Project Information

Title: Status and trends of EVOS injured seabirds in the Kenai Peninsula coast and Kachemak Bay 24210128

Project Year and Number: 2024: 24210128

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2023: 23210128 , 2022: 22210128 , 2021: 21210128

Principal Investigator (PI): Tuula Hollmen (Alaska SeaLife Center), Elizabeth Labunski (US Fish & Wildlife Service)

Managing Agency: ADFG

Assisting Personnel: None

Research Location: Kachemak Bay, Kenai Peninsula

Restoration Category: Monitoring

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

Abstract:

We propose an integrated study of status and trends of Kittlitz’s murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris), marbled murrelet (B. marmoratus), and pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) in two regions impacted by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS): Kenai Peninsula Coast and Kachemak Bay. Our overall goal is to provide information about trends in abundance and productivity of these three injured seabird species that are not recovering from EVOS or whose recovery status in unknown, thus supporting the EVOSTC in assessment of their recovery status. Kittlitz’s murrelet and marbled murrelet two seabird species that were impacted by EVOS, with an estimated 5-10% and 6-12% of the spill zone population killed by acute oiling, respectively. Recovery status of Kittlitz’s murrelets following the EVOS remains unknown, while marbled murrelets have not recovered to their pre-Spill numbers. Kittlitz’s murrelet became a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 2004 and was found not warranted for listing in 2013 due to insufficient or inconclusive knowledge, but remains a species of conservation concern for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The marbled murrelet is more abundant and widespread in Alaska but remains a species of conservation concern due to evidence of population declines and is listed as a Threatened species from British Columbia to California. Pigeon guillemot populations in Prince William Sound have declined by an estimated 67% since the 1970s, and an estimated 10-15% of the spill area population died from acute oiling. Pigeon guillemots will be monitored in the Kenai Peninsula coast study area.

Our objectives for murrelets are to 1) Estimate current population sizes and decadal trends in abundance, 2) Characterize abundance patterns and identify factors influencing patterns, and 3) Estimate productivity trends. Knowledge gained about population levels and trends in productivity will provide information to assess recovery status of these species. Our objectives for pigeon guillemot are to estimate current population size, trends in distribution, and trends in relative abundance in the Kenai Peninsula coast study area.

This would be the first proposed effort to bring together data on both murrelet species, in conjunction with oceanographic data, from all sub regions of the spill zone. Available historical data provide a cost-efficient opportunity to examine decadal trends, patterns of distribution over time, and habitat use. Furthermore, historical and on-going oceanographic and zooplankton studies in the region will enable us to examine potential influences of environmental conditions on murrelet and guillemot population trends. Our project builds a team of expertise and partnerships among multiple state and federal agencies, private non-profit entities and the university to accomplish scientific, management, and education objectives outlined in the proposal.

This project was approved for the FY22 - FY26 funding cycle.


Proposal: View (652 KB)

Reports:
FY23 Annual Report: View (6,813 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available

Resolutions: