January 2026 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

SMM Caretaker feedback database
by Amy Van Cise 09 Jan '26

09 Jan '26

Dear MARMAM, The SMM DEI Committee actively maintains an email database of caretakers in the society who would like to provide occasional feedback on caretaker related initiatives within the society. If you would like to be included in this database, please respond to this email and we would be happy to add you. Thank you! Amy, on behalf of the SMM DEI W&F subcommittee <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< Amy M. Van Cise, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) Assistant Professor Whale and Dolphin Ecology Lab <http://amyvancise.com> University of Washington | School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences 1122 NE Boat St, Box 355020 Seattle, WA 98105 Office: FSH 216B 206-221-6118 "My paper was one long gigantic blunder from beginning to end." -Charles Darwin

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MMO & PAMO Job advertisement
by OSC Admin 09 Jan '26

09 Jan '26

Dear Marman Community, We would be grateful if you could please review and post the following job advertisement as we have an immediate requirement for experienced MMO & PAMOs. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please could you confirm when this has been posted. Many thanks in advance Kind regards Maria ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello MMO & PAMOs! We are recruiting NOW for exciting projects across the world, if you fit the following job description we would love to hear from you! [cid:image002.png@01DC817D.B0A57200] Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) Vacancies: MMO and PAM vacancies Employment: 3-month contract with possible full-time employment Salary: competitive, dependent on qualifications and experience with offshore supplement Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) seeks to expand its UK-based team. This is a rare opportunity for potential permanent, full-time employment as an MMO and/or PAM operator. Applicants should be able to assist competently with reports, publications, articles, and must be self-motivated when offshore to continue these tasks during project downtime. These roles should be based primarily offshore, with project durations lasting from a few days to months at a time, and between offshore projects, personnel will contribute to shore-based duties at the Company's HQ in Dunbar, Scotland. Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a privately-owned technology-focused marine-science company involved principally in the global supply of underwater noise and marine mammal monitoring, and risk mitigation services. OSC reinvests >80% of profits into Research & Development (R&D), orientated primarily towards high-level research on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and other marine mammal species, Rigs-to-Reefs using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) footage, underwater noise measurement and modelling, and improving marine mammal and environmental monitoring standards worldwide. OSC's research has resulted in many peer-reviewed publications (www.osc.co.uk/publications-and-press-covers<http://www.osc.co.uk/publications-and-press-covers>) and a non-profit book entitled the Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook (https://www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.co.uk) Individual Job descriptions can be found on: http://www.osc.co.uk/careers/vacancies<http://www.osc.co.uk/careers/vacancies/> A successful candidate will have the following: * A degree (minimum 2:1) in a relevant scientific marine discipline (e.g. marine biology, oceanography, marine ecology, engineering, IT); * A genuine interest in marine mammals, the processes by which they are studied, and an understanding of the physical parameters of the ocean which affect them; * Prior MMO/PAM work in either research or commercial sector, an interest in spending time aboard vessels/rigs collecting data in a variety of weather conditions; * MMO JNCC certification; * BOSIET, and offshore medical (O&G or ENG1); * UK or EU citizenship, or visa which permits work within the UK; * Ability to work offshore for prolonged periods of time; * Ability to collaborate within a team setting to produce high calibre publications and reports; * Ability to prioritise workloads, and to work under pressure when met with deadlines; and, * Genuine interest about the business and industry, including commercial awareness. Apply only if you meet the requirements. Preference will go towards those with pre-existing offshore certifications, or those willing to acquire qualifications before commencing employment. A sense of humour helps in this industry role. Short-listed candidates should expect to receive small written and skills tests during the interview process. If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment(a)osc.co.uk<mailto:recruitment@osc.co.uk> . Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Application deadline: Apply as soon as possible indicating your availability. Kind regards, OSC Recruitment Team OSC Admin Ocean Science Consulting Ltd. Ocean Science Consulting Ltd. T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk W: www.ocean-science-consulting.gr W: www.osc-nz.co.nz Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR. Scotland, UK MMO or PAM requirement? We wrote the Book. Now available on Amazon: www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com

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Last call for submissions: Innovative Approaches to Addressing Human Impacts on Marine Mammals
by simone antichi 09 Jan '26

09 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, We would like to remind you that the *abstract submission deadline* for the Research Topic “Innovative Approaches to Addressing Human Impacts on Marine Mammals <https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75174/innovative-approaches-to-…>” (Frontiers in Mammal Science) is *2 February 2026*. We invite submissions that apply innovative monitoring tools to detect human impacts on marine mammals, as well as studies that develop, test, or evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Guest Editors: Simone Antichi PhD (Syracuse University, USA) Lorena Viloria-Gómora PhD (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Mexico) For more information or questions, please contact me at santichi(a)syr.edu We look forward to receiving your contributions! Best regards, Simone Antichi Postdoctoral Researcher Department of Biology, Syracuse University, USA

