PACIFIC SEABIRDS

A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Volume 46, Number 1 2019 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) is a society of professional seabird researchers and managers dedicated to the study and conservation of seabirds. PSG was formed in 1972 out of a need for increased communication among academic and government seabird researchers. The principal goals of PSG are to (1) increase the quality and quantity of seabird research through facilitating exchange of information; (2) identify and assess the importance of threats to seabird populations; and (3) provide government agencies and others with expert advice on managing populations of seabirds. PSG is headed by an Executive Council composed of members volunteering their time. Members include biologists, wildlife managers, students, and conservationists from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan and 12 other countries. PSG annual meetings and publications provide forums where members can share their findings on all research topics relating to Pacific seabirds and discuss local and large scale conservation issues. Abstracts for meetings are published on our website. 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 Ornithological Council and the American Bird Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are US$50 (individual); US$35 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and US$1,500 (Life Membership, payable in five US$300 installments). Two-year memberships are also available for individuals for US$90 and for sudents for US$55. Dues are payable on our website or by check to the to the Treasurer; see the PSG website or the Membership Information at the back of this issue.

Website 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 a twice-yearly on-line news bul- letin and archive of PSG activities. This issue summarizes the proceedings of the annual PSG Conference and reports on the work committees have completed or have in progress in the previous year. Back issues of the PSG Bulletin and Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site.

Pacific Seabirds Editor Jennifer Lang, [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds Associate Editors Theodore Squires

Marine Ornithology Marine Ornithology is published by the Pacific Seabird Group on behalf of a consortium of seabird groups: African, Aus- tralasian, Dutch, Japanese, Pacific, and UK. The journal is published two times a year and publishes contributed papers, forum articles, and book, website and software reviews, on all aspects of marine ornithology worldwide. For details on submitting to the journal, please go to marineornithology.org.

Change of Address Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Emma Kelsey, [email protected]

PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabirds Group Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

Volume 46 2019 Number 1

Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Elizabeth Flint, by Lindsay Young...... 4 Dr. David Duffy, by Mark Rauzon and Daniel Roby...... 6 Student Presentation Awards...... 9 Reports of PSG Officers for 2018 Chair’s Report...... 10 Chair-elect’s Report...... 11 Past Chair’s Report...... 12 Vice-Chair for Conservation’s Report...... 13 Secretary’s Report for 2018...... 15 PSG Financial Report...... 17 Reports to PSG Executive Council for 2018 Northeast Asia Seabird Conservation Committee...... 18 Kittlitz’s Murrelet Technical Committee...... 18 Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe Murrelet Technical Committee...... 19 Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee...... 21 Aleutian Tern Technical Committee...... 21 Seabird Monitoring Committee...... 22 Tufted Puffin Technical Committee...... 23 North Pacific Albatross Working Group...... 23 Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Committee...... 24 Elections Committee...... 25 Communications Committee...... 27 Student Representative Report...... 31 Awards Committee Report...... 31 Membership Report...... 32 Corresponding Membership Committee...... 32 World Seabird Union ...... 34 North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) Report...... 34 Ornithological Council...... 35 Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) ...... 37 PSG News...... 39 Meeting Photo Gallery...... 40 Summary of Executive Council Meeting Minutes...... 41 General Information Information on the Pacific Seabird Group...... Inside Front Cover Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group...... 42 PSG Committee Coordinators...... 44 PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards...... 26 Membership Information...... 47 PSG Executive Council for 2019...... 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 individuals whose outstanding work for seabirds influenced the course of research, conservation, and/or education throughout the world.

DR. ELIZABETH FLINT By Lindsay Young

The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) honored Dr. Elizabeth Flint with a Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2019 in Kaua’i, Hawai’i. Beth is the Supervisory Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and the Seabird Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Refuges, a position she has held for the last 28 years. Beth received her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. in Biology from University of California - Los Angeles in 1985 where her work focused on Sooty Terns. Professionally, she has Beth at work surrounded by Laysan Albatrosses. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint. served as a role model and mentor for hundreds of nascent seabird biologists when it comes to the removal of invasive Beth is a biologist and advocate for over the years. You would be hard- species, and has led the charge on promoting science in her life. She pressed to find a seabird biologist in multiple complex eradication projects collects 100-year old biology posters the Pacific who has not worked with, that collectively benefit millions of originally used in college classrooms and or benefited from Beth’s knowledge. seabirds across the U.S. Tropical Pacific is a tireless advocate for the funding and Beth is a passionate advocate for habitat (e.g. Palmyra, and Midway Atoll). promotion of science, frequently visiting restoration and protection, particularly Outside of working with the USFWS, school groups and serving as a long time Judge in the Hawaii state Science Fair. Beth has such humility that she doesn’t seek a spotlight. Despite this humility, she is also unafraid to challenge people and ideas based on the best available science. She will not stand for untruths from friend or foe, and that is what makes her a fantastic scientist and true advocate for seabirds. Her knowledge of the life history of tropical seabirds and how to integrate management to benefit them is unparalleled. Beth has been responsible for monitoring and protecting millions of seabirds representing the 25 species nesting at the refuges. She also plans and implements the biological Beth with Johnston Atoll in the background. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint. monitoring, research, recovery,

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 4 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Dr. Elizabeth Flint restoration, and management programs in the Pacific Remote Islands complex. The region that Beth is responsible for is arguably the most important area for tropical seabirds worldwide and Beth has dedicated her life and career to their protection and conservation. In recognition of her mentorship to early career seabird biologists and her unwavering dedication to protect and conserve seabirds across the tropical Pacific, Beth is well deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Beth speaking at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2016. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.

Michelle Hester, David Flint, Beth, and David Hyrenbach at the Hawaii March for Science. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.

Beth among a team of albatross counters on Midway Island. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 5 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

DR. DAVID C. DUFFY By Mark Rauzon and Daniel Roby

Blue-footed Booby growth and apparent food supply across the archipelago. Dave then accepted a 5-year position as Chief Scientific Officer for the Benguela Ecology Programme at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology in South Africa, where he supervised a research team of 10 scientists investigating seabird/fisheries interactions. This included research on Swift Terns, African Penguins, and Cape Cormorants with Roy Siegfried, Rory Wilson, and others. During the 1983 El Niño, Dave worked with John Cooper, Vere Shannon, and others to look at the effects on seabirds and their prey off South Africa, the Galapagos, and in the South Atlantic. Later, David in his element on Prince William Sound, Alaska. Photo courtesy of David Irons. in 1993, he published Stalking the Southern Oscillation: Environmental David Cameron Duffy is currently seabirds in the highly productive uncertainty, climate change and North a Professor of Botany, and a Graduate Humboldt Current, and combined his Pacific seabirds, an outgrowth of a Professor of Zoology, and of Ecology, interests in the tropics and in seabirds. PSG symposium. The paper examined Evolution and Conservation Biology, Two years of field work led to a number perturbations at the scale of years, as well as the Director of the Pacific of classic papers on Peruvian guano decades, centuries, and millennia, Cooperative Studies Unit at the seabirds, El Niño effects on seabirds, discussed how climate change might University of Hawaii-Manoa. Dave nest site competition among seabirds, affect Pacific seabirds, and how seabird began his career at the tender age of fisheries/seabird interactions, and biologists might approach the problem. nine helping at the Children’s Science impacts of tick parasitism on Peruvian During the 1997-1998 El Niño/Southern Center of the American Museum of seabirds. Six months on one Peruvian Oscillation event, he generated a weekly Natural History in New York. At age island taught him that environmental blog of events (http://archive.fo/3hbGX) 13 he initiated a decade-long field perturbations can affect isolated seabird that documented the apparent world- investigation into the population biology, colonies in complex ways, a theme wide effects of the phenomenon. foraging ecology, and conservation that has continued in his research After his stint with the FitzPatrick of Common and Roseate terns for the throughout his professional career. Institute. Dave moved back to the Museum’s Great Gull Island Project. After receiving the Ph.D. degree Western Hemisphere where he served Dave attended Harvard University, from Princeton in 1980, Dave moved as a Visiting Professor in the School where field trips to Yucatan and to the Galapagos Islands, where he of Environmental Sciences at the Colombia as an undergraduate ignited served as the Director of the Charles Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica. his interest in tropical biology. After Darwin Research Station. During his There he established, designed, and earning a B.A. degree in Biology from two-year stint as Director, he took a directed the first Latin American center Harvard in 1975, he moved to Princeton station that was on the verge of financial for wildlife research, and continued University to pursue a Ph.D. degree in collapse and turned its fortunes around his research on seabird foraging Population Biology. His dissertation by securing new funding support and ecology. This was followed by a two- research at Princeton focused on the rebuilding the professional staff. While year, NSF-funded position as the population dynamics, nesting ecology, in the Galapagos he also worked with Executive Director of the International and foraging ecology of Peruvian Malcolm Coulter and Robert Ricklefs on Association for Ecology at Athens,

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 6 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Dr. David C. Duffy

Georgia, whose goal was to maintain milk sickness, the disease that killed Hawaii, where Dave joined the faculty and expand programs to support Lincoln’s mother. During this time he of the University of Hawaii and became ecologists in developing countries. also worked with David Schneider, the Director of the Pacific Cooperative After ticks caused the abandonment Alec MacCall, and Dan Anderson Studies Unit. The Pacific Cooperative of a colony of several hundred thousand to explore methods of formalizing Studies Unit has as its mission to guano seabirds that Dave studied in fishery interactions with seabirds conserve the resources of the Hawaiian Peru, he became interested in exploring in Seabird-fisheries interactions: Islands and other Pacific Islands, and what controls tick parasitism in seabird evaluation with dimensionless in the last 20 years been awarded about colonies. This led to the next chapter ratios (1992) and Seabird-fishery 1,000 grants and contracts totaling in Dave’s professional life, first as interactions: a manager’s guide (1994). over $250 million, plus supports a the Executive Director of the Seatuck Then Dave migrated north to the staff of 460 scientists and managers. Foundation in Islip, New York, and University of Alaska, Anchorage, Despite the heavy administrative then as the Principal Investigator for the where he was promoted from Assistant demands of this position, Dave has Cooperative Project on Lyme Disease Professor to Full Professor in the managed to continue teaching, advising for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Department of Biology in a scant four graduate students, and conducting and the Seatuck Foundation. There years, while serving as the Program research on strategies for restoration he led the effort to understand the role Manager for the Alaska Natural Heritage of Hawaii’s native ecosystems, and of the environment in controlling the Program. But during Dave’s time in particularly the conservation biology tick vectors of Lyme Disease in the Alaska he became perhaps best known and restoration ecology of seabirds. northeastern U.S. (A serendipitous side for serving as the Project Leader for the He has written reviews of seabird project demonstrated that seabirds can Apex Predation Ecosystem Experiment management and conservation science transport Lyme spirochetes between (APEX), a long-term, multi-disciplinary, in the Islands, and an examination of the hemispheres.) Along the way, he multi-million dollar research project invasive species committees, uniquely found time to serve as an Adjunct in Prince William Sound designed to Hawaiian community-based creations. Assistant Professor at the Marine understand the trophic factors that were He also served as Principal Investigator Sciences Research Center at the State limiting the recovery of seabirds and for an NSF Biocomplexity Project on University of New York Stony Brook, other top-trophic level predators in the avian malaria, examining whether new investigate whether eastern deciduous aftermath of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. approaches at different scales might forests ever recover from clearcutting, In the first 18 years of Dave’s career, he yield answers to the biggest threat to the model the non-linear dynamics of fish managed to accomplish more than most Islands’ endangered forest birds. He has schools, produce the first evaluations of us do during a professional lifetime. been grateful to former students Lindsay of seabird conservation in Ecuador and But then, a little over 20 years ago, Dave Young and Aron Hebshi for helping Peru, investigate why Double-crested migrated with his wife, Maria, and their him keep his feet wet with seabird Cormorants get no respect, and examine two children, Alex and Domonique, to work. He has also been fortunate to continue work in Alaska with David Irons, Susan Oehlers, and others on multiyear studies of the long-distance migration of Arctic and Aleutian terns. Dave’s research interests have varied widely from the organism level to the ecosystem, but his focus has always remained on how natural systems respond to perturbations, either natural or anthropogenic. Most recently he has become interested in how to shape management and science to respond to the problem of invasive alien species in Hawaii by asking how much science do you need and how can management measure whether it is being effective? His work has also focused on the effects of feral and domestic cats that are Dan Roby presenting David his award at the 46th PSG Annual Meeting in Kaua’i. major predators in the Hawaiian and Photo: Tim Lawes.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 7 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Harry R. Carter

Galapagos Islands, as well as vectors of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects humans, Hawaiian monk seals, and even marine birds such as boobies. Dave’s publication record is extensive and includes more than 125 scientific journal articles and book chapters, most on seabird ecology. For all of the accomplishments listed here, and many more too numerous to list in the limited space available, Dave is richly deserving the PSG Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. David Cameron Duffy was presented with the PSG Lifetime Achievement Award on 28 February 2019 at the Pacific Seabird Group’s 46th Annual Meeting in Kaua’i, in recognition of his major contributions David accepting the Lifetime Acheivement Award at the 46th PSG Annual Meeting in to seabird ecology and science- Kaua’i. Photo: Tim Lawes. based efforts to conserve seabirds.

David holding a shearwater chick. Dan Roby presenting David with the award and a “Duff” hat. Photo: Tim Lawes.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 8 STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARDS Student presentation awards are given out at each year at the Annual Meeting. Oral and poster presentations are judged separately according to guidelines that include originality, presentation style, graphics, format and research data. The award guidelines and judging forms can be found in the PSG Handbook.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Ruth Dunn (University of Liverpool) A Model to Estimate Seabird Field Metabolic Rates

Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Johannes Fischer (Victoria University of Wellington) A Critically Endangered Seabird Species Fails to Respond to Eradications of Multiple Invasive Predators

Honorable Mention - Doctorate: Jennifer Howard (Wake Forest University) Effects of Aging on the Foraging Behavior of a Long-lived Seabird in the Galápagos

Best Student Paper Award - Masters: Keenan Yakola (University of Massachusetts Amherst & Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center) Long-term Trends and Potential Drivers of Chick Diet in Four Tern Species in the Gulf of Maine, USA

Honorable Mention - Masters: Andrea Estandía (Durham University) Genome-wide Data Reveal the Deep Evolutionary History of Oceanic Seabirds (Procellariiformes)

Best Student Paper Award - Undergraduate: Tessa Nania (University of Puget Sound) Using Age to Assess Retention Time of Ingested Plastic in Seabirds

Honorable Mention - Undergraduate: Jessica Idle (University of Hawai’i at Manoa) Human Presence near Wedge-tailed Shearwater Burrows and its Impact on Nesting Success

People’s Choice Award: Hannah Moon (University of Hawai’i at Manoa) How do Seabirds Perceive Light? Spectral Effects on the Temporal Sensitivity of Hawaiian Seabirds

POSTER PRESENTATIONS Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Caitlin Kroeger (University of California, Santa Cruz) At-sea Energetics of Campbell and Grey-headed Albatrosses in Relation to Southern Ocean Wind Variability

Honorable Mention - Doctorate: Ui Shimabukuro (SOKENDAI [The Graduate University for Advanced Studies]) Diving and Flying Activity of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) During the Non-breeding Period

Best Student Paper Award - Masters: Sonya Pastran (Simon Fraser University) Habitat Utilization of Marbled Murrelets in Haida Gwaii, BC: Using Long-term and Additional Data from Laskeek Bay

Honorable Mention - Masters: Jill Tengeres (Oregon State University) Passive Monitoring to Investigate Predation Pressure at Aleutian Tern Colonies in Coastal Alaska

Best Student Paper Award - Undergraduate: Makenzie Weber (Oregon State University) Variation in Phenology and Reproductive Success of Three Cormorant Species in Central Oregon

Honorable Mention - Undergraduate: Alyssa Nelson (Oregon State University) Quantifying Top Down Effects of Bald Eagle Haliaeetus( leucocephalus) Disturbances on a Common Murre (Uria aalge) Colony

People’s Choice Award: Ann Wiley (University of Akron) Foraging Behavior and Reproductive Success of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) Across an Environmental Gradient

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 9 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

CHAIR’S REPORT FOR 2018 Adrian Gall

Welcome to 2019 and another Secretary Jane Dolliver, Treasurer Travel awards. year for the Pacific Seabird Group Kirsten Bixler, and Vice-Chair for In a carryover from last year, I (PSG) to support seabird research and Conservation Mark Rauzon. My set up and managed the registration conservation! As we look forward to responsibility as Chair is to “execute process for the annual meeting in getting together in Kaua’i, it is also the objectives, policies and programs Cvent, PSG’s cloud-based event worth looking back at 2018 and the developed by the Executive Council management software. Jenny Howard, wonderful accomplishments that PSG and membership.” As an organization, Jill Tengeres, and Jane Dolliver took members’ fees, volunteered time, and it was our goal in 2018/2019 to maintain over management of the event website additional donations to PSG have made the wonderful momentum coming out and did an excellent job of keeping the possible: of the meeting in La Paz to strengthen many pages up-to-date. I also assisted • The PSG 2018 meeting in La Paz, and support the connections with Latin new Membership Coordinator Emma Mexico had a net positive balance American members. This goal guided Kelsey in taking over management of new members, especially those decisions that included where to have of memberships from outgoing from Latin America, and a positive meetings in the next few years, how to coordinator Jennifer Lang. balance to PSG’s General fund. recruit more Corresponding Members, Thank you for your membership • The General and Student Travel and a concerted effort to raise funds dues and extra donations that support Funds are supporting a record to support travel for non-U.S./Canada the Conservation Grants Program, number of student, Early Career scientists. Other objectives for this the travel awards, and the meetings Scientist, and non-US/Canada past year included catching up on that bring us together to dive deep scientist travel awards for PSG bookkeeping and accounting tasks, into seabird biology, ecology, and 2019. enacting recommendations from the conservation. Whenever a call went out • First time offering pre-reserved Membership Committee to enhance to support these worthy causes, PSG’s rooms for students at PSG 2019. recruitment and retention of members, members answered it with generosity • The Corresponding Membership and exploring ways to reduce the and compassion. program is revived and actively environmental footprint of our annual There are still challenges ahead, seeking participants to broaden meetings. however. In this coming year, PSG will PSG’s perspective and participation I facilitated the monthly ExCo calls need to: throughout the Pacific Rim. and followed up as needed with action • Maintain and expand the • The most conservation letters ever items resulting from the calls. This relationships with donors and written in a 2-year period (22 topics task was easily accomplished thanks members that fund its good work. addressed! 60 letters sent!), thanks to Secretary Jane Dolliver, who did an • Recruit new volunteers to to our Vice-Chair for Conservation excellent job of scheduling meetings, contribute to the Corresponding Mark Rauzon and the members preparing agendas, tracking action Members committee, the Local who raised issues and produced items, and keeping us on the right Organizing Committees, editorial drafts of text. side of process and policies outlined work at our journal Marine • Full slate of candidates for the PSG in the PSG Handbook. I also guided Ornithology, delegate to the OC, election. the Request For Proposals process to and other tasks. • Over 280 people registered, and select an event planner for PSG 2019. • Engage in for mal st rategic plan ning more than 180 abstracts submitted This process was used to avoid any • Publish the Code of Conduct, for PSG 2019. possible conflict of interest as one of revised PSG Handbook. • Local Committees in place and the candidates was a spouse of an ExCo • Keep exploring ways to improve planning already under way for member. I supported exploring digital the abstract submission and PSG 2020 in Portland, OR and solutions to replace the printing of paper review process and building of the PSG 2021 in San Diego, CA. programs and the Local Committee’s scientific program. This impressive (but not exhaustive) efforts to provide only useful swag This organization is incredibly list of accomplishments is thanks to for the conference that will reduce the fortunate to have an energized and our powerfully motivated members of use of disposable items. As a member engaged membership with folks that the Executive Council (ExCo), most of the Awards Committee, I reviewed, have been volunteering for over 40 especially the officers: Past Chair ranked, and helped select recipients for years (!) mentoring those who are just Kyra Mills, Chair-Elect Dave Craig, this year’s Lifetime Achievement and now coming on board. I have been

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 10 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS involved with PSG for over 15 years and entertaining as the original group. the enthusiasm and teamwork that has have watched with admiration and wonder Entertaining? Oh yes. There is no way made my tenure as Chair enjoyable and as the mantle of the founding members is PSG would have survived and thrived productive. being passed on to a new cast of characters if it weren’t a whole lot of fun with Muchas gracias, mahalo nui loa, and every bit as dedicated, inspired, and good friends. I am grateful for all of thanks so much!

CHAIR-ELECT’S REPORT FOR 2018 David P. Craig

Chair Elect Duties for 2019 Scientific of 3 concurrent sessions with critical in setting up the event website Program (27 February – 3 March assistance from André Raine and and in coordinating information 2019, Lihue, Kaua’i, Hawai’i): Local Committee. consistently and up-to-date between the • Theme of the meeting - Seabirds • Reviewed program prior to Cvent event website, the PSG website, in a Changing Pacific: Ensuring a printing with special attention listserv, and social media. Adrian Gall’s Future, Fighting the Plastic to talk schedule, profiles of recommendation last year to phase out • Call for Special Paper sessions, plenary speakers, and Letter from use of the PSG website for delivering symposia, and workshops sent Scientific Program Chair. information to the membership about the out via the list serv, Facebook, • Compiled abstract book. meeting and direct attentions towards and Twitter 16 July 2018; second the Cvent website was successful. I call 14 August 2018. Lessons Learned recommend priority updates on the • June through August 2018 Cvent’s Abstract Management Cvent website with reminders through explored improving abstract tool was great for taking in abstracts the PSG website, listserv and social and presentation schedule and for some correspondence with media. management with mobile apps presenters. In building this year’s Cvent Registration and the program were from Whova and Cvent. Based on registration we forgot to include a choice especially challenged for a second year costs, the decision was to retain for presentation of oral, poster, or no in row. This year it was because many hand-management of schedule preference for abstracts with the initial travel requests from U.S. government and abstracts using google docs call for abstracts which required a lot of employees were denied or held in limbo to process and digital pdfs. following up correspondence. by their agencies in connection with the • Worked with Chair and Mysteriously, 24 of those who longest federal furlough in history. The Communications Committee to submitted abstracts that were accepted timing of the furlough was especially maintain the conference website missed the notification of that acceptance. challenging with some U.S. government hosted by Cvent and linked to Luckily through informal social networks employees only able to confirm their registration. many people learned others were attendance on 15 February. There was • Call for abstracts open 10 accepted and they contacted me or others time consuming and negative synergy September – 15 December 2018 in ExCo. I re-sent acceptance messages because of the restricted use of email • Abstracts accepted 14 December to all authors and invited them to review by U.S. government employees and 2018, with a couple more trickling their accepted abstract and my formatted my need to contact them about their in after the deadline for a total of versions of that abstract in a GoogleDoc. intent to present an oral or poster 209 abstracts submitted, before At least 18 of the 24 who missed the presentation. Including a registration withdrawals. initial acceptance subsequently found field for a secondary personal email is • Invited plenary speakers on 1 my original ‘accepted abstract’ message recommended. June 2018; 5 plenary speakers in spam filtered folders. confirmed. Details were managed in a Scientific Program • Participated in Lifetime and GoogleSheet based on a 2018 template 145 oral presentations and 54 posters. Special Achievement Award to schedule the sessions, which allowed Six Plenary speakers: decisions in late October. for a collaborative approach with version 1. Sabra Kauka (Hawaiian Studies • Participated in Travel Awards records. Kumu at Island School) decisions in mid-December. Cvent registration and event 2. Dr. Mark Rauzon (Laney College) • Organized Session Chairs. website worked seamlessly. The 3. Dr. David Duffy (University of • Organized the Scientific Program Communications Committee was Hawaii)

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 11 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

4. Dr. Helen James (Smithsonian Natural History) and Peggy (American Bird Conservancy) 9 Institution) Ostrom (Michigan State talks, 2 poster 5. Dr. Tony Gaston (Environment University) 10 talks, 2 poster 5. Plastic ingestion in seabirds and and Climate Change Canada) 3. Seabirds and Indigenous its chemical effects Convener: 6. Dr. Beth Flint (U.S. Fish and Cultures, Conveners: Jaime Yutaka Watanuki 8 talks, 2 poster Wildlife Service) Ojeda (University of Victoria) Workshops Special Paper Sessions and Cristián Suazo (Justus Liebig 1. Predator Control Workshop: 1. Restoration of Procellariform University-Giessen & ATF-Chile, Predator Control for Seabird Seabirds, Conveners: Lindsay BirdLife International) 6 talks, 1 Protection offered by Kyle Pias Young and Eric VanderWerf poster and Alex Dutcher (Pacific Rim Conservation) 8 4. Human Dimensions of Seabird 2. Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter talks, 2 posters Conservation: Challenges and SM4 Workshop, offered by Ali 2. Specimen-based Historical Solutions Conveners: Verónica Donargo (Wildlife Acoustics) Research, Conveners: Helen López, (Oikonos Ecosystem 3. Hot Topics Round Table, offered James (National Museum of Knowledge); Hannah Nevins, and moderated by Adrian Gall

PAST-CHAIR’S REPORT FOR 2018 Kyra Mills

Summary of Past Chair Tasks for at the September 2018 EXCO meeting, Chair-Elect, David Craig and the local 2017-2018: with all approved. committee chairs (Jessi Behnke and Based on the PSG Handbook of As Travel Awards Chair: In 2019 we André Raine). primary responsibilities for the Past received 48 student and ECS travel award Begin the selection and confirmation Chair, I report the following: applications. Because of limited funds, of future meeting sites: The EXCO Assist the Chair with PSG we were only able to offer awards to 24 has received and already approved the operations: Adrian Gall, PSG Chair, people for a total amount of $10,750. We selection of the locations for the 2020 has been a pleasure to work with and offered 6 Early Career Scientist grants, 2 meeting (Portland) and the 2021 meeting is an extremely competent person that awards to non-U.S./Canadian scientists, (San Diego). I admire very much. I have tried to and 15 grants to students (as compared Recommendations for the future: assist where needed, although Adrian to 36 in 2018, when we received a large (1) include a question with registration took on the lion’s share (and more), as Packard grant). that specifically asks if individual I was going through some challenging Organize student paper judging: students want to be considered for personal issues. I participated in EXCO In the weeks leading up to the 2019 student presentation award (wasn’t meetings, provided input on monthly meeting I will be coordinating the done this year and would save an extra decisions and on letters drafted by the judging of student papers and posters. step); (2) consider setting aside funds Conservation Chair, and held follow- For the first time ever, we will be trying for supporting invited speakers or to up teleconferences on various issues as an online system of recording scores, have a targeted plea to solicit funding needed. which will hopefully make this process for supporting these invited speakers As Awards Committee Chair: This much more efficient for the selection (perhaps by the local committee?); (3) year it was decided to award the of the winners. In addition, this year consider waived registration fees in Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) we are implementing, for the first time, the total amount of the award to avoid to two recipients: Dr. David Duffy and a People’s Choice Award (winner and confusion and to lessen the financial Dr. Beth Flint. They will be honored at runner- up) in the categories of best oral burden on PSG; (4) in general, the the upcoming PSG Annual Meeting in and best poster presentation (open to student, ECS, and non-U.S./Canada Kaua’i. Assisting in the selection of the all presenters, not just students). Voting travel awards needs more guidelines LAA were the Chair-Elect (David Craig) is open to all meeting attendees, and (which group should have priority over and Chair (Adrian Gall). I solicited certificates will be presented at the party. the limited funds, what is the selection nominations during the 2018 PSG Assist Chair Elect and Local rubric, what to do about registration fees annual meeting and via postings on the Committee Chair in preparation for the for award winners, how to resolve the PSG listserv. The committee submitted annual meeting: Whenever possible issue of invited speakers). their selections to the EXCO for a vote I have tried to be of assistance to the

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 12 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

VICE-CHAIR FOR CONSERVATION’S REPORT FOR 2018 Mark Rauzon

In 2018-19, I sent 22 key letters, 3. 30 December 2018; To: Species nesting island for the nesting with an additional 26 iterations sent Conservation Policy Branch, Heermann’s Gulls. to a variety of affiliated constituents Ministry of Natural Resources 7. 5 November 2018; Washington associated with the key letter. Key and Forestry Policy Division, Department of Natural Resources concerns for future actions are wind Government of Ontario, Canada; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife energy, feral cat colonies, and the Re: A proposed no-limit hunting Service; Re: The Pacific Seabird perpetual Marbled Murrelet issues of the Double-crested Cormorant Group is writing to comment on involving fisheries, logging, and wind (Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Revised Draft Environmental energy siting. Working with American Ontario, Canada. The Pacific Impact Statement and Habitat Bird Conservancy’s wind energy team is Seabird Group strongly protests Conservation Plan Amendment critical to aiding PSG, by letting a louder the wholesale slaughter of for the Marbled Murrelet Long- voice set the policy that we echo. Double-crested Cormorants Term Conservation Strategy. In August 2018, I represented proposed by the Government 8. 21 August 2018; To: Masaharu the Pacific Seabird Group at the of Ontario. EBR Registration Nakagawa, Minister of the International Ornithological Congress, number 013-4124 Environment, Government of in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 4. 10 December 2018; To: Division Japan; Re: PSG expresses concern Together with Simba Chan (BirdLife of Policy, Performance, and for the placement of the Goto-shi Asia), we convened a symposium Management Programs, U.S. offshore wind power generation session on Conservation-Reliant Seabird Fish and Wildlife Service project, east of Fukue Island, Species, including Chinese-crested (USFWS); Re: Comment on Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Terns (Thalasseus bernsteini) and other USFWS Proposed Black-capped 9. 30 July 2018; To: Phil Anderson, seabirds, with presenters from China, Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) Chair of the F.7 Future Council; New Zealand, and USA. Listing. The Pacific Seabird Re: The Pacific Seabird Group Group strongly urges the U.S. gratefully acknowledges your Below are our letters submitted in Fish and Wildlife Service to great efforts in mitigating seabird 2018/2019 starting with the most recent: list the Black-capped Petrel as bycatch in the fisheries industry. 1. 14 February 2019; To: Secretary “Endangered” under the U.S. We now request the Council add David Bernhardt, U.S. Endangered Species Act. FWS- the agenda item: “ESA mitigation Department of the Interior; Re: R4-ES-2018-0043 measures for seabirds” to the Substantial deficiencies in the 5. 29 November 2018; To: November 2018 Council meeting. Draft Environmental Impact Karen Witherspoon, Senior 10. 25 July 2018; To: The Honorable Statement on the Coastal Plain Project Planner, Lewis County Grant Robertson, Minister of Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Community Development Culture and Heritage, New Arctic Wildlife Refuge. PSG Department; Re: Skookumchuck Zealand; Re: National Museum of Vice-chair for Conservation and Wind Energy Project Draft New Zeland staff reduction: The EXCO officers signed a letter co- Environmental Impact Statement Pacific Seabird Group calls on authored by Stan Senner, former (DEIS). The Pacific Seabird Minister Robertson to not support Vice-Chair for Conservation for Group provided comments on the proposed restructuring of the PSG. the DEIS for the Skookumchuck Te Papa Museum. 2. 28 January 2019; To: Jean Wind Energy Project. 11. 25 July 2018; To: The Honorable Thurston, Coordinator, Bureau 6. 12 November 2018; To: Seaside Josh Frydenberg, Minister for of Ocean Energy Management City Council, California; Re: the Environment and Energy; Renewable Energy Task Force Habitat creation for Heermann’s Honorable Lily D’Ambrosio, Office of Strategic Resources; Gulls (Larus heermanni). The Minister for Energy, Environment Re: Commercial Leasing for Pacific Seabird Group supports and Climate Change; Gabrielle Wind Power Development on the Coastal Administrative Permit Upton; Annastacia Palaszczuk, Outer Continental Shelf Offshore CAP-18-01, the proposal to Premier of Queensland; Re: California - Call for Information replace the eroded island in Balloon Ban: PSG strongly and Nominations. Roberts Lake with a floating supports the call for an Australia-

