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New publication on North Sea harbour porpoise body condition
by Schotanus, E.T. (Eva) 07 Jun '26

07 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm pleased to share our new paper that has just been published in Global Ecology and Conservation (open access): Schotanus, E. T., Doeschate, M. T. I., Brownlow, A. C., Dabin, W., Deaville, R., Gröne, A., Haelters, J., Heesterbeek, H., Jauniaux, T., Jensen, T. K., Kristensen, N. M., Lennon, R. L., Leopold, M. F., Peltier, H., Thøstesen, C. B., Williams, R. S., & IJsseldijk, L. L. (2026). Spatiotemporal and demographic variability in body condition of North Sea harbour porpoises. Global Ecology And Conservation, 69, e04275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04275 ABSTRACT: Bioenergetic models play an important role in assessing effects of anthropogenic disturbance on a marine mammal population. However, model application is hindered by knowledge gaps, including population composition, demographics and body condition. The latter can be used as a health and fitness indicator. Body condition, measured by body mass index (BMI), was analysed for 1700 stranded or bycaught harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from five countries around the North Sea between 1990 and 2023. Variation in body condition was examined across regions, seasons, age classes, sexes, and mortality categories. Mortality categories, based on necropsies, were: ‘acute’ (including bycatch, trauma and predation), ‘non-acute’ (including infectious diseases or other prolonged processes), and ‘other’ (including live stranding and unknown). All regions experienced seasonal variation in body condition. Juvenile harbour porpoises had the lowest BMI in summer, especially in the southern regions. Adults showed higher regional variability, with the lowest BMI occurring from late summer to early autumn. BMI also differed across mortality categories: individuals classified as ‘acute’ had significantly higher BMI than those in the ‘non-acute’ and ‘other’ categories. For adults, BMI varied by sex, with females in mortality categories ‘non-acute’ and ‘other’ showing lower values than males. These results provide reference values for harbour porpoise body condition in the North Sea, indicating spatiotemporal heterogeneity in body condition. This variability should be considered when assessing the effect of anthropogenic disturbance and informing marine mammal management and conservation in the Anthropocene. Keywords: Body mass index; Bioenergetics; Conservation; Marine mammals; Odontocetes; Phocoena phocoena; Population demographics Please reach out if you have any questions! Kind regards, Eva Schotanus Eva Schotanus<https://www.uu.nl/medewerkers/ETSchotanus> | PhD Candidate | Marine Mammal Stranding Research<https://www.uu.nl/en/research/strandings-investigation> | Utrecht University | Veterinary Medicine<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-veterinary-medicine> | Biomolecular Health Sciences | Pathology | Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht | Room O.171 | e.t.schotanus(a)uu.nl<mailto:e.t.schotanus@uu.nl> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-schotanus/> | [cid:image001.jpg@01DAEF25.56A1BE80]

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New Publication: Noise, prey and acoustic behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay
by Rob Schick 05 Jun '26

05 Jun '26

On behalf of my colleagues, I'm pleased to share our new paper that has just been published in Endangered Species Research: Schick RS, Yack TM, Pirotta E, Mayo CA, Clark CW, Hudak CA, Schosberg RB, Martinez A, Paris MD, Kaney NA, Yu N, Gillespie D, Nowacek DP, Thomas L, Harris CM, Tyack PL (2026) Foraging behavior of Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whales is associated with ambient noise, prey density, and the acoustic behavior of conspecifics. Endang Species Res 60:esr01499 https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01499 ABSTRACT: The endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) faces threats from lethal and sublethal stressors. Prey limitation has been linked to reduced growth and fecundity, while anthropogenic noise has been associated with acoustic behavior changes and increased physiological stress. We combined disparate data sets collected in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, USA, across multiple years, quantifying links between prey, calling behavior, noise, and foraging behavior to answer 3 questions: (1) What are the characteristics of noise and prey density in the patches where NARW forage? Are prey density, call rate, and noise related to (2) the probability of being in a foraging state and (3) the size of the foraging group? We found links between predicted prey density and 2 measures of NARW foraging: probability of being in a foraging state and foraging group size. There were also significant non-linear relationships between lagged calling behavior and these same measures. For group size, an interaction term between calling behavior and prey density suggested a complex interrelationship between these variables. When more ambient noise was measured near a patch in the 4 h prior to a sighting of foraging whales, whales foraged in lower-quality zooplankton patches. Elevated noise ahead of aggregated sightings was also associated with a smaller group size. This is consistent with the hypothesis that increased ambient noise disturbs foraging and/or reduces communication space, limiting the ability of NARWs to fully exploit their environment. Our findings suggest pathways for future experiments to explicitly test the mechanisms underpinning foraging processes in endangered NARW. Best, Rob Schick, PhD Senior Scientist Southall Environmental Associates, Inc. Aptos, CA 95003

