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DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN PORTUGAL
by AIMM Internships 25 Apr '26

25 Apr '26

*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL* *BACKGROUND: *The Marine Environment Research Association - AIMM, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in southern Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behavior, and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and inform marine management policies. The main species observed are Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), although other species such as Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can also be sighted. AIMM Interns are young, hard-working individuals who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learning data collection and processing methodologies, and being a part of AIMM's team of researchers and marine biologists. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an friendly and multicultural environment. Interns have the additional option to enrich their time with AIMM by beginning or improving their SCUBA skills with a PADI-certified instructor, hiking, kayaking, surf classes and others. *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* The field season lasts from 17th May to end of November 2025. The minimum internship attendance is 14 days. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM's research vessel, Ketos, commercial dolphin watching boats and from the shore. Fieldwork is dependent on weather conditions. The field days can be intense, especially in the peak of summer but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be trained to: - Conduct on-board surveys of marine species occurrence; - Record effort tracks on a handheld GPS; - Access and collect environmental data; - Collect data on behavior, group size, species, etc.; - Collect photos to photo-identification, acoustic recording, and underwater videos; - Help to collect of drone footage from the marine mammals; - Land base monitoring of marine mammals. *DATA ANALYSIS: *This will be conducted on a daily basis and will entail entering data into established databases and spreadsheets, photo-identification processing, and preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners, and conservation-minded people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve. This internship requires a monetary contribution which is used to off-set the cost of accommodation and running a non-profit. For more information on internship fees for the 2025 season, please contact: interns(a)aimmportugal.org *Included* in the fee is: - Accommodation in AIMM field station; - Transportation to/from the marina; - All meals at home (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); - Fieldwork; - Theoretical classes. *Not included* in the fee is: - Transportation to/from Albufeira; - Meals in restaurants; - Free time activities; - Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance); - Others personal expenses. *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* - Be above the age of 16; - Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment; - Be autonomous and flexible; - Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea; - Speak English; - Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference will be given* to those who have: - Relevant marine mammal field experience - Working experience on research vessels - Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms - Experience in photo-identification - Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: * You can apply on AIMM website here <http://www.aimmportugal.org/opportunities/dolphin-research-internship/>*.* *or * Send us an e-mail to: interns(a)aimmportugal.org, with the subject “*DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP*” with your CV and motivation letter. We will send you a confirmation email with the availability and all the other details. Applications will be accepted during all season. However, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. The follow links are a shorts videos about the internship in Albufeira. You get a different perspective and feedback from old participants about it: http://bit.ly/aimm-movie <https://bit.ly/AIMM-movie> https://youtu.be/hTJJQPHBdI0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTIEQEsftA *Contacts*: interns(a)aimmportugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | Thank you, <http://aimm-marineresearch.blogspot.com/> [image: Logo AIMM] <https://www.aimmportugal.org/> Associação para Investigação do Meio Marinho *Marine Environment Research Association* m: (00351) 964464657 e: interns(a)aimmportugal.org www.aimmportugal.org <https://www.facebook.com/AIMM.org> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8jcTONJZsvaQ3tZiQtRFNQ> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/aimm-portugal---marine-environment-researc…> <https://www.instagram.com/aimmportugal_org/>

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New deep-learning publications
by Jared Towers 24 Apr '26

24 Apr '26

Hi Marmam colleagues, My co-authors and I would like to share a couple recent papers on the development of deep-learning in cetacean photo-identification studies. Barnhill, A., Towers, J.R., Sutton, G.J., Shaw, T.J.H., Doniol-Valcroze, T., Maier, A., Nöth, Bergler, C. 2026. Leveraging co-occurrence to improve deep learning photo-identification in social mammals. Ecology and Evolution, 16, e73552. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.73552 Barnhill, A., Towers, J.R., Shaw, T.J.H., Arias, M., Bécares, A., Doniol-Valcroze, T., von Fersen, L., Genoves, R., Rörup, T., Sutton, G.J., Thornton, S., Weiss, M., Maier, A., Nöth, E, Bergler, C. 2025. Advances in deep learning-driven photo identification and meta analysis of cetaceans in large data repositories. Ecological Informatics, 91, 103396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103396 The algorithms reported in these papers are now housed and available for population photo-ID data managers on www.finwave.io. Regards, Jared Towers Executive Director, Bay Cetology, BC, Canada.

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Save the date - The 9th International Biologging Science Symposium
by Andreas Fahlman 22 Apr '26

22 Apr '26

Dear MarMamers, We would like to share an early save-the-date announcement for the 9th International Bio-Logging Science Symposium (BLS9), which will take place October 18-22, 2027 in Sevilla, Spain. Bio- and Physio-logging approaches are widely used in marine mammal research to study behavior, movement ecology, foraging strategies, physiology, energetics, and responses to anthropogenic stressors (e.g., noise, fisheries interactions, and climate change). BLS9 will bring together an international and interdisciplinary community working on the development and application of animal-borne sensors, including many studies focused on marine mammals across diverse environments. The symposium will include sessions relevant to marine mammal science and conservation, such as: * Diving physiology, energetics, and gas dynamics * Behavioral ecology and movement patterns * Responses to disturbance (e.g., sonar, shipping, and other anthropogenic noise) * Climate change impacts and habitat use * Advances in biologging technology and analytical methods While the symposium has strong relevance for marine mammal research, it is intentionally cross-taxonomic and will also include studies on terrestrial and avian species, providing opportunities for methodological exchange and cross-system comparisons that are increasingly valuable for marine mammal science. We anticipate that BLS9 will provide a valuable forum for researchers working on marine mammal behavior, physiology, and conservation to exchange ideas, present new findings, and foster collaborations. We will share additional details (including abstract submissions and registration) as the meeting approaches. We hope this will be of interest to the marine mammal research community and look forward to welcoming many of you to Sevilla. Sincerely, Andreas [image.png]

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MARMAM New publication: Evidence of a dietary shift in Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins in South Carolina waters during a cold‐water anomaly
by Wayne McFee 22 Apr '26

22 Apr '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-author and I are pleased to share our new publication in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management: Evidence of a dietary shift in Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins in South Carolina waters during a cold‐water anomaly ( https://journal.iwc.int/index.php/jcrm/article/view/1107 ) Abstract: Diet analysis can reveal how predators respond when prey distributions are altered. Cold‐water temperatures in the winter of December 2010 to March 2011 were concurrent with a Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) Unusual Mortality Event (UME) in 2011 in South Carolina. During this time, prey die‐offs occurred that were documented in fishery surveys, and bottlenose dolphins consumed unusual prey items based on gross observation. We analysed the stomach contents of bottlenose dolphins that stranded from 2009 to 2014 and summarised frequency of occurrence (%F) and numerical abundance (%N) of prey species overall, annually and seasonally. Prey species with numerical abundance ≥ 5% overall were tested for significant differences annually and seasonally. From the stomach contents of 114 dolphins, the most frequently occurring (%F) and numerically abundant (%N) species were Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus; %F = 54%; %N = 16%) and star drum (Stellifer lanceolatus; %F = 45%; %N = 16%). Star drum, hake (Urophycis sp.) and squid (family Loliginidae) numerical abundances differed annually, while spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), hake and squid numerical abundances differed seasonally. Bottlenose dolphins consumed significantly more hake during the 2011 UME compared with 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. This dietary shift to hake likely occurred due to increased hake availability relative to other prey items typically available during this period. Numerical abundances peaked in the following seasons: summer for spot, winter for silver perch and bay anchovy, spring for hake, and the fall for squid. Our findings demonstrate that bottlenose dolphins can shift their diet when prey distributions are altered to maintain their caloric needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the work. Kind regards Megan Krzewinski and Wayne McFee megkrzewinski(a)gmail.com wayne.mcfee(a)noaa.gov National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NOAA National Ocean Service -- Wayne McFee PI -Coastal Marine Mammal Assessments Key Species and Bioinformatics Branch National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NOAA National Ocean Service 331 Ft. Johnson Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 (843) 612-0061 Follow us on Twitter! @NOAACoastalSci <https://twitter.com/noaacoastalsci> Follow us on Facebook! @NOAACoastalSci <https://www.facebook.com/NOAACoastalSci>

