[MARMAM] New paper: Dynamics of short‑finned pilot whales long‑term social structure in Madeira
Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are sharing here our new paper "Dynamics of short‑finned pilot whales long‑term social structure in Madeira." Esteban, R. Verborgh, P., Freitas, L. Dynamics of short‑finned pilot whales long‑term social structurein Madeira. Mamm Biol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00280-0 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00266-y> Abstract: The associations of social individuals are normally represented by a social network, which is a static representation of dynamic relationships, generally influenced by spatio-temporal, demographic, environmental and kinship drivers. We examined the social structure of core resident short-finned pilot whales off Madeira, an archipelago in the Northeast Atlantic, delineating their spatial overlapping, temporal evolution, demographic process and site fidelity, between two sub-periods (1997–2013 and 2014–2019). Decades of individual photo-identification work showed that social clusters were formed by preferred companions. The results indicate that this short-finned pilot whale community consists of social clusters, with most individuals showing long-term stability of cluster membership. However, clusters can be also subject to dynamic changes, and sometime split up into two which may be due to an increase in the number of individuals in the original cluster and, consequently, challenges to maintaining associations among individuals in large groups. In general, the probability of associations among core resident individuals within a cluster decreased with time (decreased by half in 18–54 years), which was related to demographic events. All clusters showed highly overlapping distribution areas, suggesting that their social structure is not driven by spatial factors but likely social preferences. You can access the full text on https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00280-0 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00266-y> ; read it online on https://rdcu.be/cVKHY ; through researchgate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruth-Esteban) or be email to me (rutheste...@museudabaleia.org). All the best, Ruth Esteban Ruth Esteban Bióloga Marinha - Marine Biologist <http://www.museudabaleia.org/> Siga-nos em / follow us at: <https://www.facebook.com/museu.baleia.madeira/> <https://www.instagram.com/museudabaleia/?hl=pt> ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New Publication: Killer whales of the Strait of Gibraltar, an endangered subpopulation showing a disruptive behavior
Dear MARMAM subscribers and colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication as a note in Marine Mammal Science: Esteban, R., López, A., de los Rios, Á. G., Ferreira, M., Martinho, F., Méndez-Fernandeza, P., Andréu, E., García-Gómez, J. C., Olaya-Ponzone, L., Espada-Ruiz, R., Gil-Vera, F. J., Bernal, C. M., Garcia-Bellido Capdevila, E., Sequeira, M., & Martínez-Cedeira, J. A. (2022). Killer whales of the Strait of Gibraltar, an endangered subpopulation showing a disruptive behavior. Marine Mammal Science, 1– 11. https://doi.org/10./mms.12947 ABSTRACT Several individuals of an endangered subpopulation of killer whales in the Iberian Peninsula started to show disruptive behaviour in 2020, interacting with boats. Most interactions involved sailing vessels but also fishing vessels, RHIBs and motorboats. Animals were reported and recorded bumping, pushing and rotating the boats. In some cases those interactions caused damage at the stern of the boat, mainly in their fragile mobbing parts. >From May to November, 49 interactions were recorded between the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and Galicia, including the coast along Portugal. Two interacting groups were identified, accounting for eight individuals in total, which at the beginning of the interactions were observed together in the Strait of Gibraltar. Some mitigation actions were implemented such as temporally forbidding the navigation of sailing vessels, when interactions intensified in Galicia, however further efforts and collaboration are needed to respond to this unprecedented situation. Further information about the situation of these animals can be found at: https://www.orcaiberica.org/ All the best, Ruth Ruth Esteban, PhD. +34675837508 +351912847395 <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Updated info on the interactions between killer whales and sailing boats in the Iberian Peninsula
Dear all, Since July, thirty-three interactions of killer whales with sailing boats have been registered: six in the Strait of Gibraltar, then five on the Portuguese coast and finally twenty-two since mid-August, in Galicia, northern Spain. The boats that were targeted by the killer whales during the interactions were later inspected to better understand how the interactions occurred and what type of contacts took place. The interactions were mostly limited to the rudder of the boat, with marks found on the hull or signs of physical contact of the animals with the structure of the vessel. Only 15% of the encounters with the killer whales were classified as interactions which resulted in some kind of damage to the sailboats. In any of the interactions, people were never endangered by the direct activity of the killer whales. However, there were some risky situations during night-time and