June 2026 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication: SRW diet - new insights from first diet metabarcoding study
by Aashi 16 Jun '26

16 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of all co-authors, we are excited to share our new publication - the first diet metabarcoding study for southern right whales, which revealed a new breadth of prey taxa detected at relatively high frequency and abundance in comparison to the expected prey of krill and copepods. Abstract below! https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.70442 DNA Metabarcoding Reveals Unexpected Predator–Prey–Microbial Dynamics in the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) onlinelibrary.wiley.com Abstract: Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis; SRW) populations are recovering from the impacts of commercial whaling, however, recovery has been spatially variable, with strong associations between reproduction and prey availability. The diet of SRWs has not been widely examined, and with SRW foraging shifting away from high-latitude foraging grounds dominated by krill, it is essential to understand their diet at different locations. The gut microbiome is closely linked to diet, and characterising gut bacterial composition can help evaluate long-term changes in prey and ecosystem dynamics. We used DNA metabarcoding to characterise the diet and faecal microbiome of SRWs from three calving/socialising grounds and a low-latitude foraging ground. SRW feeding was more opportunistic than previously documented. Decapoda emerged as a key component of the SRW diet, being consistently detected at higher frequency and relative read abundance than euphausiids and copepods in whales from both calving/socialising and foraging grounds. The expected prey of Calanoida were also prominent in whales from the foraging ground, as were Stomatopoda, Cumacea and Semaeostomeae. A significant correlation between diet composition and faecal bacterial composition was observed, with euphausiids being the strongest predictor of bacterial variation. Our findings provide a new understanding of the breadth and diversity of the diet of SRWs. We also provide a baseline for monitoring diet–gut microbiome interactions. Collectively, these results offer a glimpse into the trophic dynamics of a Southern Ocean predator being impacted by climate-driven changes in zooplankton distribution, with implications for long-term population recovery.

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Porpoise PAM detections to the Digital Twin Ocean: an SMM workshop
by Emily T. Griffiths 16 Jun '26

16 Jun '26

Dear Marmamers, With almost a week left to early-bird register for the upcoming SMM conference in October (!), my co-organizers and I wanted to bring your attention to our half-day workshop. In this workshop we will discuss the DTO-BioFlow project, how the project effectively came together, the good science that is coming out of our work, and how you can access these data, but mostly we aim to provide a practical tutorial on how to upload your F/C-POD data to be hosted the data lake (ETN/EDITO). Please see summary information below. Workshop will also be available online. See you in San Juan! Cheers, Emily T. Griffiths Title: Data Flow into the Digital Twin Ocean: Integration of C/F-POD PAM Data Workshop Summary: Marine habitats present specific and one-of-a-kind issues when it comes to observing, mapping, and monitoring biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Harmonizing these data can be a challenging effort, but necessary when looking across borders to focus on ecosystem health and species management. The core mission of the DTO-BioFlow Project (https://dto-bioflow.eu) is to unlock “sleeping” biodiversity data and enable the sustained flow of these and new data into a Digital Twin Ocean, creating a digital replica of marine biological processes transforming new and existing data flows into evidence-based knowledge. Here, we will explain how the European scientific community came together across multiple disciplines, governments, and institutions to achieve collective, internationally harmonized databases which are actively being used in operationally relevant user cases. We will highlight harbor porpoise passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) detection data collected from C/F-PODs (https://www.chelonia.co.uk) Data exported from C/F-POD proprietary software has multiple export options, including different classifications, and presently user self-documentation is the only way to capture this metadata. Furthermore, once data is processed for a specific project, it often then remains stored and unused after that project has closed. Therefore, within DTO-BioFlow, we have created a workflow application, Valkyrie, to guide otherwise unused or dormant data into the DTO data lake to have a second life. Valkyrie extracts information directly from pod files to ensure PAM data is harmonized across projects, institutions, and countries, can thereby be stored uniformly within the publicly accessible European Tracking Network (ETN, https://www.europeantrackingnetwork.org/en) database, and ultimately ported to DTO-BioFlow. The workshop will include a practical component, where data holders are guided on how to use Valkyrie to validate their C/-F-POD data, and then upload it to ETN. Efforts are underway within Europe to harmonize pod data, but this workshop would expand those efforts globally, specifically targeting underrepresented marine areas in conservation efforts. Format: The workshop will start with 1.5 hours of presentations, with open Q&As. These talks will give participants an overview of the DTO-BioFlow project and how it functions. There will be an introduction to EDITO (https://www.edito.eu) which hosts the DTO-BioFlow data lake, and how data both enters and can be extracted by users. For PAM data, there will be a focus on Valkyrie, a data-harmonizing MATLAB application that reads in the raw data files from C/F-PODs, and exports the data ready to be ingested by the ETN . The bulk of the workshop (~2 hours) will be hands-on support to help participants set up accounts with ETN and EDITO, installing Valkyrie, and uploading their first batch of data to ETN. Lastly, there will be a science-based talk from a DTO-BioFlow research project which uses harmonized data across institutions. Emily T. Griffiths Special Consultant // Specialkonsulent +45 9352 2790 emilytgriffiths(a)ecos.au.dk<mailto:emilytgriffiths@ecos.au.dk> AU ECOSCIENCE – AARHUS UNIVERSITY Section for Marine Mammal Research<https://bios.au.dk/en/researchconsultancy/research-areas/marine-mammal-rese…>

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Any datasets you would love to see visualized?
by Chris Ward-Paige 15 Jun '26

15 Jun '26

Hi MARMAM community, I’m teaching a very short course on marine data science to an international group of students working in conservation, fisheries, blue economy, and governance. Rather than only discussing concepts, I think it will be more meaningful to explore real datasets through visualizations, maps, and simple analytical outputs. So I’m looking for *marine mammal datasets* to support this teaching exercise. These can be open access and already published, or datasets that have not yet been fully explored or visualized. At a minimum, datasets should include: - Location and date/time information - Marine mammal species (WORMS-listed taxa preferred) - Observations such as presence/absence, relative abundance, strandings, behaviour, or threat interactions This may be particularly relevant for NGOs or monitoring programs that collect data but have not yet had the capacity to fully analyze or visualize it OR for academics who have already published their studies and would love to see the data used in a new, interactive way — including exploring spatial/temporal patterns, trends, and summary outputs. Ideally, datasets would already be validated so that results are scientifically robust. If you have datasets you would be willing and able to share, I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance, Chris -- *Chris Ward-Paige, PhD* | with *Ireland Moro* CEO | Science Coordinator *eOceans* chris(a)eoceans.co website: eOceans <https://www.eoceans.org/> mobile app: iOS <https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/eoceans/id1495841229> and Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.eoceans.app&hl=en_CA&gl=US> Book a meeting: *here* <https://calendar.app.google/7eZwdjZSnptjVrpu8> eOceans is located in *Mi’kma’ki*, the unceded and ancestral territory of the *Mi’kmaq People*. This message is intended only for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, distributing, copying, or in any way using this message. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and delete copies you received.

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New publication: Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Prey‐Handling and Harassment of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés, Argentina
by virginia tortolini 15 Jun '26

15 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm pleased to share our new article that has just been published in Marine Mammal Science: Tortolini, V. M., M. C. Marchesi, E. C. T. Formigo, K. Zaouali, and M. A. Coscarella. 2026. “Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Prey-Handling and Harassment of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés, Argentina.” *Marine Mammal Science*42, no. 3: e70218. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70218. Summary: We report the first video-documented case of cooperative prey-handling and feeding by killer whales (KWs, *Orcinus orca*) on a southern right whale (SRW, *Eubalaena australis*) calf carcass, together with subsequent harassment events directed toward live SRWs and their defensive responses. Using drone footage and shore-based observations conducted in the Natural Protected Area El Doradillo, Península Valdés, Argentina, we documented a group of six identified KWs refloating and feeding on a sunken SRW calf carcass. Individuals alternated in holding, lifting, and releasing the carcass, facilitating access for all group members and evidencing cooperative prey-handling behavior. Later the same day, the group engaged in 46 harassment events targeting other SRWs in the area, primarily mother–calf pairs. We describe SRW defensive responses including 360° turns and zigzag movements, which were more frequently elicited when KWs approached from a latero-caudal angle. These predator–prey interactions may have been influenced by recent ecological changes, including a local decline in traditional pinniped prey following the 2023 HPAI H5N1 outbreak, coupled with the record-high abundance of southern right whales observed in 2025. Our observations underscore the ecological role of killer whales as apex predators in northern Patagonia, capable of rapidly adjusting their foraging behavior in response to shifts in prey availability. They further contribute to our understanding of KW-SRW interactions in a key breeding ground of the Southwestern Atlantic and emphasize the value of long-term monitoring to evaluate the potential consequences of these dynamics for the regional southern right whale population. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! With regards, Virginia M. Tortolini *Lic. en Ciencias Biológicas * *Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB)* *Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo 3051, Puerto Madryn U9120, Chubut, Argentina.* *Ph.D. candidate * *Centro para el Estudio de los Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR) - CONICET* *Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo 2915, **Puerto Madryn U9120, Chubut, Argentina*