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Launch of the 2026 BioDCASE challenge
by Dorian CAZAU 22 Apr '26

22 Apr '26

Dear colleague, We are glad to announce the launch of the 2nd edition of the BioDCASE challenge<https://biodcase.github.io/challenge2026/>, where our task 2<https://biodcase.github.io/challenge2026/task2>, focused on the detection of large baleen whales from Antarctica based on Passive Acoustic Monitoring, is back! For this second edition, we have deliberately kept it very close to the first one - so former participants can easily resubmit improved versions of their models, those who ran out of time get a real second chance, and newcomers jump in with a solid, ready-made benchmark from day one! Please note that the challenge has already commenced; submissions will be accepted until June 15. More globally, if you are interested in this kind of collaborative research initiative but you don’t have time to participate this time, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see how you could be involved in this project in the near future! All the best, Dorian Cazau on behalf of the Organization team of BioDCASE 2026 - Task 2 Dorian CAZAU Associate professor in Ocean data science * ENSTA<https://www.ensta-bretagne.fr/fr> * OSmOSE<https://osmose.ifremer.fr/> * Lab-STICC, UMR CNRS 6285<https://labsticc.fr/en/departments/ia-ocean> * Institut Polytechnique de Paris<https://www.ip-paris.fr/>

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New releases: Updated iPCoD models
by Cormac Booth 21 Apr '26

21 Apr '26

We’re delighted to announce the release of two enhanced versions of the iPCoD (Interim Population Consequences of Disturbance) model: "iPCoD EE" and "iPCoD DEB”. These are updates/variations build on the established iPCoD framework to better quantify disturbance effects on marine mammal populations. * iPCoD EE (Expert Elicitation) models the direct impacts of disturbance and auditory injury demographic rates such as fecundity and survival - with new additional functionality. It’s available for harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, grey and harbour seal and minke whales (N.B.: EE transfer functions have been updated for some species over time). * iPCoD DEB (Dynamic Energy Budget) incorporates state-of-the-art DEB theory to track how animals allocate energy between maintenance, growth, and reproduction under varying disturbance regimes. It’s available for harbour porpoises only. Learn more on our dedicated PCoD page: https://www.smruconsulting.com/population-consequences-of-disturbance-pcod and follow the links to the full technical description, model code, and supporting documentation. Sincerely, SMRU Consulting

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NEW 2025 humpback whale monitoring report from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
by Neilson, Janet L 20 Apr '26

20 Apr '26

The following report summarizing humpback whale monitoring results from 2025 is now available: Neilson, J.L., C.M. Gabriele, and P.D. Bishop. 2026. Glacier Bay & Icy Strait Humpback Whale Population Monitoring: 2025 Update. National Park Service Resource Brief, Gustavus, Alaska. Glacier Bay & Icy Strait Humpback Whale Population Monitoring: 2025 Update<https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/nature/upload/Neilson_etal_2026_Humpback_Wha…> [3.6 MB, 11 pages] The 2026 field season (our 42nd year of monitoring) will be underway soon! KEY FINDINGS FROM 2025: * Whale abundance in Glacier Bay-Icy Strait decreased compared to 2024 and overall numbers remain ~30% lower than before the 2014-2016 NE Pacific marine heatwave (PMH). The most profound long-term effects appear to be in Icy Strait where effort-corrected abundance is 42.5% lower than before the PMH. * After a “baby boom” in 2024 we documented only six calves, yielding a below average crude birth rate (3.8%), though calf and juvenile survival appear to be rebounding following the PMH. * Lingering impacts from the PMH suggest there will be reduced humpback whale population growth in the coming years, even if feeding conditions are favorable. * Whales appeared to move around the study area more than normal in search of food, with more emaciated whales and forage fish monitoring confirming that prey were more dispersed and there were fewer large concentrated schools than in 2024. * In late June, we documented two whales with new injuries that appeared to be incisions from vessel propellers. Despite the severity of whale #2583’s injuries, it was resighted up to 53 days later and appeared to behave normally. * We confirmed the survival of #5490 (entangled in October 2023) and #2800 (struck by a vessel in Glacier Bay in August 2011) through sightings of both whales in 2025. -- Janet Neilson Humpback Whale Monitoring Program Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve PO Box 140 Gustavus, AK 99826 907-697-2658 Xunaa Káawu Aaní áwé yéi xat yatee ka ax’ yéi jixané I live and work in Huna Lingít Homeland.

