August 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New IMarEST–Defra Report: Marine Mammal Monitoring: Methods, Technologies, and Opportunities for Innovation
by Niru Dorrian 11 Aug '25

11 Aug '25

Dear MARMAM community, A new UK government report recently released informs on cutting-edge technology, genetic science, and artificial intelligence transforming marine mammal monitoring and conservation. Developed by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme (mNCEA), the report outlines the key innovations reshaping this vital field. The work is endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Full article: https://www.imarest.org/resource/imarest-and-defra-spotlight-breakthroughs-… Titled Marine Mammal Monitoring: Methods, Technologies, and Opportunities for Innovation, the report draws on the global expert community to spotlight tools and techniques revolutionising how we study and protect whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. Read the full report and supplementary materials: https://www.imarest.org/resource/marine-mammal-monitoring-methods-technolog… Thank you to all 321 stakeholders who participated in our survey and workshop. Your contributions were invaluable. The stakeholder workshop recording will be available next week. Please note that the breakout room discussions and some presentations from speakers will not be available due to confidentiality. For any queries, please reach out to technical(a)imarest.org<mailto:technical@imarest.org>. For more information on the IMarEST Marine Mammal Special Interest Group (MMSIG) see https://www.imarest.org/group/marine-mammals.html Best regards, Niru Dorrian & Liz Ferguson – Project Leads [IMarEST] Niru Dorrian CMarSci CSci FIMarEST Ambassador to the UN Ocean Decade IMarEST 1 Birdcage Walk London, SW1H 9JJ Tel: +44 7888747719 Ocean.Decade(a)imarest.org

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Tenure track position in bioacoustics
by Peter Teglberg Madsen 08 Aug '25

08 Aug '25

Dear All, We have a vibrant group of 15 researchers, post docs and PhD students at Aarhus University working with marine mammal acoustics, conservation physiology and effects of noise. We are now seeking a new permanent colleague, and I am happy to announce a tenure track position in animal bioacoustics at our Department. For details and info on how to apply please see here: Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Bioacoustic Physiology - Ledig stilling på Aarhus Universitet<https://www.au.dk/om/stillinger/job/tenure-track-assistant-professor-in-bio…> Feel free to reach out with any questions. Cheers Peter

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New publication on the challenges of monitoring endangered Bryde's whales
by Annabelle Cranswick 07 Aug '25

07 Aug '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication: "Challenges of Monitoring Endangered Bryde's Whales During a Period of Rapid Environmental Change" recently published in Animal Conservation. Here is a small snippet of what our research investigated: Estimating population size is challenging for rare and elusive species that occur at low densities and are difficult to detect during sampling. We estimated the abundance of a Nationally critical whale species—Aotearoa New Zealand Bryde’s whales—using a custom-formulated POPAN model which incorporated transience to account for their complex residency patterns. Abundance did not increase as anticipated, with multiple marine heatwaves occurring over the same period, we saw a climate-induced shift in Bryde’s distribution likely beyond sampling effort, highlighting the necessity of accounting for drivers of change when estimating abundance of endangered species. [cid:10a7eb85-5088-4387-b3e1-04f02aaa6a4d] Please find the open access publication at: https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acv.70032 Full reference: Cranswick, A. S., Fewster, R. M., Brough, T., Dwyer, S. L., Lea, C., Tranmer, S., Zaeschmar, J. R., & Constantine, R. (2025). Challenges of Monitoring Endangered Bryde's Whales During a Period of Rapid Environmental Change. Animal Conservation, 0: 1–11. doi.org/10.1111/acv.70032 Best wishes, Annabelle Cranswick

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New publication: "Life in the slowest lane: Feeding allometry lowers metabolic rate scaling in the largest whales"
by Ashley Marie Blawas 07 Aug '25

07 Aug '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication "Life in the slowest lane: Feeding allometry lowers metabolic rate scaling in the largest whales" in Science Advances. Blawas, A. M., Videsen, S. K. A., Cade, D. E., Calambokidis, J., Friedlaender, A. S., Johnston, D. W., Madsen, P. T., & Goldbogen, J. A. (2025). Life in the slowest lane: Feeding allometry lowers metabolic rate scaling in the largest whales. Science Advances, 11(32), eadw2232. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw2232 Abstract: The hypothesized impacts of whale foraging on ocean productivity are ultimately defined by their metabolic rate, but determining energy expenditure for ocean giants remains challenging. The largest baleen whales use a high-drag lunge-feeding strategy that is hypothesized to come at a high energetic cost, thus requiring exceptional calorie intake. We used biologging tags to measure respiratory rates in foraging rorquals and demonstrate that their field metabolic rates are less than half that predicted by prey consumption estimates and by scaling predictions from smaller marine mammals. The relative cost of rorqual foraging decreases with increasing size as larger whales spend disproportionately longer time filtering prey from engulfed water. By decoupling active swimming and filtration, the largest rorquals forage with limited movement costs. The evolution of lunge feeding confers an energetic advantage that is unique among filter feeders and may have provided an evolutionary pathway to the largest body sizes. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best, Ashley --- Ashley Blawas, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher | Goldbogen Lab Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University ashleyblawas(a)stanford.edu | 919-880-4208 | she/her/hers

