Project Information

Title: Effects of EVOS on Murres: A Perspective from Observations at Breeding Colonies B03

Project Year and Number: 1989: B03

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 1992: B03, 1991: B03, 1990: B03

Principal Investigator (PI): David Nysewander (Washington Deptartment of Fish & Wildlife)

Managing Agency: USFWS

Assisting Personnel: Vernon Byrd, Crispin Dippel, Eric Knudtson

Research Location: PWS/KEN

Restoration Category: Damage Assessment

Injured Resources Addressed: Common Murres

Abstract: Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, seabird colonies in Prince William Sound and other areas westward along the spill trajectory were surveyed to determine the immediate effects of the spill. Cliff-nesting species such as the black-legged kittiwake and common and thick-billed murres were the primary emphasis of the 1989-90 censuses. Timing of egg laying and productivity were also noted for each of these species. In 1990 and 1991, the major effort was placed on replicate counts of murres in those areas that showed the most drastic changes relative to historical data. Study objectives included comparison of pre- and post-spill numbers of breeding colony seabirds within the oiled area and comparison of reproductive chronology and productivity for murres in oiled areas.


Proposal: View (17 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: See Project B03

Publications from this Project: None Available