[MARMAM] New publication: Biologically Important Areas II - Hawaiʻi Region

[Michaela Kratofil]

Dear colleagues,
My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication: “Biologically 
Important Areas II for cetaceans within U.S. and adjacent waters – Hawaiʻi 
Region” in Frontiers in Marine Science, part of a nation-wide initiative led by 
NOAA that builds upon the 2015 effort.

Kratofil, M.A, Harnish, A.E., Mahaffy, S.D., Henderson, E.E., Bradford, A.L., 
Martin, S.W., Lagerquist, B.A., Palacios, D.M., Oleson, E.M., Baird, R.W.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1053581


Link to paper: 
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1053581/full


Abstract: In this assessment we incorporated published and unpublished 
information to delineate and score Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for 
cetaceans in the Hawaiʻi region following standardized criteria. Twenty-six 
cetacean species have been documented in Hawaiʻi. Eleven odontocete species 
have distinct small populations resident to one or more island areas: 
rough-toothed dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, common bottlenose 
dolphins, spinner dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales, 
pygmy killer whales, melon-headed whales, Blainville’s beaked whales, Cuvier’s 
beaked whales, and dwarf sperm whales. Eight species of mysticetes have been 
documented, although their occurrence and behavior are poorly understood, with 
the exception of breeding humpback whales and, more recently, common minke 
whales. Thirty-five BIAs were delineated or revised from the initial 2015 
effort: 33 for small and resident odontocete populations and two for humpback 
whale reproductive areas. Hierarchical BIAs reflecting core areas of use or 
population-specific ranges were delineated for nine species. Reproductive watch 
list areas were designated for common minke whales in the main Hawaiian Islands 
(MHI) and humpback whales in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI); these 
areas did not meet the criteria for a BIA due to limited supporting 
information. All but three BIAs were in the MHI, reflecting the disparities in 
research effort between this region and the NWHI. Spatial extents of BIA 
boundaries ranged from 457 km2 to 138,001 km2 (median = 8,299 km2). Scores 
(range: 1-3) for Data Support and Boundary Certainty were moderate to high 
(mean = 2.40 and 2.43, respectively), while Intensity and Importance scores 
were slightly lower (mean = 1.94 and 1.89, respectively). Many of the Hawaiʻi 
species have been extensively studied over several decades; accordingly, this 
region ranks among the highest in terms of Data Support relative to other 
regions. BIAs presented here describe known ranges of small resident 
populations, intensities of use, and uncertainties in important areas for 
cetaceans in Hawaiʻi based on the best available data, and have also revealed 
knowledge gaps to guide future research efforts.

Best,

Michaela Kratofil
Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective
PhD Student, Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] New publication on beaked and sperm whale nomenclature published online

[Thomas Jefferson]

Dear MARMAM,My co-authors and I are very pleased to report the publication 
ofNomenclature of the Larger Toothed Whales (Odontocetes): A Historical Review, 
in Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology,no. 655. The official date of issue is: 
Wednesday, 25 January 2023.    The Smithsonian’s online publishing 
portal/archive on Figshare.com now features the monograph. This site allows 
visitors to access and download the searchable PDF at no cost. Here is the 
official digital object identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.5479/si.21954029 
And here is the direct link, if needed:  
https://smithsonian.figshare.com/articles/book/Nomenclature_of_the_Larger_Toothed_Whales_Odontocetes_A_Historical_Review/21954029
   Thanks, and we hope that you find this monograph useful.Best wishes,Thomas 
A. Jefferson, ph.d.sclym...@aol.com
___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam

[MARMAM] Florida Wildlife Job Opportunity

[Pasawicz, Michelle]

Greetings everyone,

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking a 
full-time Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV to aid the Imperiled 
Species Management Section with project-specific manatee conservation efforts. 
This management position is responsible for the coordinating with federal and 
county partners during periodic reviews of existing County-wide Manatee 
Protection Plans (MPPs) and the development of new Manatee Protection Plans. 
This position will assist with coordinating manatee management data collection 
efforts, analyses of available data for implementation of MPPs and setting up 
state-wide MPP coordination meetings with county representatives. 
Responsibilities will also include oversight of the Section's Water-Control 
Structure and Navigational Locks program to reduce manatee deaths due to the 
operation of these structures. Coordination with agency representatives during 
manatee incident reviews as necessary and organizing the annual meeting of the 
Interagency Water-Control Structure Working Group will be duties of this 
position.

Please follow this link to the job posting to learn more about this opportunity:

https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-FISHERIES-&-WILDLIFE-BIO-SCIENTIST-IV-77070379-FL-32311/983181700/

Sincerely,



Michelle R. Pasawicz
Manatee Management Program Coordinator
Imperiled Species Management Section
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission

620 South Meridian Street - 6A
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 922-4330
michelle.pasaw...@myfwc.com

___
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam