[MARMAM] New paper on chemical pollution and diet tracers among six cetacean species in the Northwest Atlantic

[Anaïs Remili]

Dear members of the MARMAM community,


My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our recent open-access
publication in *Science of the Total Environment*: *Legacy persistent
organic pollutants among multiple cetacean species in the Northwest
Atlantic*. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176746


You can find a recap of our main findings aimed at the public, as well as
an infographic recap of the paper here:

https://whalescientists.com/canadian-whales-contamiants/


Here is the abstract of the paper:

The historical contamination of eastern Canadian shelf waters remains an
ongoing concern, predominantly stemming from anthropogenic discharges in
the Great Lakes region. Although legacy persistent organic pollutants
(POPs) were banned decades ago, it remains unclear whether their
concentrations have sufficiently decreased to safer levels in cetaceans
that feed in the continental shelf waters of the northwestern Atlantic.
This study compares polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine
pesticide (OC) accumulation in six cetacean species sampled in the
Northwest Atlantic from 2015 to 2022. We assessed the influence of relative
trophic level and foraging habitat preferences on POP accumulations among
species using stable isotopes and fatty acids as dietary tracers. We
further identified the species most susceptible to the effects of these
contaminants. Killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) exhibited the highest PCB
(~100 mg/kg lw) and OC concentrations, followed by other odontocetes, with
lowest concentrations in mysticetes. Stable isotope analysis revealed an
unexpected lack of correlation between 15N values and contaminant levels.
However, there was a positive correlation between 13C values and POP
concentrations. Cetaceans foraging on pelagic prey species, as indicated by
elevated proportions of the FA markers 22:1n11 and 20:1n9, had lower
contaminant loads compared to cetaceans with benthic/coastal FA signatures.
PCB and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) concentrations are lower now
in most cetacean species than in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to
regulatory measures restricting their production and use. Although current
PCB concentrations for most species are under the thresholds for high risks
of immune and reproductive failure, concentrations in killer whales exceed
all established toxicity thresholds, underscoring the need for further
action to reduce sources of these contaminants to the continental shelf
waters of the northwestern Atlantic.


Please reach out to me if you have questions/comments: anais_rem...@sfu.ca

If you wish to discuss it in person, see you in Perth for SMM.


Cheers,

Anais



Anais Remili, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow
Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology Lab
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
https://anaisremili.com/
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[MARMAM] New publication: distribution and seasonality of the Omura's whale in Australia

[Ciara Browne (Student)]

Dear MARMAM community,


My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication on the 
distribution and seasonality of the Omura’s whale in Australia based on passive 
acoustic recordings.

You can find the open access article here: 
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/20/2944

Citation: Browne, C.E.; Erbe, C.; McCauley, R.D. Distribution and Seasonality 
of the Omura’s Whale (Balaenoptera omurai) in Australia Based on Passive 
Acoustic Recordings. Animals 2024, 14, 2944. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14202944

Abstract: The Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) is one of the most recently 
described species of baleen whale. Initially known only from stranding and 
whaling specimens, it has now been identified in all ocean basins excluding the 
central and eastern Pacific. Unlike most baleen whales that migrate between the 
poles and the equator seasonally, the Omura’s whale is known to inhabit 
tropical to sub-tropical waters year-round. In Australian waters, there remain 
fewer than 30 confirmed visual sightings over the past decade. However, based 
on acoustic records, the Omura’s whale has been detected off areas of the 
northwest coast of Australia year-round. This study utilises passive acoustic 
recordings from 41 locations around Australia from 2005 to 2023 to assess the 
distribution and seasonality of the Omura’s whale. The seasonal presence of 
Omura’s whale vocalisations varied by location, with higher presence at lower 
latitudes. Vocalisations were detected year-round in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf 
in the Timor Sea, and near Browse Island and Scott Reef, in the Kimberley 
region. In the Pilbara region, acoustic presence mostly peaked from February to 
April and no acoustic presence was consistently observed from July to September 
across all sites. The most southerly occurrence of Omura’s whale vocalisations 
was recorded off the North West Cape in the Gascoyne region. Vocalisations 
similar but not identical to those of the Omura’s whale were detected in the 
Great Barrier Reef. The identified seasonal distribution provides valuable 
information to assess environmental and anthropogenic pressures on the Omura’s 
whale and to aid in creating management and conservation policies for the 
species in Australia.


Best wishes,
Ciara

Ciara Browne BSc (Hons I)
PhD Candidate | Centre for Marine Science and Technology
Curtin University – Perth, Western Australia
ciara.bro...@postgrad.curtin.edu.au


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[MARMAM] Science Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

[Simon Berrow]

The IWDG wish to recruit a full-time Science Officer to contribute to the
continued growth of the IWDG and deliver on its strategic plan. The Science
Officer will join its core team based in the Shannon Dolphin Centre,
Kilrush, Co Clare.
The Science Officer will be expected to manage IWDG archived data, manage
IWDG science projects, identify relevant opportunities to collect and
interpret IWDG data, contribute to conservation actions and policies,
identify gaps in IWDG scientific knowledge and priorities for scientific
research and will be encouraged to seek funding for research projects.
Closing date: 31 October 2024 @ 5pm
https://iwdg.ie/iwdg-wish-to-recruit-a-full-time-science.../


-- 

Dr Simon Berrow
Chief Executive Officer
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland, V15 E762

www.iwdg.ie / http://consulting.iwdg.ie
Office; 065 9051763 / Mobile: 086 8545450


Charity Number: CHY 11163
Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20029913
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[MARMAM] FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

[nicole adimey]

> Dear MARMAM Community,
>
> Please join us for the Tenth International Sirenian Symposium!  This
> full-day event will be hosted in association with the Biennial
> Conference this November in Perth Australia on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at
> the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.  If you are interested
> in attending please register at the pre-conference workshop webpage at:  
> *https://www.smmconference.org/workshops
> *.
>
> This Symposium will be an entire day dedicated to international
> collaboration, networking and mentorship among those interested in Sirenian
> research and conservation. Objectives for the Symposium include: supporting
> collaboration and building Sirenian networks among scientists across
> Sirenian Range States (the >80), especially in the 70+ developing
> countries, disseminating new Sirenian science, addressing current and
> emerging threats and promoting mentoring for students interested in marine
> mammal science and conservation. Presentations may include human
> interactions, physiology, monitoring applications, modeling, genetics,
> captive care and rehabilitation, management, general biology, stranding
> response and education/outreach. The agenda will include full length
> presentations, speed talks, a poster session, an update from the Sirenian
> Specialist Group and time allotted for networking. For additional
> information contact Nicole Adimey at: *adime...@gmail.com
> .*
>




> ---
>
-- 

Nicole Adimey
904-655-0730
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[MARMAM] SMM Workshop: Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection Through Legal Understanding

[Natalie Barefoot]

***ONE SEAT LEFT***

Dear Marmamers,

Have you ever wondered how your science and knowledge could have more impact?  
On Sunday, November 10, we will be holding a half-day workshop at SMM in Perth 
titled: “Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection through Legal 
Understanding”
 Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the many different avenues 
in which you can engage so that your science can feed into policies and 
processes. The workshop will present in three parts:

Part 1:  Legal Frameworks and landscape:  We will untangle the different legal 
frameworks that govern marine mammals and points of entry for you and/or your 
science.

Part 2: Expert discussion: Learn from the best - hear the stories and receive 
practical tips from those who do and have done this. Dr. Alex Zerbini 
  and Dr. Lindsay 
Porter OBE will join 
us for a roundtable discussion on their experiences of bringing science into 
law and policy.

Part 3:  Apply it:  Using case studies, we will apply what we’ve learn.

Let’s take your science to the next level!!  Click on this link if you would 
like to join us:  Marine Mammal Law - Enhancing Protection through Legal 
Understanding

Sincerely,

Natalie Barefoot & Helen Mitcheson 🐋🐬🦭


Natalie Barefoot

Executive Director
Cet Law, Inc.
www.cetaceanlaw.org
[signature_3826711297]



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[MARMAM] IMMS Animal Care internship (spring)

[Carrigen Manns]

Hello! I am the intern coordinator for IMMS in Gulfport, Mississippi. Below I 
will have the outline of our internship that people are welcome to use to apply.

Looking for an animal care internship? The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies 
in Gulfport, MS is accepting applications for our spring term. *The deadline 
for applications is November 30th, please visit our website for details on how 
to apply or send questions to cma...@imms.org
https://imms.org/internship/
The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for 
students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain 
valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained 
in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at 
IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of 
areas while providing expert training and experience.
The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work 
directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily 
routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and 
daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train 
animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during 
sessions. Interns will also complete a project during their internship, as well 
as help staff with daily water quality. Because we want interns to have a 
well-rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other 
departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist 
in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with 
our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as 
IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and 
responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.
Interested applicants must follow the directions listed on the website to apply.
Interns must be:
• 18 years or older.
• A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences.
• Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position.
• Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The 
internship can be extended depending on work performance.
• Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in 
extreme conditions.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of 
responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn.
• Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS 
staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements.
• Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any more information.
Carrigen Manns
Internship Coordinator
IMMS- Gulfport, MS


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