[MARMAM] New paper: Narwhal detection by infrared flukeprints from aerial survey imagery

[Katie Florko]

Dear MARMAM,



My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in
Ecosphere:



Florko, K.R.N., Carlyle, C.G., Young, B.G., Yurkowski, D.J., Michel, C.,
Ferguson, S.H. 2021. Narwhal (*Monodon monoceros*) detection by infrared
flukeprints from aerial survey imagery. *Ecosphere, *12:e03698.



https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3698



Abstract:

Visual and observer aerial surveys are important for monitoring wildlife
populations but are subject to visibility biases where animals may go
undetected. The use of infrared technology in aerial surveys has the
potential to reduce visibility biases, both when recording data and in the
retrospective processing of the footage, and thus complements visible
wavelength photography. We used infrared video during marine mammal surveys
in the high-Arctic and indirectly detected narwhal (*Monodon monoceros*)
via their thermal flukeprints (i.e., thermo-stratified water mixing from
fluke strokes). This novel indicator persisted for a longer duration than
when the animal was at the water's surface, which likely improved the
probability of an animal being observed by increasing the duration of its
detectability. Using infrared to complement aerial photographic surveys may
assist in monitoring whales, especially in remote areas. Our results
highlight how infrared technology may be used to develop automatic
detection and remote-monitoring methodology.



Keywords: aerial survey; Arctic; cetacean; flukeprint; infrared; *Monodon
monoceros*; population density estimate; strip transect; thermal imaging.



Best regards,

Katie Florko



--

Katie R.N. Florko, PhD Candidate

Statistical Ecology Research Group

Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

University of British Columbia



Twitter: @kflorko

Email: katieflo...@gmail.com
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Master in Conservation Medicine of Aquatic Animals

[Marinemammals Bca]

The Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science of the
University of Padova (Italy) is pleased to announce that we are now
offering a *2nd level Master* in Conservation Medicine of Aquatic Animals *from
November 2021 to September 2022*.
There is also the possibility to apply for *single courses*.

The Master will be provided *online *with some *in-person field training
weeks in Italy*.

Participants (with a limit of *20 students*) will gain *skills *that enable
and empower to:
- assess the interaction between animal, human and marine ecosystems in a
one health perspective;
- adopt the conservation medicine in a range of practical situations in
marine environment management;
- interpret and communicate scientific results across other related
scientific disciplines and to other stakeholders;
- manage the emergency response related to marine animals and their
environment.

A total of *60 ECTS* (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)
will be certified together with an *OpenBadge* once the Master has been
satisfactorily
completed.

The *deadline *for application is the *8th of October 2021*.

*Language:* English.

*Director:*
*Prof. Sandro Mazzariol*
Associated Professor of Veterinary Pathology, IWC Strandings Expert Panel,
ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee.

For *more details*, please visit:
*https://bca.unipd.it/conservation-medicine-aquatic-animals-1
*

For *more information* and to schedule an *online meeting* for further
questions, please contact:
marinemammals@unipd.it



<  ~ - -  ~   <  ~ - -  ~   <  ~ - -  ~   <  ~ - -
 ~

*Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), Università
degli Studi di Padova*

*Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT)*
*Mediterranean Marine Mammals Tissue Bank (BTMMM)*
*Life DELFI project partner: www.lifedelfi.eu *


*Phone:*+39 049 827 2963
+ 39 366 9256638

*Address:*AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo
Viale dell'Università 16
35020 - Legnaro (PD), Italy

*Follow us on our social media accounts:*
Fb:@CERTUnipd
IG: @cert_italy

Please consider the environment before printing this email.
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New paper: advancing social equity in and through marine conservation

[Asha de Vos]

I am very pleased to share my latest publication on advancing social equity in 
and through marine conservation on behalf of my co-authors. While this paper is 
not specific to marine mammal research, it is certainly something that should 
be considered when planning and implementing marine mammal research across the 
world. In summary, we have to move away from simply thinking about WHAT, HOW 
MUCH and WHERE to protect, but also how best to protect and who should be 
included in the process. 

Bennett N.J., Katz L., Yadao-Evans W., Ahmadia G.N., Atkinson S., Ban N.C., 
Dawson N.M., de Vos A., Fitzpatrick J., Gill D., Imirizaldu M., Lewis N., 
Mangubhai S., Meth L., Muhl E.-K., Obura D., Spalding A.K., Villagomez A., 
Wagner D., White A. and Wilhelm A. (2021) Advancing Social Equity in and 
Through Marine Conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.711538/full

Abstract:
Substantial efforts and investments are being made to increase the scale and 
improve the effectiveness of marine conservation globally. Though it is 
mandated by international law and central to conservation policy, less 
attention has been given to how to operationalize social equity in and through 
the pursuit of marine conservation. In this article, we aim to bring greater 
attention to this topic through reviewing how social equity can be better 
integrated in marine conservation policy and practice. Advancing social equity 
in marine conservation requires directing attention to: recognition through 
acknowledgment and respect for diverse peoples and perspectives; fair 
distribution of impacts through maximizing benefits and minimizing burdens; 
procedures through fostering participation in decision-making and good 
governance; management through championing and supporting local involvement and 
leadership; the environment through ensuring the efficacy of conservation 
actions and adequacy of management to ensure benefits to nature and people; and 
the structural barriers to and institutional roots of inequity in conservation. 
We then discuss the role of various conservation organizations in advancing 
social equity in marine conservation and identify the capacities these 
organizations need to build. We urge the marine conservation community, 
including governments, non-governmental organizations and donors, to commit to 
the pursuit of socially equitable conservation.


Thank you

Asha

><º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><º>¸.
 `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸·´¯`·.. ><º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><º>

Asha de Vos Ph.D.

Pew | TED Fellow
National Geographic Explorer
WEF Young Global Leader

Maxwell-Hanrahan Award in Field Biology 2020
Scubadiving magazine Sea Hero of the Year 2020


___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New paper on self-localization of buoyless (ropeless) fishing gear

[Mark Baumgartner]

Dear Colleagues,

The following paper was recently published in the Journal of the Acoustical 
Society of America’s Express Letters, and is available as an open access 
article here:

https://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/10.0005739

Self-localization of buoyless fishing gear and other objects on the sea floor

Mark Baumgartner and Jim Partan

End lines used in commercial trap/pot fishing pose a significant entanglement 
risk to whales, sea turtles, and sharks. Removal of these ropes for buoyless 
fishing is being considered by the United States and Canadian governments, but 
a method to systematically locate the gear without an attached buoy is 
required. A method was developed for an acoustic modem to self-localize and 
broadcast its location to nearby ships to minimize gear conflict, optimize 
power consumption, and reduce lost gear. This method was implemented using a 
research modem that self-localized to within 5 m of its estimated location on 
the sea floor.

Mark Baumgartner
Senior Scientist
Biology Department
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
MS #33, Redfield 256
266 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543
mbaumgart...@whoi.edu 
www.whoi.edu/sites/mbaumgartner 
(508) 289-2678 phone



___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Aerial Observer - Provincetown, MA USA

[Stephanie Richardson]

*Right Whale Ecology Program – Aerial Observer Position*

The Center for Coastal Studies is seeking 1 - 2 aerial survey observers for
the upcoming 2022 right whale survey season. Positions may start as early
as Oct 15, 2021 and run through May 31, 2022. Observers will  be flying
surveys to assess the abundance, distribution, conservation status and
behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay and adjacent waters.

*Primary Responsibilities:*

●  Participate in right whale aerial surveys by rotating through the
three positions: observer/data recorder, observer/photographer, and ground
contact

●  Processing aerial survey data: entering and proofing data recorded
during surveys, completing effort and sightings data tables, photo-analysis
and photo-identification of individuals, updating in-house identification
catalog, and preparing data for submissions to the North Atlantic Right
Whale Consortium

●  Familiarizing oneself with current entanglement cases and protocols,
as well as individuals of interest


Other responsibilities may include:

●  Assisting program director, data manager, and/or flight coordinator
with relevant projects

●  Participation in vessel cruises and assisting interns

●  Writing field notes to be shared with the public

●  Finalizing data entry and photo analysis from previous field seasons



*Minimum Requirements:*

●  Excellent attention to detail and organization skills

●  Proficient with DSLR cameras in a variety of lighting conditions

●  Experience in species-identification of marine mammals, particularly
in the Northwest Atlantic

●  Demonstrated knowledge of photo-identification of individuals

●  Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
(Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

