[MARMAM] New Pubblication on Cuvier’s Beaked Whale habitat in the Ligurian Sea

[Caterina Lanfredi]

Please, could you post the following announcement to the Marmam list?

Dear All,

My co-author and I are pleased to announce a new publication on the Journal of 
Oceanography and Marine Research describing the oceanographic characteristics 
of Cuvier’s beaked whale habitat in the Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea, NW 
Mediterranean).

Lanfredi C, Azzellino A, D’Amico A, Centurioni L, Rella MA, Pavan G and Podestà 
M. (2016). Key Oceanographic Characteristics of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius 
cavirostris) Habitat in the Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean). J 
Oceanogr Mar Res 4:145. doi: 10.4172/jomr.1000145

Abstract

Cuvier’s beaked whale presence has been associated worldwide with continental 
slope and submarine canyons areas. In the Mediterranean Sea, a hot spot of the 
species presence has been identified in the Genoa Canyon area, located in the 
Gulf of Genova (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean Sea). Within the framework of 
the NATO Marine Mammal Risk Mitigation Project, several research cruises have 
been conducted between 1999 and 2011 in the Ligurian Sea area. During these 
cruises depth profiles of temperature, salinity, sound velocity, dissolved 
oxygen, fluorescence and turbidity as a function of depth were collected using 
a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) and auxiliary sensors installed on a 
Rosette frame. Concurrently, Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) 
presence was assessed through visual observations. The aim of this study was to 
investigate the environmental characteristics of a beaked whale habitat in the 
Genoa canyon area correlating beaked whale presence with the oceanographic 
variables. A Logistic Regression model was developed using the data collected 
during the oceanographic campaign carried out in summer 2002. Model accuracy 
was also evaluated in the same area based on the data collected 9 years later 
in summer 2011. The depth of the maximum dissolved oxygen (Depth Ox Max) turned 
out to be a significant predictor of beaked whale presence in the studied area. 
Higher presence probabilities of beaked whales were found associated to higher 
turbidities of deep-water layers in both the calibration and evaluation set. 
Results suggest dynamic predictors may act as proxy of macro-scale features 
that characterise beaked whale habitats. Particularly the depth the maximum 
oxygen concentration may be a tracer of the vertical exchanges of water masses 
(i.e., downwelling), transferring energy from the surface waters to the deep 
waters where beaked whales feed on their prey.

The paper is available on line at the following link:
http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/key-oceanographic-characteristics-of-cuviers-beaked-whale-ziphius-cavirostris-habitat-in-the-gulf-of-genoa-ligurian-sea-nw-mediter-.php?aid=77154

Best regards,

Caterina Lanfredi, PhD
Marine Biologist

Politecnico di Milano
University of Technology, Milan
DICA Environmental Engineering Department
P.za Leonardo da Vinci, 32
20133 Milano - ITALY
ph. +39 02 - 23996431
fax. +39 02 - 23996499



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[MARMAM] New publication: Endangered baleen whale recovery in the Falkland Islands

[Amelie Auge]

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce the publication of this new paper:

Frans VF and Augé AA (2016). Use of local ecological knowledge to investigate 
endangered baleen whale recovery in the Falkland Islands. Biological 
Conservation 202: 127-137.

http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1TgFJ1R~e3CjY (full article available open-access 
until 21 Oct).

Abstract: Baleen whale populations have increased around the world after the 
end of commercial whaling in the 1980s. Anecdotes from local inhabitants of the 
Falkland Islands tell of an increase in whale sightings after an almost 
complete absence. However, no long-term monitoring exists to assess such 
recovery. With increasing maritime activities around the Islands, local 
managers need to understand the status and distribution of baleen whales to 
avoid impeding the potential recovery process. In the complete absence of 
scientific data, harvesting local ecological knowledge (LEK) from residents 
could provide means to assess whether whale numbers are increasing. We 
collected historical knowledge and mapped historical observations through 
structured interviews with 58 inhabitants and filtered observations for the 
highest reliability. We also collated existing historical catch and sighting 
data to compare species composition in inshore and offshore waters. A total of 
3842 observations were compiled from the 1940s to 2015. This collation of 
information provided first-time evidence on the return of the whales in the 
Falkland Islands' waters. There was a clear increase in numbers of whales 
sighted, from no observations in the 1970s to 350 observations between 2010 and 
2015 for similar effort, mostly of endangered sei whales (Balaenoptera 
borealis) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). We mapped contemporary whale 
sighting hotspots to inform current marine spatial planning efforts. The use of 
LEK is highlighted here as a useful way to gain a better understanding of 
changes in the status of threatened species when no scientific monitoring has 
been conducted.

Cheers

Veronica and Amélie

__
Dr Amélie Augé
South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI)
Stanley
Fakland Islands



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[MARMAM] NOAA Fisheries final rule to change ESA Listing of humpback whale

[Jonathan Shannon - NOAA Federal]

Greetings MARMAM,

After an extensive scientific status review and careful consideration of
public comments and new information, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to
change the Endangered Species Act listing of the humpback whale.



We identified 14 Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of humpback whales,
listing 4 as endangered and 1 as threatened.  The 9 others do not warrant
listing under the ESA.  The DPSs and their ESA status are as follows:



West Indies DPS (not listed)

*Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa DPS (endangered)*

*Western North Pacific DPS (endangered)*

Hawaii DPS (not listed)

*Mexico DPS (threatened)*

*Central America DPS (endangered)*

Brazil DPS (not listed)

Gabon/Southwest Africa DPS (not listed)

Southeast Africa/Madagascar DPS (not listed)

West Australia DPS (not listed)

East Australia DPS (not listed)

Oceania DPS (not listed)

Southeastern Pacific DPS (not listed)

*Arabian Sea DPS (endangered)*



Whales from the threatened population (the Mexico DPS) and two of the
endangered populations (the Western North Pacific DPS and the Central
America DPS) do, at times, travel, feed, or breed within U.S. waters and
may be encountered on the high seas. The other two endangered populations
(Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa and Arabian Sea) do not spend time in
U.S. waters, but may be encountered on the high seas.



All ESA prohibitions against “take” apply to the endangered populations;
the final rule extends these same protections to the threatened population
(Mexico).



All humpback whales remain protected in U.S. waters and on the high seas
(from takes by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction) under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), regardless of their ESA listing status.



For more information and to read the final listing rule, visit the Federal
Register

.



Two complementary rules also filed today that continue the approach
regulations for humpback whales in Alaska

and Hawaii

.



For information about applying for scientific research or commercial and
educational photography/filming permits, please visit
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/index.html.  For information about
incidental take authorizations, visit
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/index.htm.  For questions
about your permit or authorization, contact your permit analyst in the NOAA
Fisheries Permits and Conservation Division at 301-427-8401.



These changes are significant because we recognize that the species is
doing well and most populations have increased in abundance.  Identifying
distinct population segments of humpback whales allows for tailored
conservation of the populations that need it the most and addresses the
most harmful threats hampering their recovery.



Thank you for your continued work to understand marine mammals and their
environment, it informs responsible management and helps pave the way for
future conservation successes.



Jonathan Shannon
*Outreach Specialist*
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office: 301-427-8431
jonathan.shan...@noaa.gov





*Webhttp://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/
Facebookwww.facebook.com/noaafisheries
Twitterwww.twitter.com/noaafisherie
sYouTubewww.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov
 The views expressed in this
message are my own and do not necessarily reflect any position of NOAA, the
Department of Commerce, or the government of the United States.*
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[MARMAM] PSO/MMO Training in Boston, MA September 24-25

[abostwick]

There are a few spots available in the Protected Species Observer (also known as
Marine Mammal Observer) training on September 24-25 in Boston Massachusetts.
  This BOEM/BSEE-compliant PSO certification course covers the regulations for
reducing seismic survey impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, and how to
visually locate and identify the animals.  Course comprehension is measured with
examinations on regulations and animal identification.  Successful completion of
this course provides professional Protected Species Observer Certification.

This class will be visiting the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, one
of the top whale-watching destinations in the world.  Lunch is provided and
included in the course fee (college/recent graduate/military discounts
available), along with various identification guides and regulatory documents
(which will be yours to keep), the whale-watching vessel trip, and advice on
applying to PSO positions.  

MPSC is also holding PSO training in Galveston, TX this November.  For more
information, please contact Angela at abostw...@psocertifications.com
 , by phone at 832-523-2402, or visit
the website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/.

Thank you,
Angela Bostwick / Founder
Marine Protected Species Consulting
ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com 
https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/
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[MARMAM] The Gulf of Ambracia’s Common Bottlenose Dolphins: A Highly Dense and yet Threatened Population

[Joan Gonzalvo]

Dear colleagues,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share with you the release of the following 
paper, which will be one of the chapters for the book “Mediterranean Marine 
Mammal Ecology and Conservation”, to be published at Advances in Marine Biology 
Volume 75. Editors: Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Michela Podestà, Barbara 
E. Curry. It is now available on-line at 
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065288116300062 


Gonzalvo, J., Lauriano, G., Hammond, P.S., Viaud-Martinez, K.A., Fossi, M.C., 
Natoli, A., Marsili, L., 2016. The Gulf of Ambracia’s Common Bottlenose 
Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus: A Highly Dense and yet Threatened Population. In 
Advances in Marine Biology Volume 75; Mediterranean Marine Mammal Ecology and 
Conservation. doi:10.1016/bs.amb.2016.07.002