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 13 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

wide ban on the release of Act. The Pacific Seabird Group Seabird Protection Project for balloons and the use of helium expresses our great concern the eradication of invasive mice to inflate balloons. We call on all regarding the misrepresentation of at Midway Atoll as of February States and Territories to change scientific information in the letter 2019. Our Finding of No their littering act to specify sent by Oregon’s Coastal Caucus, Significant Impact (FONSI) and releasing helium balloons. to the ODFW Commission prior several documents were completed 12. 1 July 2018; To: Jason Miner, to the June 2018 meeting and the for this project including the Final Natural Resource Advisor to Commission’s recent decision Environmental Assessment and Governor Brown, Members of to reverse the uplisting of the its six Appendices. Appendix the Coastal Caucus, Oregon Marbled Murrelet under the F documents the 107 Public Department of Fish and Wildlife Oregon Endangered Species Act. Comments we received and (ODFW) Commission, ODFW 15. 5 June 2018; To: Chair Finley our responses. All compliance staff, and Governor’s Office; Re: and Commissioners: Oregon documents can be found at the Misrepresentation of scientific Department of Fish and Wildlife Midway Atoll website: https:// information in the letter sent by Commission; Re: Comments on www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_ Oregon’s Coastal Caucus. PSG Marbled Murrelet Draft Survival Atoll. expresses great concern regarding Guidelines. PSG provided 19. 8 March 2018; To: David Y. the misrepresentation of scientific comments on the draft survival Ige, Governor, State of Hawai‛i; information in the letter sent by guidelines for the Marbled Re: Comments of Hawai‛i Oregon’s Coastal Caucus to the Murrelet which is currently listed Administrative Rules. PSG ODFW Commission prior to as endangered under the state and provided comments for the the June 2018 meeting and the federal Endangered Species Act. following: Chapter 13-232-57.1 Commission’s recent decision 16. 31 May 2018; To: Mark Ostwald, Feeding of colony strays or feral to reverse the uplisting of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; animals prohibited; Chapter 13- Marbled Murrelet under the Re: Scoping comments for EIS/ 232-57.2 Animal abandonment Oregon Endangered Species Skookumchuck Wind Energy and creating or contributing to Act. The information in the Project, WA. PSG provided colonies prohibited. Caucus letter does not accurately scoping comments on the 20. 22 March 2018; To: Wildlife represent the science it quotes; Environmental Impact Statement Protection and Nature Reserves much like other testimonies at the for potential Skookumchuck Division, State Forestry and Steppe June hearing opposed to uplisting Wind Energy Project proposed Administration, Beijing, China; the species. The Oregon Coastal for Lewis and Thurston Counties, Re: In February 2018, photographs Caucus letter cherry-picks select Washington. of dead seabirds for sale as food scientific data that does not reflect 17. 31 May 2018; To: Karen A. were posted on social media in the science. Witherspoon, Lewis County China. It appeared that murrelets 13. 29 June 2018; To: Cliff Johnson, Community Development; Re: and loons were caught in nets and Senior Planner, County of Scoping comments for EIS/ the key concern was that Japanese Humboldt Planning and Building Skookumchuck Wind Energy Murrelets (Synthliboramphus Department, California; Re: Project, WA. PSG provided wurmizusume) were among the Scoping comments for the scoping comments on the birds for sale at Lianyungang, Environmental Impact Statment Environmental Impact Statement Jiangsu, China. (EIS) /Humboldt Wind Energy for potential Skookumchuck 21. 18 March 2018; To: Senator Lisa Project, California. The Pacific Wind Energy Project proposed Murkowski, Alaska; Re: PSG Seabird Group is providing for Lewis and Thurston Counties, urged support for the Albatross scoping comments on the Washington. and Petrel Conservation Act. This Environmental Impact Report for 18. 15 April 2018; To: U.S. Fish critically-needed legislation will potential Humboldt Wind Energy and Wildlife Service; Re: greatly contribute to conservation Project. We are concerned that Endorsement for Environmental of these magnificent, yet highly this project could significantly Assessment of Midway Seabird imperiled seabirds that we impact the Marbled Murrelet. Protection Plan PSG strongly highlight as our logo. 14. 21 June 2018; To: The members endorses the proposed plan to 22. 20 March 2018; To: State of of the Coastal Caucus and ODFW eradicate House Mice from Hawai’i; Re: Testimony SCR 36. Commissioners; Re: Protest Midway Atoll National Wildlife PSG requested rejection of this decision to reverse the uplisting Refuge. Update: The USFWS proposal as Trap/Neuter/Release as of the Marbled Murrelet under completed the planning and not an effective long-term strategy the Oregon Endangered Species consultation phase of the Midway to eliminate cat colonies.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 14 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR 2018 Jane Dolliver

Motions passed by the 2017-2018 PSG Call 2 1. Approve support of WSTC#5 Executive Council 1. Spend up to $2200 on a ECS award proposal, $200 conference scheduling app for 2. Purchase PSG Life Member March 2018 PSG 2019 buttons, up to $500 1. Conduct a compilation report, 2. Approve revised draft FY2019 3. Create the “People’s Choice review or audit in FY2018 budget Award” at PSG 2019 2. Approve FY2018 budget 3. Commit all EXCO to fundraise 4. Create 500 PSG stickers for 3. Approve conference organizer from at least 6 organizations for distribution at PSG 2019 RFP process PSG 2019 Call 2 Call 3 1. Approve membership-elected April 2018 1. Decline the use of an app at PSG candidates to the PSG 2019-2020 1. Approve PSG 2019 annual 2019 EXCO meeting budget 2. Increase PSG membership rates 2. Approve PSG 2021 location – Secretary Milestones in 2018-2019 San Diego, California September 2018 In addition to serving on the 3. Establish the Former Chairs’ No motions Executive Council, the Secretary also Fund on the PSG website serves on the Elections Committee October 2018 (per the PSG Handbook). The current May 2018 1. Approve two, Lifetime Secretary has elected to serve on 1. Approve committee-nominated Achievement Awards to be the Communications Committee, PSG 2019 conference organizer presented at PSG 2019 Conservation Committee, and the 2. Extend conference organizer 2. Approve a partial deposit for two Ad-hoc Policies and Procedures position to runner-up if shared student rooms at PSG Committee. In 2018, the Secretary also nominated candidate declines 2019 elected to assist the Corresponding 3. Approve PSG 2020 conference Members Committee, the 2019-2021 June 2018 organizer Local Committees, and the Membership 1. Approve PSG 2019 venue and 4. Approve two-year membership Committee. Those roles include: $1000 deposit rates and advertising on the PSG 2. Approve PSG 2020 location – website Executive Council Portland, Oregon • Polling EXCO for availability, November 2018 scheduling 16 calls and calendar July 2018 1. Approve PSG 2020 venue invites, 48 reminder emails 1. Refund the PSG checking 2. Approve the rest of the deposit • 16 call invites separately to all account with the amount spent for two shared student rooms at PSG Committee heads, Local on publications in FY16 and PSG 2019 Committees 2019, 2020, 2021 FY17, with approval from the 3. Approve PSG 2021 venue • 80 pages of transcript-like notes endowment trustees. 4. Approve the purchase of hats for • Updates on PSG workplan and PSG 2019 annual timeline, reminder emails August 2018 • Detailed review of annual Call 1 December 2018 operating budget and ongoing 1. Conduct quarterly internal 1. Approve PSG 2021 conference resource to Treasurer statements on PSG finances, organizer • Proposal and report assistance $1500 for EXCO and external funding 2. Approve draft FY2019 budget January 2019 requests 3. Approve PSG 2019 registration No motions • Keep running list of volunteer rates opportunities, connect 4. Approve letter of February 2019 prospective volunteers with recommendation for Laura Bliss Call 1 Committees

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 15 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

and results report The next PSG Secretary should: Communications • Forward post-2018, 2017, 2016 1. Help the EXCO set two financial • Website updates, annual meeting reports, budgets for 2016-2018 goals, at a minimum: section and website posts (about • Near daily email communication a) fundraising plan for PSG 60/year) re: meeting details 2020 with fundraising • Significant contributions to • Kick-off meeting, volunteer goals (annual meeting is Facebook. This platform is now duties sheet, PSG 2019 program historically the best way at about 2,600 likes + follows • Coordinating between LOCO and for external organizations and a weekly post reach of social media team, PSG website, – government and state 10,000. “The Seabird Group” Cvent web team (100+ posts) agencies, consulting firms (UK) has 1.5K, PSG’s page has • Fundraising assistance ($1500) - to donate to PSG grown an order of magnitude • Registration updates for EXCO b) membership plan with (started at about 500 in 2015). calls membership goals (the • Pacific Seabirds copy editing and • Reminders to leads and co-leads bulk of PSG operating photo database from PSG 2018 re: student events, judging, funds) registration deadlines, etc. Conservation • Student judging e-forms and 2. Continue to assist and be the • Forwarding letter suggestions via judging organization google liaison to EXCO on the Elections email, social media (2+) sheet Committee • Providing feedback on all drafts • Student mentor session and ride 3. Assist the Treasurer in record- and resolving comments (16 sharing e-forms – forwarded keeping and PSG EXCO file letters) from 2018 storage 4. Assume management of EXCO Elections Membership deadlines and deadline reminders • Communicating with, and • Transition meeting and vital 5. Continue to provide EXCO notes securing candidates for workplan goals and check-ins from calls within 24-48 hours positions outside Chair-Elect (9 • Membership pin design and logo candidates) Closing thoughts • Sending adjusted ballots to 12 Corresponding Members Committee Like many volunteer-run people, 7 reminders to over 200 • Assistance finding replacement organizations, PSG continues to people co-coordinators struggle with a structure where 3-6 • Providing 3 updates to EXCO, • Kick-off meeting and list of non- extremely proficient (albeit over- creating final report for candidate represented countries, Central worked) people complete the vast approval America leads Ad-hoc policies majority of the Society’s annual work. and procedures Committee The Officers need to address this within Annual Meetings • Compilation of edits to be a larger planning workshop or advisory • Post-2018 meeting survey set up included in the PSG Handbook board setting. This may include hiring and results report • Conflict of Interest forms from a professional who specializes in • Conference organizer RFP all EXCO, signed each year organizational structure and strategic process document and planning. organization Projects and needs, 2019-2020 • PSG 2020 and PSG 2021 Local Jane will: Chair solicitation and proposal 1. Complete the PSG Handbook assistance version 2019 (leftover from • PSG 2020 venue and budget 2017) assistance 2. Mentor the next Secretary Feb • PSG 2021 venue assistance 2019 – Feb 2020; create a draft PSG EXCO calendar PSG 2019 Local Committee • Pre-2019 meeting survey set up

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 16 REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS

PSG FINANCIAL REPORT Kirsten Bixler, Treasurer

FY19 Budget Summary year. These statements require basic • FY2019 budget approved The Executive Council (EXCO) proofing by the accountant and • Refunded the PSG checking of the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) provide confirmation to EXCO that account with the amount spent on passed a budget for fiscal year 2019 accounting is up-to-date. The first publications in FY2016, FY2017, (October 1, 2018-September 30, quarterly internal financial statement and FY2018 from the endowment 2019) on August 21, 2018. The budget was completed in FY2019 for the fund with approval from the was fiscally responsible with an period October – December 2018 and endowment trustees anticipated surplus for both restricted was presented to EXCO in January • Conducted a quarterly internal and unrestricted funds. This was 2019. financial statements on PSG achieved by removing all non-essential A bank account was opened for the finances in January 2019 expenses and raising membership Former Chairs Fund during FY2018 • Submitted FY2019 tax rates. PSG website maintenance to facilitate fundraising from the information to accountant and listserv expenses were shifted Former Chairs. Project proposals will to publication costs to be paid for be selected for funding at the Former Highlights of February 2018 to through the restricted endowment Chairs’ meeting during PSG Annual February 2019 fund. In addition, the budget was re- Meetings. • Re-activate SAM.gov (System organized to allow tracking of profit/ Since PSG took over the production for Award Management) account loss for both the unrestricted and of Marine Ornithology (MO) in 2000, for PSG restricted fund categories. A detailed the publication has been owned and • Consider moving to accounts to budget with actuals is included in primarily funded by PSG. In recent new bank because First Hawaiian Pacific Seabirds 45:2. years, finances for MO were separate Bank has high fees and few PSG completed a financial audit from PSG but during FY2018, PSG branch locations for the first time in 2012 and it was took over financial accounting for • Open bank and PayPal accounts anticipated at the time, that audits the journal. Taxes were filed jointly for MO would be completed every five years. beginning in FY2017. PSG plans to • Complete charitable giving PSG’s accountant did not recommend open a bank and PayPal account for registration for PSG so can accept an audit be completed on FY2017 use by MO during FY2019. donations via Facebook financial accounting. This was in • Assist Election Committee with large part because the level of change Highlights of February 2018 to Treasurer candidates in 2020 within the organization within a five February 2019 • Update Treasurer’s Handbook year period (i.e. as many as three • FY2018 budget approved • Create draft Document Retention treasurers) is so great that an audit • FY2017 taxes filed Policy would not provide the EXCO with • Opened a Former Chairs Fund • Create draft Reimbursement assurance that financial accounting bank account Policy is complete and accurate for four of • Created a Former Chairs Fund every five years. Instead, the EXCO donation button on the PSG voted to complete four quarterly website internal financial statements each • PSG membership rates increased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 17 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018 PSG’s committees support research, work on conservation, maintain communications, 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.

NORTHEAST ASIA intention of then luring Chinese Crested KITTLITZ’S MURRELET SEABIRD Terns to the established colony. With TECHNICAL close monitoring, data on breeding CONSERVATION COMMITTEE COMMITTEE biology and threats were collected. In 2018, more than 9000 Greater Crested Sarah Schoen and John Piatt Daisuke Ochi and Gregg Howald Terns were attracted to the two modified The Kittlitz’s Murrelet Technical The Northeast Asia Seabird breeding grounds and 3,500 chicks Committee (KMTC) was formed Conservation Committee (NEASCC) fledged at the end of the breeding season in 2008 out of growing public and meets annually, typically at the PSG in August. A total of 77 Chinese Crested government concerns related to the meetings in North America. Terns also bred at the two sites, and at status and conservation of this rare The group is encouraging information least 25 chicks fledged - the first time seabird. In 2004, the U.S. Fish and sharing and creating opportunities the total number of individuals (chicks Wildlife Service (USFWS) included for relationship building between and adults) of this very rare seabird has the Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus conservationists on both sides of the surpassed 100. In addition, a further 11 brevirostris, KIMU) as a new candidate Pacific. Chinese Crested Terns were recorded species for listing under the Endangered Below, we summarize NEASCC from Mazu Islands and Penghu Islands Species Act. The KIMU remained on (changed from JSCC) activities in 2018 in Taiwan, and one unnamed island in the candidate list until 2013, when the as shared by committee members: South Korea. Yutaka Watanuki, Akiko Shoji, USFWS announced a 12-month finding Tatsuro Kitagawa (MS student, that listing the KIMU was not warranted MEETINGS at that time. The purpose of the KMTC We met at the 2018 PSG annual meeting Hokkaido University, Japan) and is to: (1) act as a technical authority on in La Paz, Mexico to discuss recent Jumpei Okado (PhD student, Hokkaido the status, distribution, and life history and future research and conservation University, Japan) continued a long- of the KIMU; (2) identify, encourage, projects in Alaska, Indonesia, and term program monitoring the diet and and facilitate research; (3) address Japan. We had nine participants to breeding of seabirds at Teuri Island in conservation problems related to the discuss the conservation of Japanese the Sea of Japan. Slaty-backed Gulls KIMU; and (4) act as a liaison between Murrelets (Synthliboramphus (Larus schistisagus) had exceptionally research and management. wumizusume), Chinese Crested Terns high breeding success, Black- (Thalasseus bernsteini), Aleutian Terns tailed Gulls (L. crassirostris) bred SURVEYS AND RESEARCH (Onychoprion aleuticus), and Ancient successfully following several years In 2018 at-sea surveys for all marine Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus). of failed breeding, and Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) had birds, including KIMU, were conducted moderate breeding success after four in Prince William Sound (PWS) in SURVEYS AND RESEARCH July by the USFWS (Robb Kaler), and Dr. Shuihua Chen (Zhejiang years of failed breeding attempts, which in the fall/winter by the PWS Science Museum of Natural History, China) suggests improved feeding conditions in Center (Mary Anne Bishop and Anne in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Roby the local marine ecosystem. Also, the Schaefer). The PWS Science Center and (Oregon State University, USA) and Dr. Environmental Department of Japan U.S. Geological Service (USGS, Yumi Stephen Kress (Audubon Society, USA) continued a restoration program of Arimitsu and John Piatt) have been implemented the 6th year of a restoration Common Murre (Uria aalge) on Teuri coordinating on an Integrated Predator project of the critically endangered Island. In 2018, more than 50 breeding Prey survey in PWS September 2017- Chinese Crested Tern at Jiushan Islands birds visited the site and 18 chicks 2018, and they plan to continue those and Wuzhishan Islands in the Eastern fledged. surveys at least through 2021. The China Sea. The project involves the use USGS also plans to conduct marine bird of a social attraction technique to attract surveys along coastal hydroacoustic Greater Crested Terns (Thalasseus transects in PWS in June/July 2019. bergii) to the restoration sites with the USGS conducted at-sea surveys in Cook

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 18 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018

Inlet and Kachemak Bay in July 2018, species, it has been difficult to prioritize California, Oregon, Washington, and and plan to do so again in July 2019. The work on KIMU. south-central British Columbia; but it National Park Service (NPS) conducted At the next KMTC meeting in Kauai, breeds mainly at Guadalupe Island, nearshore marine bird surveys in the Hawaii, we will meet to (1) identify with smaller numbers at the San Benito Kenai Fjords National Park in March and summarize KIMU research Islands and a few at some other islands 2018, and plan to do so again in spring projects currently underway, (2) as far north as Santa Barbara Island. 2019. The NPS also conducted their discuss the future role of the KMTC, Below, we summarize SMGMTC annual KIMU survey in Glacier Bay and (3) reconsider writing a letter to activities in 2018: National Park and Preserve. The USFWS the USFWS on KIMU, discussing: (Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski) renewed threats with extreme warming MEETINGS oversees a suite of at-sea surveys events, and raising the level of “special The SMGMTC met at the February monitoring the offshore waters of Alaska concern” from a 2 to a 1. We appreciate 2018 PSG annual meeting in La Paz, to provide post-breeding distribution the opportunity to coordinate this Baja California Sur, Mexico. Committee data on murrelets throughout most of committee on behalf of the Pacific members provided updates on ongoing Alaska (with exception of Southeast Seabird Group. For more information monitoring, research, restoration, and Alaska). These surveys were conducted please contact Sarah Schoen (sschoen@ conservation activities, and discussed from 2006-2018, and USFWS plans to usgs.gov) or John Piatt (jpiatt@usgs. the status of the management and continue monitoring through 2021. The gov). restoration plan. Discussion also USGS and USFWS (Dave Douglas et. included the Craveri’s Murrelet al) are working to publish post-breeding (Synthilboramphus craveri) status and KIMU satellite tag results. SCRIPPS’S MURRELET conservation within its range. AND GUADALUPE The Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ISSUES, MURRELET science working group meeting was UPDATES hosted by The Nature Conservancy The KMTC last met on 21 February TECHNICAL (TNC) on Santa Cruz Island in June of 2018 in conjunction with the Pacific COMMITTEE 2018 with support from Channel Islands Seabird Group annual meeting in La Paz, Yuliana Bedolla and David National Park (CINP), California Institute Mexico. Four members participated. Mazurkiewicz of Environmental Studies (CIES) and Meeting highlights: Kelly Nesvacil Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de summarized survey work by the In 2012, the American Ornithologists’ Islas, A.C. (GECI). Bi-national agenda Alaska Department of Fish and Game Union split Xantus’s Murrelet into items included coordinated monitoring in Southeast Alaska, and Kathy Kuletz Scripps’s Murrelet (Synthliboramphus of shared species such as Scripps’s and sent an update about USFWS survey scrippsi) and Guadalupe Murrelet Guadalupe Murrelets. Ideas to support efforts in Prince William Sound and (S. hypoleucus), based on genetic and fund monitoring and analysis were in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort separation. Both species are being highlighted. seas. We discussed creating a website considered for listing by the U.S. Fish for the KMTC and considered writing and Wildlife Service. The mandate of MANAGEMENT AND another letter of concern to the USFWS the Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe RESTORATION PLAN suggesting that they raise the level of Murrelet Technical Committee In 2015, the SMGMTC updated “special concern” for KIMU from a 2 to (SMGMTC; formerly the Xantus’s part of the Murrelet Management a 1. This is in response to the potentially Murrelet Technical Committee) is to and Restoration Plan that will help renewed threats to KIMU associated “monitor the federal listing petition, guide government and private efforts with the recent extreme warming events state status, research, and conservation to protect and restore Scripps’s and in the North Pacific. issues; provide information to interested Guadalupe murrelets at breeding islands Issues: in the past few years this parties; and coordinate research and in southern California and northwestern committee has primarily used the PSG conservation in the U.S., Mexico, and Baja California. The draft plan was annual meeting to discuss current Canada.” The Scripps’s Murrelet occurs completed in 2011. While partly revised, work on KIMU and to network and at sea along western Baja California, a completely revised draft is still not brainstorm with other members but has California, Oregon, Washington, and done. No progress occurred in 2017 otherwise not been very active. With a south-central British Columbia; it due to time needed for conservation lack of designated funding for KIMU breeds on islands off southern California efforts for other seabirds (especially research, the “not warranted” listing and northwestern Baja California. the Ashy Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma decision of the USFWS, and the recent The Guadalupe Murrelet also occurs homochroa). Our goal is to finish the massive die-off events of other seabird at sea along western Baja California, revised draft in 2018 and circulate to all

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 19 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018 committee members and management Murrelets nested in restoration plots in East Anacapa Island for a second year agencies for comments. This process both artificial and natural nest sites, and in 2018 due to continued access issues will be continued and hopefully active nest sites have been increasing in at Santa Barbara Island with loss of the completed in 2019 with additional some of these locations since 2014. dock. Black rats (Rattus rattus) were consideration and assessment of the Anacapa Island: A small grant was eradicated at Anacapa in 2002 and the status and conservation of Craveri’s submitted and received by CIES from murrelet population doubled in size Murrelet as highlighted during the 2018 the Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) for by 2014 (CIES: Whitworth & Carter). meeting. increased SCMU monitoring at Anacapa Murrelets do not currently nest on in 2018 to help continue documentation the top of East Anacapa (where plant LISTING STATUS of SCMU recovery at this location post restoration is occurring) but occur The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rat eradication. Surveys included both in close proximity in cliff areas near declined to list Scripps’s Murrelet and spotlight population monitoring and restoration sites. Nesting has been Guadalupe Murrelet under the U.S. nest site reproductive monitoring. This documented in sea caves, steep slopes Endangered Species Act in a decision effort helps add to the robust 15-year and cliffs since 1994. This work is issued on 21 September 2016. Certain data set compiled during this important funded by MSTC. A small grant was members of the committee assisted management action. A second grant submitted and received by CIES from the Service in 2014-2016 with needed was submitted to the SJV and received the Sonoran Joint Venture for increased information. The Service’s finding by CIES and partners for support to SCMU monitoring at Anacapa in 2018 stated that “we find that the stressors continue monitoring in 2019 at Anacapa. to help inform restoration efforts. impacting the species have either been San Clemente Island: CIES (Michael Guadalupe, Coronado, Todos eliminated or reduced to the point where Parker, and Darrell Whitworth) and U.S. Santos, San Martín, San Jerónimo they are not of sufficient imminence, Navy (USN) conducted limited nest and San Benito Islands: In 2018, intensity, or magnitude, either singularly monitoring in their 7th year of ongoing GECI continued restoration activities or cumulatively, to indicate that the studies at the island. Plans for 2019 through implementing social attraction Guadalupe [and Scripps’s] Murrelet is include continued nest monitoring and techniques for murrelets using artificial currently in danger of extinction (an spotlight surveys. burrows and acoustic playbacks, and endangered species), or likely to become Santa Catalina Island: CIES (Darrell through environmental education and endangered within the foreseeable Whitworth) collaborated with the outreach, with funding from NFWF, future (a threatened species) throughout Catalina Island Conservancy to discuss Fundacion Carlos Slim/WWF, and other all or a significant portion of its range.” ways to support and monitor SCMU sources. The State of California officially listed in coming years. Plans in 2019 could the Xantus’s Murrelet as Threatened in involve monitoring at this location. CONSERVATION ISSUES December 2004. However, there is still Guadalupe, Coronado, Todos Santos, Introduced Mammals: GECI initiated no recovery plan or implementation San Martín, San Jerónimo and San feral cat eradication (4-year project) on schedule. Xantus’s Murrelets are listed Benito Islands: Grupo de Ecología y Guadalupe Island in the last spring with as Endangered in Mexico; the species Conservación de Islas, A.C. (GECI) funding from NFWF, and continues is not listed in Canada. None of these continued monitoring activities for working with local fishing communities designations have been changed since Scripps’s and/or Guadalupe murrelets, to enforce measures to prevent re- Xantus’s Murrelet was officially split including nest censuses, spotlight introduction of non-native species on into Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe surveys, evaluation of reproductive nesting islands in Baja California. Murrelet. performance, banding, and collecting CINP and the U.S. Navy are discussing biological samples (feathers and blood) biosecurity efforts that could be taken to NEST MONITORING AND with funding from National Fish prevent movements of introduced black SURVEYS and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), rats from San Miguel Island (SMI) to Santa Barbara Island: Nest monitoring Fundacion Carlos Slim/World Wildlife Prince Island. A proposal was submitted of Scripps’s Murrelets to measure Fund (WWF), and other sources. to NFWF in 2017 to look at feasibility of hatching success, timing of breeding, rat eradication at SMI. At San Clemente and changes in population size was RESTORATION Island, the Institute for Wildlife Studies continued by the California Institute Santa Barbara and Anacapa Islands: has been protecting murrelet breeding of Environmental Studies (CIES) and Active plant restoration efforts by CINP areas from black rats using poison, Channel Islands National Park (CINP: and CIES on Santa Barbara Island were and cats are being controlled through David Mazurkiewicz), with funding reduced to maintenance of existing removals, with funding from the USN. from the Montrose Settlements Trustee restoration sites in 2018. Active habitat Council (MSTC) and CINP. Scripps’s restoration is currently underway on

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MARBLED MURRELET of Reciprocity Consulting, to help us get BirdLife International), as well as through the difficult revision issues. PSG independent researchers. Objectives TECHNICAL has contributed to the facilitator, as have of this group include; 1) expansion of COMMITTEE state and federal agencies and private the committee to include additional Kim Nelson industry in Oregon and Washington. resource management agencies Our progress has been slow but steady including those with marine and coastal The Marbled Murrelet Technical and we are still on track to have a draft jurisdiction, federal research agencies, Committee (MMTC) was created ready for peer review in late summer. and additional non-government in 1986. It has been a longstanding organizations and international committee of the Pacific Seabird Group. partners, 2) international networking Its roles are to: (1) act as a technical MARINE SUBCOMMITTEE with resource professionals, academic authority about the status, distribution, The Marine Subcommittee, led by researchers, and local ornithological and life history of the Marbled Matt Reed, Hamer Environmental L.P. groups in other countries within the Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus, is continuing their work on technical species range, and 3) production of MAMU); (2) encourage, facilitate, and reports for the first four Marbled Murrelet a peer reviewed publication or white identify research needs; (3) address marine priorities: (1) MAMU bycatch in paper summarizing current available conservation problems related to the fisheries; (2) identification of important information on ALTE. Marbled Murrelet; and (4) act as a liaison marine areas; (3) prey resources; and The approximately 30-member between research and management. (4) oil mortality. Groups 5-8 have been committee fosters state, provincial, identified but not started. They include: national, and international collaboration MMTC ACTIVITIES AND chemical contaminants, wind/wave to study the Aleutian Tern, and meets ACCOMPLISHMENTS farms, marine aquaculture and marine in conjunction with the PSG annual The MMTC met on 21 February 2018 construction. Due to the work schedules meeting as well as formally and at the PSG annual meeting in La Paz, of many of the subcommittee members, informally throughout the year. Several Baja California Sur, Mexico. Twenty- the subcommittee was unable to meet new technical committee members were one people were in attendance for the in 2018. We are hoping that 2019 will added in 2017, primarily as a result of half day meeting that summarized our be more productive. The subcommittee networking through PSG and the Alaska 2017 activities. We are meeting again on is also looking for a co-chair to help Bird Conference, as well as referrals 27 February 2019 and the PSG annual move the group forward on the first four from existing committee members. meeting in Kauai, Hawai’i. priorities. This annual report summarizes Peter Harrison has resigned as accomplishments of the technical Co-Chair of the MMTC and Kim is committee, including highlights of currently looking for a replacement to ALEUTIAN TERN individual member contributions, help with the protocol revision and other TECHNICAL during the 2018 fiscal year. duties. COMMITTEE Susan Oehlers and Mike Goldstein, MEETINGS Collaboration between committee PROTOCOL SUBCOMMITTEE members occurred throughout the year. The Inland Survey Protocol During the 2016 PSG annual meeting, The committee formally met during Subcommittee has been working the Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion the annual PSG conference in La Paz, diligently throughout 2018 and into 2019 aleuticus, ALTE) Working Group Mexico, and several additional side to complete a revision of the protocol was formalized as a PSG Technical meetings between members took place before the 2020 field season. We have Committee, with co-coordinators Susan during the conference. A subset of created two working groups that meet Oehlers (U.S. Forest Service, Tongass committee members also attended the monthly: one group is working on the National Forest, Yakutat Ranger District) Northeast Asia Conservation Committee text and figure revision (Chaired by and Mike Goldstein (U.S. Forest Service, meeting to present ALTE migration Kim Nelson) and the other group is Alaska Region). This group includes data and to discuss opportunities for working on a revised statistical analysis members from multiple government collaboration. of the probability of occurrence using organizations (including U.S. Forest The committee, with primary up-to-date survey information (Chaired Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, financial support from National Fish by Gary Falxa). Statisticians from Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Wildlife Foundation, convened an Weyerhaeuser are working with the and National Park Service), universities, Aleutian Tern Conservation Planning team and conducting the analyses. We and national and international non- meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, January have hired a facilitator, Jennifer Arnold government organizations (including National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 26-27. The overarching goal was to work

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 21 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018 towards methods for assessing statewide northern Sakhalin, Russia.” During SEABIRD MONITORING Aleutian Tern population size and trend, 20–27 June 2018, Renner, Lyons, and COMMITTEE with a specific focus on developing private consultant Martin Renner (Tern Heather Renner and Robb Kaler methods for estimating abundance at Again Consulting) visited three major the local (i.e. colony) scale. Methods island colonies on the northeast coast of The Seabird Monitoring Committee recommended for investigation as a Sakhalin Island, and conducted surveys was formed in 1992 to promote: (i) result of this meeting, including ground with the participation and support of a better coordinated program for based visual counts, ground-based Russian experts. They assessed colony monitoring Pacific seabirds; (ii) greater photos, aerial photos obtained through size using counts of flushed individuals, standardization of field methods; (iii) drones, and acoustic recordings, were the size and density of nesting areas, timely availability of results; and (iv) then pilot tested at multiple study sites and aerial imagery obtained using effective use of seabirds as indicators in Alaska (including Kenai National drones. The observed numbers were of local and large-scale change in the Wildlife Refuge, Homer area, Kodiak less than previously reported, however Pacific marine environment. During the National Wildlife Refuge, Yakutat analyses of aerial imagery to confirm 2017 PSG annual meeting in Tacoma, Forelands, Naknek, and Dillingham). this conclusion is ongoing, and other Washington, the Seabird Monitoring Data are being analyzed with follow-up mitigating factors are being considered. Committee met and discussed 2016 work to refine the techniques anticipated Short and long-term actions have been population trends and worked to for the 2019 field season. identified to maintain engagement identify conservation concerns between Russian and American experts meriting elevation to the PSG Executive and to improve population assessments ACCOMPLISHMENTS Committee and the PSG Conservation A subset of committee members across the entire species range, and Committee. Additionally, the Seabird continued to collaborate on a pilot a number of additional actions and Monitoring Committee discussed the study deploying Platform Transmitter products will be developed subsequent recently created U.S. Fish and Wildlife Terminal (PTT) tags in 2 regions: to the preliminary project report and trip Service (USFWS) Pacific Seabird Yakutat and Dillingham. Twelve PTT summary. Program (PSP), which grew from a tags were deployed, and multiple colony In October, committee member meeting held at the 2015 PSG annual surveys were conducted throughout Sanjay Pyare traveled to Indonesia meeting in San Jose, California. the season. Additionally, a pilot nest to begin 5 months of Aleutian Tern In 2018, the PSG Seabird Monitoring monitoring study utilizing remote international research and outreach/ Committee co-chairs Robb Kaler and cameras was continued on the Yakutat networking with Indonesian researchers, Heather Renner (USFWS biologists area colonies. government agencies, and students. and USFWS PSP steering committee In addition to the Yakutat and This project is supported by a 2018-2019 members) participated in the USFWS Dillingham area surveys, monitoring Fulbright Scholarship awarded to Dr. PSP to help create a Pacific-wide was conducted by committee members Pyare titled “Aleutian Tern migration program aimed at developing a on the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai research as a flagship for Indonesian- comprehensive understanding of the National Wildlife Refuge and Homer U.S. collaboration, conservation and health of marine and coastal ecosystems area), Copper River Delta, Naknek, education.” in the Pacific. The USFWS PSP and its and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge partners have made excellent progress (including nest camera monitoring and GRANTS in 2018: collection of nest-site habitat data). A subset of committee members were • The “National Protocol Committee member Martin Renner approved for 3 collaborative National Framework for Monitoring collected diet data from Aleutian Terns Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants for Common Murre and Brandt’s by photographing bill loads carried by continued tagging and monitoring work, Cormorant Breeding Colonies in adults feeding young. Several targeted colony-level methods refinement, and the California Current System,” colonies failed to produce young, but beginning development of a statewide written by Bill Bridgeland bill load data were obtained on Kodiak monitoring framework. (USFWS, retired), was finalized Island and in Naknek, Bristol Bay. Several additional grants were by Shawn Stephensen (Acting Committee members Heather Renner, applied for through committee member PSP Coordinator, USFWS Daniel Roby, and Don Lyons, with collaborations or individually and biologist), and recently passed support from the U.S. Geological Survey either were not accepted or are pending review by the USFWS National Science Support Partnership Project, approval. Inventory and Monitoring implemented the project “Survey and Program. Official approval is assessment of large Aleutian Tern pending. Onychoprion aleuticus colonies in