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New publication | Foraging behavior in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), NE Brazil
by Juliana López Marulanda 09 Jan '26

09 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to share our newly published article in Frontiers in Marine Science (published today, 9 January 2026): Lopez-Marulanda, J., Maceido de Queiroz, R. E., & De Lima Silva, F. J. (2026). Social and Environmental Drivers of Foraging Behavior in Guiana Dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Northeastern Brazil. Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1695002 Abstract Understanding how environmental and anthropogenic factors shape foraging behavior is essential for the conservation of coastal cetaceans. We investigated social and environmental drivers of foraging behavior in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) at Praia do Madeiro, northeastern Brazil, using land-based observations conducted between March and June 2008. We applied generalized linear models to examine the effects of temporal variables (month and hour), tidal stage, spatial zone, boat condition, and prey escape behavior on (i) foraging event frequency and (ii) the probability of collective foraging. Foraging frequency was significantly influenced by boat presence and engine status, as well as by seasonal and diurnal patterns. Collective foraging probability varied according to spatial zone and prey escape behavior, with higher coordination observed when prey exhibited escape responses. Our results highlight the combined influence of anthropogenic disturbance and ecological context on foraging dynamics in S. guianensis, emphasizing the importance of managing human activities in critical coastal habitats. The article is available open access at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1695002 Best regards, Juliana Lopez-Marulanda (on behalf of the authors)

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New Publication: The Foraging Success of Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) Dispersing to the West and East of the Kerguelen Archipelago
by Connor McGarry 09 Jan '26

09 Jan '26

Dear Marman Community, I am please to share on behalf of my co-authors a new publication regarding the foraging success of Southern elephant seals in the sub-Antarctic with you. McGarry, C., D. B. Green, C. R. McMahon, et al. 2026. “ The Foraging Success of Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) Dispersing to the West and East of the Kerguelen Archipelago.” Marine Mammal Science 42, no. 1: e70099. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70099. Abstract: Foraging behavior and success are a function of prey abundance and distribution in marine environments. Oceanographic processes shape prey spatial structuring, leading to some areas of high heterogeneity and others of high homogeneity, causing marine predators to exhibit different at-sea behaviors. Our study investigated foraging success and effort of adult female southern elephant seals dispersing west or east of the Kerguelen Plateau. We quantified drift dive data and dive metric data for 153 seals, focusing on timing and spatial patterns in seal buoyancy change and its relationship with seal dive behavior. We assessed whether differences were linked to differing responses to forage quality. Overall, buoyancy changes indicated elephant seals had similar foraging success in both homogeneous (west) and heterogeneous (east) environments around the Kerguelen Plateau. Seals to the east dived deeper, with shorter hunting times and higher descent rates, probably related to higher mesoscale activity, while those to the west had lower descent rates and focused on shallower prey. Both groups responded to changes in forage quality by increasing ascent/descent rate in high-quality areas. These results suggest that these seals behave as predicted by the marginal value theorem and in so doing adapt foraging behavior to efficiently exploit profitable prey patches. If you would like access or a copy of the full version, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Regards, Connor

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New Book: The Evolution of Cetacean Societies
by Andrew David Foote 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, We are happy to start 2026 by announcing the publication of a new book: 'The Evolution of Cetacean Societies'. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/E/bo257312594.html The book is inspired by, and built upon the foundations of, Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales, published in 2000, and edited by Janet Mann, Richard C. Connor, Peter Tyack, and Hal Whitehead, who contribute to chapters in this new volume. The Evolution of Cetacean Societies provides a comprehensive overview of the significant advancements made in studying cetacean behavior and ecology over the last twenty-five years, focusing on our growing understanding of these animals’ complex social lives. Bringing together scientists from multiple disciplines, the volume summarizes key innovations and progress related to studying cetacean societies’ cultural and genetic basis, their complex social structures, their use of cooperation and patterns of social conflict, and their significant interactions with humans. Each chapter provides an in-depth account of the social lives of whales and dolphins, incorporating the latest cutting-edge research from genomics, communication, network analysis, and animal culture to explain how these animals form societies, maintain relationships, and share information. The final chapters focus on the existential threats facing these diverse and charismatic species, how human-cetacean interactions have shaped our perceptions, and what scientists can learn from their diverse social lives by championing researcher diversity in marine mammal science. Chicago University Press are offering a 30% discount by using discount code (UCPNEW) when ordering from their website: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/E/bo257312594.html Table of contents can be accessed with this link: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/E/bo257312594.html#anchor… Darren Croft, Ellen Garland, Andy Foote and Stephanie King

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2026 Research and Education Internship Announcement
by Laura Lilly 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

2026 Research and Education Internship Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is hiring Research and Education Interns for the 2026 season. This opportunity is designed for college students and recent graduates but is open to all who are passionate about whales and the marine environment. This is a seasonal, paid, joint naturalist/galley deckhand position. Applicants do not need to be majors in biology or marine sciences; rather, we are looking for individuals who have a passion for serving as stewards of ocean conservation. Applicants should feel comfortable with public speaking, teaching in small groups, and working with children and adults in diverse populations. Education and Research Intern responsibilities include: * Circulating to provide passenger education using artifacts and teaching tools, answering questions, and offering suggestions for adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. * Narrating brief harbor tour (provided) over public address system. * Recording sightings data on marine mammals; entering data electronically with appropriate edits. * Assisting with social media content management and creation. * Assisting with photo-identification of individual whales. * Delivering excellent and attentive customer service. * Working with supervisors to complete an independent study project, such as analyzing data, social media content creation, or survey management. * Stocking, cleaning, and maintaining galley; serving passengers. * Assisting with cleaning, maintaining, and servicing the vessel as an active member of the crew. * Ensuring safety and well-being of passengers aboard whale watch vessel. * Additional duties as assigned. Eligibility Must Haves: * Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; an enjoyment of working with people. * Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, demonstrate a willingness to learn and ask clarifying questions, and respond positively to constructive feedback. * Must pass a pre-employment drug test and be enrolled in our random drug testing program during your internship. * Capable of working a mix of week and weekend days. * Able to withstand a wide variety of weather conditions including extreme cold and hot temperatures, rain, and challenging sea conditions. * Must be a team player with a can-do mindset who is willing to jump in and support any needs when called upon. * Must be able to commit a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks within the months of May-October (dates flexible). Additional Qualifications/Training Provided: * Ability to efficiently use a point-of-sale system. * Public speaking. * Previous customer service or a customer-facing position is a plus but not required. * Outstanding customer service skills. Job Type: Seasonal Pay: $16 per hour Housing not provided Benefits: College credit (if applicable) Employee discount Cafeteria (galley) Flexible schedule Gratuities Work schedule is 3-4 days per week; trips run 7 days a week. Education and Research Interns have a dynamic role at Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises. In a typical week, two days will be spent working closely with the lead naturalist to educate passengers using biofacts, maps, and hands-on activities On these days, the intern is also responsible for collecting sightings data under the supervision of the lead naturalist, documenting the number of animals observed and assisting in identifying individual animals by the unique pigmentation of their fluke markings. On galley deckhand days, the intern will work primarily in the vessel's snack bar under the direction of the galley supervisor. Galley crew stock, prepare, and serve food and drink. They also assist passengers and help ensure safety both during boarding operations and while underway. Both roles assist in daily cleaning and maintenance. With a small and cohesive crew, the various roles often overlap, and the intern will have ample opportunity to communicate with naturalists and fellow interns regardless of their responsibilities each day. Interns will also be expected to submit data electronically, assist with organizing photos and videos for social media, and complete an independent study project under the guidance of the Director of Marine Conservation and Education. * To Apply: Complete online job application at https://whales.net/jobs/ * Include uploaded cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcript * Submit two letters of recommendation, either uploaded with your application or emailed to laura(a)whales.net<mailto:laura@whales.net> * Priority deadline February 6, 2026; interviews to begin by mid-February Laura Lilly Director of Marine Conservation and Education Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

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New publication: Inter- and intra-annual variation in the frequency of blue whale songs in Aotearoa New Zealand
by Barlow, Dawn Renee 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication: Dawn R. Barlow, Holger Klinck, Leigh G. Torres; Inter- and intra-annual variation in the frequency of blue whale songs in Aotearoa New Zealand. JASA Express Lett. 1 January 2026; 6 (1): 011201. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0041948 ABSTRACT: Blue whales produce stereotyped songs that are declining in fundamental frequency worldwide. We examine inter- and intra-annual frequency variation in the New Zealand population, which can be monitored year-round in the South Taranaki Bight. We document a decline of 0.13 Hz/yr between 1964 and 2025, and 0.08 Hz/yr between 2016 and 2025. Furthermore, we demonstrate higher fundamental frequencies from February to June, and a significant positive relationship between fundamental frequency and the song intensity index. These results indicate that blue whales sing at higher fundamental frequencies during the putative breeding season. Future work should aim to resolve relationships between song and morphological, demographic, behavioral, and cultural factors. The full article is open access, and available online: https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jel/article/6/1/011201/3377002/Inter-and-intra-ann… Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or to request a PDF copy. Cheers, Dawn Dawn R. Barlow, PhD (she/her) Research Associate Marine Mammal Institute | Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Oregon State University | Hatfield Marine Science Center Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab<https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab> dawn.barlow(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:dawn.barlow@oregonstate.edu>

