[MARMAM] Two new publications on Southern Ocean humpback whale trophic ecology
<mailto:sarah.b...@niwa.co.nz>) if you have any questions. Kind Regards Kylie Dr Kylie Owen Intendent Populationanalys och -övervakning Naturhistoriska riksmuseet Box 50007 | 104 05 Stockholm +46 (0) 761 701 594 [Logotyp för Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet] [Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Forskar, Bevarar och Förklarar, NRM.SE] ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication: the impact of rerouting a major shipping lane through important harbour porpoise habitat
Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share with you our recent publication published in Marine Pollution Bulletin. Kylie Owen, Julia Carlström, Pia Eriksson, Mathias Andersson, Robin Nordström, Emilia Lalander, Signe Sveegaard, Line A. Kyhn, Emily T. Griffiths, Mel Cosentino, Jakob Tougaard (2024) Rerouting of a major shipping lane through important harbour porpoise habitat caused no detectable change in annual occurrence or foraging patterns. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 202: 116294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116294. Abstract Shipping is one of the largest industries globally, with well-known negative impacts on the marine environment. Despite the known negative short-term (minutes to hours) impact of shipping on individual animal behavioural responses, very little is understood about the long-term (months to years) impact on marine species presence and area use. This study took advantage of a planned rerouting of a major shipping lane leading into the Baltic Sea, to investigate the impact on the presence and foraging behaviour of a marine species known to be sensitive to underwater noise, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Passive acoustic monitoring data were collected from 15 stations over two years. Against predictions, no clear change occurred in monthly presence or foraging behaviour of the porpoises, despite the observed changes in noise and vessel traffic. However, long-term heightened noise levels may still impact communication, echolocation, or stress levels of individuals, and needs further investigation. The publication is open access, but please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Kind Regards Dr Kylie Owen Intendent Populationanalys och -övervakning Naturhistoriska riksmuseet Box 50007 | 104 05 Stockholm +46 (0) 761 701 594 [Logotyp för Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet] [Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Forskar, Bevarar och Förklarar, NRM.SE] ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication: harbour porpoise abundance trend and mortality limit calculation
Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share with you our recent publication published in Frontiers in Marine Science. Kylie Owen, Anita Gilles, Matthieu Authier, Julia Carlström, Mathieu Genu, Line Anker Kyhn, Dominik A. Nachtsheim, Nadya C. Ramírez-Martínez, Ursula Siebert, Martin Sköld, Jonas Teilmann, Bianca Unger, Signe Sveegaard. A negative trend in abundance and an exceeded mortality limit call for conservation action for the Vulnerable Belt Sea harbour porpoise population. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2024; 11 DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1289808 Abstract The management and conservation of biodiversity relies on information on both the abundance of species and the potential impact of threats. Globally, one of the largest threats towards marine biodiversity is bycatch in fisheries. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), EU Member States are required to assess the status of species, such as the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), in relation to their abundance and mortality due to bycatch every six years. The Vulnerable (HELCOM) Belt Sea population of harbour porpoise has been surveyed to determine its abundance six times using dedicated aerial or ship-based line-transect distance sampling surveys. Here, we estimated the first trend in population abundance over an 18 year period (2005-2022). Using the most recent abundance estimate, we computed a mortality limit applying the modified Potential Biological Removal (mPBR) method based on the regionally agreed conservation objective to restore or maintain 80% of carrying capacity over 100 years with an 80% probability. Over the past 18 years there has been a strong negative trend (-2.7% p.a.; 95% CI: -4.1%; + 1.3%) in abundance, with a 90.5% probability. The mortality limit was estimated to be 24 animals, which the current bycatch estimates (~900 porpoises/year from the commercial Danish and Swedish set net fishery fleets, with no data from Germany and other fishery types) exceed by far. The frequency and quality of data available on abundance for this population are higher than those available for the majority of marine species. Given the observed population decline and likely unsustainable levels of bycatch, the results presented here provide a strong basis to make informed, evidence-based management decisions for action for this population. Such action is needed urgently, before the dire situation of other porpoise species and populations around the globe is repeated. The publication is open access, but please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Kind Regards Dr Kylie Owen Intendent Populationanalys och -övervakning Naturhistoriska riksmuseet Box 50007 | 104 05 Stockholm +46 (0) 761 701 594 [Logotyp för Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet] [Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Forskar, Bevarar och Förklarar, NRM.SE] ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Buying/loaning CPODS for the SAMBAH II project
