February 2026 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

UF Fall 2025 online aquatics course - Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 20 Jul '26

20 Jul '26

Hi All, Registration is open for Fall 2025. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues course, fully online. Classes start Thursday August 22th and runs through Wednesday, December 4th. * Registration will remain open through Monday Aug 25th. Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues Class (VME-4012, VME-6010) is an online course (3 credits) designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with an emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. Students enrolled at any College or University can take this course. *This class is also available at the graduate level within our Care & Conservation of Aquatic Animals graduate certificate* For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [cid:image001.jpg@01DBFCAF.2CF14F90] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Senior Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond
by Hal Whitehead 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

The following paper has just been published: Consequences of culturally-driven ecological specialization: Killer whales and beyond. by: Hal Whitehead and John K.B. Ford Journal of Theoretical Biology 456: 279-294 Abstract: Culturally-transmitted ecological specialization occurs in killer whales, as well as other species. We hypothesize that some of the remarkable demographic and ecological attributes of killer whales result from this process. We formalize and model (using agent-based stochastic models parametrized using killer whale life history) the cultural evolution of specialization by social groups, in which a narrowing of niche breadth is spread and maintained in a group through social learning. We compare the demographic and ecological results of cultural specialization to those of a similar model of specialization through natural selection. We found that specialization, through either the cultural or natural selection routes, is adaptive in the short term with specialization often increasing fitness. Generalization, in contrast, is rarely adaptive. The cultural evolution of specialization can lead to increased rates of group extirpation. Specialization has little effect on group size but tends to reduce population size and resource abundance. While the two specialization processes produce similar results, cultural specialization can be very much faster. The results are generally consistent with what we know of the formation and maintenance of specialist ecotypes in killer whales, and have implications for the persistence, nature and ecological effects of these apex predators. You can read a .pdf at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/labpub.htm Hal Whitehead Dalhousie University hwhitehe(a)dal.ca

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UF Summer online aquatics courses - Manatee Health & Conservation and Marine Mammal Bio
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 30 Mar '26

30 Mar '26

Hi All, Registration is currently open for Summer 2025. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program is offering the Manatee Health & Conservation (upper level undergrad and grad) course and Marine Mammal Biology (grad), both fully online. Classes starts Monday May 12th and run through Friday Aug 8th. Registration will remain open through Friday, May 9th. Manatee Health and Conservation Class (VME4016 and VME6017) is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues. Marine Mammal Biology (VME-6014) is an online course (3 credits) available only to Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students and provides a detailed overview of marine mammal species including cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, mustelids, and ursids. Each module will broadly explore a particular ecological, biological, or physiological theme related to the study of marine mammals, including taxonomy and biodiversity, diving physiology, thermoregulation, foraging ecology, and reproduction as well as the many conservation and management issues faced by different marine mammal species. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [cid:image001.jpg@01DB94FE.6407D300] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Senior Lecturer & Education Coordinator Director of Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu<http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/> "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________

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New paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters
by Dimitar Popov 06 Mar '26

06 Mar '26

Dear all, On behalf of me and my co-authors, I am happy to share our recently published new paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters, available on the link: https://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/2024/Suppl_20_21.pdf Abstract: /All three Black Sea cetacean species are nominated as endemic subspecies for the basin listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered species: the Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) and Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) as Endangered (EN), while the Black Sea common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus) as Vulnerable (VU). In addition, all three species are protected at national and international levels. Effective conservation of protected and endangered species requires robust data on their distribution to delineate important habitats. We present data on the summer distribution of cetaceans in Bulgarian shelf waters, derived from a series of vessel line transect distance sampling surveys, conducted in the summer months during the period 2020-2023. Harbour porpoise density estimates ranged from 0.156 ind./sq. km (CV=43%) in territorial waters in 2020 to 2.83 ind./sq. km (CV=27%) in deeper waters in 2022. Bottlenose dolphin density estimates ranged from 0.226 ind./sq. km (CV=49%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.542 ind./sq. km (CV=35%) in 2020, also in territorial waters. Common dolphin density ranged from 0.032 ind./sq. km (CV=80%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.699 ind./sq. km (CV=41%) in deep shelf waters in 2022. The distribution of porpoises has shown a clear preference for deep waters (80-100 m), indicating a shift from the coastal waters that are their preferred habitat in the spring. The density of common dolphin has also shown a gradient towards deeper waters of the shelf, while bottlenose dolphins show a preference for coastal waters. Here, we propose updated threshold values of Descriptor 1's criteria 2 and 4 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and identify important habitats for harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins that remain outside of NATURA 2000's scope./ In case you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Dimitar -- __________________________________________________ *__________________________________________________ **Mr. Dimitar Popov**,**PhD **Project Coordinator GREEN BALKANS - Stara Zagora NGO* BSB00432 EOL 30, Boruygrad str. Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria Mobile +359 (0)885 108712 E-mail: _dpopov(a)greenbalkans.org_ http://www.greenbalkans.org __________________________________________________ -- Този имейл е проверен за вируси от антивирусния софтуер Avast. www.avast.com

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SMM Virtual Seminar Series: Uko Gorter – March 5 | Register Now
by Cara Gallagher 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

We are excited to launch the Society for Marine Mammalogy Virtual Seminar Series — a brand-new members-only initiative designed to help you learn, discover, and connect with the global marine mammal community. And we’re starting with a fascinating journey into the history of whale science. Dawn of Cetology: The Scientific Pursuit of Whales, from Antiquity to the Twentieth Century Speaker: Uko Gorter March 5, 2026 6:00-7:00 PM CET / 9:00-10:00 AM PST Location: Online (Zoom link will be emailed to registrants) Register here for this event: https://forms.gle/2cu6a9JTU73HjX3q9 In 1787, the Scottish surgeon and anatomist John Hunter lamented humanity’s “unfitness to pursue our researches in the unfathomable waters.” For centuries, the mysteries of whales challenged philosophers, naturalists, and zoologists alike. In this engaging presentation, Uko Gorter will take us on a journey through the early history of cetology—the scientific study of whales—from classical antiquity through the early twentieth century. Along the way, he will highlight the diverse figures who shaped this field, from ship surgeons and museum curators to acousticians and molecular biologists, and the eventual entry of women into whale science following World War II. Uko Gorter is a renowned natural history illustrator whose work has appeared in museums, scientific journals, and major marine mammal reference books. His illustrations of all known marine mammal species were featured in the widely used guide Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification. About the Virtual Seminar Series This event marks the first in a new SMM virtual series, with 10+ events planned in the coming months, including: - Thought-provoking keynote talks - Conservation panel discussions - Hands-on skills workshops (graphical abstracts, project design, and more) - Professional development opportunities We hope you’ll join us for this inaugural seminar and help us kick off the series in style! Warm regards, Cara Gallagher, Chair of the Education Committee, Society for Marine Mammalogy

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New publication: Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of marine mammals in the southern Sea of Okhotsk around Hokkaido, Japan
by Shiho Furumaki 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to inform you about a new publication titled “Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of marine mammals in the southern Sea of Okhotsk around Hokkaido, Japan” recently published in Regional Studies in Marine Science. Furumaki, S., Li, H., Suzuki, M., Mitani, Y. (2026). Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of marine mammals in the southern Sea of Okhotsk around Hokkaido, Japan. Regional Studies in Marine Science 95: 104853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2026.104853 Abstract Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems require continuous monitoring to ensure effectiveness, and marine mammals serve as effective biodiversity indicators. The southern Sea of Okhotsk around Japan are waters with high biodiversity and conservation importance. Determining the comprehensive spatial-temporal distribution of marine mammals can be used as a baseline to identify critical habitats. This study aimed to reveal the spatial- temporal distribution patterns of marine mammals using a ship-based sighting survey and species distribution models. Between spring and fall, three baleen whale species, six toothed whale species, and one pinniped species were identified. Baleen whales, killer whales, and Dall’s porpoises appeared primarily in spring, followed by sperm whales appeared in summer, and Pacific white-sided dolphins appeared in fall. Maximum entropy models were developed for six species, revealing heterogeneous spatial patterns. Fin and minke whales were concentrated on the western side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Sperm and killer whales were distributed on both sides in deep and steep slope waters. Dall’s porpoise occurs more frequently in deeper waters and Pacific white-sided dolphins in shallow waters, with both species being distributed across the study area. By combining ship- based sighting surveys with species distribution models, it was possible to evaluate spatial distributions, including unobserved areas on the western side of the Peninsula. Different species occupy distinct marine regions, highlighting that not only the waters around the Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Natural Heritage Site extending 3 km offshore around the Shiretoko Peninsula, but also the surrounding waters are crucial for marine mammals. The paper can be freely accessed until 3 April 2026 via the publisher ShareLink: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1mbym8MvAu7TN0 <https://kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fauthors.elsevier.co…> Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Best regards, Shiho Furumaki Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency Mail: furumaki96(a)gmail.com

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Publication announcement, The Dolphin FRESH Protocol
by Kristi Fazioli 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

On behalf of myself and my co-authors, we are pleased to announce the publication of a new method for the visual assessment of freshwater skin disease in dolphins. The open access publication is available here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1743541 Please see the Supplemental Materials and other resources available at this link for additional guidance in applying the protocol: https://galvestonbaydolphin.org/fresh/fresh-protocol/ Fazioli KL, Toms CN, Takeshita R, Quackenbush A, Greig D, Rowles T, Schwacke L, Colegrove K, Ewing RY, Fauquier D, Boyd D, Bouwkamp A, Duignan P, Fougeres E, Hart L, McDaniel S, Morgan T, Sinclair C, Speakman T, Sutton M, Whitehead HR and Mintzer VJ (2026) The dolphin FRESH protocol: visual Freshwater-Related Evaluation of Skin Health in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.). Front. Mar. Sci. 13:1743541. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2026.1743541 Exposure to freshwater is a pressing health issue for coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.). Environmental changes, including increased precipitation events and future coastal infrastructure projects, are altering salinity within estuarine systems. Consequently, understanding effects of freshwater exposure on dolphins and developing tools to evaluate related health conditions is urgent. To address this need, a group of veterinarians, pathologists, epidemiologists, natural resource managers, and field biologists convened to create a protocol to visually assess freshwater-related skin lesions in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins. The Dolphin FRESH (Freshwater-Related Evaluation of Skin Health) Protocol guides users without medical backgrounds to screen and evaluate photographs by focusing on the visual identification of three primary indicators of freshwater skin disease: Overgrowth, Target-like Lesions, and Light Discoloration. By determining presence of the primary indicators and scoring associated characteristics, FRESH provides users with a relative assessment of the severity of these skin anomalies, and metrics to track progressive changes. The scoring rubric performed well during systematic testing, with evaluators correctly identifying freshwater cases through recognition of primary indicators and with no significant differences in total severity scores between field biologists and medical experts. FRESH is an important step in advancing knowledge on the effects of salinity fluctuations on dolphin health. When applied to photo datasets over time, this tool will enable researchers and managers to evaluate progression and regression of freshwater skin disease, occurrence and effects of multiple exposures, and the relationship between freshwater exposure skin indicators and health and survival outcomes.

