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New publication: Population Demographics of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Western Australia
by Marissa Hutchings 09 Mar '26

09 Mar '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent open-access publication in Marine Mammal Science: Hutchings, M. J., G. J. Parra, R. Wellard, J. A. Totterdell, I. M. Reeves, and L. Möller. 2026. “Population Demographics of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Western Australia”. Marine Mammal Science, vol. 42, no. 2: e70151. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70151. Abstract: Understanding population demographics is crucial for the effective conservation of species. This is particularly important for apex predators, such as the killer whale (Orcinus orca), which play important roles in maintaining the structure and function of ecosystems. In this study, we used capture-mark-recapture (CMR) modeling to assess killer whale demographics at two distinct aggregation sites in Western Australia: the Ningaloo Reef (NW) and Bremer Sub-basin (SW). Using 12 years of photo-identification (photo-ID) data from the NW and 6 years from the SW, we applied open population models (POPAN and Cormack–Jolly–Seber) to estimate the abundance (Ntotal), apparent survival (Phi), capture probability (p), and probability of entry (pent) of killer whales inhabiting these key areas. Abundance estimates in the NW, which combined females, males, and individuals of unknown sex (Ntotal = 47 ± 2, 95% CI = 43–52), revealed a small, well-marked, and frequently resighted population with high apparent survival (Phifemale = 0.98 ± 0.016, 95% CI = 0.91–0.99; Phimale = 0.88 ± 0.060, 95% CI = 0.71–0.96; Phiunknown = 0.82 ± 0.064, 95% CI = 0.66–0.92). In contrast, abundance estimates in the SW, which separated sexed adults (Ntotal = 102 ± 7, 95% CI = 88–117) from the unknown sex group, suggested a much larger and more transient population with variable apparent survival (Phifemale = 0.98 ± 0.001, 95% CI = 0.97–0.98; Phimale = 0.82 ± 0.012, 95% CI = 0.79–0.84; Phiunknown(T) = 0.65 ± 0.177, 95% CI = 0.29–0.90; Phiunknown(R) = 0.84 ± 0.185, 95% CI = 0.26–0.99). Variation in population demography between the two study areas likely reflects divergent ecological and evolutionary histories shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. Additionally, differences in habitat accessibility, individual distinctiveness, and sampling design may have influenced detectability and model outcomes. These results provide vital baseline demographic data for killer whales in Australian waters and highlight the need for standardized long-term monitoring to inform conservation management strategies. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you, Dr. Marissa Hutchings PhD - Flinders University BMSc (Hons) - James Cook University Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Bedford Park SA 5042 [image002.png] Flinders University acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which its campuses are located, these are the Traditional Lands of the Arrernte, Dagoman, First Nations of the South-East, First Peoples of the River Murray & Mallee region, Jawoyn, Kaurna, Larrakia, Ngadjuri, Ngarrindjeri, Peramangk, Ramindjeri, Warumungu, Wardaman and Yolngu people. We honour their Elders past, present and emerging. This email and any attachments may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please inform the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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New publication: Changes in age-related sexual selection in a humpback whale population recovering from exploitation
by Franca Eichenberger 09 Mar '26