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New paper on Southern elephant seals
by Nicolas Seon 07 Aug '25

07 Aug '25

Dear MARMAN community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share with you our new study on southern elephant seals as sentinels of the changes occurring in the Southern Ocean. Nicolas Séon, Vinicius Robert, Clive R. McMahon, Robert G. Harcourt, Mark Hindell, Alexandra Scheubel, Gaël Guillou, Paco Bustamante, Baptiste Picard, Christophe Guinet. (2025) Elephant seals as sentinels of the ongoing changes affecting the Southern Ocean: Disentangling environmental and maternal effects on pup size and body condition, *Science of The Total Environment*, *997*, *180125* *Abstract: * The weaning mass of southern elephant seal pups (*Mirounga leonina*) is a key predictor of their first-year survival probability. However, variations in pup morphometric characteristics (length, mass and body condition i.e. the residual of the allometric relationship between log(mass) and log(length)) are strongly associated with mother's length and body condition. Leveraging a comprehensive long-term dataset (2006–2024) that integrates morphometric, isotopic, and environmental data, we applied a structural equation model to disentangle the direct and indirect drivers of pup phenotype at weaning. This approach reveals that pup length and mass are primarily determined by maternal length, while pup body condition is mainly shaped by the environmental conditions experienced by the mother during her pre-breeding trip. Our long-term dataset highlights a decline in pup weaning mass and length but an increase in their body condition despite an increase in the size of the breeding population. The concurrent decrease in pup blood *δ*13C and *δ*15N values, reflecting those of their mother, suggests shifts in southern hemisphere food webs and in the trophic ecology of Kerguelen southern elephant seals. We hypothesize that these changes are mainly linked to shifts in the composition of the phytoplankton community at the base of the trophic chains, which could have downstream effects on intermediate trophic levels and top predators, as well as a southward shift in female at-sea distribution confirmed by the tracking data. Please find the open access publication at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180125 Dr Nicolas Séon, nicolas.seon(a)up.ac.za -- Dr Nicolas Séon Post-doctoral researcher University of South Africa (UNISA) & University of Pretoria (UP) Department of Zoology and Entomology - Room 3 - 31 Private Bag x 20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa 078-611-0410 -- This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer to http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf <http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf> for full details.

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Marine Mammal training program Nicaragua October 2025
by Association ELI-S 06 Aug '25

06 Aug '25

Dear MARMAM community, Association ELI-S is pleased to resume its Marine Mammal Training Program in Nicaragua, Central America. Association ELI-S is a non-profit organization committed to the protection of whales and dolphins in Nicaragua since 2016. Our project includes scientific research, policy advocacy, and environmental education. Our Training program is conducted by experienced marine biologists and offers a unique opportunity to acquire practical knowledge in a variety of research techniques used in the study and conservation of marine mammals. Participants are fully immersed in ongoing fieldwork and scientific investigations, gaining first hand experience in data collection, analysis, and conservation strategies. The training is particularly well-suited for students in biology or related fields, recent graduates seeking to strengthen their practical skills, and individuals considering a career shift into marine mammal research and conservation. It provides a solid foundation for those aiming to pursue a professional path in this field. Beyond the scientific aspect, *Association ELI-S* emphasizes open communication, cultural exchange, and meaningful human interaction as core values. Living and working within local coastal communities offers participants an immersive, enriching experience that fosters both professional and personal growth. Program Details: - Location: San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua, Central America) - Accommodation: shared housing in San Juan del Sur - Minimum commitment of 1 month (4 weeks) between October 11, 2025, and November 11, 2025. Application deadline September 15. - Minimum 21 years old - Tuition fee: A fee is required to cover tuition, training, equipment use, accommodation, and other related expenses. - How to Apply: Send an email to training(a)eli-s.com. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage early submissions. Positions are open until filled. - Small groups up to maximum 6 participants for a quality experience For further information regarding the program schedule, application process, and participation requirements, please contact us at training(a)eli-s.com. *Dr. Joëlle De Weerdt* *I support Whale Research in Nicaragua with my online searches on lilo <http://www.lilo.org/fr/?utm_source=eli-scientific>* Award winner of Jane Goodall Institute and Fondation Yves-Rocher Scientist at Association ELI-S --------------------- www.eli-s.com Find more on Association ELI-S: Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/AssociationELIS> | Instagram <http://www.instagram.com/association.elis> | Twitter <http://twitter.com/ELI_Scientific> | Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjeseHPDvE6pq-MmoZXWNkg> ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joelle-De-Weerdt> | ORCiD <https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4054-6609> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo%C3%ABlle-de-weerdt/>