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• Steve Holzman (USFWS PSP The progress reported here by the Vilchis and Joe Gaydos to purchase Data Manager) gathered most of PSG Seabird Monitoring Committee Platform Transmitter Terminal (PTT) the available population estimates is due to the determined efforts of tags in order to examine non-breeding for seabird colonies in Alaska, many individuals. We especially thank season movement patterns of Tufted British Columbia, Washington, Roberta Swift, Bill Bridgeland, Kevin Puffins that breed in Washington State. Oregon, and California, and he Killbride, Shawn Stephensen, and The goal was to capture puffins on has created Access databases Holly Freifeld for their leadership and the water, at night, and adjacent to the and a web-based mapper to determination to promote the effective colonies late in the chick-provisioning allow easy access to historical use of seabirds as indicators of local and period. Unlike successful on-the-water data (some a century old). These large-scale change in the Pacific marine captures in May and June a number of data will be archived on the environment. years ago, they found no birds on the USFWS SERVCAT platform for In 2019, Heather Renner is stepping water in 2018. For the upcoming nesting permanent safekeeping. Access down as co-chair of the Seabird season (2019), the plan is to capture to historical data will be vital Monitoring Committee. During the birds at the same time of year but on the to researchers developing new monitoring committee meeting in colony. protocols and survey methods, Hawai’i, we’ll see if anyone is interested Washington State completed its draft and will allow us to better track in stepping up to assist. Heather will Tufted Puffin Recovery Plan, which will population change over time. continue to advise the committee but soon be submitted for public review. • Determined that the seabird will no longer be co-chair. The plan benefited from helpful reviews colony data presented in a from Mark Hipfner and Heather Renner. 1979 publication by Daniel H. The second in-person meeting of the Varoujean, “Seabird Colony TUFTED PUFFIN Tufted Puffin Technical Committee Catalog: Washington, Oregon, TECHNICAL is scheduled for the 2019 PSG Annual and California” has never COMMITTEE Meeting in Kaua’i, Hawaii. We are been digitized and have begun Peter Hodum and Mark Hipfner expecting this meeting to be better entering that data to make attended than last year’s. Items the Seabird Colony Catalog The first in-person meeting of the tentatively on the agenda for the 2019 more complete and provide technical committee took place at the meeting include an update on the a better history of change. A 2017 PSG annual meeting in Tacoma, genetics project and an appeal for 1980 publication, “Catalog of WA. sample collection from colonies from California Seabird Colonies,” The Technical Committee meeting California north to Washington; Species has additional information that scheduled for the 2018 PSG annual Status Assessments from US Regions; might be included. The Data meeting in La Paz had to be cancelled and an update on the range-wide meta- Manager will meet with Gerry due to sparse attendance (only 3 analysis being led by Scott Pearson. McChesney (Manager, Farallon Committee Members were present – Islands National Wildlife Refuge) Peter Hodum, Nacho Vilchis, and Doug NORTH PACIFIC in March to discuss this further. Forsell). ALBATROSS WORKING • Archived nesting data from Rose In 2018, funding was secured through Atoll for the following seabird Environment and Climate Change GROUP species: White Tern (Gygis alba), Canada to carry out the laboratory Gregory Spencer Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), analyses for the study of population Black Noddy (Anous minutus), genetic structuring in Tufted Puffins The North Pacific Albatross Working Brown Noddy (A. stolidus), (Fratercula cirrhata) across the eastern Group (NPAWG) was established over and Sooty Tern (Onychoprion Pacific. This project is being led by 10 years ago out of concern for apparent fuscatus). Theresa Burg (University of Lethbridge). increases in albatross bycatch among • Kevin Killbride (USFWS Region As of the end of 2018, samples have been several North Pacific commercial 1 Inventory & Monitoring provided to Dr. Burg’s lab from British fisheries and many ecologists were Coordinator) and Steve Holzman Columbia (145 samples from Triangle expressing concerns that mortality rates (USFWS PSP Data Manager) Island) and Alaska (130 samples in might be adversely affecting albatross coordinated with Scott Hatch total from Buldir, Aiktak, Chowiet, and populations. These issues prompted (Institute for Seabird Research Suklik islands – many thanks to Nora awareness and resulted in efforts by and Conservation) to update Rojek, Heather Renner, and their field the NPAWG to facilitate the sharing the Pacific Seabird Monitoring crews). of information among researchers and Database with plans to get the Also in 2018, funding was secured managers to foster collaboration and database back on-line in 2019. by Scott Pearson, Peter Hodum, Nacho advancement in albatross conservation.

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Each year during the annual Pacific 17 enthusiastic participants from 4 to recognize our working group Seabird Group meeting, NPAWG countries (U.S., Mexico, Japan, New as a vibrant and focused group of convenes a meeting to enable resource Zealand), most of whom stayed the professionals with a diverse background managers, researchers, scientists and entire 3 hours. Lots of discussion, in seabird ecology, fishery science, and conservation management professionals questions, and dialogue stimulated by conservation management. Each year with backgrounds in seabird ecology, the presentations that enabled the group we grow stronger because we work hard albatross biology and ecology, fishery to stray into other relevant albatross- to bring the most current and compelling management, and all aspects of the related topics. issues in albatross conservation forward science of albatross conservation at one Going forward, as a group, we are and work toward identifying challenges dedicated venue to share updates on updating our contact information and achievements in a collaborative, their work and to discuss known and for working group participants and forward thinking capacity. emerging threats, actions being taken to identifying the best platform for We look forward to an exciting address these, and advancements toward sharing data and information, reference meeting in 2019, during the 46th annual achieving conservation priorities. materials and current literature related meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group on The species receiving the majority of to North Pacific albatross conservation. the island of Kaua’i and continuing to attention by NPAWG include the Short- Enhancing the exchange of information build on the collaborative achievements tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), and generating working discussion and working initiatives that have been Laysan Albatross (P. immutabilis), and among participants throughout the year identified as core themes and which, to a Black-footed Albatross (P. nigripes). will be an emphasis going forward. significant degree, form the basis of the The meeting in La Paz, Mexico NPAWG wishes to thank the 2019 meeting. in 2018 was a great success. We had Pacific Seabird Group for continuing

CRAIG S. HARRISON CONSERVATION FUND COMMITTEE Verena Gill, Chair

This report covers January 2018 to January 2019. The members of the Committee are: Verena Gill (Chair), Craig Harrison, Bill Henry, Dave Duffy, Doug Forsell, Louise Blight, Melanie Steinkamp, and Marc Romano (new in 2018). We said goodbye and thank you to Mark Rauzon and Shannon Fitzgerald in 2018. As of 30 January 2019, the Fund total is $5,361.55. Since 2007, PSG has funded 22 projects for a total of $45,648, although one was never completed (Juliana Coffey in 2013) and most of the money for that project was returned. Countries covered by the funding include Fiji, Chile, Indonesia, Guatemala, Malaysia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Polynesia, and China. In October 2018, we received one inquiry for funding and one we received another in the first few days of 2019. We are still waiting on a full proposal for the 2018 project and we are in the final stages of funding the 2019 project for $1,990. The 2019 project is: Reducing light pollution for creating safer skies to the Chilean Storm-petrels. The PI is Rodrigo Silva. Once this project is funded our Fund total will be $3,371.55 minus bank transfer fees. Therefore fundraising will need to occur before more projects are funded.

Table 1. Accepted proposal and current status as of January 2019

PERSON COUNTRY REQUEST AMOUNT STATUS COVERED FUNDED BY PROPOSAL Lyanne Pierina Peru Tracking of Guanay Cormorants (Leucocarbo $1,880 Project Ongoing Ampuero bougainvillii) at Punta San Juan, Peru Rodrigo Silva Chile Reducing light pollution for creating safer skies for $1,990 Final funding the Chilean Storm-Petrels stages

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ELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT 2019 ELECTION Katie O’Reilly, Coordinator; Jane Dolliver, Committee Member

The election committee members Committee if you have candidates to put a ballot typo. Four ballots were sent to are: Katie O’Reilly (Coordinator), Yuri forward on next year’s ballot – we’ve late-renewing members. A total of seven Albores-Barajas, Stephanie Avery- already started that list! reminders were sent to members who had Gomm, Jane Dolliver (PSG Secretary), not yet voted on 12 and 28 January, and Peter Kappes, Ken Morgan, Kim Nelson, Electronic Balloting 4, 8, 11, and 12 February. A sampling of and Marc Romano. Katie sent an announcement on the typical comments submitted on Survey listserv just before the election in late Monkey by voters were positive. Candidate Acquisition December, reminding people to check The overall voter turnout was 56% Using a Google doc listing previous their membership status. Stephanie and or 257 of 459 members (see table nominees and suggestions, Katie and Jane were extremely helpful this year in below). Jane contacted members to gauge their setting up the SurveyMonkey electronic Changes to the Committee in 2019 interest in running for EXCO positions. balloting. Stephanie set up ballots for The Elections Committee needs a Co- Katie posted one announcement on the all eight regions once the candidate Coordinator for 2019-2020 because Katie listserve asking for nominations. Two biographies were secured by Katie. assumes the role of Local Committee nominees were secured for each position, Jane, with assistance from Stephanie Chair for PSG 2020 in Portland, Oregon. with the exception of Chair-elect. Chair- and Emma Kelsey (Membership One possibility is that Jane assumes elect is typically the hardest position to Coordinator), kept tabs on the election the Co-Coordinator role, after she steps fill – Katie and Jane really pushed four from 2 January 2019 to 12 February down as Secretary in March 2019. Olivia candidates and only one could commit 2019. Jane sent six people ballots for Bailey will join the Elections Committee to running this year. The committee is their new region after they contacted as the incoming Secretary (see above) grateful to everyone who decided to run. the Committee to let us know they had and the Committee’s liaison to the As always, please contact the Elections moved. Two ballots were re-sent due to EXCO.

The Executive Council meeting during the 46th PSG annual meeting in Kaua’i. Photo courtesy of Adrian Gall.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 25 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018 ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

Table 1. Pacific Seabird Group elections - January 2019

REGION TOTAL MEMBERS VOTED %VOTED Alaska/Russia 41 30 73.2 Canada 42 27 64.3 Washington/Oregon 91 59 64.8 Northern California 62 42 67.7 S. California/Hawaii/Latin America 123 49 39.8 Non-Pacific U.S. 47 27 57.4 Europe/Africa 13 7 53.8 Asia/Oceania 40 16 40.0 ALL REGIONS 459 257 56.0

The following is the outcome of the 2019 election, showing all the candidates and those elected:

POSITION CANDIDATES (*elected) Chair-elect Rob Suryan* Vice-chair for Conservation Peter Hodum* Mark Rauzon Secretary Olivia Bailey* Allison Patterson Canada Kerry Woo* Trudy Chatwin Washington/Oregon Rachael Orben* Jason Jannot Non-Pacific U.S. Mary Cody* Aly McNight So. CA/Latin America/HI Cristián Sauzo* André Raine

Note: There were no write-in votes. Many thanks to all these members who were willing to stand for election.

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Joanna Smith, Coordinator

For the third year in a row, all of approved listserv policy. thank you to the current committee PSG’s communications platforms and • Pacific Seabirds published two members, and to Jane and Stephanie who publications are active, up-to-date, and issues in 2018 are handing their social media platforms receiving a lot of attention from PSG • Marine Ornithology obtained to new leads – congratulations to both of members and beyond. PSG is very Journal Impact Factor – starts in you for hitting your target followers! lucky to have an energetic and skilled June 2019 group of volunteers that are committed Recommendations WEBSITE REPORT to keeping PSG’s social media presence • Recommend Jane Dolliver as Jo Smith, Webmaster; active and alive, ensure that PSG has an the new PSG Communications Jane Dolliver active listserv for member discussions Committee Coordinator. Jane and information sharing, provides the has been PSG Secretary for four The main purpose of the PSG website Pacific Seabirds publication to members years (two terms), is the outgoing is to provide a reliable and consistent twice yearly for their reading enjoyment, Facebook Coordinator, and platform for members and potential manages Marine Ornithology on behalf supports the website. Jane is an members to find information about the of consortium that supports that journal, active student member and has Society, a landing page for the annual and provides a website for the society. been a member of PSG for 10+ meeting information, maintain a record As the Coordinator, I am constantly years, serving on multiple local of PSG’s public documents, and provide amazed, inspired, and impressed by how committees and other volunteer information about the society’s mission. much is done by the volunteers on this positions. Maintaining the website requires a small committee and the very high standard of • The PSG Annual Meeting is a huge expense for the hosting fees, domain content and posts generated. undertaking. I recommend, again, name, and maintaining the template that the EXCO form a standing with security updates. The occasional Communications Committee members: annual meeting committee so that expertise is required to solve issues and Facebook each year EXCO and volunteers PSG reaches out to Anne Francis Web Jane Dolliver and Jacqueline are not learning for the first time Design at a very reasonable price. Huard (incoming lead 2019) how to host an annual meeting The most common page accessed is Instagram including the communications still the “Annual Meeting” home page, Laura Bliss that are needed for members and with 1,153 views in the last month Listserv public. (source: Google Analytics). Number of Verena Gill • Recommend continuing with visitors are up slightly from last year. Marine Ornithology, Managing Editor same structure for this committee, Louise Blight with a Coordinator and volunteers Table 1. Number of website visi- Pacific Seabirds, Editor managing the various platforms. tors and page views, 2017-2018 Jennifer Lang • Recommend that the new (source: Google Analytics) Twitter volunteers continue to think of Stephanie Avery-Gomm and Julia ways to keep the platforms fresh Year # Visitors Total Gulka (incoming lead 2019) and engaging. Pageviews Website 2017 15,921 45,011 Joanna Smith, Olivia Townsend, After four years, I am stepping down 2018 17,602 41,552 and Jane Dolliver (incoming lead from this Committee and am pleased 2019) at how much we have all done to make PSG communications great. A huge Recommendations Highlights 2018 thank you to all the PSG members • Add new content to the student • Facebook hit 2,500 followers! that have contributed to making PSG and Early Career Scientist pages. • Twitter exceeds 1,000 followers! communications what they are today • Lots could be done with the • Instagram exceeds 1,000 including the members below plus seabird photo gallery if someone followers! Annette Henry, Lisa Ballance, Pat Baird, was inspired to add content, facts, • Listserv has 844 subscribers and and EXCO past and present. A special

