarding the issue-attention cycle (IAC) about North Atlantic right whale (NARW) science, conservation, and policy by using content and critical discourse analyses to code and analyze 107 texts published in six of the largest US newspapers in 2023 and 2024. We combined these results with data from 2010 to mid-March 2023 to contextualize the new findings. Our results revealed a strong negative correlation (r = −0.88, p < .001) between right whale population estimates and media coverage in the six sampled newspapers. Coverage peaked in 2023 after Congressional action in late 2022 to delay fishery regulations as part of a USD $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill. After that inflection point in the conservation conflict that media previously centered on, coverage decreased and the media narrative fragmented, shifting from centralized debates about new or stricter fishing regulations to more episodic reporting on whale births, injuries, and deaths. NARWs were also mentioned in coverage about other environmental topics, with a focus on offshore wind energy development. We argue that the IAC about NARW science, conservation, and policy has entered its fourth of five stages: gradual decline of public interest. NARW science, conservation, and policy may continue to receive media attention even in the later stage of the IAC, though it is likely that communicators may experience more editorial resistance and policy change and organizational action will be more difficult to achieve. This study highlights how media organizations use dramatization and problematization to draw public attention to topics, which does not always align with the timelines and needs of conservation and sustainability efforts. These results have direct implications for ongoing communication, outreach, and advocacy for NARW science, conservation, and policy, emphasizing the need for innovative, evidence-based strategies and tactics. By contextualizing the media’s role in shaping public discourse and environmental politics, this study also offers methods and insights that may be relevant to other conservation and sustainability topics across cultures and geographies. Suggested citation Reamer, M., & Rivera, E. (2025). Following the issue-attention cycle of North Atlantic right whale science, conservation, and policy in six US newspapers: 2023 and 2024. Environmental Research Communications, 7(7), 071006. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adeeec We hope you find it to be an interesting read and welcome your thoughts and questions. Best fishes 🦈🐟🐠 Marcus B. Reamer, Ph.D. (he/him) Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science and Policy Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science ResearchGate<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marcus-Reamer-2> | LinkedIn<http://linkedin.com/in/mreamer> | ORCiD<https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-0989> | +1 305.496.4555

1 0