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SMM2026 Workshop: Innovations in modelling cetacean populations
by georgie whittome 17 Jun '26

17 Jun '26

Dear MARMAN, We are excited to announce the following workshop at the SMM Conference in Puerto Rico on Saturday, October 17th 2026: *Innovations in modelling cetacean populations:* https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1776734102839-9aaa367e-6753 This workshop aims to bring together early career and established researchers to explore opportunities and challenges with the latest technological and statistical innovations in cetacean population modelling and abundance estimation, and discuss the future direction of this field. Estimating abundance and completing population assessments are fundamental components of conservation research and managing cetacean populations. Emerging data sources provide new opportunities, address limitations in previous methods and provide more data for many cryptic species. Furthermore, new methods and statistical modelling approaches are being developed that provide novel insights from more ‘traditional’ data sources. These approaches tackle some of the historical challenges stemming from data collection in marine environments and cetacean behavior. In addition, climate change is leading to increasing environmental variability and extreme events, creating issues for population assessments which have traditionally treated demographic parameters as static over time. As we look forward to the future direction of the field, this workshop will consider how we can account for these increasing phenomena. The workshop will be split into three sections which will each consist of a series of short talks from subject experts followed by small-group discussions. The sections will be (1) technical innovations providing new data sources (e.g. high-throughput genetic sequencing, environmental DNA, etc.), (2) new statistical approaches (e.g. density estimation from passive acoustic monitoring, spatial-capture-recapture models, data integration etc.), and (3) future directions and accounting for climate variability. A full agenda with speakers and finalised topics will be sent to all participants before the workshop. This workshop will be a unique opportunity for researchers interested in emerging techniques in cetacean population modelling to share their expertise, learn from fellow researchers and look forward to the evolution of this field of research as we address critical conservation challenges and seek to effectively manage threats to cetacean populations. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you are conducting research which would be a good fit for discussion in the workshop we'd love to hear about it too. We hope to see you there! Georgina Whittome & Zoe Rand

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Looking to gain certification as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), Protected Species Observer (PSO) or Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator? Limited places at OSC - BOOK NOW!
by OSC Admin 17 Jun '26

17 Jun '26

Dear MARMAMERS! Our renowned OSC MMO(JNCC), PSO (NOAA, BOEM & BSEE), and PAM(IMarEST) courses are underway this year with great feedback: Super clear and comprehensive. Really appreciate the anecdotes. Thanks for such a great session on cetacean acoustics - and with a lot of passion! We're delighted to let you know that we still have spaces in our courses this year for the following sessions: * Session 3 - MMO - Jun 30 (1 day); PSO - Jul 1 (0.5 day); PAM - Jul 1-3 (2.5 days) * Session 4 - MMO - Sept 8 (1 day); PSO - Sept 9 (0.5 day); PAM - Sept 9-11 (2.5 days) * Session 5 - MMO - Nov 17 (1 day); PSO - Nov 18 (0.5 day); PAM - Nov 18-20 (2.5 days) It's the perfect time to enhance your expertise, advance your professional development, or connect with others who share your passion. These courses are carefully crafted to keep you at the forefront of the industry. As an MMO/PSO/PAMO, your judgement in a single moment can protect marine life and influence some of the world's largest offshore operations. With a strong focus on interactivity and practical application, each course will equip you with valuable skills and knowledge you can put to use straight away. Our experienced instructors are committed to guiding you throughout your learning journey, ensuring you get the most from every session. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a dynamic learning environment and elevate your capabilities. Courses are delivered by the authors of the highly regarded 'How To guide', Marine Mammal Observer & Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook. If you're interested in enrolling or have any queries, please reach out to us regarding MMO & PAM Training Courses on admin(a)osc.co.uk<mailto:admin@osc.co.uk>. Spaces are limited and filling up quickly, so secure your place soon. We look forward to welcoming you to the programme and supporting your ongoing success in the marine field. For booking, please follow this link: MMO & PAM Training Courses<https://www.osc.co.uk/training/>. Course attendees also receive a discount code for Opticron binoculars and tripods. For those of you qualified already, please register on our contractors portal: Ocean Science Consulting Limited<https://contractors.osc.co.uk/> and for those who are thinking of qualifying, our contractors portal is a great opportunity to get work with us in many cases straight away and all over the world! We look forward to hearing from you. OSC Admin Ocean Science Consulting Ltd. Ocean Science Consulting Ltd. T: +44 (0)1368 865 722 W: www.osc.co.uk W: www.ocean-science-consulting.gr W: www.osc-nz.co.nz Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RR. Scotland, UK MMO or PAM requirement? We wrote the Book. Now available on Amazon: www.marinemammalobserverhandbook.com

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New publication: Fine-scale spatiotemporal predator-prey interactions in an Antarctic fur seal colony
by Ane Liv Berthelsen 16 Jun '26

16 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our latest research, published in Royal Society Open Science, with you. Berthelsen, A.L., Bartl, J., Winterl, A., Fox-Clarke, C., Forcada, J., Nagel, R., et al. (2026). Fine-scale spatiotemporal predator-prey interactions in an Antarctic fur seal colony. R. Soc. open sci., 250931 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.250931 Abstract: Density is a major determinant of population dynamics, with high densities exacerbating intraspecific competition and disease transmission while low densities increase predation risk. To investigate spatiotemporal density patterns and predator–prey interactions in a breeding colony of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), we deployed an autonomous camera capturing minute-by-minute, high-resolution images throughout a breeding season. Using a YOLO-based neural network, we identified adult males, females and pups, as well as three avian predator–scavengers: giant petrels (Macronectes spp.), brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) and snowy sheathbills (Chionis alba). Analysis of 4.1 million automated detections from over 10 000 high-quality images revealed spatiotemporal abundance patterns corresponding with the known breeding and foraging behaviours of these species. Strong temporal associations emerged between the abundance of pups and two avian species, while fine-scale spatial analyses showed that pups grouped together with other pups and adult females but avoided avian predators and territorial males. Notably, proximity to adult fur seals of both sexes reduced pup predation risk, defined as the distance between the pup and the nearest bird, whereas proximity to other pups did not. Overall, this study provides a framework for quantifying density-dependent interactions in wild populations and emphasizes the value of remote observation in ecological research. Cheers, Ane Liv Berthelsen (she/her), PhD Disclaimer: Work/life balance looks different to everyone, so please respond at a time that is convenient to you. Mail: ane_liv.berthelsen(a)uni-bielefeld.de Room: VHF-204a Bielefeld University Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics 33501 Bielefeld Germany

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Upcoming MMO and PAM Training in Victoria, BC
by Emily Welsh 16 Jun '26

16 Jun '26

Edgewise Environmental is offering Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator and Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) courses, with in-person at-sea practicals taking place in Victoria, BC. All course theory is delivered online in a semi-asynchronous format. See below for dates and information: *Marine Mammal Observer (MMO)* Online Theory: August 11 - September 8 In-person Practical: September 14, 2026 *Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator* Online Theory: August 13 - September 3 In-person Practical: September 9 & 10, 2026 Courses can be taken simultaneously and a discount is applied when registering for multiple courses. Click here <https://8ec4cf1c.streak-link.com/C7NS4lVBgUz89IGvaAzJUkhP/https%3A%2F%2Fwww…> for more information or email info(a)edgewiseenvironmental.com. Cheers, Emily Welsh Social Media & Marketing Coordinator Edgewise Environmental Ltd. (709) 317-0366 St. John’s, NL, Canada www.edgewiseenvironmental.com [image: Facebook icon] <https://8ec4cf1c.streak-link.com/C7NS4lVOzgoV-KEsWQAfpnWx/https%3A%2F%2Fwww…> [image: LinkedIn icon] <https://8ec4cf1c.streak-link.com/C7NS4sEmpujb3D0U9ggMApSs/https%3A%2F%2Fwww…> [image: Instagram icon] <https://8ec4cf1c.streak-link.com/C7NS4ldUVCN08TPPmwZIfDCe/https%3A%2F%2Fins…> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. ᐧ

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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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