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

trivia and information about the monthly Google Analytics reports). Impact Factor. I will wait to announce species featured. Staffing: In 2018 we expanded the this officially via the PSG listserv etc. as • The webmaster needs to be in number of volunteer staff at Marine information on indexed journals’ citation tune with the annual cycle of PSG Ornithology. Jenna Cragg joined MO activity isn’t posted on Web of Science business so that documents are as Assistant to the Managing Editor until June of the following year (e.g., uploaded and kept current: EXCO (Louise Blight), and Iain Duncan now June 2019 for 2018 citation data). members, committee members, assists Ben Saenz (Online Editor). This Financial: In 2018 the journal was conservation grant recipients, need for additional capacity was driven self-supported by authors’ page charges, EXCO minutes, SAA and LAA by the growing complexities of online member society fees, and subscriptions. awards, etc. Time is needed to publishing, and a related desire by the Our number of subscribers continues to update a lot of information after Managing Editor to stave off potential decline, which is not surprising given elections and the annual meeting, burnout of the primary volunteer editors that MO is freely available online. I thus the webmaster should be (Ben, Louise, and David Ainley as Editor- have investigated going to an online- afforded this time and provided in-Chief). Jenna is currently wrapping only publication model, but it transpires the documents from EXCO and up a project developing a web page that in the world of science publishing the committees. featuring our associate editors, which a print edition signals credibility (i.e., when completed will look similar to the that a journal is not a predatory one). In LISTSERV REPORT approach used by Avian Conservation addition, the cost of the print edition is Verena Gill, and Ecology. Iain is currently working entirely covered by subscription fees, so Listserv Coordinator on updating MO’s mobile website. we will continue to produce it for now. In 2018 we added two new associate Note that Copy Editors Rosalyn and As of 28 January 2019, the new editors to the Editorial Board: Cristián Kyra, and our layout company, Reber listserv has 844 subscribers up from 774 Suazo (Justus Liebig University, Creative, are still the only paid roles subscribers a year ago. The old U.S.Fish Germany and BirdLife International, at MO. In 2018 we trialed payment of and Wildlife Service-based listserv at a Chile), and Glenn Crossin (Dalhousie honoraria to the editorial staff (David, final count had 902 subscribers, however University, Canada). These two new Ben, Louise, Jenna, Iain) from the PSG many of these addresses were out of date members replace Rob Barrett following Publication Fund. Total amount was and redundant. The new PSG listserv his retirement, and bring welcome $US 5,800, which was offset by the fact has a 3,000+ subscriber capacity. The expertise in South American seabirds, that PSG’s annual $6,000 contribution listserv policy was approved by EXCO bycatch, and avian physiology. Other was not requested in 2018. Marine in September 2017 and posted to the staffing changes include Rachel Buxton Ornithology continues to be supported PSG website in February 2018. taking over from Pat Baird as Book financially by the Japan Seabird Group, Review Editor, and Rosalyn Johnson African Seabird Group, Australasian and Kyra Nabeta replacing Carolyn Seabird Group, and the Dutch Seabird MARINE ORNITHOLOGY Brown as copy editors. Carmen Antaky Group. REPORT now curates our Twitter feed. Louise Blight, Editor Impact Factor: PSG has had a long- Potential issues standing interest in MO obtaining “an If MO’s Impact Factor (IF) leads to an Publishing: In 2018 Marine impact factor”. In point of fact there are increase in manuscripts submissions, we Ornithology (MO) published two several formal impact factors available, may need to move to an online journal issues with a total of 29 papers, 4 book but usually what is meant by this is the submission system. An open access reviews, and 206 pages. Submissions Impact Factor (IF) that is calculated by model is available but is not free. We were by primary authors from more Journal Citation Reports (JCR) based anticipate an increase in page charges than 15 countries; MO’s geographical on publications indexed by Clarivate (and/or support from PSG’s Publication scope continues to be broad. The journal Analytics (formerly Thompson Reuters) Fund) will be required to cover this continues to publish on time, as it has in the Web of Science Core Collection. In additional cost. MO has not increased for several years now. Our Twitter feed mid-2017, Marine Ornithology applied its page charges in 3 years, and they are and announcements to the PSG listserv to be indexed in Web of Science’s the lowest among comparable journals. and Facebook page continue to drive Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE; We’ll keep PSG apprised of any related traffic toward the journal website, and the primary WoS science index). We issues. traffic seems to be up about 40% in 2018 were accepted for indexing in November compared with 2017 (as inferred from 2018. MO will therefore soon have a JCR Requests

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

• We will likely request honoraria Challenges days, 2-3 posts) for volunteer editorial staff again The biggest challenges encountered 3. Advertising for #PSG2019 (29 in summer 2019. for publication were obtaining posts in the month of January • I am still unsure whether we will photographs and written products alone) request the annual $6,000 from from EXCO members and individuals PSG’s Publication Fund in 2019. honoring award recipients. Early Opportunities and challenges Once the upcoming journal issue requests and periodic communication Last year we found paying for is out in April I will have enough are key to receiving these pieces in a promotional posts was not worth PSG’s information to estimate annual timely manner to publish on time. money. This year, we experimented with production costs; these increased posting frequency. A posting frequency partway through 2018 due to new FACEBOOK REPORT of about every 8 hours seems to be ideal copy editors, as our previous copy Jane Dolliver, (does not overload readership, grows editor had been invoicing us at Facebook Coordinator PSG page views, likes, engagements). well below market rate. Two things tend to get the most likes/ Summary Statistics as of 27 January views/engagements: 1) PSG original PACIFIC SEABIRDS 2019 content – photos, stories and 2) job • Approximate page views/month: advertisements. Peer-reviewed scientific REPORT article links tend to get the fewest likes/ Jennifer Lang, Editor 600 • Approximate post reach/month: views/engagements. 25,780 The biggest challenge to maintaining Volume 44 Number 2 and Volume PSG’s Facebook account is time. It is 45 Number 1 were published on the • Approximate page likes/month: 42 a significant load for a single person, PSG website on 16 September 2018. even with the ability to schedule posts Publication of Volume 44 Number 2 was • Approximate page follows/ month: 42 in advance. As such, PSG can respond delayed due to the delay in the close- by: a) decreasing the number of posts in out of the FY2017 budget. This issue • Approximate post engagements: 7,203 2019 and b) encouraging two people to contained members’ regional reports and maintain the platform. reported on the FY2017 actuals. Volume • Global page likes: 2,502 (48% 45 Number 1 contained articles honoring increase over 2017) Kudos lifetime and special achievement award • Global page follows: 2,558 (50% increase over 2017) Kudos in particular to Andre Raine, recipients, student presentation awards, who provided dozens of images to and reports submitted to the Executive • Approximate weekly post reach: 7,525 (70% increase over 2017) advertise for PSG 2019 and coordinated Council for the PSG Annual Meeting with members of the local committee held in La Paz, Baja California Sur, • Approximate weekly post engagements (i.e., reactions): to make sure posts were accurate. Mexico. These issues were completed Thanks also, to Oregon State University with the contributions of Robb Kaler 2074 (98% increase over 2017) • 195 members in the PSG colleagues Olivia Bailey, Kirsten and the EXCO via Jane Dolliver, and Bixler, Sam Stark, and Jill Tengeres helpful reviews by Jane Dolliver, Chatroom (+1 over 2017) • 90% page responsiveness, 4-hour for modeling PSG 2019 silent auction Kirsten Bixler, Jo Smith, Adrian Gall, items. Finally, thanks in advance to Tim and David Craig. I would like to thank response time (+ 197 minutes over 2017) Lawes, who agreed to be the PSG 2019 these dedicated individuals for taking lead photographer and provide content the time to review these documents, as for all PSG’s social media platforms well as thank members of the EXCO Volunteer time Managing the PSG Facebook account during the annual meeting. and authors honoring lifetime and In February 2019, Facebook special achievement award recipients for has taken approximately 40 min daily or 243 hours this past year to create management will transition to supplying their reports. Jacqueline (Jac) Huard. As of 1 February 2019, Pacific Seabirds and share content and interact with Volume 45 Number 2 is in its last stages PSG’s friends. Goals set for 2018 were of editing, pending the submission and achieved: addition of the Treasurer’s report. This 1. Reaching 2,500 page likes and issue will include regional reports from page follows (up about 50% from current members and the FY2018 budget last year) for PSG. 2. Posting at least once daily (most

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

TWITTER REPORT the local committee should be 2018 were a #PSG2019 field trip post contacted regarding social media with a photo of an albatross (216 likes), Stephanie Avery-Gomm, engagement and the meeting and a photo of a Black-footed Albatross Twitter Coordinator hashtag #PSG2020 should be (Phoebastria nigripes) by Michael promoted. Johns (214 likes). These two posts also The @PacificSeabirds twitter : Twitter manager to set had the most comments (discussion). account was revived in February 2016. ACTION a calendar reminder for fall of The primary benefit of the Instagram The number of account followers has 2019 to coordinate a conversation posts is scientific communication increased from 101 before revival to about opportunities with the and outreach to the general public, as 701 in January 2017, to 1,051 in January Communications Committee & well as the birding/bird photography 2018. In January 2019, Twitter now has Local Committee. community. Our audience really enjoys 1,356 followers! • At PSG 2020, we could take seabird photos, and they usually read the On average, from January - December the opportunity to identify and educational caption. 2018, 14 tweets were sent each month, engage with PSG members which generated 13,600 impressions and that are on Twitter. Members 363 profile visits per month. The annual Instagram recommendations for could self-identify during the meeting (February) and the World 2019: conference registration, there • The average number of posts per Seabird Twitter Conferences (typically could be a signup sheet at month has dropped since 2017, April/May) generated the most activity. registration, and people could be likely due to field season and The hashtag #PSG2018 was used for encouraged to share their twitter PhD obligations. Posting about the 2018 annual meeting and attached handle on their Title slide or once a month will improve our to tweets to advertise events and talks. poster. Signs to encourage people average. Continue to identify and Several organizers of the World Seabird to follow us on all social media connect PSG members that are on Twitter Conferences held an informal platforms could also increase Instagram. This will be especially session to answer questions during followers. useful for attracting students and a coffee break. Julia Gulka has been : The Twitter account early career scientists since the assisting with Twitter in 2018 and is now ACTION manager must remind the EXCO younger crowd is more likely to taking the lead on curating content for of this suggestion prior to the next have Instagram than Facebook the PSG Twitter account. meeting registration opening. these days. • Continue to encourage photo Recommendations for 2019: features. We could occasionally • Twitter usage statistics are INSTAGRAM REPORT invite people to have their photos available for 8 months, and then Laura Bliss and Olivia Townsend, featured on our Instagram by disappear so need to remember Instagram Coordinators tagging us. to login and record data before it • Perhaps regular posts to disappears. The @Pacific_Seabird_Group the listserv would also ACTION: Twitter manager should Instagram was created in May 2016. The encourage these types of set reminders to download stats number of followers has increased from submissions. Continue weekly in July 2019. 60 in Feb 2017, to 505 in January 2018, (#seabirdersaturday) or semi- • The Twitter Manager should and now 1,004 as of January 2019! weekly posts. Instagram is best engage with the World Seabird On average, three posts are made for photographic images; we Twitter Conference and with per month, a total of 108 posts since should continue to focus on bird the World Seabird Union February 2018. Seabird photography photography, photos of PSG ([email protected]) generates the most activity, the max members in the field, and other regarding opportunities to number of likes in 2018 was 216. The candid photos of scientists. promote PSG over social media. number of likes is usually above 50. • In the lead up to PSG2020, Our two highest performing posts in

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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT Corey Clatterbuck

Items Completed 1) that students are responsible • Nicole Kleponis, Rideshare & New this year: PSG Prepaid Room for paying PSG for the room for Roomshare logistics option for students for #PSG2019. The all nights of the conference (4 • Sonya Pastran, Silent Auction prepaid room option acknowledges nights), regardless of the number Contacted student membership on that cost of attendance deters student of nights actually spent in the multiple occasions to (1) gather opinions participation in conferences, and that all room; 2) Any room damages are on how PSG can best serve them and (2) elements of paying for the conference the liability of the students; 3) communicate information about PSG must be provided up-front. Though travel Students must remit payment to student opportunities & initiatives awards help ease the cost of conference PSG no more than 60 days past attendance and are much appreciated by the final date of the conference To-do in 2019-2020 students, they are only payable during or • Students must sign up • Finalize funding for Student after the conference has taken place. We individually; groups of students Small Grants & advertise in a had 12 students inquire about signing up, are not permitted. timely manner – need EXCO’s and ended up with 1 reserved room for Two events at #PSG2019: Early Career help! 4 students at #PSG2019. Guidelines for Scientist Panel (5 panelists!) & Student- • Greater integration with the the prepaid rooms are: Mentor Social (at least 76 attendees!) local committee in volunteer • Students must be current members PSG Student Committee: Multiple coordination and silent auction of PSG. volunteers got in touch after the volunteers. • When signing up, students must annual meeting in La Paz 2018 to help • Improve on current model for PSG indicate their gender & genders with #PSG2019! This year’s student Prepaid Rooms – specifically, set they are comfortable rooming volunteers include: a deadline for signing up and with. Room assignments are left • Vivian Pattison, Student-Mentor notification up to the Student Representative. Social • Be creative about roles for student • Students must sign an agreement • Janelle Lopez, Early Career volunteers beyond helping with with PSG that states the following: Scientist Panel PSG Annual Meeting events

AWARDS COMMITTEE REPORT Kyra Mills, Past Chair

Lifetime and Special Achievement Awards This year the committee selected to award the Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) to two recipients: Dr. David Duffy and Dr. Beth Flint. They will be honored at the upcoming PSG Annual Meeting in Kauai. Assisting in the selection of the LAA were the Chair-Elect (David Craig) and Chair (Adrian Gall). I solicited nominations during the 2018 PSG annual meeting and via postings on the PSG listserv. The committee submitted their selections to the EXCO for a vote at the September 2018 EXCO meeting, with all approved.

Travel Awards In 2019, we received 48 student and ECS travel award applications, for a total requested amount of $47,159. Because of limited funds, we were only able to offer awards to 24 people for a total amount of $10,750. We offered 6 Early Career Scientist grants, 3 awards to non-US/Canadian scientists, and 15 grants to students (as compared to 36 in 2018, when we received a large Packard grant).

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT Emma Kelsey, Coordinator

Since the PSG meeting in La Paz in multiple membership under different previous 12 months. The summary will February 2018, the leadership of the names and addresses. Below are the serve as a thank you to membership, membership committee was passed totals in membership types: highlighting the good work they are from Jennifer Lang to Emma Kelsey. In Current Membership Total = 629 doing through paying dues, making November 2018, Cheryl Horton joined Individual Members = 367 donations, acquiring sponsorships, and Emma in assisting with membership Lifetime Members = 81 participating in the Annual Meeting. The committee efforts. Student Members = 203 tone will be positive and seek to expand In July 2018, the membership upon momentum from the meeting. committee started a straight-forward Membership appreciation was also part membership drive that consisted of of the 2018 membership campaign, with Future membership committee efforts a series of emails sent to the PSG efforts to appreciate membership taking will include: listserv encouraging people to become precedence over efforts to confront • An ongoing effort to merge a PSG member or to renew their people who weren’t members or who account for individuals who have membership. As part of the membership had let their membership lapse. As part accounts under different names or drive, PSG membership system was of this effort, Life Members will now email addresses. updated. Memberships now renew on receive recognition at PSG meetings in • Updating the regional assignment the anniversary of when the member the form of a pin to wear on their name to change when a member’s signed up instead of being canceled at tags. We hope to continue to recognize address changes to a new region. the beginning of the calendar year. In and appreciate membership through a In addition, assign regions to addition, two-year membership options membership summary report shared with members that aren’t currently were set up so members don’t have to members via the listserv and website after assigned to one. remember to renew every year. Efforts each Annual Meeting focused on how were made to “clean up” memberships membership dues and/or other donations by consolidating individuals who had contributed to the organization over the

CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Kyle Elliot, Stephanie Avery-Gomm, and Thomas Van Pelt, Coordinators

The Corresponding Membership Corresponding Members Committee some confusion has arisen regarding the Committee (CMC) members include: “was established to support seabird membership status of individuals on the • Stephanie Avery-Gomm – researchers and conservationists in list we were provided with. stephanie.averygomm@gmail. developing countries. It provides Stephanie has worked with Emma com (co-lead – looking for memberships to select people with the Kelsey (PSG membership coordinator) replacement in March) requirement that they provide an article and Adrian Gall to set up a CVENT • Kyle Elliot – haliaeetus@gmail. to Pacific Seabirds at least once every process whereby Corresponding com (co-lead) three years in return. The committee Members have a special 3-year • Thomas Van Pelt – tvanpelt@ is limited to provide a maximum of 16 membership type that generates a transboundary.net corresponding memberships.” Welcome message and automated report An additional member is sought. reminders. Actions to date The Corresponding Committee has Background Membership Management Process established that CM lasts for 3 years and The Corresponding Members The new membership management that at the end of that 3-year period CM Committee (CMC) is a committee system (CVENT) does not have a may be invited to maintain their status associated with the Executive Council. ‘Corresponding Member’ (hereafter for an additional 3 years if they have As described in the PSG Handbook, the “CM”) classification, and as a result submitted reports.

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New Members • Ampuero, Lyanne; Peru (grant between Corresponding Members Stephanie has followed up with all recipient) Committee and Membership previous CM, who in some cases had • Faulquier, Lucie; French Coordinator(s) been listed as ‘individual members’ or Polynesia (grant recipient) 4. Discuss posting names of ‘honorary members’ and invited them to • Hamza, Abdulmaula; Malaysia corresponding members to renew their Corresponding Membership. (grant recipient) website once each year – with She also contacted grant recipients • Murillo, Yovana; Peru (grant links to their profiles on from developing countries, and reached recipient) seabirds.net (if exists). out to contacts within the East Asian 5. Advise Pacific Seabirds Editor Australasian Flyway Partnership to seek Purpose and value of a Corresponding that we have new CM, who suggestions for nominations. Membership to Corresponding Members they are, and that reports will be With the age of paper correspondence forthcoming in the next year or In total, the Pacific Seabird Group and physical copies of Pacific two. now has 5 Corresponding Members: Seabirds behind us, the Committee 6. Follow up in 1 year (January • Suazo, Cristián; Chile (previously has brainstormed some new directions 2020) to seek report submissions a CM) for its members, and some new for the first CM. • Valle, Carlos; Ecuador (previously recruiting strategies to reinvigorate 7. Continue to seek new members a CM) PSG’s international outreach. In March from target regions (possibly • Flores, Marcelo; Ecuador 2018, two members of the committee by asking for recommendations (previously a CM) (Stephanie and Thomas) had a Skype from BirdLife for partner • Songco, Angelique; Phillippines meeting to brainstorm additional organizations), including: (manager at management office benefits that Corresponding Members • N PACIFIC: Russia of Tubbataha Reef Nature Park may receive from PSG. No further • ASIA: Vietnam, Thailand, of the Philippines, an important steps have been taken to expand the Indonesia seabird site with thousands of scope of benefits for Corresponding • CENTRAL AMERICA: terns and boobies) Members, as efforts have been focused Guatemala, Nicaragua, El • Smith, Alanna; Cook Islands on establishing a new system & finding Salvador, Honduras, Costa (Alanna Smith is a project officer new corresponding members. Rica, Panama with the Te Ipukarea Society, • S. PACIFIC: Papua New a BirdLife Pacific Partner, Next steps/Recommendations Guinea, American Samoa, supporting seabird survey and 1. Fill Stephanie Avery-Gomm’s Vanuatu, New Caledonia, monitoring work in the Cook position as Co-coordinator in Solomon Islands, Palau, Islands) March/April 2019 Guam, French Polynesia, 2. Finish setting up process with and some even smaller Contacted and awaiting response: CVENT, in collaboration with island groups in the South • Noni, Fransisca; Indonesia Emma Kelsey Pacific (EAAFP seabird working group 3. Establish concrete actions to member) ensure a closer connection

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WORLD SEABIRD UNION REPORT Kathy Kuletz and Ken Morgan, PSG Representatives to the WSU

The Pacific Seabird Group is a the Chair is working to bring these up letter) from the WSU. Nicholas Carlile is founding member of the World Seabird to date. The activities and business the WSU Conservation Sub-committee Union (WSU), which was incorporated of the WSU can be accessed via the contact person. in January 2012. The WSU is made up of Seabirds.net website. During 2018, the The WSC3 will be in Hobart, Australia, ca. 20 ornithological organizations with WSU continued to define and establish 19-23 October 2020, with arrangements members representing 52 countries. The standing committees that remain active on-going by local hosts, the Australasian PSG delegates to the WSU, Kathy Kuletz between conferences. Current standing Seabird Group. To submit workshop or and Ken Morgan, attend the monthly committees include those for financial symposia proposals for the WSC3, go meetings via teleconference. Our terms planning, review of conservation to (https://worldseabirdconference.com/ continue until the Third World Seabird proposals, conference planning, symposia-submission/), or for general Conference (WSC3, October 2020). fundraising, communications, early information go to: www.seabirds.net/ PSG does not vote on decisions before career scientists, awards, and elections. world-seabird-conference. the WSU Executive Council, although In 2018, a proposal was accepted to Also through Seabirds.net, the WSU both representatives attend conference form a WSU ‘Specialist Committee hosted its fourth World Seabird Twitter calls and engage in discussions. on Seabirds & Plastic Pollution’. Conference (WSTC4) in April 2018; Between February 2018 and January The WSU welcomed a new Chair for as with the previous three, it was a 2019 the WSU held meetings each Communications, Sjúrður Hammer, who great success. The WSTC4 recorded month via teleconference. A synopsis of took over for Grant Humphries. The 2,667 total tweets over the event, with each meeting is posted at Seabirds.net Conservation Sub-committee supports an audience of 1.18 million people and official meeting minutes are posted member organizations in their efforts to (3.35 million impressions), and 601 after final acceptance by the Council. protect seabirds and their habitat. The contributors – many of whom were PSG Currently, detailed meeting notes committee is convened when a member members; for more see http://www. are available through July 2015, and group raises an issue of concern for their seabirds.net/wstc4.html. annual reports through 2012, although country and seeks support (such as a

NORTH PACIFIC MARINE SCIENCE ORGANIZATION (PICES) REPORT Rob Suryan

The North Pacific Marine of climate change and anthropogenic generation of bioenergetic models. Science Organization (PICES) is factors on marine birds and mammals 2018 Accomplishments: Workshop an intergovernmental scientific and ecosystems in the PICES region at the annual PICES meeting: Diets, organization with membership from through workshops, topic sessions and Consumption, and Abundance of six North Pacific rim countries. The scientific reports. S-MBM is currently Marine Birds and Mammals in the North Marine Bird and Mammal Section led by Kaoru Hattori (Japan) and Patrick Pacific. Co-conveners: Andrew Trites (S-MBM) of PICES provides scientific O’Hara (Canada) (Canada), Tsutomu Tamura (Japan), expertise to the PICES community and Current Efforts: S-MBM focus for Yutaka Watanuki (Japan), Robert Suryan their FUTURE program (Forecasting 2015-2020 is Climate and Trophic (USA). The consensus of attendees was and Understanding Trends, Uncertainty Ecology of Marine Birds and Mammals. that there was sufficient improvements and Responses of North Pacific Marine This effort is led by Andrew Trites in knowledge for marine mammals to Ecosystems), as well as to other (Canada), Yutaka Watanuki (Japan), warrant updating the prey consumption scientific and technical committees. S- Bill Sydeman (USA), and Elliott estimates for all species in all PICES MBM identifies important problems, Hazen (USA). A key objective is to regions (i.e., a full update to Hunt et. scientific questions, and knowledge synthesize new dietary information and al 2000, Predation by Marine Birds gaps for understanding the impacts estimate food consumption using a new and Mammals in the Subarctic North

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Pacific Ocean, PICES Rpt #14). For regions, including the Beaufort and conveners: Andrew Trites (Canada), birds, however, there was skepticism Chukchi Seas. Considering changes in Rob Suryan (USA), Tsutomu Tamura on the value of a similar exercise given arctic marine ecosystems should be an (Japan), Kirstin Holsman (USA). limited improvement in abundance important future topic of discussion for Workshop: Potential food competition information – at least until a primary PICES and S-MBM. between top predators and fisheries in survey database is updated. Workshop 2019 Plans: S-MBM proposed one the North Pacific. Co-conveners: Yutaka attendees highlighted the added value paper session and one workshop for Watanuki (Japan), Bill Sydeman (USA), of this effort in considering how the PICES 2019 annual meeting that Libby Logerwell (USA), Andrew Trites climate change at high latitudes will will take place 16-27 October 2019 in (Canada) affect changes in species distributions, Victoria, BC. PSG Involvement: We need to recruit abundances, and ultimately prey Session: Implications of prey more seabirders to participate in PICES! consumption. This is particularly true consumption by marine birds, mammals, given recent observations in the Arctic and fish in the North Pacific. Co-

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

The Pacific Seabird Group was management decisions that affect Act. These comments focused on specific one of the founding organizations of birds; changes that the animal welfare agencies the Ornithological Council (OC) in • Enhance the ability of (OLAW and the Animal Care program 1992. The OC is a separate 501c3 ornithologists to pursue of the U.S. Department of Agriculture nonprofit organization incorporated in professional activities; and [USDA] Animal and Plant Health Washington, DC with a board comprised • Promote the influence of Inspection Service) are considering. As of two representatives from each of its ornithology in public affairs. before, the OC focused on burdens to the 10 member ornithological societies. The work of the Ornithological researcher (as opposed to the institution) PSG contributes approximately 3% Council focuses on permits, animal and the use of these policies to better of the OC operating budget. Most welfare issues, research funding, and animal welfare. The OC comments of our budget goes to salary and other policies that affect ornithologists supported the idea of continuing review expenses of our Executive Director, and ornithological societies. Activities using risk-based methodology (a logical Ellen Paul. She is ready and very representative of OC’s work over the extension of the standard operating willing to help ornithologists navigate past year follow. procedure concept); harmonizing permitting processes, and is especially The PSG representatives to the OC guidance issued by the two agencies; knowledgeable in the areas of import/ are appointed by the Chair. Doug Forsell streamlining the guidance; refraining export of specimens, banding, US will be stepping down from his 27 year from regulating via guidance (which migratory bird and endangered species tenure as PSG representative as soon actually violates the law!); expanding permits, and animal welfare issues as someone can be identified to replace the scope of guidance documents to related to ornithological research. his position, which will hopefully be include the taxon-based materials such Please contact your society sometime in 2019. He will certainly be as Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in representatives or Executive Director missed by the board! Research; and advocating for increased Ellen Paul ([email protected]) opportunities for stakeholder input into for more information on any matter of Between June 2018 and July 2018 guidance documents. interest to you. The OC is particularly (latest summary report on Birdnet), the 2. Pursued discussion with the U.S. interested in hearing about issues of Ornithological Council has done the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) problems of concern to PSG affiliates, following: Division of Migratory Bird Management so feel free to provide input at any time. 1. Submitted a second set of comments about many long-standing permit policy to the Office of Laboratory Animal and procedures problems. Met with Eric The Ornithological Council seeks to: Welfare (OLAW) of the National Kershner (Branch Chief for the Branch • Ensure that the best ornithological Institutes of Health pertaining to the of Conservation, Permits, and Policy) science is incorporated into potential reform of animal welfare laws, and Ken Richkus (Deputy Division legislative, regulatory, and as mandated by the 21st Century Cures Chief and Acting Division Chief since

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Brad Bortner retired). For the first time decrease the agency workload and (or at least a temporary resolution) of in many years, we are hopeful that our decrease burden on the stakeholders. the import problems resulting from persistent efforts are about to bear fruit! 5. Spearheaded an effort to bring the implementation of the “ACE” Key among these changes underway: an attention to serious resource limitations declaration system by Customs and upcoming online permit application and at the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Border Protection (CBP), OC has reporting system that may be completed Banding Lab (BBL). The OC learned resumed efforts to update the import as soon as February 2019, extending that there is a real possibility that the manual for scientific specimens and permit duration, and completing long- BBL will not have funding for its current samples. In the meantime, OC has pending standard operating procedure data management software, much less continued to act as a liaison between the manuals and the scientific collecting funding for a much-needed upgrade. research community and the CBP with policy (which has been in draft since Loss of the data management system regard to specific problems that occur. 1995). would almost certainly force a shut- 9. Investigated a report by the 3. Met with Aurelia Skipwith, the down of the banding program, with Government Accountability Office Department of the Interior Deputy dire consequences for ornithological (GAO) pertaining to animal welfare Assistant Secretary (and acting Assistant research. The OC also learned that regulations as those regulations pertain Secretary) for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks the BBL is in need of permission from to federal agencies. The report is of to urge Department of the Interior the DOI to move forward to fill four concern because it addressed the issue (DOI) support for the efforts of the approved positions. The OC shared this of the “field studies” exemption and USFWS Division of Migratory Bird information with other organizations – the long-pending regulations pertaining Management, including funding for the including Ducks Unlimited, the Flyway to birds. The GAO is one of the most online permit application and reporting Councils, the Wildlife Society, and highly respected of government agencies system, staffing, and efforts to reform bird observatories – and proposed a but they have no expertise in these issues and streamline permit procedures. sign-on letter to Timothy Petty, Ph.D and no understanding of how difficult, During that meeting, OC also informed (DOI Assistant Secretary for Water and if not impossible, it would be to issue Ms. Skipwith of the decades of effort Science), but due to the urgency of the guidance on field studies. The Animal by OC and others to reach an agreement situation (department budgets will be Care program of the USDA, which with the National Park Service (NPS) submitted to the White House Office of also lacks such expertise, seems to be regarding the ownership of specimens Management and Budget on Sept. 10), continuing its efforts to do just that, and collected on NPS land. This problem chose instead to send its own letter and again, with essentially no input from was on the brink of resolution via a encourage the other organizations to do experts. “permanent custody” agreement. The likewise. To date, the Atlantic Flyway 10. Circulated the research papers by NPS was planning a press conference Council, twelve bird observatories, and Joanne Paul-Murphy, Ph.D (supported and a pilot project comprising five one independent research institution by the American Ornithological museums but then suddenly and without have sent letters. The OC is attempting Society) and Andy Engilis (published explanation reversed course and and left to arrange for an in-person meeting with in the Condor) pertaining to rapid things to stand in the same unsatisfactory Dr. Petty. cardiac compression. We explained situation that had been problematic for 6. OC is working on a side-by-side- that these papers should suffice as biology collections for at least 30 years. by-side analysis of the new California “scientific justification” to approve a At the same time, the OC asked Ms. scientific collecting permit regulation, departure until the AVMA changes the Skipwith to look into the petition filed comparing it to the proposed regulation classification (at that point, it would no by the OC in 2014 to suspend or revoke and with OC requests and suggestions longer be a departure) or, if the AVMA the Convention on International Trade in (prepared with the input of numerous opts not to change the classification, Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and ornithologists and research organizations then to continue approving departures. Flora (CITES) “validation” requirement, in California); fielded questions from This information was sent to the which has proved unworkable and has ornithologists, submitted follow-up IACUC-Administrator’s listserve, the the potential to result in the loss of questions to the agency, and updated the Scientists’ Center for Animal Welfare, valuable imported research material. California permits information on the PRIM&R (a leading research ethics 4. Submitted a request to USDA BIRDNET permits page. organization), AAAALAC International regulatory reform initiative to increase 7. Worked with Jeff Stratford, the new (a private accreditation organization), the import permit duration to three years. chair of the conservation committee of Association of Avian Veterinarians, and The only reason for the one-year duration the Wilson Ornithological Society, on the American Association of Wildlife is the need for the fees generated by options and strategies for that society’s Veterinarians. import applications. The OC explained conservation efforts. 11. Assisted 10 individuals with permit that extending the permit duration would 8. In anticipation of a resolution issues this month. Names are provided in reports to society leadership.

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AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS (ACAP) REPORT Ken Morgan, PSG Delegate

The Agreement on the Conservation Anton Wolfaardt (Co-convener of the Uso de la Biodiversidad [National of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) is SBWG), participated in a workshop in Commission for the Knowledge and Use a multilateral agreement that works Cusco, Peru, focused on data available of Biodiversity]). towards the conservation of albatrosses to estimate seabird bycatch and to assess A major achievement of MoP6 was and petrels through the coordination the effectiveness of mitigation measures, the adoption of a resolution to allow of international efforts. The 13 ACAP data gaps and methods for estimating ‘member economies’ of the Asia Pacific Parties are supported by a small seabird bycatch in southern hemisphere Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Secretariat in Hobart, Australia. ACAP’s tuna fisheries. The workshop was part whose fishing vessels overlap with the work is aided by Non-Party Range of a much larger project (“Sustainable ranges of albatrosses and petrels (listed States and several Environmental Non- Management of Tuna Fisheries and in ACAP’s Annex 1: acap.aq/en/acap- Governmental Organisations. ACAP’s Biodiversity Conservation in the Areas species), to participate as an observer Advisory Committee (AC) provides Beyond National Jurisdiction [ABNJ]” in ACAP meetings. It is hoped that the implementation guidance; and in turn, - also known as the “Common Oceans resolution will help facilitate ACAP’s the AC is supported by three working Tuna Project”) that is striving to engagement with other distant-water groups: i) Population and Conservation achieve responsibility, efficiency and fishing nations that operate in the range Status (PaCSWG); ii) Seabird Bycatch sustainability in tuna production and of the ACAP-listed species; and will (SBWG); and iii) Taxonomy (TWG). biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ. lead to improvements in mitigating Every three years, ACAP Parties meet More information is available at: www. threats faced by the species. The full (referred to as the Meeting of the Parties fao.org/in-action/commonoceans/ MoP6 report is available at: acap.aq/en/ [MoP]), whereas the AC, the PaCSWG projects/tuna-biodiversity/en/. meeting-of-the-parties/mop6. and the SBWG meet in each of the At the end of March, ACAP invited In mid-December 2017, ACAP intervening years. applications for the position of ACAP’s had announced that funding would be As reported in Pacific Seabirds Executive Secretary. Marco Favero, the available (through the ACAP Small (vol. 45(1)) pacificseabirdgroup.org/ incumbent at the time, had decided to Grant program), to help the Agreement psg-publications/pacific-seabirds/ step down near the end of 2018; Marco meet its objective of achieving and throughout the year, John Cooper had been the Executive Secretary since maintaining a favourable conservation (ACAP’s honorary Information Officer) February 2016, and prior to that, he status for albatrosses and petrels. By posts information on ACAP activities, served (for 9 years) as the Chair of the the end of the closing period, ten grant conservation issues, publications, etc. AC. applications were received. In early to ACAP’s Latest News as well as to In early May, the Sixth Session of August, ACAP announced that six of ACAP’s Facebook page www.facebook. the Meeting of the Parties (MoP6) took the applications would be supported; the com/AlbatrossesandPetrels/. All place in Kruger National Park, South successful parties and project titles are: ACAP’s Latest News posts (beginning Africa. Delegates from all 13 ACAP • Argentina: Assessing the overlap 1 January 2013) are available at: www. Parties (Australia, Argentina, Brazil, between threatened pelagic acap.aq/en. If you have news relevant Chile, Ecuador, France, New Zealand, seabirds and trawl fisheries to albatrosses and petrels that you wish Norway, Peru, South Africa, Spain, the operating in the northern to have featured, contact John (email United Kingdom and Uruguay) attended Patagonian Shelf; address available under ACAP’s home MoP6. Other participants included • Brazil: Hookpod for seabirds and page – click on ‘Send Message’). I am observers from three Range States: sea turtles: looking towards a greatly indebted to John for allowing Canada (Ken Morgan), USA (Mi Ae Kim multi-taxa approach for reducing me to ‘harvest’ excerpts from ACAP’s and Katy Sater), and Mexico (Humberto bycatch in pelagic longlines; Latest News; without access to this rich Berlanga Garcia). Of note is the fact • Brazil: Prevalence and magnitude resource, I would have very little to that this was the first ACAP meeting of plastic exposure (macro and report. The following is a brief summary attended by a representative of Mexico’s microplastics and select chemical of ACAP news and activities throughout Federal Government. Humberto is an compounds) in albatrosses and 2018. employee of CONABIO (Comisión petrels off the shores of Argentina In February, ACAP represented by Nacional para el Conocimiento y and Brazil;

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 37 REPORTS TO PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2018

ACAP REPORT

• Ecuador: Comprehensive review (SIOFA). The objective of the MoU Shortly after becoming the Executive of the Bi-national Plan of Action between ACAP and the SIOFA is to Secretary, ACAP signed a MoU with for the Critically Endangered facilitate efforts to minimise the bycatch the South East Atlantic Fisheries Waved Albatross (Phoebastria of albatrosses and petrels (in Annex 1) Organisation (SEAFO). The objective irrorata); that occur within the area to which of this MoU is to facilitate cooperation • New Zealand: Global review of SIOFA applies. More information about between SEAFO and ACAP to minimise nature and extent of trawl net SIOFA is available at: www.apsoi.org/. the incidental by-catch of albatrosses and captures; and, At the beginning of December, petrels (in Annex 1) that occur within • Spain: First conservation diagnosis Christine Bogle became ACAP’s the SEAFO convention area. More of the Balearic Shearwater third Executive Secretary, replacing information about SEAFO is available (Puffinus mauretanicus)in Ibiza. predecessors Marco Favero and Warren at: www.seafo.org. Over $110,000 AUD was awarded to Papworth. Christine brings a wealth of The signing of the MoUs with SIOFA these projects. For more information, knowledge and experience to the position, and SEAFO brings the total to 12 see: acap.aq/en/news/latest-news/3088- including being proficient in all three of agreements between ACAP and Regional acap-makes-six-small-grants-to-help- ACAP’s official languages (English, Fisheries Management Organizations albatross-and-petrel-conservation- French, and Spanish). More information and other international bodies: www. in-2018. about ACAP’s third Executive Secretary acap.aq/en/documents/mous. In late November, a Memorandum is available at: www.acap.aq/en/14- Last but not least, the next meetings of Understanding (MoU) was signed news/latest-news/3138-acap-s-new- of ACAP’s AC, SBWG, and PaCSWG between the ACAP Secretariat and the executive-secretary-a-former-new- will take place in Florianópolis, Brazil, Meeting of the Parties to the Southern zealand-diplomat-takes-over-in-decemb between 8 and 17 May, 2019. Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement er?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RphbmUiXQ.

Laysan Albatrosses. Photo courtesy of David Pereksta.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 38 PSG NEWS Read about changes to Pacific Seabirds and other transitions in 2019.

EDITOR’S NOTE My goal as editor is to provide readers with up-to-date information about Pacific Seabird Group news. To do so, this bulletin is published online twice a year: one in the summer reporting proceedings from that year’s annual meeting, and the other in the winter reporting regional member updates and end of year budgets. Thank you to Executive Council members for their support and timely submission of reports, Olivia Bailey for providing content, and Marc Romano, Theodore Squires, Jane Dolliver, Adrian Gall, and David Craig for reviewing. Pacific Seabirds is now searchable and available in the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Explore this wonderful resource on your own at www.biodiversitylibrary.org. As always, we welcome new ideas and people. If you are interested in contributing to Pacific Seabirds or would like to join the editing team, please contact me at [email protected]. - Jennifer Lang

TRANSITIONS AND THANK YOU’S One of the unique qualities of the Pacific Seabird Group is its strong membership-based operations. The PSG relies on the active engagement of its members to complete the business of PSG, including running the Executive Council, serving as an interface between PSG and regional members, conservation initiatives, and planning and execution of our annual meetings. Those who step forward contribute their expertise and time, ranging from hours to years of work. There is, of course, turnover, which is good for PSG growth and it allows others to benefit from this valuable experience. We would like to thank and honor those who handed over the baton in 2019. We would like to thank Mark Rauzon for serving as Vice-Chair for Conservation. Thanks to you, PSG has had the most conservation letters written in a two-year period (60 letters and 22 topics addressed!). Welcome, Peter Hodum, who will be taking over the position in 2019 after having served as the Washington and Oregon representative since 2013. Thanks to Trudy Chatwin (Canada representative), Samantha Richman (Non-Pacific U.S. representative), and André Raine (Southern California, Latin America, Hawaii representative) for the years they served as representatives for their region’s members. Welcome, Kerry Woo, Rachael Orben, Mary Cody, and Cristián Sauzo, to the Executive Council as the new representives of Canada, Washington and Oregon, Non-Pacific US, and Southern California/Latin America/Hawaii, respectively. A huge thank you to Jo Smith who served as Communications Coordinator and web manager, and Jane Dolliver who served as Secretary for two terms; Jane will be stepping into the Communications Committee Coordinator position and Olivia Bailey will serve as the new Secretary. Last but not least, we’re excited to have Rob Suryan elected into the Executive Council as the new Chair-Elect.

Members at the Lifetime and Special Awards dinner at the Hotel Marina. Photo credit: Kyra Mills.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 39 MEETING PHOTO GALLERY PSG’S 46TH ANNUAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 2019 Photos: Tim Lawes

Attendees gathering for the opening ceremony of the 46th PSG Annual Meeting.

Chair Adrian Gall at the Welcome Plenary. Welcome reception at Lihue.

Poster session. Items for bid at the silent auction.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 40 MEETING NEWS 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 27 February 2019 46th Annual Meeting, Lihue, Kaua’i, Hawai’i Kaua’i Beach Resort

Summary of actions by EXCO to facilitate EXCO projects throughout 26 iterations sent to a variety of affiliated February 2018-February 2019: the year. Accomplishments in 2018 constituents associated with key letter. • Organized and held the 46th PSG include: Key concerns for future actions are Annual Meeting in Kaua’i, Hawai’i in • The PSG 2018 meeting in La Paz, wind energy, feral cat colonies, and February 2019, with 280 registrants, Mexico had a net positive balance the perpetual Marbled Murrelet issues including 145 oral presentations and 54 of new members involving fisheries, logging and wind posters • The General and Student Travel energy siting. • Sent 22 Conservation Letters to funds are supporting a record advocate for seabird conservation number of student, Early Career ANNUAL MEETING UPDATES • Maintained a membership of 629 Scientist, and non-US/Canada The 2020 Annual Meeting will be members scientist travel awards for PSG hosted in Portland, Oregon with Kim • Maintained a listserv with 844 active 2019. Nelson and Katie O’Reilly as the local members • The Corresponding Membership committee chairs. • Social media successes include: program is revived and 2,558 global followers on Facebook, actively seeking participants to OTHER BUSINESS 1,004 followers on Instagram, and 1,356 broaden PSG’s perspective and Membership: followers on Twitter. participation throughout the PSG has 629 current (paid) members, Pacific Rim including 367 individual members, 203 student members, and 81 lifetime EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORTS Chair-Elect’s Report: members. Past Chair’s Report: The Chair-Elect took the lead in Dr. Elizabeth Flint and Dr. David organization of the 2019 PSG Annual The new 2019-2020 EXCO members: Duffy received Lifetime Achievement Meeting, including selecting a theme, EXCO approved new membership- Awards at the 46th PSG conference in organizing special paper sessions elected candidates for the 2019-2020 Kaua’i, Hawai’i. and symposia, planning concurrent EXCO. They include: Rob Suryan (Chair- In 2019, we were able to offer travel sessions, securing six plenary speakers Elect), Peter Hodum (Vice-Chair for awards to 24 people including six Early and producing the 2019 program and Conservation), Olivia Bailey (Treasurer), Career Scientist grants, two awards to abstract book. Creation and management Kerry Woo (Canada Representative), non-US/Canadian scientists, and 15 of registrations, and receiving abstracts Rachael Orben (Washington and grants to students. were all done using Cvent. Oregon Representative), Mary Cody (Non-Pacific U.S. Representative), and Chair’s Report: Vice Chair for Conservation’s Report: Cristián Sauzo (Southern California, In 2018, the Chair oversaw the work of Twenty-two conservation letters were Latin America, Hawai’i Representative). all committees and led conference calls sent in the past year, with an additional

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 41 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP 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 are also 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.

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 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 42 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. ______

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 43 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 2019-2020

Committees do much of PSG’s business, as well as the conservation work for which PSG is respected. The committees wel- come (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 eligibility), or if you wish to help a committee with its work.

AWARDS COMMITTEE Adrian Gall, email: [email protected]; David Craig, email: [email protected]; and Rob Suryan, email: [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Jane Dolliver, email: [email protected]

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Peter Hodum, email: [email protected]

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS COMMITTEE Stephanie Avery-Gomm, email: [email protected] Kyle Elliot, email: [email protected]

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

ELECTION COMMITTEE Katie O’Reilly email: [email protected]

ENDOWMENT FUND TRUSTEES COMMITTEE Kirsten Bixler, email: [email protected]; Kenneth T. Briggs; and Jim Kushlan

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Emma Kelsey, email: [email protected]

LISTSERV COORDINATOR Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 44 PSG COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2019-2020

WEBSITE COORDINATOR Jane Dolliver, email: [email protected]

MARINE ORNITHOLOGY Louise Blight, editor; email: [email protected]

ALEUTIAN TERN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Susan Oehlers, email: [email protected] and Michael Goldstein, email: [email protected]

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

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

NORTHEAST ASIA SEABIRD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Gregg Howald, email: [email protected] and Daisuke Ochi, email: [email protected]

SCRIPPS’S MURRELET AND GUADALUPE MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Yuliana Bedolla-Guzman, email: [email protected] and David Mazurkiewicz, email: [email protected]

SEABIRD MONITORING COMMITTEE Robb Kaler, email: [email protected]

TUFTED PUFFIN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Mark Hipfner, email: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATE TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSS AND PETRELS (ACAP) Ken Morgan, email: ken.morgan@dfo_mpo.gc.ca

PSG DELEGATE TO THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Reggie David, email: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS Trudy Chatwin, email: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATE TO THE NORTH PACIFIC MARINE SCIENCE ORGANIZATION (PICES) Rob Suryan, email: [email protected]

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

PSG DELEGATES TO THE WORLD SEABIRD UNION Kathy Kuletz, email: [email protected] and Ken Morgan, email: ken.morgan@dfo_mpo.gc.ca

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 45 PSG LIFE MEMBERS 2019

David Ainley Judith Latta Hand Katie O’Reilly Sarah G. Allen Craig S. Harrison Julia Parrish Daniel W. Anderson Scott A. Hatch Robert Pitman Edgar P. Bailey* Mónica Herzig Zurcher Jennifer Provencher Pat Baird Nancy Hillstrand C. John Ralph Lisa Ballance Joel D. Hubbard Martin Renner Don Bishop David B. Irons William P. Ritchie Jennifer Boyce Ronald Javitch Chad Roberts Kenneth T. Briggs Sarah Keller Lee Robinson Joanna Burger James G. King Daniel D. Roby Douglas Causey John Konecny Jan Roletto Ellen W. Chu Kathy Kuletz Gerald A. Sanger Roger B. Clapp James Kushlan Palmer C. Sekora* Gary Collar Lora Leschner Nanette Seto Cheryl Conel* David B. Lewis Kouzi Shiomi Kathy Cousins Peter Major Joanna Smith Theodore L. Cross* Eugene Y. Makishima William E. Southern Jeff Davis Sara Maxwell Jeffrey A. Spendelow Robert H. Day Vivian Mendenhall Craig Strong Tony DeGange Godfrey Merlen Takaki Terasawa Jan Dierks Patrick Mock W. Breck Tyler George Divoky Ken Morgan Gus Van Vliet David Duffy Edward C. Murphy Richard Veit Kyle Elliott Maura Naughton Enriqueta Velarde Gonzalez Stewart Fefer S. Kim Nelson Kees Vermeer Lloyd Fitzpatrick Yasuaki Niizuma Ignacio Vilchis Elizabeth Flint David R. Nysewander John and Jane Warriner Douglas J. Forsell Daisuke Ochi Yutaka Watanuki Gail Fraser Harou Ogi Jennifer Wheeler Michael Fry Koji Ono Jeff Williams Adrian Gall Steffen Oppel Lisa Haggblom Rachael Orben *deceased 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 David C. Duffy John F. Piatt James C. Bartonek Elizabeth Flint Spencer G. Sealy P. Dee Boersma Anthony Gaston Larry B. Spear* W.R.P. Bourne Charles Guiguet* Robert E. Ricklefs Richard G.B. Brown* Michael P. Harris Miklos D.F. Udvardy* G. Vernon Byrd Thomas R. Howell* Enriqueta Velarde Harry R. Carter* George L. Hunt, Jr. Sarah Wanless John Cooper Karl W. Kenyon* John Warham* *deceased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 46 RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Alfonso Aguirre-Muñoz Lora Leschner Martin Raphael Malcolm Coulter* Edward Melvin Mark J. Rauzon Franklin Gress Vivian Mendenhall Gus B. Van Vliet George J. Divoky S. Kim Nelson Enriqueta Velarde Craig S. Harrison Arthur L. Sowls Yutaka Watanuki Hiroshi Hasegawa Steven M. Speich* Lindsay C. Young *deceased

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Members receive the following benefits: 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 31 December. Lifetime memberships are also available. All Life member contributions are dedicated to PSG’s Endowment Fund, a fund to support the publications of the PSG, principally Marine Ornithology.

MEMBERSHIP RATES Individual membership: $50 USD Two-year individual membership: $90 USD Student membership: $35 USD Two-year student membership: $55 USD Life membership: $1,500 USD (can be divided into 5 annual payments of $300 USD)

TO JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP To join the Pacific Seabird Group or renew your membership, please go to: http://tiny.cc/psgmember.

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 listserv coordinator, and other member assistance as needed.

MEMBER RESOURCES

To subscribe to the Pacific Seabird Group Listserv, please go to: lists-psg.org/mailman/listinfo/pacificseabirds_lists-psg.org 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 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pacific_seabird_group/

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 47 PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2019

OFFICERS

Chair David Craig, email: [email protected]

Past Chair Adrian Gall, email: [email protected]

Chair-Elect Rob Suryan, email: [email protected]

Vice-Chair for Conservation Peter Hodum, email: [email protected]

Treasurer Kirsten Bixler, email: [email protected]

Secretary Olivia Bailey, email: [email protected]

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Alaska and Russia Marc Romano, email: [email protected]

Canada Kerry Woo, email: [email protected]

Washington and Oregon Rachael Orben, email: [email protected]

Northern California Kirsten Lindquist, email: [email protected]

So. CA, Latin America, HI Cristián Suazo, email: [email protected]

Non-Pacific United States Mary Cody, email: [email protected]

Europe/Africa Ross Wanless, email: [email protected]

Asia and Oceania Luke Einoder, email: [email protected]

Student Representative Corey Clatterbuck, email: [email protected]

COORDINATORS (non-voting)

Communications Jane Dolliver, email: [email protected]

Listserv Coordinator Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

Membership Coordinator Emma Kelsey, email: [email protected]

Elections Coordinator Katie O’Reilly, email: [email protected]