09 Mar '26

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I am pleased to share our recent publication: Franca Eichenberger, Emma L. Carroll, Claire Garrigue, Simon Jarman, Debbie J. Steel, Jooke Robbins, Luke Rendell, Ellen C. Garland. Changes in age-related sexual selection in a humpback whale population recovering from exploitation. Current Biology 36. 1115-1127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.01.018 ABSTRACT: Whaling, one of the most extensive and prolonged global commercial hunting operations, pushed many large whales to the brink of extinction. To understand how evolutionary processes may be directly impacted by the consequences of exploitation, we assessed age-dependent population dynamics, reproductive tactics, and reproductive success of 485 male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from a recovering breeding ground in New Caledonia. Over 19 years (2000–2018), the population age structure switched from a left-skewed, rapidly increasing low-density population toward a more evenly distributed age structure when abundance was higher in later years. Concurrent with the change in population age structure across time, there was a shift in age-related male mating tactics. Most strikingly, during years of higher abundance, the key reproductive tactics of singing and escorting were over-represented by older age categories when compared with the underlying age structure, suggesting age- and/or density-related tactic choice in males. This behavioral shift corresponded with an increase in the relative reproductive success of the oldest males during periods of higher abundance compared with lower abundance. Overall, our work suggests that at lower population densities, young males were less constrained by age-related restrictions on reproductive success. A reduction of age-related sexual selection could have acted to buffer genetic diversity loss during a time of lower abundance, when this was most critical. Integrating these changes in the pattern of sexual selection with population dynamics provides critical insights into the evolutionary consequences of exploitation and recovery in long-lived species. The full article is open access and available online: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982226000576?via%3Di… Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or to request a PDF copy. Cheers, Franca -- Franca Eichenberger, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher Sea Mammal Research Unit | Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews (Scotland, UK) Current time zone: GMT (UTC+0) or BST (UTC+1) Bluesky<https://bsky.app/profile/francae.bsky.social> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/franca-eichenberger-40a48433a/> | ResearchGate<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Franca-Eichenberger?ev=hdr_xprf>

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Mechanistic Species Distribution Modelling: Ecological Niche Modelling with NicheMapR
by Oliver Hooker 09 Mar '26

09 Mar '26

Develop advanced habitat and distribution modelling skills for marine mammal research in our live online course *Mechanistic Species Distribution Modelling: Ecological Niche Modelling with NicheMapR (MSDM01)*. Understanding how marine mammals respond to environmental conditions is central to predicting habitat use, distribution shifts, and responses to climate change. *Mechanistic species distribution models (SDMs)* provide a powerful framework for linking environmental drivers with physiological and energetic constraints that shape where species can survive and thrive. This course introduces the theory and practical implementation of mechanistic ecological niche modelling using *R and the NicheMapR package*, allowing researchers to move beyond purely correlative models and incorporate biological processes into distribution predictions. These methods are highly relevant for marine mammal research, including: - Predicting habitat suitability under changing conditions - Linking physiology and energetics to environmental drivers - Forecasting distribution shifts under climate change scenarios - Integrating environmental variables with movement and survey data - Supporting conservation planning and marine spatial management *The course covers:* - Foundations of ecological niche theory and mechanistic SDMs - Differences between mechanistic and correlative modelling approaches - Incorporating physiology, energetics, and environmental constraints into models - Using *NicheMapR* to simulate organism–environment interactions - Building mechanistic niche models and interpreting outputs - Applications to climate change and conservation decision-making Participants will work through practical examples and learn how to construct mechanistic models that can be applied to real ecological datasets within reproducible R workflows. Delivered live online, the course offers direct interaction with the instructor, opportunities to discuss your own datasets, and structured guidance through applied modelling examples. All participants receive course materials, example code, and post-course support. *Course details* Dates: 7 April 2026 Duration: 1 days (approximately 4.5 hours per day) Format: Live online Fee: £150 This course is suitable for postgraduate students, researchers, and professionals working in *marine mammal ecology, conservation, and spatial modelling* who want to develop mechanistic approaches for predicting species distributions. Full details and registration: https://prstats.org/course/mechanistic-species-distribution-modelling-ecolo… Email oliver(a)prstats.org with any questions. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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New publication: sperm whale hotspots with multiscale Bayesian Additive Regression Trees framework (Cynthia Barile)
by Cynthia BARILE 09 Mar '26

09 Mar '26

Dear MARMAM community, I am delighted to share our recent publication: 'Sperm whale hotspots off western Ireland and the importance of dynamic variables as shown by a multiscale Bayesian additive regression trees workflow' in Frontiers in Marine Science. We used data collected off western Ireland with towed hydrophone arrays (under the ObSERVE-Acoustic project) to apply a state-of-the-art Bayesian modelling framework (Bayesian Additive Regression Trees, aka BART) to predict sperm whale probability of occurrence and habitat favourability. We included a data-driven process to select the most appropriate spatiotemporal scales for a set of both static and dynamic variables of interest. We hope those findings will serve as evidence for conservation and management strategies as well as a solid baseline for future assessments. You can read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1767540 We will be presenting this research as a poster at the ECS in Dundee next month, feel free to come for a chat! Enjoy the read! With our best wishes, Cynthia Barile, Simon Berrow, Jonathan Gordon, Rossa Meade, Morgane Pommier, Joanne O'Brien.

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New Publication: First Report on the Acoustic Signals of Lahille’s Bottlenose Dolphins in Argentina
by Gisela Giardino 08 Mar '26

08 Mar '26

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication in the journal *Animals*: *"First Report on the Acoustic Signals of Lahille’s Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus) in Argentina"*. Abstract: This study provides the first characterization of the acoustic signals emitted by Lahille’s bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus) in Argentine waters, establishing a baseline for the species’ southern distribution limit. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the inner channels of the Bahía Blanca Estuary using a broadband hydrophone and F-POD detectors. We documented a diverse acoustic repertoire consisting of echolocation clicks, whistles, bray-calls, and chirps. Acoustic presence was predominantly diurnal and showed a marked synchronization with the tidal cycle, with peak activity occurring during the ebbing tide. Whistles had a mean center frequency of 8.1 kHz, showing spectral overlap with other regional populations in the Southwestern Atlantic. Echolocation clicks were broadband, with peak frequencies ranging from 18 to 127 kHz and a mode around 40 kHz. These results suggest that dolphin movement in the estuary’s internal channels is structured by hydrodynamics, likely reflecting foraging opportunities associated with tidal flow. Given the endangered status of this species, these data establish a technical framework for non-invasive monitoring and habitat-use assessments in complex estuarine environments. The full article is open access and can be found at the following link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050822, Best regards Gisela -- Dra. Gisela Giardino Grupo de Investigacion Biol., Ecología y Conserv. de Mamíferos Marinos Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) -IIMyC (CONICET) Deán Funes 3350, (7600) Mar del Plata, Argentina. Tel: +54 223 4752426 (int. 244) Casilla de Correo 1260-Correo Central-MdP https://linktr.ee/becmm

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PhD studentship at University of Otago, New Zealand
by Will Rayment 07 Mar '26

07 Mar '26

Dear Marmam community We are excited to advertise an exciting PhD studentship at University of Otago – investigating the risk to marine mammals posed by offshore wind energy development in Aotearoa – New Zealand Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ), in collaboration with research partners, is undertaking an exciting 5-year project titled “De-risking New Zealand’s offshore wind energy: next-generational spatial planning and ecological assessment” (https://niwa.co.nz/research/de-risking-new-zealands-offshore-wind-energy) The project includes a PhD studentship focussing on marine mammals, building the layers of information required for cutting-edge marine spatial planning. The studentship is fully funded for 3.5 years (includes tuition fees and a stipend). The student will contribute to gathering and analysing data on distribution and habitat use of marine mammals and assessing risk posed by development of offshore wind energy on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Data will be gathered via ship-based and aerial line transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring, complemented by in-situ and remotely sensed environmental data. The student will be based in the Department of Marine Science at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and supervised by Associate Professor Will Rayment (U Otago), Dr Tom Brough (ESNZ), and Associate Professor Leigh Torres (Oregon State University) with additional advisers as required. Ideally the candidate will be able to start before July 2026. The successful candidate will have the following attributes (essential): MSc in a marine science discipline Extensive fieldwork experience with marine mammals Experience analysing ecological datasets using R, evidenced by peer-reviewed publication Fluent in written and spoken English Preferred attributes include: Experience gathering and analysing line-transect data Experience gathering and analysing passive acoustic monitoring data Image processing skills, including implementation of AI algorithms Knowledge of species-distribution modelling In order to apply, please send a 2-page CV and 1-page cover letter explaining why you are well suited for the position to will.rayment(a)otago.ac.nz<mailto:will.rayment@otago.ac.nz> before 21 March 2026. Please note that unfortunately we cannot consider applicants who do not have the essential attributes listed above. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

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New paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters
by Dimitar Popov 06 Mar '26

06 Mar '26

Dear all, On behalf of me and my co-authors, I am happy to share our recently published new paper on cetaceans' summer abundance and distribution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters, available on the link: https://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/2024/Suppl_20_21.pdf Abstract: /All three Black Sea cetacean species are nominated as endemic subspecies for the basin listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered species: the Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) and Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) as Endangered (EN), while the Black Sea common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus) as Vulnerable (VU). In addition, all three species are protected at national and international levels. Effective conservation of protected and endangered species requires robust data on their distribution to delineate important habitats. We present data on the summer distribution of cetaceans in Bulgarian shelf waters, derived from a series of vessel line transect distance sampling surveys, conducted in the summer months during the period 2020-2023. Harbour porpoise density estimates ranged from 0.156 ind./sq. km (CV=43%) in territorial waters in 2020 to 2.83 ind./sq. km (CV=27%) in deeper waters in 2022. Bottlenose dolphin density estimates ranged from 0.226 ind./sq. km (CV=49%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.542 ind./sq. km (CV=35%) in 2020, also in territorial waters. Common dolphin density ranged from 0.032 ind./sq. km (CV=80%) in territorial waters in 2023 to 0.699 ind./sq. km (CV=41%) in deep shelf waters in 2022. The distribution of porpoises has shown a clear preference for deep waters (80-100 m), indicating a shift from the coastal waters that are their preferred habitat in the spring. The density of common dolphin has also shown a gradient towards deeper waters of the shelf, while bottlenose dolphins show a preference for coastal waters. Here, we propose updated threshold values of Descriptor 1's criteria 2 and 4 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and identify important habitats for harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins that remain outside of NATURA 2000's scope./ In case you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Dimitar -- __________________________________________________ *__________________________________________________ **Mr. Dimitar Popov**,**PhD **Project Coordinator GREEN BALKANS - Stara Zagora NGO* BSB00432 EOL 30, Boruygrad str. Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria Mobile +359 (0)885 108712 E-mail: _dpopov(a)greenbalkans.org_ http://www.greenbalkans.org __________________________________________________ -- Този имейл е проверен за вируси от антивирусния софтуер Avast. www.avast.com

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The Center for Whale Research is Hiring!
by info whaleresearch.com 05 Mar '26

05 Mar '26

The Center for Whale Research is hiring for a new role! We are seeking an Outreach, Education, and Community Relations Lead to oversee education strategy, support community relationship building, and manage and maintain our Education Center as a vibrant hub for learning, outreach, and community connection. This role will design and deliver high-quality educational programs, strengthen relationships with local communities and partners, and help ensure that our science, conservation work, and mission are shared with diverse audiences in engaging, accessible ways.The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, have a background in environmental education, be professional, and highly organized. This is a full-time, in-person role located in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. A link to the full application description is available here: Job Description and Application https://www.whaleresearch.com/copy-of-2026-intern-opportunities?fbclid=IwZX… Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2026 Contract Type: Full Time (40 hours) Location: CWR's Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Hourly Rate of Pay: $28 to $32, subject to experience. Application Process: HOW TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references who can be contacted regarding your application to email applications(a)whaleresearch.com mailto:applications@whaleresearch.com INTERVIEWS: We will contact you to let you know whether you have been shortlisted for an interview. We expect to conduct interviews online in late March. If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact Dr. Darren Croft at: applications(a)whaleresearch.com mailto:applications@whaleresearch.com

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Movement Ecology (the Analysis of Movement Data)
by Oliver Hooker 05 Mar '26

05 Mar '26

Develop advanced analytical skills for marine mammal tracking and telemetry data in our live online course *Movement Ecology (the Analysis of Movement Data) (MOVE09)*. https://prstats.org/course/movement-ecology-the-analysis-of-movement-data-m… Modern marine mammal research increasingly relies on movement datasets from satellite tags, biologgers, GPS devices, and acoustic telemetry. This course provides practical training in analysing animal movement data using the *movement ecology framework*, combining ecological theory with hands-on analysis in R. Participants will learn how to extract ecological insights from tracking data, quantify spatial behaviour, and model interactions between animals and their environment. *Applications for marine mammal research include:* - Analysing satellite telemetry and biologging datasets - Estimating home ranges and habitat use - Modelling movement responses to environmental drivers - Quantifying behavioural states and movement patterns - Understanding interactions among individuals or populations *The course covers:* - Core concepts in movement ecology and tracking technologies - Data preparation and exploration for movement datasets - Home-range estimation and spatial movement metrics - Interaction metrics and behavioural interpretation - Resource selection and step-selection modelling - Reproducible movement analysis workflows in R Participants will work through practical examples and gain hands-on experience analysing movement trajectories using widely used tools for ecological movement analysis. The analytical approaches are broadly applicable across taxa and tracking technologies. Delivered live online, the course offers direct interaction with the instructor, opportunities to ask questions about your own datasets, and structured guidance through applied examples. All participants receive course materials, example code, and post-course support. *Course details* Dates: 11–15 May 2026 Duration: 5 days (approximately 8 hours per day) Format: Live online Fee: £480 This course is suitable for postgraduate students, researchers, and professionals working in marine mammal ecology, conservation, and telemetry studies who want to analyse movement data using robust statistical and spatial methods. Full details and registration: https://prstats.org/course/movement-ecology-the-analysis-of-movement-data-m… Email oliver(a)prstats.org with any questions. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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Bayesian Statistical Modelling with Stan and brms
by Oliver Hooker 05 Mar '26

05 Mar '26

Strengthen your quantitative toolkit for marine mammal research with our live online course *Bayesian Statistical Modelling with Stan and brms (BMSB01)*. https://prstats.org/course/bayesian-statistical-modelling-with-stan-and-brm… Bayesian modelling is increasingly important in marine mammal science, particularly when dealing with sparse sightings, complex survey designs, imperfect detection, and hierarchical ecological processes. This hands-on course provides a practical introduction to Bayesian inference using *Stan* through the *brms* interface in R, combining conceptual understanding with applied modelling workflows. This course does not use examples from ecology or marine mammals, however, the methods taught are directly applicable to many types of marine mammal datasets, including: - Modelling abundance and population trends from survey data - Analysing behavioural or movement data from tagging studies - Hierarchical models for multi-site or multi-year monitoring programmes - Integrating environmental covariates with ecological observations - Quantifying uncertainty in ecological and conservation decisions *The course covers:* - Foundations of Bayesian reasoning and statistical inference - Fitting Bayesian regression models in R using *brms* and Stan - Understanding priors, likelihoods, and posterior distributions - Model diagnostics and convergence assessment (e.g. R-hat, trace plots) - Model comparison and interpretation of posterior estimates - Extending models to generalized linear and hierarchical structures Participants will work through practical coding exercises and learn how to build, evaluate, and interpret Bayesian models in a reproducible R workflow. Delivered live online, the course allows direct interaction with the instructor, opportunities to ask questions about your own datasets, and structured guidance through applied examples. All participants receive course materials, example code, and post-course support. *Course details* Dates: 5–7 May 2026 Duration: 3 days (approximately 6 hours per day) Format: Live online Fee: £400 This course is suitable for postgraduate students, researchers, and professionals working in marine mammal ecology, conservation, and population assessment who want to apply Bayesian methods using R and Stan. Full details and registration: https://prstats.org/course/bayesian-statistical-modelling-with-stan-and-brm… Email oliver(a)prstats.org with any questions. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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