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New Publication: The Deep-Sea Preyscapes of Mammalian Top Predators
by Marie Guilpin 05 Jun '26

05 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper in Environmental DNA entitled "The Deep-Sea Preyscapes of Mammalian Top Predators". V. Merten, M. Guilpin, J. M. Parker, M. Oudejans, S. M. Dolan, S. Baumann‐Pickering, E. L. Hazen, L. M. D. Barcelos, M. F. Guerreiro, F. M. Porteiro, S. Franzenburg, T. Bayer, H.-J. Hoving, F. Visser, The Deep‐Sea Preyscapes of Mammalian Top Predators. *Environ. DNA* *8* (2026). https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70296 ABSTRACT Prey richness, accessibility, and density shape predator foraging strategies. Deep-sea preyscapes, however, remain largely unknown, limiting our understanding of how prey presence and distribution shape predator movement, energy budget, and ecological role. Using combined eDNA metabarcoding and hydroacoustics, we investigated the deep-sea cephalopod and fish preyscapes of three co-occurring cetacean predators (Risso's dolphins (*Grampus griseus*), Sowerby's beaked whales (*Mesoplodon bidens*), and goose-beaked whales (*Ziphius cavirostris*)) across an inshore-offshore gradient. We tested whether (i) prey acoustic backscatter (a metric for density) and taxonomic richness decreased with distance from shore; (ii) predators exploit localized peaks in prey density and richness; and (iii) prey composition and density varied across adjacent foraging habitats along the inshore-offshore gradient. Across 117 samples, we detected 37 cephalopod and 66 fish taxa, including other top predators (sharks). Acoustic backscatter was concentrated within the deep scattering layer (DSL). Yet, peak taxonomic richness occurred above and below it, suggesting that the local DSL holds relatively limited fish and cephalopod richness. The offshore DSLs were vertically shallower and more stable, while the inshore DSL was deeper and bifurcated, possibly due to predator avoidance. Contrary to expectation, acoustic backscatter offshore was up to fivefold higher than inshore, and taxonomic richness did not decrease with distance from shore. Fish communities varied primarily with depth, whereas cephalopod communities varied along the inshore-offshore gradient. Bathypelagic offshore foraging zones of goose-beaked whales contained overall low acoustic backscatter but high taxonomic richness. This suggests that goose-beaked whales may target large, energy-rich cephalopods and prioritize prey quality over density. Our results reveal vertical and horizontal habitat complexity in an oceanic ecosystem that may shape predator–prey interactions and habitat partitioning among cetacean species. The article is open access and available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70296 Best regards, Marie Guilpin, PhD Marie Curie Research Fellow Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling and School of Mathematics and Statistics University of St Andrews, Scotland KY16 9LZ

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CORRECTION to previously posted FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Research Assistant position
by Lauren Clance 05 Jun '26

05 Jun '26

Please see the corrections to our previously posted position. The updated information is below. This role is for our campus in Fort Pierce, FL, and the posting closes June 16th, 2026. To apply, please visit: https://fau.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FAU/job/Marine-Mammal-Stranding---P… Position Summary: The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Mammal Stranding & Population Assessment Assistant for our campus in Ft. Pierce, Florida. FAU Harbor Branch, located in Ft. Pierce, is a research institute focusing on marine science and oceanography with over 200 scientists, staff and students that work and study at the site.  * Performs as a NOAA NMFS authorized primary responder on marine mammal strandings and collects Level A stranding data, working in the field and office. * Performs as a co-investigator on population assessment permit. Duties include boat-based surveys, photo analysis, data entry and data QA/QC. * Assists with maintenance of vessels, vehicles, and equipment used for operations. * Participates in on-call rotation with other members of the group. * Assists in marine mammal necropsies * Participates in presentations or other outreach activities regarding stranding and population assessments. * Additional job-related duties as assigned. FAU Benefits and Perks If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers: * Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more. * State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans. * State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)<https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service> program. * Sick Leave Pool Program. * Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion). * Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day<https://www.fau.edu/hr/documents/community-engagement-volunteer-leave4-2015…> * Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply). For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php Explore Living in the Treasure Coast The goal is to provide local employers and new employees in the area a comprehensive guide with places to live. View it here: Moving Here | Life in Treasure Coast FL<https://lifeintreasurecoastfl.com/moving-here/> Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in an appropriate field of study, such as Biology, Environmental Sciences and one (1) year of marine mammal stranding response experience and related activities required. Must have valid Florida driver’s license with acceptable driving record or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire required. Florida certificate of Boating Safety Education required or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire required. Successfully complete the USGS Motorboat Operator Certification (MOCC) within 6 months of hire required. Experience driving various vessels in coastal and offshore waters required. Ability to work flexible hours including on-call times weekly, weekend, and holidays to meet program objectives required. Preferred Qualifications/Skills: Experience with population assessment data collection, photo-ID boat surveys, photo analysis or database input. Comfortable driving large vehicles and towing boats. Ability to become a NOAA NMFS primary responder on marine mammal stranding activities (Article 3 and 4) required within one year of hire. Ability to immediately be approved for NOAA NMFS primary responder. Experience with Microsoft Office. Excellent verbal and communication skills. Able to work within a team and independently. This includes collaborative activities with all stakeholders. Salary: $21.00 Hourly Non-Exempt Support Personnel (SP) College or Department: HBOI: Research - MMRC Location: Harbor Branch (HBOI) Work Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Occasional work outside of regular hours. Participates in on-call rotation. Application Deadline: 2026-06-15 Special Instructions to Applicant: VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants may claim Veterans’ Preference on their application. The applicant claiming preference is responsible for providing required documentation at the time of making an application in Workday for a vacant position, or prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If an applicant qualifies for Veterans' Preference and the SP position, they are shown preference by the guarantee of an interview. Veterans’ Preference does not guarantee a job. For additional information, please visit https://www.fau.edu/jobs/resources/veterans/. For assistance, please contact Recruitment Services at empl(a)fau.edu. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: Resume Cover Letter OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED: Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment. PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED: Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check. REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS: Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at accommodate(a)fau.edu. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.

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New publication: Novel dolphin morbillivirus epizootic in stranded striped dolphins in the western Mediterranean Sea, 2025 (Laura Martino)
by Laura 05 Jun '26

05 Jun '26

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce a new open access note published in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms in which we inform of a new circulation/epizootic of mortality of dolphin morbillivirus in the western Mediterranean Sea, affecting striped dolphins. The note compiles five cases stranded and dead from August to November. However, we have evidence that mortality is still ongoing as two weeks ago we had a case of acute DMV dying from secondary infections in our facilities. Link to the publication: https://www.int-res.com/journals/dao/articles/dao03918 Abstract: Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) epizootics have recurrently occurred in the western Mediterranean Sea since the first reported outbreak in 1990–1992. In August–November 2025, 5 stranded striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba were diagnosed with systemic DMV infection in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea. Dolphins were thin, and 4 of them had typical viral lesions of bronchiolointerstitial pneumonia, lymphoid depletion, and encephalitis. RT-PCR for DMV was positive in at least 2 organs in all dolphins, and viral antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry in 4 dolphins. Four dolphins died due to morbillivirus infection, while the other DMV-infected dolphin died from cranial trauma and tension pneumothorax. The viral genome recovered from the sample of one dolphin has higher identity to delphinid 2016–2017 Italian DMV sequences and to a fin whale strain from Denmark in 2016, and is approximately 1% distant from strains of previous epizootics in the Mediterranean Sea. The exact source of the infection is unknown, but direct contact with infected striped dolphins from other areas of the Mediterranean or a new DMV incursion from the Atlantic Ocean are possible.