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Species Distribution Modelling With Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07) - Bring Bayesian precision to marine mammal habitat modelling
by Oliver Hooker 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

*Bring Bayesian precision to marine mammal habitat modelling.* *Species Distribution Modelling With Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07)* We still have some place on our Bayes SDM course in a ccouple of weeks. https://prstats.org/course/species-distribution-modelling-with-bayesian-sta… Marine mammal research often involves sparse data, imperfect detection, and complex oceanographic drivers. The *Species Distribution Modelling with Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07)* course provides the tools to meet these challenges with greater rigour and transparency. This three-day live online workshop introduces Bayesian workflows and BART-based SDMs designed to improve prediction accuracy while clearly quantifying uncertainty — essential for evidence-based decisions in marine environments. *Why this course is valuable for marine mammal researchers* Marine ecosystems are dynamic, data-limited and often difficult to survey. Bayesian methods help incorporate uncertainty, account for variability and produce predictions that are more defensible in management and conservation contexts. Whether you work with aerial surveys, telemetry, acoustic detections or opportunistic sightings, Bayesian SDMs can strengthen your ecological interpretation and spatial decision-making. *What you will learn* - How to use Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) to model species distributions with strong predictive performance and robust uncertainty outputs. - How to generate spatial projections with credible intervals and uncertainty surfaces, supporting transparent assessments in marine spatial planning and conservation. - How to conduct full Bayesian workflows in R, including data preparation, predictor selection, model fitting and interpretation of posterior estimates. - Practical, hands-on R scripts and exercises you can adapt directly to your marine mammal datasets. *Who should attend* - Marine mammal ecologists and conservation scientists working with distribution, habitat-use or movement data. - Researchers using telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, shipboard surveys, or environmental DNA to map presence and suitability. - Practitioners engaged in protected-area design, offshore development assessments, impact studies or climate-change vulnerability analyses. - Anyone with prior SDM experience who wants to integrate Bayesian approaches for more rigorous inference and uncertainty handling. *Course format* - Live online instruction across three intensive days. - Four hours of training per day, combining teaching, coding and interpretation. - Accessible internationally, with recordings available afterward for review. *Outcome* By the end of the course, you will be equipped to build and evaluate Bayesian SDMs that better reflect the realities of marine mammal data, enabling more confident and defensible ecological conclusions. https://prstats.org/course/species-distribution-modelling-with-bayesian-sta… Email oliver(a)prstats.org with any questions -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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New paper: Influence of water temperature, body size, condition, and gull-inflicted lesions on heat loss in southern right whales
by Fredrik Christiansen 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to announce the publication of the following paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology: Christiansen, F., Sironi, M., Lewin, N., Marón, C.F. & Uhart, M.M. 2026. Influence of water temperature, body size, condition, and gull-inflicted lesions on heat loss in southern right whales in Península Valdés, Argentina. Journal of Experimental Biology 229: jeb250925. Abstract: Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis; SRWs) are well adapted to cold waters because of their large body size and thick blubber. Each year, they migrate from high-latitude feeding grounds to warmer breeding grounds where they give birth. To assess thermal benefits of this migration, we modelled the effects of body size, condition and water temperature on heat loss. Using unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry at the Península Valdés calving ground in Argentina, we measured body length, volume, condition and surface area of living SRWs. Blubber thickness was predicted from a blubber-mass model and validated using necropsy/catch data. Sensible heat loss was estimated using a model incorporating blubber thermal conductivity and body temperature, whereas respiratory heat loss was based on respiration rate and tidal volume models. We compared heat loss in Península Valdés with that in South Georgia/Georgia del Sur (SG/GS), a key feeding ground. Body size had a strong positive effect on both heat loss values, but mass-specific loss decreased as surface-area-to-volume ratio declined. Increased body condition reduced sensible heat loss. Migration from SG/GS to Península Valdés reduced calf heat loss by 26% during early lactation. However, total heat loss remained low relative to field metabolic rate (FMR), indicating limited thermoenergetic benefit from migration. Only at poor body condition (<−0.35) did heat loss exceed FMR, threatening survival. Notably, gull-inflicted lesions significantly increased heat loss in small and poorly conditioned calves, but had no effect on larger or better-conditioned calves. These findings highlight body condition as a key regulator of heat loss in baleen whales. The paper is available at the following link: https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/229/1/jeb250925/370316/Influenc… Best regards, Fredrik Christiansen Senior Researcher Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark f.christiansen(a)ecos.au.dk<mailto:f.christiansen@ecos.au.dk> http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkA5Y3EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fredrik_Christiansen3/?ev=hdr_xprf

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