long-lasting interactions, due to abrupt movement of the steering wheel or turns of the boat, which caused distress to the crew members due to their lack of experience with killer whales and their behaviour. *International Working GroupA Group of Experts thoroughly investigates the trail of orca interactions* An international Working Group (WG) of cetacean experts and competent administrations has been set up, with great knowledge of the casuistry and behaviour of orcas. The WG has been analysing each and all cases in great detail and is in permanent contact with SOS-Galicia, Salvamento Marítimo (Spanish Lifeboats), the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) and the Xunta de Galicia (Regional Government of Galicia) to compile all the available information. The scientific group is made up of Dr. Alfredo López from the Universidade de Aveiro-CESAM, Mr. Jose Cedeira from CEMMA; Mrs. Cristina Martín from TURMARES Tarifa, Mr. Ezequiel Andréu Cazalla from the Garum Tarifa Association, Mrs. Rocío Espada from Ecolocaliza and LBMarina from the University of Seville, Mr. Francisco Martinho from ECCO Ocean, Dr. Marisa Ferreira from SPVS and Dr. Ruth Esteban from the Museu da Baleia da Madeira and Ocean Sea. Institutional members include Mrs. Elvira García Bellido from the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge and Mrs. Marina Sequeira from the Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas de Portugal. The information used by the WG is based on more than 700 records of killer whales on the Iberian coast in the last 20 years compiled by CEMMA, Dr. Ruth Esteban, Mr. Francisco Martinho, SPVS and especially Turmares Tarifa. *IdentificationThe GLADIS, involved in the interactions, are young killer whales known in the Strait* During the different interactions, up to 3 different individual killer whales have been identified as directly involved in the events. These animals were observed near the sailboats, and were identified in 61% of the interactions thanks to photos and videos taken by the crew that were sent to the working group. In addition, in some interactions, two other adult individuals were observed further away from the ship, and have not been identified so far, but are considered as most likely not involved in the interaction. The three interacting killer whales have been named the GLADIS (BLACK, WHITE and GRAY) and all were observed from June to August of this year in the Strait of Gibraltar. Additionally, two of them (BLACK and WHITE GLADIS) had already been observed in previous years in the area. In the Strait of Gibraltar, individuals have been observed relatively frequently with injuries caused by the friction with fishing lines when they try to “steal” tuna already hooked on the longlines. The two GLADIS (BLACK AND WHITE) observed in the Strait of Gibraltar this year presented injuries consisting in marks appearing successively on their bodies and more intensively between the 20th of June and 3rd of August. The WG has mapped and described the injuries on a representation of the body of each specimen, to try to clarify their origin, hoping they can offer clues towards an explanation for the interacting behaviours. All marks identified as of anthropogenic origin or open wounds with doubtful origin were systematically registered. The observed marks were meticulously detailed based on the underwater photographic series provided by the Scientific Department of Turmares Tarifa. The photographs of the orcas located by Francisco Gil were taken by photographer Rafael Fernández Caballero, with the permission of MITECO. *CausesThe trigger for this behaviour could have been an adverse incident* In the Strait of Gibraltar, juvenile killer whales are commonly observed approaching boats of various kinds, likely due to their curiosity. The stern is especially as there are mobile and noisy structures. However, the interactions with sailboats detected since July in the Strait, Portugal and Galicia are considered unprecedented due to the repeated
[MARMAM] Interactions between orcas and boats
Dear Mamam community, Since July there have been interactions between orcas and mainly sailing vessels around the Iberian Peninsula, as far as we know it all started in southern Spain. According to witnesses, normally the animals go around the vessel, and ram the hull, making the boat to turn some degrees and even breaking parts of the rudder. There have been cases also in Portugal, and now the interactions are concentrated in northern Spain. It is probably the same group that has been travelling up north, but unfortunately we don't have pictures/videos which are good enough to confirm it, or even confirm to which population do they belong to. It has been all over the news in Spain and Portugal, and now more broadly (The Guardian: https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/13/killer-whales-launch-orchestrated-attacks-on-sailing-boats?__twitter_impression=true=09). We have no clue what could be the motivation of the whales to behave like this, for this reason it would be really helpful if we could get any input from other places, where those types of interactions between boats and killer whales have been happening before. So can you please contact me if you have any info on something similar?. We would really appreciate it. Kind Regards, Ruth Ruth Esteban, PhD. +34675837508 +351912847395 <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Post-doc fellowship offer in Madeira.
