Tegan Carpenter-Kling (Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and colleagues have published open access in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology on bringing together biologging and stable isotope approaches to foraging ecology studies.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Biologging technologies have revolutionised our understanding of the foraging ecology and life history traits of marine predators, allowing for high resolution information about location, and in some cases, foraging behaviour of wild animals. At the same time, stable isotope ecologists have independently developed methods to infer location and foraging ecology (trophic geography). To date, relatively few studies have combined these two approaches, despite the potential wealth of complementary information.

In marine systems, spatial and trophic information are coded in the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in animal tissues, but interpretation of isotope values is limited by both the lack of reference maps (isoscapes) needed to relate the isotopic composition of an animal's tissues to a location, and the relatively large number of variables that could influence tissue isotope compositions. Simulation modelling can help to interpret measured tissue isotope compositions of migratory animals in the context of spatio-temporally dynamic isotopic baselines.

Here, we couple individual-based movement models with global marine isotope models to explore the sensitivity of tissue δ13C values to a range of extrinsic (environmental) and intrinsic (behavioural, physiological) drivers. We use in-silico experiments to simulate isotopic compositions expected for birds exhibiting different movement and foraging behaviours and compare these simulated data to isotopic data recovered from biologger-equipped female northern giant petrels Macronectes halli incubating eggs on sub-Antarctic Marion Island.

Our simulations suggest that in the studied system, time is a strong driver of isotopic variance. Accordingly, this implies that caution should be used when comparing δ13C values of marine predators' tissues between seasons and years.

We show how an in-silico experimental approach can be used to explore the sensitivity of animal tissue isotopic compositions to complex and often interacting drivers. Appreciation of the principle drivers behind isotopic variance specific to a given animal and geographic context can enhance inferences of geolocation as well as foraging behaviour, and can be applied to any mobile predator. Models can be relatively simple or complex and multi-layered depending on the level of ecological realism required. Future investigations can use other isoscapes, including terrestrial isoscapes and more complex or different movement models.”

Scavenging Northern Giant Petrel on Marion Island, photograph by Marienne de Villiers

Reference:

Carpenter-Kling, T., Pistorius, P., Connan, M., Reisinger, R. Magozzi, S. & Trueman, C. 2019.  Sensitivity of δ13 values of seabird tissues to combined spatial, temporal and ecological drivers: A simulation approach.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 512: 12-21.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 January 2019

Amanda Kuepfer (Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department) and colleagues have produced the fourth version of the National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Trawl Fisheries for the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*.  Previous versions were produced in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

The Report’s Executive Summary follows:

“Globally, there is a strong resolution to reduce the incidental mortality of seabirds associated with fishing activities.  The commitment of the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) to addressing the issue is reflected in fisheries policy and licence conditions, and the development and implementation of a National Plan of Action for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds (NPOA-S). To this extent, the Falkland Islands fishing Industry has been working pro-actively and collaboratively with the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIFD), with individual companies having invested considerably to assist the research and development of improved mitigation measures.

Whilst the Falkland Islands fishery has been playing a leading role in seabird-bycatch mitigation globally, the Islands’ trawl fleet continues to incur incidental catches of seabirds. In line with obligations related to local and international policies, laws and conventions, a precautionary approach to management is warranted, in order to improve the conservation status of vulnerable populations, and to buffer the seabird populations against future environmental changes.

The Falkland Islands National Plan of Action for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in trawlers (FI NPOA-S-T)-2019 outlines a four-year strategy with the overall objective to reduce or, if practicably possible, eliminate the mortality of seabirds resulting incidentally from trawling activities, and to help achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status of Falkland Islands breeding seabirds.

In order to deliver the overall aim of the FI NPOA-S-T-2019, a suit of objectives have [sic] been developed.  Following FAO guidelines and previous versions of the FI NPOA-S-T, the objectives will encompass the following interconnected components: (i) observer programmes / coverage; (ii) research, development and implementation of mitigation measures; (iii) bycatch reduction objectives, and (iv) education, training and outreach.

The overall accountability for achieving the objectives of the FI NPOA-S-T-2019 lies with the FIG through the FIFD. However, this does not mean that all components of the Plan need to be carried out by the FIFD.  The Falkland Islands Seabird Bycatch Advisory Committee (SBC) has the task to regularly evaluate and review progress made, identify any gaps in performance, and provide annual work priorities in an adaptive manner.  The SBC is composed of representatives from FIG, Industry, Falklands Conservation (FC) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) Coordinator for the UK Overseas Territories (Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)).

In adopting the FI NPOA-S-T-2019, the Falkland Islands will ensure compliance with domestic and international polices and conventions and will continue to build on its reputation for responsible and sustainable management of its fishery.”

With thanks to Amanda Kuepfer.

Reference:

Kuepfer, A., Crofts, S., Tierney, M., Blake, D. &, Goyot, L. 2018.  Falkland Islands National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Trawl Fisheries, 2019 (FI NPOA-S-T-2019). Stanley: Fisheries Department, Directorate of Natural Resources, Falkland Islands Government.  42 pp.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 January 2019

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

ACAP Latest News has reported more than once on the translocation of eggs of the Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis (Near Threatened) from the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands (PFMR) on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, that has been conducted over the last 12 breeding seasons. The eggs are removed as part of an effort to halt recruitment to the locality to reduce the chances of bird strikes with aeroplanes (click here).

In the current 2018/2019 season, PMRF natural resources workers and partners have recorded about 65 occupied nests, down from a high of c. 80 over the last 15 years.  So far this season 67 eggs have been collected.  Of these, 27 fertile eggs were taken to Oahu to replace infertile eggs in the Laysan Albatross population within the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, following 21 eggs translocated to that colony for the same purpose in the previous season (click here).

A further 16 eggs were placed with foster parents that had infertile eggs within fenced private properties along Kauai’s North Shore (click here).  Three eggs are being kept in a PMRF incubator awaiting an opportunity for translocation.  The remaining 21 PMRF eggs were found to be infertile following candling.

In addition three adult birds were captured within the PMRF and relocated to the North Shore the same day.

A Kauai Laysan Albatross gets a fertile egg, photograph by Hob Osterlund

Read more here.

Partners in the project include PMRF Natural Resources, Pacific Rim Conservation, Kauai Albatross Network, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 January 2019

A Postdoctoral Associate is required to work on an NSF-funded study by the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University in New York, USA on albatross foraging energetics in relation to wind variability.

Grey-headed Albatross, photograph by Kirk Zufelt

Brief Description of Duties

The Senior Postdoctoral Associate will examine how oceanographic and atmospheric variability affect foraging habitat and energetics of albatrosses in the Southern Ocean.  Analyses will focus on albatross tracking, accelerometry data and satellite environmental data.  The incumbent will conduct field studies at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research station at Bird Island, South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur*) in collaboration with scientists at BAS, and will prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and will present at scientific conferences.  A strong candidate will have excellent written communication skills as demonstrated by prior peer-reviewed publications.  The selected candidate will need previous experience working at remote field sites.

The anticipated start is in summer** of 2019 and the position is open for applications until 9 February.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in biology, ecology, marine science or a related field.  Three years of experience in biology, ecology, marine science or related field.  Experience with advanced statistics.  Experience programming in R, Matlab or other statistical languages.  Experience handling and working with seabirds.  Current bird-banding license or the ability to obtain one within one year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with the following: animal movement data, accelerometry data and satellite data. Two or more years of experience using advanced statistics.  Excellence in the field as demonstrated by relevant publications.  Prior experience writing proposals to attain external funding.

Further information can be found here.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 January 2019

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

**Assumed Boreal summer