[MARMAM] New publication submission

[Adelaide Dedden]

Dear MARMAM community,

We are pleased to announce the publication of our new research paper in 
frontiers in Marine Science special edition Whales and Climate, where we found 
variability in feeding patterns of humpback and southern right whales are 
linked to changes in climate.

Dedden AV and Rogers TL (2022) Stable Isotope Oscillations in Whale Baleen Are 
Linked to Climate Cycles, Which May Reflect Changes in Feeding for Humpback and 
Southern Right Whales in the Southern Hemisphere. Front. Mar. Sci. 9:832075. 
doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.832075

Abstract:
Baleen whales that undertake extensive long-distance migrations away from 
reliable food sources must depend on body reserves acquired prior to migration. 
Prey abundance fluctuates, which has been linked in some regions with climate 
cycles. However, where historically these cycles have been predictable, due to 
climate change they are occurring at higher frequencies and intensities. We 
tested if there were links between variability in whale feeding patterns and 
changes in climate cycles including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), 
Southern Annular Mode (SAM), and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). To reconstruct 
feeding patterns we used the values of bulk stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) 
and carbon (δ13C) assimilated within the baleen plates of 18 humpback and 4 
southern right whales between 1963 and 2019, then matched them with climate 
anomalies from the time in which the section of baleen grew. We show that 
variability in stable isotope values within baleen for both humpback and 
southern right whales is linked with shifts in climate cycles and may imply 
changes in feeding patterns due to resource availability. However, these 
relationships differed depending on the oceanic region in which the whales 
feed. In the western Pacific, Southern Ocean feeding humpback whales had 
elevated nitrogen and carbon stable isotope values during La Niña and positive 
SAM phases when lagged 4 years, potentially reflecting reduced feeding 
opportunities. On the other hand, in the Indian Ocean the opposite occurs, 
where lower nitrogen and carbon stable isotope values were found during 
positive SAM phases at 2–4-year lag periods for both Southern Ocean feeding 
humpback and southern right whales, which may indicate improved feeding 
opportunities. Identifying links between stable isotope values and changes in 
climate cycles may contribute to our understanding of how complex oscillation 
patterns in baleen are formed. As projections of future climate scenarios 
emphasise there will be greater variability in climate cycles and thus the 
primary food source of baleen whales, we can then use these links to 
investigate how long-term feeding patterns may change in the future.

Open access paper available at:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.832075/full

Media:
https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/marine-life/baleen-whales-isotopes/


All the best,
Adelaide Dedden

PhD Candidate
Mammal lab | Centre for Marine Science and Innovation
Evolution & Ecology Research Centre
Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
UNSW SYDNEY NSW | 2052 | Australia
E: a.ded...@unsw.edu.au
Twitter: @AdelaideDedden
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[MARMAM] Job Announcement: Analytical Chemist for Killer Whale Project

[Amy Whitt]

*Analytical Chemist*

Azura is looking for an experienced analytical chemist to support the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northwest Fisheries Science Center
(NWFSC). This position is dependent on Azura being awarded a contract for
the project “Non-invasive Diet Characterization of Southern Resident Killer
Whales”. The objective of this project is to determine recent and long-term
feeding habits of Southern Resident killer whales.

Work is anticipated to be conducted full-time for a one-year period. Work
will be conducted at the NWFSC in Seattle, Washington during the normal
operating hours of the facility. Anticipated tasks are listed below.

   - Conduct bulk and compound specific stable isotope analyses of killer
   whale and prey tissues to develop mathematical relationships of isotopic
   fractionation, quantify turnover time, and characterize recent and
   long-term patterns of diet composition and trophic position of Southern
   Resident killer whales
   - Prepare, analyze, and archive tissue samples
   - Process tissues and standards for isotope analysis and ensure proper
   storage of samples
   - Maintain and organize lab equipment
   - Maintain safe chemical hygiene practices and adhere to laboratory safe
   practices

*Required Qualifications*

   - Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry or closely related field of study
   from an accredited college or university
   - A minimum of 2 years of analytical chemistry experience
   - Expertise with stable isotope analysis, especially compound specific
   stable isotope analysis
   - Expertise in one or more of the following areas: isotope-ratio mass
   spectrometry, coding in R, application of mixing models
   - Demonstrated experience working with large data sets
   - A documented product such as authorship of a peer-reviewed publication
   and/or report
   - Demonstrated ability to give public presentations (e.g., oral and/or
   poster presentations at conferences)

*Preferred Qualifications*

   - At least 1 year of experience using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry
   for stable isotope analyses
   - At least 1 year of experience using R statistical software

In compliance with federal law, all applicants must be able to prove that
they are legally able to work in the United States and pass a
security/background check.

Azura Consulting LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by
applicable federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified
persons to apply for this position.

If you are interested in this position and have all of the required
qualifications listed above, please send your resume and cover letter to
a...@azuraco.com. In your resume, please describe how you meet all of the
required qualifications and list contact information for three references
who can attest to your previous work experience. In your cover letter,
please describe why you would be a good fit for this position.

~
Azura Consulting LLC is an economically disadvantaged woman-owned small
business specializing in marine mammal conservation, management, and
research.
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[MARMAM] Call for applications for the graduate summer school “Acoustic Communication”, August 6-19, 2022 in Denmark

[Peter Teglberg Madsen]

Call for applications for the graduate summer school “Acoustic Communication”, 
August 6-19, 2022



Graduate course arranged by graduate school SNAK, University of Southern 
Denmark, Odense, Denmark



Application deadline April 15th, 2022

The course focuses on methods and techniques for studying animal sound 
communication in air (infra-, ultra- and sonic ranges), in water, and in solids 
(vibrations). It includes lectures, practicals, and excursions with time for 
discussion and student presentations. Introductory lectures aim at giving an 
overview of the subject of acoustic communication followed by special lectures 
on the fundamentals of acoustics, signal analysis, psychoacoustics, animal 
sound production, and noise. Practicals aim at giving the students hands-on 
experience of sound and vibration recording, sound analysis, and playback in 
air and water with emphasis on methodological limitations and pitfalls. MatLab 
will be used throughout the course but prior experience is not required. The 
applicants will be evaluated through group presentations of practicals.



Time: August 6-19, 2022



Location: The marine and terrestrial field stations of the Department of 
Biology, University of Southern Denmark. The stations are located in the town 
of Kerteminde (marine) on the east coast of Funen and in the south of the 
island Funen (terrestrial), respectively.



Teachers: Resident experts and invited experts from abroad.

Resident experts: Peter Teglberg Madsen, Mark Johnson, Jakob Tougaard (AU, DK) 
Magnus Wahlberg, Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard, Coen P.H. Elemans, Lasse 
Jakobsen, Ole Næsbye Larsen, Iris Adam (SDU, DK)



Participants: Strict priority is given to students enrolled in a PhD-program at 
their home universities. MSc-students and post-docs may attend if space 
permits. The maximal number of participants is 24.



Fees: DKK 10,000 (approximately USD 1,400 and EUR 1,400) to cover tuition, 
transport during course, accommodation, and all meals.



Language: English



ECTS points: 10



Application procedure: To apply, please send the following documents in PDF 
format:

• Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), indicating level of English language 
proficiency.

• A statement of your reasons for wishing to attend the course and your 
potential benefits of participation including a description of your research 
interests, the title of your PhD-project (or MSc-project), and name(s) of your 
supervisor(s) (max. 1 page).



The application should be emailed to bioacoust...@biology.sdu.dk by April 15th. 
The 24 successful applicants will be notified of acceptance before May 1st.

Course directors: Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard & Lasse Jakobsen, Department of 
Biology, University of Southern Denmark. j...@biology.sdu.dk 
la...@biology.sdu.dk
Course webpage: 
https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/sound-communication-behaviour/education/graduate-course-bioacoustics
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[MARMAM] News about the Aquatic Noise Conference

[Frank Thomsen]

Dear friends and colleagues of AN2022,
The 6th International Conference on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life 
(marine mammals, fish and invertebrates) will be held IN PERSON from July 10 to 
July 15 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
Of course, we are monitoring the situation for COVID and in the Ukraine, and 
appropriate adjustments will be made as directed by the authorities. Backup 
plans are in place if restrictions make it impossible to meet, including 
adjustment of registration fees.
We have had great interest in submission of papers to AN2022. That bodes well 
for the meeting. However, several colleagues have requested an extension for 
submission of abstracts. Therefore, we are extending our final deadline until 
April 15, 2022. We cannot accept any contributions after that date.

Best regards,
AN2022 Organising Committee:
Frank Thomsen, Chairman (f...@dhigroup.com)
Arthur Popper
Anthony Hawkins
Joseph Sisneros
Paul Lepper
Amy Scholik-Schlomer




































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