NOAA Fisheries Abstracts for Presentations and Posters at the 1St World Seabird Conference, September 2010 Victoria, British

FIRST WORLD SEABIRD CONFERENCE

September 7-11, 2010, Victoria, British Columbia

NOAA FISHERIES

STAFF AND/OR CONTRACTORS

Submitted Abstracts for Presentations and Posters

Nacho Vilchis and Lisa Ballance (SWFSC) Nadav Nur and Jaime Jahncke; Mark Analysis of long-term trophic level shifts in a Herzog; Julie Howar; K. David Hyrenbach; tropical seabird community David Ainley; John Wiens; Lisa Ballance “Understanding mechanisms driving past (SWFSC); Kenneth Morgan; Jen Zamon ecosystem changes are of paramount importance (NWFSC); Diana Stralberg for the interpretation of contemporary Seabird hotspots in the California Current environmental change and ecosystem response. System: implications for marine spatial With this mindset, we set out to gauge effects of planning the 1976-77 regime shift of the Pacific Ocean in “We developed predictive models of seabird a tropical and pelagic community of apex distribution to identify areas that support predators. Using study skins of historical foraging aggregations (“hotspots”) to inform specimens from museum collections, we marine spatial planning and designation of retrospectively (1960-2006) measured stable marine protected areas in the California Current carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes for System (CCS). We hypothesized that seabirds a suite of ecologically and phyolgenetically aggregate in predictable areas determined by diverse seabirds from the eastern Pacific bathymetric and oceanographic features. We warm pool. In this region, seabirds generally modeled 16 species using at-sea observations forage by depending on subsurface predators to collected between 1997 and 2008 in an area drive prey to the surface or by associating with extending from Vancouver Island to the oceanographic features that increase US/Mexico border and up to 600 km offshore. productivity or aggregate prey in space or time. Single-species predictive models included We found no community wide changes in bathymetric variables (e.g., depth; proximity to response to the 1976-77 regime shift. Instead we continental shelf-break) and remotely sensed found evidence suggesting a trophic shift oceanographic covariates (e.g., chlorophyll-a). and or change in foraging area for Sooty Terns Bathymetric variables were often strong and a longterm decrease in feather δ13C for the predictors; oceanographic variables were less eastern Pacific warm pool seabird community. important. Model predictions were applied to the This long-term decrease in feather δ13C can be CCS for each season in each of 11 years. Single- accounted for by the Suess effect and not a species predictions were combined to decline in primary productivity of the system. identify potential hotspots using three criteria: We hypothesize that a deepening trend in (1) overall abundance, (2) importance of “core thermocline depth in the eastern Pacific warm areas”, and (3) predicted persistence. Predicted pool is affecting Sooty Terns more so than other hotspots were often aligned with currently species in the subsurface predator-dependent protected areas, but we also identified potential guild which depend less on smaller subsurface hotspots in Northern California/Southern predators like skipjack tuna.” (V1-10 Oregon and off Vancouver Island that may presentation) warrant additional protection. Modeling seabird aggregations provides a powerful tool to identify marine hotspots and,