Hey everyone, We would like to get in touch with anyone who may have CPODs that they are interested in loaning or selling to our consortium, for use in a large-scale monitoring project. The SAMBAH II project aims to determine the abundance of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise. For this, close to 300 stations over eight countries around the Baltic Sea will be monitored using CPODs, and we are currently short on the number of CPODs required to make this happen. If you have CPODs that you no longer use and would like to sell them or would be willing to loan equipment to the project during 2024/2025, please contact kylie.o...@nrm.se. Thanks for your help Kind Regards Kylie ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication: an increase in the detection rate of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise
Hey everyone, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new article showing an increase in the detection rate of the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise in Swedish waters. Owen K, Sköld M, Carlström J (2021) An increase in detection rates of the critically endangered Baltic Proper harbor porpoise in Swedish waters in recent years. Conservation Science and Practice, e468,https://doi.org/10./csp2.468 Abstract: The Baltic Proper harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is currently listed as critically endangered (CR), with the Static Acoustic Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Harbor Porpoise (SAMBAH) project concluding that only ~500 individuals remain. This population has a distribution that spans the waters of nine countries, making regular abundance estimates and management action challenging. Given the continued decline of other depleted porpoises, namely the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), the question is often raised about whether management action would even have a positive impact, or whether it is too late for population recovery. When abundance estimates are sparse over time, monitoring programs at key sites are likely to serve as the best indication of population trends, and may provide an early indication of changes at the population level. We compared passive acoustic monitoring data from 12 stations that were utilized both in the SAMBAH project (2011–2013) and as a part of the Swedish National Monitoring Program (2017–2020) to determine trends in detection rates. There was a 29% increase in mean daily detection rate during May–October (over the breeding season) between the two study periods. At the three stations with the highest number of detections, log linear regression revealed a yearly increase of 2.4% between 2011 and 2019 (−4.4–9.6, 95% CI). This may be indicative of the beginnings of population recovery, or simply an indication that the decline has stalled. The rate of increase is still well below what is likely to be possible for porpoise populations, and unlikely to buffer against any potential increase in pressures in the future. We therefore call for urgent management action to remove threats and protect this CR population, the only resident cetacean in the Baltic region, in order to give it the best chance of recovery. The article is open access and available here: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./csp2.468 If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch. Kind Regards Kylie Owen ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New article: Natural dimethyl sulfide gradients would lead marine predators to higher prey biomass.
Hey everyone, My co-authors and I pleased to announce our new publication in Nature Communications Biology. We show that following gradients of dimethyl sulfide would lead zooplankton predators (such as many baleen whale species) to higher prey biomass than swimming randomly. Owen K., Saeki K., Warren J.D., Bocconcelli A., Wiley D.N., Ohira S., Bombosch A., Toda K., Zitterbart D. Natural dimethyl sulfide gradients would lead marine predators to higher prey biomass. Commun Biol 4, 149 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01668-3 ABSTRACT Finding prey is essential to survival, with marine predators hypothesised to track chemicals such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) while foraging. Many predators are attracted to artificially released DMS, and laboratory experiments have shown that zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton accelerates DMS release. However, whether natural DMS concentrations are useful for predators and correlated to areas of high prey biomass remains a fundamental knowledge gap. Here, we used concurrent hydroacoustic surveys and in situ DMS measurements to present evidence that zooplankton biomass is spatially correlated to natural DMS concentration in air and seawater. Using agent simulations, we also show that following gradients of DMS would lead zooplankton predators to areas of higher prey biomass than swimming randomly. Further understanding of the conditions and scales over which these gradients occur, and how they are used by predators, is essential to predicting the impact of future changes in the ocean on predator foraging success. If you have any questions about our study, please feel free to get in touch. Kind regards Kylie ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New paper on the influence of the lunar cycle on pilot whales in Hawaii
Dear MARMAM readers, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our latest publication on the impact of lunar and solar light levels on the diving behaviour and habitat usage of short-finned pilot whales around the Hawaiian Islands. Owen K, Andrews RD, Baird RW, Schorr GS, Webster DL (2019) Lunar cycles influence the diving behavior and habitat use of short-finned pilot whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 629: 193-206. Abstract The availability of light, both solar and lunar, is likely to influence the behavior of vertically migrating aquatic animals and their predators. However, the influence of light level on the diving behavior and habitat use of deep-diving cetaceans is not well understood. We used data from 28 depth-transmitting satellite tags deployed on short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus around the main Hawaiian Islands to examine movements and diving behavior in relation to lunar cycles and oceanographic season. During a full moon, dives were deeper (48.1%) and longer (16.7%) than during a new moon. This change appeared to be driven primarily by an increase (25.2%) in the depth of deep dives (>200 m) completed at night and an increase in the proportion of deeper daytime and twilight dives during a full moon. Dives occurred a mean of 18.3 km farther offshore (more than twice as far from shore) during a full moon compared to a new moon. During the oceanographic season with the shortest day length (fall), dives were shallower (25.4%) and shorter (14.2%) than seasons with longer days (summer). This suggests that changes in light level, both solar and lunar, affect the depth of prey targeted by pilot whales, which in turn influences pilot whale diving behavior and distribution. Future research should determine how these changes influence the feeding success and energetics of pilot whales. The article is available here: https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v629/p193-206/ All the best. Kylie ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New paper on baleen whale foraging behaviour in the Antarctic
Dear All, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent paper: Owen K, Jenner KCS, Jenner MNM, McCauley RD, Andrews RD (2018) Water temperature correlates with baleen whale foraging behaviour at multiple scales in the Antarctic. Marine and Freshwater Research doi.org/10.1071/MF17288 Abstract How baleen whales locate prey and how environmental change may influence whale foraging success are not well understood. Baleen whale foraging habitat has largely been described at a population level, yet population responses to change are the result of individual strategies across multiple scales. This study aimed to determine how the foraging behaviour of individual whales varied relative to environmental conditions along their movement path. Biotelemetry devices provided information on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) movement at two spatial scales in East Antarctica, and a mixed modelling approach was used at a medium scale (tens of kilometres) to determine which environmental factors correlated with a change in foraging behaviour. Water temperature was linked to a change in foraging behaviour at both spatial scales. At the medium scale, warmer water was associated with the resident state, commonly assumed to represent periods of foraging behaviour. However, fine-scale analyses suggested that cooler water was associated with a higher feeding rate. Variation in whale foraging behaviour with changes in water temperature adds support to the hypothesis that whales may be able to track environmental conditions to find prey. Future research should investigate this pattern further, given the predicted rise in water temperatures under climate-change scenarios. It is available online here: http://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/MF17288 Kind regards Kylie Owen ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication on potential energy gain by humpback whales outside of the Antarctic
Dear All, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent paper titled "Potential energy gain by whales outside of the Antarctic: prey preferences and consumption rates of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)" published in Polar Biology. Owen K, Kavanagh AS, Warren JD, Noad MJ, Donnelly D, Goldizen AW, Dunlop RA (2016) Potential energy gain by whales outside of the Antarctic: prey preferences and consumption rates of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Polar Biology DOI 10.1007/s00300-016-1951-9 Abstract: The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) makes annual migrations from Antarctic feeding grounds to tropical breeding grounds. The extent to which it feeds during migration is unknown, but thought to be very low. Whether an animal feeds during migration is likely dependent on prey availability and on the ease with which it can capture the available prey. This study used digital tags (DTAGs) and concurrent prey sampling to measure how changes in the depth and type of prey influenced the lunge feeding rates and the amount of energy consumed by migrating humpback whales. Whales targeting krill lunged at significantly higher rates than whales targeting fish; however, the depth of the prey did not influence lunge rate. The observed lunge rates when feeding on krill, to the best of our knowledge, are higher than any previously reported rates of whales feeding. Estimates of the energetic content of the prey ingested revealed that whales may consume between 1.2 and 3.4 times their daily energy requirements per day while feeding on krill during migration, but less when feeding on fish. This suggests that whales may begin to restock energy supplies prior to reaching the Antarctic. Determining how often this high rate of energy intake occurs along the migratory route will assist with understanding the contribution of migratory energy intake to annual energy budgets. It is available online here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-016-1951-9 Kind Regards Kylie Owen Phone: +61 407 325 293 Email: kylie.o...@uqconnect.edu.au ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication: Detecting surface-feeding behavior by rorqual whales in accelerometer data
We are pleased to announce a new publication describing a method to detect surface-feeding behavior by rorqual whales in accelerometer data. Owen, K., Dunlop, R. A., Monty, J. P., Chung, D., Noad, M. J., Donnelly, D., Goldizen, A. W. and Mackenzie, T. (2015) Detecting surface-feeding behavior by rorqual whales in accelerometer data. Marine Mammal Science. doi: 10./mms.12271 Abstract: The movement of marine animals feeding at the sea surface is restricted by wave drag and a reduction in propulsive efficiency. Many rorqual whale species lunge feed at the surface, yet existing methodologies for detecting lunges in accelerometer data have not been applied to surface-feeding behavior. Our study aimed to develop a method to detect surface-feeding behavior in accelerometer data and in doing so, determine whether wave drag influences the detection of surface-feeding behavior. A new acceleration parameter is described that considers the forward acceleration of the animal relative to its pitch. The new parameter, along with information on the deceleration and pitch angle, was then used in an automatic lunge detecting algorithm followed by a visual classification method that detected approximately 70% of the lunges observed during focal follow sampling. The forward acceleration of lunges decreased significantly with increasing proximity to the surface. This lower acceleration at the surface may influence the ability to detect lunge feeding behavior close to the surface. Future research should attempt to determine the cause of this relationship, which may be the influence of changes in the forces acting on the whale or behavioral flexibility by the whale. The article can be accessed here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./mms.12271/abstract Kind Regards Kylie Owen, PhD Alaska SeaLife Center 301 Railway Avenue Seward, Alaska, USA, 99664 Email: kylie.o...@uqconnect.edu.au ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New publication on the most southerly world-wide sightings of pygmy killer whales
Dear readers, We are pleased to announce a new publication on observations of pygmy killer whales in temperate Australian waters which are thought to be the most southerly sightings of this species world-wide. Owen, K., Donnelly, D. (2014) The most southerly worldwide sightings of pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata)?. Marine Biodiversity Records 7: e46 Corresponding author: kylie.o...@uqconnect.edu.au Abstract The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is a rarely sighted cetacean species that is currently believed to be confined to tropical and subtropical waters. This paper presents four sightings off the east coast of Australia that are believed to be the most southerly sightings of pygmy killer whales worldwide (approximately 37.31°S) and extend the range of this species into temperate regions of Australia. Group sizes ranged from 20-70 individuals and on two occasions a second cetacean species was noted in the presence of the pygmy killer whales. All four sightings occurred when water temperatures were particularly warm for the area (21-25.8°C) and demonstrate the potential for changes in the strength of warm water currents to influence species distributions. The article can be accessed at: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=9256930 Kind Regards Kylie and David PhD Candidate Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory School of Veterinary Science University of Queensland Gatton Campus, QLD Australia, 4343 Phone: 0407 325 293 Email: kylie.o...@uqconnect.edu.au ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Australian/New Zealand student chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy conference
We are pleased to announce the dates of our very first Australian/New Zealand student chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy conference! The conference will be held from the 3-5 of July at Phillip Island Nature Park, Victoria. All meals and accommodation will be provided and there is no registration fee. These dates are aligned with the Australian Marine Science Association (AMSA) conference on the Gold coast to allow people to have the opportunity to practice their presentation in a relaxed environment before heading up to AMSA. Spaces are limited, so register quickly to secure your spot. A registration form is available at our website (http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=602Itemid=343) or on our facebook page. At this conference we will also be organising the hand over of the running of the chapter. This involves keeping an eye on the facebook page, organising the occasional city coffee catch up, and helping plan the next student conference with a group of other students. If you are interested please express your interest when registering for the conference (see section on the registration form). We look forward to seeing everyone there. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at anzsc...@gmail.com Kylie, Kate, Krista and Ailbhe Australian/New Zealand Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology
Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology We are pleased to announce the establishment of the 1st Australian student chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. A link to our website can be found on the SMM website. The objective of the chapter is to organise annual conferences where students from all over Australia can come to meet and network. It will give students an opportunity to present and discuss their research in a relaxed environment. Students can also join our facebook group where they can share ideas, start discussions and keep in touch. This year the chapter will be run by students from the Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Queensland (Kylie Owen and Ailbhe Kavanagh) and Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (Kate Sprogis and Krista Nicholson) with the support of Professional Sponsor Dr. Rebecca Dunlop (University of Queensland). We are currently in the process of organising the 1st annual meeting of the SMM Australian student chapter to be held in Queensland in mid-2012. Please check our website for details coming soon. We would be keen to get expressions of interest from anyone who may wish to attend the conference. If you have any questions please contact: - Ailbhe Kavanagh (a.kavana...@uq.edu.au) - Kylie Owen (kylie.o...@uqconnect.edu.au) - Kate Sprogis (k.spro...@murdoch.edu.au) - Krista Nicholson (k.nichol...@murdoch.edu.au) ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
