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New Sei Whale Publication
by Mariam Alsaid 11 Aug '26

11 Aug '26

*Dear MARMAM community, * *On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication:* *Alsaid, M., L. G. Torres, H. Klinck, D. Ponirakis, K. M. Stafford, and D. R. Barlow. 2026. “ Seasonal and Diel Acoustic Occurrence of Sei Whales in Oregon, USA.” Marine Mammal Science 42, no. 4: e70253. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70253 <https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70253>.* *ABSTRACT: * *The behavior, distribution, and life history of sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are largely unknown in the North Pacific. We analyzed data from three bottom-mounted acoustic recorders deployed 25 (shelf; depth = 300 m), 45 (slope; depth = 630 m), and 65 (abyssal; depth = 2860 m) nautical miles off of Newport, Oregon, USA that recorded continuously from October 2021 to December 2022. Acoustic data were visually and aurally reviewed in search of sei whale calls; putative calls were annotated and assigned confidence levels based on existing descriptions in the literature. High confidence sei whale calls were characterized as broadband downsweeps with an average frequency range of 103–30 Hz and a duration of 2.73 s. Calls occurred in groups ranging from 1 to 32 calls with an average of 9 calls per bout. We document a strong peak in putative sei whale calls in October and November and a significant diel pattern (Hermans-Rasson Test, p = 0.001) with decreasing effect size at more offshore locations. Our findings indicate that sei whales may be present in this region more frequently than previously thought, providing key information on sei whale occurrence in the North Pacific to guide future conservation management efforts.* *The full article is open access, and available online: * *https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70253 <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70253>* *Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or to request a PDF copy.* *Sincerely, * Mariam Alsaid

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2027 Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Internship Announcement
by Alexis Sierra 11 Aug '26

11 Aug '26

2027 Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation Internship Announcement California Wildlife Center is excited to announce internship opportunities for the Winter, Spring and Summer 2027!  California Wildlife Center is in Calabasas, California, and responds to reports of stranded marine mammals 365 days a year along the Malibu Coastline.  Our pinniped rehabilitation facility is active during the region’s period of highest strandings, which is January through July.  Winter Session = January 1st - February 28th (flexible start & end dates) Spring Session = March 1st through May 31st Summer Session = May 24th through July 31st Time Commitment:      32-40 hours per week, four to five days per week [Caseload dependent] Vaccination Requirement: To be considered, applicants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Summary/Program Description The California Wildlife Center (CWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife. Our Marine Mammal program supports this mission through the response of all live and deceased marine mammals stranded in Malibu and focuses on the on-site rehabilitation of young California Sea Lion and Northern Elephant Seal pups. This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the marine mammal rehabilitation field. Working closely with the Marine Mammal program staff, individuals are exposed to various aspects of pinniped stranding response and rehabilitation, including logistics, assessment, capture, restraint, transportation, husbandry, data collection, and public relations. The marine mammal team also performs rescues on native marine avian species, providing interns a view into the skills necessary for capture and transport of these species. To minimize cross contamination potential, all rehabilitative care of non-marine mammal species is handled solely by the hospital personnel. Intern Responsibilities Under supervision of Marine Mammal staff, experiences will include: * Assessment of stranded marine mammals on the beach; collecting detailed information about species, location, and observations regarding the animal. Accurately dispatching information to the shift lead, to assess if needing a rescue. * Assisting or leading responder teams in the capture and handling of stranded marine mammals needing medical attention. * Maintaining good rapport with representatives of various public agencies, as well as members of the public by providing education on the beach and answering the marine mammal rescue phone. * Maintaining detailed records of daily activities including reports of stranding, human interaction, and patient health status. * Performing daily husbandry tasks in the marine mammal enclosures for patients admitted to the on-site rehabilitation facility. * Administering feeds, diet preparation, and animal restraint as assigned. May assist staff with intake examinations, release evaluations, and veterinary care as needed. * Working closely with Marine Mammal department staff to provide patient-specific rehabilitative care. * Adhering to all safety guidelines set forth by California Wildlife Center and the Marine Mammal Department. * Providing appropriate transport conditions for stranded marine mammals to the rehabilitation facility. * Participating in releases of healthy marine mammal patients back to their Pacific Ocean home. * Assisting with marine mammal post-mortem response on the beach, on site necropsy, sample collection, and data entry.   Winter Session will focus on rescue and rehabilitation of California sea lion pups, and facility preparation for the busy season. Spring Session will focus on in-house rehabilitation of Northern elephant seal pups. All species and age classes are rescued during this session, then transported to other rehabilitation centers for continued care. Spring stranding months are the busiest and most demanding. Summer Session will focus on responding to larger California sea lions and releasing rehabilitated Northern elephant seals. Qualifications This internship is open to all applicants at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If an intern intends to receive academic credit, they will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal stranding response, interns may be requested to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Interns must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Interns will be required to have good physical strength and the ability to lift/carry 50 lbs. Ability to safely walk on beaches of rocky terrain to assist in marine mammal response. The ability to spend extended periods outdoors and on your feet walking, standing, and crouching, including carrying kenneled large animals to the response vehicles. Interns must maintain professionalism with staff, volunteers, and the public. Interns must have the ability to operate in a fast-paced, high stress environment and assist in situations involving sick and injured marine mammals. Must have the ability to multi-task, be adaptable, have attention to detail and be willing to learn. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience not required. Housing and transportation are the sole responsibility of the intern. Must have own transportation and current drivers’ license   To apply - Submit the following items via email to: Alexis Sierra / asierra(a)cawildlife.org * Letter of intent * Resume * Proof of COVID Vaccination Your letter of intent should the session(s) that you are applying for and detail your specific areas of interest. Please visit our website for more information about the programs at CWC:   http://cawildlife.org/volunteer/internshipsexternshipspreceptorships/  Alexis Sierra, RVTg Stranding Coordinator California Wildlife Center P.O. Box 2022 Malibu CA 90265 310/458-WILD (9453) cawildlife.org<https://cawildlife.org/> |[cid:e6621c6c-f9e0-42b4-abe3-6466bec05916]<https://www.instagram.com/cawildlife/>|[cid:f79402b7-cad2-460c-bd16-c981758218f2]<https://www.facebook.com/californiawildlifecenter>

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New publication: Target discrimination during active swimming in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
by Sara Torres Ortiz 11 Aug '26

11 Aug '26

Dear Marmam community, My co-authors and I are excited to share our open-access publication on dolphins’ ability to discriminate between objects using echolocation, and how their performance compares with that of harbor porpoises. Sara Torres Ortiz, Ariana Hernández Sánchez, Freja Jakobsen, Christian Leyva Cortes, Javier Almunia, Magnus Wahlberg; Target discrimination during active swimming in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1 August 2026; 160 (2): 1274–1287. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0044592 Link: https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/160/2/1274/3400614/Target-discriminat… Abstract: Echolocating animals, such as bats and toothed whales, detect prey and other objects by emitting sound pulses and analyzing returning echoes. By adjusting direction, repetition rate, frequency content, and source level of their emissions, they actively control the information they obtain from returning echoes. We investigated how two trained bottlenose dolphins adjusted sound production as well as head, and body movements while approaching and discriminating between two spheres of different materials. We compared their performance with published data from harbor porpoises using the same paradigm. Harbor porpoise and bottlenose dolphin biosonar signals have different spectral and temporal properties that may affect their acoustic behavior and performance. If discrimination relies mainly on temporal cues, similar performance would be expected between the two species. If spectral cues dominate, porpoises should have an advantage. Both species exhibited comparable scanning behavior and a clear switch from longer inter-click intervals to short “buzz” phases during target approach. The dolphins' discrimination performance was poorer than that of porpoises. Our findings indicate that porpoises possess more refined close-range discrimination abilities than previously assumed and highlight how species-specific signal design shapes information acquisition strategies in echolocating mammals. Best regards, Sara Torres Ortiz Postdoc Faculty of Science Department of Biology Sound Communication and Behaviour T +45 65 50 42 16<tel:+4565504216> saraortiz(a)biology.sdu.dk<mailto:saraortiz@biology.sdu.dk> University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 5230 Odense M www.sdu.dk<https://www.sdu.dk> [https://cdn.sdu.dk/img/sdulogos/SDU_BLACK_signatur.png]

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The heart responds to pressure via the lung-new article
by Andreas Fahlman 11 Aug '26

11 Aug '26

Dear MarMamers We are happy to share our new article about how dive depth affects dolphins’ heart rates. We found that the deeper the dolphins dived, the slower their hearts beat. This may happen because water pressure compresses their lungs as they dive deeper, which helps slow the heart and save oxygen. We also found that breathing before a dive was linked to heart rate, showing how closely breathing and the heart work together during diving. We hope you enjoy the article and the details are below and also a link to the open access article. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the first author at: fcoliveira.050402(a)gmail.com Title: The heart responds to pressure via the lung: Dive depth alters cardiac control in bottlenose dolphins Authors: Cunha Oliveira, F. et al. Abstract: Marine mammals face the dual challenge of foraging underwater while relying on limited oxygen stores, making efficient oxygen management essential for survival. The dive response, which includes bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction, helps conserve oxygen for critical organs, such as the heart and brain. While the heart rate (HR) is known to decline with dive duration, the independent effect of dive depth, often confounded by longer dives, remains unclear. To isolate this effect, we measured HR and heart rate variability (HRV) in seven bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during voluntary dives to 0.5 m, 5 m and 10 m, with controlled dive durations ranging from 60, 90 and 120 s. We found that both HR and HRV decreased with increasing dive depth and duration, and that pre-dive breathing rate was positively correlated with HR before and during diving. Additionally, minimal activity to maintain depth did not influence cardiac metrics. These findings support the hypothesis that hydrostatic pressure influences cardiac function during diving, likely through its effects on lung volume. This study underscores the power of comparative physiology to reveal how air-breathing marine animals finely regulate cardiovascular function in response to environmental changes. Understanding these mechanisms is not only fundamental to evolutionary biology but also critical for predicting how diving species may be impacted by climate-driven changes in ocean temperature and hydrostatic pressure. Open access url: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP290923 e-mail: fcoliveira.050402(a)gmail.com

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New publication: btcatch effects on marine mammal behaviour and welfare
by James Barnett 11 Aug '26

11 Aug '26

My co-authors and I would like to share with you our recently published paper considering the behavioural and welfare impacts of peracute underwater entrapment on marine mammals. Dolman S, Barnett J and Wessels M (2026) The impacts of peracute underwater entrapment in fishing nets on marine mammal behaviour and welfare. Front. Ethol. 5:1882616. doi: 10.3389/fetho.2026.1882616 Abstract Fisheries interactions are widely recognised as being the leading anthropogenic cause of marine mammal mortality. One form of fisheries interaction is peracute underwater entrapment (PUE), the process of acute entanglement and forced submersion that occurs following interaction with fishing gear, where an individual is not able to break free or to reach the water’s surface to breathe. PUE results in a number of negative welfare impacts, including asphyxiation, injuries, physiological and psychological stress, social disruption and, ultimately, death impacting on the behaviour of affected individuals and conspecifics. Individually and collectively, the welfare implications of these events are severe and raise significant concerns. This review focuses on PUE and the known and hypothetical events associated with entrapment on the affected individual and on conspecifics including behaviour, the stress response and pathophysiology, the use of necropsy data to help provide a greater understanding of the events surrounding PUE and further research needed to improve our understanding of the welfare implications on individuals and populations. Case studies are provided for grey seal and common dolphin PUE cases in UK waters. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fetho.2026.1882616<https://links.email.frontiersin.org/ls/click?upn=u001.qPvnClRwyVsaBj5SNX-2F…> Best wishes, James James Barnett Cornwall Marine Pathology Team University of Exeter United Kingdom

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New Publication: Differential acoustic habitat use in delphinids along the Florida Atlantic coast
by Jessica Carvalho 10 Aug '26

10 Aug '26

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are happy to share our new publication "Differential acoustic habitat use in delphinids along the Florida Atlantic coast" with you all. The full manuscript can be found here: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21547 Abstract: Acoustic signaling is fundamental to dolphin ecology, with echolocation primarily supporting foraging, navigation, and predator avoidance, and whistles facilitating social communication. Here we investigate potential acoustic habitat differentiation in oceanic dolphins (delphinids) along the Florida Atlantic coast by identifying distinct environmental conditions associated with each signal type and investigating their relationships with soniferous fish presence. Delphinid acoustic signals were recorded during a two-month deployment of a wave glider equipped with a Remora-ST acoustic recorder. Additionally, environmental variables including sound pressure level (SPL), anthropogenic noise, soniferous fish presence, location, temperature, current speed and direction, depth, distance to the coast, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration were recorded. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to identify key predictors of whistle and echolocation occurrence, and best fit models were then used to generate predictive maps of suitable habitat for each signal type and for soniferous fish. Our results revealed unique environmental predictors of delphinid presence, depending on acoustic signal type (echolocation vs whistles) and distinctly different areas of high detection, which was further reflected in predicted habitat suitability. Furthermore, the presence of soniferous fish is shown to influence acoustic vocalization type and detection, offering an initial look into potential predator-prey interactions shaping delphinid vocalization behavior. This research offers valuable insight for management, particularly in identifying key foraging grounds and social hotspots and further validates the capabilities of passive acoustic monitoring via wave gliders for ecological insights of cetaceans. Jessica Carvalho Research Scientist Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

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Position Opening-Clearwater Marine Aquarium Senior Rescue Biologist
by Kerry Sanchez 10 Aug '26

10 Aug '26

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is accepting applications for a NFWF-funded Senior Rescue Biologist position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Position Description is below. Please contact Abby Stone, Rescue Manager, at AStone(a)cmaquarium.org<mailto:AStone@cmaquarium.org> with questions. Please submit applications through: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm… NFWF Senior Rescue Biologist POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: NFWF-Funded Senior Biologist REPORTS TO: Rescue Supervisor SUPERVISES: Rescue Team Volunteers and Interns EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT: Non-Exempt ON-SITE, REMOTE, OR HYBRID: On-Site PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: The NFWF-Funded Senior Biologist plays a crucial role in cetacean stranding preparedness, field responses, necropsies, data collection, project management, reporting, and grant funding. The NFWF-Funded Senior Biologist must demonstrate exceptional flexibility and adaptability. They are expected to be available before and after regularly scheduled shifts five days a week to assist with unpredictable events, such as cetacean strandings and network collaborations. They are on call to field public reports after hours up to three evenings per week. The position requires frequent travel and abrupt changes to work schedules and priorities, and it may involve traveling beyond CMA's coverage area and to other facilities and different job sites. Field responses, necropsies, and post-event responsibilities (e.g., data management, reporting, and media requests) may require changes to regularly scheduled days off and occasional overtime hours if reducing office hours within the same week to avoid overtime is impossible. Overtime hours must be approved by management. The NFWF-Funded Senior Biologist role primarily focuses on cetacean stranding events and research. While up to 10% of hours can be applied to manatee fieldwork, it's important to note that per the conditions of the grant, this position does not support the rehabilitation of marine mammals, nor does it support work related to other wildlife, such as sea turtles or birds. The NFWF-Funded Senior Biologist can, however, gain practical hands-on experience and training to improve stranding response efforts through participation in periodic handling and examination of rehabilitating or resident marine mammals. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Operate stranding response equipment including, but not limited to, heavy-duty pickup trucks with hydrolytic lift systems; a Freightliner box truck with extended cab and air brakes; 17 ft and 24 ft Carolina skiffs, 23 ft Dorado V-Hull, and a 28 ft custom boat with a center-mounted outboard motor * Recover all cetacean carcasses within CMA's coverage area promptly to increase the quantity and quality of data and sample collection * Perform thorough necropsies as the lead examiner within 12 hours of recovery of code 2 and 3 cetacean carcasses following the GoMEX sample collection checklist * Coordinate internally and externally to rapidly respond to live cetacean stranding events, which may occur on holidays and outside regularly scheduled shifts. * Ensure efficient and well-organized stranding response efforts through various tasks aimed at sustaining optimal preparedness, such as regular personnel and community stakeholder training, volunteer management, and the proper maintenance and organization of equipment and supplies via routine inventories and inspections, purchases, cleaning, and storage * Teach stranding response and necropsy procedures to associate biologists, interns, and volunteers * Draft reports, label photos, and submit tissue samples within three weeks of necropsies * Manage data and sample collection, documentation, storage, and submissions * Monitor CMA's emergency stranding hotline and field reports during on-call shifts * Lead up-to-date stranding response workshops for volunteers, interns, various first responder groups, and community stakeholders in CMA's designated response area * Manage internal databases for field responses, necropsies, and biological samples * Participate in various filming and media events, which require giving interviews and being on camera * Write and edit grant proposals * Clean and organize the cetacean necropsy trailer and cold room * Produce high-quality, professionally written work, including standard operating procedures, technical reports, and other material relevant to fieldwork and necropsies * Maintain network partner relationships through good communication and collaboration * Oversee a comprehensive internship program * Participate in outreach events, networking, and other activities that involve traveling to interact with the public * Participate in and facilitate research projects EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: * A bachelor's degree in a related discipline from an accredited college/university is preferred * Minimum of four years combined relevant professional experience * Excellent written and oral communication skills * Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and related software programs * Experience operating watercraft vessels and trailering * Experience driving medium-sized box trucks * Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities * Excellent time management, organization, and data entry skills * Self-starter, ability to work autonomously and function well under pressure * Valid FL driver's license * SCUBA Certification is preferred PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: * Lift to 50 lbs. to waist level - Frequently * Lift to 20 lbs. to shoulders and above head - Frequently * Walk/stand for long periods - Frequently * Maneuver safely on uneven terrain or in tight spaces - Frequently * Safely climb ladders when needed - Moderate Frequency * Squat, bend, kneel, twist, and reach - Frequently * Reach above the shoulders - Frequently * Push and pull larger equipment - Frequently * Work outdoors in all weather conditions and adapt to changing weather - Frequently * Work indoors, under cover without air conditioning or heat - Frequently * Work extended daily hours, overnight, and up to 60 hours per week - Occasionally The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required.

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New publication on prey sharing in Northern and Southern Resident killer whales
by Sharon Kay 09 Aug '26

09 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are delighted to share our latest publication in the journal of Marine Mammal Science: Kay, S. W. C., Barrett-Lennard, L. G., Visona-Kelly, B. C., Mikus, M. A., Weiss, M. N., Croft, D. P., Vergara, V., Fearnbach, H., Durban, J. W., Darimont, C. T. 2026. Using Drone-Derived Imagery to Describe Prey Sharing Behaviors in Two Piscivorous Resident Killer Whale Populations. Marine Mammal Science, 2026; 0:e70215 https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70215 The full article can be accessed through the following link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70215 Abstract: Cooperative foraging occurs across diverse taxa and facilitates prey acquisition and social learning, particularly when prey is shared among group members. In Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca ater), prey sharing is central to how individuals acquire salmonid prey, yet current research has relied primarily on boat-based observations. Using 10 years of drone-based imagery, we examined prey sharing behaviors in two populations, endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) and threatened Northern Resident killer whales (NRKWs). Our goal was to evaluate the utility of drones for documenting prey sharing behaviors and conduct preliminary comparisons between NRKW and SRKWs. We detected 41 NRKW and 52 SRKW predation events, with prey sharing observed in 24 NRKW (59%) and 22 SRKW (42%) events. Drones effectively documented prey sharing at or near the surface, revealing subtle behaviors and allowing us to track the roles of individuals. Initial comparisons revealed that adult female NRKWs shared prey more frequently than adult female SRKWs and shared larger portions of prey. Although preliminary, our findings suggest differences in prey sharing between the populations, possibly reflecting social or ecological differences. Overall, drone-based methods provide valuable insights into foraging behavior in free-ranging cetaceans and offer a new approach to investigate cooperative behaviors. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions. Sharon Kay

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Research equipment for donation/exchange
by Thomas Jefferson 09 Aug '26

09 Aug '26

Dear MARMAMers, VIVA Vaquita (a non-profit) has some research equipment that we do not use anymore, and we would be willing to donate it to a marine mammal research project in exchange for a donation to VIVA Vaquita. We have two Barnett Ranger RX-150 crossbows, about 10 Cet-Dart biopsy darts, several Canon cameras, and a DJI Phantom drone. Please let me know if you are interested in any of these items, and we can discuss further.Thanks,Tom Jeffersonsclymene(a)aol.comVIVA Vaquita

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New publication: The Pelagos Sanctuary Agreement: the need to adapt to environmental and regulatory change
by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara 07 Aug '26

07 Aug '26

Dear Marmam Community, On behalf of my co-author and myself, I wish to draw your attention to a new paper: Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Scovazzi T. 2026. The Pelagos Sanctuary Agreement: the need to adapt to environmental and regulatory change. Marine Pollution Bulletin 233 (2026) 120218, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.120218 The paper can be freely downloaded from this link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X26010052?via%3Di… Abstract: The Pelagos Sanctuary Agreement, signed by France, Italy and Monaco in 1999 and entered into force in 2002, arose from the recognition that marine mammal populations inhabiting what was then high seas in the northwestern Mediterranean required protection from growing human pressures. Initiated as a grassroots effort and later endorsed institutionally, the Sanctuary's establishment—largely in international waters—was enabled by the 1995 revision of the Barcelona Convention's SPA/BD Protocol. Over the past 25 years, the ecological and governance contexts of the Pelagos Sanctuary have changed substantially. Fishery impacts on mammals have declined following the driftnet ban, but other pressures—including maritime traffic, underwater noise, plastic pollution and offshore renewable energy development—have intensified, while climate-driven change is emerging as a major threat. At the same time, research has significantly improved knowledge of the status, distribution and vulnerabilities of the area's cetaceans. The Sanctuary's global importance has been repeatedly recognised, including through its inclusion within EBSAs and IMMAs. Since the Sanctuary's creation, the international policy framework has also evolved markedly, with the entry into force of ACCOBAMS, the adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the designation of a North-Western Mediterranean PSSA. To remain effective, the Pelagos Agreement must adapt to this evolving landscape, strengthen responses to key pressures, and contribute to extending protection westwards, including into Spanish waters, for a more effective conservation of pelagic marine mammals throughout the extent of their critical habitat. Best regards, Giuseppe

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