Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Post

Perth – the hub of the world’s oceans this week 🐳 Professor Simon Goldsworthy, SARDI Program lead Marine Ecosystems and President of the global Society for Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) has welcomed 1500 delegates from 80 countries to the SSM global conference in Perth. Much like a canary in a coalmine, marine mammals (think sea lions, whales, dolphins…) are bellwether species… key indicators of complex environmental threats currently facing our oceans. Over an action-packed week, delegates will unpack these threats, alongside western science research and innovation and Traditional Ecological Knowledges. In an Australian first, the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals takes place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 11-15th November 2024. Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/wnqq50U4MLr #SMM2024 #fishing4change #PerthSMM2024 #MarineMammalScience #Conservation #Sustainability

We are about halfway through the Society for Marine Mammalogy #smm24 scientific programme here in Perth, Australia. On a personal level so far, the event has been a nourishing experience of connecting with new colleagues and reconnecting with old friends. It has also been a fantastic stage for engaging in round table discussions and participation in key workshop topics that will shape the future of renewable energy development in Australia. I have become aware of the cultural significance and importance of the First Nation aboriginal heritage and their symbiotic relationship with dolphin and whale kin, their connecting to land, and sea in this part of the world and how vital it is that their identities, lineage and histories are respected. I still have much to learn of this, but thank them for allowing me to embrace this experience with them. I have been in awe of the lifetime work of plenary speakers at this years meeting, and feel honoured to be part of a community that can collectively stand on the shoulders of these giants. In short: The complex multi-level male alliance system in indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins discovered in Shark Bay from 40 years of research highlights that if we lose a population we would never know the extent of what we have lost. It is crucial that adequate support is provideed to extend such studies in other areas. We must also offer the support and positivity in protection of New Zealand’s north island Maui’s dolphhins in the hope that the framework for their recovery can be strengthened in the face of their extinction. Dugongs across the Northern Territory of Australia and in other developed and poor countries of the world face unprecedented threat from artisanal fisheries and the challenges in enforcing their protection-fishing for change. There are many discussions ahead for Australian renewable industry but lessons learned must be communicated and consulted with all stakeholders at an early stage to find the appropriate solutions that will enable transition to clean energy while ensuring the correct assessment to protect and safeguard the living resources that are so connected to the land and its peoples. Looking forward to more enlightening talks and conversations over the next days.

Exciting News for Marine Conservation! Three new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), including the Azores Archipelago, have been defined. IMMAs are essential for guiding management actions to protect marine life, helping ensure the safety of critical habitats. 📢 The brochures for these new areas are now available: 🔗 Shetland and Fair Isle IMMA https://lnkd.in/exGUjH8X 🔗 Baltic Ringed Seal Area IMMA https://lnkd.in/eqCW8_Vg 🔗 Azores Archipelago IMMA https://lnkd.in/eg6sChkp These areas are now live on the IMMA e-Atlas, where you can find detailed information to support marine conservation efforts. https://lnkd.in/dfj6WZeW Why is this important for OCEAN? 🌍 IMMAs are crucial for marine mammal protection, and the tools being developed by OCEAN will help navigate these sensitive areas safely. #MarineConservation #SustainableNavigation #OCEAN

🔍 Fascinating Discovery in Wildlife Science! 🐆 Did you know that leopards can now be identified through their unique vocalizations? A groundbreaking study has revealed how these majestic creatures communicate in distinct ways, offering new insights into their behavior and conservation. 🌿 This innovation could revolutionize monitoring efforts and help preserve leopard populations worldwide. 📖 Learn more about this intriguing discovery and how science continues to unlock the mysteries of the natural world. #WildlifeConservation #LifeScience #LeopardResearch #InnovationInScience

Unveiling the Secrets of the Enigmatic African Civet 🐾 The African Civet is a remarkable nocturnal mammal found in the diverse landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa. With its distinctive black-and-white spotted coat, elongated body, and musk-producing glands, this elusive creature is a true icon of the African wilderness. As an omnivorous scavenger, the African Civet plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of its ecosystem. Its versatile diet, which includes insects, small mammals, fruits, and carrion, showcases its adaptability and importance in the food chain. Despite its widespread distribution, the African Civet remains relatively understudied. Its secretive nature and solitary behavior make it a challenging subject for researchers, but understanding this species is crucial for effective conservation efforts. Explore the fascinating world of the African Civet and discover how this spotted predator contributes to the rich biodiversity of its native habitats. Stay tuned for more captivating insights into this enigmatic mammal! https://lnkd.in/gjVGeMxA #AfricanCivet #NocturnalMammal #EcologicalRole #AnimalEnigmas

The Common bottlenose dolphin is a species that is of high interest to me. Besides the research I've participated in with the University of North Florida (UNF), I've also gained much of the information I know through marine mammal courses at UNF and personal reading outside of the university. As I was creating the infographic below, I realized that I will only be able to highlight a small fraction of the very interesting information that this species has offered us. Ranging from population dynamics, mating strategies to captivity tolerance, there is such a wide range of topics that important to be knowledgeable of in order to best care for this species.

🐋The North Atlantic right whale population increased slightly in the past year, according to a report released today by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The Consortium estimates that there are 372 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet, with 12 calves born, up from last year's estimate of 340 individuals. Although this is heartening news, scientists emphasize that the critically-endangered species still faces significant threats from human activities. Chronic entanglement and ship strikes continue to be the leading causes of marine mammal injury and death. 📲Find out how scientists, government and industry are working together in a quest for solutions from Inside Climate News : go.whoi.edu/narw-2024 📹 A North Atlantic right whale calf swims with its mother, Spindle, in Cape Cod Bay. Footage courtesy of Michael Moore and Carolyn Miller © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Taken under NOAA NMFS permit 21371 with New England Aquarium, Whale & Dolphin Conservation + IFAW

🐋The North Atlantic right whale population increased slightly in the past year, according to a report released today by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The Consortium estimates that there are 372 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet, with 12 calves born, up from last year's estimate of 340 individuals. Although this is heartening news, scientists emphasize that the critically-endangered species still faces significant threats from human activities. Chronic entanglement and ship strikes continue to be the leading causes of marine mammal injury and death. 📲Find out how scientists, government and industry are working together in a quest for solutions from Inside Climate News : go.whoi.edu/narw-2024 📹 A North Atlantic right whale calf swims with its mother, Spindle, in Cape Cod Bay. Footage courtesy of Michael Moore and Carolyn Miller © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Taken under NOAA NMFS permit 21371 with New England Aquarium, Whale & Dolphin Conservation + IFAW

ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have recently released data on the #bycatch of various endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species of marine mammals, #seabirds, #turtles, and #sharks, skates, and rays found in #European waters. The annually-produced report also highlights which species seem to be experiencing the highest rates of bycatch and in which areas. For example, common dolphins are most often being accidentally caught by set gillnets and trammel nets in the Bay of Biscay and off the Iberian coast. Read the ICES advice in full here: https://lnkd.in/e8nvwiTc

Conservation via environmental protections is essential, but reducing ship traffic is key. For the US, that means modifying domestic trade policy to drastically reduce the shipment of raw materials to, and importing finished goods from, China and other SE Asian countries.