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New publication: “Influence of Solvent Lipid Extraction on Tissue-Specific Carbon Isotopes”
by Jasmin Gross 15 Jun '26

15 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our latest research, published in Ecology and Evolution, with you. Groß, J., B. Fry, J. Eggebo, and S. Bengtson Nash. 2026. “Influence of Solvent Lipid Extraction on Tissue-Specific Carbon Isotopes.” Ecology and Evolution 16, no. 6: e73829. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73829. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73829 Influence of Solvent Lipid Extraction on Tissue‐Specific Carbon Isotopes doi.org ABSTRACT: Cetacean blubber and skin have a high lipid content, which is depleted in 13C and 15N compared to proteins. As such, it is necessary to normalise samples for lipids prior to bulk stable isotope analysis. This is often achieved via solvent lipid removal. The direct effects of solvents used in lipid extractions on δ15N of animal tissue is a widely discussed topic in the fields of stable isotope and cetacean trophic ecology. The effects of such solvents on δ13C on the other hand, beyond the desired effect of lipid removal, have not yet been studied, although outcomes may be as unpredictable as those found for δ15N. Here, we evaluate the effects of solvent lipid extraction on four pure proteins, as well as humpback whale blubber tissue. Lipids were extracted multiple times prior to stable isotope analysis, which also served to demonstrate the efficiency of each lipid extraction cycle. Our results showed that the solvents used, dichloromethane and methanol, did not have a significant effect on δ13C and δ15N of pure protein as values largely remained within 0.5‰ of unextracted samples, which is equivalent to the expected analytical error. Humpback whale blubber δ13C, on the other hand, increased significantly with each lipid extraction cycle, and C:N ratios were only equivalent to those of pure protein, 2.87, after three lipid extractions. These results highlight that solvent lipid extraction has no effect on δ13C beyond the desired effect of lipid removal but that gentle lipid extraction protocols are inefficient and that multiple lipid extraction cycles are required to achieve robust isotopic measures. Cheers, Jasmin — — Dr Jasmin Groß (she/her) Postdoctoral Research Fellow #CallMeByMyFirstName I Fulbright Alumna I SOPOPP Alumna | HIFMB Alumna | Email <mailto:jasmin.gross@fulbrightmail.org> OrcID <https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1078-043X>

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Last Chance for June Training Sessions & Upcoming PAM, R & QGIS Courses
by Liz Ferguson 13 Jun '26

