Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our last work with the community: Scuderi A., Campana I., Gregorietti M., Martín Moreno E., García Sanabria J., and Arcangeli A. 2024. Tying up loose ends together: Cetaceans, maritime traffic and spatial management tools in the Strait of Gibraltar. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. *https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4066 <https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4066>*. You can find it by clicking on the following link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.4066 Abstract: 1. The transboundary area of the Strait of Gibraltar is home to seven protected cetacean species that are threatened by high intensity of maritime traffic. More comprehensive knowledge of cetaceans and maritime traffic is required, together with analyses of legislations, strategies and policies. 2. This study quantitatively investigates cetacean distribution and maritime traffic intensity and, for the species of community interest bottlenose dolphin, habitat suitability. Results are qualitatively discussed considering the overlap of cetacean hot spots with different maritime activities and the consistency of spatial conservation management measures in force. 3. The Fixed Line Transect Mediterranean Monitoring Network protocols were followed for 59 visual surveys using ferries as observation platforms for monitoring cetaceans and maritime traffic. Surveys were carried out along the transects between Algeciras and Ceuta and between Algeciras and Tanger-Med, in 2018 and 2019. 264 cetacean sightings, including seven different species and four near-miss collision events (involving pilot, sperm and fin whales), were reported. 4. Monitoring cetaceans from ferries in the Strait provided insights into cetacean distribution and maritime traffic, enabling the identification of cetacean hot spots, suitable habitats and maritime traffic high-risk zones. 5. A transboundary management effort is required, together with an adaptive approach for protecting highly mobile species such as cetaceans. Proposals include a long-term cetacean monitoring program carried out by dedicated observers on board ferries as a cost-effective methodology and mandatory training for crew members, to increase cetacean knowledge and reduce collision risk. 6. The designation of an international temporal or, in some zones, permanent speed reduction area (i.e., Cetacean Critical Navigation Zone, with a maximum speed of 13 knots) and of a micro-sanctuary with a seasonal no-take zone in the Bay between Algeciras and Gibraltar, together with international surveillance, are recommended measures for the enhancement of conservation efforts in the Strait. If you would like a copy or further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Alessia Scuderi El mié, 17 ene 2024 a las 21:14, <marmam-request@lists.uvic.ca> escribió:

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Today's Topics:

1. New paper on mysid shrimp as a prey item for gray whales in Washington, USA (Liz Allyn) 2. Reminder DCLDE2024 abstract submission (Benda-Beckmann, A.M. (Sander) von)

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Message: 1 Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:15:54 -0800 From: Liz Allyn <liz.allyn@makah.com> To: marmam@lists.uvic.ca Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on mysid shrimp as a prey item for gray whales in Washington, USA Message-ID: <CAG2Xfmt849EP8y814Ye9= TXi+QQFh38WgVV1YCAqn47Ra7JHwg@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Dear MARMAMers,

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new article titled "Distribution and demographics of mysids (Crustacean: Mysida) as prey for gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in northwest Washington state."

Allyn EM, Scordino JJ, Akmajian AM. 2024. Distribution and demographics of mysids (Crustacea: Mysida) as prey for gray whales (*Eschrichtius robustus*) in northwest Washington state. PeerJ 12:e16587 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16587

Abstract:

The movement and distribution of gray whales (*Eschrichtius robustus*) during the feeding season is likely dependent on the quality of foraging opportunities and the distribution of prey species. These dynamics are especially important to understand for the Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) of gray whales which spend the feeding season along the coast from northern California, USA through northern British Columbia, Canada. In Washington state, no previous work has been done to describe available gray whale prey. The main goal of this research was to initiate studies on an important gray whale prey item in northwest Washington, mysid shrimp (Mysida), by establishing a baseline understanding of mysid swarm demographics in the area and investigating patterns in gray whale and mysid presence. Prey samples were collected during June through November 2019 and June through September 2020 using a vertically-towed plankton net at seven sites in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and seven sites in the Pacific Ocean in areas where gray whales were known to feed. Mysids collected in the samples were counted and the sex, length, species, maturity, and gravidity were documented. Patterns in gray whale and mysid co-occurrence were explored through data visualization. Seven species of mysids were observed in the survey area. In 2019, the number of mysids per tow increased steadily through the season, the most abundant species of mysids were *Holmesimysis sculpta* and *Neomysis rayii*, and sampled mysids averaged 4.7 mm in length. In 2020, mysids were abundant in tow samples in June and July but were not abundant in the remaining months of the sampling season. The average length of mysids in 2020 was 13.3 mm, and a large portion were sexually mature males and brooded females identified as *H. sculpta*. Throughout the survey area, the majority of whale sightings occurred later in the season in 2019 and earlier in the season in 2020, coinciding with the trends of sampled mysids. This study provides the first description of mysid swarm composition and temporal variation in northwest Washington. Tows were dominated by a similar assemblage of mysid species as what is observed in other areas of the PCFG range. The differences in sampled mysid assemblages between years, and the presence of whales in the survey area in times and at sites where samples with high mysid counts were collected, suggest evidence for interesting predator-prey dynamics that warrant further investigation.

The article is open access and can be found at the link: Distribution and demographics of mysids (Crustacea: Mysida) as prey for gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in northwest Washington state [PeerJ] <https://peerj.com/articles/16587/>

-- Liz Allyn (She/Her) Marine Mammal Technician II Makah Fisheries Management & Graduate Student Marine Conservation and Ecology Group <https://sites.uw.edu/essing/> School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington