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Dolphin Research and Conservation Field Course in Sardinia- Summer 2026
by IFR Info 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

Dear colleagues, The Institute for Field Research (IFR), in partnership with MareTerra, is offering a two-week field course on Dolphin Ecology & Marine Conservation <https://ifrglobal.org/program/italy-sardinia-ecology/> in beautiful Sardinia, Italy from June 1-June 13, 2026. This immersive, two-week summer program offers participants the opportunity to study wild bottlenose dolphins, gain field research experience, and contribute to real-world conservation efforts while earning academic credit. Participants will gain field and lab-based research skills, working alongside experts to collect dolphin bioacoustic data and contribute to conservation strategies for managing human-marine mammal interactions. The program includes an online pre-departure module, beachfront accommodations, and cultural excursions, with 4 semester/6 quarter credits awarded through Connecticut College. *Course highlights include:* - Practical experience in boat-based monitoring of cetacean behavior and habitat use in the stunning Capo Caccia MPA, a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot - Training in photo identification, PAM data collection, GIS and Raven Pro analysis and more - Engage with local fishers and tourism stakeholders to advance conservation strategies - A home base in Alghero, a lively town with Catalan heritage, fantastic food, and access to Sardinia’s best beaches and cultural sites. Applications are now open and we welcome participation from all majors and academic backgrounds. Please feel free to share this opportunity with students or colleagues who may be interested. More info & apply: [Field Course Webpage <https://ifrglobal.org/program/italy-sardinia-ecology/>] [Download Flyer <https://ifrglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IFR-Sardinia-Program-Sheet…>] [Request Info <https://mailchi.mp/ifrglobal.org/request-info>] For questions, contact us at info(a)ifrglobal.org. Thank you for sharing! -- Institute for Field Research ifrglobal.org (877) 839-4374 +1 (424) 209-1173

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Fwd: Reminder: Final Event of LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS – Remote Participation Available
by Antonella Arcangeli 21 Nov '25

21 Nov '25

Sorry for cross-posting Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to remind you of the upcoming Final Event of the *LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS project: “Conservation of CEtaceans and Pelagic sea TUrtles in the Mediterranean Sea” (LIFE20 NAT/IT/001371)*. The event will take place on *25–26 November 2025 in Rome, Italy, and remote participation is available for those who cannot attend in person.* During the two days, we will share the latest results and explore ideas for activities, collaborations, and future steps. Topics include innovative monitoring methodologies, large-scale datasets from ferry-based surveys, key results for marine spatial planning and biodiversity conservation, and opportunities for networking and multidisciplinary collaboration. Programme: - *25 November*, 10:00–17:00 CET | MASE Auditorium – *Technical Session* with presentations and exchange of experiences. Remote participation: Meeting link <https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmee…> Meeting ID: 353 252 553 226 7 | Passcode: 4VP9JP2c - *26 November*, 17:30–20:15 CET | Teatro Palladium – *Communication & Networking Session*. Live streaming available on the ISPRA YouTube channel <https://consent.youtube.com/m?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fc%2F…> For more information and registration, visit the ISPRA Event Page <https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/en/ispra-events/final-event-life-conceptu-m…> and consult the Project Documents <https://www.lifeconceptu.eu/en/project-documents/?_gl=1*168u39a*_up*MQ..*_g…> . We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating together, whether in Rome or online. Best regards, The LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS Team

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New Publication: Assessment of marine litter interaction in cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline and the Adriatic Sea
by Guido Pietroluongo 20 Nov '25

20 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent publication entitled: *"Assessment of marine litter interaction in cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline and the Adriatic Sea"*. The article is fully open access and available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.… **Abstract**Marine litter represents a growing threat to marine biodiversity, particularly to cetaceans, yet its impacts on these sentinel species remain insufficiently quantified. This study provides the first comprehensive, transboundary assessment of litter ingestion in stranded cetaceans along the Italian coastline and across the wider Adriatic basin, including Croatia and Slovenia, between 2009 and 2023. Through harmonized post-mortem examinations, and focusing on the period of consistent data collection and analysis (2009-2023), this study documented plastic litter ingestion in 2.9% of necropsied cetaceans in Italy and 3.7% in the broader Adriatic subregion, with sperm whales (*Physeter macrocephalus*) showing the highest frequency (50% FO) and susceptibility. In 11 cases, ingestion was associated with health deterioration and mortality. The most commonly ingested items were plastic sheets and fragments. The Italian Adriatic subregion emerged as a hotspot for plastic interactions, reflecting regional hydrodynamics and anthropogenic pressures. Applying criteria from regional and international frameworks, the results showed that 60% of *P. macrocephalus* had ingested more than 1 kg of plastic, with 40% exhibiting harmful effects. These data provide baseline values that can serve as reference points for proposing thresholds to achieve Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Despite these results supporting the use of sperm whales as suitable sentinel species for monitoring macroplastic pollution, the available data are limited to Italy and influenced by distributional patterns and unusual mortality events. A combined approach, where *T. truncatu*s is monitored for its broad spatial representativeness and *P. macrocephalus *for its ecological susceptibility, may be a useful strategy to guide further research and inform management measures in the future. These findings underscore the need for standardized monitoring protocols, enhanced cross-border data sharing, and policy measures to mitigate plastic impacts. This work provides crucial baseline knowledge for conservation planning and reinforces the role of cetaceans as indicators of ecosystem health in the Mediterranean. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Many thanks Guido -- Guido Pietroluongo, DVM, MSc, PhD Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science - University of Padova Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) Mediterranean Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (https://marinemammals.bca.unipd.it/) AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo Viale dell'Università 16 35020 - Legnaro (PD) *Please consider the environment before printing this email*

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LAST CHANCE! Survey: Caretaker Accessibility at SMM Biennial
by Amy Van Cise 20 Nov '25

20 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM, The SMM DEI Women and Families Subcommittee is collecting feedback about caretaker accessibility efforts at the 2024 Biennial in Perth in advance of the upcoming Biennial. If you are a caretaker, please take a moment to share your feedback with us using this short survey: https://forms.gle/6mfQa7ivJRJKtAp3A Thank you in advance for your feedback! Warm regards, Amy, on behalf of SMM DEI W&F Subcommittee <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< Amy M. Van Cise, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) Assistant Professor Whale and Dolphin Ecology Lab <http://amyvancise.com> University of Washington | School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences 1122 NE Boat St, Box 355020 Seattle, WA 98105 Office: FSH 216B 206-221-6118 "My paper was one long gigantic blunder from beginning to end." -Charles Darwin

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New publication: Acoustic Occurrence of Pinnipeds Offshore Eastern Canada
by Katie Kowarski 20 Nov '25

20 Nov '25

My coauthors and I are happy to share our recent open access publication Acoustic occurrence of pinnipeds offshore eastern Canada <https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2025-0043> Kowarski, K.A., J.J.-Y. Delarue, E.E. Maxner, and S.B. Martin. 2025. Acoustic Occurrence of Pinnipeds Offshore Eastern Canada. *Canadian Journal of Zoology* Early release. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2025-0043. There is limited information on the distribution of pinnipeds beyond known haul-out or whelping sites, particularly in offshore areas. In the waters off Atlantic Canada, this knowledge gap limits our ability to understand baseline habitat use and assess distribution changes through time. We used a large passive acoustic monitoring dataset to determine the acoustic presence of pinnipeds from Labrador to Nova Scotia. Acoustic data were collected from bottom-mounted recorders from 2015 to 2017 at 20 stations, with several in deep offshore waters. An initial application of automated marine mammal detectors and manual validation highlighted 12 stations with seasonal pinniped presence. Additional manual review was completed on these 12 stations to describe the occurrence of pinniped signals. Five pinniped species (hooded seal *Cystophora cristata* Erxleben, 1777, bearded seal *Erignathus barbatus barbatus* Erxleben, 1777, grey seal *Halichoerus grypus* Nehring, 1866, harp seal *Pagophilus groenlandicus* Erxleben, 1777, and walrus *Odobenus rosmarus* Linnaeus, 1758) were detected in the data. Pinnipeds were acoustically present primarily in winter and spring, periods when pinnipeds are most vocally active and when sea ice is available as a pupping substrate off Atlantic Canada. These findings highlight offshore regions where species have previously gone unreported and can be used in future work to assess changes in distribution as climate shifts impact sea ice cover. Cheers, Katie Kowarski

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Submit Your Abstract – Mammal Society 2026 Conference
by Conference Organiser 20 Nov '25

20 Nov '25

Hello, I am just reaching out to let you know that the Mammal Society’s Annual Conference 2026<https://mammal.org.uk/annual-conference>, is taking place from 27th–28th March 2026 at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. The conference brings together academics, ecologists, students, early career researchers, and conservation practitioners from across the UK. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share research, hear about recent projects, and connect with others passionate about mammals and mammal conservation. Abstract submissions for talks, workshops, and posters are open until Monday, 15 December 2025. We welcome contributions on any aspect of mammal research, ecology, or conservation, from field studies and citizen science to habitat management and innovative monitoring approaches. You can submit your abstract here.<https://forms.office.com/e/nbP3u5HE9T> Alongside the main program of talks, posters and workshops, our conference highlights include: * Spotlight Session – Thursday evening, 26 March (free in-person & online) * Annual Dinner & Prizegiving – Saturday evening, 28 March * Optional Field Excursion – Sunday, 29 March to explore local wildlife and landscapes We hope you’ll consider sharing your research and joining us in Inverness to celebrate and advance mammal conservation in the UK, and we’d be grateful if you could also help share this call for abstracts with colleagues, students, and networks who might be interested. Fiona Day (she/her) Education and Community Engagement Lead Mammal Society Please be aware I work a 4-day week and am generally off on Fridays www.mammal.org.uk<http://www.mammal.org.uk/>

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Open-Rank Faculty Position in Marine Mammal Science
by Athena Rycyk 19 Nov '25

19 Nov '25

Open-Rank Faculty Position in Marine Mammal Science New College of Florida – Marine Mammal Science Graduate Program New College of Florida invites applications for an open-rank, tenure-track position in Marine Mammal Science to begin in August 2026. We’re seeking a collaborative colleague with expertise in research methods and data science (e.g., statistics, AI, GIS), to support and expand our interdisciplinary, 2-year, research-based Master’s program. The successful candidate will work closely with graduate students - from mentoring 4–6 thesis projects to teaching core data skills and electives in their area of expertise - and will have opportunities to engage with undergraduates through cross-listed courses and research. Our program emphasizes individualized mentorship, interdisciplinary approaches, and hands-on research, preparing students for doctoral programs and applied careers. Research is a central component of this position, and we seek a candidate with a developing or established research agenda. This position offers opportunities for collaboration with regional partners and is housed on Sarasota Bay. We welcome applicants at any career stage, particularly those excited to help build our program with a collegial, energetic group committed to both scientific excellence and student success. Application review begins January 15, 2026, and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Link: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ncfl/jobs/4846218/professor-marine-mamma… Questions? Reach out to Heidi Harley at harley(a)ncf.edu Sincerely the Marine Mammal Science Team, Heidi Harley, Peter Cook, and Athena Rycyk

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Species Distribution Modelling With Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07) Deadline
by Oliver Hooker 19 Nov '25

19 Nov '25

*Bring Bayesian precision to marine mammal habitat modelling.* *Species Distribution Modelling With Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07)* *ONLY 3 PLACES LEFT! Registration deadline - 13th January 2026* https://prstats.org/course/species-distribution-modelling-with-bayesian-sta… Marine mammal research often involves sparse data, imperfect detection, and complex oceanographic drivers. The *Species Distribution Modelling with Bayesian Statistics (SDMB07)* course provides the tools to meet these challenges with greater rigour and transparency. This three-day live online workshop introduces Bayesian workflows and BART-based SDMs designed to improve prediction accuracy while clearly quantifying uncertainty — essential for evidence-based decisions in marine environments. *Why this course is valuable for marine mammal researchers* Marine ecosystems are dynamic, data-limited and often difficult to survey. Bayesian methods help incorporate uncertainty, account for variability and produce predictions that are more defensible in management and conservation contexts. Whether you work with aerial surveys, telemetry, acoustic detections or opportunistic sightings, Bayesian SDMs can strengthen your ecological interpretation and spatial decision-making. *What you will learn* - How to use Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) to model species distributions with strong predictive performance and robust uncertainty outputs. - How to generate spatial projections with credible intervals and uncertainty surfaces, supporting transparent assessments in marine spatial planning and conservation. - How to conduct full Bayesian workflows in R, including data preparation, predictor selection, model fitting and interpretation of posterior estimates. - Practical, hands-on R scripts and exercises you can adapt directly to your marine mammal datasets. *Who should attend* - Marine mammal ecologists and conservation scientists working with distribution, habitat-use or movement data. - Researchers using telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, shipboard surveys, or environmental DNA to map presence and suitability. - Practitioners engaged in protected-area design, offshore development assessments, impact studies or climate-change vulnerability analyses. - Anyone with prior SDM experience who wants to integrate Bayesian approaches for more rigorous inference and uncertainty handling. *Course format* - Live online instruction across three intensive days. - Four hours of training per day, combining teaching, coding and interpretation. - Accessible internationally, with recordings available afterward for review. *Outcome* By the end of the course, you will be equipped to build and evaluate Bayesian SDMs that better reflect the realities of marine mammal data, enabling more confident and defensible ecological conclusions. https://prstats.org/course/species-distribution-modelling-with-bayesian-sta… Email oliver(a)prstats.org with any questions -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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New paper on Ziphius cavirostris diving behavior using 3D tracking
by Lauren Baggett 19 Nov '25

