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Invitation to Forensic Workshop at the SMM conference
by megan.stolen＠bwri.org 05 Aug '26

05 Aug '26

We invite you all to join us at a full day Forensic Science workshop at the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference in beautiful Puerto Rico on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Organizers: Megan Stolen, Blue World Research Institute and Kaylin McNulty, DVM, DACVP, Mississippi State University Presentations include: Blunt and sharp force trauma in cetaceans and manatees, forensic photography and documentation, decomposition and postmortem timing, case reviews and successful prosecutions, forensic laboratory techniques, and welfare. Participants will have opportunities for hands-on demonstrations with alternative light source imagery, evidence collection, chain of custody, net and line marks and ballistics. We plan to have time for small group discussions about cases that participants want to discuss from their own work (bring your mystery cases!). This workshop is perfect for veterinarians, stranding responders, law enforcement, resource managers and the "forensically curious". Questions about the workshop are welcome via email to: megan.stolen(a)bwri.org Visit the SMM conference page to sign up. We hope to see you there. https://www.smmconference.org/workshops/#1776734103461-0fd7d94c-0a91 Megan Stolen, MSc., ABFE-T Senior Scientist Blue World Research Institute wildlife ecology ~ health ~ forensic science

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SURVEY: Using Drones for Marine Mammal Monitoring and Research
by Emily Hague 05 Aug '26

05 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM!, 📢 SURVEY: Using Drones for Marine Mammal Monitoring and Research Do you use - or have you ever used - drones in marine mammal research? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please take ~20 minutes to complete our short survey and help us map the growing range of ways Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; drones) are being used around the world for marine mammal monitoring and research: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/uhi/drones-for-marine-mammal-researc… By pooling knowledge from projects globally, we aim to capture the diversity of applications, species, project goals, and researcher experiences associated with drone use in marine mammal science. Our goal is to highlight emerging approaches, share lessons learned, and help inform future projects and best practice. The anonymised results will be presented at a one-day workshop at the European Cetacean Society Conference in Dundee (April 2026): Flying Forward: Innovations, Ethics, and Best Practices for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Marine Mammal Research<https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-workshops-37>. We also plan to share the outcomes more widely through a publication later this year. We would greatly appreciate responses by 31st March, although the survey will remain open after this date. The more responses we receive, the better we can represent how drones are being used globally - so please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and networks who may also have relevant experience. Many thanks for your support! Sarah Dolman, Emily Hague and Claire Stainfield Workshop Organisers Dr Emily Hague Marine Mammal Scientist [cid:840cf762-1d2a-45f7-a052-54214efb3c41] BLUE CONNECT Project<https://www.shetlandmarinemammals.com/home> emily.hague(a)uhi.ac.uk<mailto:emily.hague@uhi.ac.uk> shetland.uhi.ac.uk<https://www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk/> Scottish charity no. SC050701 [cid:630f51d8-38ca-4e70-a58e-72e3067ac43b] This message is intended for the use of only the person(s) (“intended recipient”) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the intended recipient may constitute a breach of civil law or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible.

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New publication: Environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in a dynamic estuarine ecosystem
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 04 Aug '26

04 Aug '26

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share our latest publication on the environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in a dynamic river-estuarine ecosystem. Beyond improving our understanding of bottlenose dolphin ecology in estuarine environments, the study illustrates how long-term passive acoustic monitoring can reveal predator–prey relationships that are difficult to detect through visual surveys alone. The association between dolphin occurrence and European eel migration is also consistent with long-standing observations from local fishers, providing an interesting example of convergence between quantitative ecological data and local ecological knowledge. Authors: Olga Mosca, Severine Methion, Xose Antonio Padin, Adrian Martinez-Fernandez, Miguel Gilcoto, Bruno Diaz Lopez (2026). Passive acoustic monitoring reveals seasonal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presence in coastal estuarine waters, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 341,110159 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2026.110159. Abstract: Understanding how animals use their habitat range is central to ecology, particularly for behaviourally plastic species. For coastal top predators such as bottlenose dolphins, estuaries are important as productive, prey-rich environments that may serve as key areas for calving and foraging. Simultaneously, estuaries are focal points of human activity, exposing marine fauna to anthropogenic stressors, making it essential to understand how dolphins use these habitats for effective conservation planning. This study uses Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) to investigate factors influencing bottlenose dolphin acoustic presence in a high-impact coastal estuary. Acoustic recordings were collected from a fixed monitoring platform at Ulla River mouth (Galicia, NW Spain) between 2017 and 2022. Dolphin whistle presence was used as a proxy for acoustic activity and analysed in relation to a suite of environmental, oceanographic, temporal, and biological variables. In total, 22,241 h of recordings were processed using PAMGuard and analysed using Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) with penalised (shrinkage) variable selection. Results show that dolphin acoustic presence occurred year-round throughout the study period, with significant predictors including water temperature, wave power, chlorophyll-a concentration, and diadromous fish landings. Many of these covariates displayed strong seasonal patterns, suggesting that dolphin acoustic presence in the estuary is plausibly linked to the seasonal availability of prey, potentially including diadromous fish. By integrating long-term acoustic data with environmental variables, this study provides new insights into dolphin acoustic presence in a riverine habitat that is otherwise difficult to monitor, offering valuable information for conservation in a human-impacted location. The paper is available (free access) here: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1nYeF~1MBywvm We hope you find it of interest. Best regards, Bruno (on behalf of the authors) Bruno Díaz López Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI - www.thebdri.com <http://www.thebdri.com> Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain Tel. 0034 684248552 he/him/his ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bruno-Diaz-Lopez> - GoogleScholar <https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=kW3cZOUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao> -https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0388-3289 Follow BDRI on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/thebdri> , Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/thebdri/> or mention us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/thebdri> . This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.

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New publication: "Humpback whales match song production to dive patterns"
by Julia Zeh 04 Aug '26

04 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication, "Humpback whales match song production to dive patterns" in Current Biology. Zeh, J. M., Lammers, M. O., Kügler, A., Pack, A. A., Perez-Marrufo, V., Schonwald, M., Parks, S. E. 2026. Humpback whales match song production to dive patterns. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.07.014 Free access to the article is available here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1nYJj3QW8SDthN <https://kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fauthors.elsevier.co…> Abstract: Summary Understanding the function and origin of a complex animal display requires a holistic study of its performance. For example, movement is linked to sound production1,2,3,4,5,6 by enhancing or biomechanically facilitating displays,7,8 exploiting additional sensory channels,9,10 or affecting signal development and perception.1,11,12 Among animal displays, humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song is remarkable for its hierarchical structure, syntax, and cultural transmission,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 but it has been challenging to study the whole performance. Using temporarily attached sound and movement recording tags, we conducted an individual-level examination of fine-scale movement during humpback whale song performance. We discovered a tight correspondence between dives and songs, which were repeated without stopping for up to 16 h. Repeating song elements, known as themes, were linked to specific parts of a dive; ascent and descent song themes were consistent across individuals and years, while a greater number of theme types occurred at depth. Different levels of variability in song components across dive phases suggest that features of themes from the bottom portion of a dive, where the depth is stable, are more likely to be driven by song sharing under sexual selection. Movement during song performance illustrates important connections between physiology, environment, and behavior for learned, rhythmic acoustic displays. Keywords: song performance; dive behavior; biologging; sound and movement tags Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best, Julia Julia Zeh, Ph.D. (she/her) Archival Passive Acoustic Monitoring Lead Maine Department of Marine Resources juliamzeh(a)gmail.com

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Workshop Announcement - How to secure pro-conservation behaviours in an apathetic public: An introduction
by Andrew Wright 03 Aug '26

03 Aug '26

Dear Marmam, Have you ever: - wondered why some people seem so opposed to marine mammal conservation measures that are necessary to save a species; - been frustrated when all the science points to a problem that will worsen unless changes are made, yet nothing is done; or - looked for new ways to be more efficient in your efforts to achieve lasting marine mammal conservation success? If so, this workshop might be for you. "How to secure pro-conservation behaviours in an apathetic public: an introduction" is an online workshop that will run twice to cater to audiences in different timezones: - *20th August 2026*, 10:00 – 16:00 CET (Central European Time) - *17th September 2026*, 10:00 – 16:00 US Central Time Overview of the Workshop: Achieving conservation goals for marine mammals or other species often hinges on the adoption of new behaviours by one or more groups of people. This can be hard to secure through regulatory changes for marine mammals, as data on their distributions and the full extent of the threats and associated risks are lacking, enforcement can be tricky, especially when regulated activities are offshore, and public awareness is low because many problems are hidden far away under the waves. To overcome this, it is not uncommon that more data is sought. However, such efforts rarely secure immediate marine mammal conservation successes. Conservation projects often focus on evidence about the protected species and its environment, and evidence about human behaviour is often underrepresented in conservation efforts. Instead, securing behavioural changes in the species under management, humans, requires the application of tailored tools and techniques that have been designed based on an understanding of their social structures and motivations, as well as the human factors driving both. This is the purview of the conservation social sciences. Many marine mammal conservation biologists are thus being forced to venture into this relatively new and rapidly developing field, developing interventions and campaigns based on experience, intuition, and human understanding. While some of these interventions work out perfectly, some may fail to have the desired impact due to a lack of understanding of what drives human behaviour and how this may influence the effectiveness of the tools being used. Importantly, some of these tools are counterintuitive, but incredibly effective when implemented correctly. Similarly, others can feel more intuitive but can be counterproductive in many situations. This workshop is meant to highlight a variety of tools grounded in social science, and their proper use for encouraging pro-conservation behaviour. This 1-day workshop will combine lectures, discussions and brainstorming sessions to: 1. introduce marine mammal scientists and managers to the human factors that may hinder or strengthen their conservation efforts; 2. provide an overview of tools that can be applied to overcome some of these various challenges to incite pro-conservation behavioural changes necessary for achieving greater success in the conservation of marine mammals; and 3. explore the potential application of those tools to some of the conservation problems brought forward by participants. Details and Registration Process: Format: Fully virtual — choose the 20th August (CET) or 17th September (US Central) session Cost: USD 150 / EUR 135 Discounted rates may be available for students or others on a case-by-case basis — please contact us to discuss. How to register: Email Andrew Wright at Andrew(a)VocalEarth.com, indicating which session date you'd like to attend. More information is available here: https://vocalearth.my.canva.site/augsep-workshop About the instructor: Andrew Wright is a marine mammal biologist by training with experience in the conservation social sciences, as well as domestic and international environmental management and policy. He co-founded the Conservation Marketing and Engagement Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology in 2015 and remains active within that community after leaving the Board in 2019. Regards, Andrew Wright, PhD Vocal Earth

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Job posting - Marine Mammal Technician for the Makah Tribe
by Jonathan Scordino 03 Aug '26

03 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM community, The Makah Tribe is looking to hire a Technician for its Marine Mammal Program. The Technician’s time will be split between helping our Marine Mammal Biologist with marine mammal studies and our Biometrician with studies of Lake Ozette sockeye salmon. We are looking for a Technician who is an experienced boat operator and is also good at writing and conducting field work. Marine mammal work will include surveys of the marine waters of northwest Washington where we mostly focus on the nearshore habitat used by gray whales. During surveys, we will conduct photo-identification of whales; survey pinniped haulouts for abundance, brands, entanglements, and injuries; and record the position and behaviors of all marine mammals observed. The technician will be in charge of maintaining all photographs and data after surveys. The salmon research will focus on monitoring acoustically tagged adult Lake Ozette sockeye salmon. The Technician will maintain an array of 80 acoustic receivers and manage the associated data. The Technician will also assist with surveys of spawners during the winter and with capture and tagging of salmon during the spring and summer of 2027. The Technician will assist with analyzing the data and writing the final manuscript. The Technician will have the opportunity to help write papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals. This will include papers on sockeye salmon survival and movements, a methodology paper on how to identify if a photographed PCFG gray whale is a calf, and an evaluation of the behaviors and site use of gray whales in northwest Washington. This position is not for everyone. The pay for this position is not great with an annual salary of $33,109 - $33,349. The Technician must work at the office, which is located in Neah Bay, Washington. Neah Bay is very remote (it is 50 miles to the nearest stoplight) and it rains over 100 inches a year here. However, the position offers a great opportunity to gain experience for individuals wanting to study marine mammals professionally. The Technician will be exposed to a number of research techniques, have an opportunity to write manuscripts and grant applications, and will learn first hand about tribal politics and treaty rights. Interested applicants should visit Career Center | Recruitment <https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.htm…> to find the job description and application material for the Technician position. Applicants are encouraged to submit their resume, cover letter, and transcripts with their application. All applicants must fill out and submit an application. Please share this announcement with individuals that would excel in the position. -- Respectfully, Jonathan Scordino Marine Mammal Biologist Makah Fisheries Management Makah Tribal Organization (360) 645-3176 (office) (360) 640-0959 (cell) jonathan.scordino(a)makah.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 AM - 5 PM (closed for lunch 12 PM - 1 PM) *Note that I may be slower to respond to emails outside of office hours.*

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New publication: First observation of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) courtship behaviour in the Mediterranean sea.
by elena fontanesi 03 Aug '26

03 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication: 'First observation of fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) courtship behaviour in the Mediterranean sea' in Hystrix. Fontanesi, E., Pedrazzini, A.C., Ascheri, D. First observation of fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) courtship behaviour in the Mediterranean sea. *Hystrix the Italian Journal of Mammalogy* 37.1 (2026). DOI: <goog_1902469181> https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00797-2025 Abstract: The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is a regular species in the Mediterranean Sea, where its population has been described as nomadic opportunist. Individuals are known to concentrate in specific areas with recurrent high prey availability, and appear to disperse for non-foraging activities. In this study, we report the sighting of three fin whales within the Pelagos Sanctuary, an area recognized for its importance as a feeding ground. The sighting occurred unusually close to the coast compared to typical species distribution and involved notable inter-individual interactions. Drawing on a comprehensive review of the literature, we examined the observed behaviours and explored their potential link to reproductive activity. While courtship behaviours in fin whales have been sporadically documented in different oceans, they have not yet been described in the Mediterranean Sea. Given the species' vulnerability, sharing these observations with the scientific community is crucial, as it enhances our understanding of fin whale ecology and behaviour in this region. We hope this report will encourage the documentation and sharing of these unusual behaviours within the scientific community. All the best, Elena

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Genetic data indicate a lack of population structure of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) around the British Isles
by nicola hodgins 03 Aug '26

03 Aug '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are delighted to announce the publication of our paper 'Genetic data indicate a lack of population structure of Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) around the British Isles' in the Journal of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (JMBA). Hodgins NK*, Chen I*, Bizzozzero MR, the Doeschate, MTI, Dolman, SJ. Kannan, V, Davison, NJ, Deaville, R, Penrose, R, Hartman, K, and Krützen, M. Genetic data indicate a lack of population structure of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) around the British Isles. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 2026;106:e50. doi:10.1017/S0025315426101386<https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-as…> Abstract Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) is a widely distributed oceanic species; its global and regional population structure remains poorly understood. To assess their genetic diversity and connectivity in British waters, we analysed tissue samples from stranded individuals collected between 1992 and 2016 using 15 nuclear microsatellite loci and a 433-bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence. Microsatellite analyses (STRUCTURE, AMOVA, and PCA) consistently indicated a single genetic cluster with no significant geographic differentiation among sampling sites, suggesting a panmictic population. BayesAss results further supported high gene flow and limited isolation among regions. The mtDNA dataset identified six haplotypes with low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, showing no spatial structuring within the British Isles. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that all British haplotypes were endemic and formed a monophyletic clade closely related to haplotypes from the Azores in the North Atlantic. Together, the nuclear and mtDNA data indicate low genetic diversity and a lack of population subdivision among British Risso’s dolphins. These findings imply recent colonization and high dispersal capability, consistent with patterns observed in other wide-ranging marine mammals. Continued monitoring, broader geographic sampling, and large-scale photo-identification are needed to refine understanding of Risso’s dolphin population dynamics and to inform conservation management. If you require any further information please get in touch, Best wishes, Nicola Nicola Hodgins Executive Director, MARA Visiting Researcher at University of Exeter, UK

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New publication: "Whistle characteristics and species classification algorithm for delphinids in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean" (Diogo D. Barcellos and Marcos C. de O. Santos)
by Diogo Destro Barcellos 02 Aug '26

02 Aug '26

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to share our latest publication, "Whistle Characteristics and Species Classification Algorithm for Delphinids in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean," published in Ocean and Coastal Research, Volume 74 (2026). This study was conducted by Diogo D. Barcellos and Marcos C. de O. Santos from the Laboratório de Biologia da Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IO-USP), Brazil. This study investigates the whistle characteristics of six delphinid species in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean and develops a classification algorithm to distinguish among them. Acoustic recordings were collected along the coast of São Paulo for common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), orcas (Orcinus orca), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), and common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Recordings of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) were obtained from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, while Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) were recorded in the Cananéia Estuary, in southern São Paulo. A total of 1,797 whistles were analyzed using seven acoustic parameters: duration (ms), and minimum, maximum, delta, center, initial, and final frequencies (kHz). These acoustic features were classified using a Random Forest algorithm, which achieved an overall classification accuracy of 55%. The highest accuracy was observed for D. delphis (73.6%), followed by S. guianensis (65%) and S. frontalis (55%). These findings represent a meaningful step toward the development of whistle classification tools and support the potential use of passive acoustic monitoring for long-term studies of delphinid populations in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The paper is freely available at https://doi.org/10.1590/2675-2824074.25171 We hope you find this work interesting and useful. Thank you for your interest, and we welcome your comments and feedback. All the best Diogo -- Diogo Destro Barcellos Doutor em Ciências - Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (IO-USP) Mestre em Ciências - IO-USP Biólogo (Graduado e Licenciado) - Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3720211733498851

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The Marine Mammal Center | Education & Engagement Specialist
by Lynda Schaefer 02 Aug '26

02 Aug '26

Greetings All, The Marine Mammal Center is hiring an Education & Engagement Specialist! The Education and Engagement Specialist plays a key role in delivering engaging marine science education programs for diverse audiences, ranging from fourth-grade students to adult learners, at our Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi location. This position supports the coordination, development, and evaluation of programs while building strong relationships with schools, educators, and community partners. The role helps advance the Center’s mission by providing high-quality, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences that inspire ocean conservation. Please visit link to read the full position posting and apply! <https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4352733/Marine-Mam…> [cid:image001.png@01DD2298.2357C170] Lynda Schaefer Human Resources MarineMammalCenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> | Connect with me on LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-schaefer-07426371> The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

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