- MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Seeking hardcopy issues of the Whalewatcher
by Thomas Jefferson 26 Jun '26

26 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM, The Society for Marine Mammalogy's Ad hoc Archives Committee is currently working to make available online PDF copies of the Whalewatcher (the American Cetacean Society's journal). We have many of them already, but are looking for complete or partial hardcopy sets of the journal that are unbound, so that we can scan them with a run-through scanner. If anyone has a set that they would be willing to donate to the effort (we can return them once scanned, if you want), please contact me.Thanks,Tom Jeffersonsclymene(a)aol.com

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Southwest Fisheries Science Center is hiring!
by Karen Martien - NOAA Federal 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

*The Southwest Fisheries Science Center is excited to announce we are recruiting for an ‘Omics Bioinformaticist (Biologist 0401)!* This position is for a bioinformaticist to use advanced ‘omics techniques (such as environmental DNA, epigenetics, close-kin mark-recapture, parentage-based tagging, and genomic sequencing) and computational data analysis to inform population characteristics, seasonal or interannual distribution, and abundance of fishery and protected species in large marine ecosystems and watersheds (marine and anadromous fish, invertebrates, mammals, and turtles). The successful applicant will collaborate with multiple investigators on a number of projects simultaneously, and develop generalized scripts and workflows to streamline the analysis of data across projects. This position is advertised at two experience levels. You can read the full description of each position, as well as of several similar positions available at our Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Alaska Science Centers, at https://tinyurl.com/mssyryez and https://tinyurl.com/3f662htk. The full vacancy announcement and application instructions for these positions can be found here: · https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/874205800 · https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/874207300 *1. Essential Application Requirements* To ensure your resume receives consideration, we highly recommend using the *USAJobs resume builder* to ensure all required elements are included. If you prefer to use your own format, please ensure *all* of the below information is included; otherwise, your application may be *disqualified*: ● Job Title (including job series and grade, if federal) ● Descriptions of duties/work performed (Make sure to include duties that detail how you meet the specialized experience listed in the announcement) ● Starting and ending dates for each position (month and year) ● Hours worked per week and/or full-time or part-time status. If identifying as *part-time*, you must state the number of hours per week. ○ *Note: A full-time work schedule is typically 33-40 hours per week. A part-time schedule requires an employee to work a prearranged scheduled tour of duty for less than full-time hours (usually 16-32 hours).* *Important Note on Resume Length:* Resumes are limited to no longer than *2 pages in length*. Resume documents longer than 2 pages will not be accepted by USAJobs. *Education Requirements* If the position has a positive education requirement, unofficial transcripts are required. Transcripts must include: name of accredited institution; courses by title, number, and department (e.g., BIO 101 Intro to Bio, MATH 210 Calculus I); grades earned; completion dates; quarter or semester hours earned; and degree award date (if applicable). Candidates are encouraged to course descriptions from the relevant institution’s course catalog if the content of any course is not clear from the course title. Any applicant who does not appear to meet the education requirement based on the documents submitted will not be considered for the position. *2. Need Assistance?* Prior to submitting your application, double check that your application package contains all of the "Required Documents" as outlined in the vacancy announcement. ● *Erroneous Disqualification:* If you believe you were erroneously disqualified for a position, you can request reconsideration of your status by emailing our HR team: noaa.applicantinquiries(a)noaa.gov ● *Technical Difficulties:* If you experience technical difficulties during the application process, contact the USAJobs Help Desk as soon as possible by filling out their <https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/#usajobs-contact-form>USAJobs Contact Us Form <https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/#usajobs-contact-form>. They typically respond within 24-48 hours. ● *Additional Tips:* For additional tips on applying to USAJobs positions, please view this helpful video: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZMKMkAeqo>Fisheries Hiring Manager: USAJobs Application Tips Video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZMKMkAeqo> . *3. Why Join Our Team? * In addition to the benefits offered to all Government employees, you can review them here: <https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees…>OPM Federal Employee Benefits Overview <https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees…>. NOAA has additional benefits not offered by other Government agencies: ● *CAPS Pay Administration:* Offers the potential for accelerated pay growth based on performance. CAPS pay allows for annual performance pay increases and bonuses, plus the standard annual general and locality pay increases. You may also negotiate your initial salary if you can demonstrate how your experience and education will be beneficial in the selected position. ● *Wellness@Work Program:* Take time for yourself! Employees are authorized up to 40 hours per year for wellness activities. ● *Southwest Center Specific Benefits:* Our laboratory is located in beautiful La Jolla on the campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Enjoy ocean views and stimulating engagement faculty and staff at a premiere marine research institute. -- Karen K. Martien, Ph.D. Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 858-546-7058 Karen.Martien(a)noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-mmgenetics *I sometimes work irregular hours, but I respect your work schedule and do not expect an action or reply outside of your working hours.*

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New Publication
by Alexis Morrigan 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

New Publication: Increasing presence of Bigg's killer whales and changing seasonality of Southern Resident killer whales in Washington waters (The Whale Museum) On behalf of all co-authors I am pleased to share our latest publication focusing on trends of Bigg's killer whales and changing seasonality of SRKWs within Washington waters. See abstract below. Cheers, -- *Alexis Morrigan *(she/her) alexis(a)whalemuseum.org Link to publication: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0350181 Abstract: Two ecotypes of killer whales (*Orcinus orca)* occur in the Washington waters of the Salish Sea: endangered, fish-eating Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW), made up of three family groups J-, K-, and L-pods, and marine-mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales. Although these ecotypes overlap in space, they respond to different ecological processes, face different threats, and have different management priorities. Understanding how their habitat use has changed over time can give us insight into changes in the ecosystem that may be affecting these populations and enable spatially explicit management strategies. Using killer whale detections in Washington waters from 1978–2022, we fit species distribution models to SRKW and Bigg’s killer whales, to understand spatiotemporal trends in killer whale presence. We found that SRKW presence was quite variable, but they were most likely to be present in 2001 (70% average probability of presence) and least likely to be present in 2019 (23% average probability of presence). Bigg’s presence increased over time, from 4% average probability of presence in 1978 to 66% probability of presence in 2022. The decrease in SRKW probability of presence in recent years was most likely driven by K- and L-pods which showed a decline in average annual probability of presence since 2017, while the average annual probability of presence remained high for J-pod. On a seasonal level, SRKW presence has decreased in summer months (June-August) since 2016, while Bigg’s presence has continued to increase in all months. As Bigg’s presence has increased in Washington waters, SRKW and Bigg’s habitat use has increasingly overlapped, especially in the Puget Sound. Since 2011, the probability of Bigg’s presence has increased in the Whidbey Basin while SRKW presence has decreased. Additionally, in October – January, SRKW and Bigg’s have an equal probability of being present throughout the Central Basin. These models can be used to determine optimal times and areas for management actions to limit exposure of anthropogenic disturbances to SRKW and Bigg’s killer whales.

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SMM Workshop: One Ocean, Many Voices, One Mission: Whale Watch Naturalists Unite
by Laura Howes - NOAA Federal 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

Greetings MARMAM'ers, We have a great workshop available at the upcoming SMM 2026 Conference in Puerto Rico (virual option as well!). See below: One Ocean, Many Voices, One Mission: Whale Watch Naturalists Unite Workshop at the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1:30-5:30 PM San Juan, Puerto Rico https://sites.google.com/view/nawwna/events/smm Whale watch naturalists and educators: share best practices, teaching tools, and storytelling strategies while building meaningful connections that extend beyond the conference. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: The workshop will feature an invited keynote, lightning talks, and facilitated discussions focused on engaging the public around complex and sometimes controversial topics, including entanglement, climate change, vessel strikes, and offshore wind. A central goal is to explore approaches that move audiences from awareness to positive behavior change that benefits marine mammals. Participants will exchange resources and favorite teaching tools, collaborate on effective communication strategies, and identify shared challenges and solutions. Time will also be dedicated to developing a plan for sustaining this network as a long-term professional resource—supporting continued collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing throughout the Biennial Society for Marine Mammalogy conference and into the coming years. By forming this international community at the start of the conference, naturalists can collectively process new scientific information as it is presented and translate it into clear, compelling public outreach. Together, participants will refine best practices for presenting emerging research, navigating sensitive topics, and inspiring conservation-minded actions among diverse audiences. Establishing these connections early creates a foundation for collaborative learning throughout the event, ensuring attendees leave not only with new knowledge, but also with practical tools, shared language, and an ongoing support network to strengthen whale watch education worldwide. We also have a free virtual option available for attendance that you can sign up for here: https://forms.gle/GfVRBXkf2CrfzeGd6 Laura Howes, Workshop Co-Chair NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary -- Laura Howes Sanctuary Outreach Specialist Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary <https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/> National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Phone: (781) 205-0354 laura.howes(a)noaa.gov <tammy.silva(a)noaa.gov> | sanctuaries.noaa.gov <https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/> Follow us on Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/stellwagenbanknms/> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/SBNMS>

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New publication - Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) strandings in Norway and Svalbard
by Sean O'Callaghan 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

Hello all, We are pleased to share the below open access publication, should it interest you. O’Callaghan, S.A., Similä, T., Gammell, M. and O'Brien, J. (2026). Sperm whale (*Physeter macrocephalus*) strandings in Norway and Svalbard. *Polar Biology* 49, 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-026-03499-6 Abstract Norwegian waters represent an important male sperm whale foraging area with an extensive continental shelf edge pocketed with deep submarine canyon systems. A total of 120 sperm whale strandings along the Norwegian mainland coast were recorded primarily between the 1950’s – 2026 while two historic records from the 1700’s were also recorded. Of these, 7 live strandings occurred between 1980 and 2020 involving single individuals. One fishing gear entanglement cases and one ship strike was recorded. Most strandings centred around the Vesterålen and Lofoten archipelagos (n = 48) between 67–69°N. Strandings were reported in all months but most frequently in May (n = 22) followed by July (n = 21). In Svalbard (76–80°N), 11 strandings were reported between 2001 and 2022. Floating carcasses at sea were recorded on 18 occasions off Norway (n = 15) and Svalbard (n = 3) where the most northern record was in the pack ice north of Spitzbergen at 81°N in 2025. One female live stranded in July 2020 north of the Arctic Circle at Saltfjorden, Bodø (67°N) which likely represents the furthest north record for a confirmed female globally to date. All other carcasses were either male, too decomposed to determine their sex or the specified information was not available. This study contributes knowledge to the presence and distribution of sperm whales in Norwegian waters using dead individuals. The article is available here https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-026-03499-6#citeas Kind regards, Seán

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New publication: Cultural evolution in Mediterranean sperm whale dialects
by Taylor Hersh 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I’m pleased to share our recent publication in Proceedings B: “Dialect variation in Mediterranean sperm whales shows evidence of cultural evolution in an isolated population” Abstract: Population isolation and bottlenecks can affect cultural evolution. This has been shown in bird vocal dialects but is less studied in mammals. The isolated and weakly structured population of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Mediterranean Sea provide an opportunity to address this knowledge gap. We studied dialect variation in this population using the species’ primary social vocalization, stereotyped patterns of clicks called codas. We analysed 5291 codas recorded over 112 days between 2003 and 2021 from both the western and eastern deep-water basins of the Mediterranean Sea. We confirmed previous studies showing the dominance of codas with a 3+1 pattern but also identified two distinct dialect groups. The 2+1 and slow 3+1 coda types identified the western dialect while the 8I and fast 3++1 coda types identified the eastern dialect. Notably, groups recorded in the east occasionally produced the ‘western’ slow 3+1 coda types but the converse was not true, suggesting a directionality in dialect formation. The similarities between the apparent effects of isolation on sperm whale dialects and isolation effects reported in studies of the cultural evolution of both bird song dialects and human languages suggest convergences in vocal dialect evolution across social taxa. The paper is open access and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0165 Please reach out with any questions! Cheers, Taylor Hersh (she/her) taylor.hersh(a)bristol.ac.uk Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellow School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol Current time zone: British Summer Time (UTC/GMT +1)

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Help Shape a Free NASA PACE + QGIS Course for Marine Mammal Applications
by Liz Ferguson 23 Jun '26

23 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM Community, Ocean Science Analytics is developing a new *free, asynchronous training course* focused on working with NASA PACE satellite data in QGIS, and we would like your input before we begin building the content. As a NASA PACE Early Adopter, part of our contribution to the marine science community is helping researchers better access, visualize, and apply these emerging satellite products to ecological questions. While PACE does not directly observe marine mammals, its measurements have tremendous potential to improve our understanding of the environmental conditions that influence marine mammal distribution and habitat use. Applications include characterizing marine mammal habitat, evaluating trophic and ecosystem conditions, identifying biologically productive areas, investigating potential prey-field dynamics, exploring spatial and temporal variability in oceanographic features, and contributing to a better understanding of migratory corridors and species distribution patterns. By providing unprecedented information on phytoplankton communities, water properties, and ecosystem dynamics, PACE offers new opportunities to investigate the environmental drivers that shape marine mammal occurrence patterns. As a company whose work is heavily focused on marine mammal research, monitoring, and conservation, we are actively exploring these applications ourselves through our NASA PACE Early Adopter activities. Our Early Adopter <https://pace.oceansciences.org/people_ea.htm?id=54>profile provides examples of how we are integrating PACE data into marine ecosystem and marine mammal-focused analyses. For those interested in broader ecosystem, fisheries, and conservation applications, Ryan Vargas and colleagues recently provided NOAA technical guidance <https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/70720>providing a useful overview describing how PACE observations can support fisheries management, ecosystem monitoring, and marine conservation decision-making. The publication provides an excellent introduction to the types of environmental indicators and management-relevant products that can be derived from PACE observations: The pending free PACE course is expected to cover topics such as: • Accessing PACE data through NASA Earthdata • Importing and visualizing PACE products in QGIS • Basic spatial and temporal analysis workflows • Exploring relationships between oceanographic conditions, ecosystem productivity, and marine habitats • Practical applications of PACE data for marine ecosystem and marine mammal research This is not intended to be a comprehensive QGIS training course. Rather, our goal is to create a practical, end-to-end resource that helps users move from downloading PACE data to generating meaningful maps, visualizations, and analyses. For those interested in broader GIS concepts and marine spatial analysis workflows, we offer a separate *QGIS Essentials for Marine Science Professionals <https://www.oceanscienceanalytics.com/qgis-essentials>* course. To ensure the course reflects the needs of the marine mammal and broader marine science communities, we are asking researchers, students, educators, managers, and practitioners to complete a short *5–8 minute survey*. Responses will directly influence the topics, workflows, and PACE products prioritized in the final course. *📝 PACE + QGIS Content Survey <https://forms.gle/6gBniGY6jEHcTVPJ6>* Thank you for your time and feedback. We look forward to building a resource that supports new applications of PACE data across the marine m ammal community. Regards, Liz Ferguson *CEO and Founder* *T:* (619) 320-5047 || *C:* (619) 459-2242 *Ocean Science Analytics* *www.oceanscienceanalytics.com <http://www.oceanscienceanalytics.com>*

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Announcing the SMM2026 Workshop: Using techniques from improvisation and acting to gain focus, improve collaboration, and overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome
by Andrew Wright 23 Jun '26

23 Jun '26

Dear Marmam, Are you feeling overwhelmed or dealing with imposter syndrome? Do you struggle with making presentations or participating in workshops? You’re not alone. Join us for an interactive workshop exploring how tools from improvisation and acting can help you control your presentation nerves, improve focus, handle unexpected challenges, and generally build confidence in your academic journey. Through simple exercises and improv-based activities built around the idea of “*Yes, and…*”, participants will practice adaptability, quick thinking, and self-acceptance in a supportive environment where mistakes are part of the process. *🎓 Workshop: Using techniques from improvisation and acting to gain focus, improve collaboration, and overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome 📅 Date: Sunday 18th October🕘 Time: 08:30–12:30🔗 More details here: https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1776733931021-85a1be63-7bd3 <https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1776733931021-85a1be63-7bd3>* Come try something different, learn practical techniques to manage pressure, and take the first steps toward a more confident and balanced academic experience. If you have any questions, please let me know. Best regards, Andrew -- Andrew Wright, Ph.D. andrew(a)vocalearth.com

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SMM 2026 Workshop Announcement: Asking the right questions: Designing robust social surveys to better inform marine mammal conservation
by Andrew Wright 23 Jun '26

23 Jun '26

Dear Marmam, Announcing the SMM 2026 half-day workshop: Asking the Right Questions: Designing Robust Social Surveys for Marine Mammal Conservation, that will be held on on Saturday, October 17th, 2026: 13:00 - 17:00. Public attitudes and human behaviour often shape marine mammal conservation outcomes as much as biological knowledge. Surveys are common tools used in conservation to assess stakeholder attitudes and preferences. However, it is easy to unintentionally create leading or ambiguous questions and poorly designed surveys can produce misleading results and lead to ineffective management recommendations. Join this interactive workshop to learn how to design, implement, and interpret social surveys that generate credible, decision-relevant evidence. We’ll cover common pitfalls, such as unrepresentative sampling and social desirability bias, as well as practical ways to avoid them, including question design, response scales and survey length. Participants will leave with clear guidelines and example templates to strengthen the role of surveys in marine mammal conservation. This workshop is for scientists, practitioners, managers, and anyone using social surveys in marine mammal conservation. If you have any questions, please reach out. Best regards, Andrew -- Andrew Wright, Ph.D. andrew(a)vocalearth.com

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Machine Learning for Evolutionary Genomics (MLEG01) – Applications for Marine Mammal Research
by Oliver Hooker 23 Jun '26

23 Jun '26

*Machine Learning for Evolutionary Genomics (MLEG01) – Applications for Marine Mammal Research* https://prstats.org/course/machine-learning-for-evolutionary-genomics-mleg0… Delivered by experienced computational biologists, evolutionary geneticists, and machine learning researchers. Learn how to apply *Machine Learning (ML)* and *Artificial Intelligence (AI)* methods to genomic data, with techniques that are increasingly relevant across marine mammal research and conservation genetics. As genomic datasets continue to grow in size and complexity, machine learning is becoming an important tool for identifying patterns that are difficult to detect using traditional statistical approaches. While this course focuses on evolutionary genomics, the methods taught are highly transferable to marine mammal research, including population structure analysis, conservation genetics, adaptation, demographic history, and genomic monitoring. ------------------------------ What you’ll gain - A strong understanding of machine learning concepts in genomics and evolutionary biology - Practical experience applying machine learning methods to genomic datasets - Skills in predictive modelling, classification, and pattern recognition - Understanding of supervised and unsupervised learning approaches - Ability to evaluate model performance and avoid common pitfalls - Confidence in interpreting machine learning outputs in biological contexts ------------------------------ Course format - Live, instructor-led online training - Hands-on coding with real-world genomic datasets - Interactive practical exercises throughout - Strong focus on applied, research-ready workflows ------------------------------ Who is this course for? - Marine mammal researchers working with genetic or genomic data - Conservation geneticists and molecular ecologists - Bioinformaticians and computational biologists - Researchers interested in applying machine learning to biological questions - PhD students and quantitative life scientists ------------------------------ Why take this course? Genomic approaches are increasingly used to address important questions in marine mammal science, including population connectivity, adaptation to changing environments, demographic history, hybridisation, and conservation management. As genomic datasets become larger and more complex, machine learning offers powerful tools for uncovering patterns that may not be apparent using traditional analytical methods. The techniques covered in this course can be applied to a wide range of marine mammal research questions involving population genomics, conservation genetics, and evolutionary processes. By combining modern machine learning approaches with genomic data, researchers can gain new insights into the factors shaping marine mammal populations and their responses to environmental change. ------------------------------ Learn more & enrol PR Stats course page for Machine Learning for Evolutionary Genomics (MLEG01) ------------------------------ Questions? Email: oliver(a)prstats.org -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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