Abstract
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the only cetacean present 
in the semiclosed waters of the Gulf of Ambracia, Western Greece. This 
increasingly degraded coastal ecosystem hosts one of the highest observed 
densities in the Mediterranean Sea for this species. Photo-identification data 
and tissue samples collected through skin-swabbing and remote biopsy sampling 
techniques during boat-based surveys conducted between 2006 and 2015 in the 
Gulf, were used to examine bottlenose dolphin abundance, population trends, 
site fidelity, genetic differentiation and toxicological status. Bottlenose 
dolphins showed high levels of year-round site fidelity throughout the 10-year 
study period. Dolphin population estimates mostly fell between 130 and 170 with 
CVs averaging about 10%; a trend in population size over the 10 years was a 
decline of 1.6% per year (but this was not significant). Genetic 
differentiation between the bottlenose dolphins of the Gulf and their 
conspecifics from neighbouring populations was detected, and low genetic 
diversity was found among individuals sampled. In addition, pesticides where 
identified as factors posing a real toxicological problem for local bottlenose 
dolphins. Therefore, in the Gulf of Ambracia, high dolphin density does not 
seem to be indicative of favourable conservation status or pristine habitat.

A .pdf copy can be requested to joan.gonza...@gmail.com 


Best regards,

joAn


Joan Gonzalvo, PhD  
Program Manager - Ionian Dolphin Project

   TETHYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE  
Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy

Spanish Mobile: +34 650434808
Greek Mobile: +30 6979428717
   Skype: idp_amvrakikos



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[MARMAM] PAM Training - New Orleans, Brazil & UK

[Sam Nichols]

Seiche is pleased to offer its three day PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING (PAM) 
TRAINING through September, October and November 2016 in the USA, Brazil and UK.

This internationally-respected PAM course provides the skills needed to become 
an offshore PAM operator. Run by Seiche's experienced team with thorough 
support material, interactive PAMGuard workshops and a boat session, this 
course will expand delegates' knowledge of acoustic monitoring and provide 
insight into industry requirements for environmental mitigation.  A certificate 
for offshore work will be awarded upon successful completion of course.

September 21-23
Devon, UK

September 30-October 2
New Orleans, USA

November 9-11
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

November 23-25
Devon, UK

Course modules include:
Sound In Water
Marine Mammals
Anthropogenic Noise in the Sea
Effects of Anthropogenic Noise on Marine Mammals
Local Mitigation Guidelines
PAM Principles and the Role of the PAM Operator
PAM Hardware & Operations
PAM Software
PAMGuard Workshops
Set up and deployment of PAM systems and visual observer stations
Troubleshooting
Real-time mitigation and reporting
Please go to www.seichetraining.com or contact train...@seiche.com for more 
details on modules, costs and bookings.



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[MARMAM] New publication on southern fur seals

[Silvina Botta]

Dear MARMAM-readers,



We are pleased to inform you that our paper ‘Ontogenetic and gender-related
variation in the isotopic niche within and between three species of fur
seals (genus Arctocephalus)   by T.L. Albernaz, E.R, Secchi, L.R. Oliveira
& S. Botta is now available online at Hydrobiologia DOI
10.1007/s10750-016-2950-0



http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-016-
2950-0?wt_mc=Internal.Event.1.SEM.ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst




Abstract:

We used an isotopic approach to investigate the intra- and interspecific
differences in spatial and trophic ecology of three species of the fur seal
genus *Arctocephalus* that inhabit distinct climatic zones: subtropical (*A.
australis *n=22), subantarctic (*A. tropicalis *n=8) and polar (*A. gazella
*n=10). We obtained sequential *δ*13C and *δ*15N values in dentine from
canine teeth of specimens found along the southern Brazilian coast. We
calculated isotopic niches where axes where used as a surrogate for trophic
(*δ*15N) and spatial (*δ*13C) dimensions of the ecological niche. Further,
we adjusted generalized additive mixed models to chronological data of *δ*13C
and *δ*15N to investigate the ontogenetic variation of the isotopic niche.
The three species showed significant segregation both in spatial and the
trophic dimensions as a result of foraging at different latitudes. Within *A.
australis, *males occupied higher trophic positions than females.
Furthermore, some isotopic niche overlap was found between sexes in *A.
tropicalis* and *A. gazella,* though sample sizes preclude conclusive
interpretation. Marked ontogenetic variation in the isotopic niche,
especially in the early years, was observed in all species. Isotopic niche
suggest that intra and interspecific competition in these otariids is
minimized by different degree of spatial and trophic segregation.



For any inquiries or requests please contact me at: silbo...@gmail.com

Kind regards,


Silvina Botta

Labotatório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha

Instituto de Oceanografia

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG
Brasil
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