Dear all, Post-doc fellowship offer in Madeira. Develop an ecosystem model for Madeira archipelago marine environment based on Ecopath, with Ecosim (EwE) and Ecospace valences to inform the Development process of a coordinated approach for assessing MSFD Descriptor 4 in the Macaronesian subregion in Project Mistic Seas III. “MISTIC SEAS III – Developing a coordinated approach for assessing Descriptor 4 via its linkage with D1 and other relevant descriptors in the Macaronesian subregion”, is a project financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), through DG Environment (MFSD 2018 call) (MISTICSEAS3_GA.110661/2018/794676/SUB/ENV.C2). The project aims to address the assessment of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 4 (Ecosystems, including food webs) at the Macaronesian sub-regional level following the criteria set up under the new Commission good environmental status (GES) Decision 2017/848/EC. This scholarship is to contract a research with knowledge and solid experience in ecosystem models based on Ecopath and using Ecosim (EwE), namely, the compilation and organization of data, building and operationalizing (parameterization and balancing) of the model and explore scenarios in Ecosim relevant for the purpose of the project. It will be given relevance to experience also in incorporating the spatial dimension into the process through Ecospace. The applicant should have a solid theoretical knowledge of marine ecosystems and their interactions, especially in oceanic island associated environments. The work of the modeller will be supported by two post-docs researchers that will assist the modeller in data compilation, organization and processing to feed the model and the simulations, both with possible temporal and spatial components. The work may involve either the adaptation/improvement of an existing Ecopath for Madeira archipelago marine ecosystem and/or the development of a new model, in coordination with teams working in equivalent models in the Azores and the Canary Islands. The selected applicant will temporarily integrate the Madeira Whale Museum team (partner of OOM - Madeira Oceanic Observatory), with experience in the ecological study of top predators, specially cetaceans, and their relationship with the marine environment, including, trophic relationships. Interested applicants should visit the following link: https://www.arditi.pt/index.php/concursos/bolsas-concursos?id=410 Cheers, Ruth Ruth Esteban, PhD. +34675837508 +351912847395 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] 2 winter internships on spatial analyses of anthropogenic pressures over cetaceans in Madeira
This is an offer for 2 winter internships on spatial analyses of anthropogenic pressures over cetaceans in Madeira. *Host*: Madeira Whale Museum *Background*: Madeira Whale Museum’s aim is to generate knowledge on the biology and ecology of cetaceans and the related marine environment, namely the species that live in the sea of Madeira, as well as to study and assess the potential anthropogenic pressures that may be affecting these species. Marine litter data has been collected during distance sampling line-transect shipboard surveys made by the Madeira Whale Museum since 2001 in the Madeira archipelago coastal waters. Besides the presence of litter information related with the type of litter was collected , i.e. plastic bags, plastic bottles, other type of plastics, fishing gear, buoy, wood or glass bottle, to estimate their abundance and model their distribution. Data will be organized and processed for analysis and preliminary analysis of the distribution and temporal evolution of marine litter density will be made. Another potential pressure for marine mammals in the area is the presence of marine traffic. Different sources of data will be available: direct records made during dedicated sighting surveys since 2001, telemetry data relayed by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), GPS data of whale watching boats or vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on fishing vessels. Traffic intensity will be calculated using statistical models according to boat categories. *Aim*: Internship 1: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine litter densities around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. Internship 2: To organize data and run preliminary analysis on marine traffic intensity around Madeira. Overlap this pressure with the presence of resident species of cetaceans in Madeira. *Tasks*: - Most days of the week will be spent at the Museum to process and analyse the spatial data of the anthropogenic pressures. - The intern will go on whale watching boats to collect cetacean sighting data, photo-identification data and note compliance with local regulations. - The intern will go on our research boat to collect cetacean sighting, photo-identification and sampling data. *Training*: The necessary equipment and training for the field work will be provided (species identification, camera, GPS, binoculars, datasheets, etc), as well as a computer for data organization and processing. By the end of the internship, the trainee will be able to: - Organize and process spatial data of anthropogenic pressures; - Basic spatial analyses with distance sampling/GIS softwares; Identify in the field the cetacean species present in Madeira archipelago; - Collect observational data from sightings, environmental parameters and effort, organize it and process it for analysis; - Collect photo-id data in the field, organize it and process it; *Requirements*: - Know basic data processing (Access/Excel), GIS programs (QGIS/ArcGIS) and experience desirable but not essential with R. - Be patient and organized - Motivated to work - Commit to a minimum of 6 months - Show interest and willingness to learn The work will take place at the Madeira Whale Museum in Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. The student will be responsible for his travel to and from Madeira, housing and food. The Madeira Whale Museum can sign internship agreements with Universities. *Dates*: January-June 2020 *Deadline for application:* 31st of July 2019 *Supervision*: Ruth Esteban, Philippe Verborgh and Luis Freitas *How to apply*: A CV and a motivation letter should be sent to Ruth Esteban at the following email: rutheste...@museudabaleia.org If you have any questions or doubts you can contact us. Cheers, Ruth Bióloga Marinha - *Marine Biologist* Unidade de Ciência - *Science Unit* [image: logombm] © Museu da Baleia - *Madeira Whale Museum* Rua Garcia Moniz Nº.1, 9200-031 Caniçal, Madeira, Portugal. T: 00 351 291 961 858 <+351%20291%20961%20858> | F: 00 351 291 961 859 <+351%20291%20961%20859> www.museudabaleia.org Siga-nos em: [image: logofacebook] <https://www.facebook.com/museu.baleia.madeira/>[image: logoinstagram] <https://www.instagram.com/museudabaleia/>[image: logoyoutube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUG7Ev5KgQA5EJjbfbdfAPQ> ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New chapter on Advances in Marine Biology
Dear All, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following chapter: Esteban, R., Verborgh, P., Gauffier, P., Alarcón, D., Salazar-Sierra, J.M., Giménez, J., Foote, A.D. and de Stephanis, R., 2016. Conservation Status of Killer Whales, Orcinus orca, in the Strait of Gibraltar. *Advances in Marine Biology*. Abstract: Killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) in the Mediterranean Sea are currently restricted to the Strait of Gibraltar and surrounding waters. Thirty-nine individuals were present in 2011, with a well-differentiated social structure, organized into five pods. Killer whale occurrence in the Strait is apparently related to the migration of their main prey, Atlantic bluefin tuna (*Thunnus thynnus*). In spring, whale distribution was restricted to shallow waters off the western coast of the Strait where all pods were observed actively hunting tuna. In summer, the whales were observed in the shallow central waters of the Strait. A relatively new feeding strategy has been observed among two of the five pods. These two pods interact with an artisanal drop-line fishery. Pods depredating the fishery had access to larger tuna in comparison with pods that were actively hunting. The Strait of Gibraltar killer whales are socially and ecologically different from individuals in the Canary Islands. Molecular genetic research has indicated that there is little or no female-mediated gene migration between these areas. Conservation threats include small population size, prey depletion, vessel traffic, and contaminants. We propose the declaration of the Strait of Gibraltar killer whales as an endangered subpopulation. A conservation plan to protect the Strait of Gibraltar killer whales is urgently needed, and we recommend implementation of a seasonal management area where activities producing underwater noise are restricted, and the promotion of bluefin tuna conservation. A copy can be downloaded at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065288116300050 Kind Regards, Ruth Esteban -- Ruth Esteban, PhD. CIRCE (Conservation Information and Research on Cetaceans) C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3 C.P. Pelayo-Algeciras (Cádiz) Spain +34675837508 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication on management units of killer whales in Spain
Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Ecological Indicators": Ruth Esteban, Phililppe Verborgh, Pauline Gauffier, Joan Giménez, Vidal Martin, Mónica Pérez, Marisa Tejedor, Javier Almunia, Paul D. Jepson, Susana García-Tíscar, Lance G. Barret-Lennard, Christophe Guinet, Andrew D. Foote, Renaud de Stephanis. *Using a multi-disciplinary approach to identify a critically endangered killer whale management unit.* *Abstract* A key goal for wildlife managers is identifying discrete, demographically independent conservation units.Previous genetic work assigned killer whales that occur seasonally in the Strait of Gibraltar (SoG) andkiller whales sampled off the Canary Islands (CI) to the same population. Here we present new analy-ses of photo-identification and individual genotypes to assess the level of contemporary gene flow andmigration between study areas, and analyses of biomarkers to assess ecological differences. We identi-fied 47 different individuals from 5 pods in the SoG and 16 individuals in the CI, with no matches foundbetween the areas. Mitochondrial DNA control region haplotype was shared by all individuals sampledwithin each pod, suggesting that pods have a matrifocal social structure typical of this species, whilstthe lack of shared mitogenome haplotypes between the CI and SoG individuals suggests that there waslittle or no female migration between groups. Kinship analysis detected no close kin between CI and SoGindividuals, and low to zero contemporary gene flow. Isotopic values and organochlorine pollutant loadsalso suggest ecological differences between study areas. We further found that one individual from a podwithin the SoG not seen in association with the other four pods and identified as belonging to a poten-tial migrant lineage by genetic analyses, had intermediate isotopic values and contaminant between thetwo study areas. Overall our results suggest a complex pattern of social and genetic structuring corre-lated with ecological variation. Consequently at least CI and SoG should be considered as two differentmanagement units. Understanding this complexity appears to be an important consideration when mon-itoring and understanding the viability of these management units. Understand the viability will helpthe conservation of these threatened management units. You can downloaded at this link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X16000571 Kind Regards, Ruth Esteban Ruth Esteban, PhD. CIRCE ( Conservation Information and Research on Cetaceans) C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3 C.P. Pelayo-Algeciras (Cádiz) Spain +34675837508 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New paper on social structure of killer whales in the Strait of Gibraltar
Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology": Esteban, R., Verborgh, P., Gauffier, P., Giménez, J., Foote, A.D., de Stephanis, R. ABSTRACT: The primary prey of killer whales (*Orcinus orca*) in the Strait of Gibraltar is the bluefin tuna (*Thunnus thynnus*). All killer whales observed in this area hunt tuna by chasing individual fish until they become exhausted and can be overcome. However, a subset of pods also interact with a dropline tuna fishery which has developed since 1995. Here, we investigated the social structure within and among social units (pods). Our data suggested that social structure was shaped by maternal kinship, which appears to be a species-specific trait, but also by foraging behavior, which is less common at the intra-population level. At the start of the study, only one cohesive pod interacted with the fishery, which during the course of the study underwent fission into two socially differentiated pods. Social structure within these two fishery-interacting pods was more compact and homogenous with stronger associations between individuals than in the rest of the population. Three other pods were never seen interacting with the fishery, despite one of these pods being regularly sighted in the area of the fishery during the summer. Sociality can influence the spread of the novel foraging behaviors and may drive population fragmentation, which, in this example, is already a critically small community. Observations of social changes in relation to changes in foraging at the earliest stages of diversification in foraging behavior and social segregation may provide insights into the processes that ultimately result in the formation of socially isolated discrete ecotypes in killer whales. You can downloaded in this link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00265-015-2029-3# Kind Regards, Ruth Esteban Ruth Esteban CIRCE (Conservation Information and Research on Cetaceans) C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3 C.P. Pelayo-Algeciras (Cádiz) Spain +34675837508 ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New paper on killer whales of the Strait of Gibraltar
Dear Colleagues, The following paper was recently published in Journal of Marine Biological Association of the UK Identifying key habitat and seasonal patterns of a critically endangered population of killer whaleshttp://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=9016084 . *Abstract* Killer whales have been described in the Gulf of Cadiz, southern Spain, in spring and in the Strait of Gibraltar in summer. A total of 11,276 cetaceans sightings coming from different sources (dedicated research surveys, whale watching companies and opportunistic observations) were used to create two presence–‘pseudo-absence’ predictive generalized additive models (GAM), where presence data were defined as sightings of killer whales and ‘pseudo-absence’ data as sightings of other cetacean species. One model was created using spring data when killer whales’ main prey, Atlantic bluefin tuna, enter the Mediterranean Sea, and the other model used summer data when Atlantic bluefin tuna return to the Atlantic Ocean. Both model predictions show that killer whales are highly associated with a probable distribution of bluefin tuna during their migration throughout the study area, constraining their distribution to the Gulf of Cadiz in spring and the Strait of Gibraltar in spring and summer. Knowledge of the distribution of killer whales in the study area is essential to establish conservation measures for this population. It is available from publisher website ( http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=9016084) or by request to this email. Kind Regards Ruth Esteban. -- *Ruth Esteban* *CIRCE (Conservation Information and Research on Cetaceans)* *C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3* *C.P. Pelayo-Algeciras (Cadiz) Spain* *+34675837508* ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
