Project Information

Title: LTM Program: Continuing the Legacy - Prince William Sound Marine Bird Population Trends 21120114-M

Project Year and Number: 2021: 21120114-M

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2024: 24120114-M, 2023: 23120114-M, 2022: 22120114-M, 2020: 20120114-M, 2019: 19120114-M, 2018: 18120114-M, 2017: 17120114-M, 2016: 16120114-K, 2015: 15120114-K, 2014: 14120114-K, 2013: 13120114-K, 2012: 12120114-K

Principal Investigator (PI): Robb Kaler (USFWS), Kathy Kuletz (USFWS)

Managing Agency: USFWS

Assisting Personnel: None

Project Website: https://gulfwatchalaska.org/monitoring/pelagic-ecosystem/pws-marine-bird-population-trends/

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Monitoring

Injured Resources Addressed: Common Murres, Kittlitz's Murrelets, Marbled Murrelets, Pigeon Guillemot

Abstract:

We will carry out small boat surveys to monitor the abundance of marine birds in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska. The survey is conducted biennially (July of every other year; July 2018 and July 2021) during the current Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) funding cycle (FY17-21). Fifteen July surveys over a 30-year period have monitored population trends of marine birds in PWS after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. These surveys are the primary means to determine whether populations injured by the spill are recovering. Data collected from 1989 to 2018 indicated that pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba), marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus), Kittlitz’s murrelets (B. brevirostris) are exhibiting long-term declines in PWS. Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) densities have also declined in PWS, at that same time that nearly complete breeding failures have been observed (2016-2018). We will continue to examine overall population trends for all marine birds in PWS, which benefit the nearshore and forage fish components of GWA, the Herring Research and Monitoring program, and the pigeon guillemot restoration project at the Naked Island Group. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 2020 marine bird survey was postponed until July 2021. The FY20 funds will be carried over and used in 2021. We were unable to include a seabird observer on the spring Seward Line cruise because of COVID-19 health mandate restrictions. However, we did participate in the summer cruise instead of spring and an observer will be on the September survey as planned.


Proposal: View (840 KB)

Reports:
FY12-17 Final Report Project 21120114-M: View (20,804 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available