[MARMAM] New publication on pygmy blue whale diving behaviour

2022-09-04 Thread Andrew Davenport
Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of my coauthors, I am happy to announce the publication of a new
open access paper published in the Journal of Marine Science and
Engineering on the diving behaviour of an eastern Indian Ocean pygmy blue
whale, and how it relates to their song structure.

Davenport, A.M.; Erbe, C.; Jenner, M.-N.M.; Jenner, K.C.S.; Saunders, B.J.;
McCauley, R.D. Pygmy Blue Whale Diving Behaviour Reflects Song Structure. *J.
Mar. Sci. Eng.* 2022, *10*, 1227. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091227

Abstract
Passive acoustic monitoring is increasingly employed to monitor whales,
their population size, habitat usage, and behaviour. However, in the case
of the eastern Indian Ocean pygmy blue whale (EIOPB whale), its
applicability is limited by our lack of understanding of the behavioural
context of sound production. This study explored the context of singing
behaviour using a 7.6-day biotelemetry dataset from a single EIOPB whale
moving north from 31.5° S to 28.5° S along the Western Australian coast and
a simultaneously collected, but separate, acoustic recording. Diving
behaviour was classified using an automated classification schema. Singing
was identified in the depth, pitch, and fluking time series of the dive
profile. The EIOPB whale sang profusely as it migrated, spending more time
singing during the day (76.8%) than at night (64.9%), and most during
twilight periods (83.3%). The EIOPB whale almost exclusively produced the
three-unit (P3) song while milling. It sang the two-unit (P2) song in
similar proportions to the P3 song while travelling, except at night when
P3 was sung 2.7 times more than P2. A correlation between singing depth,
migration duration, and water temperature provides a biological basis to
explain depth preferences for sound production, which may contribute to the
cause of intra- and inter-annual sound frequency trends.


It can be accessed and downloaded from here:
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/9/1227

Best regards,

Andrew Davenport, Research Associate
Centre for Whale Research
PO Box 1622 Fremantle WA 6959
Australia
T: +61 (0)400 455 229
www.cwr.org.au
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[MARMAM] New Paper: Sex-and age-specific migratory strategies of blue whales in the northeast Pacific Ocean (Busquets-Vass, Geraldine)

2022-09-04 Thread Geraldine Busquets
Dear MARMAM recipients,
New open access paper in Frontiers in Marine Science:
Authors: Christina Blevins, Geraldine Busquets-Vass, Mario A. Pardo, Diane
Gendron, Jeff Knut Jacobsen, Francisco Gómez-Díaz, Héctor Pérez-Puig,
Christian Daniel Ortega-Ortiz, Gisela Heckel, Jorge Urbán R, Lorena
Viloria-Gómora, Seth D. Newsome, published in Frontiers in Marine Science,
section Marine Megafauna.

Title: “Sex-and age-specific migratory strategies of blue whales in the
northeast Pacific Ocean”
Link:
http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2022.944918/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&id=944918

Abstract: Migration is a complex behavior that has evolved in multiple
taxonomic groups as a means of accessing productive foraging grounds and
environmentally stable areas suitable for reproduction. For migratory
whales that forage throughout the year because of their high energetic
demands, changes in the abundance of prey in different areas along their
migratory route(s) can have serious implications for individual fitness and
population viability. Thus, identifying the regions these species use to
forage and breed while evaluating their migratory plasticity at the
individual level can provide key information for their management and
conservation. Serial stable isotope analysis of whale baleen, a
continuously growing but metabolically inert tissue, has proven useful in
generating individual migratory and foraging records over several years
prior to death. We measured carbon (*δ*13C) and nitrogen (*δ*15N) isotope
values along the length of baleen plates collected from thirteen blue
whales of different sex and age classes, representing the largest
collection analyzed to date in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Adult females
exhibited relatively stable seasonal movements between temperate latitude
foraging grounds and subtropical breeding grounds, although two skipped
migration one year and subsequently moved to the same subtropical breeding
ground near the Costa Rica Dome, potentially to give birth. Adult males
exhibited two movement strategies with most remaining at temperate
latitudes for 3-4 years before death, while two migrated to subtropical
breeding grounds. In contrast, movement patterns in juveniles were erratic.
These results are potentially driven by the energetic requirements during
pregnancy and nursing in adult females, intra-specific competition among
adult males, and inexperience in locating prey in juveniles. We also
describe baleen *δ*15N patterns in recently weaned whales (<16.5m) that
reflect switching from the consumption of milk to solid food (krill). In
addition, baleen *δ*13C data suggest that weaned whales continue to use
stored nutrients (blubber) acquired during the nursing period long after
they are weaned. These results broaden our understanding of habitat
selection in this species, highlight the importance of nursing for the
critical period after weaning, and indicate that the Costa Rica Dome is an
important calving region for this endangered population.





Sincerely,
Geraldine Busquets Vass

*Research Scholar*

University of New Mexico

Biology Deparment

Albuquerque, NM USA 87131

*Researcher*

Laboratory of Marine Macroecology

Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education at Ensenada, La Paz
Unit (CICESE-ULP)

La Paz, BCS, MEX 23050



[image: width=]

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[MARMAM] New paper in Royal Society Open Science - Dugongs

2022-09-04 Thread songhai
Dear MARMAM recipients,

New open access paper in Royal Society Open Science: Functional extinction
of dugongs in China

Authors: Mingli Lin, Samuel T. Turvey, Chouting Han, Xiaoyu Huang, Antonios
D. Mazaris, Mingming Liu, Heidi Ma, Zixin Yang, Xiaoming Tang and Songhai Li

Link: Functional extinction of dugongs in China | Royal Society Open Science
(royalsocietypublishing.org)
 

Abstract:

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) experienced a serious population decline in China
during the twentieth century, and their regional status is poorly
understood. To determine their current distribution and status, we conducted
a large-scale interview survey of marine resource users across four Chinese
provinces and reviewed all available historical data covering the past
distribution of dugongs in Chinese waters. Only 5% of 788 respondents
reported past dugong sightings, with a mean last-sighting date of 23 years
earlier, and only three respondents reported sightings from within the past
5 years. Historical records of dugongs peak around 1960 and then decrease
rapidly from 1975 onwards; no records are documented after 2008, with no
verified field observations after 2000. Based on these findings, we are
forced to conclude that dugongs have experienced rapid population collapse
during recent decades and are now functionally extinct in China. Our study
provides evidence of a new regional loss of a charismatic marine megafaunal
species, and the first reported functional extinction of a large vertebrate
in Chinese marine waters. This rapid documented population collapse also
serves as a sobering reminder that extinctions can occur before effective
conservation actions are developed.

 

 

Best Regards

Songhai

---

Songhai Li Ph.D. & Prof.

Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory

Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering 

Chinese Academy of Sciences 

28 Luhuitou Road, Sanya, 572000, China

Phone: +86-898-88222393

Email:   l...@idsse.ac.cn 

 

http://www.idsse.cas.cn/yjsgk2015/zzjg2015/yftx2015/shkxyjb2015/hybrdwyhysws
xyjz2015/   

  http://www.cetacean.csdb.cn/

 



 

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[MARMAM] CCS Right Whale Ecology Program - Observer Internship

2022-09-04 Thread Brigid McKenna
Center for Coastal Studies Right Whale Ecology Program Observer Internship

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), a nonprofit institution dedicated to
the understanding and protection of our coastal environment and marine
ecosystems, is seeking a seasonal Right Whale Ecology Program observer
intern from January 2023 through May 2023. This long-term project focuses
on documenting the abundance, distribution and behavior of North Atlantic
right whales and their food resource in Cape Cod Bay and adjacent
Massachusetts waters. The observer intern will be the primary vessel
observer for the project and will participate in research cruises.
Fieldwork responsibilities include photographing critically endangered
North Atlantic right whales, collecting behavioral and environmental data,
recording other sighting events (species, vessels, and fishing gear), and
working with a habitat research team both in the field and office. Office
responsibilities include photo-analysis (downloading images, inputting
sightings information, matching individuals to known animals using an
online and in-house catalog, cataloging), database entry and maintenance,
assisting the aerial team and maintaining vessel field equipment.

Minimum Requirements:

- Previous marine mammal survey experience, including background in species
identification and photo-identification of large cetaceans
- Experience with digital SLR cameras, lenses, and filters
- Basic computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office
programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Experience working on boats and ability to withstand harsh elements for
up to 10 hrs at a time
- Not prone to seasickness
- Must be able to live and work well in a team
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab-based research methods
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure
- COVID-19 vaccination required

Preferred Qualifications:

- A bachelor’s degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences
- Experience using iMatch image database software
- Experience with database entry and management
- Experience using GPS equipment
- Demonstrated ability to estimate object ranges from a vessel
- A valid US driver’s license

The successful applicant will be required to work a minimum of four full
days per week and will need to be flexible for research cruises due to
weather constraints. The intern will often collect data independently in
the field, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to
apply. Applicants must be available for the full field season and must be
willing to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed. Housing will be
provided, as well as a biweekly stipend. International applicants must
secure their own visas or other required documentation.

CCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North
Atlantic right whale and Cape Cod Bay has been a major critical habitat for
over 50% of the estimated population in recent years. This is an excellent
opportunity for anyone wishing to expand their skills in marine mammal
survey techniques, and will offer the successful applicant the unique
chance to work with one of the world’s most endangered cetaceans. This
internship will afford the successful applicant an invaluable opportunity
to work within a well-established institution, with highly-qualified
scientists, and to gain experience in photo-identification, matching, and
data entry and analysis. Experience in oceanographic sampling can also be
gained. Details of our work can be found on our website:
http://coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/

How to Apply:

The application package should include the following as a single PDF:
1) Cover letter describing your specific interests in marine mammal
science, internship qualifications, and how the experience would assist you
in reaching career goals
2) CV/resume
3) College transcripts, if applicable (unofficial are sufficient)
4) The names and contact information of two references

Application materials must be e-mailed to: bmcke...@coastalstudies.org with
the subject line: 2023 RW Observer Internship.

Deadline for submissions: September 16th, 2022.
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[MARMAM] CCS Right Whale Ecology Program - Aerial Observer

2022-09-04 Thread Brigid McKenna
Center for Coastal Studies North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Observer Job
Announcement

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), a non-profit institution dedicated to
the understanding and protection of our coastal environment and marine
ecosystems, is seeking a seasonal right whale aerial observer from January
2023 through May 2023. 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. We fly between one and
four surveys weekly throughout the field season, occasionally on back to
back days. Observers are often 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. This is a seasonal full-time salaried position.
Salary will range from $1480 to $1528 biweekly, depending on qualifications
and experience.

Details of our work can be found on our website:
coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/

Primary Responsibilities:

- Participate in right whale aerial surveys by rotating through the three
positions: observer/data recorder, observer/photographer, and ground contact
- Process aerial survey data: enter and proof data recorded during surveys,
complete effort and sightings data tables, photo-analysis and
photo-identification of individuals, update in-house identification
catalog, and prepare data for submissions to the North Atlantic Right Whale
Consortium
- Familiarize oneself with current entanglement cases and protocols, as
well as individuals of interest

Other responsibilities may include:

- Assist program director, data manager, and/or flight coordinator with
relevant projects
- Participate in vessel cruises and assist interns
- Write field notes to be shared with the public
- Finalize data entry and photo analysis from previous field seasons

Minimum Requirements:

- Excellent attention to detail and organization skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- 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
- COVID-19 vaccination required

Preferred Qualifications:

- A bachelor’s 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

How to Apply:

Please email your cover letter, CV/resume, college transcripts (unofficial
are sufficient), and the contact information for three references as a
single PDF to bmcke...@coastalstudies.org with the subject line: 2023 RW
Aerial Observer Position.

Deadline for submission: September 16th, 2022.
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