Project Information

Title: Nearshore Synthesis: Sea Otters and Sea Ducks 090808

Project Year and Number: 2009: 090808

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2010: 10100808, 2008: 070808-A, 2007: 070808

Principal Investigator (PI): Brenda Ballachey (US Geological Survey)

Managing Agency: USGS

Assisting Personnel: Jim Bodkin

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Sea Otters

Abstract: Sea otters, and other nearshore birds and mammals were severely impacted by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. In areas where acute effects were greatest and lingering oil persists longest, recovery for some of those nearshore birds and mammals remains incomplete through 2005. We present three objectives in this proposal: (1) Evaluate progress toward sea otter recovery through surveys of abundance and carcass deposition. (2) Evaluate factors contributing to the status of sea otter populations through the synthesis of long-term data sets on individual exposure to oil, health, condition, behavior, and home range in the context of long-term survival. (3) Conduct spatial synthesis of elevated biomarkers in mammals, birds, and fishes. Anticipated outcomes will identify shorelines where lingering oil most likely persists and which may be candidates for restoration or remediation.


Proposal: View (24 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: View (746 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available