1. Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds at basin and monthly scales are needed for conservation and marine management. These are usually created from standardized and systematic aerial and vessel surveys, with recorded animal densities interpolated across study areas. However, distribution maps at basin and monthly scales have previously not been possible because individual surveys have restricted spatial and temporal coverage.2. This study develops an alternative approach consisting of: (a) collating diverse survey data to maximize spatial and temporal coverage, (b) using detection functions to estimate variation in the surface area covered (km 2 ) among these surveys, 254 | Journal of Applied Ecology WAGGITT eT Al. Synthesis and applications.This study provides the largest ever collation and standardization of diverse survey data for cetaceans and seabirds, and the most comprehensive distribution maps of these taxa in the North-East Atlantic. These distribution maps have numerous applications including the identification of important areas needing protection, and the quantification of overlap between vulnerable species and anthropogenic activities. This study demonstrates how the analysis of existing and diverse survey data can meet conservation and marine management needs.

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As part of their social sound repertoire, migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) perform a large variety of surface‐active behaviors, such as breaching and repetitive slapping of the pectoral fins and tail flukes; however, little is known about what factors influence these behaviors and what their functions might be. We investigated the potential functions of surface‐active behaviors in humpback whale groups by examining the social and environmental contexts in which they occurred. Focal observations on 94 different groups of whales were collected in conjunction with continuous acoustic monitoring, and data on the social and environmental context of each group. We propose that breaching may play a role in communication between distant groups as the probability of observing this behavior decreased significantly when the nearest whale group was within 4,000 m compared to beyond 4,000 m. Involvement in group interactions, such as the splitting of a group or a group joining with other whales, was an important factor in predicting the occurrence of pectoral, fluke, and peduncle slapping, and we suggest that they play a role in close‐range or within‐group communication. This study highlights the potentially important and diverse roles of surface‐active behaviors in the communication of migrating humpback whales.

Although the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) is relatively common in coastal waters of the Republic of Ireland, it remains largely unstudied. Issues including potential interactions with coastal fisheries and the occurrence of phocine distemper virus outbreaks in 1988 and 2002 have highlighted the need to increase our knowledge of the ecology of these animals. The diet of harbour seals was investigated using a combination of approaches: hard-part analysis of scat contents and fatty-acid analysis. A total of 102 scat and 13 blubber samples were collected from two locations in Ireland and were analysed following standard methodologies. Results from scat analysis indicate that the seals are opportunistic, generalist feeders, and probably consume prey in relation to its availability. Eighteen prey species were identified, with sandeels (Ammodytidae spp.) constituting 55% of the prey items by number. Biomass of prey was reconstructed using otolith-length regression equations, with and without the application of digestion correction factors and sole (Solea solea) (16.1%), sandeels (15.2%), andTrisopterusspecies (12.4%) were found to be the most important species by weight. Rarefraction curves were used to determine prey species diversity on a sample site basis and we used accumulation curves to ascertain whether sampling was sufficient on a site basis. Sixty-four fatty acids were isolated from the blubber and analysis of the fatty-acid profiles revealed the possible influence of season, seal weight and sex on the seals' long-term diet. Some of the prey species recorded in the diet overlap with commercially and recreationally caught fish species in Ireland; however, there was little overlap with marketed size-ranges.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal and while on a broad‐scale this journey appears direct, on a fine‐scale, behaviors associated with socializing and breeding are regularly observed. However, little is known about which social and environmental factors influence behavior during this time. Here we examined the effect of multiple factors on the movement (speed and course) and diving behavior (dive and surfacing duration) of humpback whales during migration off the eastern coast of Australia. Focal data (202 h) were collected on 94 different whale groups with simultaneous social and environmental context data. The environmental factors water depth and wind speed were found to be important predictors of dive and movement behavior, whereas social factors were less influential at this site. Groups tended to dive for longer with increased water depth but traveled more slowly in increasing wind speeds. These baseline studies are crucial when examining the effect of anthropogenic disturbance. Determining which natural factors significantly affect behavior ensures any observed behavioral changes are correctly attributed to the disturbance and are not a result of other factors. In addition, any responses observed can be put into biological context and their relative magnitude determined.