●  Must work well in a team. Field hours can be long and the winter
fieldwork conditions are cold and often uncomfortable

●  Ability to work in small aircraft for up to 9 hours per day with
continual focus

●  Must not suffer from air sickness



*Preferred Qualifications:*

●  A college degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences

●  Previous aerial survey and/or right whale experience

●  Working knowledge of R, iMatch, and/or Mysticetus software

●  Aircraft ditch and EBS training within the last five years

●  Enthusiasm, a sense of humor, attention to detail and willingness to
learn


We fly between one and four surveys weekly throughout the field season,
occasionally on back to back days. Observers are sometimes required to work
on weekends and holidays, often for long hours in a small aircraft and/or
aboard a research vessel.



Housing will be provided from 1 Jan though the end of May. This is a
seasonal full-time paid position.

CCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North
Atlantic right whale. Details of our work can be found on our website:
coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/


*Application process: *Please submit your cover letter, resume, college
transcripts, and the contact information for three references via email in
PDF format to *employm...@coastalstudies.org
* with the subject line: 2022 RW Aerial
Observer Position



*Deadline for submissions: Aug 22, 2021.*

-- 
Stephanie Richardson
Human Resource Manager

Center for Coastal Studies
5 Holway Avenue
Provincetown, MA 02657
t. (508) 487-3622 Ext. 113
Office Hours: Monday and Thursday 9:00-12:00
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Committee members wanted for the SMM student chapter in Australia/New Zealand

[Rebecca Boys]

Dear MARMAMers,

The Australia and New Zealand Student Chapter for the Society of Marine 
Mammalogy are looking for some new members to join the committee and be 
involved in organising student-led conferences and events across the 
Australasia region!
So, if you are a MSc or PhD student in your first or second year in Australia 
or New Zealand and would like to be involved, please get in touch with us 
anzsc...@gmail.com

For more information please visit our website:
https://marinemammalscience.org/for-students/chapters/australianew-zealand-smm-student-chapter/
And follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ANZSCSMM/

On behalf of the Committee of ANZSCSMM
Grace, Jasmin and Rebecca



-

Rebecca M Boys



Marine Biologist

PhD Student

Cetacean Ecology Research Group

School of Natural and Computational Sciences

Massey University

Auckland

New Zealand

[cid:9eebb16a-a356-4807-9c68-52fc7b30b140]
 [cid:8c8587f9-4e51-4970-85fa-b669c230aaf4] 
 
[cid:c81fda28-24bd-4c82-8cdd-1beacac0958a]  
[cid:6b373f47-ab7d-4103-a339-8367bf5dcbc5] 

 [cid:a86425ff-3ab5-44bc-98b0-ce21e9396a79] 

[cid:6857ec84-9e6f-4f54-bfe2-b2fcfa97242c]
www.cetaceanecology.org/


Australia and New Zealand Student Chapter SMM Committee member

European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand



___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Marine Mammal / Sea Turtle Observer Certification - Sept 25-26, 2021

[Angela Bostwick]

MPSC is offering an online training course that provides Protected 
Species Observer (also known as Marine Mammal Observer) certification on 
September 25-26, 2021.  This training in approved by the federal 
agencies Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in coordination with National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to provide Protected Species Observer 
Certification for seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, and is a 
long-standing industry standard which is often accepted in other regions 
or industries where monitoring for protected species and mitigation of 
impacts is required.  Course cost includes the instruction, advice on 
applying to PSO positions, the professional certification, and various 
regulatory documents and supplementary identification guides.


PSOs monitor mainly for ESA-listed animals and marine mammals. PSOs 
complete certain reports on protected species activity and industry 
operations, and advise on the measures required to reduce impacts to the 
 animals.  As discussed in the course, working offshore as a PSO is fun, 
but involves long hours of standing watch for the animals; thus, the job 
requires patience, persistence, and discipline. The course examines the 
regulations for reducing impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, and 
other protected species, how to visually locate and identify the 
animals, and objective documentation of animal behavior for reporting to 
regulatory agencies.


Additional information may be found on the MPSC website at 
http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/, by contacting me at 
abostw...@psocertifications.com, or by phone at 832-523-2402.


Thank you,

Angela Bostwick
Founder / Marine Protected Species Consulting
ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com
https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam