Project Information

Title: PWS Herring Survey: Seasonal & Interannual Trends in Seabird Predation on Juvenile Herring 10100132-H

Project Year and Number: 2010: 10100132-H

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2010: 10100132-A, 2010: 10100132, 2010: 10100132-B, 2010: 10100132-C, 2010: 10100132-D, 2010: 10100132-E, 2010: 10100132-F, 2010: 10100132-G, 2010: 10100132-I

Principal Investigator (PI): Kathy Kuletz (US Fish & Wildlife Service)

Managing Agency: USFWS

Assisting Personnel: Mary Anne Bishop

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Pacific Herring

Abstract: Predation pressure on juvenile Pacific herring has been identified by the 2008 Integrated Herring Restoration Plan as one of five potential factors limiting recovery of Prince William Sound herring. Juvenile herring are heavily predated by multiple species of seabirds, including six species initially injured by the Exxon Valdez oil spill and three species that have not yet recovered (Marbled Murrelet, Kittlitz's Murrelet and Pigeon Guillemot). This study will investigate the spatial and temporal abundance of seabird predators in and around juvenile herring schools during three time periods: August, November and March. We will also examine the physical and biological characteristics of the fish schools seabirds feed on. Our project is a component of the integrated, multi-project PWS Herring Survey program and relies on seabird surveys being performed on vessels associated with hydroacoustic juvenile herring surveys. Our bioenergetic models will provide estimates of juvenile herring consumption by the most important seabird predators, including inter- and intra-annual variability in consumption rates. This study will improve understanding of the role of seabird predation on herring recruitment and will help to identify candidate sites for herring supplementation efforts.


Proposal: View (757 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY10: View (32 KB)
Annual Report FY11: View (329 KB)
Annual Report FY12: View (17 KB)
Final Report: Not available. For current status, please contact us.

Publications from this Project: None Available