[MARMAM] MSCA Doctoral Network SEASOUNDS: 10 PhD positions opening soon

[Nathalie Favretto-Cristini]

Dear Colleagues, (with apologies for cross posting)

*The MSCA Doctoral Network SEASOUNDS* (Innovative marine soundscape 
characterization to effectively mitigate ocean and sea noise pollution, 
GA no. 101119769) *will soon be recruiting 10 highly motivated PhD 
students.*We would appreciate your assistance in advertising within your 
channels of communication and helping us find highly motivated students.


SEASOUNDS aims to *better characterize and predict marine soundscapes, 
in order to provide recommendations for appropriate and proportionate 
underwater noise mitigation solutions*, for improved know-how, 
decision-making and standards setting for a sustainable Blue Growth 
limiting the impact on marine wildlife. The project addresses important 
knowledge gaps related to understanding, characterization and modeling 
of the entire noise transfer chain, from the noise source (e.g. offshore 
foundation installation, UXO disposal, shipping) to the receiver 
(whether a technological tool or an animal). SEASOUNDS’ methodological 
approach incorporates concepts, models, and tools from a variety of 
disciplines including *underwater acoustics, seismology, mechanics, 
bioacoustics, and marine biology**.* Thus, SEASOUNDS will train 10 PhD 
students with high multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral, and transverse 
skills, who will comprehend noise pollution issues in a holistic way.


The Network gathers 15 partners from France, Spain, Italy, The 
Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Monaco and USA (see 
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101119769 
), and will run for 4 
years from January 2024.


The PhD positions will have staggered _starting dates between 
September-December 2024_ for a duration of 3 or 4 years, depending on 
the host institution’s rule. The 10 individual projects are :


 * *PhD position 1 at TU Delft (The Netherlands) - Environmental
   vibrations and acoustic emissions from offshore foundation installation*
 * *PhD position 2 at CNRS-Géoazur (France) - Imagery of seabed
   sediments and sub-surface properties by Distributed acoustic sensing
   (DAS) measurement*
 * *PhD position 3 at CNRS-LMA (France) - Noise pollution generated by
   historical Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) disposal in shallow waters*
 * *PhD position 4 at NTNU Trondheim (Norway) - Modeling of shipping
   noise in arctic fjords*
 * *PhD position 5 at CNRS-LMA (France) - Uncertainties in the source
   and environment description: influence on noise impact assessment*
 * *PhD position 6 at Università degli studi di Padova (Italy) - Impact
   of anthropogenic activities on underwater noise pollution in the
   Venetian Lagoon*
 * *PhD position 7 at Università degli studi di Padova (Italy) -
   Natural and Anthropogenic Dynamics of Marine Soundscapes*
 * *PhD position 8 at NTNU Trondheim (Norway) - Marine mammal
   monitoring using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS)*
 * *PhD position 9 at Aarhus University (Denmark) - Moving animals in a
   variable soundscape*
 * *PhD position 10 at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya –
   BarcelonaTech (Spain) – Impact of underwater noise pollution on
   marine invertebrates and plants*

Each position includes secondment opportunities.

For more information about SEASOUNDS, the individual projects, and the 
eligibility and mobility criteria, applicants can visit the webpage


https://laboratoire-mecanique-acoustique.fr/actualites/1166-the-doctoral-network-seasounds-is-recruiting-10-highly-motivated-phd-students

and/or contact the SEASOUNDS coordinator, Dr. Nathalie Favretto-Cristini 
(favre...@lma.cnrs-mrs.fr).


