NMFS Proposes to List Taiwanese Humpack Dolphin as Endangered Under ESA

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act for the Taiwanese humpack dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) in response to a petition from Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and WildEarth Guardians to list the species. Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the draft status review report (Whittaker and Young, 2017), and taking into consideration insufficient efforts being made to protect the species, NMFS has determined that the Taiwanese humpback dolphin has a high risk of extinction throughout its range and warrants listing as an endangered species.

FWS Publishes Draft Polar Bear Stock Assessments

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for each of the two polar bear (Ursus maritimus) stocks in Alaska: The Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear stock and the Chukchi/Bering Seas polar bear stock. These two draft stock assessment reports are available for public review and comment. Click here for more details and relevant links.

4th International Conference and Exhibition on Underwater Acoustics

The International Association of Geophysical Contractors posted the following notice on its website:

“The 4th International Conference and Exhibition on Underwater Acoustics (UACE2017) is to be held during the days 3rd through 8th of September 2017 on the Greek Island of Skiathos (http://www.uaconferences.org). The conference will contain a structured session titled:
“Acoustics of marine renewable energy developments”

This session is being arranged by Philippe Blondel (University of Bath), Paul Lepper (Loughborough University), and Stephen Robinson (NPL).

We are writing to invite you and your organisation to present a paper at this session.
Topics of interest can include, but are not limited to:

  • Offshore wind, wave and tidal stream renewable energy developments

International Marine Conservation Congress

The Society for Marine Mammology published the following notice:

“5th International Marine Conservation Congress

24 June – 29 June 2018

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (KCH)

“Making Marine Science Matter”

The Society for Conservation Biology’s Marine Section (SCB Marine) invites you to attend the 5th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC5), which will be held June 24 – 29 2018 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (Airport code: KCH).