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National Aquarium Stranding Response Fellowship
by Shaffer, Kate 24 Nov '25

24 Nov '25

Good Morning- The National Aquarium is seeking applicants to fill the seasonal grant funded Stranding Response Fellow position based out of our Stranding Response Center in Ocean City, Maryland. Please share this with your networks. Qualified applicants can apply at the following link: https://nationalaquarium.my.site.com/volunteers/s/fellowship-opportunities?… Animal Rescue Stranding Response Fellow (Grant Funded) Posted: November 24, 2025 Season: Winter Schedule: Part-time Location: Ocean City, MD 21842, USA Compensation: $9,600 Stipend DESCRIPTION The National Aquarium Animal Rescue team rescues, rehabilitates, and releases stranded marine animals and turtles. We are offering a paid learning- based position to support stranding response based along the Atlantic Coast of Maryland, within the primary area of stranding response. The fellow will be expected to reside near the primary response area. This fellow will gain hands-on experience with stranding response, behavioral observations, marine animal triage, animal documentation, and outreach. Competencies Fellows work behind the scenes supporting animal rescue operations. This position provides the opportunity to gain species-specific competencies in: • Species Identification & Natural History • Animal Handling, Restraint & Nutritional Support • Quarantine Procedures, Biosecurity, & Infectious Disease Basics • Animal Emergency Response Techniques & Documentation • Triage Operations, Point-of-Care Diagnostics & Patient Medical Record Keeping • Conservation Messaging and Public Outreach ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Assist with field response to emergency events involving stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. * Photo documentation of marine mammals and sea turtle sightings. * Conduct behavioral observations and monitor resting seals. * Assist animal rescue staff in triaging seals and sea turtles and preparation for transfer to long term rehabilitation. * Support the exemplary care, welfare, and final disposition to stranded marine animals, including humane euthanasia in certain cases. * Participate in restraint and medical treatment of marine animals, preparing animals for transport, necropsy, and animal releases as needed. * Assist with program-based conservation messaging and outreach REQUIREMENTS * Must be at least 18 years of age. * Must be able to perform strenuous field activities in various weather conditions/terrains. including the ability to climb over sea wall structures and walk long distances. * Must be able to establish a comfort level working with large, wild animals and restrain a seal weighing up to 100lbs (training provided) * Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds. * A willingness to enthusiastically and patiently interact with members of the public in the field at stranding incidents. * Ability and willingness to follow established rules, safety procedures, and assigned tasks. * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn * Prompt, consistent attendance * Academic background in marine biology, environmental science, or related sciences. * Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently and as part of a team. About the National Aquarium Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare. More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland. Our Mission and Goals The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution. Our Values At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission. Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability. Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change. Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues. Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization. Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, interns, and fellows. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment. In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, interns, and fellows, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of volunteering or interning, including but not limited to recruitment, placement, transfer, training, activities, and general treatment during time of service. HOW TO APPLY Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website. All questions and requests for reasonable accommodation should be directed to volunteer(a)aqua.org<mailto:volunteer@aqua.org>. DE DESC DE Kate Shaffer Stranding Response and Triage Manager, National Aquarium KShaffer(a)aqua.org|www.aqua.org tel410-986-2378cell443-890-0790 Report sick or injured marinelife to our stranding hotline: 410-576-3880 National Aquarium Stranding Response Center 6405 Seabay Drive, Bldg #2600 Ocean City, MD 21842 We are a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet.

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Inquiry: Cetacean detection of faraway fishing boats
by Giovanni Bearzi 24 Nov '25

24 Nov '25

Dear colleagues, does anyone know of any published information on how far away distant trawlers (or other fishing boats) can be detected acoustically or visually by cetaceans? If so, could you please share it with me? I am familiar with information reported by Norris and Prescott 1961 and Bonizzoni et al. 2022 for bottlenose dolphins and trawlers, by Jefferson 2000 for Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and trawlers, and by Thode at al. 2007 for sperm whales and longliners. However, I suspect there is additional information out there. Thank you for any help you may provide! Giovanni Bearzi <giovanni.bearzi(a)gmail.com> http://www.dolphinbiology.org/people/giovanni_bearzi.htm --- REFERENCES Bonizzoni S, Hamilton S, Reeves RR, Genov T, Bearzi G (2022) Odontocete cetaceans foraging behind trawlers, worldwide. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 32:827-877 Jefferson TA (2000) Population biology of the Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin in Hong Kong waters. Wildlife Monogr 144:1-65 Norris KS, Prescott JH (1961) Observations on Pacific cetaceans of Californian and Mexican waters. Univ Calif Publ Zool 63:291-402 Thode A, Straley J, Tiemann CO, Folkert K, O'Connell V (2007) Observations of potential acoustic cues that attract sperm whales to longline fishing in the Gulf of Alaska. J Acoust Soc Am 122:1265-1277

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WWF Conservation Impact Grants for the Wider Caribbean and Coral Triangle Seascapes
by Christopher Johnson 23 Nov '25

23 Nov '25

Hi everyone, The WWF Protecting Whales and Dolphins Initiative has two conservation impact grants available for 2026. We are looking to help support projects in two seascapes - the Wider Caribbean and the Coral Triangle. The theme: Identifying and Safeguarding Blue Corridors: Enhancing Marine Connectivity Conservation for Whales and Dolphins. There is up to AUD$60,000 (Australian dollars) available for each project proposal. If interested, there is more additional information on our website on how to apply: https://wwfwhales.org/conservation-impact-grants-2025 The deadline is Dec 12, 2025. Please reach out if you have any questions. Best Chris CHRIS JOHNSON Global Lead, WWF Protecting Whales & Dolphins Initiative Web: WWFwhales.org | Instagram: @WWF_Whales Based @ WWF-Australia Level 9, 276 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA mob: +61 437 226 011 | em: cjohnson(a)wwf.org.au This e-mail message and any attached files are confidential and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee of this e-mail, you may not copy, disclose, distribute or otherwise use it, or any part of it, in any form whatsoever. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail or by telephoning 1800 032 551 (or +61 2 8000 0303 outside of Australia) and then delete this e-mail.

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Help restore the Whale Interpretive Centre's Robson Bight exhibit
by Killerwhalecentre 23 Nov '25

23 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM community, The Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove, BC is looking for help restoring the journalistic record of Robson Bight that was lost in the December 31, 2024 fire. The WIC lost its archival collection, including many original newspaper and magazine articles that documented the decades-long effort to protect Robson Bight as an Ecological Reserve. These stories were an essential part of our exhibit, capturing the voices of journalists who helped raise awareness about this critical killer whale habitat. To rebuild this important historical record, the WIC needs your help. We are asking for copies of: - Newspaper or magazine articles about the creation and protection of Robson Bight - Investigative or feature stories written by journalists who covered the issue - Photographs, clippings, or newsletters related to the campaign to save Robson Bight - Any personal archives or scrapbook that include media coverage from the time How to contribute: If you have originals, photocopies, or digital scans, please contact us at society(a)killerwhalecentre.org or 250-949-1143. We can arrange scanning, safe handling or pick up if needed. Even a single article can help rebuild the exhibit and preserve this history for future generations. Thank you so much for your help. Warmest regards, Tyra Tyra Bain, Manager Whale Interpretive Centre Telegraph Cove, BC Email: bones(a)killerwhalecentre.org Phone: 250-949-1143 We are privileged to work, live, and learn in the traditional and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakwala-speaking Peoples).

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New publications
by Stephanie Plön, PhD 23 Nov '25

23 Nov '25

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am excited to share two recent open-access publications: Adams, Inge A., Roussouw, Natasha, Reed, Cecile, Ham, Gin S. and Plön, Stephanie. 2025. Long-term host parasite dynamics in eight odontocete species from south-eastern South Africa. *International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife *28: 101133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101133 Abstract: Although investigations of stranded and bycaught cetaceans have been conducted since the 1970s, little is known about parasites infecting the 25 species found in the South African subregion. For this study, we retrospectively identified parasites from eight bycaught and stranded odontocete species along the south-eastern coast of South Africa between 1970 and 2015 to produce a list of parasite species affecting southern African odontocetes and examine patterns of infection in host species with regards to age, sex, time intervals and collection method. Parasites were identified in 192 out of the 2599 individuals examined. Previously unreported parasite species were found for several southern African odontocete species, underscoring the importance of museum collections for biological research. Offshore and stranded odontocetes generally had a higher prevalence of parasites, although there were a few exceptions. Binomial logistic regression models showed significantly higher probability of parasitic presence (p < 0.05) in stranded *Delphinus delphis *than bycaught individuals, and significantly lower probability of parasitic presence (p < 0.05) in neonates and calves of stranded *Tursiops aduncus* and *Stenella coeruleoalba *than adult animals. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected between the sexes of all odontocete species investigated (p > 0.05). Parasitic prevalence was highest during the most recent years (2000–2015) for half of the odontocete species investigated, in agreement with the models. Accurate morphological identification of parasites affecting marine mammals is essential for comprehending disease epidemiology, assessing the health of cetacean populations, and developing effective conservation and management strategies. And Roussouw, Natasha, Froneman, P. William, Weltz, Kay, Venter, Kirsty, Conry, Danielle, Smale, Malcolm J. and Plön, Stephanie. 2025. Feeding down the food web?! Trophic cascading reflected in the long-term dietary trends of endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins *Sousa plumbea *from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. *Ecological Indicators* 181: 114442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114442 Abstract: Approximately 60 % of coastal cetacean species globally are at risk of extinction, despite these organisms role as indicators of Ocean Health. Changing food availability due to overfishing and/or climate change has been identified as one stressor among cumulative impacts on cetacean populations. Using a multi-method approach of analysing stomach contents (n = 107), stable isotopes (n = 30) and blubber thickness (n = 87) data (as a proxy for condition), we investigated long-term dietary trends (1972–2017) of incidentally bycaught Indian Ocean humpback dolphin *Sousa plumbea* off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa. A total of 64 teleost and three cephalopod species were identified. A diet shift was observed in the stomach contents between 2001 and 2020, with new prey species being recorded, which was validated by the significant difference in prey species diversity over time (p < 0.001). In addition, significant decreases in δ13C signatures between time intervals (p = 0.01), due to differences between the 2011–2020 decade and the 1971–1980 and 1981–1990 intervals, also indicated a change in prey. A significant decrease was found in the mid-dorsal body condition index (calculated using blubber thickness) between the 1981–1990 and 2001–2010 intervals (p = 0.02). Our study provides evidence of a dietary shift in the endangered *S. plumbea* along South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal coastline from 2001 to 2020, likely driven by declining prey availability resulting from overfishing and/or climate change. This highlights the species’ role as an indicator of environmental change in the coastal zone of the Indian Ocean and the importance of long-term data for assessing Ocean Health in the region. Please reach out if you have any questions: stephanie.ploen(a)gmail.com Thank you, Stephanie Plön, PhD BioConsult SH, Germany and University of Cape Town, South Africa

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New Book - "Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume 2: Oceanic Dolphins"
by Thomas Jefferson 23 Nov '25

23 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM, I am happy to announce the publication of "Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume 2: Oceanic Dolphins" (edited by T. A. Jefferson). Academic Press. This book is Volume 2 in the Handbook of Marine Mammals series; it focuses on dolphins, the remarkable marine mammals that live in our seas and oceans. For centuries, dolphins have fascinated humans with their intelligence and adaptability. As our understanding of marine mammals expands, there is a growing need for comprehensive references on their ecology and biology. This series, created to meet this need, provides definitive reviews of all living species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea cows, and marine otters and bears. This volume features chapters written by leading global experts on offshore and oceanic dolphin species. Each chapter includes detailed descriptions of the species, covering aspects such as distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, reproduction, parasites and diseases, and the effects of human activities on these species. For more information or to order a copy, visit: https://shop.elsevier.com/books/oceanic-dolphins/foundation/978-0-443-13667… Best wishes, Tom Jefferson Clymene Enterprises / VIVA Vaquita sclymene(a)aol.com