Best regards,

On behalf of the SEASOUNDS consortium,
Nathalie Favretto-Cristini

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[MARMAM] Marine Mammal Wildlife position

[Polasek, Lori K (DFG)]

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is 
recruiting for a Wildlife Biologist 1 located in Juneau!
Marine Mammal Wildlife Biologist 1 Long Term Non-Permanent Position

Under general supervision of the Marine Mammal Program, the Long Term 
Non-Permanent (LTNP) position performs a variety of marine mammal species.  The 
incumbent, after initial training, will work independently to prepare 
presentation material on the ESA, MMPA, and species of interest, review species 
related documents, will assist with sample tracking, data entry and preliminary 
analysis of tissues (fish and teeth) for stable isotope analysis, will 
communicate with, and prepare training material for, pilots flying in Cook 
Inlet. With consultation, perform permit application reviews, engage with 
stakeholders, and misc. other duties as assigned (sourcing datasets, library 
research, making phone calls). This is a LTNP position.  This position comes 
with benefits, but not a retirement package.  The position has 1 guaranteed 
year of funding with the potential for extension. This posting is open for a 
short window due to the short timeline on funding.
To apply - 
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/jobs/4276401/wildlife-biologist-1-pcn-11-n24036


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[MARMAM] Special Issue on Aquatic Mammals of Central America

[Ester Quintana]

Dear Marmam community,

We are excited to share the news that the special issue on Aquatic Mammals of 
Central America has been published by the Revista de Biologia Tropical. The 
special issue includes 15 contributions represented by country as follows: 
Belize = 1, Guatemala = 4, El Salvador = 1, Nicaragua = 1, Costa Rica = 3, 
Panama = 4, and one regional paper that includes Central America, Mexico, and 
the United States. Of these 15 publications, 13 involved Central American 
researchers as primary authors or co-authors, and 12 were lead-authored by 
women. You can access the special issue in the following link:
 
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.2023
 
The list of articles and corresponding links are included below.
 
Happy reading!
 
Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Ph.D. and Laura May-Collado, Ph.D.
 
  
 Laura J. May-Collado, Ester Quintana-Rizzo
 Prologue: Thirty Years of Aquatic Mammal Research in Central America
 https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/57294/57778
  
 Heat loss or heat uptake? Skin temperature in Antillean manatees 
(Trichechus manatus manatus, Sirenia: Trichechidae) in Belize
 Nicola Erdsack, Jamal A. Galves, James E. Powell
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57272
  
 Long-term spatiotemporal distribution, abundance, and priority areas for 
manatees and calves (Trichechus manatus Sirenia: Trichechidae) in Guatemala
 Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Oscar Machuca-Coronado, Heidy Amely Garcia
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57273
  
 Characteristics and spatial identification of Antillean manatee 
(Trichechus manatus manatus Sirenia: Trichechidae) strandings in Guatemala
 Oscar Machuca-Coronado, Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Tannia Sandoval, M. Fabiola 
Corona-Figueroa, Heidy Amely Garcia
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57274
  
 Initial characterization of mitochondrial DNA control region haplotypes of 
the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus, Sirenia:Trichechidae) in 
Guatemala
 Grecia Mendez, Susan Carney, Heidy Amelia Garcia, Ester Quintana-Rizzo
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57278
  
 Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) 
(Artiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) singing activity at Caño Island Biological 
Reserve, Costa Rica before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdowns
 Laura J. May-Collado, Sawyer Bottoms, Grace Durant, Jose David 
Palacios-Alfaro, Juan Jose Alvarado
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57280
  
 First song description of the humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae 
(Balaenopteridae: Artiodactyla), breeding off Nicaragua
 Joelle De Weerdt, Divna Djokic, Renata S. Sousa-Lima, Federica Pace
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57281
  
 Migratory destinations of endangered humpback whales, Megaptera 
novaeangliae (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae), from El Salvador
 Nicola Ransome, Melvin G. Castaneda, Ted Cheeseman, John Calambokidis, 
Fred Sharpe
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57283
  
 Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni brydei, Artiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) 
aggregation area in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
 Kristin Rasmussen, Daniel M. Palacios
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57284
  
 False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens Cetacea: Delphinidae) along the 
Pacific coast of Central America and Mexico: Long-term movements, association 
patterns and assessment of fishery interactions
 Annie B. Douglas, Frank Garita Alpízar, Alejandro Acevedo-Gutiérrez, Sabre 
D. Mahaffy, Kristin Rasmussen, Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Joëlle De Weerdt, Daniel 
M. Palacios, Damián Martínez-Fernández, Camila Lazcano-Pacheco, Christian 
Daniel Ortega Ortiz, Nicola Ransome, Astrid Frisch-Jordán, Francisco 
Villegas-Zurita, John Calambokidis, Robin W. Baird
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57189
  
 More pieces for the puzzle: novel information on the genetic diversity and 
population structure of Steno bredanensis (Artiodactyla: Delphinidae) in 
Central America and the Caribbean Sea
 Dalia C. Barragán-Barrera, Camilo A. Correa-Cárdenas, María Alejandra 
Duarte-Fajardo, Lissette Trejos Lasso, Betzi Pérez-Ortega, Shakira G. 
Quiñones-Lebrón, Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni, José Julio Casas, Roberto 
Santamaria Valverde, Nohelia Farías-Curtidor, Susana Caballero
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57285
  
 First mercury and stable isotope assessment from an unusual mass stranding 
of rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) (Artiodactyla: Delphinidae) in 
Azuero peninsula, Pacific coast of Panama
 Dalia-C. Barragán-Barrera, Lissette Trejos-Lasso, Betzi Pérez-Ortega, 
José-Julio Casas, Roberto Santamaria-Valverde
 https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS4.57188
  
 Population size and demographic parameters of 

[MARMAM] New Publication: One size fits all? Adaptation of trained CNNs to new marine acoustic environments

[Ellen White]

Dear Colleagues

We are excited to share our new research paper 'One size fits all? Adaptation 
of trained CNNs to new marine acoustic environments' in the journal Ecological 
Informatics. The article is open access and can be found at : 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.102363One size fits all? Adaptation of 
trained CNNs to new marine acoustic environments

The authors of this work are: Ellen L. White, Holger Klinck, Jonathan M. Bull, 
Paul R. White & Denise Risch. This article looks at deploying a broadband 
multi-sound source detector within new soundscapes, identifying how much data 
we should use when fine-tuning to a new acoustic feild. We hope you find the 
work interesting. Please feel free to contact Ellen White (elw1...@soton.ac.uk) 
for any questions or enquiries.

Abstract: Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have the potential to enable a 
revolution in bioacoustics, allowing robust detection and classification of 
marine sound sources. As global Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) datasets 
continue to expand it is critical we improve our confidence in the performance 
of models across different marine environments, if we are to exploit the full 
ecological value of information within the data. This work demonstrates the 
transferability of developed CNN models to new acoustic environments by using a 
pre-trained model developed for one location (West of Scotland, UK) and 
deploying it in a distinctly different soundscape (Gulf of Mexico, USA). In 
this work transfer learning is used to fine-tune an existing open-source 
‘small-scale’ CNN, which detects odontocete tonal and broadband call types and 
vessel noise (operating between 0 and 48 kHz). The CNN is fine-tuned on 
training sets of differing sizes, from the unseen site, to understand the 
adaptability of a network to new marine acoustic environments. Fine-tuning with 
a small sample of site-specific data significantly improves the performance of 
the CNN in the new environment, across all classes. We demonstrate an improved 
performance in area-under-curve (AUC) score of 0.30, across four classes by 
fine-training with only 50 spectrograms per class, with a 5% improvement in 
accuracy between 50 frames and 500 frames. This work shows that only a small 
amount of site-specific data is needed to retrain a CNN, enabling researchers 
to harness the power of existing pre-trained models for their own datasets. The 
marine bioacoustic domain will benefit from a larger pool of global data for 
training large deep learning models, but we illustrate in this work that domain 
adaptation can be improved with limited site-specific exemplars.

Reference for the paper: White, E., Klinck, H., Bull, J., White, P. and Risch, 
D., 2023. One size fits all? Adaptation of trained CNNs to new marine acoustic 
environments. Ecological Informatics, p.102363.

Ellen White
Post-graduate Research Student
University of Southampton
School of Ocean and Earth Sciences
National Oceanography Centre Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
Office Location: 164/25

Contact Information:
Email: elw1...@soton.ac.uk
Phone: 07715926069


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[MARMAM] New publication: Using vocal cues to assess arousal state of bottlenose dolphins

[Rachel Probert]

Dear MARMAM community,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication:

Rachel Probert, Bridget S. James, Simon H. Elwen, Tess Gridley. 2023. Vocal
cues to assess arousal state of bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops *spp.) involved
in public presentations. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 4(4):
711-727.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/4/50#

ABSTRACT:
Emotions in animals may be expressed by arousal and understanding this
often relies upon the monitoring of their behaviour. Under human care,
animals’ arousal states may be linked to husbandry decisions, whereby
animals may display arousal responses to scheduled events such as feeding
and human interaction. Here, we investigate vocal correlates of arousal
associated with public presentations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.)
in human care by comparing vocal production rates and characteristics
between high and low arousal contexts. Elevated arousal during the day
compared with overnight was characterised by increased signature and
non-signature whistle production. High intensity broadband crack
vocalisations were produced less than whistles during the day and did not
correlate with increased arousal around presentation times. Three of ten
dolphins increased signature whistle production before and/or after
presentation sessions, indicating elevated arousal and variation in
individual responses. Many individuals elevated minimum frequency and
suppressed maximum frequency of signature whistles in a way that correlated
with higher arousal contexts, indicating that these may therefore be good
indicators of changes in arousal state. Overall, our study demonstrates
that passive acoustic monitoring can provide a useful indication of arousal
linked to husbandry decisions, and that individual variation in vocal
responses, likely linked to personality, is important to consider.

All the best,
Rachel Probert
--
*Rachel Probert*
*PhD candidate, Marine Biology, Bioacoustics*
Sea Search Research and Conservation, Muizenberg, Cape Town
School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus,
Durban

Cell: +27767831809

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SeaSearch
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[MARMAM] New publication: First direct observation of a successful southern right whale birth in South African waters

[Els Vermeulen]

Dear colleagues

We are pleased to inform you of the publication of a short note describing
a successful birth of a southern right whale in South African coastal
waters.

Shuttleworth, L., Appleby, A., Appleby, R., & Vermeulen, E. (2023). First
direct
observation of a successful southern right whale (Eubalaena australis)
birth in South African coastal waters. Marine Mammal Science, 1–4.
https://doi.org/10./mms.13091

The article is open access and can be downloaded from the doi link above.

With kind regards,

Els

Dr Els Vermeulen

Senior Lecturer and Research Manager

Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit

Department of Zoology and Entomology

University of Pretoria, South Africa

t: +27 (0)60 9714301

e: els.vermeu...@up.ac.za

URL: mammalresearchinstitute.science/whale-unit


: adoptawhale.co.za





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Please refer to 
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 for
full 
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[MARMAM] WDC Marine Mammal Conservation Internship (temporary, full-time, paid)

[Sarah McCormack]

Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s North American office is now hiring for a 
12-week, entry-level Marine Mammal Conservation Internship. We will prioritize 
candidates who do not have practical experience (internship, significant 
volunteering, employment) in this field outside of a classroom setting. 
Applicants should be eager to dive into new experiences and enjoy having a 
variety of tasks to work on. This position will help to assist staff in three 
key program areas: Marine Animal Rescue and Response, Education, and Boater 
Outreach.


We have two open positions in 2024 for this temporary, full-time, paid 
internship. We are seeking to fill one position each for the spring (March-May) 
and summer (June-August). The submission period will close November 30 at 
11:59pm EST.

Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Whale 
and Dolphin Conservation embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We recognize 
that the field of marine mammal research and conservation lacks diversity, 
including within our own organization. WDC is dedicated to creating inclusive 
opportunities which represent diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

For full details and application instructions, please visit 
https://us.whales.org/about/get-involved/ .

Sarah McCormack
Stranding Coordinator
WDC North America
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Hotline:+1 617‑688‑6872
Mobile: +1 917-880-2160
WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
7 Nelson Street
Plymouth, MA
02360‑4044
United States
whales.org
[WDC - Protecting Whales and Dolphins for over 30 years]
[WDC on Facebook]
[WDC North America on Twitter]
[WDC on Instagram]
[WDC on YouTube]
[WDC News and Blogs]
[WDC E-Newsletter]
[WDC on Guidestar]
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (“WDC”), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 
non‑profit organization.  Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest 
extent of the law.
WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360‑4044  Tel: +1 (508) 746‑2522
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you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those 
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[MARMAM] _Fin Whale Project Internship positions and Spring/Summer Research Assistant course openings Barcelona 2024_

[Eduard Degollada]

*
*

*
*

*_Fin Whale Project Internship positions and Spring/Summer Research 
Assistant course openings Barcelona 2024_*


*
*

Dear colleagues,


Research association Edmaktub is accepting applications for research 
interns willing to participate in the Fin Whale Project 2024. The 
partcipants can join as a research intern with a minimum stay of 3 
months or in our Research Assistant Course with a duration of 1 to 4 
weeks (see details below).


The internships will run from February to September 2024, majorly on the 
research catamaran, and requires preparation time. We are especially 
interested in master students looking to undertake a master’s research 
project. Priority will be given to those interns committed for at least 
the Spring three months (March to end of May).


The Fin Whale Project is a long-term research project carried out by the 
EDMAKTUB Association, a research non-profit organization. It is focused 
on the study of fin whales in the Catalan coast and on their migration 
towards the Atlantic. The main goals of the project are to increase the 
knowledge of the fin whales around the Spanish peninsula, work with new 
technologies (such as drones and/or thermal cameras and artificial 
intelligence) to improve the cetacean monitoring techniques, and also 
work for fin whale conservation and divulgation. Performing those 
objectives the Fin Whale Project turned out as a pioneer project in the 
use of drones to study cetaceans, which has allowed us to develop a new 
identification technique much more efficient and reliable. It has also 
been the key to identify this and other areas as a fin whale feeding ground.


The field work will be performed in the Catalan coast, primarily between 
Barcelona and Tarragona, northeastern Spain in Spring. Then, it will 
continue in Denia, eastern Spain in June, Strait of Gibraltar in July 
and Galicia NW Spain in August and September.


During the surveys, EDMAKTUB also collects information on other 
cetaceans, sea birds, fish, and sea turtles.



*_RESEARCH INTERNS_*

For the 2024 Fin Whale Project, we are looking for research interns to 
complete the team. The positions are unpaid and a minimum of three 
months is required in order to be considered. Interns must cover their 
accommodation and living expenses. EDMAKTUB offers an apartment in which 
a room can be rented (low rate). The positions will be assigned as soon 
as possible. Priority will be given to those having photo ID experience 
and a long period availability.


Qualifications

- Must be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited 
college or university; preference will be given to students working 
towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, veterinary 
medicine, education, mathematics, artificial intelligence, or other 
related fields. If you do not fit this profile but think you can 
contribute anyway, please contact us.


- Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Must be dedicated, flexible, responsible, hardworking, willing to 
learn, and have attention to detail. Interest or experience in the 
Spanish and Catalan languages are preferred.


- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.

- Must be willing to engage in a positive and informative manner with 
the general public regularly.


-Must expect to work on a full-time basis, which can include early 
morning and late nights.


-Must be living close by the Garraf area or willing to relocate to 
Villanova I la Geltrú.


What is expected from you?

-Preparation of your research line to start research while starting the 
Fin Whale Project fieldwork.


-Daily participation in the 2024 marine surveys of the Fin Whale Project

-Responsibility for the tasks associated with your research line as well 
as willingness to assist in tasks related to other lines of research.


-Involvement in several tasks that are part of running an association 
(general data entry, fundraising, marketing/social media, communication, 
educational events and talks)


-At the end of the internship, the intern will deliver a written report 
regarding the work carried out and a presentation about their experience 
and projects to staff and volunteers.


What do you get?

-Knowledge on different cetacean research techniques and methodology.

-The possibility to establish your research in the form of master’s 
research project and/or an article for publication.


-To go sailing out to sea together with a team of motivated people, 
studying one of the most majestical animals that exist.


-Guidance through your project and feedback on your research

-A platform in which to gain experience in the field study of cetaceans 
and an entry to the broad scientific and professional network of Edmaktub.


We currently have several research interests and priorities. One of our 
main priorities is people committed to photo-identification; taking and 
processing the images and updating the catalogue.