19 Nov '25

Dear MARMAM Community, On behalf of my coauthors, I'm excited to share our recent open-access publication in Scientific Reports. Baggett, L.M., Snyder, E.R., Solsona-Berga, A., Curran, I.J., Wiggins, S.M., Hildebrand, J.A., Širović, A., Frasier, K.E., Baumann-Pickering, S. Long-term monitoring of *Ziphius cavirostris* behavior using 3D tracking from fixed hydrophone arrays off Southern California. Scientific Reports *15*, 40859 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24490-x Abstract: Goose-beaked whales (*Ziphius cavirostris*) are a deep-diving toothed whale species and top predators in deep sea ecosystems. Much is yet to be learned about their social and foraging strategies due to their elusive behavior, but this information is increasingly relevant given their demonstrated behavioral changes in association with anthropogenic sound. This study used direction-of-arrival (DOA) localization to track the position of goose-beaked whales from echolocation clicks recorded on seafloor-mounted hydrophone arrays offshore Southern California. Overall, 2738 tracks of diving goose-beaked whales were processed from acoustic recordings collected at four long-term monitoring sites between 2018 and 2023. Results highlight distinct spatial use patterns driven by bathymetric features at each site, with whales foraging closer to the seafloor at sites with complex bathymetry and showing a preference for certain bathymetric features. Group sizes at depth ranged from 1 to 9 individuals with a mean of 2.34 and exhibited site-specific seasonal variability as well as a strong diel trend at one site. During many of these encounters, individuals exhibited highly coordinated behaviors. This study demonstrates the value of long-term passive acoustic tracking for studying elusive, deep-diving species and provides significant advancements in understanding goose-beaked whale behavior at depth over long time scales. If you have any questions about our work, please reach out to lbaggett(a)ucsd.edu. Best, Lauren -- Lauren Baggett (she/her) Scripps Acoustic Ecology Lab MS, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ritter Hall 214 / lbaggett(a)ucsd.edu

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Advanced Species Distribution Modelling (SDMs) & Ecological Niche Modelling (ENMs) using R
by Oliver Hooker 19 Nov '25

19 Nov '25

*Take your species distribution modelling to the next level* *Advanced Species Distribution Modelling (SDMs) & Ecological Niche Modelling (ENMs) using R* *ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT!* https://prstats.org/course/advanced-species-distribution-modelling-using-r-… *Advance your marine mammal habitat modelling skills* Understanding and predicting marine mammal distributions demands methods that can handle complex environments, limited data, and dynamic ecological processes. The *Advanced Species Distribution Modelling using R (ASDM01) *course from PR Stats is designed to equip marine mammal researchers with the tools needed to meet these challenges. *Why marine mammal researchers benefit from this course* Marine systems involve sparse sightings, imperfect detection, highly variable oceanographic conditions, and mobile species. This course focuses on advanced SDM and ENM techniques that strengthen the reliability and interpretability of predictions in exactly these situations. You will learn how to evaluate environmental suitability, refine model performance, quantify uncertainty, and test hypotheses about drivers of distribution — all essential for marine conservation, spatial planning, and impact assessment. *What you will learn* - Advanced optimisation and tuning of models such as Maxent. - Use of MESS analyses to identify where environmental conditions fall outside training ranges, especially important for pelagic and wide-ranging species. - Application of null-model approaches to assess whether observed habitat associations exceed what would be expected by chance. - Construction of mechanistic models and virtual species to explore ecological processes behind movement, habitat selection and responses to oceanographic change. - Fully hands-on R workflows that you can integrate into your existing marine mammal research projects. *Who should attend* - Marine mammal ecologists, conservation biologists, and population modelers. - Researchers working with distribution data from surveys, telemetry, acoustic detections, opportunistic sightings, or environmental DNA. - Practitioners involved in marine spatial planning, impact assessments, offshore development, protected area design or climate-change sensitivity analyses. - Anyone with prior SDM experience who wants to elevate their modelling to a more rigorous, methodologically advanced level. *Course format* - Five days of live, interactive online training. - Instructor-led coding sessions, ecological interpretation, and model-evaluation exercises. - Delivered in a UK / Western European time zone. -- Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats

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