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North Atlantic right whale policy position at the Maine Department of Marine Resources, USA
by Summers, Erin L. 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

My name is Erin Summers and I'm the Director for the Bureau of Marine Science at the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). I'd love to get the word out about a new position within DMR that is focused on developing policy for the North Atlantic right whale and fixed gear fisheries within the state. The position description is outlined below. It will be open for applications through March 16, 2026, and can be found at this link: https://maine.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Executive/details/Marine-Resource… This is a new policy position created to support the Department of Marine Resources' work on fisheries and protected resources management, primarily related to North Atlantic right whales. The position will support the External Affairs Policy Coordinator and the Director of External Affairs in the development of statewide policies and programs, while working closely with staff in the Division of Marine Mammal Research. Focuses for this position include investigating and developing possible dynamic management options for Maine's lobster fishery, supporting federal permitting efforts as needed, supporting the Department's participation on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, facilitating meetings with Maine's fishing industry, developing policy positions in response to fishery management actions, and liaising with Department scientific staff. This position will also work to support rulemaking and program coordination to maintain Maine's marine resources and the industries that depend on them. The position will interact with the commercial fishing industry, as well as counterparts in other states, or with federal agencies. Work is performed under limited supervision. Applicants with experience in fisheries management, marine policy, knowledge of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act and experience or familiarity with federal permitting are strongly preferred. Knowledge and understanding of Maine's fishing laws and communities is also preferred. A successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to review, analyze and synthesize complicated documents and polished written communication skills. Salary range: $64,646 - $90,896 Erin Summers Acting Director, Bureau of Marine Science Maine Department of Marine Resources (207) 350-6076 www.maine.gov/dmr<http://www.maine.gov/dmr> erin.l.summers(a)maine.gov<mailto:erin.l.summers@maine.gov>

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New Publication: Increasing Efficiency of Detection and Validation of Baleen Whale Call Presence on Large Acoustic Datasets
by Gabrielle Macklin 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

Macklin, Gabrielle F., Hilary B. Moors‐Murphy, and Marty L. Leonard. "Increasing Efficiency of Detection and Validation of Baleen Whale Call Presence on Large Acoustic Datasets: A Case Study Using Sei Whale Downsweeps Recorded in Atlantic Canada." Marine Mammal Science 42.2 (2026): e70136. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70136 ABSTRACT As passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets expand, studies increasingly use automated detectors to analyze baleen whale presence. However, detector errors like false positives (impacting precision, P; proportion of detected calls that are correct), and false negatives (impacting recall, R; proportion of available calls successfully detected) necessitate manual validation. Here, we demonstrate a tiered detection and validation approach to improve efficiency in sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) call presence analysis that aims to maximize R while removing false positives. Using two detectors on eastern Canadian datasets, we tested multiple parameter settings, selecting one tier that captured only high-quality calls (High-P), one tier that captured most calls present but included more false positives (High-R), and one tier that balanced the P and R values (Mid). To assess daily call presence, validation proceeded sequentially across tiers from High-P to Mid to High-R. For each subsequent tier, detections were only reviewed from days in which sei whale calls had not yet been confirmed. For both detectors, using this tiered approach reduced the overall manual validation effort (number of detections reviewed) when compared to validating the highest recall original outputs alone. This efficient strategy maintains accuracy in PAM studies and could be used for other species. Please reach out if you have any questions, Cheers, Gabrielle Macklin

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Alaska Whale Foundation is hiring a vessel operator/field assistant
by Andy Szabo 27 Feb '26

27 Feb '26

Dear MARMAM, Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) is looking to hire a Vessel Operator / Field Assistant (VO/FA). This is a seasonal, remote position based at AWF’s field station in Warm Springs Bay on Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska (N57.0856; W134.8126) during AWF’s primary June-September research season. The VO/FA plays a critical role in supporting AWF’s whale and ocean health research program by safely operating the organization's two research vessels – a 28’ aluminum Hewes Craft Pacific Explorer and a 20’ Zodiac rigid-hull inflatable boat - and assisting with on-the-water and shore-based field activities in a remote marine environment. The position requires strong marine operations and risk management skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work collaboratively within a close-knit 4-person field team for extended periods in Southeast Alaska. For more information on the position and how to apply, please visit: https://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/call-for-vessel-operators. Cheers, Andy Szabo, PhD Director, Alaska Whale Foundation szabo(a)alaskawhalefoundation.org<mailto:szabo@alaskawhalefoundation.org> www.alaskawhalefoundation.org<http://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org>

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