September 2025 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Open Soundwatch Coordinator Position - The Whale Museum
by Conor Agnew 05 Sep '25

05 Sep '25

The Whale Museum is seeking a new Soundwatch Coordinator! This is a full-time position based in Friday Harbor, Washington. The application deadline is September 26, 2025 or until filled. Established in 1979 as the first U.S. museum dedicated to whales living in the wild, The Whale Museum (TWM) promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is a component of TWM and was initiated in 1993 by TWM to reduce disturbances to marine wildlife by educating boaters regarding the life habits of marine mammals and the regulations regarding interactions with them. This innovative program educates boaters on guidelines and regulations for marine wildlife through shore-based education, reinforces the learning experience through on-the-water educational patrols to reduce vessel disturbance, monitors vessel activities to characterize vessel trends, and evaluates existing guidelines and laws. The work focuses primarily on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) in the central and southern Salish Sea, but there are other marine mammal species of importance in our region including Biggs (Transient) killer whales, Minke whales, (endangered) Humpback whales, Harbor porpoise, Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and other cetacean and pinniped species. The Coordinator oversees all aspects of the Soundwatch Program including, but not limited to: * Integration with all TWM programs and activities (including Soundwatch North & South); * Coordination of seasonal field operations for Soundwatch North & South; * Small vessel/trailer operations/maintenance; * Maintenance of the program’s long-term data sets and database; * Preparation of program reports; * Training, mentoring and coordination of volunteers, interns and seasonal employees; * Identifying and applying for grants/other funding opportunities to support the program; * Collaboration with partner monitoring programs, the whale watch industry and federal, state, and local marine mammal management and enforcement teams. This position includes field operations on small boats including seasonal weekend and holiday work as well as office time in The Whale Museum. The Coordinator reports to TWM Executive Director and works cooperatively as a member of the museum staff. Required qualifications: * Bachelor's Degree plus 7 years experience in a relevant field, preferably marine mammal research in the wild; * Extensive (minimum 4 years) experience in small vessel operations, with previous experience operating around marine wildlife and vessel traffic. Extensive experience with trailered vessels, including trailer maintenance, launching/recovering vessels, and towing/maneuvering vessels on their trailers. Experience operating small vessels in challenging and varying weather conditions. * Ability to manage multiple concurrent lines of communication (e.g., VHF, text, phone); * Must be able to acquire a Washington State Boater Education Card; * Experience in education and/or outreach, including strong verbal and written communication skills necessary for public interaction, staff management, conflict resolution, grant writing and project management experience; * Ability to differentiate local marine mammal species (ex: odontocete vs. baleen, otariid vs. phocid), familiarity with whale behavior and commonly associated terms; * Must qualify to be listed as a Co-Investigator under the existing NOAA permit. * International applicants must have an approved visa and documentation to work in the U.S. at the time of submission. Preferred qualifications: * Strong knowledge of marine ecosystems, marine mammal biology and natural history, specifically the endangered SRKWs and the Salish Sea; * Experience with grant writing and grant/budget management; * Understand and have experience with U.S. and Canadian recovery priorities related to the endangered SRKWs; * Team player with excellent interpersonal skills, able to interact effectively with TWM leadership and Board, staff, interns/volunteers, visitors, members, and the public; * Ability to collect and synthesize information; effective problem solving skills; * Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; * Ability to move 40 lbs. or more and to stand for long periods of time; and * Excellent computer/technological skills (i.e., database management, Microsoft Office). This is an hourly position, with a salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. The Whale Museum’s benefit package includes: Health Care (medical, vision, dental), Simple IRA Retirement Plan Contribution, Paid Time Off and Holidays. HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a single PDF file containing your letter of interest, resume and at least three references. Your letter of interest must address (1) examples of accomplishments to illustrate your experience for this role with emphasis on your leadership and vessel handling experience; (2) your philosophy about the position; and (3) insight into what draws you to The Whale Museum's mission and this position at this time in your career. Please email your PDF package to: Soundwatch Search Committee, The Whale Museum - email: SWsearchcommittee(a)whalemuseum.org <mailto:SWsearchcommittee@whalemuseum.org> with the subject line 'Soundwatch Position'. The Whale Museum is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the ecosystems and communities we serve. Employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other lived experience.

1 0

Job Opportunity: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
by Pajor, Bert 05 Sep '25

05 Sep '25

Please see below for information regarding a job posting at the FWC Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab in St. Petersburg, FL. FWC-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Wildlife Research- Marine Mammal Section Biological Scientist II – Career Service Position with Benefits Position Overview and Responsibilities: Leads or assists in coordinating timely responses to marine mammal carcass reports for the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) - stranding coverage region: coastal counties Escambia to Manatee. Responses include but are not limited to carcass verifications, tows, recoveries, and transports to designated workup and/or disposal sites including the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg, FL. Leads or assists in conducting consistent, high-quality necropsies on marine mammals to determine cause of death and collects samples and data per protocols in a manner consistent with safe practices (handling sharp instruments, appropriate PPE and appropriate biohazardous waste practices). Records data and related information in necropsy reports and on data sheets per established protocols. Responsible for carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. Leads or assists with safe and efficient manatee rescue operations in the MMPL region including open water captures using a manatee capture boat. Leads live manatee transports to and from manatee critical care and secondary holding facilities. Leads or assists with other live or dead marine mammal stranding responses, rescues, and transports. Assists other FWC manatee laboratories with rescue and transport support as needed. Assists with other marine mammal section priority research projects including but not limited to photo ID, genetics sampling, temperature probes, and aerial surveys. Serves in regional on-call status between 8am and 5pm on holidays in rotation with other MMPL staff members and on occasional weekend days as needed for the purpose of responding to manatee emergencies. Serves in statewide on-call status between 5pm and 8 am Friday through Thursday and all day for state holidays during assigned week in a weekly rotation with other FWRI-Marine Mammal Section field staff. Responds to manatee strandings outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned. Assists with manatee necropsy report editing and finalizing manatee necropsy data. Maintains state purchasing credit card. Responsible for monitoring, purchasing, and restocking laboratory and field consumables at the MMPL. Responsible for purchases as assigned by MMPL supervisor. Prepares grant reports, budget reports, and grant application submissions when needed. Performs other duties as assigned. Participates in public outreach events as appropriate. Link for more information and to apply: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/SAINT-PETERSBURG-FISHERIES-&-WILDLIFE-BIO-SC… Bert Pajor Marine Mammal Biologist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory 3700 54th Ave South St. Petersburg, FL 33711 Ph: 727-423-4494 Albert.Pajor(a)myfwc.com<mailto:Albert.Pajor@myfwc.com> FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922

1 0

New publication: Seasonal Abundance and Distribution of Cetaceans in a High Traffic Shipping Corridor
by McMillan, Christie (she, her / elle) (DFO/MPO) 05 Sep '25

05 Sep '25

Unclassified - Non-Classifié Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our most recent publication, now available in Marine Mammal Science. McMillan, C. J., E. A. Keppel, L. D. Spaven, S. M. Hrushowy, and T. Doniol-Valcroze. 2025. Seasonal Abundance and Distribution of Cetaceans in a High Traffic Shipping Corridor. Marine Mammal Science e70061. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70061. Abstract: The recovery of many cetacean species coincides spatially and temporally with intensifying anthropogenic threats. We undertook multi-year systematic surveys to quantify seasonal abundance and document the distribution of at-risk cetaceans, which is needed to assess the impacts of increasing human activities in the Canadian portions of the southern Salish Sea and Swiftsure Bank. We completed 21 line-transect surveys encompassing 5346?km of visual effort from September 2020 to December 2022 and collected 1514 sightings of five cetacean species using distance sampling protocols. Humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and Dall's porpoises were the most sighted species and were present in the area year-round, with strong seasonal differences in their abundance and distribution. Estimated abundance of humpback whales was lowest in winter at 17 (95% CI: 11-26) and highest in fall at 416 (261-663). Harbor porpoise abundance was also lowest during winter at 606 (366-1006) and highest in fall at 1415 (975-2055). Dall's porpoise abundance was lowest in summer at 65 (38-112) and highest in winter at 333 (224-494). These estimates were not corrected for availability or perception bias; thus, they may underestimate true abundance to some extent. These seasonal patterns in abundance and distribution will inform threat assessment and mitigation for cetaceans in this area of high and increasing vessel traffic. The paper is available at the following link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70061 Best, Christie __________________________________________________________________ Christie McMillan (she/her) Cetacean Research Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Biological Station 3190 Hammond Bay Rd, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7 Phone 236-330-1435 Email christie.mcmillan(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:christie.mcmillan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca>

1 0

New publication: Intra-population isotopic niche variation in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the northern Adriatic Sea
by Tilen Genov 05 Sep '25

05 Sep '25

Dear colleagues On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in *Science of the Total Environment*: Genov T., Vighi M., Hammond P.S. (2025): Intra-population isotopic niche variation in common bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) from the northern Adriatic Sea. Science of The Total Environment: 1000, 180316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180316. ABSTRACT Among-individual variability in animal behaviour and diet leads to a plethora of mini-niches within a population's general niche. Such variability is directly or indirectly linked to inter- and intra-specific competition, behavioural adaptation and variation in foraging tactics, which may lead to evolutionary divergence and speciation but is also relevant to population resilience and conservation. We used boat surveys, photo-identification techniques, biopsy sampling and stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) to study the intra-population isotopic niche variation in an apex predator, the common bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*), in the northern Adriatic Sea. We integrated this information with various demographic, behavioural, social and temporal parameters from long-term re-sighting histories of photo-identified individuals, as well as with information on persistent organic pollutant concentrations (PCB and DDE). Despite overlap, we found marked differences in overall isotopic niche among different social groups within the same population, consistent with differences in behaviour. However, interestingly, differences in δ15N values, a proxy for trophic level, did not correlate with persistent pollutant concentrations. This study provides new insight into fine-scale variability and drivers of intra-population partitioning in an apex predator, which may be relevant when evaluating multiple and cumulative impacts affecting marine conservation. The paper is Open Access and freely available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725019564. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have questions or difficulty accessing the paper. Best wishes, Tilen ______________________________________________________________________ Tilen Genov, PhD Assistant Professor | Morigenos - Slovenian Marine Mammal Society <http://www.morigenos.org/en> | | Department of Biodiversity, FAMNIT, University of Primorska <http://www.famnit.upr.si> | | European Cetacean Society <http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu> | | Consortium for the Conservation of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin <http://www.sousateuszii.org> | | IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group <https://iucn-csg.org/> |

1 0

Position for Project Manager of the CUMBIAH project
by Denkinger Judith Dr. 05 Sep '25

05 Sep '25

Dear MARMAM community, The Ocean Museum Germany, is recruiting a Scientist as a project manager for the project „Union for the Conservation-Management of Harbour Porpoise Populations in the Baltic Sea and their Habitats (CUMBIAH)” to be based at the Ocean Museum in Stralsund, Germany. CUMBIAH is a research project financed by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation of Germany and carried out by a consortium of 15 international project partners from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. The CUMBIAH consortium generates and provides updated information on the conservation status of Baltic harbour porpoise populations and rates important conservation measures to prevent a further population decline. This position is a full time scientist position expected to start 1st of November 2025 till 31st of December 2030 As a project manager, you will coordinate CUMBIAH project partners and contractors, support data analysis and publications, organize workshops and meetings and communicate project results to the scietific community to the public and support committee work. A Master degree or PhD in Science, experience in project management, data analysis and a good publication track is essential, as well as fluent english and basic knowledge of German. If you are interested to work with us you can find more information and the listing here https://www.deutsches-meeresmuseum.de/karriere If you have any further questions, please contact Judith Denkinger at Judith.denkinger(a)meeresmuseum.de<mailto:Judith.denkinger@meeresmuseum.de> All the best Judith Denkinger

