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Overview

Prince William Sound (PWS) in Alaska provides important feeding, resting, and breeding sites for many marine birds and mammals. When the T/V Exxon Valdez ran aground in PWS in 1989 and spilled 40 million liters of crude oil into the surrounding waters, 250,000 birds died as a direct result. In the years that followed, it became challenging to understand the full impact of the oil spill on marine life due to a lack of long-term data on bird populations and other marine species. This gap made it difficult for wildlife managers to make informed decisions about recovery efforts.

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To address this issue, a series of summer marine bird surveys have been conducted in PWS since 1989. These surveys are crucial for tracking the population trends of marine birds and understanding how they are recovering from the oil spill. They also help scientists monitor changes in marine bird communities due to climate variability, such as the 2014-2016 marine heat wave that affected the northeast Pacific. 

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Fieldwork is conducted aboard small fiberglass boats over a 3-week period across ~2,000 linear kilometers of transects in PWS. The main objective of this study are to (1) understand where and when marine birds are found in Prince William Sound during the summer, as well as in the Northern Gulf of Alaska during the spring, summer, and fall; (2) estimate how many marine birds are present and where they gather, especially in areas where predators and their prey are known to come together at certain times of the year; and (3) analyze how the number and distribution of different bird species relate to various environmental factors over time and across different locations.

Importance of this Work 

The PWS surveys benefit restoration of PWS by determining whether populations that declined due to the spill are recovering and by identifying which species are still of concern. To evaluate possible effects of climate on marine bird populations, we compare patterns of marine bird population trends with oceanographic data and environmental variables (e.g., sea surface temperatures, sea surface salinity) collected by partners (Alaska Ocean Observing System, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], Prince William Sound Science Center [PWSSC], U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]). 

The data we collect during the PWS surveys provide detailed population trends and distribution maps for ~21 species or species groups (e.g., “loons”, “murrelets”). This provides important information to managers and marine researchers. Owing to their reliance on the marine ecosystem, marine bird species are important indicators of the status of pelagic ecosystems, and these data have broad utility in efforts to inform policy makers, resource managers, and the general public. 

Action WE ALL can take

Marine birds are experiencing steep declines throughout the world, with some populations down as much as 95%. Threats to marine birds are dynamic and compounding. With threats like oil spills, changes in ocean temperatures, sea-level rise, fisheries bycatch, and predation from non-native predators, it may feel impossible that our actions could make a difference in the lives of marine birds. But even simple actions can make a big difference.

Protect Birds from Entanglements: Properly Dispose of Fishing Line. Monofilament fishing line is strong and durable, so when discarded improperly, it can entangle birds and other wildlife, leading to serious injuries or death. If you come across any discarded fishing line on the beach or in nature, please pick it up and dispose of it in a garbage can or recycling bin. Your small action can make a big difference in keeping our marine birds safe!

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Protect Birds from Plastic Ingestion: Pick Up Litter and Marine Debris. Marine debris, especially food packaging, poses a significant threat to seabirds, as they can mistake it for food. You can help reduce waste by using reusable containers, cups, and utensils whenever possible. Additionally, consider organizing or participating in local clean-up events to remove litter from beaches and waterways. To learn more about marine debris and how it may be affecting your area, you can contact NOAA’s national Marine Debris Program:

Help Keep Birds Wild and Healthy: Don’t Feed the Gulls. Feeding gulls and other marine birds human food can lead to health problems and disrupt their natural foraging behaviors. Leftover food can also pollute waterways and local habitats, leading to issues such as algal blooms and attracting pests. This can harm not only the birds but also the broader ecosystem. Instead of feeding them, enjoy watching these birds in their natural habitats. Supporting conservation efforts that protect their ecosystems is a great way to help them thrive without relying on human-provided food.

Give them Space. Beach/coastal walking, a seemingly harmless activity, can have negative consequences on marine birds, like gulls and terns, that are using the area for rest, foraging, or nesting. In some parts of the U.S., human disturbance poses a significant threat to coastal birds. These threats can intensify as human use (recreation, off-leash dogs) in these coastal areas increases, leading to an overall reduction in suitable, undisturbed habitats for marine birds. 

If you are recreating near a coastline, shoreline, or other wetland type used by marine birds, please give them space—ideally, do not approach within 200 m (656 ft.). If you are recreating with a dog, please keep your dog leased, as the presence of dogs is directly related to birds expending more energy being alert to their presence. If you are located in Anchorage, the municipal law requires you to restrain your dog in public places unless you are in a designated . Learn more about how  from the National Audubon Society. 

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Report Sick and Dead Birds. If you observe dead seabirds or encounter a sick or dead wild bird(s) and the cause is NOT immediately apparent, please call the Alaska Sick or Dead Bird Hotline at (866) 527-3358. Before calling, please note the location (GPS coordinates are best), species of bird (if known) and the date/time found. For your safety, do not handle any sick birds or bird that are found dead. 

Participate in Citizen Science: Help Scientists Monitor Bird Populations. Anyone can contribute valuable data by submitting what they see to citizen science programs like eBird. Marine birds can be difficult to survey as they are often found in remote locations. However, even casual bird sightings, whether out on a boat trip or watching from shore, can be a valuable data points for scientists. By submitting your bird sightings to eBird, you can play a crucial role in helping scientists monitor marine birds.

Spread the Word: Share information about marine birds and their threats with your family, friends, and neighbors. Talk to them about how sustained public support are crucial to ensure the future of this group of birds.