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New publication: Passive Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Temporal and Environmental Drivers of the Cetacean Community in the Southern Great Barrier Reef
by Isabel Taylor 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share a new publication entitled: Passive acoustic monitoring Passive Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Temporal and Environmental Drivers of the Cetacean Community in the Southern Great Barrier Reef Abstract Monitoring cetaceans in Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is essential for understanding their ecological roles and informing conservation, yet traditional visual surveys are limited by logistical constraints. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) offers a complementary solution, particularly in acoustically complex coral-reef habitats of the southern GBR. Over 2 years, we deployed an autonomous recorder at Lady Elliot Island to document cetacean presence and assess environmental associations. We detected vocalizations from humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*), dwarf minke whales (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata* subsp.), and delphinids, likely spinner (*Stenella longirostris*) and/or bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops* spp.). Humpback whale song dominated recordings from June through October, while dwarf minke whale “Star-Wars” calls occurred from May to August, marking the first acoustic evidence of this subspecies within the southern GBR. Dwarf minke whale detections correlated positively with chlorophyll-*a* concentration, whereas humpback whale detections were negatively associated with wind speed. Rorqual vocalizations declined during periods of elevated anthropogenic noise, while odontocete detections remained unaffected. These results highlight PAM's effectiveness for detecting cetaceans within complex reef soundscapes and suggest acoustic niche partitioning among taxa. These critical baseline data inform management strategies for understudied GBR cetacean populations and establish a robust framework for future long-term monitoring efforts and effective conservation actions. Citation: Taylor, I. A. R., S. Beutel, C. L. Dudgeon, et al. 2026. “ Passive Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Temporal and Environmental Drivers of the Cetacean Community in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.”*Marine Mammal Science * 42, no. 1: e70098. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70098. If you have any questions or would like a copy of the PDF, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m also happy to discuss the study further or explore potential collaborations with others working in related areas. Sincerely, Isabel Taylor, B.Sc. (Hons) Email: isabelaprilrosetaylor(a)gmail.com On Fri, 21 Nov 2025 at 6:42 am, Isabel Taylor < isabelaprilrosetaylor(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Dear MARMAN moderators, > > Please kindly consider the following mailing list submission to your > valued community: > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Dear MARMAM community, > > On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share a new publication > entitled: > Passive acoustic monitoring Passive Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Temporal > and Environmental Drivers of the Cetacean Community in the Southern Great > Barrier Reef > > Abstract > Monitoring cetaceans in Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is essential > for understanding their ecological roles and informing conservation, yet > traditional visual surveys are limited by logistical constraints. Passive > acoustic monitoring (PAM) offers a complementary solution, particularly in > acoustically complex coral-reef habitats of the southern GBR. Over 2 years, > we deployed an autonomous recorder at Lady Elliot Island to document > cetacean presence and assess environmental associations. We detected > vocalizations from humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*), dwarf > minke whales (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata* subsp.), and delphinids, > likely spinner (*Stenella longirostris*) and/or bottlenose dolphins ( > *Tursiops* spp.). Humpback whale song dominated recordings from June > through October, while dwarf minke whale “Star-Wars” calls occurred from > May to August, marking the first acoustic evidence of this subspecies > within the southern GBR. Dwarf minke whale detections correlated positively > with chlorophyll-*a* concentration, whereas humpback whale detections > were negatively associated with wind speed. Rorqual vocalizations declined > during periods of elevated anthropogenic noise, while odontocete detections > remained unaffected. These results highlight PAM's effectiveness for > detecting cetaceans within complex reef soundscapes and suggest acoustic > niche partitioning among taxa. These critical baseline data inform > management strategies for understudied GBR cetacean populations and > establish a robust framework for future long-term monitoring efforts and > effective conservation actions. > > Citation: > Taylor, I. A. R., S. Beutel, C. L. Dudgeon, et al. 2026. “ Passive > Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Temporal and Environmental Drivers of the > Cetacean Community in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.”* Marine Mammal > Science * 42, no. 1: e70098. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70098. > > If you have any questions or would like a copy of the PDF, please feel > free to reach out to me directly. I’m also happy to discuss the study > further or explore potential collaborations with others working in related > areas. > > Sincerely, > > Isabel Taylor, B.Sc. (Hons) > Email: isabelaprilrosetaylor(a)gmail.com > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Kind regards, > > Isabel. > >

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New Publication: Rice's whale news media analysis
by Reamer, Marcus 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

MARMAM Community, Please see below for information about a new research article, which is available Open Access in <https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02265-y> Ambio<https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02265-y>. We encourage you to read this article even if you are not directly involved in Rice's whale science, conservation, or management. We compare our results to previous research on news media coverage about North Atlantic right whales and offer broader insights about the role of human communication and media in conservation, all to help our readers understand media systems at a deeper level to improve strategic conservation communication across ecosystems and geographies. I am the corresponding author and welcome questions and discussion. Title: Discovering the world's most endangered great whale species did not advance an issue-attention cycle in news media: Implications for Rice's whale conservation and management Abstract: Issue-attention cycles (IACs) follow the predictable rise and fall of media and public attention to topics through five defined stages. Using content analysis and critical discourse analysis, we analyzed newspaper texts (2021–2024) about the Rice’s whale, a newly discovered and Critically Endangered species exclusive to the Gulf of Mexico. We investigated whether this discovery was enough to advance an IAC and found that, while Rice’s whale science, conservation, and policy has the elements of a topic likely to undergo an IAC, it remains in the first stage of the IAC with limited media attention and a focus on regional stakeholders and policy debates. Comparing this case to the North Atlantic right whale IAC (2010–2024), we offer insights for scientists, professionals, and advocates to prepare for potential future media attention and conservation conflict. Our findings highlight the importance of strategic communication and media analysis to conservation. Suggested citation: Reamer, M.B., Yeager, E. (2025). 'Discovering the world’s most endangered great whale species did not advance an issue-attention cycle in news media: Implications for Rice’s whale conservation and management'. Ambio, 1-23. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02265-y Best fishes 🦈🐠🐟 Marcus Reamer, Ph.D. (he/him) Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science and Policy Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science ResearchGate<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marcus-Reamer-2> | LinkedIn<http://linkedin.com/in/mreamer> | ORCiD<https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-0989> |

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New publication on integration of assessment outcomes with a case study on marine mammals
by Matthieu Authier 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM community, please find a new publication on how to integrate assessment outcomes as required under some conservation instruments such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the European Union. The publication has a case study on marine mammals, building on the work of the OSPAR Quality Status Report of 2023. Title: Integration of indicator outcomes for assessing good environmental status: A model-based approach Abstract: Integrated assessments are required to track ecosystem status, any change thereof and progress due to conservation measures. The European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), which aims among others at maintaining biodiversity, requires regular quantitative assessments built from monitoring data and indicator developments to decide on the environmental status of each element in a marine ecosystem. Beyond the daunting tasks incurred with large-scale monitoring and timely analyses, collapsing the multivariate information from indicators on several species into a single number reflecting an overall environmental status is the challenge associated with integration. The ‘One Out, All Out’ (OOAO) integration rule is currently in use in part due its simplicity and ease of use. Its main drawback is its built-in sensitivity to error in binary assessment outcomes: statistical noise will dominate integration with an increasing number of species or indicators. We developed a model-based approach to integration for MSFD assessments within the statistical framework of Signal Detection Theory. We benchmarked the model performance against the OOAO integration rule in a simulation study. The model-based integration scheme redresses known deficiencies with the OOAO rule and clarifies statistical assumptions behind integration rules, unifying them across a continuum. We illustrated our approach with a case study on the ecosystem component ’marine mammals’ in the Northeast Atlantic. We believe our model-based approach provides a more comprehensive integrated output of ecosystem assessments that aligns better with decision-making under uncertainty in evidence-based policy. Reference: Authier, M. & Gilles, A. (2025) Integration of indicator outcomes for assessing good environmental status: A model-based approach. Ecological Informatics, 92, 103502. 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103502 The full-text is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954125005114 Cheers Matthieu -- Matthieu Authier - Ingénieur de Recherche La Rochelle Université Observatoire Pelagis UAR 3462 CNRS-LRUniv 5 allée de l'océan 17 000 La Rochelle telephone: +00 33 (0)7 77 22 32 67 (remote-working/télé-travail) https://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/pelagis-2/lequipe/matthieu-authier/ Try again. Fail again. Fail better. (Samuel Beckett) Verzögerungen im Betriebsablauf (Deutsche Bahn) Being an academic doesn’t mean that everyone thinks you’re smart; it means that a few smart people think you’re wrong. (Thomas Basboell) 🍍 🦉🐛

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New publication: Characterization of blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) audible calls recorded in the Northwest Atlantic
by Amanda Babin 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

Dear colleagues, On behalf of my coauthors, I am excited to share our recent open-access publication in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America: Babin, Amanda B., Macklin, Gabrielle F., McLean, Sarah N., Wingfield, Jessica E., Beslin, Wilfried A.M., Adams, Michael J., and Moors-Murphy, Hilary B. 2025. Characterization of blue whale (*Balaenoptera musculus*) audible calls recorded in the Northwest Atlantic. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 158(5): 3767-3780. doi:10.1121/10.0039869 <https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0039869> Abstract: Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) produce infrasonic calls (A, B, and AB), which are very low-frequency (16–20 Hz) vocalizations made by males for reproductive purposes, and higher frequency (25–120 Hz) audible calls (downsweep and arch), which are produced by both sexes potentially for feeding and/or socializing purposes. Infrasonic calls have been well characterized and tend to be observed more in winter, whereas audible calls tend to be observed more in summer. This paper quantifies the duration and frequency characteristics of audible calls from recordings collected in the Northwest Atlantic off eastern Canada. There were at least 5 distinct subtypes among the 132 calls examined: short, medium, and long downsweeps were primarily differentiated by duration and shape, hooks began with a limited bandwidth upsweep followed by a downsweep, and arches began with a near-full bandwidth upsweep followed by a downsweep. The variation in start, end, minimum, maximum, and peak frequencies, as well as bandwidth, duration, and slope of the upsweep and/or downsweep portions of all calls were measured for each audible call subtype. These descriptions can support future blue whale passive acoustic studies, including more rigorous examination of seasonal acoustic occurrence, differences among call types, and comparison between populations. Please reach out if you have any questions: amanda(a)babin-labs.com Thank you, Amanda Babin, PhD Aquatic Science Biologist Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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