13 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, We wanted to share a quick update on Ocean Science Analytics' upcoming training opportunities for those working in marine mammal research, passive acoustic monitoring, and marine spatial analysis. One feature of our training program is flexibility: *participants can begin at any point during the designated training month and receive a full 30 days of online, self-paced access from their start date.* Current and Upcoming Courses *QGIS Essentials for Marine Science Professionals* *(June session underway)* Learn the fundamentals of GIS for marine science applications, including mapping, coordinate systems, spatial analysis, environmental data visualization, and working with ocean and coastal datasets. Marine mammals observation data is highlighted in this course through activities, so you gain experience in utilizing your data collected in the field. *Still time to join the June session!* ⚠️ Our next QGIS session will not be offered until *October 😮*, so now is the time if GIS is on your learning list. *PAM: Large Dataset Analysis* *(June session underway)* Designed for analysts working with large passive acoustic datasets, this course focuses on workflows for data exploration, visualization, occurrence analysis, soundscape metrics, and interpretation of long-term acoustic monitoring data. We use several examples of marine mammal call types in the example datasets. *Still time to join the June session!* The next opportunity to take this course will be in *August*. *PAM Software Basics (Raven + PAMGuard)* *(Next session: July)* An introduction to two widely used passive acoustic monitoring software packages. Participants learn core workflows for reviewing, annotating, and exploring acoustic data using Raven and PAMGuard. We use marine mammal examples for all activities in this course. *R for Ocean Science Data Analysis* *(Next session: August)* Build practical skills in R programming for data management, visualization, statistical analysis, and reproducible workflows using ocean science datasets. Whatever your data needs, this course gets you up and running with using R for your marine mammal studies. Our courses emphasize practical, applied workflows and are built around the same approaches we use in marine mammal monitoring, passive acoustic analysis, spatial ecology, and environmental data interpretation projects. In addition to training, OSA provides analytical services supporting marine mammal monitoring and mitigation efforts, including passive acoustic data analysis, interactive data dashboards, GIS and spatial analysis, deep learning applications, technical reporting, and custom analytical tool development. More information is available here: *Training:* https://www.oceanscienceanalytics.com/technical-training *Services:* https://www.oceanscienceanalytics.com/our-services Regards, Liz Ferguson *CEO and Founder* *Ocean Science Analytics* *www.oceanscienceanalytics.com <http://www.oceanscienceanalytics.com>*

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New publication: A Bayesian approach to include Indigenous Knowledge and satellite telemetry data in habitat selection functions (R. Gryba)
by Rowenna Gryba 13 Jun '26

13 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM folks, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication "A Bayesian approach to include Indigenous Knowledge and satellite telemetry data in habitat selection functions" published in Journal of Applied Biology. Gryba, R., VonDuyke, A., Huntington, H., Adams, B., Frantz, B., Gatten, J., Harcharek, Q., Sarren, R., Henry, G., & Auger-Méthé, M. (2026). A Bayesian approach to include Indigenous Knowledge and satellite telemetry data in habitat selection functions. *Journal of Applied Ecology*, 63, e70413. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70413 Abstract: 1. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of species-habitat relationships provides in-depth understanding of species presence. While this is the case, IK and ‘Western’ scientific data are rarely combined in the same modelling approaches and species manage-ment remains mostly within colonial frameworks with limited capacity to include different data sources, such as IK, in management decisions. 2. In partnership with Iñupiat hunters, we developed a method to include IK in Bayesian habitat selection functions as priors and show how habitat variables mapped by IK holders can be included as covariates, with satellite telemetry data.We applied our methods in a case study for ringed seals (natchiq in Iñupiaq; Pusahispida) in habitat selection function models that also include dynamic habitat types(e.g. ice concentration). 3. We show, through our case study, that IK and Western scientific data can reflect similar ecological processes and how IK can provide extended insight into broad habitat use that are not captured by Western methods alone. We demonstrate that when spatial IK is included as new categorical variables it allows for the inclusion of environmental covariates that may not be available from other data sources at an appropriate scale and can account for complex habitat types that would not be possible to model otherwise. Through our case study, we show the importance of the inclusion of IK to provide fully informed models predicting spatial variation of ringed seal relative probability of use that can be used to inform critical habitat designations. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our work points to the importance of both Western science and IK data sources in models used for conservation and management decisions. We show how the models that include the IK result in more informed predictions and the value of IK when predicting important areas for species that may be relied upon for conservation and management decisions. Our results high-light the impact that the inclusion of IK can have in modelling outputs, with IK providing needed insights into the potential limitations of Western scientific data,leading to a more informed understanding of species-habitat use.

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Jonian Dolphin Conservation Expedition – July 2026 Edition
by lia＠joniandolphin.it 13 Jun '26

13 Jun '26

Dear Marmam Community, We are excited to announce a new session of the Jonian Dolphin Conservation (JDC) Expedition, a field-based scientific experience focused on the monitoring and study of cetaceans in the Gulf of Taranto, Northern Ionian Sea (southern Italy). The July 2026 edition will take place from 20–36 July, offering a one-week immersive training program designed for students, early-career researchers, and anyone interested in gaining practical skills in marine mammal science. Participants will work alongside professional researchers with over 15 years of field experience. Highlights of the expedition include: · Fieldwork aboard our research vessel for data collection on dolphin behavior and distribution · Techniques in photo-identification, acoustic monitoring, genetic sampling, drone use, and environmental data recording · Daily workshops and data analysis sessions at Ketos, JDC's scientific and cultural hub · Discussions on marine biodiversity, ecological dynamics of the Ionian Sea, and the ethical challenges of cetacean captivity All program details, the full PDF with course information, and the registration form can be found on the landing page: 🔗https://www.joniandolphin.it/jdc-expedition-luglio-2026/ For further questions, participants can contact us at 📧 areaprogetti(a)joniandolphin.it We look forward to welcoming passionate individuals ready to contribute to meaningful research and marine conservation. Warm regards, The Jonian Dolphin Conservation Team 🌐 www.joniandolphin.it Kètos - Palazzo Amati Vico Vigilante s.n.c. 74123 - TarantoFrancesca Cornelia Santacesaria Responsabile ricerca e tirocini +39 3407204648 +39 099 470 6269 lia(a)joniandolphin.it www.joniandolphin.it

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Job Opportunity: HCRI Marine Animal Response Coordinator – Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
by HCRI 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

Aloha MARMAM Community, The Hawaiʻi Coral Reef Initiative (HCRI) is seeking a full-time Marine Animal Response Coordinator. This position will be hired through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH) and work directly with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), with the primary work location based in Lihuʻe, Kauaʻi. The coordinator will plan, coordinate, and lead response to monk seal, sea turtle, and cetacean strandings and perform related tasks. The Monthly Salary Range is $5,416.67 - $5,833.33/Month. For full details, please see the job ad on the RCUH Job Openings Page at https://www.rcuh.com/opportunities/job-openings/. To view the ad, go to Explore Open Positions and Apply Now and search by the Job ID#, 226360. Applications must be submitted through the RCUH site. The closing date is June 22, 2026 or until filled. Please contact Kira Yamashita (HCRI) at hcri(a)hawaii.edu or 808-200-9554 with any questions. Thank you, Kira Yamashita

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New publication: Predicting Habitat Suitability for Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae Around the Chichijima Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Japan
by Koki Tsujii 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

Dear all, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to inform you about our paper titled "Predicting Habitat Suitability for Humpback Whales *Megaptera novaeangliae* Around the Chichijima Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Japan", recently published in Mammal Study. Tsujii, K., Okamoto, R., Murase, H., & Mitani, Y. (2026). Predicting Habitat Suitability for Humpback Whales *Megaptera novaeangliae* Around the Chichijima Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Mammal Study, 51(3). ABSTRACT The waters around the Chichijima Islands of the Ogasawara Islands, approximately 1000 km south of mainland Japan, are known breeding areas for humpback whales *Megaptera novaeangliae*, although their suitable habitat in this area has not been assessed in a spatially explicit manner. This study examined the relationship between the spatial distribution of humpback whales and topographic factors, using boat-based sighting survey data from 2013 and 2015–2018. A generalized additive model (GAM) and a maximum entropy model (Maxent) were used to estimate the suitable habitat of humpback whales. Both models demonstrated that the whale distribution was related to water depth and seabed slope, with water depth having a particularly strong influence. High suitability was observed at shallow water depths and gentle slopes, reaching a maximum at depths of 50–60 m and slopes of 0.5–0.8°. Additionally, suitable habitats were more extensive off the west coast than off the east coast, suggesting that the western area was more suitable for whales. The resulting habitat suitability map provides valuable information about their key habitats and can be utilized for their appropriate conservation in this area. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.3106/ms2025-0036 Best regards, Koki -- ---------------------------- Koki Tsujii, Ph.D. Executive Director / Chief Researcher Ogasawara Whale Watching Association Aza Higashimachi, Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101, JAPAN Tel: +81-4998-2-3215; Fax: +81-4998-2-3500 E-mail: tsujii(a)owa1989.com ----------------------------

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