1 when combined with information on specific Sage Tezak (NOS, contractor), and Karen threats and economic constraints, can assist Reyna (NOS); Mai Maheigan; Gerard marine spatial planning at a broad scale.” (V6-2 McChesney; presentation) Jennifer Boyce (SWR) Using Marine Protected Areas to achieve restoration of seabird colonies: A case study David Ainley and Eric Woehler; Christine on the Central California coast Ribic; Lisa Ballance (SWFSC) “This presentation will discuss ways to Pelagic studies: Advances in the at-sea studies successfully promote change in human behavior of seabirds by focusing on a comprehensive approach to “Understanding the ecology of seabirds means protect seabirds. High levels of human understanding their role in marine ecosystems, disturbance, including frequent interruptions of enabling prediction of population responses to natural behaviors or a single severe event, can biophysical changes in the marine environment. impact breeding and roosting seabird species. The ‘classical’ age of at-sea investigation of This case study will explore the successes of the seabirds occurred during the 1970-90s, a time Seabird Protection Network (Network), a when extensive data usually from “platforms of multi-organization collaborative, developed to opportunity” were collected. Much was learned address human disturbance to seabird colonies, about seabird associations with specific water in a region with the largest concentration of masses, in addition to close associations with seabirds in the contiguous United States, gyres, eddies and frontal zones from large- to central California. The three primary meso- to local-scales. These correlations of components of the Network are: 1) Outreach; 2) population variability with physical features Enforcement and Coordinated Management; and helped researchers to formulate questions about 3) Monitoring. The most frequent human caused processes at different temporal and spatial scales disturbances to seabirds in California fall into that might drive the patterns. Advancing these three categories: close approaches by motorized subjects was the standardization of data and non-motorized boats; low-flying aircraft; collection and data analyses, in conjunction with and hikers accessing near-shore colonies from the advent of remotely sensed information on land. A network of protected areas has been ocean productivity as well as the inclusion of established near key seabird colonies, including seabirds as bona fide components of research no-access zones in the water surrounding cruises. Most recently, the development of colonies, the protection of offshore sea stacks predictive quantitative models integrating making up colony sites, and the airspace above seabird occurrence patterns to ocean colonies. Establishing no-access marine productivity and its proxies have guided the protected areas to protect seabirds at breeding discipline. With the most recent advances in colonies can be controversial, affecting both technology, we are poised to understand the consumptive and non-consumptive ocean users. biophysical mechanisms by which changes An important aspect of building constituency occur in seabird populations; in order to do this, includes fostering and maintaining support seabirds and their co-occurring species need to through a comprehensive outreach program that: be fully integrated into designed 1) effectively targets individuals and/or groups multidisciplinary oceanographic ecosystem impacting the resource; 2) builds awareness; investigations, particularly at the meso-scale. and 3) promotes stewardship. However, outreach Taking an ecosystem-view of seabirds, rather and education cannot prevent all sources of than a species-centric view, will be important human disturbances, which is why marine in light of large-scale ecosystem changes already protected areas that can be enforced, is underway and we propose several avenues of critical.” (P1-145 poster) research to provide new insights into this “seabirds as a part of marine ecosystems” Jennifer Boyce (SWR) and Laurie Harvey; view.” (V11-6 presentation) Annie Little; Laird Henkel Montrose Settlements Restoration Program -

2 restoring seabird populations on the Channel may seek damages or restoration to compensate Islands of California, United States” for injuries to wildlife and habitat in the event of “From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, millions an oil spill or other pollution event. These of pounds of DDTs and PCBs were discharged trustees have recovered over $55 million to into ocean waters off the Southern California implement seabird restoration projects to coast. Almost all of the DDTs originated compensate for injuries to seabirds. These from the Montrose Chemical Corporation’s projects have included murre colony restoration; manufacturing plant in Torrance, California, and rat eradication on Anacapa Island; cat removal were discharged into the Los Angeles County on San Nicolas Island; habitat restoration Sanitation Districts’ wastewater collection on the Channel Islands, Ano Nuevo Island, and system. The DDT-contaminated wastewater was Southeast Farallon Island; raven management discharged into a submarine area known as the and land acquisition for Marbled Murrelets; Palos Verdes Shelf. Additionally; large pelican roost site protection; and grebe colony quantities of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) protection. While most of the projects have been from numerous sources throughout the Los in California, the trustees have also implemented Angeles basin were also released into ocean projects in Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and New waters. As required by Superfund law, the Zealand to benefit birds killed in oil spills off Montrose Trustee Council must use settlement California’s coast. This poster describes the funds to restore natural resources harmed natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) by the DDTs and PCBs. Seabird restoration is process with respect to seabirds. It summarizes one four restoration categories the Trustee past oil spill impacts and describes the injury Council has identified for restoration within the assessment and restoration scaling process, Southern California Bight. The Trustees including mortality estimation and the use of selected seabird restoration actions that benefit Resource Equivalency Analysis (REA) to species with evidence of injuries from DDTs or calculate the size of a bird restoration project with past evidence of elevated levels of DDTs in necessary to compensate for a mortality event.” their eggs. Starting in 2006, the program has (P2-43 poster) been implementing several seabird restoration projects to benefit seabird populations nesting Joan Browder (SEFSC) and Andreas Winter; on the Channel Islands. These projects include: Yan Jiao Restoring Seabirds to Scorpion Rock and Modeling low rates of seabird bycatch in the Orizaba Rocks off Santa Cruz Island, Restoring U.S. Atlantic longline fishery Alcids to Santa Barbara Island, and San Nicolas “Incidental capture of seabirds in commercial Island Seabird Restoration. The goal of these fisheries is a worldwide issue of concern for projects is to restore populations of Xantus’s potential damage to vulnerable populations and Murrelets , Ashy Stormpetrels, Cassin’s Auklets, their ecosystems. NMFS SEFSC initiated a Brandt’s Cormorants and Western Gulls using a project in 2004 to improve seabird bycatch combination of habitat improvement, social estimation in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline attraction, and introduced predator removal.” fishery. The project’s first component was (P2-41 poster) training in the Pelagic Observer Program to improve the specificity and accuracy of seabird Jennifer Boyce (SWR) and Steve Hampton; identification. The most recent component is Laird Henkel; Matthew Zafonte development of a new analytical approach to Seabird restoration to compensate for oil improve estimation of the total annual seabird spills in California bycatch of the fleet based on observer data. “In California, nine coastal oil spills and one Catch, bycatch, effort, and other information are DDT contamination site have impacted nearly reported on observed longline trips. Estimates of 100,000 birds since 1990. Under state and total annual seabird bycatch are extrapolated federal laws, certain government agencies are from observed trips to the entire fleet based on designated as trustees for natural resources and total effort. The infrequency of seabird bycatch in observed longline sets (0 to 33 birds per year