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New publication: Quiet Signals of Burmeister's Porpoises ( Phocoena spinipinnis ) Recorded in Chile and Peru
by Ruth Ortes 16 Apr '26

16 Apr '26

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication in Marine Mammal Science: Ortés‐Villauriz, R., Wahlberg, M., Gómez‐Lobo, D. A., Alfaro‐Shigueto, J., Heinrich, S., Mangel, J. C., Ortiz-Alvarez, C., & Martin, M. J. (2026). Quiet Signals of Burmeister's Porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) Recorded in Chile and Peru. Marine Mammal Science, 42(2), e70173. <https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70173> https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70173 *Abstract* Burmeister's porpoises are cryptic and challenging to detect visually. More information on their acoustic signals could facilitate the use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and help to better understand their ecology. Here, clicks were recorded from two different Burmeister's porpoise populations, one in Chile and the other in Peru, using a 4-channel hydrophone array and a single-channel hydrophone recorder. Burmeister's porpoises produced narrowband high-frequency (NBHF) echolocation clicks, typical of all species of porpoises and a few other odontocete species. Feeding buzzes and burst-pulse sounds, likely used for communication, were also recorded. Echolocation click frequency parameters resembled those of harbor porpoises, with a peak frequency of 137 ± 2 kHz and a rms bandwidth of 7 ± 3 kHz, but duration was longer (132 ± 39 μs) than clicks from other NBHF odontocetes. Echolocation click source levels (137 ± 13 dB re 1 μPa rms) and energy levels (100 ± 13 dB re 1 μPa2s at 1 m) were considerably lower than clicks from other NBHF species. The quiet signals used by Burmeister's porpoises affect maximum detection range of prey as well as conspecific communication. Low source levels may prevent porpoises from being detected by predators and aid echolocation in cluttered environments. When designing PAM efforts for this species, low source levels should be considered as the longer durations only partly compensate for the detectability of these signals. Best regards, Ruth Ortés-Villauriz, MSc in Biology. Blanes Centre for Advanced Studies (CEAB-CSIC)

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Request for help with Russian references
by Thomas Jefferson 16 Apr '26

16 Apr '26

Dear MARMAM, I am searching for the following references: Savinetskii, A. B. (1992). Secular dynamics of the population of the sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas, Zimm., 1780) in the Late Holocene. Doklady Akademii Nauk Sssr 326(3):570-572. Savinetsky, A. B. (1993). Ancient population dynamics of the sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas Zimm., 1780) in the late Holocene. Doklady Biological Sciences (English Translation of Doklady Akademii Nauk Sssr) 326(1-6):403-405. If anyone has access, I would very much appreciate if you would send me PDFs of the papers.Thanks in advance,Tom JeffersonClymene Enterprisessclymene(a)aol.com

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Range-Wide Gray Whale Science Symposium - Sept. 9-10, 2026
by Lauri Leach 16 Apr '26

16 Apr '26

Dear MARMAM community, A Range-Wide Gray Whale Science Symposium will take place on September 9-10, 2026, coordinated by the Marine Mammal Commission and hosted by the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University in Newport, Oregon. This two-day scientific meeting will focus on gray whale ecology and health across the Eastern North Pacific and Arctic and will synthesize current research and observations to improve understanding of recent trends in health, feeding behavior, distribution, and population dynamics, and to identify priorities for future research, monitoring, and coordination. Visit the event page for details (https://www.mmc.gov/events-meetings-and-workshops/other-events/gray-whale-s…)

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