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New publication - Nutritional Stress and Warming Seas Threaten Hawaiʻi’s Last False Killer Whales
by Jens Currie 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

Hi MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication: 2026: Currie, J.J., Stirling, B., Olson, G., van Aswegen, M., Evans, L., Stack, S.H., Kobayashi, N., Ueda, K., Higa, S., Gough, W., Vivier, F., McPherson, L., Fertitta, K., and Bejder, L. Body condition differs among social clusters and across years in endangered false killer whales in Hawai‘i. Endangered Species Research. 60: esr01505. Please find our open access article at: https://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/articles/esr01505 Abstract: Body condition is a critical indicator of health and nutritional status in cetaceans, particularly for small, endangered populations facing ecological stressors. We used aerial photogrammetry to evaluate body size and condition of the endangered false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens population resident in the main Hawaiian Islands. From 2019 to 2025, 68 individuals were assessed across 142 photogrammetric measurements. Relative body width declined with age class, particularly across the mid-body region, indicating early-life lipid accumulation followed by increased energetic demands in adulthood. Photogrammetric volume estimates were validated against 3D-scanned individuals, providing estimates within 3% of scanned volumes. Standardized major axis regression revealed significant differences in the body length–volume relationship across social clusters. Body condition index (BCI) varied across years, with the lowest values in 2020, coinciding with the largest single-year population decline and record sea surface temperatures from a marine heatwave, suggesting that environmental stressors may have contributed to reduced body condition during this period. Individual-level trajectories further highlighted substantial fluctuations in BCI, including one case of 28% estimated body mass loss over a 2.5 mo period, and pronounced variability within one cluster, potentially reflecting higher energetic costs and nutritional stress associated with broader ranging behavior. These findings underscore the influence of spatial ecology and local prey availability on the health of this declining population, while providing a foundation for long-term monitoring of the energetic stressors shaping their viability. Sincerely, Jens Jens Currie (he/him) Chief Scientist Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Ma‘alaea Road Ste 211, Wailuku, HI 96793 Cell: +1 808-990-5544 Office: +1 808-856-8338 Fax: +1 808-856-8363 PacificWhale.org<http://www.pacificwhale.org/> [cid:mkt_donation_email_sig_r3_500px_59742678-0de9-40fc-ac98-07ce516adf52.png]<https://secure.pacificwhale.org/forms/emailsignature>

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Half-Day Workshop, October 18. 2026 08:00-12:30 AST - Response Planning for High-Interest Stranding Events: Managing Public Expectations and Communications While Maintaining Operational Continuity
by Alli Deperte 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM Community, In case you missed it, we wanted to send this reminder out to look for the half-day SMM Workshop, scheduled for Sunday, October 18th from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM titled: Response Planning for High-Interest Stranding Events: Managing Public Expectations and Communications While Maintaining Operational Continuity<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.smmconference.org_…> Workshop Description When the Pressure Hits Building Trust, Managing Communication, and Supporting Responders During High-Interest Stranding Events When high-interest marine mammal stranding events occur, responders are tasked with far more than field operations and scientific assessment. They are suddenly navigating public concern, media attention, stakeholder expectations, social media pressure, and the emotional weight carried by their own teams, all in real time. This workshop explores how proactive communication systems can reduce anxiety, strengthen operational clarity, and build long-term public trust during high-visibility incidents. As marine mammal response operations continue to evolve in an area shaped by rapid information sharing, heightened public engagement, and increased visibility of stranding events, communication systems have become a critical component of operational readiness. This workshop recognizes communication not as a secondary task, but as essential response infrastructure that supports responders, agencies, stakeholders, and the communities they serve. Built around the TRUST Framework. Transparency, Readiness, Unity, Stability, and Trust. Participants will engage with practical tools and real-world strategies designed specifically for the marine mammal response, management, and research community. Through case studies, collaborative discussion, and applied planning exercises, attendees will gain more tools to: * manage communication during rapidly evolving incidents * maintain public confidence while protecting scientific integrity * reduce communication overload and responder stress * strengthen coordination across agencies and stakeholders * create educational and post-incident communication strategies that build lasting community trust Responders already carry the weight of the science, logistics, and animal care. This workshop focuses on the often-overlooked layer of incident response: managing public perception, expectation, and anxiety in a way that supports both the community and the responder. Because in high-interest events, trust is not built during the crisis. It is built before it. Link to register: https://www.smmconference.org/registration/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.smmconference.org_…> . We look forward to seeing you at SMM 2026! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions- Alli DePerte, adeperte(a)amseas.org<mailto:adeperte@amseas.org> (On behalf of Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr.) Workshop Steering Committee Robert DiGiovanni, Jr., Atlantic Marine Conservation Society Allison DePerte, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society Mendy Garron, NOAA Fisheries Service, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Lynda Doughty, Marine Mammals of Maine Keith Matassa, Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance Kristen Epperson, Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance Allison DePerte Research Associate/ Field Biologist Atlantic Marine Conservation Society P.O.Box 932 Hampton Bays, NY 11946 C: 631-317-0030 adeperte(a)amseas.org<mailto:adeperte@amseas.org> www.amseas.org<http://www.amseas.org> 24-HR Hotline: (631)-369-9829

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New publication: A Legacy of Exposure: Lactational PFAS Transfer and Early-Life Accumulation in Northern Elephant Seals
by Jane Khudyakov 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I would like to share our recent publication on PFAS accumulation in elephant seals, published as part of Environment & Health journal’s special issue “Transforming Environmental Exposure and Health Research through Emerging Technologies”: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.5c00782 Title: A Legacy of Exposure: Lactational PFAS Transfer and Early-Life Accumulation in Northern Elephant Seals Abstract: Although PFAS are widely acknowledged as ubiquitous and persistent organic pollutants, critical gaps remain in mapping environmental distribution and clarifying health-relevant exposure pathways, especially in early life. Marine mammal milk provides a unique window into both environmental occurrence and intergenerational transfer, especially in capital-breeding species in which lactation occurs during prolonged fasting with rapid lipid mobilization. Here, we investigated PFAS burdens and maternal transfer in the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris). Elephant seals, with highly characterized nursing behavior and foraging patterns, serve as a valuable sentinel for modeling both patterns of lactational transfer and assessing PFAS concentrations in deep-ocean ecosystems. This study assessed plasma from 14 mother-pup pairs and milk from 9 mothers using a non-targeted data acquisition platform coupling liquid chromatography, ion mobility spectrometry, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-IMS-HRMS). Twenty-seven PFAS were identified across all matrices and age groups, and quantitative analyses revealed concentrations in milk and plasma that exceeded relevant human-based exposure and dietary intake thresholds. Across all pairs, pup plasma PFAS concentrations were consistently higher than maternal concentrations. Specifically, the highest PFAS concentrations were observed in weaned pups (average sum of 16 PFAS = 89.08 ng/mL), indicating pronounced early-life accumulation and/or redistribution during the postweaning fast. Concentrations of PFAS in the milk also correlated with maternal and pup plasma levels, demonstrating pair-specific contaminant profiles. Suspect screening further illustrated matrix- and lineage-specific exposure patterns within matched mother-pup pairs, consistent with shared foraging grounds and lactational transfer mechanisms. Together, these findings indicate that neonatal marine mammals in extreme capital-breeding systems experience elevated PFAS body burdens during sensitive developmental windows. Joseph KM, Rehm SJ, Chappel JR, Crocker DE, Holser RR, Costa DP, Khudyakov JI, and Baker ES. (2026) A Legacy of Exposure: Lactational PFAS Transfer and Early-Life Accumulation in Northern Elephant Seals, Environment & Health DOI: 10.1021/envhealth.5c00782 Best, Jane -- Jane Khudyakov, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences University of the Pacific Stockton, CA 95211 https://physgenlab.weebly.com/

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New publication: From Natural to Human-Dominated Seascapes: Habitat Loss for Guiana Dolphins Over Two Decades
by Rodrigo Tardin 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

Dear MARMAM Community, We are pleased to share our latest open-access publication in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: >From Natural to Human-Dominated Seascapes: Habitat Loss for Guiana Dolphins Over Two Decades Mariana Leêne Santana Barros de Leal, Tomaz Cezimbra, Guilherme Maricato, Israel S. Maciel, and Rodrigo H. Tardin. Abstract: Changes in natural environments, such as coastal and marine zones, caused by human activities impact the quality of habitats and their inhabitants, ultimately jeopardizing species conservation. As human activity is ever-increasing, it is imperative to understand how multiple stressors, such as shipping, fisheries, and pollution, affect marine animals. The Guiana dolphin is a cetacean susceptible to many anthropogenic stressors due to its coastal preference. As such, we assessed the consequences of human stressors for this species by comparing the probability of occurrence of a population in two time series: past (1998–2007) and current (2017–2024). We modeled the probability of occurrence using environmental and anthropogenic data from both time series, comparing the response curves and importance of variables. We observed a change in the importance of variables; in the past, chlorophyll concentration was more important to predict dolphins' habitat use, while in the current time series, distance to multiple anthropogenic stressors was more significant. The models predicted a 6.84% increase in the number of pixels of occurrence over the years. However, 44.83% of these areas were predicted to have the lowest and low probabilities. Meanwhile, 49.61% of pixels decreased to a lower probability category, including the areas with the highest probabilities of occurrence (24.7% of pixels) that were now predicted as absences. We concluded that anthropogenic changes are affecting the habitats and distribution of the Guiana dolphin, highlighting the need for further evaluations of how human activities influence the conservation of biodiversity. The full paper is available via open access here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aqc.70386 Thank you, Rodrigo Professor Adjunto Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil Editor associado - Ecology and Evolution <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20457758> ----- Professor Department of Ecology, Biology Institute Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Associate editor - Ecology and Evolution <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20457758> Lattes <http://lattes.cnpq.br/3231576901208672> ORCID <http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0807-6937> Research Gate ID <http://www.researcherid.com/rid/J-6566-2013> ECoMAR-UFRJ <https://ecomarufrj.com.br/>

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new publication - Repeated Precautionary Inputs in Complex Underwater Sound Models Drives Overestimation of Predicted Risk
by Dagmar Fertl 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

I am pleased to announce the publication of this paper. The book editors and JASCO Applied Sciences are thanked for helping make this chapter - and the broader volume - available through open access, ensuring these scientific contributions are broadly accessible to researchers, regulators, stakeholders, and the public. Gisiner, R.C., Loureiro, A., Fertl, D. (2026). Repeated Precautionary Inputs in Complex Underwater Sound Models Drives Overestimation of Predicted Risk. In: Popper, A.N., Sisneros, J.A., Lepper, P.A., Vigness-Raposa, K.J. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life IV. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94229-7_89-1 Current risk models assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals are complex and multivariate. It is common practice to apply some degree of conservatism, or precaution, to input variables for which uncertainty exists about the most likely real-world values. However, when precautionary inputs are applied to multiple variables in the model, their interactions can lead to accumulated changes in predictions. This can lead to highly inflated risk predictions, ultimately reducing confidence in management decisions based on these outcomes. Multivariate risk models are also used in other fields, such as meteorology and medicine, employing alternative methods to address uncertainty, methods that preserve the realism of model outputs while still supporting precautionary decision-making. Similar approaches could improve risk assessment for anthropogenic underwater sound by avoiding the overestimation that arises from compounding precaution within the model.

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