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Marine Beacon Short Questionnaire on ADD studies
by Yasmin VianaPinto 06 Aug '25

06 Aug '25

Dear all, We hope this message finds you well. As part of the Horizon Europe Marine Beacon project, Task 7.1.2, led by Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland, is focused on evaluating the deployment of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) to mitigate bycatch of protected, endangered, and threatened species (PETS). This includes noise modelling to determine the acoustic range and potential impacts on marine mammals, the creation of soundscape maps based on ADD usage, and an environmental impact assessment of large-scale pinger deployment. The project also aims to develop a framework to evaluate future mitigation trials, including the formulation of guidelines and a confidence scoring system to assess effectiveness in specific fisheries. If you have previously conducted, are currently conducting, or are planning to conduct studies involving Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs), we would greatly appreciate it if you could take five minutes to complete our short questionnaire. https://forms.office.com/e/6shChR9WCK We are working to compile a comprehensive record of all past and ongoing pinger studies. Please feel free to circulate this message among colleagues or networks who may be involved in related research. Many thanks for your time and contribution. Sinéad and Yasmin Yasmin Viana Post doctoral researcher at Marine Beacon Project Marine and Freshwater Research Centre Department of Natural Resources & the Environment School of Science and Computing Atlantic Technological University ATU Galway City, Old Dublin Road, Galway, H91 T8NW Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh OTA Cathair na Gaillimhe, Seanbhóthar Bhaile Átha Cliath, Gaillimh, H91 T8NW mfrc-atu.ie marinebeacon.eu [cid:e4636eb7-542c-4f1c-bb4b-3571b10f1a39] www.atu.ie<http://www.atu.ie/> Tá an ríomhphost seo faoi réir an tséanta seo leanas atá le fáil ag Séanadh Ríomhphost Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh<https://www.atu.ie/email-disclaimer> This e-mail is subject to the following disclaimer available at Atlantic TU Email Disclaimer<https://www.atu.ie/email-disclaimer>

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Mel Cosentino - obituary
by Jakob Tougaard 06 Aug '25

06 Aug '25

Dear colleagues, It is our sad duty to inform that on the 29th of July 2025, our colleague Mel Cosentino passed away at the Søholm Hospice, Aarhus, following a long and complicated battle with leukaemia. She was until the last accompanied by her loving and loyal partner, Henrik; her mother and sister – flown over from Argentina – and her long-time close friend Alex. Mel was born and grew up in Argentina under very modest conditions. From an early age she showed a keen interest for the world and nature around her and against all odds started to study marine biology in Patagonia. However, due to the financial collapse in Argentina in 2001 she had to give up her studies. She and Vivian, her husband at the time struggled to survive working as farmhands – first in Argentina, later in the Republic of Ireland. Later they moved to Spain and Mel was able to finish her bachelor’s degree in marine biology. She then moved to Scotland where she sustained herself working in a supermarket and completed her master’s degree from the University of Aberdeen. Through all these difficult years Mel maintained her interest in and love for marine mammals through unpaid volunteer work as field observer and assistant. She worked all over the world and through this gained an enormous network of colleagues and close friends, often with a very large overlap. Common was a deep appreciation for her skills and intellectual acuity, but also her warm personality and nerdy humour. Her persistence was finally rewarded in 2016 when she started a PhD project on harbour porpoises at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Her project was completed in cooperation with Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University and quickly revealed a highly fruitful synergy between Mel’s extraordinary analytical skills and the enormous body of acoustic data collected over many years by colleagues at our department. After she received her PhD in 2020 she was employed at what is now the Department of Ecoscience; at the time of her death as a Postdoc on a project about acoustic communication in porpoises. Among her most significant scientific contributions is the best software ever developed for identification and classification of porpoise sounds in underwater recordings and impressive syntheses and results based on data collected by herself and countless other volunteers on whale safari boats and other platforms from many parts of the world, including Andenes, Norway. Mel was an outspoken atheist and with her sharp intellect she was fully aware of her own situation and how our life in the end is governed by stochastic events. She demanded clear answers from her medical doctors regarding her situation and thus knew exactly which two mutations in her blood-producing tissue was the cause of her illness and imminent death. She clearly expressed being settled with her fate and was content that Aarhus would become her final destination. With the far too early passing of Mel we have lost an extraordinary scientific mind and a highly valued colleague and friend. She left us as her full scientific potential was finally unfolding, and she worked until the last days to pass on data and unfinished manuscripts to her colleagues – not because she felt obliged but because of her passion and love to science and the animals she studied. Her story shows that with persistence and passion there is a way in science but also that this path can be very long and demand large sacrifices. She will be missed by colleagues and friends over the entire world and leaves behind a large and permanent imprint on the bioacoustics community. More than that, she will leave a large porpoise-shaped hole in our hearts. Honoured be her memory. Jakob Tougaard, Peter T. Madsen and Signe Sveegaard ************************************************************************* Jakob Tougaard, Ph.D. Professor in Marine Conservation Ecology Department of Ecoscience, section for Marine Mammal Research Aarhus University Building 1131 C.F. Møller’s Allé 3 DK-8000 Aarhus Denmark Phone: +45 4098 4585 E-mail: jat(a)ecos.au.dk<mailto:jat@ecos.au.dk> CVR/VAT: 31119103 EAN: 5798000419988

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Protected Species Observer Certification Course on August 23-24
by Angela Bostwick 06 Aug '25

06 Aug '25

MPSC is offering an online training course that provides Protected Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification on August 23-24, 2025. This training is approved by the federal agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to provide Protected Species Observer Certification for geological and geophysical survey exploration for oil and gas or other resources in the Gulf of Mexico, and the certification is often accepted in many other regions or industries where monitoring and mitigation is required for reducing impacts to protected species. Course cost includes the instruction, advice on applying to PSO positions, the professional certification, and the provision of various regulatory documents and supplementary identification guides which will be yours to keep. This course will examine the regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected fish, how to locate and identify the animals, and the monitoring and objective reporting that is required for submission to regulatory agencies. After discussing regulatory requirements, we will examine key identifying traits and behaviors of the different protected species, as well as the key visual cues which can enable location of protected species in a dynamic and rapidly-changing environment. The course also includes discussions on how to prepare and pack for life offshore. The live, interactive discussions for this course provide a personalized approach to learning as we discuss how to identify protected species and how to document impacts to the animals. The interactive discussion in this course will also include best practice methods for living and working with other PSOs and vessel crew within a collaborative team environment, in order to effectively advise on the regulatory measures required to document and reduce impacts to protected species. By monitoring for marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected fish, advising on the mitigation measures that are required, and documenting impacts through impartial and unbiased reporting, PSOs serve a crucial role in the conservation of protected species during industry operations. Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting me at ABostwick(a)psocertifications.com, or by phone at 832-523-2402. Thank you, Angela Bostwick Founder & CEO Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com BOEM/BSEE/NMFS-Compliant Provider of Protected Species Observer Certification

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New publication on the first at-sea identification of ginkgo-toothed beaked whales
by elizabeth henderson 05 Aug '25

05 Aug '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication: "First At-Sea Identifications of Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens): Acoustics, Genetics, and Biological Observations Off Baja California, México" recently published in Marine Mammal Science. Abstract: In 2024, an expedition was conducted off northwestern Baja California, México, to find and identify the beaked whale species that produced the BW43 echolocation pulse previously recorded in this area and elsewhere in the North Pacific. There were five Mesoplodon sightings and 21 BW43 acoustic detections on both a towed array and drifting pole buoy recorders over the course of the survey. Three of the sightings had concurrent acoustic detections, and a biopsy sample and environmental DNA were also collected from one of the sightings. The genetic identification confirms that the Mesoplodon sighted and acoustically recorded was the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), and the co-occurrence of these sightings with the BW43 acoustic detections definitively links the species and its echolocation pulse. This is the first time that genetically confirmed ginkgo-toothed beaked whales have been observed at sea and definitively linked to the BW43 pulse. This paper details the encounters, acoustic behavior, genetics, coloration, and external morphology of this species, including a comprehensive review of its distribution using historical sightings, strandings, and acoustic detection data from the North Pacific Ocean. Full reference: E. Elizabeth Henderson, Lisa T. Ballance, Gustavo Cárdenas-Hinojosa, Jay Barlow, Annamaria I. DeAngelis, Sergio Martínez-Aguilar, Craig Hayslip, L. Todd Pusser, Mario Márquez Segovia, C. Scott Baker, Debbie Steel, Rodrigo Huerta-Patiño, Luis Manuel Enriquez Paredes, Robert L. Brownell Jr, Robert L. Pitman. First At-Sea Identifications of Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens): Acoustics, Genetics, and Biological Observations Off Baja California, México. Marine Mammal Science e70052. Please find the open access publication at: https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70052. Elizabeth Henderson, eehenders(a)gmail.com

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