PACIFIC SEABIRDS

A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 2015 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) was formed in 1972 due to the need for better communication among Pacific seabird researchers. PSG provides a forum for the research activities of its members, promotes the conservation of seabirds, and informs members and the public of issues relating to Pacific Ocean seabirds and their environment. PSG members include research scientists, conservation professionals, and members of the public from all parts of the Pacific Ocean. The group also welcomes seabird professionals and enthusiasts in other parts of the world. PSG holds annual meetings at which scientific papers and symposia are presented; abstracts for meetings are published on our web site. The group is active in promoting conservation of seabirds, including seabird/fisheries interactions, monitoring of seabird populations, seabird restoration following oil spills, establishment of seabird sanctuaries, and endangered species. Policy statements are issued on conservation issues of critical importance. PSG publishes the on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin; www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ornithological Council, and the American Bird Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are $30 (individual and family); $24 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $1200 (Life Membership, payable in five $240 installments). Dues are payable to the Treasurer; see the PSG web site or the Membership Information at the back of this issue.

World Wide Web http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Donations The Pacific Seabird Group is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of California. Contributions to the Pacific Seabird Group are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. law (IRS Section 501[c][3]).

Pacific Seabirds This on-line bulletin reports on the work and committee activities of the Pacific Seabird Group, conservation news, and other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The bulletin is in transition from a twice-yearly publication to an on-line news bulletin and archive of PSG activities. This issue was compiled by an interim editor and summarizes a year of PSG activities for 2015-2016, and will be available on-line as a pdf. Back issues of the PSG Bulletin and Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site (see Membership next to inside back cover for details).

Pacific Seabirds Interim Editor (for this issue only) Kathy Kuletz, [email protected]

Associate Editors for This Issue Laura Bliss, Jane Dolliver, Vivian Mendenhall, Martin Renner, Leslie Slater; layout: Mesha Wood

Marine Ornithology Marine Ornithology presents peer-reviewed contributions concerning international seabird science and conservation. The journal is published two times a year. It is available on its web site (www.marineornithology.org) or by subscription. The journal is supported by a partnership of global seabird societies, including the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG), African Seabird Group, Australasian Seabird Group, the Seabird Group (UK), Dutch Seabird Group, and Japan Seabird Group.

Change of Address Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Jennifer Lang, [email protected] PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabirds Group Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

Volume 42 2015 Numbers 1 and 2

Lifetime Achievement Award...... 4 Dr. David Ainley, by Craig Strong and Gregory Spencer Regional Reports for 2014 Alaska and Russia...... 6 Washington and Oregon...... 8 Northern California...... 12 Southern California...... 14 Hawaiʻi...... 15 Non-Pacific United States...... 15 Latin America...... 17 Canada...... 17 Asia and Oceania...... 20 Reports of PSG Officers for 2014 Chair’s Report...... 24 Chair-elect Report...... 25 Vice-Chair for Conservation Report...... 26 Treasurer’s Report...... 27 Reports to PSG Executive Council for 2014-2015 Japanese Seabird Conservation Committee...... 31 Kittlitz’s Murelet Technical Committee...... 31 Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe Murrelet Technical Committee...... 31 Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee...... 31 Seabird Monitoring Committee...... 32 Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Committee...... 33 Elections Committee Report...... 34 PSG Electronic Mailing List...... 35 Membership Report...... 36 Corresponding Membership Committee...... 37 Marine Ornithology...... 37 Student Representative...... 40 Ornithological Council...... 41 PSG News...... 44 Meeting News...... 46 Summary of Executive Council Meeting Minutes...... 48 General Information Information on the Pacific Seabird Group...... Inside Front Cover Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group...... 50 PSG Committee Coordinators...... 52 PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards...... 54 Membership Information...... 55 PSG Executive Council for 2015...... Inside Back Cover LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The Pacific Seabird Group occasionally honors major contributors to seabird science and conservation with Lifetime Achievement or Special Achievement awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose outstanding work for seabirds has influenced the course of research, conservation, and/or education throughout the Pacific or the world.

DR. DAVID AINLEY By Craig Strong and Gregory Spencer

In 2015 the Pacific Seabird Group honored Dr. David Ainley with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Growing up in the wilds of New England, with plenty of time spent in the mountains of New Mexico, Colorado and California, David was inspired to pursue his BS degree from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania. While still a student there, he published his first paper based on his senior research. His attention to the ocean was inspired by summers at Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy, as well as the Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta and Chesapeake Bay. This led to a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University, in which he investigated Adélie penguins in Antarctica. He since The Pacific Seabird Group honored Dr. David Ainley (pictured above with Adelie penguins) has made about 35 trips to Antarctica with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. and the Southern Ocean, with a third of those on oceanographic research vessels. most of which is ongoing today and funded research in the Antarctic and When not in the Antarctic, David makes up one of the longest and most California Current, as well as carrying established, and for 20 years led, the detailed seabird data sets in the world. out consulting work with the support marine research program at Point Learning about birds on the islands of Ron Duke and Scott Terrill. Some of Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO, now naturally led David to sea, where he the H.T. Harvey projects David has been Point Blue Conservation Science). This studied community foraging ecology involved in include the Exxon Valdez oil included the design and implementation in the Gulf of the Farallones, Eastern spill, GLOBEC-California Current and of the Farallon Island marine bird and Tropical Pacific, and Antarctic regions. Southern Ocean, and San Francisco Bay mammal research program in 1971, Assisted by Larry Spear, he studied Dredge Materials Disposal efforts. the ecology of seabirds in the eastern Currently – well, for the past 18 tropical Pacific (in comparison to the years – through the NSF, he has been Southern Ocean) aboard Equatorial researching Adélie penguin demography Pacific Ocean Climate Studies (EPOCS) with co-researchers Grant Ballard and cruises, and aided by Gregory Spencer Katie Dugger. Concurrently, he has been studied the ecology and worked for the studying on effects of cetacean foraging preservation of endangered procellarids on penguin prey availability adjacent to in Hawaii. For the past 20 years David Ross Island in the Ross Sea. Included has been on the staff of H.T. Harvey in the latter is use of an ocean glider & Associates where he has continued and ROVs, with co-researchers Walker to provide unparalleled expertise on Smith and Stacy Kim, to assess effects the ecology of seabirds and the trophic of penguin foraging on prey availability. ecology of pelagic ecosystems. His time For the past 10 years, as an avocation, he’s is divided between National Science been ‘tilting at windmills,’ attempting Dr. David Ainley Foundation (NSF) and other grant- to protect the Ross Sea from excessive

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 4 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Dr. David Ainley human use, most immediately industrial fishing (www.lastocean.org). David’s passion led to the founding of Friends of the Ross Sea Ecosystem (FORSE), for which he wrote proposals and lead efforts to designate the Ross Sea as a Marine Protected Area. The Ross Sea constitutes 3.2% of the Southern Ocean and 0.01% of the World Ocean and is the subject of international resolutions from IUCN World Conservation Congress, MCBI and Mission Blue; nonetheless its cause is still ongoing in the chaotic geopolitical grab for ocean resources. David’s underlying motivation in how one should conduct science is inspired by Thomas Jefferson, who in charging Meriwether Lewis with surveying the Louisiana Purchase, noted that making observations is important but those not recorded and reported is information Dr. David Ainley (pictured above) in Antarctica with penguins. Photo©Chris Linder, WHOI lost. David knows and appreciated that information remains obscure unless from the ‘normal’ world. One of David’s greatest contributions to published, thus he has authored or co- Another source of David’s success is his seabirds and our seabird community has authored 4 books, 12 monographs and acute understanding that there is always been his mentorship of budding seabird at least 230 papers about the ecology of a big picture that must be considered in biologists and his support for contributing marine upper trophic level organisms - interpreting the story his data tells him. researchers. In addition to providing jobs seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks. One cannot see the big picture without and experience to younger researchers, He is the first to acknowledge that recognizing the increasingly serious David serves as adjunct professor at he could not have done this without threats and stressors affecting marine Moss landing Marine Lab, where he the support of family, who graciously ecosystems, and this has motivated advises graduate students. It is hard to allowed him the long periods of absence David’s crusade to protect the Ross Sea. know how many marine science careers David has helped launch, but if you are among them (dear reader), we plan to Dr. David Ainley (pictured below) out at sea working from a boat. set up a link where you can let others know how your success and knowledge benefited from David’s support. Somehow in addition to his field research, prolific publishing efforts, and consulting work, David has found time to take on the responsibility of Editor-in-Chief of our own PSG journal, Marine Ornithology. We also note that David was one of the founding members of PSG, whose first meeting consisted of 8 researchers that met at Palomarin Field Station (which was then the main office of PRBO).

Thank you, David - you have truly earned this Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 5 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2015 Edited by Leslie Slater and Robb Kaler

Regional Reports summarize current and recent seabird work of interest to PSG members. Regional Reports generally are organized by location, not by affiliation of the biologist. They should not be cited without permission of the researchers.

ALASKA & RUSSIA Administration (NASA). The 2015 2015, Rachael Orben, Abram seabird observers were Toby Burke, Fleishman (San Jose State University) Compiled by Robb Kaler Mary Cody, Dan Cushing, Angie and Dean Kildaw (Biological Doroff, Luke DeCicco, Nick Consultant), deployed GPS tags during BERING AND CHUKCHI SEAS Hajdukovich, Kathy Kuletz, Liz pre-lay and incubation along with over- Annual seabird monitoring at St. Labunski, Catherine Pham, Martin winter loggers. A second field season George and St. Paul islands was led by Reedy, Stephanie Walden, Charlie will occur in 2016. Marc Romano (Alaska Maritime Wright, and Tamara Zeller. Data from National Wildlife Refuge; AMNWR) all of the at-sea surveys will be archived ALEUTIAN ISLANDS with summer-long field crews consisting in the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Annual seabird monitoring at Buldir of Greg Thomson and Michael Johns Database. and Aiktak islands was led by Jeff (St. Paul) and Jason Tappa, Stephanie Kathy Kuletz, Liz Labunski Williams (AMNWR) with summer-long Walden, and Laney White (St. George). (USFWS), and Catherine Pham field crews consisting ofKevin Pietrzak, Both crews collected data on a variety of (Hawai’i Pacific University; HPU) will McKenzie Mudge and Ryan Mong on species including Red-faced Cormorants continue to work with other investigators Buldir. They collected productivity, diet (Phalacrocorax urile), Common Murres as part of the Arctic Ecosystem and population data on a variety of (Uria aalge), Thick-billed Murres (Uria Integrated Survey; a multi-agency species including Red-legged (Rissa lomvia), Least Auklets (Aethia pusilla), funded collaboration. Catherine was the brevirostris) and Black-legged Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa seabird observer for these cruises and is Kittiwakes (R. tridactyla); Least Auklets tridactyla), and Red-legged Kittiwakes incorporating the data into her Master’s (Aethia pusilla), Crested (A. cristatella), (Rissa brevirostris). In addition, a boat- degree at HPU, with David Hyrenbach Whiskered (A. pygmaea), and Parakeet based cormorant survey of the Pribilof as her major professor. Catherine (A. psittacula); Common (Uria aalge) Islands was conducted by Marc received a Graduate Student Award from and Thick-billed Murres (U.lomvia); Romano, Heather Renner, Greg the North Pacific Research Board to along with Fork-tailed and Leach’s Thomson, Michael Johns, Jason support her Arctic studies. Efforts are Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma furcata Tappa, Stephanie Walden, and Laney underway to synthesize oceanographic, and O. leucorhoa). Sarah Youngren White. This survey was supported by plankton, fish, and seabird data from and Dan Rapp on Aiktak monitored the AMNWR ship R/V Tiˆglaˆx. 2012 and 2013 in the northern Bering Horned and Tufted Puffins (Fratercula Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski and Chukchi seas. corniculata and F. cirrhata, respectively), (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kathy Kuletz is leading the write up Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus USFWS) completed the sixth year of for, and working with other members of glaucescens), Common and Thick-billed pelagic seabird surveys in the Bering the Circumpolar Seabird Group (a Murres (Uria aalge and U. lomvia, and Chukchi seas, as part of the Seabird Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna respectively), and Ancient murrelets Distribution in the Offshore Environment sub-group), to produce the five-year (Synthliboramphus antiquus). project, funded by the Bureau of Ocean summary of progress in Arctic seabird Energy Management (BOEM). This monitoring; this State of the Arctic GULF OF ALASKA program relies on collaborations with a Marine Biodiversity Report is scheduled Although there was no formal seabird variety of oceanographic and fisheries to be ready for peer review in April 2016. monitoring at East Amatuli Island in the programs. In 2015, seabird observers Rachael Orben, Alexander Kitaysky Barren Islands in 2015, and in light of were placed on nine Bering or Chukchi (University of Alaska Fairbanks), poor or failed ledge-nester colonies at research cruises from July to mid- Rosana Paredes (Oregon State Chowiet Island and in the lower Cook October. This was also the first year of University) and Scott Shaffer in Inlet region, Arthur Kettle and Leslie the Arctic Marine Biodiversity collaboration with Marc Romano Slater (AMNWR) made a one-day visit Observing Network, a five-year program (AMNWR), initiated a study to in early September to East Amatuli to monitor the Chukchi Sea ecosystem characterize movements and life-history Island for a quick read on Common and with funding through a partnership with responses of red-legged kittiwakes Thick-billed Murre (Uria aalge, and Shell Inc., BOEM, National Ocean and (Rissa brevirostris) during the pre-laying U. lomvia, respectively) reproductive Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and early incubation periods at St. success. Neither adults nor chicks were and National Aeronautics and Space George Island, Alaska. In May and June observed on cliffs; an unprecedented

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 6 REGIONAL REPORTS occurrence. Robin Corcoran (Kodiak and fitted with a satellite transmitter, Evans, Leeann McDougall, and National Wildlife Refuge; Kodiak however the three trapped adults never Emily Schmidt, led by Leslie Slater NWR), assisted by four volunteers, returned to their nests sites which led (AMNWR), and with assistance from completed the fifth year of nearshore to failure in all cases. Satellite data Roberta Swift (USFWS, Migratory marine bird surveys in June and from the tagged birds showed all birds Bird Management, Region 1). Population August on the northeastern end of nearby the Trinity Islands of the Kodiak trend data were collected at St. Lazaria the Kodiak Archipelago. The skiff- Archipelago, immediately south of the for the following species: Fork-tailed and based line transect survey study design study area. Ongoing analysis at Southern Leach’s Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma systematically selected transects so Illinois University will investigate furcata, O. leucorhoa, respectively), that a minimum 20% of shoreline the influence of diet on nest success, Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax around the Kodiak Archipelago and will assess the hypothesis that the pelagicus), Glaucous-winged Gull was surveyed. Program goals are to KIMU population has declined in part (Larus glaucescens), Pigeon Guillemot determine population estimates, long- due to lower chick growth rates resulting (Cepphus columba), Common and term population trends, and habitat from reduced availability of high-energy Thick-billed Murres (Uria aalge, U. associations for key marine bird species forage fish. lomvia, respectively), Rhinoceros relevant to Kodiak NWR management Numerous people were active in Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), and objectives and to contribute data to responding to seabird mortality events Tufted Puffin Fratercula ( cirrhata). regional monitoring programs in the that occurred throughout 2015 in Alaska Annual productivity data were collected Gulf of Alaska. waters. Federal, state, and local agencies at St. Lazaria for the following species: With National Fish and Wildlife as well as the Coastal Observation Fork-tailed and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Foundation support, the eighth and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) Pelagic Cormorant, Glaucous-winged consecutive season of a nesting collaborated to collect information, Gull, Common and Thick-billed Murres, ecology study of Kittlitz’s Murrelet synthesize records, and send carcasses Rhinoceros Auklet, and Tufted Puffin. (Brachyramphus brevirostris, KIMU) for testing to the U. S. Geological Survey Chick growth data were collected was conducted on the western end National Wildlife Health Center. A for: Fork-tailed and Leach’s Storm- of Kodiak NWR by James Lovvorn seabird mortality monitoring database Petrels and Rhinoceros Auklet. Diet and graduate student Timothy was developed to catalog reports of dead samples were collected for: Fork-tailed Knudson (both with Southern Illinois birds from across the state of Alaska. and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Glaucous- University), assisted by volunteers. Both The collected information will be used winged Gull, Rhinoceros Auklet. Alexis individuals are continuing their work to assess the range and magnitude of Will (Ph.D. candidate, University of with Kittlitz’s Murrelet at the Kodiak seabird mortality event in 2015. Alaska, Fairbanks), in addition to her NWR. In coordination with Alaska Ed Melvin (Washington Sea Grant), own work at St. Lazaria, retrieved Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, U. Rob Suryan, and Amanda Gladics geolocator units attached in previous S. Geological Survey Alaska Science (Oregon State University; OSU), Kim seasons to Rhinoceros Auklets to assist Center, and Region 7 U. S. Fish and Dietrich (Kim Dietrich Consulting), Katie Studholme (Ph.D. candidate, Wildlife Service Office of Ecological and Tracee Geernaert (International Dalhousie University) in learning about Services, this cooperative project has Pacific Halibut Commission) initiated non-breeding distributions. Brian a five-year plan to characterize nesting a project to assess characterization of Hoover (Ph.D. candidate, University habitat, monitor activities at the nest spatiotemporal patterns and trends in of California, Davis [UCD]) visited St. (incubation shifts, meal delivery to albatross and other seabird bycatch Lazaria to collect genetic material from chicks, prey delivered to chicks, etc.), rates in Alaskan longline fleets based on Leach’s Storm-Petrels to investigate measure chick growth rate, measure over 20 years of National Oceanic and the degree to which environmental reproductive success, and collect Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pressures influence local adaptation. samples for genetic analyses. The 2015 groundfish fisheries observer data. The Steve Lewis and Justin Jenniges field season brought the lowest apparent team will also be re-engaging Alaskan (Alaska Department of Fish and nest success, 0%, since the pilot season fishermen to conduct seabird bycatch Game) checked artificial burrows at of 2008 when the study area was a avoidance best practices workshops, the Lowrie Island to get a gross estimate quarter the size. Over the eight-year first of which were conducted in May of productivity of species known thus study, apparent nest success averaged 2015 in Kodiak, Homer, and Seward, far to use the burrows (i.e., Fork-tailed 22% (range 8-48 %). During the later Alaska. and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Ancient stages of incubation, with the help of Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service SOUTHEAST ALASKA and Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus Biologists Michelle Kissling and Steve The 2015 seabird monitoring crew at aleuticus). Lewis, three adult KIMUs were trapped St. Lazaria Island consisted of Stacie

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 7 REGIONAL REPORTS

RUSSIAN FAR EAST estuary. Investigations into the effects of collaborator on the project, which is Falk Huetmann (Ecological Wildlife avian predation on survival of juvenile funded by the Office of Naval Research. Habitat and Data Analysis of the Land- and salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) in the Dan Roby (USGS-ORCFWRU), SeascapE; EWHALE at the University of Columbia River basin were a continuing Don Lyons and Kirsten Bixler (OSU) Alaska, Fairbanks) was invited by World emphasis of this research. continued to collaborate with James Wildlife Fund Russia/Norway to help In 2015, management by the U.S. Lawonn (Oregon Department of Fish with a Strategic Conservation Planning Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of and Wildlife) to study the diet and (Machine Learning and Strategic Reclamation, and their cooperators prey consumption of Double-crested Conservation planning using MARXAN reduced Caspian Tern nesting habitat Cormorants in three estuaries along the software (www.uq.edu.au/marxan/)) at three sites within the Columbia Oregon coast. The study is investigating exercise for marine protected area (MPA) River Basin, as part of efforts to reduce potential consumption of juvenile networks in the waters of the Russian Caspian Tern predation on threatened salmonids in Tillamook Bay, the Umpqua High Arctic. and endangered Columbia River River Estuary, and the Rogue River salmonid populations. The research Estuary. The third year of field work WASHINGTON & team monitored the response of terns to concluded in 2015; diet composition and this management using a combination of prey consumption analyses are ongoing. OREGON banded tern resighting, satellite telemetry Yasuko Suzuki and Don Lyons Compiled by Peter Hodum of displaced terns, and monitoring of (OSU), and Dan Roby (USGS- alternative colonies. ORCFWRU) began collaborating with OREGON This year’s research team included Kentaro Kazama (Meijyo University, Peter Sanzenbacher and Brian Cooper Dan Roby (U. S. Geological Survey Japan) in 2015 to study the effect of of ABR, Inc. – Alaska Biological -Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife seabird guano on nitrogen cycling Research - conducted marine radar and Research Unit; USGS-ORCFWRU), in aquatic ecosystems surrounding night vision surveys of Leach’s Storm- Jessica Adkins, Olivia Bailey, Chris seabird colonies. During the first year Petrel colonies on the southern coast Baird, Kirsten Bixler, Carly Congdon, of collaboration, we collected samples of Oregon during summer 2015. The Tim Lawes, Pete Loschl, Don Lyons, at double-crested cormorant colonies in surveys followed the same protocols John Mulligan, Amy Munes, Allison Washington and Oregon, and analyses as research conducted in 2008-2009 Patterson, Adam Peck-Richardson, are ongoing. investigating the use of radar as a tool for Rebecca Cull Peterson, Alexa Kim Nelson (USGS-ORCFWRU monitoring nearshore seabird colonies. Piggott, Ethan Schniedermeyer, and OSU) continued her project using The results of the 2015 studies will be Yasuko Suzuki, James Tennyson song meters and dawn surveys to look compared to results from previous years, and Amy Wilson (OSU), Ken Collis, at the presence and occupancy of as well as results from visual, acoustic, Brad Cramer, Allen Evans, Mike Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus and other survey methods conducted Hawbecker, Quinn Payton, and Aaron marmoratus) on lands purchased in concurrently in 2015 by Rob Suryan Turecek (RTR, Inc), and numerous Lincoln County, Oregon as mitigation and Amanda Gladics (Oregon State seasonal technicians and volunteers. for the New Carissa oil spill. This University; OSU). This work was done Funding was provided by the Bonneville project is funded by the USGS and with support and in partnership with Power Administration, U. S. Army Corps USFWS; the Confederated Tribes of the Oregon Coast NWRC and USFWS of Engineers, U. S. Fish and Wildlife the Siletz is a cooperator. The primary Region 1 Migratory Bird Management Service, and Grant County (Washington) objective of this project is experimental: Office. Public Utility District. produce a robust estimate of the number Researchers from OSU, the U.S. At the mouth of the Columbia of murrelets nesting on the Reed Creek Geological Survey-Oregon Cooperative River, Don Lyons and Adam Peck- property. This will be accomplished by: Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Richardson (OSU), and Dan Roby (1) deploying multiple acoustic sensors (USGS-ORCFWRU), Real Time (USGS-ORCFWRU), continued a study to monitor murrelet activity for a longer Research, Inc. (RTR), and cooperators to investigate the use of diving waterbirds period of time and over a larger area continued to study interactions between to collect physical oceanographic data. than accomplished by previous surveys; seabirds and forage fish in the Pacific Field work was conducted in 2014 by (2) conducting simultaneous acoustic Northwest in 2015. This year, research fitting Brandt’s and Double-crested and dawn audiovisual surveys on some and monitoring was focused on Caspian Cormorants with GPS tags having days at each survey site to compare the Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) at colonies integrated depth and pressure sensors; relative sensitivity of the two techniques; in eastern Washington, interior Oregon analysis is ongoing. Jim Lerczak (3) analyzing the data to produce a best and northeast California, and at East (OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and estimate of the number of murrelets Sand Island in the Columbia River Atmospheric Sciences) is an important nesting on the Reed Creek property; and

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 8 REGIONAL REPORTS

(4) identifying nest trees for possible migrant seabird distribution and three- survey from the R/V Bell M. Shimada. future monitoring of nesting success. dimensional movement patterns during Rob Suryan and Jess Porquez consulted A goal is to develop a correction factor winter, night, and inclement weather with resource agencies and industry staff between automated acoustic and PSG for species off the Oregon coast. The about seabird monitoring at the future survey methods that could be applied project also involves integration of ship- WindFloat offshore wind demonstration to historic murrelet data to produce based surveys. Rachael Orben (OSU) site near Coos Bay, Oregon, and assisted a more accurate estimate of historic and Stephanie Loredo recently joined with preliminary surveys of the site. murrelet use of the property. Murrelets the Seabird Oceanography Lab and Rob Suryan and collaborators at were present throughout the property, will be involved in this collaborative OSU and University of Washington though in apparently lower numbers project. During spring 2015, the team completed the design and testing of than expected compared to the oil spill began tracking Pink-footed Shearwaters an integrated multi-sensor array to damage assessment. Several potential (Puffinus creatopus), Common Murres, continuously monitor for interactions murrelet nest trees were located. Song and Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis). (including impacts) of avian and bat meters were successful in recording Jonathan Felis and Ryan Carle species with offshore wind turbines. The murrelet presence throughout the (Oikonos) deployed satellite transmitters synchronized array of sensors includes landscape, but there are many limitations on Pink-footed Shearwaters on Isla accelerometers, contact microphones, to their use (e.g., only record vocal Mocha, Chile in April 2015, which visual and infrared spectrum cameras, detections). Research assistants and field were expected to migrate into Oregon and bioacoustics. The team conducted crew in 2015 included Mandy Wilson, waters. Josh Adams, Rob Suryan, final testing of the fully integrated sensor Cathleen Rose, Stephen Rossiter, Amanda Gladics, Emma Kelsey test with experimental impacts during Jen Rothe, Gwyn Case, and Cordelia (USGS), Max Czapanskiy (USGS), fall 2014 and spring 2015 at the National Finley. Shawn Stephensen and Peter Pearsall Renewable Energy Lab’s National Wind Rob Suryan, Stephanie Loredo, (Oregon Coast National Wildlife Technology Center in Colorado. The next Ian Throckmorton, Jess Porquez Refuge Complex; OCNWRC) deployed steps of this project include research into and Amanda Gladics (OSU), and satellite transmitters on Common commercial applications. Oscar Garzon and Carlos Lerma Murres offshore from the Yaquina Head Amanda Gladics and Sjurdur (Environment for the Americas) breeding colony in Newport. Leigh Hammer (Ph.D. candidate, University conducted studies of Common Murres Torres (OSU), Stephanie Loredo, Rob of Glasgow) co-organized a six-part (Uria aalge) and Pelagic and Brandt’s Suryan, Jess Porquez, and Amanda online videoconference series to engage Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus Gladics deployed archival GPS tags on early career scientists in preparation for and P. penicillatus, respectively) at Western Gulls from a breeding colony in the 2nd World Seabird Conference. Each the Yaquina Head colony in Newport, Yachats, Oregon, and collected bacterial “Meet the Masters” session featured Oregon. This is the ninth consecutive and viral samples for a collaboration two experienced seabird scientists year of collaborative studies at this with Scott Shaffer (San Jose State answering questions from a panel of site among OSU, the Bureau of Land University), Hillary Young (University three to six early career scientists in Management, and the USFWS. For the of California, Santa Barbara), and Corey a live video conversation. Archived first time in the 14-year time series, Clatterbuck (University of California, recordings of the sessions are available at both murres and Pelagic Cormorants San Diego). http://tinyurl.com/ha32w2r experienced complete reproductive Rob Suryan, Jess Porquez, Ian Dan Roby (USGS, OSU), Rob failure. Reproductive loss to predators Throckmorton and Amanda Gladics Suryan, Amanda Gladics, Roberta was higher this year than in previous continued vessel-based at-sea surveys Swift (USFWS-Migratory Birds and years, primarily attributed to increased of seabird distribution off the central Habitat Program), Shawn Stephensen, disturbance by Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus Oregon coast. The research areas Bill Bridgeland (OCNWRC), Amelia leucocephalus), and subsequent egg include the Newport Hydrographic Line, O’Connor (OCNWRC), and Ian predation by gull species (Larus an oceanographic cross-shelf sampling Throckmorten continued to develop and spp.). The frequent eagle disturbances line extending west from Newport, test non-invasive population monitoring concentrated on previously unaffected Oregon and two Pacific Marine Energy techniques for burrow-nesting seabirds. areas of the colony, contributing to the Center potential wave energy sites. In The approach combines simultaneous total failure. collaboration with scientists from the data collection using remote cameras and Rob Suryan (OSU) and Josh Adams NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science acoustic recorders in long deployments (USGS) initiated a project with funding Center, Amanda Gladics conducted up to an entire breeding season. During from the Bureau of Ocean Energy seabird surveys from Brookings, Oregon, 2015, the group deployed equipment at Management (BOEM) to use individual to Willapa Bay, Washington, during the Goat Island, near Brookings, Oregon, tracking to characterize resident and West Coast rockfish pre-recruitment for a second season and also expanded

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 9 REGIONAL REPORTS the study to include nearby Saddle Rock. sites and 75 unique stations. Jeff Reams the Pacific Coast. The same survey Peter Sanzenbacher (ABR, Inc.) and is the Turnstone project manager and methodology is followed along the Roberta Swift collaborated to conduct Jennifer Kirkland is the BLM contract Oregon coast and a similar methodology simultaneous radar surveys and Peter administrator and primary contact. is followed in California. Aerial surveys Hodum assisted in testing burrow probe Turnstone biologists also conducted were conducted aboard a 206 B3 Bell® cameras alongside traditional grubbing approximately 26 additional Marbled helicopter from 210-399 m above ground methods at both study sites to assess a Murrelet surveys over five unique sites level. The helicopter circled each refuge broad range of non-invasive monitoring and 23 unique stations for a private island until staff captured images of all techniques. This project is also in landowner in the coast range of Oregon. faces where surface-nesting seabirds partnership with Matthew McKown The project was conducted as part of the might be observed. Common Murres and Abram Fleishman (Conservation pre-management process in advance of were observed on Erin Island, Copalis Metrics). timber management plans. Murrelets NWR; Huntington, Cakesosta, Table Turnstone Environmental Consultants, were not detected during these surveys. Rock and an unnamed island within the Inc. (Turnstone) conducted work related Tom Williamson is the Turnstone Quillayute Needles Archipelago; Jagged, to seabirds for several projects in project manager for this project. Carroll Island & Pillar, Quillayute 2015, which are summarized below. Needles NWR; and White Rock, These projects involved surveys for WASHINGTON Flattery Rocks NWR. Ongoing analysis Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus Jennifer Lang (formerly Jennifer includes counting birds in digital photos marmoratus) and all surveys were Ma; M.Sc. student, University of in a geospatial database. conducted according the PSG’s 2003 Washington; UW) is developing models Sue Thomas and Lorenz Sollmann protocol requirements. to describe the baseline of beached bird (WMNWRC) conducted surveys in May The Oregon Department of Forestry patterns and evaluating wreck (seabird to determine abundance and distribution (ODF) contracted Turnstone to conduct die-offs) events for the outer coast of of Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus Marbled Murrelet surveys on state Washington and Oregon using data columba) on Protection Island NWR lands in the Coast Range of Oregon in collected by participants of the citizen and select islands within the San Juan four ODF districts (Astoria, Tillamook, science project, Coastal Observation Island NWR. Other breeding species Western Lane, and West Oregon). And Seabird Survey Team (COASST), were noted as well, particularly Black Visiting a mixture of first, second, under the direction of Julia Parrish Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) and multi-year survey sites, surveyors (UW). After identifying wrecks as and gulls. This survey effort followed conducted 896 surveys at 131 unique statistically anomalously high encounter methodology established by Evenson sites and 522 unique stations. Murrelets rate events compared to the normal et al. 2004 (Proceedings of the 2003 were detected during 39 surveys at 23 pattern, wrecks are assessed by duration Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research sites in five different districts; nesting and intensity, and the body condition and Conference) which refined population behavior was observed during six of species composition of the carcasses. estimates for Pigeon Guillemots in the these surveys. Tom Williamson is the Sue Thomas and Lorenz Sollmann Salish Sea. This effort was intended Turnstone project manager and Corey (USFWS Washington Maritime National to reassess abundance of guillemots Grinnell is the ODF primary contact. Wildlife Refuge Complex; WMNWRC) associated with refuge islands and gauge Turnstone conducted Marbled conducted two aerial surveys of surface- the need for an additional comprehensive Murrelet surveys for two districts of the nesting seabirds on 24 islands within surveys throughout the Salish Sea. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Flattery Rocks, Quillayute Needles, Sue Thomas (WMNWRC) recently in 2015. The Salem District contracted and Copalis National Wildlife Refuges completed a pilot project testing the use Turnstone to conduct Marbled Murrelet (NWRs) on 18 June and 1 July 2015. of remote trail cameras in a diet study surveys in the Mary’s Peak Resource Species surveyed included Common of Tufted Puffin chicks on Protection Area, Oregon. Turnstone biologists Murre (Uria aalge); Double-crested, Island NWR and the Zella Schultz conducted 97 surveys at 15 unique sites Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants Seabird Sanctuary. The objectives of this and 37 unique stations. Jeff Reams (Phalacrocorax auritu, P. penicillatus study were to assess the use of remote is the Turnstone project manager and and P. pelagicus, respectively); and cameras in identifying and quantifying Scott Hopkins is the BLM contract Glaucous-winged, Western and hybrid species of prey and feeding frequencies. administrator and primary contact. gulls (Larus glaucescens and L. Photos have not yet been fully analyzed. The BLM Coos District contracted occidentalis, respectively) as well as Sue Thomas and Lorenz Sollmann Turnstone to conduct Marbled Murrelet Tufted Puffins Fratercula ( cirrhata) (WMNWRC) participated in the Pacific surveys in survey areas within the Coos opportunistically. This survey is part of Flyway Double-crested Cormorant District, Oregon. Turnstone biologists a larger effort to assess abundance and survey in July 2015. Six refuge islands conducted 113 surveys at 17 unique distribution in seabird colonies along that have historically supported >50

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Double-crested Cormorant nests were and increase public awareness and Sea Grant) continue to promote circumnavigated once at 2-5 knots from support for good policy decisions. seabird conservation through research roughly 200 yards off shore while photos Elizabeth Phillips (Ph.D. candidate and outreach in California, Oregon were taken of the colony. All adults as in the School of Aquatic and Fishery and Washington groundfish fisheries well as chicks or occupied nests were Sciences, University of Washington) is with funding from NOAA Northwest counted in photographs. examining the influence of river plumes Fisheries Science Center and Northwest Peter Hodum, Chair of the Science on seabird-prey interactions, with a focus Region, National Fish and Wildlife Committee for Seattle Audubon, reports on Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) Foundation, and the Packard Foundation. that Seattle Audubon has been working and Common Murre (Uria aalge) near In 2014-2015, Amanda Gladics with other environmental organizations the Columbia River in the northern wrapped up at-sea research on seabird as part of the Murrelet Survival Project California Current. She is working in interactions with longline fishing gear. (Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus collaboration with Jen Zamon (NOAA- The team promoted seabird avoidance marmoratus), the goal being to educate Fisheries) and Josh Adams (U.S. at several industry and public events and the members of the Washington State Geological Survey). reported their research findings to the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) on a Scott Pearson (Washington Pacific Fisheries Management Council suite of four Alternatives for the Marbled Department of Fish and Wildlife), Tom in April, and in meetings with fishermen Murrelet Long-Term Conservation Good (NOAA Northwest Fisheries in four West Coast ports (Astoria, Strategy. The coalition works with Science Center) and Peter Hodum Newport, Charleston, Port Orford). The state and federal agency staff and other (University of Puget Sound and group continues to work closely with the research scientists to ensure that these Oikonos) continued their long-term NOAA West Coast Groundfish Observer alternatives reflect the latest scientific study of reproductive success patterns Program to characterize the diversity of research on the habitat needs of and prey of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca vessels and gear types in this fleet, and availability for this threatened species. monocerata) on Protection (tenth year) Amanda Gladics conducted trainings By the end of 2016, Washington State’s and Destruction (eighth year) islands, for fisheries observers to measure the BNR will also determine a land use Washington. Dietary studies were sink rates of longlines on vessels selected plan for the following decade that will conducted during the late chick-rearing for observer coverage. impact timber revenue for Washington stage on both islands. Preliminary state communities and old-growth forest analyses of burrow occupancy and REPORTS FROM WA/OR MEMBERS habitat. fledging success suggest that occupancy WORKING IN OTHER REGIONS Lora Leschner continues to work was lower than the long-term average for as a partnership coordinator for the Destruction but not Protection. Fledging ANTARCTICA Joint Venture program. Pacific Coast success was comparable to previous Peter Kappes is working on a Ph.D. Joint Venture has rebranded and is now years on both islands. with his adviser Katie Dugger at Oregon Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. Undergraduate research students in State University (OSU), investigating Reorganization is intended to improve Peter Hodum’s lab at the University the reproductive ecology and population efficiencies across the region (Alaska, of Puget Sound (UPS), in collaboration dynamics of Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis Hawaii, British Columbia, Washington, with Oikonos and the Slater Museum adeliae) on Ross Island, Antarctica. Oregon and northern California) as of Natural History at UPS, conducted well as throughout the Pacific flyway. seabird-related research on three HAWAI’I We conducted an analysis of existing focal projects during the past year: (1) Matthew McKown (Conservation important bird conservation plans (e.g., plastic ingestion patterns in seabirds Metrics), Roberta Swift (U. S. Fish & State Wildlife Action Plans, USFWS of the Outer Coast of Washington Wildlife Service Migratory Birds and plans) to identify overlaps and gaps. and northern Oregon, (2) a historical Habitats Program), and Meg Duhr-Schultz Partners then reviewed the results and ecology study of trophic levels of Tufted (U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Midway Atoll the Joint Venture identified two major Puffins Fratercula ( cirrhata) using National Wildlife Refuge) initiated a two- habitat-based priorities: Coastal wetlands stable isotope analyses, and (3) a pilot year study to develop methods to survey and oaks prairie conservation. The goals study of neurophysiological impacts of Bonin Petrels (Pterodroma hypoleuca) on for coastal wetland habitat include: plastic ingestion in Northern Fulmars Midway Atoll using Wildlife Acoustics understand coast-wide implications of (Fulmarus glacialis). Song Meter SM3’s®. The study will sea level rise and other climate effects, simultaneously collect burrow occupancy develop a coast-wide strategy that OREGON & WASHINGTON and acoustic data in order to calibrate Song blends mitigation strategies, improve Ed Melvin (Washington Sea Grant) Meters for use as a refuge monitoring tool restoration techniques to address long- and Rob Suryan, Amanda Gladics for this species. term transformation of coastal wetlands, (OSU) and Joe Tyburczy (California

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NORTHERN Adam Brown. Since the inception effort and energetic factors. The aim of HCP monitoring (1999), behaviors is to devise “harvest rules,” i.e., levels CALIFORNIA indicating occupancy have been of forage fish abundance that result in Compiled by Anna Weinstein observed in the MMCAs and Reserve life-history changes among predators, stands using AV surveys. In 2015, by which ecosystem-based fishery The Common Murre Restoration surveyors conducted 142 surveys at management can be applied in the Project (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 33 stations and observed “occupying California Current. – Fremont, California; Humboldt behaviors” (below canopy flight or Tori Seher (Golden Gate National State University – Arcata, California; circling) in all monitored Reserves and Recreation Area) monitored Pelagic and others), which is funded by the all MMCAs. Radar surveys tracked Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), Luckenbach Oil Spill Trustee Council, murrelets traveling to and from nesting Pigeon Guillemots (Ceppus columba), concluded its 20th season of seabird areas within the MMCAs and Reserves; California Gulls (Larus californicus), productivity and disturbance monitoring. radar counts are considered an index to and Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus Co-Principal Investigators on the project the breeding population size. In 2015, 56 bachmani) on Alcatraz Island. Pelagic are Gerry McChesney (USFWS) radar surveys were conducted at 14 sites. Cormorants did not nest on the island and Rick Golightly (Humboldt State Most murrelets tracked by radar were at for the second consecutive year and University; HSU); biologist Allison Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the California Gulls were also absent from Fuller (HSU) coordinated field Shaw Creek MMCA. Final analyses of the island for the first time since 2004. activities. Field biologists in 2015 the 2015 data have not yet concluded. The Black Oystercatcher nests increased included Johanna Anderson, Jared 2014 data indicated that after 12 years of to three for the first time on record. Zimmerman, Justin Windsor, Ryan monitoring there has been an increase in Video cameras were used for the second Potter, Amanda Hooper and Sarah radar detections in the MMCAs, but not year to monitor reproductive success Wartman. in the Reserves, since the 2002 baseline. and diet of Pigeon Guillemots. Harry Four colony complexes in California David Ainley (H.T. Harvey & Carter and Mike Parker (California were monitored by six seasonal field Associates Ecological Consultants), Institute of Environmental Studies) biologists in 2015, including Point Reyes Peter Adams (Adams Fishery monitored for presence of Ashy Storm- Headlands (Marin County), Drakes Consultants), John Field (National petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) Bay Colony Complex (Marin County), Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency after two were found dead on Alcatraz Devil’s Slide Rock and Mainland [NOAA]- National Marine Fisheries the previous year. Heather Robinson (Pacifica), and Castle-Hurricane Colony Service, Santa Cruz), Michelle Hester (Farallon Institute) monitored phenology, Complex (Big Sur). Murre numbers were (Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge), Jaime reproductive success, and disturbance of steady at Devil’s Slide Rock, which was Jahncke (Point Blue Conservation Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) and recolonized using social attraction from Science) and Jarrod Santora Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax 1996 to 2005, compared to 2014. Aircraft (University of California, Santa Cruz penicillatus) on Alcatraz Island. and boat disturbance was relatively [UCSC]), along with other members of Jan Roletto and Dre Devlin (Greater infrequent in 2015. their respective institutions, began a data Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC synthesis and analysis project, funded by NOAA), and Kirsten Lindquist, (HRC) continued the conservation NOAA, entitled: “Advancing Effective Taylor Nair and Peter Pyle (Sanctuary activities for the Marbled Murrelet Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Supporters) coordinated the Beach Watch (Brachyramphus marmoratus) under in the California Current System: Metrics program of Greater Farallones National the company’s Habitat Conservation for Quantifying Prey Availability to Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS). Beach Plan (HCP). Project leaders were Sal Predators thus to Model Allocations Watch is a public-private partnership Chinnici and Mark Freitas of HRC. of Allowable Biological Catches”. The engaging 150 citizen scientists in The HCP requires tracking of murrelet project grew from a National Fish and standardized monitoring of live and dead occupancy and numbers over time Wildlife Foundation-funded workshop wildlife on 56 outer coast beaches of the using both radar and audio-visual held in September 2013 in which the North Central Coast. In anticipation of (AV) survey techniques. Surveys were spatial and temporal aspects of prey the GFNMS expansion of April 2015, continued in 2015 at the Headwaters switching among California Current Beach Watch program expanded its Forest Reserve and Humboldt Redwoods seabirds was investigated and discussed. survey range to Manchester Beach, State Park (the Reserves), and also at the This NOAA-funded project will Mendocino County, in November 2014. Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas combine a few decades of data gathered Forty new volunteers started surveys (MMCAs) on HRC forestlands, with in the central California Current region in November 2014. In fall and winter the collaboration of Sean McAllister, on forage fish availability, along with 2014 Beach Watch found significant O’Brien Biological Consulting, and seabird foraging habitat use, foraging increased deposition of Cassin’s Auklets

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(Ptychoramphus aleuticus) more than (Oikonos), and Peter Hodum (Oikonos, in collaboration with David Pereksta 100 times than the 21-year baseline. University of Puget Sound [UPS]), (BOEM) and Kevin Lafferty (USGS) Preliminary findings were presented at with Gary Shugart (UPS), Myra created a seabird monitoring survey to PSG annual meeting in 2015. Again in Finklestein (UCSC), and a growing compile information on seabird research fall 2015 there was significant increase number of collaborators in the United and researchers in California, Oregon, in deposition of Common Murre States, Japan, and Australia. Project Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. (Uria aalge). Necropsies conducted by centers are located in O’ahu (HPU’s Josh Adams, Max Czapanskiy, the National Wildlife Health Center Pelagicos lab), Santa Cruz (Marine and Emma Kelsey (USGS), with indicated starvation as the cause of both Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research support from the Montrose Settlements mortality events. Notably during this Center and UCSC), and Tacoma (UPS’s Restoration Program, in collaboration year, Beach Watch also documented Slater Museum). Investigations focus on with the Channel Islands National Park significant die-offs in California sea quantifying plastic ingestion in seabirds (David Mazurkiewicz) completed lion (Zalophus californianus) and and their prey, assessing pollutant loads seasonal mist-netting efforts to quantify Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus in marine food-webs, and identifying the catch per unit effort for Ashy Storm- townsendi). Beach Watch data-query biological impacts of ingested plastics petrels at three colonies off southern can be found on-line. More information and associated pollutants on marine California. These data will be compared contact Jan Roletto, Jan.Roletto@noaa. predators. with similar efforts during 2004-2007. gov or Kirsten Lindquist, klindquist@ The BeachCOMBERS (Coastal Josh Adams, Jonathan Felis, Bill farallones.org, or check out the data Ocean Mammal and Bird Education Henry, Jennifer Broughton (UCSC), query system at http://www.farallones. and Research Surveys) is headed by John Mason, and John Takekawa org/BeachData/BeachWatchData.php Principal Investigator Jim Harvey are completing several projects related The Seabird Bycatch Necropsy (Moss Landing Marine Labs, MLML), to the Pacific Continental Shelf Program continued investigations with additional coordination from Patty Environmental Assessment (PaCSEA) of the demographics and health of Brown (MLML), Cori Gibble (UCSC/ program including compilation and seabirds killed in Hawaii and Alaska UCD), Emma Kelsey (U. S. Geological atlas representation of seabird telemetry longline fisheries at the Marine Wildlife Survey,USGS) and Erica Donnelly- data for the California Current Large Veterinary Care and Research Center, Greenan. Additional support came Marine Ecosystem, characterization of in Santa Cruz. The program is led by from Monterey Bay National Marine water masses of the northern California Shannon Fitzgerald (NOAA - Alaska Sanctuary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Current using airborne hyperspectral Fisheries Science Center), Jessie Service, UCD, USGS, California radiometry, and a comparison of Beck and Michelle Hester (Oikonos), Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. density and distribution among seabirds with support from NOAA - Pacific Bureau of Land Management, Oikonos, off northern CA, OR, and southern Islands Regional Office and California and the hundreds of volunteers who Washington between the 1990s and Department of Fish and Wildlife. have made this program possible. 2011-12. Plastic ingestion was quantified as part BeachCOMBERS systematically surveys Ron LeValley, in conjunction of Oikonos’ “Biological Indicators beaches in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and with the California Coastal National of Ocean Plastic Pollution Program” San Luis Obispo counties (California) Monument (CCNM), Mendocino (BiOPS). Diet studies were conducted to determine human and natural impacts Coast Audubon Society, the Sea Ranch in collaboration with William Walker to marine birds and mammals. Project Stewardship Taskforce and other groups, (National Marine Mammal Laboratory, coordinators completed a volunteer has continued monitoring Pelagic Sand Point, Washington). In addition, a training session at Moss Landing Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Short-tailed Albatross from the Alaska Marine Laboratories in October 2014. colonies in the Mendocino County hook-and-line groundfish fishery The Southern Chapter, established in region of northern California for the 7th was examined in December 2014 in 2013, is headed by Principal Investigator, year. Citizen scientists monitor known collaboration with Paul Collins and Robert McMorran of the U. S. Fish and colonies. More volunteers and sites have the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural Wildlife Service. been added to the project, and more History. Josh Adams, Emma Kelsey and than 15 sites with 5 to 25 nests each are The BiOPS network works to reduce Jonathan Felis (USGS), in collaboration now being monitored for reproductive marine plastic pollution by using with David Pereksta (Bureau of Ocean success. Productivity was poor in 2015 seabirds and fish as biological samplers Energy Management; BOEM), are compared to the past six years, with of litter at sea. The network is managed finalizing a report on the vulnerability many of the colonies lacking any nests by David Hyrenbach (Oikonos, Hawaii of seabirds to offshore wind farms in this year. Ron is collaborating with Pacific University), with projects led the California Current System. Josh others along the West Coast to compile a by Jessie Beck, Michelle Hester Adams and Emma Kelsey (USGS), broad assessment of Pelagic Cormorant.

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Scott Shaffer, Sue Cockerham, Anne Shaffer are collaborating with David continue in 2016. Funding was provided Cassell (San Jose State University) are Thompson (National institute of Water from the Bureau of Land Management, continuing a large collaborative project and Atmospheric research in New the Resources Legacy Fund and the on the foraging ecology of Western Zealand). Their project focuses on the Marisla Foundation. Gulls (Larus occidentalis) with Pete foraging ecology and energetics of Warzybok, Russell Bradley, and Jaime Campbell and grey-headed albatrosses Jahncke (Point Blue Conservation (Thalassarche impavida and T. SOUTHERN Science), Josh Adams and Emma chrysostoma) at Campbell Island, New CALIFORNIA Kelsey (USGS), Rob Suryan and Zealand. Lastly, Scott is collaborating Compiled by Yuri Albores-Barajas Leigh Torres (OSU), Hillary Young with Pierre Blevin, Olivier Chastel, (University of California, Santa Barbara), Fred Angelier (Centre d’Etudes Annette Henry and Corey Clatterbuck and Rebecca Biologiques de Chizé, France) and Geir is studying the Lewison (San Diego State University). Gabrielsen (Norwegian Polar Institute) physiological changes of Eared Grebes This multi-colony study (southern and on a study to examine the effects of (Podiceps nigricollis) associated with central California and Oregon) focuses contaminants and hormone levels on egg migration. Habitat changes to staging on intercolony differences in foraging turning behavior and breeding success areas for this species during autumn and behavior, diet, and contaminant exposure in Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa spring are being monitored to evaluate of gulls that feed on natural foods or in tridactyla) in Svalbard. effects at a population level. As part of landfills. Mark Rauzon has completed the her work with Marine Mammal and Scott Shaffer is also collaborating book, “Isles of Amnesia: History, Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries with Pete Warzybok, Russell Bradley, Geography and Restoration of America’s Science Center (SWFSC), NOAA, she is and Jaime Jahncke to examine the Forgotten Pacific Islands”, published in working on distribution of select seabird foraging ecology of Rhinoceros Auklets 2016 from University of Hawaii Press. species within the eastern tropical (Cerorhinca monocerata) at Southeast It is the story of an invasive species Pacific and California Current using Farallon Island. Two pilot efforts have eradication practitioner trying to save data collected by the SWFSC as part of produced interesting and amazing data seabirds in America’s newest marine their cetacean and ecosystem assessment showing the extensive foraging range national monuments. How the islands surveys. Lisa T. Ballance and travel distances of Rhinoceros were colonized and how they were (SWFSC) continues Auklets breeding at the Farallon Islands. restored is the story told from Rauzon’s to oversee the seabird portion of the Greg Taylor (San Jose State University) personal experience for over 25 years. center’s Cetacean and Ecosystem and Scott Shaffer are working with In addition, Mark is completing Assessment Surveys in the greater Josh Ackerman (USGS to examine the monitoring of Double-crested Pacific Ocean (California Current, the effect of mercury contamination on Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) Hawaiian Archipelago - in collaboration egg turning behavior in Forster’s terns on the San Francisco Bay bridges, with colleagues at the Pacific Islands (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco Bay. which are either closed to birds or being Fisheries Science Center, and eastern Scott Shaffer is continuing a long- demolished. Along with Meredith tropical Pacific). These surveys date to term study (since 2002) on the foraging Elliott of Point Blue Conservation 1988, with the most recent being ecology of Laysan and Black-footed Science, they are perhaps documenting completed in 2014. Lisa continues to Robert Pitman albatrosses (Phoebastria immutablis the end of the bridge colonies in San work with (SWFSC) on and P. nigripes, respectively) in the Francisco Bay. data analysis focused on at-sea ecology Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Laurie Harvey and Anna Weinstein of seabirds in the Pacific, and with Trevor Joyce Monument. Several students including (Audubon California) continued to (see dissertation details Michelle Antolos, Melinda Conners, coordinate a statewide study on Black below). In December of 2015, Lisa and Morgan Gilmour (UCSC), Sarah Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) became the National Seabird Coordinator Gutowsky (Dalhousie University), and productivity. In 2014, 60 participants of NOAA Fisheries’ Seabird Program, Kim Rivera Corey Clatterbuck have/are conducting tracked 55 pairs over the entire breeding with the retirement of . Trevor Joyce their thesis research on this project. In season (including re-nesting) in is nearing the addition, Scott is collaborating with locations from Mendocino to San Luis completion of his doctoral research on Lindsay Young and Eric Vander Werf Obispo counties. Participants include the oceanic seabird abundance (Pacific Rim Conservation) to examine staff of California State Parks and the distributions, feeding ecologies, and egg attendance behavior and breeding Bureau of Land Management as well as responses to El Niño Southern success in Laysan Albatrosses in the expert amateurs. Fledge success at 0.37/ Oscillation climatic variability in both main Hawaiian Islands. pair was similar to 2013. Productivity threatened and common taxa of the Caitlin Kroeger (UCSC) and Scott tracking and territory mapping will Central and Eastern Pacific. Trevor’s

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 14 REGIONAL REPORTS seabird research principally employs the JCNWR) on Oahu. With partners at work of HWC, and the diversity of extensive time series of seabird transects USGS, Oikonos and the state of Hawaii, Hawaii’s native species. HWC hopes surveys collected by the SWFSC over PRC also participated in the third and to have much, if not all, of the project the period 1988-2014 in the California final year of a multi-species (Laysan completed by September 2016, in time Current, Hawaii, the Line Islands, and Albatross, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters for the International Union for the the Eastern Tropical Pacific, as well as (Ardenna pacificus), Red-tailed Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World linked information from the Inter- Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) and Conservation Congress convening in American Tropical Tuna Commission Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) tracking Hawaii that month. and a variety of remote sensing products project to determine pelagic habitat use from NOAA and National Atmospheric of these species in the main Hawaiian and Space Administration (NASA). Islands. They continue to monitor NON-PACIFIC Trevor’s research also includes inquiries Laysan Albatrosses and Wedge-tailed UNITED STATES into novel systems for seabird imaging Shearwaters at Kaena Point Natural Area Compiled by Samantha Richman and automated counting from a variety Reserve on Oahu, as well monitor and of aerial platforms. control threats to Red-tailed tropicbirds PELAGIC SURVEYS on Oahu as well as nesting success of As of October 2015, the Biodiversity seabirds on Lehua Islet. Research Institute (BRI) completed a HAWAI’I Rae Okawa, Development Compiled by Yuri Albores-Barajas three-year effort that included two years Coordinator with the Hawai’i Wildlife of broad-scale baseline surveys (2012– Center (HWC), reports that seabirds Lindsay Young and Eric VanderWerf 2014) for seabirds, marine mammals, that were brought to the Hawaii Wildlife and sea turtles in federal waters of the (Pacific Rim Conservation, PRC) just Center (HWC) wildlife hospital in 2014- completed installation of a second mid-Atlantic region. The Department of 2015 since last year’s report included Energy (DOE) funded the initial offshore predator-proof fence in collaboration one Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), with the American Bird Conservancy, project, with additional funding from the two Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula), Maryland Department of Natural USFWS and the Kauai Endangered one Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma Seabird Recovery Project at Kilauea Resources and the Maryland Energy sandwichensis), three Wedge-tailed Administration to extend the surveys Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai, Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus), and successfully removed all predators into coastal waters off Maryland in year two Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria two. These projects employed a from within the fenced area. Hawaiian immutablis) and four White Terns (Gygis Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) combination of high-resolution digital alba). Birds were brought to HWC from video aerial surveys and boat-based chicks will be translocated into the Kauai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii islands. fenced area starting in November surveys. Digital surveys proved to be an Patients came in for a variety of reasons, effective method of capturing 2015 to establish a new, predator-free with most cases due to impact injuries breeding colony of the species and distribution and abundance information or debilitation. The Brown Booby had on a broad range of marine taxa in a we anticipate translocating Newell’s a severe beak injury and both Red- Shearwaters (Puffinus newelli) in 2016. single survey platform. Project reports footed Boobies had broken wings. The and outreach documents are available for Translocations at that site are expected Hawaiian Petrel was found downed. Two to be ongoing for the next five years. download at http://www.briloon.org/ of the three Wedge-tailed Shearwaters mabs/reports. Among others, Iain PRC also conducted a Laysan Albatross were brought to HWC as adults, one (Phoebastria immutablis) translocation Stenhouse (BRI), Richard Veit (City was injured from fishing line and one University of New York), and Beth using eggs laid on a military runway on was stranded on a ship. The most recent Kauai and moved those eggs to Oahu. Gardner (North Carolina State Wedge-tailed Shearwater patient was University) are co-PIs on these projects. Eggs were incubated at PRC offices brought to HWC as an orphaned chick, for two months, and hatched out under as were the four White Terns. Both foster parents at Kaena Point. When TRACKING STUDIES Laysan Albatross were rescued as failed Iain Stenhouse, Andrew Gilbert, chicks were one month old they were fledgers with the partnership of state and moved to James Campbell National Lucas Savoy, Carrie Gray (BRI), Bill federal wildlife agencies. Montevecchi (Memorial University of Wildlife Refuge (JCNWR) where they HWC is now in the implementation were raised by hand until they fledged Newfoundland), and Alicia Berlin (U. S. phase of its Ho‘opulama Science and Geological Survey; USGS) completed in June. The purpose of the project was Discovery Center. Fundraising is to save viable albatross eggs from being the fourth year of capture on a underway to fabricate and install exhibits collaborative satellite telemetry study of destroyed on Kauai and simultaneously highlighting native wildlife in the create a new colony of albatrosses at diving bird species wintering in the mid- Hawaiian archipelago, the conservation Atlantic region. Funded by the Bureau of

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Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), temporal and geographic variation in the thirds and three-quarters of the HYs and coordinated by the U.S. Fish and use of staging sites in the “Cape [Cod] & given PFR bands. Wildlife Service (USFWS) (Scott Islands” area of southeastern MA. Hatch Laura Bliss is continuing her work Johnson and Caleb Spiegel), this study Year (HY) and adult Roseate Terns presented at the 2015 PSG conference, has been highly successful in tracking (ROST; and in particular non-breeding “Seabirds and Fine Scale Tidal the movements of three focal marine adults) were given 3-character plastic Dynamics”, in collaboration with Dena bird species – Northern Gannets (Morus field-readable (PFR) bands at nine Spatz at University of California, Santa bassanus), Red-throated Loons (Gavia colony sites spanning the entire breeding Cruz (UCSC), Breck Tyler at UCSC, stellata), and Surf Scoters (Melanitta range (CT to Nova Scotia). Morgan Eisenlord at Cornell University, perspicillata). Birds were caught at sea Funding from Cape Cod National and Emma Schlatter. In August 2015, in winter (2012–2015) to examine their Seashore (CACO) in 2014 and 2015 she continued to work with seabirds by winter use of the mid-Atlantic continental supported: (1) the long-term “variation volunteering in with the Maui Nui shelf area and their migratory movements in staging site use” work that Jeff and Seabird Recovery Project in Maui, in relation to the federally-designated colleagues with Massachusetts Hawaii. She is currently pursuing a Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology at eastern seaboard. Trials of experimental have been doing since 2006, and (2) two Texas State University. harness attachments are ongoing. Master of Science projects under the Steve Kress and Paula Shannon of direction of Sarah Karpanty at Virginia the National Audubon Society’s Seabird OTHER STUDIES/NEWS Technical Institute and Jonathan Cohen Restoration Program (NAS-SRP) Andrew Gilbert (BRI) continues to at State University of New York-Empire continued long-term monitoring of manage tracking data from several State College (SUNY ESC). Jonathan’s breeding seabird populations in the Gulf projects involving large numbers of student Melissa Althouse will of Maine, focusing on diet studies, satellite tags, including the multi-year categorize, quantify, and evaluate the productivity, growth, and populations of collaborative work of the Sea Duck Joint- impacts of different types of disturbances Common, Arctic, and Roseate Terns Venture (SDJV). Hundreds of implanted to mixed-species staging tern flocks. (Sterna hirundo, S. paradisaea, and S. satellite tags have been deployed on sea Sarah’s student Kayla Davis will dougallii, r e s p e c t i v e l y ) , A t l a n t i c ducks in the Atlantic over the last 14 examine how disturbances and other Puffins Fractercula( arctica), Razorbills years and work is ongoing to collect, factors may be impacting the bond (Alca torda), and Black Guillemots organize, filter, and map these data for between an HY (with a PFR band) and (Cepphus grylle). The study of Atlantic analyzing the spatial patterns of sea duck its care-giving parent, and the ability of Puffin winter movements continued with species. the HY to prepare for becoming the recapture of 12 geolocator-tagged In 2015, BRI (Andrew Gilbert, Iain independent and to survive its first long- puffins. In partnership with ‘explore. Stenhouse) received funding from distance migration to South America. In org’, NAS-SRP deployed five HD BOEM to develop a Mobile Avian 2015 they had 12 people doing “full- cameras streaming live video of nesting Survey Data Collection Application – an time” fieldwork on these various aspects puffins, terns, guillemots, and Osprey offshore survey ‘app’ – for use on small of the “CACO ROST Staging Site (Pandion haliaetus) to the internet. devices, such as tablets. They have Project.” Audubon’s international training worked closely with Tilson Government Recent results from their cooperative program continued, with fellows from Services, LLC, to develop this software, work done since 2011 indicate that a the China, Mexico, and Chile. named SeaScribe. The app is now higher percentage of the entire northwest Samantha Richman, in collaboration undergoing field trial and review, and Atlantic Roseate Tern population is with Keith Hobson, has continued her should be freely available from BOEM making use of the “Cape and Islands” work with captive Common Eiders in 2016. area in July-September than was (Somateria mollissima) at the Livingston Jeff Spendelow (USGS Patuxent previously suspected and therefore could Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy in Wildlife Research Center) coordinates a be impacted by hurricanes, oil spills, Connecticut to examine nutrient cooperative research project on the habitat modification, etc., in this area), allocation to specific tissues and metapopulation dynamics and ecology and that HY ROSTs and their parents determine baseline isotopic of the endangered northwest Atlantic may have greater “length of stay” staging discrimination factors for birds on breeding population of Roseate Terns times here than Common Terns (Sterna single-source, homogenous diet that (Sterna dougallii) that began in 1987. hirundo) from the same colony sites. differ in source nutrients (marine or After many years of concentrating on Although data have not been summarized terrestrial origin). colony-site research in the Massachusetts- for 2015 at the colony sites, the past New York-Connecticut (MA-NY-CT) several years at Cape Cod typically have area, since 2011 he has been examining included resightings of between two-

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 16 REGIONAL REPORTS

LATIN AMERICA strongly associated with the bycatch of the Desventuradas Archipelago. diving seabirds such as the Pink-footed Compiled by Yuri Albores-Barajas and Sooty (Ardenna creatopus and A. grisea, respectively) Shearwaters. In CANADA Yovana Murillo and Luis Alberto turn, the gillnet fisheries are strongly Compiled by Ken Morgan Delgado are working on a project aiming linked to bycatch events of seabirds such to rescue, recover, and evaluate Ringed as cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.) and WESTERN CANADA Storm-Petrels (Hydrobates hornbyi) that penguins (Spheniscidae) during their Alan Burger (University of Victoria, are found in urban places, outside of seasonal movements and on feeding Victoria, British Columbia [BC] / their natural environment. In 2015, more grounds during the breeding season. independent consultant) is mostly retired than 200 Ringed Storm-Petrels were The evaluation of mitigation measures but continues some work on the Marbled rescued in 40 districts of metropolitan in these fisheries will continue. These Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Lima, Peru. They also collected initiatives are ongoing thanks to the including contracts, reviews, morphometric and landing data and support from the National Fish and conservation and publishing (E.g., did the first analysis on adjacent light Wildlife Foundation, the Royal Society Cragg et al., Marine Ornithology 43:151, and structure characteristics related to for the Protection of Birds, and the 2015). Alan was awarded the Steve groundings. This is significant because Ornithological Council small grants Cannings Award for BC Ornithology Ringed Storm-Petrels are classified as a program for ornithological research. for 2015 by the British Columbia Field “data deficient species”. Little is known Rosana Paredes (Oregon State Ornithologists. He was also elected as about population size and breeding sites. University) and a team of Peruvian the Vice-president of the Federation of Cristián Suazo is working on several biologists led by Susana Cárdenas BC Naturalists. fronts with Chilean seabirds. Among the (Punta San Juan Program, Universidad Ken Morgan (Environment Canada, activities carried out between September Cayetano Heredia) in collaboration Canadian Wildlife Service [EC-CWS], 2014 and 2015, in Chilean waters, two with James Fox (Migrate Technology), Sydney, BC) and Anton Wolfaardt important actions are highlighted. First, obtained the first information on the (Knysna, South Africa) have kept the collaborative participation of local migration patterns of Humboldt Penguins busy co-chairing the 9-person Travel researchers who have worked on the (Spheniscus humboldti) during the non- Awards Committee, to provide financial first project sponsored by the Chilean breeding season. Marco Cardeña at assistance to applicants hoping to attend authorities (SUBPESCA-Chilean Punta San Juan, Peru recovered the last the 2nd World Seabird Conference Government) focused on diagnosing the geolocator this year. As part of the Punta in Cape Town South Africa (October ecosystem effects of artisanal fisheries San Juan Program, Antje Chiu led the 2015). Ken continued chairing both the including an important fraction of small- GPS tracking of Humboldt Penguins Canadian Albatross and Shearwater scale fishing locations in the country. again this year, obtaining information Recovery Team and the Pacific Region This project considered a geographical of the foraging patterns during the Seabird Bycatch Working group. He also coverage in the southeast Pacific between breeding season. Both studies will continued to provide input to several the northern limit of Chile with Peru continue in 2016, and as a whole, will major Environmental Assessment (~18° South) and its south-central region provide information on the year-round reviews of marine shipping of petroleum (~39° S). Along this gradient within the movement patterns of this endangered products. In January 2015, Ken Humboldt Current System (HCS) real- species at one of the largest colonies in participated in the workshop, ‘Reducing time information was obtained on the: Peru and Chile. the Bycatch of Seabirds, Sea Turtles, 1) interaction of seabirds (abundance, Peter Hodum, Jessie Beck and Ryan and Marine Mammals in Gillnets’, bycatch) with unstudied fishing gear Carle of Oikonos, along with local held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (purse seine and gillnets), 2) marine colleagues, continued the long-term Service National Conservation Training debris generated by these activities, breeding season monitoring of threatened Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and 3) perception of fishermen on Pink-footed Shearwaters (Ardenna and co-sponsored by American Bird the intrinsic value of seabirds as co- creatopus) on the Juan Fernández Conservancy and BirdLife International. inhabitants of their marine environment. Islands and Mocha Island. In addition, In May, Ken participated in the Meeting In addition, they are developing Oikonos is currently undertaking its of the Parties to the Agreement on the in situ research activities in various fifth consecutive season of breeding Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels fishing ports along the HCS in order season monitoring of the threatened in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Ken to diagnose and develop mitigation De Filippi’s Petrel (Pterodroma hired contract seabird observer Luke measures for small-scale fisheries defilippiana), a Chilean endemic that Halpin, (Halpin Wildlife Research, such as purse seine and gillnets. In breeds in only two island groups in the Vancouver, BC) to conduct fall and these waters, purse seine fisheries are world, the Juan Fernández Islands and winter seabird surveys off the west

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 17 REGIONAL REPORTS coast of BC. In July, for the first time BC, completed their 26th field season retrieving 48 geolocators deployed in in many years, Ken managed to get out of monitoring marine and terrestrial 2014 on breeding Ancient Murrelets on on the water to also conduct a seabird ecology in Laskeek Bay, Haida Gwaii. George Island, Reef Island, Hippa Island survey off the west coast of Haida Vivian Pattison and Ellen Hunter and Susk Gwaii. Initially, most birds Gwaii, BC! Ken continued working Perkins (LBCS) spent 1 May-10 July on moved to the Bering Sea in July-August. with Patrick O’Hara (EC-CWS, Limestone Island, conducting various Thereafter, two distinct migration Sidney, BC) and Colin Robertson research and monitoring projects, and strategies were observed. About two- (Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, coordinating the many volunteer and thirds of adults from most colonies Ontario [ON]) on modeling the marine student assistants. In May, monitoring continued to the west, via the Kuril distribution of selected seabird species, of Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus Islands and the Sea of Okhotsk, to spend and their overlap with commercial antiquus) chick departures from this December-February in the Yellow Sea longline fisheries. This year, Ken, small colony took place for the 26th or Sea of Japan. The remainder returned who has served for many years as the season. There was a dramatic change in south along the west coast of North PSG Canada Regional Representative, the number of chicks fledging from the America in October to over-winter in passed the torch to Stephanie Avery- colony this season (a 60% decline). In the waters from British Columbia south to Gomm (Environment Canada- Science past, declines in chick numbers have been California. Both sets of birds returned to and Technology Branch [EC-S&T], St. related to introduced raccoon (Procyon Haida Gwaii in March, when breeding John’s, Newfoundland [NL]). lotor) presence in the colony, but due commences. The reason for the existence Trudy Chatwin (BC Ministry of to monitoring and control, no raccoons of different wintering areas among birds Forests, Lands and Natural Resource have been on the island since 2009, from the same colony warrants further Operations [BC MFLNRO], Province making this year’s decline especially investigation. Field crew included of BC, Nanaimo, BC) continued to concerning. Black Oystercatcher Laurie Wilson, Dan Shervill , Yuriko work on the Canadian Marbled Murrelet (Haematopus bachmani) surveys took Hashimoto, Erika Lok, and Rhonda (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Recovery place once again, in Laskeek Bay and to Millikin (all of EC-CWS, Delta, BC), Team to make recommendations for the south in Gwaii Haanas National Park Glen Keddie (EC-CWS Contractor, recovery of the Marbled Murrelet (listed Reserve, on the islands surrounding Lyell Lasqueti Island, BC), and Jake Pattison as Threatened in Canada). Island. Jake Pattison (LBCS) joined the (LBCS). Laurie Wilson also expanded Harry Carter (Carter Biological crew for one survey in Gwaii Haanas. the EC-CWS seabird colony monitoring Consulting, Victoria, BC) has primarily Black Oystercatcher breeding success program, establishing permanent plots at conducted seabird projects in California for all areas was similar to past years. the Ancient Murrelet and Cassin’s Auklet this year. Fieldwork in BC involved Many other activities took place over colonies on Susk Gwaii. Occupancy limited colony surveys in the Strait of the season, including Glaucous-winged rates were also determined for both Georgia region for Double-crested and Gull (Larus glaucescens) censuses, species. Field crew consisted of Laurie Pelagic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax and Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus Wilson, Dan Shervill, Erika Lok, and auritus and P. pelagicus, respectively). aleuticus) and Pigeon Guillemot Glen Keddie (EC-CWS contractor, In collaboration with Trudy Chatwin (Cepphus columba) nestbox monitoring. Lasqueti Island, BC). Finally, Laurie (BC MFLNRO, Nanaimo, BC) and Laurie Wilson (EC-CWS, Delta, continued with monitoring seabird Mark Drever (EC-CWS, Delta, BC), a BC) continued the third year of a 3-year bycatch in commercial salmon gillnet complete survey for all three cormorant study to better understand the timing fisheries. Reports of bird entanglements species (Double-crested Cormorant, and movement of Ancient Murrelets from DFO test fisheries with observer Pelagic Cormorant and Brandt’s (Synthliboramphus antiquus) that breed programs and bycatch events reported Cormorant (P. penicillatus) populations in Haida Gwaii. In collaboration with by fishers were tallied; these data will be in the Strait of Georgia, BC, was Anthony Gaston (EC-S&T, Ottawa, used to derive seabird bycatch estimates. conducted in 2014-2015 and analyses ON), and Yuriko Hashimoto (EC-CWS, Jocelyn Wood (CWS Contractor, of population trends are underway Delta, BC) results from geolocators Delta, BC) is spearheading a project (Adkins et al., J. Wildlife Manage. 78: recovered from George Island and Susk studying the ingestion of microplastics 113, 2014; Carter, British Columbia Gwaii (formerly known as Frederick by Cassin’s Auklet wrecked off the West Birds 26:8, 2016). In collaboration with Island) in 2014 were published (Gaston Coast in December 2014. Working in Spencer Sealy (University of Manitoba, et. al., IBIS 157:877 2015). Tracklogs collaboration with Patrick O’Hara Winnipeg, Manitoba) and others, work showed Ancient Murrelets migrated (CWS, EC, Sidney, BC), Stephanie on historical seabird records and alcid approximately 7,600 km west across Avery-Gomm (EC, St. John’s, vagrancy in BC continues. the entire width of the North Pacific to Newfoundland) and Laurie Wilson The Laskeek Bay Conservation Society over-winter in the waters between Japan (CWS, EC Delta, BC) this project will (LBCS), based in Queen Charlotte, and China. In 2015, fieldwork involved combine at-sea winter distribution

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 18 REGIONAL REPORTS models of Cassin’s Auklets with previous individuals ranging as far south as New John’s, NL), and Carina Gjerdrum (EC- studies mapping the distribution of York and others into the Gulf of St CWS, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia [NS]) microplastics and macroplastic to Lawrence. Two geolocator tags recovered have been busy working on two large elucidate where exposure of Cassin’s from 5 Razorbills (Alca torda) marked in projects related to understanding the risk Auklets to microplastic most likely 2014 were also recovered, showing most and impact of the offshore oil and gas occurred. time spent in the Gulf of Maine/Bay of industry on seabirds. Stephanie presented Joanna Smith (Marine Spatial Fundy with excursions beyond the shelf one output from these projects, a map of Planning Science Manager, The edge in fall and winter. Three rounds of seabird densities in the Labrador Sea Nature Conservancy (TNC) Canada, lethal control of predatory Herring Gulls showing the importance of the Labrador Smithers, BC) has been busy providing (Larus smithsonianus) on MSI allowed Shelf as a post-breeding migration leadership for marine planning with more Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) corridor, at the Society of Canadian the Global Oceans Team. Jo develops chicks (c. 35) to fledge than in any Ornithologists meeting (Wolfville, science-based marine plans with TNC’s year since 2004. Geolocator tags were NS) in July. Stephanie also attended country or regional programs and leads deployed on more puffins and razorbills the Atlantic Seabird Working Group a marine spatial planning network for to track winter range. In collaboration meeting in Sackville, NB, coordinated practitioners to share lessons learned with Neil Burgess (EC-S&T, St. John’s, this year by Sabina Wilhelm (EC-CWS, and amplify innovative ideas. Currently, NL), geolocator tags were also deployed St. John’s, NL). Fieldwork opportunities her main project is in Seychelles, where on 16 nesting Leach’s Storm-Petrels were plentiful in 2015 – including she is using seabird colony and at- (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) so that Newfoundland Tern Colony surveys sea data, draft marine Important Bird feeding range during incubation can be with Pierre Ryan (ECCWS, St. John’s, Areas from BirdLife International, 150+ compared against mercury levels and NL), seabird surveys aboard the Coast more data layers for marine species stable-isotope signatures from blood Guard vessel Teleost, and assisting Greg and habitats, spatial data for human samples. Robertson and Rob Ronconi (ECCWS, uses and economic development, and Kevin Kelly (M.Sc. - UNB, Dartmouth, NS) with research on stakeholder consultations to develop a Fredricton, NB) completed his master’s Gull Island, in Witless Bay Ecological zoning design that includes a 30% goal thesis on physiological indicators Reserve, NL. Stephanie continues to be for marine protection (approx. 400,000 of health in Atlantic Puffins. Erin involved in numerous plastic ingestion km²). Jo also supports marine planning Whidden (M.Sc. - UNB, Fredricton, studies including an assessment of in Indonesia, Mexico, the Caribbean, NB) has nearly completed her thesis plastic ingestion in Dovekies (Alle alle) and Canada, including implementation which is an analysis of factors affecting - a collaboration that involves many of the Marine Planning Partnership recruitment in puffins. Lauren Scopel people including Ian Jones, Kathrine for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP). (Ph.D.-UNB, Fredricton, NB), in Robbins (M.Sc), and Carley Schaefer Jo continues to serve on the Science collaboration with other members of (Ph.D; – all from Memorial University Advisory Committee for Sea Doc the Gulf of Maine Seabird Working of Newfoundland, MUN, St. John’s, NL). Society in Washington State. Group (GOMSWG) used the database on Arctic Terns to explore the pattern ARCTIC CANADA CENTRAL AND EASTERN and causes of the abandonment of North Kyle Elliott (McGill University, CANADA America’s largest Arctic Tern colony in Montréal, Québec [QC]), Grant Tony Diamond’s Atlantic Laboratory 2006. Stephanie Symons (M.Sc.-UNB, Gilchrist (EC-S&T, Ottawa, ON), for Avian Research (University of New Fredricton, NB) completed a second Oliver Love and Graham Sorenson Brunswick, (UNB), Fredricton, New season of GPS-tracking of puffins and (both of University of Windsor, UoW, Brunswick (NB)) personnel continued razorbills breeding on MSI, finding quite Windsor, ON), and Thomas Lazarus working on the seabirds of Machias sharp segregation in feeding areas of the (McGill University, Montréal, QC) and Seal Island (MSI]. Censuses of Atlantic two species. Kate Shlepr (M.Sc. - UNB, others visited colonies of Thick-Billed Puffins Fratercula ( arctica) numbers Fredricton, NB) completed a field season Murre (Uria lomvia) on Coats and (ca. 5,000 pairs) showed a 20% decline of GPS-tracking of Herring Gulls nesting Digges islands. Ice was very late this year in breeding numbers since the last census on Brier (Nova Scotia (NS) and Kent (much of the world’s warmth appeared to in 2011 Razorbill (Alca torda) numbers Islands (NB) at the mouth of the Bay of be accumulated over the North Pacific). (ca. 2,550 pairs) had increased by 40% Fundy, comparing diets and productivity GPS units attached to murres indicated since 2012 geolocator tags deployed on of individuals using anthropogenic and that murres from Digges Island flew Atlantic Puffins Fratercula ( arctica) in more “natural” sources of food. up to nearly 300 km away to feed at 2014 and containing data, showed that Stephanie Avery-Gomm, Dave Southampton Island during incubation. most puffins remain in or close to the Fifield, Amy-Lee Kouwenberg, and Those at Coats Island remained close to Gulf of Maine over winter, with some Greg Robertson (all of EC-S&T, St. the colony, but appeared associated with

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 19 REGIONAL REPORTS moving pack ice. Eggs were collected for monocerata) at Teuri Island (west side of Hiroto Okabe (Kyushu Environmental contaminant analyses and blood samples Hokkaido) in Hokkaido, Japan. Evaluation Association), Masayoshi for genomic and physiological analyses. Presumably, low breeding success was Takeishi (Kitakyushu Museum of due to low number of anchovies around Natural and Human History), and OTHER WORK the island. Akinori Takahashi (National Kuniko Otsuki led an expedition to Gary Kaiser (Royal BC Museum, Institute of Polar Research), collaborating study the breeding ecology of the Victoria, BC) has been busy studying the with Yasuaki Niizuma (Meijo Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma paleontology of enantiornithine birds, a University, Japan) and Sasha Kitaysky monorhis) on Koyashima Island where group that evolved parallel to modern (University of Alaska, Fairbanks), Japanese Murrelets and Swinhoe’s ornithine birds but which went extinct started a new project on physiological Storm-Petrel were extirpated by Norway with the dinosaurs. Life style is a matter carry-over effects using Rhinoceros Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in 1987 and of speculation, but these enantiornithine Auklets. At Daikoku Island, Akinori 2009, respectively. Assistance with birds appear to have lived along the Takahashi and Yutaka Watanuki obtaining funding and trip planning was shores of lakes and rivers, somewhat like conducted a second year of surveys on provided by Kuniko Otsuki, with funds modern plovers. The fossil remains of Rhinoceros Auklets, including by the Pro-Natura Fund. MBRG used bird eggs from the Cretaceous period are geolocator tracking and diet sampling. songmeters and mist-nets to help extremely rare, but recently, Gary had the March-May 2015, Yutaka Nakamura determine: 1) phenology of Swinhoe’s opportunity to work with two important and Kuniko Otsuki (Marine Bird Storm-Petrel, 2) the timing of arrival and finds from shoreline nesting sites. One Restoration Group, MBRG) conducted departure time of Japanese Murrelet, consisted of a single large boulder found nest monitoring of Japanese Murrelets and 3) estimating the breeding population in Romania which contained the shells (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) to of Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel at Koyashima. of some 3400 eggs from a colony of measure hatching success and predation Luke Halpin (Halpin Wildlife birds that nested on a riparian sand bank. at the largest known colony on Birojima Research, Canada) assisted MBRG in An unexpected flood apparently washed Island in Miyazaki, Japan. Nest crevices using the songmeters and analyzing the eggs into the adjacent river where were first located in 2013, within the data. they were concentrated by currents forest canopy, along the lower staircase, According to Halpin, there is a large (Dyke et al., Naturwissenschaften and in shoreline caves. More have been amount of petrel activity on Koyashima, 99:435, 2012). The second site is at discovered in the intervening years, with almost nightly, beginning in late May. Neuquen, Argentina, where 65 eggs are the majority (45 of a total of 61) After rat reinvasion in 2009, no breeding preserved as they were laid, ‘planted’ monitored in 2015. Only 45% (n=45 petrels have been reported, but survey in the ground, pointed end down. These nests) were occupied in 2015, and results indicate an increase in their sites have implications for the evolution hatching success was much lower in population. of parental care in birds. The size of 2015 (56%) than in 2013 (79%). Due to Simba Chan (BirdLife International the Romanian colony suggests that the poor weather conditions in 2015, the (BLI) Asia Division), Dan Roby (U.S. adult birds needed to be strong fliers that survey was discontinued on 2 May. Geological Survey -Oregon Cooperative could gather food for their young. In the Nina Karnovsky (Pomona College, Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; USGS- coming year, Gary anticipates being able California) assisted our survey by ORCFWRU), Don Lyons (Oregon State to report on Oligocene seabird fossils helping find evidence of predators. We University, OSU), Yasuko Suzuki (29 million years ago). If so, it will be the set two cameras at Birojima from the end (OSU), and Yu Yat-tung (Hong Kong first time its family has been reported of March to early October, one of which Bird Watching Society) worked on the from Canada. was placed in the forest in late April colony restoration and banding of crested 2015. We were successful in taking terns (Thalasseus spp.) at Jiushan photos of a Jungle Crow (Corvus Islands, Zhejiang Province, People’s ASIA & OCEANIA macrorhynchos) holding an egg Republic of China. From May to August Compiled by Kuniko Otsuki presumed to be that of a Japanese Wood 2015, field monitors were based on Pigeon (Columba janthina) in the forest Tiedun Dao, a 2 ha island in the Jiushan ASIA in July 2015. As Japanese Wood Pigeons Islands of Zhejiang Province, to help Yutaka Watanuki (Hokkaido nest on the ground at Birojima due to a restore the breeding colony of Chinese University, Japan) and his colleagues lack of mammalian predators, crow Crested Terns (Thalasseus bernsteini). continued monitoring the diet and predation of murrelet eggs presumably Decoys and an audio playback system breeding success of Black-tailed Gulls also occurs. MBRG has been funded by were used to attract this critically (Larus crassirostris), Japanese Pro-Natufa Fund for a pilot survey on endangered species and the Greater Cormorants (Phalacrocorax capillatus) the status of crows at Birojima in 2016. Crested Tern (T. bergii). A record high and Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca In June, July, and September of 2015, number of Chinese Crested Terns were

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 20 REGIONAL REPORTS observed (at least 52 adults), as well as Washington to join the Seabird (e.g., reduced genetic variation, genetic 2,000 – 3,000 Greater Crested Terns Oceanography Lab to begin a Master’s load or outbreeding depression). used the island in 2015. This is the third degree in the Department of Fisheries The IUCN lists the Providence Petrel year of using social attraction for and Wildlife at Oregon State University as Vulnerable due to its restricted Chinese Crested Tern colony restoration. (OSU). Her project entitled, “Viewing breeding range. The only significant In 2013 there was at least one Chinese Albatrosses from Space: Using Satellite breeding locality of this species of Crested Tern chick fledged and 13 Imagery to Count Birds” will pair pelagic seabird (~32,000 breeding pairs) Chinese Crested Tern chicks fledged in satellite image analysis with ground- is Lord Howe Island, a small island off 2014 after monitors were based on based counts at selected albatross the eastern coast of Australia. Providence Tiedun Dao. colonies to test the feasibility of Petrels used to breed on Norfolk Island Dan Roby (USGS-ORCFWRU), Don estimating breeding colony size from (~1,000,000 breeding pairs) before Lyons, Yasuko Suzuki, and Kirsten satellite imagery. The initial primary becoming extinct after European Bixler (OSU), and Steve Kress (National application of this project is to conduct settlement by the late 18th century. The Audubon’s Seabird Conservation breeding population counts of Short- species was considered extinct within Program) continued to provide technical tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) the Norfolk Island group until 1986 support and assistance for the third year at the Senkaku Island colony(ies), which when a small population (~20 breeding of an effort to restore the critically is inaccessible to biologists, yet critical pairs) was discovered on Phillip Island, endangered Chinese Crested Tern in determining whether the species is 7km south of Norfolk Island. Re- (Thalasseus bernsteini) in the Juishan meeting recovery criteria. Depending on establishment of a Norfolk Island colony Islands of the People’s Republic of the level of success, this approach could using Lord Howe Island individuals has China. Project leaders included Chen have widespread application. been proposed to reduce the extinction Shuihua (Zhejiang Museum of Natural Rob Suryan (OSU) has continued risk of this species and to provide key History), Simba Chan (BirdLife Asia), satellite tracking efforts on Short-tailed nutrients for the regeneration of and officials from the Xiangshan Ocean Albatross, now in the twelfth year, with threatened native forests and associated and Fishery Bureau. Details on this collaborators at the Yamashina Institute species. However, this translocation may year’s results can be found in the Asia for Ornithology, Ministry of erode any distinctiveness of the small Region report. This Chinese Crested Environment Japan, and the U.S. Fish adjacent Phillip Island colony, which Tern conservation project is a past and Wildlife Service. There were no new shows a specific behavioral adaptation to recipient of a grant from PSG’s Craig S. deployments in 2015, but he and diurnal predators. Harrison Conservation Small Grants collaborators at the Yamashina Institute The study used molecular data to Program. A special paper session on tern for Ornithology, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Fumio investigate genetic connectivity among conservation was convened by this group Sato, and Tomohiro Deguchi, were still Providence Petrel colonies and quantify at the 2016 PSG Annual Meeting. tracking birds from tagging efforts in the age of divergence between Terns were banded on Tiedun Dao for previous years. The current focus is populations in order to assess the the first time. On 4 August 2015 a team assisting with monitoring hand-reared maximum possible duration across of about 20 banders (including the six bird attendance and breeding attempts at which differences in roosting behavior reporting members listed above) banded the new colony, as well as data analysis developed. Primary results show a high 31 tern chicks (probably all Greater and manuscript preparation. rate of gene flow between colonies and Crested Terns but might have one limited risks associated with this atypical Chinese Crested Tern chick) OCEANIA conservation management plan with a three-digit red band and a metal Anicee Lombal (Ph.D. Candidate, (publication in preparation.). If the band. Surveys in eastern Indonesia, University of Tasmania) reported on re- translocation effort occurs, the resulting where wintering Chinese Crested Terns establishment of Providence Petrels increase in marine-sourced nutrients were found in 2010 and 2014, are planned (Pterodroma solandri) on Norfolk would assist in halting and reversing the for the winter of 2015/16. For a photo of Island. Seabird translocations are being decline of Norfolk Island’s native forest the banded tern chick, see: increasingly proposed during the last and associated fauna, which includes http://www.birdlife.org/asia/news/brave- decade in response to the large number many other imperiled birds (e.g., the efforts-pay-doubly-successful-project- of seabird species threatened with endangered Norfolk Island Green Parrot restore-colonies-chinese-crested-tern extinction throughout the world (28%). (Cyanoramphus cookie). Jane Dolliver departed from her Nevertheless, information on population decade-long tenure with the Coastal mixing among seabird colonies is crucial Observation and Seabird Survey Team in assessing the potential genetic risks FRENCH POLYNESIA (COASST) program at the University of posed by this method of conservation Compiled by Sialesi Rasalato

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 21 REGIONAL REPORTS

Jacques Franc de Ferriere (journalist (Nesofregetta fuliginosa), Tahiti Petrel brought a suite of invasive species. for Tahiti Infos) reported on the use of (Pseudobulweria rostrata), Phoenix Flightless and defenseless, chicks and dogs to save Rimatara and Ultramarine Petrel (Pterodroma alba), and Tropical eggs are eaten by invasive predators such Lor ikeets (Vini kuhlii and V. ultramarine, Shearwaters (Puffinus bailloni) as rats, and native ecosystems are respectively) from Black Rats (Rattus Most islands in Oceania have not had severely disturbed by other animal and rattus) in French Polynesia. These dogs systematic surveys of breeding seabirds. plant invaders. Poasa Qalo (NatureFiji- will ensure that inspections of goods While there are some threats at sea for MareqetiViti (NFMV) Fiji Petrel Project arriving from Papeete by sea and air will seabirds breeding in the region, the Officer, is involved with the control of keep black rats from becoming primary threats are on land. We need to rats, feral cats and pigs on Gau Island in established on the islands. Their work eliminate predation pressure and the Fiji, primarily for the purpose of will be a great addition to the system degradation of nesting/roosting colonies protecting the Collared Petrel already in place by Manu and the local and establish these as secure sites. The (Vulnerable), and also, by extension, the associations of Rima’ura and Vaiku’a i te help of sea bird lovers the world over is Fiji Petrel (Critically Endangered). manu o Ua Huka. This work will also needed to develop the first comprehensive While the Fiji Petrel is believed to raise help protect nesting seabirds. plan for the conservation of Pacific its chicks on Gau, no one yet knows Mike Britton (BLI Pacific Secretariat) seabirds. With support we will find precisely where on Gau this highly reported that seabird populations are in breeding sites , confirm the population cryptic petrel is nesting. There is a trouble, especially in the Pacific. They status of species, and develop possibility that the Fiji Petrel occurs are more threatened than any other conservation plans. We will also improve within the dispersed Collared Petrel comparable group of birds. Their status the current conservation work, and colonies, therefore, in deploying predator has deteriorated faster over recent identify where to start new actions. We control for this species, these benefits decades and many of the species that live will work with other organizations, may also extend to the Fiji Petrel. The in this region are endangered. Many develop networks for improved predator control operates within a wider more have become extinct as a result of communication, resource sharing, recovery strategy for both petrels which human activity, in both recent and capacity building, and further project includes the use of dogs trained to detect prehistoric times. And some really development. For further information on petrels, acoustic recorders in surveying special sea birds are right on the brink of this project, please contact Mike Britton the extensive forest area, and acoustic joining the legions of ghosts of past via email: [email protected] attraction to try to concentrate the birds. Over the years, BirdLife and its Shaun Hurrell (BLI) reported that Collared Petrel, and potentially attracting partners have taken actions to protect BLI, together with Société d’Ornithologie the Fiji Petrel, to an area in which both (and find) different species but the de Polynésie (SOP Manu – BLI partner species are safeguarded. Rats, feral cats problem is so big, we need a Pacific-wide in French Polynesia) and Island and pigs have been targeted at four strategy for the conservation of this Conservation, has just completed an Collared Petrel colonies (Delaisavu, critically endangered group of seabirds. ambitious conservation operation on six Qarani, Nawaikama and Central Ridge) The petrels, which conventionally remote islands in the Tuamotu (Acteon over an area of approximately 50 ha; include species within the families group) and Gambier Archipelago. The results are mixed. Rat control has been Procellariidae, Oceanitidae and project makes an unprecedented maintained over the main breeding Hydrobatidae, have declined in numbers contribution to saving endangered period (April to June), principally in Oceania more than any other bird species from extinction. With the support through the application of a rodenticide family. That is why this new program of local people, government and NGO (brodifacoum), and monitoring of bait gives emphasis to this group – the organizations – many helping directly in uptake. This uptake is high initially and ‘Petrels’. Specific projects that are being project implementation – this operation quickly tapers off to a low but continuous developed as part of the strategy for has reset the native ecological balance to loss of pellets. The use of motion different flagship petrel species will also a time probably not known on these activated cameras on burrows shows rats help other seabird species. Priority islands since Polynesian colonization. accessing the burrows, but it is unknown actions will be to find the breeding sites Local livelihoods are also expected to the extent to which this results in of Fiji Petrel (Pseudobulweria benefit as a result of the project’s predation and failed breeding. The macgillivrayi), Beck’s Petrel (P. becki) successEven though these islands are in number of petrel burrows monitored has and Heinroth’s Shearwater (Puffinus the middle of the Pacific Ocean over been progressively increasing (as dogs heinrothi). Overall there are more than 1500 km from Tahiti, their isolation has locate them) and as of June 2015, 91 18 species for which action is needed not protected them from a negative (across the three colonies) are known. including Vanuatu Petrel (Pterodroma human legacy. The birds on these islands While the breeding success is less clear occulta), Collared Petrel (Pterodroma evolved in the absence of predatory for 2013, and the analysis is not yet brevipes), Polynesian Storm-Petrel mammals, but the arrival of humans also complete for 2015, the information

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 22 REGIONAL REPORTS indicates Collared Petrels are being this project, please contact Kelvin EUROPE & AFRICA recruited to the population. Feral cats Passfield via email: kelvin.passfield@ No Report Submitted and pigs have been targeted (through gmail.com trapping) in the colony areas, resulting in several captures. Nevertheless, 12 Correction: Collared Petrels in each of the three In Pacific Seabirds 41(1-2), page 46, successive years are known to have there was an error on the country name. succumbed to cat predation. Steve Taiwan should be People’s Republic of Cranwell (BLI) is assisting NFMV to China. Apologies to Simba Chan. review their predator control effort, and is supporting the collation and analysis of predator control and breeding outcome data which will reveal population trends and evaluate the ABOUT THE ARTIST AND ARTWORK effectiveness of control. For further marine focus. Some of the prints you see information on this Project, please The seabird artwork in this issue of PS was first used in the 2015 meeting here were inspired during her summers contact NatureFiji-MareqetiViti via as a seabird intern on Southeast Farallon email: [email protected] Program, and was contributed again for our use by Melinda Nakagawa, a Island. The Brandt’s Cormorant print Steve Cranwell (BLI Pacific was used for the 2015 PSG conference Secretariat) reported that the Te Ipukarea California-based seabird researcher and artist. Melinda creates woodblock and logo. Ms Nakagawa can be reached at: Society (TIS), BirdLife Pacific, and Eco- [email protected]. Oceania, together with the Takūtea Trust linoleum block prints with a seabird and (representing the island landowners), completed a biological survey and restoration assessment for Takutea. The survey confirmed internationally significant populations of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster), Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and coconut crabs (Birgus latro). Of greatest significance were over 2,000 pairs of Red-tailed Tropicbird which exceed 1% of the global population and qualify the site as an Important Bird Area. Brown Booby were also notable, having increased from less than 10 birds in 2003 to the 120 (plus) pairs counted during this survey. A meeting with the Trust enabled the conservation needs to be outlined, which together with other island management options, was presented as a restoration discussion document for the Trust’s consideration. The Trust indicated their support for the restoration actions, and together with TIS, are investigating funding options. Regionally, Takūtea is not a high restoration priority, but it is a national priority for safeguarding the seabird species present and as a site to which other species sensitive to rat depredation, could be attracted to establish breeding Murres at nest, ©Melinda Nakagawa populations. For further information on

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 23 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS CHAIR’S REPORT FOR 2014 Joanna Smith

My first memory of a PSG meeting is Financially, PSG is in relatively good PSG has some experience in this regard 1992 in Coos Bay, Oregon. I was a broke shape. We have a modest balance in our (e.g., 2020 Plan). Given the capacity on undergraduate student and two friends operating account and the Endowment ExCo currently, I think a plan should and myself happily slept in the ping-pong Funds are doing well. The Society be realistic, modest, and focus on the room and attended every single talk in continues to rely on annual membership most important priorities relative to the boathouse. The passion of the PSG dues and profit from the annual meeting generating financial resources and members left a strong impression on me to cover its operating costs. A balanced supporting the members, and ensure and inspired me to study seabirds and budget was passed at the beginning of that it is implementable with current engage in marine conservation. Now, the 2015 fiscal year (October-November) resources. 23 years later, I have served on many and the Trustees undertook a review of local committees, represented student the Endowment Funds so that we could Organizational Management members, and it has been an honour to support Marine Ornithology and Pacific The governance structure of the PSG, serve the society as Chair. Seabirds publications in 2014-2015. with 16 voting ExCo members, needs In this report, I present a quick In the past year, the ExCo purchased a to be evaluated for effectiveness in rundown of the highlights of this last year professional version of Survey Monkey decision-making and representation of and close with some recommendations. for 2015 Elections and member surveys. members. PSG should consider being more This is a valuable tool to receive input strategic than it is now and address from members on issues of importance. ENSURE RESOURCES some of the challenges that the Society The Society’s 2014 workplan was Generate financial resources faces with volunteer capacity and losing extensive, with several items carried The PSG’s operating budget to institutional knowledge. forward from the past one to three years. maintain current operations (without The Board made really good headway publications) is about $10,000/year. on the workplan and many of the high Financial resources should be secured to 2014 HIGHLIGHTS priority items were addressed during the cover these expenses annually. year. • Bylaws review and revisions (where According to the Board Training Create an “Annual Meeting necessary); ExCo discussion and provided in Portland, 2013, there are Committee” membership vote three main roles and responsibilities of The planning of the annual meeting, • Elections Committee used Survey a Board: including identifying a venue and local Monkey for second year in a row 1) Establish Direction committee, is a major undertaking and • Endowment Investment Policy 2) Ensure Resources requires many volunteer hours from a Revision 3) Provide Oversight. local committee and ExCo officers. The • Formation of Code of Conduct ad process would be more efficient if a small hoc Committee There are several responsibilities under committee of experienced members led • List serve was moved to a new host each of these headings and to that end, I this annually. As I suggested last year, • Local Committee used RegOnline have several recommendations after two it would also be reasonable to consider for abstract submission second year years on the ExCo as Chair and hiring a professional conference in a row Chair-Elect: organizer to assist with registrations, • Member survey for Future Meetings abstract submission, and the meeting • Member survey for Pacific Seabirds ESTABLISH DIRECTION program. format and content Develop a Strategic Plan • New Membership Coordinator, Currently, the activities of the PROVIDE OVERSIGHT Jennifer Ma PSG Executive Council are largely Establish Financial Policies and • Provided financial support to reactionary and rarely proactive or Ensure Accountability Marine Ornithology to provide an forward-looking. The annual workplan The ExCo and Code of Conduct ad hoc honorarium for a Business Manager. maintains Society operations at the Committee will establish all applicable Tony Gaston welcomed Gary Kaiser status quo and a Strategic Plan would policies and procedures in 2015-2016. to this position. establish strategic direction to develop An investment fund policy and conflict • Review of all PSG operating and focus on PSG’s vision and mission. of interest policy for the Board has been expenses. Most non-profit organizations have a developed. strategic plan (e.g., Waterbirds) and

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 24 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

The accomplishments this year Ken Morgan (Canada representative, Seabirds Editor), Verena Gill (PSG List would not have been possible without Elections Committee), Stan Senner Serve), Stephanie Avery-Gomm (Survey active Board and Committee members, (Vice-Chair for Conservation, Bylaws Monkeys for ExCo), Andrew Titmus, Technical Committee Chairs and Committee), Kathy Kuletz (Chair (Student Representative), Michelle Members, Working Group Chairs Elect, Scientific Program), Tony Gaston Hester (past Membership Coordinator), and members - thank you to all! I (Marine Ornithology), Alan Burger and Vivian Mendenhall (Past Editor Pacific would like to say a special thanks to members of the Elections Committee, Seabirds, Bylaws Committee), and Jim the following for their contributions Jennifer Ma (Membership Coordinator), Kushlan and Ken Briggs (Investment this past year: Pat Baird (Secretary, Lindsay Young (past Treasurer, Fund Trustees). Bylaws Committee), Doug Forsell (Past RegOnline guru), Scott Shaffer (Local I hope that PSG continues to inspire Chair, Bylaws Committee), Christine Committee Chair), Annette Henry (PSG all members for years to come. Ogura (Treasurer, Investment Fund), website), Holly Freifeld (Interim Pacific

CHAIR ELECT’S REPORT FOR 2014 Kathy Kuletz

As Chair-elect I’ve been learning the PSG web site. The selected theme of talks earlier would be advisable, as about the many facets of the Executive for the 2015 scientific program was “A about 10 people contacted me asking Council (EXCO) under the guidance Future for Seabirds”. about dates so that they could make of the current EXCO and others who The Plenary speakers secured for travel plans. In working with the Local have been actively involved in the the 2015 meeting were Nate Mantua Committee I exchanged enumerable machinations and growth of the Pacific (NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science emails and conference calls Seabird Group. The primary task of Center, Santa Cruz, California), Vicki By 28 January 2015 we had a total Chair-elect is to organize the Scientific Friesen (Queen’s University at Kingston, of 175 abstracts submitted (127 oral, Program for the PSG meeting following Ontario, Canada), and the recipient of 48 posters. As of 7 February we had the election. In this task I was ably our Lifetime Achievement Award, David 292 registrants, of which 38% were assisted by the current Chair (Jo Smith), Ainley (H.T. Harvey & Associates associated with academic institutions, Past Chair (Doug Forsell) and Secretary Ecosystem Consultants, California). followed by federal employees (29%) (Pat Baird), as well as Lindsay Young and We had five Special Paper Sessions NGOs/non-profits (18%), industry/ Annette Henry. Local Committee chairs (SPS) proposed, of which four were private (8%) and state/province agencies Scott Shaffer and Doug Forsell worked carried through to the 2015 program (see or other (7%). Nearly a quarter of with me throughout, and Rachael Orben, “Meeting News” for details). registrants were students. Corey Clatterbuk, and Liz Labunski Program production occurred mainly Another task of the Chair-elect has helped in organization and production of in January, with final decisions and been to sit on the Awards Committee. the printed program. changes requested by registrants (about I assisted with the write up for the We continued with the use of RegOnline 35+ changes and requests) occurring up Lifetime Achievement Award, and we for abstract submission and registration, to the week prior to the meeting. Issues will be meeting in the near future to which is in many ways invaluable, but included: abstracts or registration done discuss future awards. We anticipate does have a learning curve; Lindsay was incorrectly, authors did not make changes seeing many of you at the World Seabird critical to the success of using RegOnline and cancellations via RegOnline, Conference in Oct 2015, where PSG for program development. Scott Shaffer special requests regarding titles and will surely have a strong showing. I am and I both posted announcements on authors, special requests for dates of also pleased that our 2016 PSG meeting the PSGlistserver for the opening of presentations. A preliminary conference will be held at Turtle Bay, Oahu, with abstract submission, deadlines, and schedule was posted on 30 December Lindsay Young once again offering to deadline extensions. Pat Baird also 2014 and the preliminary daily schedule lead the local committee. One of my last posted notices on the PSG Twitter and of presentations posted on 2 February, acts as Chair-elect will be to hand the Facebook accounts, and Annette Henry with the revised program posted 9 office responsibilities over to the very posted announcements and updates on February. Posting the daily schedule capable hands of Nina Karnovsky.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 25 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

VICE-CHAIR FOR CONSERVATION REPORT FOR 2014 Stan Senner

In 2014, PSG submitted letters of support or comment on six topics. This level of activity, which was about the same as in 2013, is probably all PSG can reasonably undertake without increased volunteer capacity or having paid assistance. As is, we are not able to respond to all the relevant opportunities concerning the status and conservation of Pacific seabirds or respond as effectively as we might like to. The following gives a brief account of PSG’s interventions in 2014 (full letters that were submitted are available on the PSG website); these are in chronological order:

Marbled Murrelets/Big Basin State Park, California Date: 12 February 2014 Recipient: California Department of Fish and Wildlife Subject: Grant Application by the California State Parks Department for Preparation of a Marbled Murrelet Management Plan in Zone 6 PSG Action: Supported funding request. Outcome: Proposal was funded and development of plan has been successfully initiated.

Marbled Murrelets/Proposed Recovery Strategy in British Columbia Date: 8 March 2014 Recipient: Environment Canada Subject: Proposed Recovery Strategy for the Marbled Murrelet under the Species at Risk Act in Canada PSG Action: Public comment requesting that the proposed strategy be revised to better provide for the long-term survival and recovery. Outcome: The strategy was adopted with a disappointing short-term goal of maintaining a MAMU population above 70% of 2002 levels and long-term goal of persistence.

Forage Fish/Unmanaged Forage Fish Initiative Date: 30 March 2014 Recipient: Pacific Fishery Management Council Subject: Whether to advance for public comment a range of alternatives to protect unmanaged forage species and whether to adopt a preferred alternative in federal waters of the California Current PSG Action: Supported advancing alternatives to the public and adoption of alternative 2.2.1, Ecosystem Trophic Role Pathway, as a preliminary preferred alternative. Outcome: The Council adopted alternative 2.2.1 as preliminary preferred alternative and final action is expected at March 2015 meeting.

Kittlitz’s Murrelet and Aleutian Tern/Monitoring and Surveys Date: 29 May 2014 Recipient: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 7 (Alaska) Subject: Monitoring of Kittlitz’s Murrelet following decision not to list under the ESA; surveys to determine status of Aleutian Terns in view of concerns about possible decline PSG Action: Recommended long-term monitoring and research, as well as support for publication of prior work, for KIMU; suggested surveys of known and prospective ALTE colonies. Outcome: Discussion but apparently no additional monitoring, surveys, etc.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 26 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

Double-crested Cormorants/Columbia River Estuary Date: 8 August 2014 Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Subject: Draft environmental impact statement on Double-crested Cormorant Management Plan to Reduce Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary PSG Action: Opposed preferred alternative to cull 16,000 DCCO from the East Sand Island colony; supported “no action” alternative pending a revised approach to managing avian predation and other sources of mortality on salmonids. Outcome: Final environmental impact statement and revised preferred alternative just released proposing somewhat reduced kill and oiling of eggs

Old-growth Forest Tognass National Forest, AK Date: 15 January 2015 Recipient: U.S. Department of Agriculture Subject: Amendment of the Tongass National Forest Land Management Plan of 2008 PSG Action: Joined six other scientific societies, including American Ornithologists’ Union and Ecological Society of America, in asking the U.S. Forest Service to accelerate the proposed transition away from logging old- growth forest habitats, which support Marbled Murrelets and other wildlife. Outcome: None yet.

TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2014 Christine Ogura

The closing of FY15 (October 1, resolve discrepancies and ensure proper more transparent and understandable 2014-September 30, 2015) ended with accounting per the PSG budget line to the membership. Efforts were made a gross income of $163,398.47 and items. Other costs were an additional to also identify ways to cut costs in expenses of $161,138.65, reflecting a insurance policy for the board that was operations as well as defer costs to surplus of $2,259.82. However, note purchased and better tracking of fees accommodate unanticipated new costs. that the Executive Council (ExCo) related to RegOnline and PayPal (we Lastly, operational changes related to approved an amendment to the budget changed the way to track these fees so accounting software used as well as to add an additional $5k. If this had not the budgeted amount was anticipated to credit card processing system evaluation been done, FY15 would have ended in be lower than the actual as we were still was done to improve fiscal operation the red. Unexpected costs requiring gaining an understanding of what these functions. this amendment mainly resulted from fees truly were for FY15). Please also The Executive Council approved the increased effort in bookkeeping note that, at the time of this report being funds from the endowment for Marine to ensure we were accurately tracking generated, a final budget for the San Ornithology at $11,426 (adjusted for our revenue and expenses. Previous Jose annual meeting had not yet been Canadian dollar) and Pacific Seabird bookkeeping had only involved portions finalized between the local chair and Bulletin at $10,800. These amounts, of our operations, but in FY15 we treasurer. Consequently, the closing out which are higher than normal, reflect expanded it to include entire operations. of the FY15 budget does not reflect this. that the endowment had not been used Due to the fact that two of the systems This final annual meeting budget will by either publication in the previous we use (PayPal that does our credit be provided at a later date, likely as part FY14 and that funds from the PSG card transactions and RegOnline that of Executive Council meeting minutes. general fund had been used to pay for processes our membership and annual Current assets continue to be sufficient bulletin expenses. Therefore, in essence, meeting registration) do not talk to each to cover the required three years of unused FY14 endowment funds were other in terms of reporting line items operational costs as well as publications. rolled over into FY15 to assist with and also providing the ability to import Continuing to build on the work done the increased expenses related to these into Quickbooks, this generates a large in FY14, major accomplishments this two publications in FY15 as they dealt amount of work for the bookkeeper. year were to continue to streamline with hiring a business manager (Marine There is also considerable time spent fiscal operations to better meet the needs Ornithology) and transitioning from between the bookkeeper and treasurer to of the organization and make accounting paper to web based publication (Pacific

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 27 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

Seabirds). However, of the approved to the endowment fund concerned the allocation formulations and to align with amounts, only $3,999 for the bulletin (to endowment fund investment policy. The suggested revisions in the bylaws as well pay PSG general funds back) and $5,425 endowment committee comprised of the as committee reporting to the Executive (US) for Marine Ornithology were treasurer, Ken Briggs, and Jim Kushlan, Council. withdrawn. Accomplishments related revised the policy to better clarify

Overview of all PSG Financial Accounts as of FY15 Ending GENERAL FUNDS (which include operating costs) are kept in a checking account September 30, 2011 $102,079.24 September 30, 2012 $88,173.87 September 30, 2013 $79,506.16 September 30, 2014 $50,663.75 September 30, 2015 $68,154.50

ENDOWMENT FUNDS (which are restricted) are kept in a mutual fund managed by Neuberger and Berman September 30, 2011 $119,879.53 September 30, 2012 $146,197.30 September 30, 2013 $180,320.39 September 30, 2014 $206,824.23 September 30, 2015 $181,268.22

PAYPAL ACCOUNT (which is used to accept membership payments, contributions, and other monies received by credit card) September 30, 2011 $15,100.28 September 30, 2012 $5,882.93 September 30, 2013 $7,132.73 September 30, 2014 $2,555.26 September 30, 2015 $8,072.97

STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS SAVINGS ACCOUNT (which are restricted funds) September 30, 2013 $5,216.24 September 30, 2014 $2,784.99 September 30, 2015 $2,906.21

CRAIG HARRISON CONSERVATION FUND SAVINGS ACCOUNT (which are restricted funds) September 30, 2013 $12,346.95 September 30, 2014 $3,342.88 September 30, 2015 $6,507.23

Total Assets as of September 30, 2011 (includes restricted and non-restricted): $242,699.05 Total Assets as of September 30, 2012 (includes restricted and non-restricted): $241,344.25 Total Assets as of September 30, 2013 (includes restricted and non-restricted): $285,312.76

Total Assets as of September 30, 2014 (includes restricted and non-restricted): $266,909.15 Total Assets as of September 30, 2015 (includes restricted and non-restricted): $266,909.13

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 28 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS FY15 ACTUAL INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES

A. INCOME Budgeted Actual (as of Surplus/- 9.30.15) Loss Unrestricted: Membership (annual regular, student, and life):1 $11,500.00 $15,692.00 $4,192.00 General Fund Donations $150.00 $793.47 $643.47 Amendment to the budget2 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 Annual Meeting: San Jose 2015 $129,709.00 $129,709.003 $0.00 Student Travel (Restricted) $2,780.00 $2,780.00 $0.00 Restricted: Publications: Marine Ornithology $11,426.00 $5,425.00 -$6,001.00 Pacific Seabirds $10,800.00 $3,999.00 -$6,801.00 A: Total Income $166,365.00 $163,398.47 -$2,966.53 B. EXPENSES: Administrative Operations Budgeted Actual (as of Overspent/- 9.30.15) Underspent Chairs Discretionary Fund4 $2,000.00 $0.00 -$2,000.00 Insurance premium5 $1,500.00 $2,192.30 $692.30 Online Services: Website/Email6 $0.00 $874.90 $874.90 Listserve7 $0.00 $29.99 $29.99 Survey Monkey $300.00 $300.00 $0.00 Operations: Postage $100.00 $29.40 -$70.60 Telephone $400.00 $611.82 $211.82 Office supplies $70.00 $53.89 -$16.11 USPS PO Box Rental $96.00 $96.00 $0.00 Professional services: Accountant $2,000.00 $2,298.43 $298.43 Bookkeeper8 $720.00 $2,261.44 $1,541.44 Legal $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Service fees: PayPal Fee9 $700.00 $3,341.65 $2,641.65 RegOnline Fee (membership, donations, bulletin $1,150.00 $4,376.33 $3,226.33 subscription, and annual meeting)9 Bank Fees $350.00 $188.18 -$161.82 Government Registration Fees $200.00 $30.75 -$169.25

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 29 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS FY15 ACTUAL INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES

B. TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS $9,586.00 $16,685.08 $7,099.08 EXPENSES: C. EXPENSES: Society Services (meetings, Budgeted Actual (as of Overspent/- publications, support) 9.30.15) Underspent Annual Meeting: San Jose 2015 $129,709.00 $129,709.003 $0.00

Student Travel $2,780.00 $2,780.00 $0.00

Dues and Subscriptions: Ornithological council $2,060.00 $2,060.00 $0.00 Publications: Marine Ornithology (layout, printing, business $11,426.00 $5,425.00 -$6,001.00 manager, mailings) Pacific Seabirds (layout, printing, editor, $10,800.00 $4,479.57 -$6,320.43 mailings) for 3 editions (combined 2014 and two 2015 editions) C. TOTAL SOCIETY SERVICES EXPENSES: 156,775.00 144,453.57 -$12,321.43 D. PSG BUDGET SUMMARY Budgeted Actual (as of 9.30.15) TOTAL INCOME (A) $166,365.00 $163,398.47 -$2,966.53 TOTAL EXPENSES (B + C) $166,361.00 $161,138.65 -$5,222.35 RESULT: SURPLUS/(LOSS) $4.00 $2,259.82 $2,255.822

1 This includes 2014 lag membership payments due to the RegOnline glitch, the bulk of which were paid in Nov-Dec 2014. 2 ExCo increased $5k above the already approved budget due to unanticipated expenditures (higher bookkeeping fees, second insurance, higher fees for PayPal/RegOnline). 3 Not finalized yet at the time of the close out report. This was the projected figure. 4 Originally set aside for PSG banner to use at events, but deferred to FY16, and funds used in website transition necessary for 2016 annual meeting. 5 Higher cost resulted from an additional $792.30 for a second insurance policy to address a gap in board coverage. Regular insurance renewal was $1,400. 6 5-year domain name renewal was due and a contractor was hired to help transition the website; this was paid for by the Chair's discretionary fund. 7 The Listserv was transitioned from USFWS to another platform (BlueHost). This is the monthly fee. 8 Bookkeeping in previous years only serviced portions of the budget so the actual reflects a what is needed for bookkeeping for the entire fiscal operation. 9 We changed the way to track these fees so the budgeted amount was anticipated to be lower than the actual as we were still gaining an understanding of what these fees truly were for FY15.

1 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 30

REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015 PSG’s committees support research, work on conservation, keep us in touch, and support members throughout the Pacific. Their reports contain information on field work, current issues, and committee participation. Contact information for committee coordinators (i.e., chairs) can be found near the back of this issue.

JAPANESE AND KOREAN SCRIPPS’S MURRELET management. SEABIRD CONSERVATION AND GUADALUPE MMTC ACTIVITIES & UPDATES COMMITTEE MURRELET The full committee met on 19 February Kim Nelson and Kuniko Otsuki, TECHNICAL 2014, at Centennial Hall in Juneau, AK Coordinators during the Pacific Seabird Group 2014 The mandate of the Japanese COMMITTEE Annual Meeting. and Korean Seabird Conservation Harry Carter and Shaye Wolf, The MMTC Inland Survey Protocol Committee (JKSCC) is to “Summarize Coordinators (ISP) Working Group continued working and follow progress of seabird The Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe on revisions and updates to the survey conservation issues in Japan and Korea, Murrelet Technical Committee protocol and training curricula. We have encourage international collaboration (SMGMTC; formerly known as the formed a new ISP subcommittee that between scientists on certain projects, Xantus’s Murrelet Technical Committee) includes biologists/interested parties and provide information to PSG and was formed in 1992. In 2002, PSG from a variety of agencies and industry other parties. The JKSCC will also serve petitioned for U.S. federal and California groups. Subgroups within this working as a repository of technical advice”. The state ESA listing. In 2004, they were group are addressing different sections full report on activities and meetings listed as state threatened, U.S. federal of the protocol and providing revisions. during 2014 were published in Pacific candidate species, and endangered in All revisions are posted on Basecamp for Seabirds Vol 41. Mexico. The Committee (1) monitors the entire ISP group to view. Databases the U.S. federal listing petition, status, of murrelet surveys are being sent to KITTLITZ’S MURRELET research, and conservation issues for a statistician in New Zealand, Darryl the Scripps’s and Guadalupe murrelets; MacKenzie, to redo the probability of TECHNICAL (2) provides information to interested occurrence analysis. We are currently COMMITTEE parties; and (3) coordinates research working with this statistician to revise Sara Schoen, Coordinator and conservation in the U.S., Mexico, methods and discuss options. The The Kittlitz’s Murrelet Technical and Canada. For more information, reanalysis should be completed this Committee (KMTC) was formed in 2008 please contact: Shaye Wolf, swolf@ spring and the final protocol finished by to begin addressing concerns related to biologicaldiversity.org and Harry Carter, September 2015 for use during the 2016 the status and conservation of this rare [email protected]. field season. seabird. The purpose of the KMTC The MMTC Marine Working Group is to (1) act as a technical authority on was formed in the spring of 2014 and the status, distribution, and life history MARBLED MURRELET kicked off their first meeting on 18 June of the Kittlitz’s Murrelet; (2) identify, TECHNICAL 2014. The Marine Subcommittee consists encourage, and facilitate research; (3) of members from Canada Federal, address conservation problems related COMMITTEE U.S. Federal, U.S. State, academia, Kim Nelson and Peter Harrison, to the Kittlitz’s Murrelet; and (4) act and consultants in Alaska, British Coordinators as a liaison between research and Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and The Marbled Murrelet Technical management. The KMTC currently California. Priorities include gathering Committee (MMTC) has been a long- comprises roughly 40 members that information and completing technical standing committee of the Pacific Seabird meet annually in conjunction with the reports on marine Marbled Murrelet (1) Group. The mandate of the MMTC is to PSG annual meeting and occasionally bycatch in fisheries, (2) identification act as a technical authority regarding at other opportunistic venues. The 2014- of important marine areas/reserves, (3) the status, distribution, and life history 2015 Coordinator was John Piatt, but as prey resources, (4) oil mortality, (5) of the Marbled Murrelet; to identify, of 2016, Sara Schoen became the KMTC chemical contaminants, (6) wave/wind encourage, and facilitate research; to Coordinator; for more information farms, (7) marine aquaculture, and (8) address conservation problems related please contact Sara at Sara.Schoen@ underwater construction and sound to the Marbled Murrelet, and to act usgs.gov. pollution. The subcommittee developed as a liaison between research and

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 31 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015 an outline and technical report template. habitat conditions, marine conditions Individual subgroups are working on and Marbled Murrelet distribution and LITERATURE CITED completion of the technical reports that trends in the NWFP area (Raphael et. al Raphael, M.G., A.J. Shirk, G.A. Falxa, and address priorities 1-4; the remaining four 2014, Journal of Marine Systems). S.F. Pearson. 2014. Habitat associations priorities (5-8) will be addressed in 2016. The status of the central California of marbled murrelets during the nesting The reports will describe related research, Marbled Murrelet population (Recovery season in nearshore waters along the Washington to California coast. information needs, recommended or Zone 6) continues to be of concern Journal of Marine Systems http://dx.doi. implemented management actions, and because of continued declining org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.06.010. funding opportunities to implement population numbers and threats that those actions on the eight priorities include anthropogenic food subsidies identified above. Technical reports 1-4 for corvids that prey on murrelet nests. SEABIRD MONITORING should be completed by December 2015. Both AV surveys (6 stations) and at-sea COMMITTEE surveys show low or slightly declining Heather Renner and Robb Kaler, SURVEYS & RESEARCH numbers. Results of recent park corvid Coordinators Marbled Murrelet population surveys are not yet available, but Seabird monitoring is the accumulation monitoring continued as part of the parks are making good progress on of time series data on any aspect of seabird Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) implementation of their “crumb clean” distribution, abundance, demography, or Effectiveness Monitoring Program. An campaign. Members of the MMTC and behavior. The PSG Seabird Monitoring overall population estimate of about others from California met on 14 January Committee was formed in 1992 and has 19,700 birds in the NWFP survey 2014, in Santa Cruz, CA, to initiate four main themes: (1) coordinate sharing area was derived from at-sea surveys planning for a landscape management of monitoring results in a timely manner, conducted in 2013 (95% CI: 17,800- plan for the Santa Cruz mountains (2) evaluate current year results to 21,600). The estimated mean annual rate murrelet population. California State help inform other PSG committees, (3) of population change during the 2001 to Parks initiated the effort, which is in develop standardized protocols and data 2013 period was -1.2 percent (95% CI: part a response to a lawsuit against State management practices, and (4) promote -2.9 to 0.5%), which was not statistically Parks, and has recently received a grant the effective use of seabirds as indicators significant (P = 0.15). At the single-zone of Section 6 money to fund part of the of local and large-scale change in the scale, declines were observed for the work. Pacific marine environment. During the 2001-2013 period in Conservation Zone The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2014 PSG meeting in Juneau, the Seabird 1 (Puget Sound to Strait of Juan de Fuca) (USFWS) voluntarily remanded murrelet Monitoring Committee nominated and (-3.9% per year; 95% CI: -7.6 to 0.0; P = critical habitat, without vacatur. The elected two co-coordinators: Heather 0.05) and in Conservation Zone 2 (outer agreement with the court requires the Renner (US Fish and Wildlife Service coast of Washington) (-6.8% per year; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to submit a [USFWS] - Alaska Maritime National 95% CI: -11.4 to -1.9; P = 0.01). Declines new proposed critical habitat designation Wildlife Refuge) and Robb Kaler were not observed in other zones. The by no later than 30 September 2015, and (USFWS – Region 7 Migratory Bird 2014 estimates are forthcoming in spring a new final critical habitat designation Management). 2015. At-sea monitoring will continue in by no later than 30 September 2016. In 2015, but only in half of the monitoring addition, the American Forest Resources SEABIRD MONITORING zones, due to federal budget constraints; Council (AFRC) appealed the district COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES & monitoring for the remaining sampling court’s ruling regarding their petition UPDATES zones is planned for 2016, pending to delist the murrelet. An opinion by While recent committee meetings have funding. In addition to monitoring the U.S. Court of Appeals will be made largely focused on the Pacific Seabird populations, the program also monitors based on briefing documents submitted Monitoring Database (PSMD), in 2014 Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat and by USFWS and the AFRC. the Seabird Monitoring Committee is currently completing an evaluation aimed to broaden the scope of the group of habitat status and trends during the ACTION ITEMS and focus on a Pacific-wide effort to first 20 years of the NWFP (1993-2012) MMTC members will continue address “real time” concerns regarding in Washington, Oregon, and northern working on: (1) revisions to the Inland the state of Pacific seabirds. For the California. A report with results from Survey Protocol and (2) addressing February 2015 Seabird Monitoring the monitoring of nesting habitat and marine issues that affect murrelets. Still Committee meeting, we requested that populations during this period will be pending approval by the EXCO is the each of the regional representatives available in mid-2015. In 2014, the Draft Radar Protocol at Proposed Wind elect a delegate to attend the committee program published an initial analysis Farms; no movement was made on this meeting and provide a brief report which of the relationships between nesting item in 2014.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 32 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015 highlights headlines from the 2014 field ACTIVITIES & UPDATES FUNDING season and identifies any immediate In 2014, we received five inquiries for On 5 May 2013, the PSG Craig S. concerns for Pacific seabirds. We will funding. One was received in 2013 but Harrison Conservation Fund received use these updates to discuss ways to not funded until 2014, thus, six inquiries $8,000 from the National Fish and best contribute to coordinated efforts, are listed below. Of the five inquiries Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to identify topics of conservation concern, in 2014, one was funded. Three were advance the conservation of seabirds in and decide on next steps with regards denied as being outside the scope of our developing countries in the Pacific basin. to informing the other PSG committees grant (not the Pacific Ocean region, not The project will provide funding or (Executive Committee, Conservation seabird related, or not from a qualifying supplies for conservation and restoration Committee, Technical Committees, etc.). country), and one was dropped by the activities that benefit seabirds and that In 2015, we will ask committee applicant. develop in-country seabird expertise. members to help identify challenges Shuihua Chen of China received As a part of the agreement, PSG was to overcome and provide input on $2,000 from the fund (accepted in obliged to provide $9,500 of matching how we can be more effective at 2013, but implemented in 2014) for the funds. The period of performance was sharing information and directing our project “Conservation of the Critically 1 May 2013 to 30 April 2014 and all of conservation efforts. Topics include: Endangered Chinese Crested Tern: the funds were used to support projects. Are research results available in a Restoration of a Lost Breeding Colony. Both the final written and final financial timely enough manner to be useful for Muhammad Iqbal of Indonesia also reports were submitted to NFWF in 2014 their intended purpose? Are methods received $2,000 from the fund in 2014 and will be posted on their website at consistent enough for broader synthesis? for the project “Seabird survey in Menui http://www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/. Do we have the data needed to answer island, southeast off Sulawesi (Celebes, The Conservation Fund continues key questions? Wallacea)”. Congratulations to both to receive donations through the PSG recipients! website and now totals $5,459.38. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank Dr. Scott Hatch for his vision and dedication to the Seabird Monitoring Committee and the PSMD Pigeon guillemot on rocks, ©Melinda Nakagawa since the committee’s inception in 1992. We are grateful and look forward to Scott’s continued participation and help with the Seabird Monitoring Committee.

CRAIG S. HARRISON CONSERVATION FUND COMMITTEE Verena Gill, Chair This report covers January 2014 to January 2015. The Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Committee is comprised of the following members; Verena Gill (Chair), Louise Blight, Dave Duffy, Shannon Fitzgerald, Doug Forsell, Scott Hall, Craig Harrison, Bill Henry, Mark Rauzon, and Melanie Steinkamp.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 33 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE, 2015 ELECTION Alan E. Burger, Coordinator

The committee included: Alan Burger to be solved. The system should be easily sent to those who had not yet voted by 7 (Coordinator), Pat Baird (PSG Secretary), modified for subsequent elections. Huge January 2015. At the end of the 30-day Ken Morgan, Kim Nelson and Mark thanks to Stephanie Avery-Gomm who vote period, a total of 183 of the 449 Rauzon. Stephanie Avery-Gomm was co- spent many days setting up these ballots members had voted (40.8%) (Table 1). opted onto the committee to help set up on Survey Monkey. the Survey Monkey ballot but since she ACTION ITEMS was a candidate in the 2014-2015 election 2015 ELECTION RESULTS We encountered a minor issue in this she stepped down once the Survey Once again it proved very difficult to election. Because the election period Monkey ballot was in place and tested. find candidates to run for Chair-elect in (15 December – 15 January) spans the 2015, despite the committee’s efforts period that memberships are renewed BALLOT UPDATE to persuade qualified members to run. (after 1 January), We thus recommend the PSG now has a Survey Monkey Pro At least 14 prominent and experienced following amendment to the handbook or subscription. Voting using this system PSG members were approached and all bylaws to specify who is eligible to vote: worked well and seemed to promote a declined, except for Nina Karnovsky “Members who have paid their annual higher voter response than systems used who is the new chair-elect. Likewise, the subscriptions (or are life members) before in previous elections. We received many positions of Vice-chair of Conservation the start of the voting period are eligible favorable comments from members and Secretary had only a single candidate to vote.” This would make it clear who is regarding the ease of voting. Each member each. Fortunately, we had more candidates eligible to vote. Elections generally begin was sent a region-specific Survey Monkey for the regional representatives. mid-December. link so that the problem of members Voting began 15 December 2014 and voting for reps outside their region seems ended 15 January 2015. Reminders were

Table 1. 2015 Pacific Seabird Group Election Results

REGION TOTAL MEMBERS VOTED %VOTED Alaska/Russia 59 26 44.1 Canada 53 28 52.8 Washington/Oregon 89 42 47.2 Northern California 79 29 36.7 S. California/Hawaii/Latin America 81 35 43.2 Non-Pacific U.S. 32 11 34.4 Europe/Africa 18 7 38.9 Asia/Oceania 38 5 13.2 ALL REGIONS 449 183 40.8

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 34 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE, 2015 ELECTION

The following is the outcome of the 2015 election:

POSITION CANDIDATES (elected in bold) Chair-elect Nina Karnovsky Secretary Jane Dolliver Vice-chair for Conservation Stan Senner Washington/Oregon Peter Hodum Michelle Antolos Non-Pacific U.S. Samantha Richman S. California/Hawaii/ Yuri Albores-Barajas Trevor Joyce Jay Penniman Cristián Suazo Latin America Canada Stephanie Avery-Gomm Trudy Chatwin Patrick O’Hara

There were no write-in votes

PSG ELECTRONIC MAILING LIST Verena Gill

The PSG electronic mailing list that hosts our website (BlueHost) and pages will lose automatice backups, (hereafter “Listserve”, reflecting the purchase a perpetual license for Listserv virus protection, and other features. The service used by PSG in 2015) is now an software. This involved a one-time website and Listserv should be hosted open Listserve, that is, one does not need fee of $2,075 for the license and an with separate accounts, even within to be a PSG member to be a member of annual maintenance fee of $450. In the same hosting service. The second the Listserv (as agreed upon by EXCO September 2014, the perpetual license account at BlueHost for Listserv would in 2013). However, membership has to was purchased but due to some setbacks, cost $25/month if paid for on a yearly be requested and is monitored by the unforeseen circumstances, and personal basis. We need authorization from administrator. The Listserv has 865 issues it has yet to be installed and the EXCO for this extra $300/year, and then members as of 20 January 2015. That is PSG Listserv remains on the USFWS we can transfer the PSG Listserv over an increase from 802 members in 2013, server. The main obstacle is a software from the USFWS site. 757 members in 2012 and 683 members issue with BlueHost. We need BlueHost In summary, annual costs to run the in 2011. to install Lightweight Directory Access Listserv would now be $952/year; $450 At the 2014 annual meeting, it was Protocol (LDAP) software to run annual maintenance fee, $202/year agreed that PSG would transfer the Listserv, but this requires a different for the website’s BlueHost account, Listserv from a USFWS server to an type of hosting account. If the website and $300/year for a listserv BlueHost independent one. EXCO voted that and the Listserv are on the same virtual account. PSG would stay with the same company private server (VPS), the PSG web

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 35 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

PSG MEMBERSHIP REPORT Jennifer Ma, Membership Coordinator

CURRENT card by RegOnline to renew create for regional representatives and MEMBERSHIP STATUS membership) were not charged due to a EXCO, items to address at certain dates, As of 31 January 2015, 603 current, failure in the system (Fig. 1). Therefore, and other details pertinent to maintaining lapsed, and payment pending PSG their memberships lapsed in the 2014 the position. members are recorded on RegOnline year with failure to notify the members. We addressed the 2014 RegOnline (Table 1). Of this total, PSG consists of Other members lapsed in 2013 (n=12), membership auto-renewal failure by 409 current and confirmed members, or have not yet renewed for the 2015 directly contacting the members affected including 80 life members. There are year (n=23). A renewal notice will be on 12 November 2014 and encouraged 66 confirmed student members, which sent out again on 1 April 2015 for the them to manually renew their 2014 is 16.2% of the total current members remaining lapsed members. membership. JM received several emails in PSG. Life members comprise 19.2% PSG members are a diverse group of in response from members. of the total current members with 80 researchers, supporters, and students. JM has created a document members. There are 262 members Current, confirmed members represent keeping track of all membership holding individual memberships, 20 countries (Fig. 2), 20 USA states, and issues communicated directly to the constituting 64.4% of the total current 9 Canadian provinces. membership coordinator from members members in PSG. and EXCO. As of 4 September 2014, 194 members have currently lapsed; ACTION JM has addressed 73 emails/issues from 81.96% (n=159) of lapsed members ITEMS COMPLETED members and fulfilled 9 requests from were not current members in 2014. This Michelle Hester provided Jennifer Ma EXCO members, not including creating can be attributed to the renewal glitch on (JM) a document outlining the duties member lists for representatives. RegOnline that occurred in January 2014 associated with the PSG Membership Requests from EXCO are primarily related to elections, mailing lists, or where individual and student members Coordinator position. This document budget inquiries. that opted for the recurring payment includes descriptions of each type of option (automatic charge on their credit membership, type of member lists to

Table 1. Totals of membership type and status of membership since 31 January 2015

MEMBERSHIP TYPE CONFIRMED % OF TOTAL LAPSED % OF PENDING TOTAL CONFIRMED TOTAL PAYMENT LAPSED

Honorary 1 0.24 0 0 0 1 Individual 109 26.7 69 35.9 1 179 Individual recurring 153 37.4 83 43.2 1 237 Life 78 19.1 0 0 0 78 Life payment plan 2 0.49 0 0 0 2 Student 12 2.93 15 7.8 0 27 Student recurring 54 13.2 25 13 0 79 GRAND TOTAL 409 100 192 100 2 603

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 36 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

ISSUES ENCOUNTERED membership rates for individual and the old membership rates in their records. RESOLVED: student memberships. For members who Our final goal is to find a more efficient Life members must be entered into the used RegOnline in 2013, their records method of addressing this issue. RegOnline system. Since many of them for renewing in 2015 show that they are do not have email accounts, a generic responsible for paying both the old rate ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS email was created to be used by JM to ($30 for individual, $24 for student) and Thanks to Michelle Hester and Lindsay create accounts for these members. Great the new rate ($40 and $30, respectively) Young for their support in the transition thanks to Annette Henry for assistance on their statement, but in actuality are to becoming Membership Coordinator. with this issue. JM must enter 26 more only charged the new rate when they Thanks to Jo Smith, Pat Baird, and life members. renew. This caused a lot of confusion for Christine Ogura for assistance with individuals renewing in Jan 2015, which addressing member issues, and thanks to UNRESOLVED: I addressed individually (“standing PSG for the opportunity to be involved RegOnline recognizes two different balance” issue, Figure 4) by eliminating in this position.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP Jessica Hardesty, John Piatt, and Melanie Steinkamp, Coordinators

The Corresponding Membership periodically posted to the PSG Listserv. Membership Committee could best Committee provides PSG membership meet their needs. All but one committee to researchers and conservationists in ACTIVITIES & UPDATES member believed that reports every three developing countries. Committee members There is a total of 16 Corresponding years was adequate and were not interested presently include Jessica Hardesty, John Memberships allotted by the PSG. We can in submitting reports more frequently. Piatt, and Melanie Steinkamp. To retain provide those names upon request. There We will be asking for reports from all “Corresponding Membership”, recipients have been no changes in membership over Committee Members this year. are asked to provide a brief report on the past year. We presently have eight The main goal of the committee in research or conservation in their area, at Corresponding Members representing 2015 is to gain two new members. Please least, every three years for Pacific Seabirds. Chile, China, Colombia (2), Fiji, Ecuador, contact Melanie Steinkamp (Melanie_ Corresponding members facilitate other The Indian Ocean, and Peru. [email protected]) if you have communications, such as the Indian Ocean Committee members were surveyed last suggestions for other members. Seabird Group Newsletter, which has been year to determine how the Corresponding

MARINE ORNITHOLOGY David Ainley, Editor-in-Chief; Tony Gaston, Managing Editor; Reber Creative, Layout; Carolyn Brown, Technical Editing; Ben Saenz, Webmaster.

ORGANIZATION most papers posted on the website within Japan, France, Netherlands. Total pages 2015 is David Ainley’s second year as 2 months of acceptance. To clarify the were 195 and words published 127,000. sole Editor-in-Chief (2013 was an overlap workings of the journal I have appended Some additional appendices which year with Tony Gaston). He will continue a flow chart of the manuscript review and appeared only on the website are not in this position until at least the end of 2016. publication process (Figure 1). included in that total. Based on citations, Under Dave’s Editorship, the processing Two issues were published in 2014, Marine Ornithology continues to be listed of papers has sped up. More than half of containing a total of 33 papers. Both in the second quartile of zoology journals the papers submitted receive a decision appeared on time in April and October. by SCImago. within 3 months of submission. As of June First authors came from 13 Countries: US 2013, we began to post “online early” as (14 papers), Canada (4), UK (2), Australia FINANCES soon as papers were accepted. This system (2), Brazil (2) and one each from Mexico, Table 1 on the next page, shows income took some time to implement, but now has Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and expenditure since 2005. During

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 37 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

MARINE ORNITHOLOGY the past few years, Marine Ornithology submitted after 1 January 2015, from $30 a Business Manager who will relieve the finances have suffered from the strength to $40/page. We receive page charges for Managing Editor of most of the financial of the Canadian dollar, which was above about 60% of pages published. Charges management (invoicing subscribers, par with the US dollar for a long period, on the rest are waived for authors with authors; soliciting sponsorships, mailing because all our income is in US dollars no institutional support. The rise in page journals, etc.). but virtually all expenses are in Canadian charges follows a rise in Institutional Unlike previous years, I am not dollars. However, that situation reversed subscriptions from $90 to $100 for the soliciting anything from the PSG recently and with the Canadian dollar 2014 volume year. We expect to hold this EXCO. I think things are running close to 80 cents USD our financial level at least until 2017. fine and we should continue as we are situation should improve. In addition, Thanks to a grant of $6000 from PSG, for now. However, feedback is always page charges will be raised for papers we recently (as of 1 February 2015) hired appreciated.

TABLE 1. Income and expenditures for Marine Ornithology, 2005-2014, including financial support by PSG.

Balance on 1 $7,731.26 January 2005 PSG PSG Income Expenses Deficit/profit contribution symposium 2005 $9,042.53 $12,867.35 $4,200.00 Yes ($3,824.82) 2006 $16,979.87 $9,663.29 $4,065.00 $7,316.58 2007 $6,157.59 $15,304.08 ($9,146.49) 2008 $17,296.25 $11,990.19 $6,000.00 $5,306.06 2009 $10,569.07 $13,103.64 Yes ($2,534.57) 2010 $7,256.40 $8,564.51 ($1,308.11) 2011 $14,223.15 $9,823.53 Yes $4,399.62 2012 $15,426.22 $20,618.33 $7,850.00 ($5,192.11) 2013 $18,060.02 $12,944.24 $6,000.00 $5,115.78 2014 $4,980.84 $11,120.69 ($6,139.85) Totals $127,723.2 $125,999.9 $28,115.00

PSG average annual $2,811.50 contribution Mean annual $12,599.99 cost PSG as 22% %income

Note: the above figures for PSG contributions do not include any money granted to symposium organizers

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 38 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

FIGURE 1. Flow chart of Marine Ornithology publication operations

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 39 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT Andrew Titmus

There continues to be a healthy as vital to their attendance of annual organize a series of workshops that could student membership within the Pacific meetings. be held during annual meetings by either Seabird Group. We currently have 64 I believe we should be generating willing individuals, or panels on a variety active student members and 25 members greater interest and involvement in PSG of topics. who have either graduated, or let their within the student membership, and events Finally, the current Student membership lapse. Advertising the society at the annual meeting are a great way to Representative is a two-year position. The outside of the usual channels of recruiting promote further involvement. Particularly ability to plan events, and be successful current member’s graduate students could the student-mentor night held during the at raising funds to support student boost membership. Gaining new student annual meeting is a chance for students travel could be greatly boosted if the members is very important for PSG as a and professionals within the society to current structure was changed to having whole as the majority of student members meet and learn from each other. We are overlapping terms with the student serving say they would continue to be a member of still working on finding the best way to the first year of the term as a non-voting PSG after graduation. structure this event in a way that will assistant to the student representative. In The silent auction held at the annual promote greater attendance from both this way, the current student representative meeting continues to be a success. There student and regular members. In addition, can mentor and work with the future is a high amount of involvement through students are very interested in being able student representative. This would result donations from many members, and this to learn about some of the valuable and in greater student participation, and fund continues to support student travel interesting skills that many of our regular greater effectiveness at promoting student to the annual meeting. Students have members use in the course of their work membership within PSG. repeatedly identified this source of funds and research. To this end, we should try to

Titles from presentations at the 2015 annual meeting in San Jose, California, were used to produce this wordle artpiece.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 40 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL REPORT Ellen Paul, OC Executive Director, Pat Baird and Doug Forsell, PSG Representatives to OC

fdp/index.htm), a consortium of federal available on the CITI website and in use by Following is a summarized version of funding agencies and research institutions 96 institutions; 655 people have completed the Annual Report of the Ornithological and universities. Status: the subcommittee the course. Council covering activities from 1 July has formed a working group to discuss 2013 through 30 June 2014. There are and review the FAQ in preparation for 4. The OC continues to entreat updates on key activities for the entire publication. The authors – OC Executive other federal funding agencies to follow the year as well as activities initiated since Director Ellen Paul and the president-elect lead of the National Science Foundation, the midyear report. Contact the OC of the American Society of Mammalogists, which revised its Grant Proposal Guide to representatives Doug Forsell or Pat Baird, Bob Sikes, have been invited to join this give formal recognition to the taxonomic or the OC Executive Director Ellen Paul working group, which began meeting on society guidelines for assessment of [e-mail: [email protected]; phone 16 July 2014. wildlife research protocols funded by the 301/986-8568] for more information on NSF. any matter of interest to you. The OC 2. A model protocol form for The Guidelines to the Use of Wild welcomes your input at any time and is wildlife biology for use in the required Birds in Research (on the OC’s website particularly interested in hearing about review by Institutional Animal Care and http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/ issues or problems of concern to you that Use Committees. The form was drawn guide/index.html) is now regarded by they may not be addressing. from those used by the U.S. Fish and NSF as an official reference document for Wildlife Service Alaska Region IACUC Animal Welfare Act compliance. Status: The Ornithological Council seeks to: and by the National Park Service, with A continuing outreach effort is underway • Ensure that the best ornithological input from a committee of volunteers to be sure that all universities and research science is incorporated into legislative, drawn from those who attended the OC/ institutions know about this change and regulatory, and management decisions that ASM “Wildlife IACUC” held in October about resources pertinent to wildlife affect birds; 2011. Status: The protocol was reviewed biology. by a number of experts and then submitted • Enhance the ability of to the Animal Subjects subcommittee of 5. To assist ornithologists whose ornithologists to pursue professional the Federal Demonstration Partnership research requires the use of thoracic activities; and as a resource to complement the FAQ on compression, the OC, with the help of wildlife biology. It was released in beta the AOU Committee on Collections and • Promote the influence of on Ornithology Exchange on 6 Jan 2014, especially chair Kim Bostwick, revised ornithology in public affairs. followed by extensive outreach efforts its fact sheet on thoracic compression to by OC and ASM through direct contact justify the use of this method (justification The OC’s work focuses on animal with researchers, IACUCs, notices from is required under the Animal Welfare Act). welfare issues, permits, research funding, AAALAC International, PRIM&R, The OC and AOU also developed and and other policies that affect ornithologists and other organizations. The outreach published a new position statement on the and ornithological societies. Activities culminated in a webinar offered by the same topic. Status report: As of June 2014, below describe OC’s work over the past Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare of the fact sheet and position statement have fiscal year. the National Institutes of Health on 20 been requested by approximately a dozen March 2014; the webinar and follow-up ornithologists and IACUC members. To questions are archived and available to the date, every IACUC that has reviewed ANIMAL WELFARE public. this information has approved the use of Activities related to implementation of thoracic compression to “pending.” the Animal Welfare Act took priority in 3. The OC and ASM completed the first half of 2013. Here are the main a training module on Animal Welfare 6. In 2013, the American Veterinary issues that the OC addressed: Act compliance in the context of wildlife Medical Association published its revised 1. A FAQ on the application of biology. This module was prepared for Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. animal welfare laws and policies to CITI, an organization that provides online The federal grant-making agencies require wildlife research, requested by the Animal research ethics education to all members use of AVMA-approved method of Subject subcommittee of the Federal of the research community (https://www. euthanasia as a condition of compliance Demonstration Partnership citiprogram.org/). Status: The review and with the Animal Welfare Act. Despite a (http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/ revision have been completed and is now submission from the Ornithological

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 41 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

Council of observational data to the USFWS to include a standard permit the upcoming revisions to the banding support the continued classification of condition pertaining to euthanasia of regulations are said to impose. thoracic compression (TC) as at least injured birds. The Office of Laboratory “conditionally acceptable” the AVMA Animal Welfare is awaiting the results Status: We met in late October with chose to re-classify it as unacceptable. of the thoracic compression study before the new staffer who was assigned to The OC arranged for an independent they engage in discussion with the oversee the BBL, followed by a second study by Dr. Joanne Paul-Murphy ( DVM USFWS on this issue. meeting in December with that staffer Dipl. American College of Veterinary and another whose role in the matter is Medicine and Dipl. American College 9. The OC has been consulted not clear. As reported on Ornithology of Animal Welfare) and Andy Engilis by the U.S. Forest Service which is Exchange, we proposed a strategy to (UC Davis Curator Museum of Fish and in the process of establishing its own eliminate the funding problems said to Wildlife Biology) to compare the effects Institutional Animal Care and Use be the basis of the recent band denials. of TC and intraosseus pentobarbital (IP) Committee. We expressly requested that In June 2014, we met with the acting on the time to circulatory arrest and an the Forest Service officially recognize director of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife isoelectric EEG in anesthetized birds. Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds Research Center (which oversees the They found that time to cessation of pulse in Research as an official reference BBL) and in July, we met with the BBL (and consequent loss of consciousness) standard. chief. The discussion continues. was faster (statistically significant) with TC than with the IP as to both range and Status: pending 4. OC Executive Director Ellen median. Time to death, as measured by Paul met with Brad Bortner (USFWS an isoelectric EEG, was faster with the PERMITS Chief of the Division of Migratory IP, but the difference was not statistically 1. Completion of the guide Bird Management) in November and significant. The OC will press the AVMA to Canadian national and provincial subsequently with Jerome Ford (USFWS to change the classification of TC and, research permits was put on hold due to Assistant Director for Migratory Birds) should the AVMA refuse to do so, will the need to address pressing, deadline- in June to discuss a number of pending take such other measures as may be driven policy matters. permit issues, including continuing necessary and appropriate to assure that development of a “comprehensive” ornithologists are permitted to use this Status update: work has resumed and Migratory Bird Treaty Act permit method of euthanasia. we continue to try to provide full and that would cover an array of research complete information for each province. activities to be conducted for the 7. Tentative planning for a second duration of the permit. It is hoped that “Wildlife IACUC” conference has 2. The OC is working with the Society such a permit would serve as a model for started. They will again work with the of Canadian Ornithologists/Société des other research institutions and groups American Society of Mammalogists. Ornithologists du Canada to encourage and that all USFWS regions would Status: The conference will be held at the the national and provincial governments eventually consider issuing such permits Smithsonian Environmental Research to reform and streamline permit policies under appropriate conditions. Center in Edgewater, Maryland and and practice. the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research 5. The OC helped dozens of Center. Grant proposals are in preparation Status: Letters to the Canadian Wildlife ornithologists to obtain Migratory and we hope to hold the conference in Service and the provincial and territorial Bird Treaty Act, ESA, APHIS, CDC the spring of 2015. governments have been drafted and will and other permits and navigate the be sent by SCO/SOC. complex import and export processes. 8. The Animal Welfare Act Ornithologists also notify the OC about regulations require that research 3. OC Executive Director Ellen problems they have encountered and protocols include plans to render Paul and North American Banding the OC works with the agencies to medical care (i.e., in the case of injuries Council (NABC) Chair John Alexander identify the source of the problem and sustained during the course of the continue to press the USGS to address devise ways to correct the problem. research) or euthanize animals that the new practice of the Bird Banding Lab would otherwise experience severe or to refuse to issue permits for projects Status: We continue to receive at least chronic pain or distress that cannot be that it perceived would require resources one request for assistance with permits relieved. However, to do so would be (bands, data management) that it might each week. Most recently, we assisted illegal unless the MBTA or ESA permit not have in coming years. In addition, someone who studies a species that expressly allows these activities. For OC and NABC raised concerns about was added to the endangered species nearly two years, OC has been asking other restrictions on banding permits that list in the middle of the field season.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 42 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015

We also helped two graduate students Standing Committee to do the same. not likely to succeed and, with upcoming whose endangered species import permits mid-term elections, may even cause seemed to be languishing on a desk 8. The OC, in consultation with unwanted backlash. We are currently in and who were unable to get a response the USFWS Division of Migratory Bird discussion with the Forest Service Ethics from the USFWS and a researcher who Management, compiled a short guide officers about the procedures that the faced confiscation of imported materials to effective permit applications and agency will require; current procedures because a wildlife official in the country published it on Ornithology Exchange. require submission of information that is of origin had mistakenly written the In addition, we obtained from the inapposite to the regulatory change and same scientific name for two different USFWS the practical details about to the White House memorandum that species. Perhaps most notably, OC was import clearance procedures at the encourages agencies to allow scientists able to break a Catch-22 situation in airports and shared that information with the opportunity for full participation in which a state agency refused to issue ornithologists. scientific societies, including service on an endangered species permit based on boards. the mistaken belief that a federal permit 9. The OC was alerted by was required. We persuaded the USFWS ornithologists of a substantial backlog 11. An anti-collecting article was to send written confirmation that this in permit issuance by USFWS Region 8 published in Science in April 2014. A was not the case. We are now working (Pacific Southwest). It is now taking 15 group of scientists organized a response on a similar problem with regard to the months to obtain a Migratory Bird Treaty that has been accepted for publication. issuance of MBTA permits in that same Act permit in that region. To prompt a The OC has drafted a letter to the editor- state. resolution of this problem, OC contacted in-chief (not for publication) asking Jerome Ford (USFWS Assistant for a review of the peer-review process 6. The OC has asked the USFWS Director for Migratory Birds), Erick because the original article contained to reconsider its recent and unannounced Davis (Region 8 Assistant Regional numerous errors that would have been imposition of import inspection fees on Director for Migratory Birds) and Marie questioned if the reviewers had had the state universities, which had previously Strasburger (Region 8 Migratory Bird appropriate expertise. The consequence been considered “state agencies” and Chief) to address this problem. OC has of the failure of peer review in this case therefore exempt from these fees. asked that the region ask each of the has significant negative consequences other regions to take a dozen or more for scientists, who are already facing Status: The USFWS has refused to of the longest-pending applications restrictions from permitting agencies reconsider this stance even though, for for priority review and issuance. We who have, in recent years, developed permit purposes, these same institutions also asked that the USFWS develop a permit policies that seem to have little are considered state agencies. system to track permit issuance and to basis in population biology. require regions to report to the Assistant 7. The OC met with USFWS Director for Migratory Birds if they OTHER SERVICES TO Director of Law Enforcement Director begin to approach a 90-day issuance ORNITHOLOGICAL William Woody and Brian Aroyo, time so solutions can be devised and COMMUNITY USFWS International Affairs Director implemented. of International Affairs, to discuss the 1. The OC concluded the first problems resulting from the USFWS 10. The rule that removed legal of the three years of the pilot phase of requirement for validation of CITES barriers that made it difficult for federal the small grants program and issued permits. The OC was joined in this request employees to serve on the boards of a request for proposals for the second by the Society for the Preservation of outside organizations was made final in round of funding. We hope for as many Natural History Collections and the March 2013. This is an issue that the OC excellent proposals as we received in American Society of Mammalogists. has been working on for nearly a decade. 2012. The funder and the OC Board were pleased with the results of the Status: In April 2014, the OC, Status: There has been discussion first round – so much so that the funder together with the American Society about a strategy to persuade Congress increased funding by nearly 50% and the of Mammalogists and the Society for to re-write the statute entirely but the OC Board agreed to allow the Executive the Preservation of Natural History consensus among the organizations who Director to seek additional funds for the Collections has petitioned the Secretary have taken part in the discussion is that as following year. of the Interior to revoke or suspend this long as the administrative policy change requirement with regard to scientific seems to be working, it would be better Status report: The second round of specimens and samples. We are to avoid this extremely time-consuming grants has been awarded and we are preparing a letter asking the CITES effort which, in the current Congress, is preparing for the third and final round

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 43 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2014-2015 under the pilot project. We are discussing changes that affect the way they do their potential sources for additional funding. research. Via Ornithology Exchange, the 1. OC also provides scientific Ornithological Newsletter, and direct information about birds to government 2. Upon request, OC conducts e-mail as well as use of the NEOORN agencies, business entities, landowners, webinars for faculty and students on list owned by Van Remsen, OC posts the press, and others. See the OC website permits, animal welfare issues, the updates on various issues of concern. for a myriad of specific instances. role of science in bird conservation, and other topics of interest. The OC PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC keeps scientists informed about policy INFORMATION ABOUT BIRDS

PSG NEWS Read about changes to the format of Pacific Seabirds and other transitions in 2015.

INTERIM EDITOR’S NOTE Editors for Pacific Seabirds. We all the sections and content of Pacific Pacific Seabirds has been in a welcome new ideas and people. For Seabirds (Achievement Award synopses, transition phase, from printed to on-line further information, contact the PSG Conservation Report, Regional Reports, news bulletin, and this change has been Chair at: chair@pacificseabirdgroup. Officers Reports, Committee Reports, hampered by not having a dedicated org. PSG News, Meeting News, Executive Editor in Chief. For many years Vivian - Kathy Kuletz Council Minutes) and encouraged select Mendenhall served as Editor and in 2014 sections to be published more frequently Holly Freifeld volunteered to fulfill in a mobile-friendly e-newsletter format those duties for one year. As Chair of FUTURE OF PACIFIC SEABIRDS (i.e., Conservation Report, Regional PSG, I became Interim Editor, and relied AD-HOC COMMITTEE SUMMARY Reports, PSG News). In summary, on the volunteer editorial assistance In March 2015, the Future of Pacific the goal is to make Pacific Seabirds of Laura Bliss, Jane Dolliver, Vivian Seabirds Ad-hoc Committee met to a quarterly PDF that would roll up Mendenhall, Martin Renner, and Leslie discuss if/how PSG’s Pacific Seabirds available reports and information Slater. Photographs were graciously publication might change in light of the submitted over the quarter. provided by Nina Karnovsky, Gregory EXCO’s decision to cease paper printing Pacific Seabirds also serves to fulfill Spencer, Craig Strong, and Chris Linder. of the publication. Eight committee PSG compliance as a registered charity We all thank Mesha Wood for putting members (Jane Dolliver and Andrew and thus must maintain key elements, everything into a traditional Pacific Titmus, working with Yuri Albores, such as our financial statement to Seabirds format, which has allowed Morgan Gilmour, Marc d’Entremont, members, EXCO minutes, and bylaw us to post this single-issue on the PSG Marc Romano, Lauren Scopel, and Stan changes. It also serves as a record or website. Our lives and work sites were Senner) provided feedback and reviewed archive of Society business (PSG news scattered throughout the PSG regions, the membership survey on the future and reports from annual meetings, requiring long-distance coordination, so of Pacific Seabirds. The committee working groups, etc). I greatly appreciate the time everyone concluded that Pacific Seabirds should After two years of relying on has put into this issue. Thanks also to Jo remain as a stand-alone, downloadable Interim Editors that have other PSG Smith and Pat Baird for guidance and for pdf document published annually as responsibilities as well, it is apparent answering my questions. a composite of quarterly electronic that we need a dedicated team to make The 2015 team-PS was a temporary, newsletters. With the exception of peer- Pacific Seabirds timely and complete. volunteer effort, and PSG is looking for reviewed journal articles and translations, A full editorial team will be required a more permanent Editor and Associate the committee recommended retaining to publish a quarterly newsletter, with

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 44 PSG NEWS the newsletter and the PSG website. and honor those who handed over the current chairs. Vivian Mendenhall left You can be a part of this important baton in 2015. her 14 year position as Editor of Pacific PSG team! If interested, please contact During the 2014-2015 year, PSG had Seabirds in 2014, but continues to assist [email protected] to get several long-term Society members us during the transition to a new format involved. transition from EXCO positions or and editorial team. Vivian also served committees. Pat Baird left EXCO after as Secretary of PSG for four years, TRANSITIONS AND THANK serving as Secretary of PSG from 2009 and we’re counting on her continued YOU’S to February 2015. During this time she contributions and archival knowledge. One of the unique qualities of the was key to keeping PSG records and Finally, we thank several outgoing Pacific Seabird Group is its strong meeting minutes and she guided EXCO Regional Representatives. Ken Morgan membership-based operations. The operations while also working on the served as the Canadian representative PSG relies on the active engagement of PSG Bylaws revision. In the past, she for many years, and was one of the its members to complete the business of also served as California Representative experienced EXCO folks we could PSG, including running the Executive and Associate Editor for Pacific Seabirds call on to get something done, provide Council, serving as an interface in 2012 and 2013. As Chair-elect and background, or explain a point of order. between PSG and regional members, Chair we often relied on her institutional Iain Stenhouse served as the US (non- conservation initiatives, and planning knowledge, and we’ll continue to do so west coast) representative and Annette and execution of our annual meetings. well into the future. Doug Forsell served Henry as the representative for the Those who step forward contribute their as Chair in 2014 and Past Chair in 2015, Southern California/Latin America/ expertise and time, ranging from hours during which he not only assisted with Hawaii region. Both Iain and Annette to years of work. There is of course the Bylaws revision but worked with had a lot of territory to cover! Thanks to turnover, which is good for PSG growth Scott Shaffer and his local committee to everyone for your contributions to PSG. and it allows others to benefit from this host the 2015 meeting in San Jose. He valuable experience. I’d like to thank was generous in helping incoming and

Pigeon guillemot forging and fish, ©Melinda Nakagawa

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 45 MEETING NEWS

PSG’s 42nd ANNUAL Seabird Monitoring Committee, the Forsell, gave a warm welcome to North Pacific Albatross Working Group, attendees starting with the opening MEETING, FEBRUARY 2015 Scripp’s Murrelet and Guadalupe reception in the hotel, assisted by Kathy Kuletz and Scott Shaffer Murrelet Technical Committee, and the donations from the Lagunitas Brewing World Seabird Conference 2 working Company. Other social events included The Pacific Seabird Group’s 42nd group. Before and after the meetings, the evening Poster Session on Thursday Annual Meeting was held at the San attendees had a choice of two field and the Student Mentoring Reception Jose Airport Garden Hotel in San Jose, trips, with a pelagic seabird excursion on Friday. Lunchtime mixed with California on 18-21 February, 2015. The to offshore waters of Monterey Bay and business during the open Conservation three days of scientific presentations several opportunities for a day trip to the Committee meeting on Friday and the were preceded by two days of committee Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. PSG Members Meeting (formerly called meetings, including the Executive There were 319 registered attendees for Business Meeting) on Saturday. Council, the Short-tailed Albatross the meeting, which had the theme “A Our opening plenary talks for each of Recovery Team, the Marbled Murrelet Future For Seabirds” the three days of presentations provided Technical Committee, the Kittlitz’s The Local Organizing Committee, a range of geographies and disciplines. Murrelet Technical Committee, the Chaired by Scott Shaffer and Doug On Thursday, Nathan Mantua Peter

Students and mentors enjoy the Poster Session at the 2015 PSG meeting at San Jose. From left to right: Nicole McDuffie, Miranda Starr (in front), Nola Shi (in back), Kristina McComber, Nina Karnovsky (our Chair-Elect), Steve Hampton, Andrea Sartorius, Ramoncito Caleon, and Molly Shallman.

(Southwest Fisheries Science Center, appropriate population units for Quixote: is arguing for the importance Santa Cruz, California) presented successful conservation”. On Saturday, of top-down forcing in seabirds’ food “Pacific climate variations and their the plenary speaker was the recipient webs merely tilting at windmills?” impacts on California Current System of the 2015 PSG Lifetime Achievement The contributed paper sessions had ecosystems”, providing oceanographic Award, David Ainley (H.T. Harvey & 127 oral and 47 poster presentations background for the many of the sessions. Associates Ecosystem Consultants, featured over three days. There were On Friday, Vicki Friesen (Department California). True to David’s lifelong four Special Paper Sessions: (1) Can of Biology, Queen’s University at passion for the conservation of seabirds seabirds be used to predict impending Kingston, Ontario) drew on her expertise and marine ecosystems, he talked about climatic events in the Pacific? in genetics to explore “Predicting “Following in the footsteps of Don

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 46 MEETING NEWS

(led by Grant Humphries); (2) towards research and the conservation of to Joshua Hincks. Community-based seabird conservation seabirds, and his significant contributions This year, $5,250 USD was awarded (led by Peter Hodum); (3) Ashy to PSG over the last 42 years. We closed to assist 13 PSG student members and Storm-petrel Range-wide Science and the meeting with some great dancing. $2,500 was awarded to seven non- Conservation (led by David Ainley), At the banquet, awards were presented Canadian/US scientists with their and (4) Shearwaters Forever or Cause for Best Student Talk and Best Student travel expenses to present a paper or for Concern? - the Conservation and Poster. We thank all student participants, poster in San Jose. These awards are Status of Shearwaters (led by Mark and congratulate the following: for best yet another way that PSG supports Rauzon). The sessions ended with brief PhD oral presentation, Nobukiko Sato; and mentors student and international discussion periods, to facilitate links best student poster was split by Caroline members outside USA and Canada. among biologists and managers. On Poli and Amy Miles, with an honorable Student travel funds are raised annually the last night, the banquet honored Dr. mention to Mizuho Nagata; best masters from donations and the Silent Auction. David Ainley for his lifetime of work or under graduate oral presentation went International travel awards are raised annually from member donations and the annual meeting. The Local Committee is grateful to Melinda Nakagawa, a local artist and seabird biologist, who donated her art work for the 2015 PSG annual meeting logo (designed by Emma Kelsey) and contributed artwork to the silent auction. The demographic profile of the attendees at this 42nd meeting indicates a strong future for PSG - 22% students, 12% early-career scientists, 36% mid- career, 29% late-career, and 1% retired. The PSG is obviously a society with a large cohort of new and emerging scientists, a high percentage of mid- to late-career professionals, and a few wise elders. Apparently no one had ‘no job and lovin life!’ Assisting the Local Committee (especially Scott Shaffer and Doug Forsell) and their team of volunteers, this successful meeting was organized by the Science Program Chair-elect (Kathy Kuletz), the PSG Chair (Jo Smith), Secretary (Pat Baird), online registration expert (Lindsay Young), and website expert (Annette Henry). Rachael Orben, Corey Clatterbuck, and Liz Labunski produced the printed program and book of abstracts. From everyone involved - “Carry on - and thanks for all the fish!”

Two of the student presentation winners from PSG 2015, Joshua Hincks (best Master’s or undergraduate oral presentation) and Amy Miles (best student poster, shared with Caroline Poli, not pictured)

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 47 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MINUTES The Pacific Seabird Group’s board of directors, the Executive Council (EXCO), meets at each Annual Meeting and several times a year via conference call. Minutes are available on the PSG website after they are approved at the subsequent meeting. A summary of the Annual Meeting minutes is provided in Pacific Seabirds. All PSG members are welcome to attend EXCO meetings and contact PSG council members if they have questions, suggestions, or concerns.

SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING 18 February 2015 42nd Annual Meeting, San Jose, California San Jose Airport Garden Hotel

Summary of actions by EXCO, Chair’s Report Treasurer’s Report February 2014-February 2015: In addition to the 13 major items (see Total income to-date was $166,365, • Passed a balanced FY2015 PSG summary of actions, above), numerous total expense were $156,775. The surplus operating budget smaller workplan items were completed, in the FY2015 budget is $4.00. Current • Revised PSG bylaws to comply with including two online tools that helped checking account balance is $120,000 the State of California non-profit streamline PSG business and incorporate and endowment funds are at $204,000. law member feedback in the decision-making • Organized a successful PSG Annual process: Survey Monkey (Elections- ANNUAL MEETING UPDATES Meeting in San Jose for February Elections Committee, Future Meetings Based on an online survey sent to all 2015, with 319 attendees Survey, Pacific Seabirds Survey), and members, ~20% of respondents planned • Sent six Conservation Letters to RegOnline (Annual Meeting-Local to attend the World Seabird Conference government agencies Committee). The EXCO has worked (October 2015, Cape Town, South • Published Pacific Seabirds, Volume hard to generate and conserve resources Africa). For the 2016 annual meeting for 41, Numbers 1 & 2 but would benefit from a Strategic Plan PSG, the top two locations were in what • Maintained a membership of 409 to focus PSG’s mission, vision, and is considered the ‘core’ PSG meeting members representing 20 countries direction. One of the essential financial region - WA/OR/CA (~70%) while the • Drafted and approved a Conflict of tasks in 2014-2015 was calculating the Galapagos Islands were also of interest Interest Policy for EXCO members annual operating budget for PSG to (~50%)Further in the future, respondents • Formed an ad-hoc Code of Conduct understand what was needed for annual were interested in attending meetings in Committee revenue and PSG bylaws – approximately Vancouver, Seattle, Portland or Hawaii. • Approved a revised PSG Endowment $10,000 (without publications or the Hawaii and San Diego have the largest Fund Policy annual meeting). number of people willing to volunteer • Filled the vacant Membership on a local committee. The Chair (soon Coordinator position Vice Chair for Conservation’s Report to be Past Chair) will work to confirm a • Approved moving the PSG listserve Six Conservation letters were sent in local committee for 2016, pushing other to a new host the past year: (1) to Environment Canada interested local committees to future • Obtained member feedback on (a) re: Proposed Recovery Strategy for the years (2017-2019). The International future annual meetings for 2016 Marbled Murrelet in Canada, (2) to the Ornithological Congress (August 2018, and 2017 and (b) changes to the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Vancouver BC) is an option if PSG format of Pacific Seabirds Ecosystem Workgroup re: forage fish, agrees to be a sponsor. • Provided a funds for a business (3) to the US Army Corps of Engineers manager for Marine Ornithology re: the proposal to cull 16,000 Double- OTHER BUSINESS crested Cormorants at East Sand Listserve and website: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORTS Island, WA, (4) to the U.S. Secretary of 865 people are on this listserve. Hits to Past Chair’s Report Agriculture re: cessation of old-growth the PSG website have doubled in the past David Ainley received the Lifetime logging in the Tongass National Forest, year. Achievement Award in 2015; no Special (5) to USFWS re: monitoring needs Achievement Awards were presented in for Kittlitz’s Murrelets and Aleutian Membership: 2015. Travel awards were presented to Terns and (6) to the CA Dept. of Fish PSG has 409 current (paid) members, 20 students and to non-US or Canadian and Wildlife in support of a Marbled including 66 student members and scientists. Thirty-one talks and 14 Murrelet habitat plan. 80 lifetime members, representing 20 posters were consideration for student countries. The goal for 2015-2016 is 500 paper awards this year. members.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 48 SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

MOTIONS perceived conflicts of interest and to Approve $300 for a Blue Host The new 2015-2016 EXCO members: recuse themselves from votes where they subscription for the listserve: EXCO approved Nina Karnovsky stand to benefit financially. EXCO approved this motion to allow (Chair Elect), Jane Dolliver (Secretary), PSG Endowment Policy (6 Feb PSG to move the PSG listserve from the Yuri Albores-Barajas (Southern 2015 version): EXCO approved the USFWS server. California, Latin America, Hawaii Endowment Policy revisions. Representative), Stephanie Avery-Gomm Cease hard-copy printing of Pacific (Canada Representative), Samantha Submit the bylaws document (version Seabirds: Richman (United State other than west 8) to the membership for a vote: Members will receive Pacific Seabirds coast and Hawai’i). Notwithstanding minor and technical in electronic format only. An ad-hoc changes, this document updates PSG “Future of Pacific Seabirds Committee” Conflict of Interest form for PSG Bylaws to comply with current practices, will be convened to propose the future EXCO members: rules and regulations for operating as format, content, style and frequency of EXCO approved the Conflict of a non-profit in the State of California. the publication. Interest form, which requires EXCO EXCO approved the revised bylaws, members to disclose real, potential or pending requested editorial changes.

Brandt’s Cormorant - PSG 2015 logo, ©Melinda Nakagawa

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 49 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP The The Pacific Seabird Group publishes symposia and other works. PSG Symposia are occasionally held at Annual Meetings; those which have been published are listed below. Technical Reports prepared by PSG working groups also are listed. To order one of these PSG publications, please see instructions after each item.Abstracts of papers and posters given at PSG meetings are published annually. Abstracts for meetings of 1974 through 1993 appeared in the PSG Bulletin (Volumes 2–20); for meetings of 1994 through 2003, in Pacific Seabirds (Volumes 21–30); and for meetings of 1997 and later, at www.pacificseabirdgroup. org PSG publishes the on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Current and past issues of both journals are available online or by subscription. Back issues may be obtained online.

SYMPOSIA

SHOREBIRDS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. Frank A. Pitelka (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group. Asilomar, California, January 1977. Published June 1979 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 2. Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

TROPICAL SEABIRD BIOLOGY. Ralph W. Schreiber (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 1982. Published February 1984 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 8. Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

MARINE BIRDS: THEIR FEEDING ECOLOGY AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES RELATIONSHIPS. David N. Nettleship, Gerald A. Sanger, and Paul F. Springer (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Seattle, Washington, January 1982. Published 1984 as Canadian Wildlife Service, Special Publication. Out of print; available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

THE USE OF NATURAL VS. MAN-MODIFIED WETLANDS BY SHOREBIRDS AND WATERBIRDS. R. Michael Erwin, Malcolm C. Coulter, and Howard L. Cogswell (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium at the first joint meeting of the Colonial Waterbird Society and the Pacific Seabird Group, San Francisco, California, December 1985. Colonial Waterbirds 9(2), 1986. $12.00. Order from: Ornithological Societies of North America, PO Box 1897, Lawrence, Kansas 66044; phone (800) 627-0629; no online orders.

ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF GULLS. Judith L. Hand, William E. Southern, and Kees Vermeer (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Colonial Waterbird Society and the Pacific Seabird Group, San Francisco, California, December 1985. Published June 1987 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 10. $18.50. Available free of charge at http://elibrary. unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

AUKS AT SEA. Spencer G. Sealy (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Pacific Grove, California, December 1987. Published December 1990 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 14. Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF THE MARBLED MURRELET IN NORTH AMERICA. Harry R. Carter, and Michael L. Morrison (Editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Pacific Grove, California, December 1987. Published October 1992 in Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Volume 5, Number 1. $20.00. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

THE STATUS, ECOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE BIRDS OF THE NORTH PACIFIC. Kees Vermeer, Kenneth T. Briggs, Ken H. Morgan, and Douglas Siegel‑Causey (editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, British Columbia, February 1990. Published 1993 as a Canadian Wildlife Service Special Publication, Catalog Number CW66-124‑1993E. Order free of charge from: Publications Division, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OH3, Canada.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 50 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

BIOLOGY OF MARBLED MURRELETS—INLAND AND AT SEA. S. Kim Nelson and Spencer G. Sealy (Editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Seattle, Washington, February 1993. Published 1995 in Northwestern Naturalist, Volume 76, Number 1. $12.00. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY OF THE SEA DUCKS. Ian Goudie, Margaret R. Petersen and Gregory J. Robertson (editors). Proceedings of the Pacific Seabird Group Symposium, Victoria, British Columbia, 8-12 November 1995. A special publication compiled by the Canadian Wildlife Service for the Pacific Seabird Group. Published 1999 as Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper number 100, catalog number CW69-1/100E. Order free of charge from: Publications Division, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OH3, Canada, or available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

SEABIRD BYCATCH: TRENDS, ROADBLOCKS AND SOLUTIONS. Edward F. Melvin and Julia K. Parrish (editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Blaine, Washington, 26-27 February 1999. Published 2001 by University of Alaska Sea Grant, Fairbanks, Alaska. Publication no. AK-SG-01-01. $40.00. Order from publisher.

BIOLOGY, STATUS, AND CONSERVATION OF JAPANESE SEABIRDS. Yutaka Watanuki, Harry R. Carter, S. Kim Nelson and Koji Ono (conveners) and Nariko Oka (editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Japanese Seabird Group and Pacific Seabird Group, Lihue, Hawaii, February 2001. Journal of the Yamashina Institute of Ornithology 33(2); Symposium (5 papers), pp 57-147, other papers pp. 148-213. In English with Japanese abstracts. $75.00. Order from PSG - contact the Chair at [email protected]

OIL AND CALIFORNIA’S SEABIRDS. Harry R. Carter (convener) and Anthony J. Gaston (editor). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Santa Barbara, California, February 2002. Published 2003 in Marine Ornithology 31(1). Available free of charge at www.marineornithology.org

THE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Daniel W. Anderson, D. Tommy King, and John Coulson (editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group. Waterbirds, Volume 28. Special Publication 1, 2005. Published by the Waterbird Society. $15.00. Order from PSG - contact the Chair at Chair@ pacificseabirdgroup.org.

BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF XANTUS’S MURRELET. Harry R. Carter, Spencer G. Sealy, Esther E. Burkett, and John F. Piatt (editors). Proceedings of a symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Portland, Oregon, January 2005. Published 2005 in Marine Ornithology 33(2):81-159. Available free of charge at www.marineornithology.org

SEABIRDS AS INDICATORS OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. John F. Piatt and William J. Sydeman (editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Girdwood, Alaska, February 2006. Published 2007 in Marine Ecology Progress Series Volume 352:199-309. Available free of charge at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v352/#theme

THE SALISH SEA ECOSYSTEMS: STATUS AND IMPACTS OF CHANGES ON MARINE BIRDS. Scott Hatch (editor), Douglas F. Bertram, John L. Bower, and Patrick D. O’Hara (guest editors.) 2009. Marine Ornithology, Salish Sea Symposium Issue 37: 1-76. Available free of charge at http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/Hatch.etal.2008.pdf Information on presenting symposia: Pacific Seabird Group Symposia or Paper Sessions may be arranged by any member who is interested in a particular topic. Before planning a special session, refer to Meetings/Symposia Guidelines at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org; also contact the Scientific Program Chair for the annual meeting.

______

Information on presenting symposia: Pacific Seabird Group Symposia or Paper Sessions may be arranged by any member who is interested in a particular topic. Before planning a special session, refer to Meetings/Symposia Guidelines at www.pacificseabirdgroup. org; also contact the Coordinator of the Publications Committee and the Program Chair for the meeting. ______

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 51 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL SEABIRD RESTORATION WORKSHOP. Kenneth I. Warheit, Craig S. Harrison, and George J. Divoky (editors). Exxon Valdez Restoration Project Final Report, Restoration Project 95038. PSG Technical Publication Number 1. 1997. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org METHODS FOR SURVEYING MARBLED MURRELETS IN FORESTS: A REVISED PROTOCOL FOR LAND MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH. Pacific Seabird Group, Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee. PSG Technical Publication Number 2. 2003. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2015-2016

Committees do much of PSG’s business, as well as the conservation work for which PSG is respected. The committees welcome (and need) information concerning their issues. Please contact one of these Coordinators with input, updates, to apply for a small grant (see PSG’s website for eligiblilty), or if you wish to help a committee with its work.

AWARDS COMMITTEE Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]; Kathy Kuletz, email: [email protected]; and Nina Karnovsky, email: [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Stan Senner, email: [email protected]

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS COMMITTEE Melanie Steinkamp, email: [email protected]

CRAIG S. HARRISON CONSERVATION SMALL GRANTS COMMITTEE Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

ELECTION COMMITTEE Alan Burger, email: [email protected]

ENDOWMENT FUND TRUSTEES COMMITTEE Kenneth T. Briggs, email: [email protected]; Jim Kushlan, email: [email protected]; and Christine Ogura, email: Christine_Ogura.fws.gov

JAPANESE AND KOREAN SEABIRD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Kuniko Otsuki, email: [email protected] and Kim Nelson, email: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 52 PSG COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2015-2016

KITTLITZ’S MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE John Piatt, email: [email protected]

MARBLED MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Kim Nelson, email: [email protected] and Peter Harrison, email: [email protected]

SEABIRD MONITORING COMMITTEE Heather Renner, email: [email protected] and Robb Kaler, email: [email protected]

SCRIPPS’S MURRELET AND GUADALUPE MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Shaye Wolf, email: [email protected] and Harry R. Carter, email: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Jennifer Lang, email: [email protected]

LISTSERVE COORDINATOR Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

WEBMASTER Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

WEBSITE COORDINATOR Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

PSG BOARD MEMBERS OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL Pat Baird, email: [email protected] and Doug Forsell, email: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATE TO THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Jennifer Wheeler, email: [email protected] and Melanie Steinkamp, email: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATE TO THE WORLD SEABIRD UNION Patrick Jodice, email: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 53 PSG LIFE MEMBERS 2014-2015 David Ainley Lisa Haggblom Steffen Oppel Sarah G. Allen Judith Latta Hand Katie O’Reilly Daniel W. Anderson Craig S. Harrison Julia K. Parrish Edgar P. Bailey Scott A. Hatch Robert Pitman Pat Herron Baird Monica Herzig Zürcher Jennifer Provencher Lisa Ballance Nancy Hillstrand C. John Ralph Mrs. Don Bishop Joel D. Hubbard William P. Ritchie Kenneth T. Briggs David B. Irons Chad Roberts Joanna Burger Sarah Keller Daniel D. Roby Douglas Causey Ronald Javitch Gerald A. Sanger Ellen W. Chu James G. King Palmer C. Sekora Roger B. Clapp Joohn Konecny Nanette Seto Cheryl Conel Kathy Kuletz Kouzi Shiomi Kathy Cousins James Kushlan Joanna Smith Theodore L. Cross Lora Leschner William E. Southern Jeff Davis David B. Lewis Arthur L. Sowls Robert H. Day Peter Major Jeffrey A. Spendelow Tony DeGange Eugene Y. Makishima Craig Strong Jan Dierks Vivian Mendenhall Takaki Terasawa George Divoky Pat Mock W. Breck Tyler Kyle Elliott Ken Morgan Enriqueta Velarde Gonzalez Stewart Fefer Edward C. Murphy Kees Vermeer Lloyd C. Fitzpatrick S. Kim Nelson John S. Warriner Elizabeth Flint Yasuaki Niizuma Yutaka Watanuki Douglas J. Forsell David R. Nysewander Jennifer Wheeler Michael Fry Harou Ogi Jeff Williams Adrian Gall Koji Ono

HONORARY MEMBER

John Cooper

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

David Ainley Malcolm Coulter* James G. King Daniel W. Anderson John Croxall Haruo Ogi Philip and Myrtle Ashmole Anthony Gaston Spencer G. Sealy James C. Bartonek Charles Guiguet* Robert E. Ricklefs W.R.P. Bourne Michael P. Harris Miklos D.F. Udvardy* Richard G.B. Brown* Thomas R. Howell* John Warham* G. Vernon Byrd George L. Hunt, Jr. John Cooper Karl W. Kenyon* *deceased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 54 RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Malcolm Coulter* Lora Leschner Arthur L. Sowls Franklin Gress Edward Melvin Steven M. Speich* George J. Divoky Vivian Mendenhall Mark J. Rauzon Craig S. Harrison S. Kim Nelson Yutaka Watanuki Hiroshi Hasegawa

*deceased

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

ANNUAL MEMEMBERSHIP Members receive Pacific Seabirds, announcements of meetings, reduced rates on conferences and some publications, subscription to the PSG listserv, and most importantly, the knowledge of contributing to the study and conservation of Pacific seabirds wherever they occur. Annual membership is for one calendar year and expires each year on December 31.

MEMBERSHIP RATES Individual membership: $40 Student membership: $30 Life membership: $1,200 (can be divided into 5 annual payments of $240)

All Life member contributions are dedicated to PSG’s Endowment Fund, a fund to support the publications of the PSG, principally Marine Ornithology.

TO JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP To join the Pacific Group or renew your membership, please go to: https://www.regonline.com/psgmembership

To edit information on an existing membership, please follow the link above and login using the e-mail address that you used to renew your membership (which may be different from your mailing-list e-mail address). If you have any questions, please notify our Membership Coordinator: [email protected]

The Membership Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the membership database, assisting members with updating their information, sending new member information to the list serve coordinator, etc.

MEMBER RESOURCES For access to the Pacific Seabird Group mailing list, please contact the coordinator at: [email protected]. Connect with the Pacific Seabird Group through our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PacificSeabirdGroup

Follow PSG on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/pacificseabirds For access to the Pacific Seabird Group Listserv, please contact the coordinator at: [email protected]

*deceased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 42, Numbers 1 and 2 • 2015 • Page 55 PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 2015-2016

OFFICERS

Chair Kathy Kuletz, email: [email protected]

Past Chair Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

Chair-Elect Nina Karnovsky, email: [email protected]

Vice-Chair for Conservation Stan Senner, email: [email protected]

Treasurer Christine Ogura, email: [email protected]

Secretary Jane Dolliver, email: [email protected]

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Alaska and Russia Robb Kaler, email: [email protected]

Canada Stephanie Avery-Gomm, email: [email protected]

Washington and Oregon Peter Hodum, email: [email protected]

Northern California Anna Weinstein, email: [email protected]

S California, Latin America, Hawai’i Yuri Albores-Barajas, email: [email protected] Non-Pacific United States Samantha Richman, email: [email protected]

Europe/Africa Stefan Garthe, email: [email protected]

Asia and Oceania Kuniko Otsuki, email: [email protected]

Student Representative Andrew Titmus, email: [email protected]

EX OFFICIO (non-voting)

Communications Coordinator Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

Listserve Coordinator Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

Membership Coordinator Jennifer Lang, email: [email protected]

Webmaster Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

Website Coordinator Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]