Marine Bird Observations in Prince William Sound, AK, Nov2009 - Mar2012

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 November 2009 through March 2012 study investigated the spatial and temporal abundance of marine bird predators in and around juvenile herring schools during two time periods: November and March. Our project was a component of the integrated, multi-project PWS Herring Survey program and relied on marine bird surveys being performed on vessels associated with hydroacoustic juvenile herring surveys. Our data includes avian transects performed concurrent with hydroacoustic fish surveys as well as transects conducted while in transit between fish survey sites.