Marine Mammal Expertise
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mammalexpertise.bsky.social
Marine Mammal Expertise
@mammalexpertise.bsky.social
Marine Mammal Expertise (MME) is an experienced private research center dedicated in studying the ecology and behaviour of marine mammals and other marine predators to enhance their conservation.
https://www.mammalexpertise.com/
Two weeks ago, the founder of MME flew from Belgium to USA, to train new students and staff at DISL. We had a great time on the boat, teaching photo-ID and data collection while developing a protocol for a new PhD project. Was great to be back in the field and meet with the new team. See you soon 🐬
April 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Marine Mammal Expertise
Meanwhile, in the world of #whales -
Steps taken to reduce the likelihood of shipping killing individual Gulf of Mexico whales (Balaenoptera ricei) have been rescinded

~50 or so is the best estimate of the abundance of this species
🐳🌍🦑
Endangered Rice's Whale At Risk As Protection Efforts Are Rescinded
After BOEM rescinded its protection efforts aimed at slowing ship traffic, there is little to save the whale from extinction.
www.thetravel.com
February 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Marine Mammal Expertise
Another piece, this time in @gizmodo.com by @adamjkovac.bsky.social on rescinding the protections for the #GulfofMexico whale.

Comment: Balaenoptera ricei is also the Gulf of Mexico whale. What did Dale Rice do to deserve the opprobrium of his name being tied to a whale that'll go extinct?
🐳🌍🦑
Trump Just Made Life More Dangerous for One of the Rarest Whales on Earth
There may be fewer than 100 Rice's whales left in the Gulf of Mexico, but the Department of the Interior doesn't believe that should stop ships from traveling as fast as they choose.
gizmodo.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Marine Mammal Expertise
Celebrating #InternationalPolarBearDay. The Southern Labrador Pack Ice Whelping Area Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) has habitat for polar bears, harp & hooded seals & is one of 43 IMMAs IDed in NW Atlantic & Wider Caribbean. www.marinemammalhabitat.org/factsheets/s... @erichhoyt.bsky.social
February 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
⚡️ New paper alert ⚡️ Check this out! After hundreds of hours on the boat and over 103,000 dolphin photos taken, we have the first abundance estimate of common bottlenose dolphins in Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay!
Super happy to also make the front cover of the journal. doi.org/10.1002/aqc....
Abundance and Residency Patterns of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Freshwater‐Influenced Estuaries of the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Multiple stressors are affecting common bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico, including two embayments in Alabama, Mobile Bay (MOB) and Perdido Bay (PER), where no comprehensive abundan...
doi.org
February 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Marine Mammal Expertise
Exciting new research into the wonders of the KAIMANA WEST PAPUA IMMA.

Frontiers paper from our colleagues here: www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar...

Read more by logging in to the IMMA e-Atlas on marinemammalhabitat.org

Bg story and photos here: phys.org/news/2025-01...

#dolphins #Indonesia
How lift-net fisheries affect cetacean ecology in Kaimana, Indonesia
Cetaceans—marine mammals that include dolphins, porpoises, and whales—are crucial to coastal ecology. Their presence fosters carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and redistribution, and control of c...
phys.org
January 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Fishing gears pose a deadly threat to marine mammals. Abandoned fishing gear is responsible for countless marine mammal deaths worldwide and is considered one of the most lethal human activities for marine life. Please bring your gear back home after fishing to protect these species.
January 16, 2025 at 8:11 AM
A great interview featuring Brian Quigley from National Marine Mammal Foundation, explaining the importance of photo-ID surveys on dolphins. We were fortunate to collaborate with Brian on our project studying bottlenose dolphins in Alabama (USA) 2 years ago. Have a look!

www.msn.com/en-us/video/...
MSN
www.msn.com
January 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM