Sarah N. de Mendonça

PhD Candidate

Current Research

The deep-sea (>200 m) provides many services (e.g. provisioning, regulating, and cultural), but is vulnerable to increasing anthropogenic impacts. These ecosystems are difficult to sample, and we have a limited understanding of their ecology to support effective monitoring and conservation. Therefore, my research objective is to understand where and why epibenthic megafaunal species (such as sea pen corals and echinoderms) are located, elucidating their spatial patterns and generating much needed baseline data.

I collected species data using the remotely operated vehicle ROPOS and a drop camera system (Campod) in the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area, on the Northwest Atlantic continental slope. I also obtained trawl survey data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. I will use an interdisciplinary approach to (1) compare how deep-sea monitoring tools (ROV, drop camera, trawl) capture epifaunal abundance and diversity, and assess sampling biases. This can assist in the development of appropriate sampling efforts that accurately capture these taxa. (2) Examine spatial patterns in megafaunal diversity and abundance at regional scales (10s-1000s km) with environmental factors as context, e.g. species distribution modeling. (3) Use spatial statistics to identify local-scale patterns (0-100s m), and (4) investigate species associations.

Overall, my research fills a gap by improving our understanding of deep-sea ecology through community spatial structure; how, where, and why large deep-sea epifauna are distributed. It will inform a monitoring framework for the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area, with methodology and conclusions also applicable to deep-sea research globally (e.g. statistics/techniques). This research is supported by CHONe (Canadian Healthy Oceans Network) and its partners, including NSERC (Natural Science and Engineering Research Council) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Education

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
Department of Oceanography
PhD Candidate (Transfer from MSc)
September 2016 – Present
Thesis topic: Spatial analysis of epibenthic megafauna in the deep sea of the Northwest Atlantic for effective management of Marine Protected Areas

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
B.Sc. Marine Biology Honours Co-op and an Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate
September 2010 – May 2015
Thesis: Flying Squid: Acceleration and Distance of Purpleback Squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) Flight near Miyake-Jima Island, Japan.

Scholarships and Awards

NSERC Doctoral PGS D Award 2019-2021
Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship, 2019-2022
First place scientific poster presentation award at Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) 3rd meeting. Ottawa, ON, 2018.
Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship, 2017-2018.
In-Course Yearly Scholarships Dalhousie University, 2012-2015.
Dalhousie Entrance Scholarship 2011-2014.

Relevant Experience

Teaching Assistant
Marine Ecology MARI3761, Biology Department, Dalhousie (Halifax, NS).
September 2017- December 2018

Deep-sea Coral and Megafauna Video Analyst
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Dartmouth, NS)
September 2017- January 2018

Image Analyst (epibenthic megafauna)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Dartmouth, NS).
October 2016-March 2017

Remote Sensing Technician
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Dartmouth, NS)
July 2016 – August 2016.

Marine Biologist and Boat Crew
Island Quest Whale Watching (St. Andrews, NB)
June 2015 – September 2015.

Animal Care Technician
Dalhousie University- Carlton Animal Care Facility (Halifax, NS)
April 2014 – August 2014.

Phytoplankton Ballast Water Research Assistant
Dalhousie University-Dr.Cullen/MacIntyre Laboratory (Halifax, NS)
January 2013 – April 2013.

Aquatron Assistant Summer Biologist
Dalhousie University – Aquatron Laboratory (Halifax, NS)
May 2012 – August 2012.

Other Relevant Activities:

Supervisor to undergraduate research assistants (Jan 2018-present)
Editor for Current Tides magazine by DOSA, showcasing student research (2018-present)
Substitute Lecturer Deep Sea Biology (OCEA 4370/5370), Dalhousie University (Oct 2018)
Co-organized, hosted, and fundraised for the Conference of Dalhousie Oceanography Graduate Students (CDOGS), 2017-2018
Member, Deep-Sea Biology Society (2020-present)
Member, Dalhousie Oceanography Student Association (DOSA) (2016-present)
Chairperson, Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students (DAMS) (2011-2013)
Workshops:
- CSAS National Peer Review Process: “A National monitoring framework for coral and sponge areas identified as Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures” (Dec 2020)
- “Spatial Analysis workshop”, as well as discussions on MPA networks and Marine conservation planning. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) meeting, Ottawa, (Dec 2018).
- “Marine Protected Areas for 2020 and beyond: A DFO and CHONe joint workshop on MPA network monitoring in Canada’s three oceans”, Montreal, QC, (Nov 2018)
- “World Conference Marine Biodiversity Mentoring program”, Montreal, QC, May 2018).
- “Beyond Mapping: Analyzing and Understanding Habitat Patterns in Space and Time ”. GeoHab Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, (May 2018).
- Data Management Workshop and COMPASS Workshop on improving science communication. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) meeting. Gatineau, QC, (May 2018)
- “DEVOTES Indicators Workshop”, Montreal, QC, (Sept 2016).

Publications

Peer-reviewed

de Mendonça, S.N. and Metaxas, A (2021). Comparing the performance of a remotely operated vehicle, a drop camera, and a trawl in capturing deep-sea epifaunal abundance and diversity. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8:631354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.631354

de Mendonça, S.N., K. MacIsaac, A.M. Moore, C.L. Johnson. (2021). Microplastic sampling and analysis in surface shelf waters: A pilot study on methods and distribution in the northwest Atlantic. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3442: v + 37 p [Technical Report]. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2021/mpo-dfo/Fs97-6-3442-eng.pdf

Carr, H., Abas, M., Boutahar, L., Caretti, O.N., Chan, W.Y., Chapman, A., de Mendonça, S.N., Engleman, A., Simmons, K., Verdura, J., Zivian, A., & Ferrario, F (2020). The Aichi Biodiversity Targets: achievements for marine conservation and priorities beyond 2020. PeerJ 8, e9743. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9743

Metaxas, A., Lacharité, M., & de Mendonça, S.N. (2019). Hydrodynamic connectivity of habitats of deep-water corals in Corsair Canyon, Northwest Atlantic: a case for cross-boundary conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 159. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00159

Non peer-reviewed

de Mendonça, S.N., Metaxas, A. (2018). Final Deliverables: Gulf of Maine Video Analysis of Bigelow 2017 Cruise [Technical Report for Fisheries and Oceans Canada] 57 pages.

de Mendonça S.N., Metaxas A. (2018) Incorporating spatial analyses into conservation and monitoring of deep-sea megafauna in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) [Published Abstract]. PeerJ Preprints 6:e26808v1. https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.26808v1.

de Mendonça S.N., Metaxas A. (2018). Incorporating spatial analyses into conservation and monitoring of deep-sea megafauna in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) [International Conference: Abstract]. GeoHab (Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping) Abstract Program, Sanata Barbara, CA (MSc. Work).

Presentations

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2020). Comparing tools to capture deep-sea epifaunal patterns [International Conference: Oral Presentation]. World Conference of Marine Biodiversity. Virtual.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2020). Comparing tools to capture deep-sea epifaunal patterns [International Conference: Oral Presentation]. eDSBS (Deep-Sea Biology Society). Virtual.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2019). Conserving the deep sea: a spatial analysis of deep-sea epibenthic megafauna in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean [Conference: Oral Presentation]. Conference of Dalhousie Oceanography Graduate Students (CDOGS). Halifax, NS.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2018). Spatial analysis of deep-sea epibenthic megafauna in the Laurentian Channel. [National: Poster Presentation]. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) 3^rd meeting. Ottawa, ON.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Miatta M., Boulard M., Greeley K. (2018). Project 1.2.4 Evaluating the effectiveness of a deep-water MPA: the Laurentian Channel AOI. [National: Oral Presentation]. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) 3^rd meeting. Ottawa, ON.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2018). Incorporating spatial analyses into conservation and monitoring of deep-sea megafauna in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) [International Conference: Oral Presentation]. World Conference of Marine Biodiversity, Montreal, QC

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2018). Incorporating spatial analyses into conservation and monitoring of deep-sea megafauna in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) [International Conference: Oral Presentation]. GeoHab (Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping), Santa Barbara, CA.

de Mendonça S.N.*, Metaxas A. (2017). Spatial Distribution and Monitoring of Sea pen Closures in the North Atlantic Ocean [International: Invited Oral Presentation and Scientific Advice provided to report]. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Working Group on Ecosystem Science Assessment (NAFO WGESA) Meeting. Dartmouth, NS.

de Mendonça, SN.* (2017). Developing effective monitoring techniques for deep-sea Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): using population dynamics and spatial distribution modeling in the Northwest Atlantic [National: Poster Presentation]. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) 2^nd meeting. Gattineau, QC.

de Mendonça, S.N.* (2017). Deep-sea population dynamics and spatial distribution modeling in the Northwest Atlantic [National: Oral Presentation]. Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) Imagery workshop. St. Andrews, NB

de Mendonça, S.N. (2016). Megafaunal species distribution in deep-sea conservation areas: Sea Pens in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean [National: Oral Presentation]. Strategic Network Enhancement Initiative (SNEI) Indicators, Montreal, QC.

de Mendonça, S.N.*, O’Dor, R. (2015). Flying Squid: Acceleration and Distance of Purpleback Squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) Flight Near Miyake-Jima Island, Japan [Institutional: Conference Poster Presentation]. Lett Symposium. Halifax, NS.

Contact Information

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sarahdemendonca
sarah.de.mendonca at dal.ca
Twitter: @sarah_aquatic

Dalhousie University, Department of Oceanography
LSC Ocean Wing, 1355 Oxford St.
PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2