1 0

New publication: environmental drivers of northern fur seal diet variation
by Elizabeth A McHuron 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our latest publication, which is freely available in Ecology and Evolution. E.A McHuron, J.T. Sterling, K. Luxa, J. Thorson, R. Towell, R. R. Ream, and T. Zeppelin. 2025. Biological and physical environmental drivers of diet variation in northern fur seals. Ecology and Evolution 15: e71998 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71998 *Abstract: * The eastern Bering is a productive high-latitude ecosystem characterized by high interannual variability in physical environmental conditions that impact biological communities. We investigated how the diet composition of northern fur seals (*Callorhinus ursinus*) breeding on the Pribilof Islands was influenced by this variation, focusing on water temperatures (surface and bottom) and an index of walleye pollock abundance within foraging areas. We also explored whether interannual variation in diet composition influenced fur seal pup mortality rates or body mass. The frequency of occurrence (FO) of all eight fur seal prey groups detected from hard parts analysis of samples collected from 1987 to 2012 was affected by interannual variation in at least one of the three environmental variables. Pollock was the predominant prey group across the study years, highlighting the importance of this species to Pribilof Island fur seals. Not only was pollock consumed more frequently as it became more abundant within fur seal foraging areas, but its relative abundance also affected how frequently other prey groups were consumed. A considerable amount of variation in FO of almost all prey groups was explained by year effects, suggesting that water temperatures alone were not sufficiently capturing the influences of regional and local physical environmental conditions on prey availability for fur seals. The summed FO of non-pollock prey groups had a small but detectable effect on the mass of male pups, indicating that the availability of prey groups beyond just pollock is somewhat beneficial for female northern fur seals early in lactation. Our results suggest that projected environmental changes in the eastern Bering Sea are likely to influence fur seal diets, but predicting the magnitude and direction of such changes is hampered until the underlying drivers of the observed temporal trends are better resolved. Best, Liz McHuron Elizabeth McHuron, PhD Research Scientist, UW CICOES

1 0

Fresh from the Indian Coasts - The Pod Volume 3
by Marine Mammal Consortium of India 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

Greetings! We’re thrilled to bring you Volume 3 of *The Pod*, the *Marine Mammal Consortium of India*’s bulletin celebrating marine mammals and the people who work on their conservation, research and management in India. This issue features a striking photostory on how researchers track cetaceans using fluke prints, an inspiring tale of fishermen in Kerala living alongside humpback dolphins, and a field note from the Sundarbans describing a rare encounter with Irrawaddy dolphins deep in the mangrove creeks. You’ll also find a fun matching activity that connects animal adaptations with their ecological roles. Click here to download The Pod Volume 3 <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iBvA9qPrA60vvkTIV6Nbd60e8rUclJDV/view?usp=…> We hope this issue sparks curiosity, brings fresh perspectives, and inspires action for marine mammal conservation. Please do share it within your networks! For more on the Marine Mammal Consortium, The Pod, and the latest in marine mammal research and conservation from India, we invite you to join the MMCOI mailing list. <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfPbngqgoZ1EBPdYCR4QMCW_HNFohCcao…> If you would also like to submit an article or have any queries with respect to The Pod, please email us at marmamcoi(a)gmail.com Warm regards, The marine mammal consortium of India

1 0

Job announcement - Biometrician - Makah Fisheries Management
by Jonathan Scordino 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

Dear Colleagues, Makah Fisheries Management is looking to hire a Biometrician. The primary tasks of the Biometrician will be salmon related research. However, the Biometrician will at times work with our Marine Mammal Program on marine mammal studies to help conduct statistical analyses and interpret results. As the position matures, the Biometrician will have latitude to pursue grant funding for projects of their interest which may include marine mammal research. Pertinent details for the position are as follows: Pay rate: $41.04 to $45.60/DOQ Work week: 32-hour work week, 8-5 Monday-Thursday. Some weekend or long days will be required for field work Work Station: Neah Bay, Washington Application material and the job announcement can be found at Makah Tribe Jobs in Neah Bay <https://makah.com/makah-tribal-info/employment/>. -- Respectfully, Jonathan Scordino Marine Mammal Biologist Makah Fisheries Management Makah Tribal Organization (360) 645-3176 (office) (360) 640-0959 (cell) jonathan.scordino(a)makah.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 AM - 5 PM (closed for lunch 12 PM - 1 PM) *Note that I may be slower to respond to emails outside of office hours.*

1 0

Genetic differentiation and connectivity of humpback whales migrating through Aotearoa New Zealand waters
by Rochelle Constantine 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

Check out our new paper. Humpback whales migrating north past Aotearoa New Zealand are mostly going to the winter breeding grounds of New Caledonia and east Australia. Southern migrating whales passing the Fiordland area, southwest South Island, are mostly coming from east Australia. In contrast the whales migrating past Rangitāhua (Kermadec region) in the northeast are from many different Oceania breeding grounds - particularly New Caledonia - but also there was one crazy dude that went to Panama. There's always one right! With a fully recovered east Australia population of whales, the increasing numbers observed in New Zealand waters is not surprising and will continue to grow. Oceania is about 50% recovered, so slowly getting there. This recovery reflects the indigenous knowledge about whales from Aotearoa before industrial whaling left them close to extinction and without the involvement of mana whenua this work would not have been possible. Also we acknowledge the ex-whalers of the Perano Station Joe Heberley, John Norton, Tom Norton, Basil Jones and Adrian, Peter, Ron and Ted Perano, whose work spotting whales was critical to the Cook Strait part of this research. If you have any questions get in touch with Rochelle Constantine (r.constantine(a)auckland.ac.nz) or Debbie Steel (debbie.steel(a)oregonstate.edu) Steel et al. 2025 Genetic differentiation and population connectivity of humpback whales migrating through Aotearoa New Zealand waters. Pacific Conservation Biology, 31: PC25026.https://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/PC25026 [https://www.publish.csiro.au/covers/PC_generic.jpg]<https://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/PC25026> CSIRO PUBLISHING | Pacific Conservation Biology<https://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/PC25026> Context Historically, humpback whales migrating past Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) were linked to western South Pacific wintering grounds and Antarctic feeding grounds. As populations have recovered, research has focused on contemporary connectivity patterns throughout the South Pacific.Aims To determine the contemporary connectivity of winter breeding grounds for humpback whales on their northern ... www.publish.csiro.au Abstract: Historically, humpback whales migrating past Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) were linked to western South Pacific wintering grounds and Antarctic feeding grounds. As populations have recovered, research has focused on contemporary connectivity patterns throughout the South Pacific. To determine the contemporary connectivity of winter breeding grounds for humpback whales on their northern and southern migrations past NZ, and those at the Kermadec Islands (Rangitāhua) migratory stopover. We generated DNA profiles (mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes, genetic sex and microsatellite genotypes) using skin samples collected from whales between 1998 and 2021. We used comparisons of DNA profiles and a mixed-stock analysis of mtDNA haplotypes to determine the most likely wintering grounds of genetically identified individuals. DNA profiles of 350 individual whales from NZ were compared to profiles from Oceania (n > 2000), Central and South America (n = 452) and East Australia (n = 809). This comparison revealed 35 genotype matches, mainly to New Caledonia and East Australia. The mixed-stock analysis showed that northbound whales (n = 145) had approximately equal assignment proportions to East Australia and New Caledonia whereas southbound whales (n = 74) showed a two-fold higher assignment to East Australia. In contrast, whales passing Rangitāhua (n = 112) assigned to New Caledonia and other Pacific wintering grounds but not to East Australia. Humpback whales passing mainland NZ on their north and southbound migrations are strongly associated with East Australia and New Caledonia wintering grounds. Those migrating south past Rangitāhua have a broader range of wintering ground destinations, including a connection to Central America. Rochelle Constantine ONZM, Professor | Ahorangi, Marine Ecology & Conservation Biology Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora | School of Biological Sciences Te Whare Takiura Mātai Pūtaiao Moana | Institute of Marine Science Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland Aotearoa | New Zealand p. +64 (0) 27 457 4909 w. https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/r-constantine t. @MMEG_UoA<https://twitter.com/MMEG_UoA>

1 0

New book on Manatees in Mexico
by Hector Perez-Cortes 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

New book on conservation and management of manatees in México On behalf of all co-authors we are pleased to announce thepublication of the book entitled: EL MANATÍ EN MÉXICO: UNA HISTORIACONTADA POR QUIENES SE HAN DEDICADO A SU ESTUDIO Y CONSERVACIÓN. Authors: Luz del Carmen Colmenero-Rolón, Blanca E. Cortina-Julio,Alejandro Ortega Argueta, Héctor Pérez-Cortés Moreno This book in spanish includes stories told by theauthors on their experiences and dedication about research,conservation and management of the species in Mexico. Using an accessible language, four biologists who have devoted their lives tothe study of this emblematic species of Mexican fauna write abouttheir experiences, challenges, and achievements. Through theirresearch in coastal habitats of the southeast of the country, theauthors share essential findings about the manatee, highlighting itsecological value and the urgency of protecting it as an endangeredspecies. This book also aims to inspire new generations ofresearchers to continue this important work. The book is available at: https://a.co/d/cqhZogK The authors will be pleased to assist you with inquiries. Héctor Pérez-Cortés Moreno

1 0