3 from 1992 to 2008 in ~5500-17300 observed are low. We review changes incorporated into sets) and low proportions of sets observed (2-7% standard operating procedures for observers as a from 1992 to 2005 and 10-14% from 2006 to result of this work and recommend methods to 2008), raised concerns about reliability of improve seabird monitoring on trawlers in estimates, leading to this work. We examined Alaska.” (P2-1 poster) alternate methods of estimating seabird bycatch using generalized additive models (GAM), Ed Melvin and Kimberly Dietrich (AFSC, generalized linear models (GLM), and GLM contractor); Shannon Fitzgerald (AFSC); with spatially auto-correlated parameters. Tamre Cordoza Models were applied separately to probability of Reducing seabird strikes with trawl cables in seabird bycatch (presence/absence) and numbers the Pollock Catcher-Processor Fleet in the of seabirds per positive bycatch; then multiplied. Eastern Bering Sea AIC suggested best-fitting models included “Little is known about threats posed to seabirds latitude, longitude, and quarter of year for by cable strikes in northern hemisphere trawl presence/absence and numbers of hooks per set fisheries or what mitigation measures might for positive bycatch. A composite model of reduce those threats. We compared the rate of GAM (presence/absence) and GLM (positive heavy seabird strikes with third-wire (scanning catch) gave best predictions of total seabird trawl sonar) cables and warps, using three bycatch.” (P2-4 poster) mitigation measures, third-wire snatch block, streamer lines, and warp booms, compared to a Kimberly Dietrich (AFSC, contractor) and control of no deterrent aboard two catcher- Shannon Fitzgerald (AFSC) processor vessels targeting pollock in the eastern Seabird bycatch in Alaska trawl fisheries: A Bering Sea (EBS), one that rendered the comparison of observer sampling protocols majority of the offal and bycatch into fish meal “Seabird bycatch in commercial fisheries, and fish oil and one that discharged macerated especially longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries, is offal. More birds attended the non-meal vessel, recognized as a global conservation problem. In but the rate of seabird cable strikes was higher some southern hemisphere fisheries the bycatch for the meal-vessel, due to the greater aerial of certain albatross species has been identified as extent of its cables. Streamer lines significantly the cause for serious population declines. North reduced heavy seabird strikes with both cable Pacific Groundfish Observers conduct species types by at least an order of magnitude composition sampling on trawlers to support regardless of the discharge type. Reducing the estimation of total removals for a variety of aerial extent of third-wires also reduced third- species. Sampling protocols work well in wire strike rates, but was less effective than support of estimates of mortality for most fish streamer lines. Warp booms designed to divert species. Unfortunately, the estimates of seabird seabirds from warps failed to significantly mortalities associated with trawl fishing reduce seabird warp strikes, but this technique operations are likely biased as seabird can be improved. Collectively these results show mortalities may also occur from encounters with for the first time that seabird strikes with rigging (trawl sonar and trawl door cables) or ‘modern’ third-wire trawl sonar cable systems the net forward of the codend. Current sampling can be reduced through gear modification and protocols are not able to account for either of that warp strikes can be mitigated with these situations. Observers have been collecting techniques similar those in place in southern data on seabird interactions with trawl warps, hemisphere fisheries. However, because only nets, and third wires over several years as part of small-winged birds classified as of least a special project assigned to prior, experienced conservation concern were struck and appeared observers only. We compare seabird bycatch unharmed the need for mitigation in the EBS based on current observer protocols with the pollock fishery is questioned.” (P2-2 poster) number of birds caught using the specialized observation protocols. Initial summaries reinforce the hypothesis that current estimates

Ann Edwards (AFSC, contractor) and to commercial fishing vessels have been Shannon Fitzgerald (AFSC); Julia Parrish collecting marine bird carcasses periodically Variable foraging strategies of Laysan from 2000-2009. Observers have returned well Albatross in relation to ecosystem change and over 400 marine birds from these fisheries, fisheries overlap which include the Hawaiian pelagic longline “Stable isotope data indicate that a fundamental fisheries and the Alaskan groundfish trawl and shift in foraging dynamics has occurred among demersal longline fisheries. Marine birds were Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) necropsied and stomachs were examined. The over the last 100 years. Discards from offshore stomach contents of three species of marine fishing operations have introduced a novel food birds were analyzed for this study, including 180 source, further contributing to long-term shifts in Northern Fulmars (Fulmaris glacialis), 40 foraging dynamics. What are the limits of Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), foraging flexibility in light of ecosystem change, and 25 Black-footed Albatross (P. nigripes). The and how do foraging limits and requirements preliminary results from this study revealed that affect overlap with fisheries? We used Δ15N commercial fisheries-related food items such as values from targeted primary feathers (grown bait and discarded catch remains (offal) were May – Oct) as indices of foraging strategy. Two readily separable from the remains of naturally patterns emerged. The ‘recovery and occurring prey. Though the dietary composition maintenance period’ following the end of the of the birds is undoubtedly altered by the breeding season (approximately May – July) concentration of available food generated by was marked by a great diversity of foraging fisheries activities, the large sample size of birds strategies, both historically (Δ15N range: 8-18Δ) examined and the incidence of naturally and recently (11-19Δ). The absence of low occurring prey items provide valuable values today (33% of historic values were below information about feeding strategies in the today’s observed values) suggests resiliency to absence of fisheries and will help guide future the loss of foraging opportunities during this collections and analysis.” (P1-67 poster) flexible May-July foraging period. Isotope values of fisheries-associated birds in Alaska Tom Good (NWFSC) and Amanda Phillips were distinct from other birds during this (NWFSC) flexible season, but not at other times, Marine debris entanglement of seabirds: suggesting season-specific flexibility facilitates global patterns, impacts, and solutions overlap with distant fisheries. In contrast, the “Marine debris affects seabirds via ingestion of ‘preparation period’, or the period prior to anthropogenic materials (e.g., plastics, pellets, arrival at the breeding colony (approximately fish hooks, etc.) and entanglement in derelict Aug – Oct), was more conservative for all fishing gear (recreational or commercial fishing birds, marked by foraging strategies that were nets, lines, etc.) and other entangling plastic less variable, with current mean values debris lost or abandoned in the marine indistinguishable from historical values. environment. A 2009 report of the United Consequently, the more conservative foraging Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and requirements of Laysan Albatross prior to Environment Programme reported that breeding may limit their ability to adapt to approximately 640,000 tons of discarded fishing ecosystem change, but also may reduce their gear enters the oceans yearly, accounting for potentially fatal overlap with Alaskan fisheries.” nearly 10% of the world total of marine debris. (C12-4 presentation) Since the 1950s, most of the world’s fishing industries replaced nets composed of natural Shannon Fitzgerald (AFSC) and William fiber with those made from synthetic material, Walker (AFSC) resulting in lost or abandoned fishing gear The use of fisheries bycaught marine birds in remaining in the marine environment for investigations of natural feeding strategy decades. Derelict fishing gear has been “National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA implicated in the entanglement and death of Fisheries) certified fisheries observers deployed marine birds since the 1970s, and entanglement

5 and ingestion impacts were reviewed in the debris encountered (Jordan: 57.5%; McArthur 1990s. Since then, there has been an increase in II: 64.4%). We found that the density of marine gear retrieval programs and explicit studies on debris in the ETP varied spatially and was the fate and biological impacts of derelict gear, relatively high in shelf or nearshore waters of including impacts on marine birds. We reviewed most countries as well as in convergence zones published and unpublished reports of seabird such as the Equatorial Front.” (V3-11 entanglement and mortality to summarize presentation) geographical, taxonomic, and fishery patterns worldwide. Monofilament line is the most Jefferson Hinke (SWFSC) and Wayne common entangling gear, with monofilament Trivelpiece (SWFSC) gillnets causing the greatest mortality. Over 80 Rapid climate change and life history: How species of marine birds have been documented plastic is the Adélie Penguin? entangled; however the demographic effects of “Climate change is having major impacts on this mortality source are not well understood. physical and biological systems in the Antarctic. United Nations resolutions now require reducing For Adélie penguins, different populations have derelict fishing gear and marine debris in been subject to different environmental general, and clean up efforts underway conditions over space and time. To assess the worldwide should reduce associated risk ability of Adélie penguins to cope with rapid for all seabirds.” (V3-1 presentation) climate change, we compare survivorship, fecundity, age at first breeding, chick growth, Annette Henry (SFWSC) and Lisa Ballance and breeding success from long-term monitoring (SWFSC); Thomas Moore (SWFSC, studies conducted within the last 5 decades contractor); Christopher Cutler; throughout the latitudinal range of Adélie Michael Force; Rich Pagen; Sophia Webb penguins. Results suggest that Adélie penguins Quantifying Marine Debris in the Eastern retain inflexible life history traits associated with Tropical Pacific Ocean fecundity and chick rearing in all areas, but “As part of the 2006 Stenella Abundance exhibit strong spatial variability in survival rates Research (STAR) survey, two seabird observers and the age of first breeding. These results were placed aboard each of two NOAA research demonstrate that Adélie populations do respond vessels to collect data on the distribution and to local climate change in a manner consistent abundance of marine debris, concurrently with with life history theory, which predicts a trade- data on seabirds. The survey area was the off between survival rate and the age of first eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) and included 12 breeding. However, the observed responses have countries, the high seas, and three major surface been insufficient to maintain positive population currents. NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan growth rates in the Antarctic Peninsula region. surveyed primarily the shelf and nearshore areas Here, the rapid rate of climate change appears to while NOAA Ship McArthur II focused on the have exhausted the ability of Adélie penguins to high seas. Using strip transect methods, a total persist in natal habitats. “ (P2-21 poster) of 2,177 sightings of marine debris were made: 1,547 from the Jordan and 630 from the Nicole LeBoeuf (IA) and Rebecca Lent (IA) McArthur II. Marine debris sightings were Interactions between seabirds and fisheries: a classified into 10 categories: glass; metal; global perspective monofilament line, ropes and fishing gear; “Seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels, organic matter; paper or cloth; plastic; rubber; are taken as bycatch in longline fisheries Styrofoam; wood; and “other” which consisted worldwide. Although actual estimates can be of unidentifiable or multiple items of different lacking or imprecise, estimates of seabirds categories. More than 95% of the marine debris killed annually in fisheries worldwide run in the encountered could be described in four hundreds of thousands. For some species, categories: plastic, Styrofoam, wood and other. interactions with fisheries are among the most Plastic was the most common debris item serious of threats to their long-term sighted and accounted for more than half of all conservation. While an individual fishing vessel

6 may catch a seabird only occasionally, the scale predation mortality into population dynamic of global fishing may threaten a species’ very models are generally more conservative than existence. A decade ago, global longline those produced using traditional fisheries fisheries were estimated at approximately 1.4 assessment methods. Even if predation mortality billion hooks annually, the equivalent of 3.8 is not directly included in such models, our million hooks each day. Today, this number may results suggest assessments for forage fisheries be higher as longline fisheries have expanded should be more conservative. Because biological worldwide, both in terms of vessels and overall reference points are the benchmark against effort. Because seabirds’ movements cross which fisheries management decisions are made, geographic boundaries and those of distant water they should reflect the ecological realities faced fishing operations, any one country’s efforts to by each species to the fullest extent possible. reduce seabird bycatch alone will not solve the Adhering to the more conservative biological problem. Fortunately, the world’s fishing nations reference points produced by explicitly have become increasingly aware of this issue incorporating predation mortality is an easily and are responding in more and more implemented facet of ecosystem-based fisheries coordinated ways. In particular, Regional management.” (V2-5 presentation) Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) whose longline fisheries overlap with seabird Kristin Mabry (AKR) and Rob Suryan; distribution are working together to address the Gregory Balogh; Kim Rivera (AKR) problem. In June, the United States co-hosted a Spatial planning to minimize fisheries and workshop of the five tuna RFMOs to address all seabirds interactions in Alaska waters bycatch in longline fisheries. Seabird bycatch “During 2007-2009, NOAA Fisheries Alaska was a primary issue at the workshop, not only region completed several analyses of satellite- for the successes that have been achieved to tracking data depicting marine habitat use of the date, but for the steps that the RFMOs identified endangered short-tailed albatrosses and the as needed for improving the efficiency and distribution of hook-and-line fisheries’ effort in effectiveness of their efforts to reduce seabird Alaska’s exclusive economic zone. These bycatch in the future.” (V8-4 presentation) analyses were integral in two National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Jason Link (NEFSC) and Megan Tyrrell; Assessments of revisions to seabird avoidance Hassan Moustahfid (NOS/ASTADM) measures used in the hook-and-line fisheries. The importance of including predation Analysts concluded that the requirement of mortality in the evaluation and management using seabird avoidance measures in a portion of of forage fishes the Bering Sea and most of the inside waters of “Forage fish such as herring and mackerel are southeast Alaska were unnecessary due to affected by a broad range of predators including limited use of this area by seabirds of piscivorous fishes, marine mammals, and conservation concern and due, in particular, to a seabirds. Accounting for predation mortality is low probability of fishing vessels encountering an important consideration in ecosystem-based short-tailed albatrosses. Conversely, the fisheries management and is especially requirement to use seabird avoidance measures important when setting management targets for in several transition zones and areas of more forage fish populations. A suite of applications frequent usage by shorttailed albatrosses was utilizing various fisheries models have considered necessary to decrease the risk of demonstrated that predation mortality is: 1) incidental take. Also, performance standards ontogenetically variable, 2) temporally variable, were specified for the use of avoidance gear in 3) ergo not typically fixed at 0.2 as is commonly areas where interactions are more likely to assumed, and 4) for forage species, generally occur. These changes were intended to relieve higher than assumed in traditional single species an unnecessary regulatory burden on fisheries stock assessments. Here we demonstrate that that do not need seabird avoidance measures and biological reference points (fishing mortality to improve the effectiveness of avoidance rates) generated by explicitly incorporating measures in the fisheries that do.”

Elizabeth Phillips (NWFSC, contractor) and can direct further research towards elucidating Jeannette Zamon (NWFSC); Josh Adams; reasons for the mortality and possible mitigation David Hyrenbach; Peter Hodum; Lauren measures. Several indices are used to estimate Reinalda (NWFSC, contractor) approximate age in dead seabirds, including Anomalous Pink-footed Shearwater maturity of the gonads (length and width of abundances in Oregon and Washington gonad in both sexes, diameter of largest follicle coastal waters: an ecosystem indicator in the and oviduct development in females), size and northern California Current description of the bursa of Fabricius, plumage, “At-sea ecological surveys of the Oregon and molt limits, active molt of primary and body Washington shelf waters reveal increased feathers, ossification of the supraorbital ridge abundances of Pink-footed Shearwaters and, in rare cases, band returns. We review and (Puffinus creatopus) in May and June of 2009 compare methods used to estimate age in compared with prior survey years. Although this seabirds examined (n > 1000) at California species occurred regularly in low numbers Department of Fish and Game, Marine Wildlife during previous survey years between 2003- Veterinary Care and Research Center, Santa 2008, we suggest that a four-fold increase Cruz, California, USA, and compare results in 2009 is indicative of significant changes in among methods and species. A careful surface ocean conditions within the northern examination of all possible ageing variables will California Current. Because Pink-footed improve estimates of demographic impacts of Shearwaters are associated with warm ocean mortality on seabird populations.” (P1-174 conditions in the California Current Ecosystem, poster) we examined shearwater abundance compared to surface temperature, nutrients, chl-a, Lauren Reinalda (NWFSC, contractor) and zooplankton, and fish species composition Jeannette Zamon (NWFSC); Elizabeth and abundance for evidence of warming effects Phillips (NWFSC, contractor) on surface ocean communities. For example, the The use of digital imagery to improve presence of fishes such as Pacific saury training, accuracy, and efficiency in seabird (Cololabis saira) and juvenile sablefish diet analysis (Anoplopoma fimbria) may relate to increases in “Seabird diet analysis frequently requires surface warming and/or offshore-to-inshore identification of bones and other hard parts to transport of water masses. We also examine classify prey remains. Learning bone newly available satellite telemetry data within identification can be time consuming and our survey region from two Pink-footed overwhelming if one has no prior experience. Shearwaters tagged off southern California in The use of published keys and guides is helpful; the spring of 2009. These results highlight the however these resources are frequently limited value of marine bird surveys as upper to the identification of otoliths and large head trophic-level indicators of changing ocean bones. The use of a dissecting microscope with conditions in the northern California Current.” an attached digital camera allows observers to (C2-4 presentation) manipulate magnification and lighting to highlight bone features which are otherwise Elizabeth Phillips (NWFSC, contractor) and difficult or impossible to see directly through an Hannahrose Nevins; Diana Humple objective. As a result, in addition to any otoliths A comparison of methods for age estimation or head bones that are present, smaller, non- of seabirds standard diagnostic bones can now be used to “To characterize population-level impacts of provide a more complete picture of diet seabird mortality from fisheries bycatch, oil composition. Digital imaging also speeds up spills, and periodic die-offs, an accurate estimate training and quality control by allowing multiple of the demographic composition of birds observers to view the same image and observers affected is paramount. Seabird age and sex ratios can compare bones from multiple samples are useful for summarizing disproportionate without physically mixing the specimens. mortality in a group of birds (e.g., adults) and Digital images also facilitate sharing of

8 specimens with others who are not on site. Greater Shearwaters in the gulf of Maine and Results show the combined use of digital Georges Bank (Northwest Atlantic): Can we imaging and non-standard diagnostic bones identify seabird foraging hotspots using at- improves the accuracy of diet analysis (e.g. prey sea and bycatch data? type, minimum prey number), especially “Greater shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) have for diet samples obtained with non-lethal been little studied due to their remote nesting methods such as regurgitation or lavage. locations and pelagic distribution at sea. They Compilation of a digital image database for complete extensive annual migrations between common prey types may be a useful research their southern nesting grounds at Tristan da tool for seabird biologists.” (P2-95 poster) Cunha and the North Atlantic’s productive waters. During these migrations, birds may Jeannette Zamon (NWFSC) and Elizabeth interact with fisheries of approximatively 30 Phillips (NWFSC, contractor); Lauren countries; However, the degree of interaction Reinalda (NWFSC, contractor) and incidental mortality is largely unknow in Spatial and temporal structure of marine most waters. In the United States, greater predator-prey interactions in the Columbia shearwaters have been regularly documented as River plume incidental bycatch in its Northeast gillnet “During 2003-2009, May and June fisheries since 1991. Utilizing 19 years of oceanographic surveys on the Oregon and bycatch data and 7 years of at-sea distribution Washington coasts (USA) revealed data, we investigate some of the species foraging anomalously high concentrations of fish-eating hotspots and important use areas in the Gulf of birds near the mouth of the Columbia River. Maine and Georges Bank. Additionally, we Further ship- and land-based investigation present some of the first data on condition, sex demonstrated associations between marine birds and age bias in bycaught greater shearwaters and the tidally-driven convergence fronts through necropsy examination of 135 specimens separating low salinity(< 20), recent river from the Northwest Atlantic between 2008 and discharge from higher-salinity (27-31) coastal 2009.” (P1-109 poster) waters. Mixed-species aggregations include both surface-feeding and diving species (e.g. gulls, Kathy Kuletz and Patrick Ressler; Elizabeth pelicans, alcids, shearwaters). Aggregations Labunski; Mike Sigler (AFSC); Martin were evident and recurring at fine spatial and Renner; Anne Hollowed (AFSC) temporal scales of meters to kilometers and Using broadscale distributions of murres, hours to days. Diet items from birds captured in kittiwakes, and their prey on the Bering Sea these areas included planktivorous forage fishes Shelf to inform decisions on MPA’s such as northern anchovy, smelt, and herring as “Ecosystem management and designation of well as juvenile salmon. Preliminary evidence marine protected areas (MPAs) require an from hydroacoustic surveys shows fish schools understanding of predator-prey dynamics at a primarily below the pycnocline, suggesting broad scale. In Alaska, the Bering Sea outer salinity structure has a strong effect on spatial shelf and slope is a ‘hotspot’ for seabirds and distribution of forage fishes. We hypothesize the fish. Here, we examined distributions of surface- tidal dynamics of the Columbia River discharge feeding Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa create predictable aggregations of forage fishes tridactyla) and pursuit-diving Thick-billed in time and space, and fish aggregations then Murre (Uria lomvia) in relation to two key prey, attract upper trophic level predators such as age-1 Walleye Pollock (Theragra halcogramma) marine birds to river plume habitat. We propose and euphausiids. We conducted concurrent the tidal dynamics of river plumes may be a surveys of birds and prey from 66-m vessels, general structural mechanism affecting predator- following a systematic shelf-wide grid (covering prey interactions in locations where river 411,494 km2) in June and July of 2007-2009. discharge affects coastal habitat.” (P2-33 poster) Strip-transect coverage for seabirds was ~ 9,000 km/year, and acoustic sampling of prey was Marie Martin and Gina Shield (NEFSC) ~15,000 km/year. Both bird species showed

9 colony effects, with high densities <300 km of regions (e.g., Frazier Islands, Bird Island, St. Matthew and the Pribilof islands. Kittiwakes Falkland Islands), although a recent analysis of were more dispersed with greater inter-annual the entire Southern Ocean population reported a variability in distribution than murres. Murre marked decrease. We examine these opposing densities were consistently highest between the trends and how they may possibly be linked to Pribilof Islands and the underwater Pribilof such factors as climate change and human Canyon. Though non-significant, murre disturbance.” (P1-131 poster) distribution matched best with euphausiids while the kittiwake’s matched best with pollock. Wayne Trivelpiece (SWFSC) and Jefferson Unlike murres, the variation in kittiwake Hinke (SWFSC); Aileen Miller; Christian distribution suggests they were sensitive to shifts Reiss (SWFSC); Susan Trivelpiece (SWFSC, in pollock distribution, which will make it contractor); George Watters (SWFSC) difficult to define MPAs; possibly the case Penguins in peril: an old ecological hypothesis for all wide-ranging, aerial foragers. The replaces a current paradigm and links distribution of juvenile pollock and euphausiids climate change to penguin population may be too unpredictable to assist in structuring declines in the Western Antarctic Peninsula† MPAs for seabirds on the shelf. Rather, habitat “The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) features (i.e., Pribilof Canyon) can be identified, encompasses some of the richest waters and and thereby focus management actions.” (C10- most abundant wildlife populations on earth, 10 presentation) some of which were nearly extirpated by the late 1900s. The WAP is also warming faster than Sue Trivelpiece (SWFSC, contractor) and elsewhere in Antarctica, and possibly on earth, Michael Polito; Wayne Trivelpiece (SWFSC) with 5-6° C increases in mean winter Population dynamics and breeding biology of temperatures and associated decreases in winter the Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes sea-ice extent and duration. These changing giganteus) along the western shores of conditions have profoundly affected the Admiralty Bay (ASPA 128), King George ecosystem. A current paradigm guiding Island, Antarctica, 1980-2000 ecological interpretations of change in the WAP, “We have been following and banding a the “Sea-Ice Hypothesis”, suggests that less population of southern giant petrels winter sea ice has directly led to population (Macronectes giganteus) nesting in nine declines in “ice-loving” Adélie penguins, while small colonies at our research site on King “ice-avoiding” chinstrap penguins have George Island, South Shetland Islands, increased. However, 30 years of field studies in Antarctica since 1980/81. Reproductive success the WAP and recent surveys throughout the varied, but the overall mean was 0.72 (} 0.16) Scotia Sea refute this hypothesis; both Adélie chicks fledged per nest, which is consistent with and chinstrap penguin populations have declined other studies. Southern giant petrels will often by >50% throughout this region. Furthermore, take sabbatical leaves of one to two years since these penguins were never harvested by between breeding efforts, which we found to man, changes in their populations track affect nest-site fidelity versus birds that breed historical changes to this ecosystem. Here we annually. We also examined demographic present evidence supporting an older, more variables such as breeding success in relation to robust, hypothesis that explains both increases age & experience, cohort return rates, age at first and decreases in penguin populations as a result breeding, & natal philopatry, and compared of changes in the abundance of their main prey, these with other studies. Our long term Antarctic krill. Linking trends in penguin population data show†that the population in our abundance with trends in krill biomass can region increased by 69% over this period, explain why these penguin populations increased although it was stable throughout most of the after fur seals and baleen whales were nearly 1980s. Several studies have also seen population extirpated and are currently decreasing in increases for the same time period in other response to climate change.” (V1-17 presentation)

Aileen Miller and Jarrod Santora (SWFSC, variables, which correspond to access to contractor); Anthony Cossio (SWFSC); resources and nesting site safety and quality. We Christian Reiss (SWFSC); Wayne Trivelpiece also compared the distribution and abundance of (SWFSC); Joe Warren skua pairs observed in 2004/2005 to published Penguin foraging behavior and diet in skua census data from 1978/1979. Similar to relation to krill distribution from spatially previous studies, we found that brown skua (C. and temporally synchronous studies, Antarctica lonnbergi) pairs often nested in close Livingston Island, Antarctica proximity to penguin colonies and actively “Seabirds can be effective indicators in the excluded other pair types from having direct marine environment if the relationships with access to penguin resources. In areas directly their prey are closely understood. To understand around penguin colonies, brown skua displace this relationship, studies of predator and prey south polar skua (C. maccormicki) and other pair need to be conducted at concurrent spatial types, indirectly forcing them to nest in possibly and temporal scales. In this study we tracked lower quality territories, which are farther away penguin foraging locations, diving behavior and from the coastline and in areas with lower diet while conducting simultaneous krill acoustic incident solar radiation. When examining skua and net surveys within the penguins’ foraging population trends, we discovered that the total range over 3 years. Krill abundance varied number of breeding skuas in Admiralty Bay had by several orders of magnitude during the study, increased by 293%, from 128 to 468 pairs, since yet there was little evidence of changes in 1978/1979. This dramatic increase was driven penguin foraging locations or diet. Diet samples primarily by a tenfold increase in south polar of both species contained almost exclusively skua pairs, as well as smaller increases in mixed krill. The lengths of krill were similar to those and hybrid pairs. In contrast, there has been an caught in nets, though both penguin species overall decline (by 40%) in brown skua pairs exhibited a bias towards female krill. There was during this same time, driven primarily by a little spatial variability in either krill or penguin large decrease in the breeding density of brown distributions, indicating that this location is skua pairs in areas without penguin colonies.” predictable in terms of profitable foraging (P1-114 poster) locations. Furthermore, chinstrap and gentoo penguins exhibited greater differences in P2-147 Pablo Garcia-Borboroglu and P. Dee foraging areas between the species than among Boersma; Phil Trathan; Klemens Putz; years. This finding suggests that species Barbara Wienecke; Yvon Le Maho, Gerald specific foraging strategies and/or competition Kooyman; Thomas Mattern; Robert between the species play more important roles Crawford; Underhill Les; Jessica Kemper; than krill biomass in determining behavior Peter Dann; Ursula Ellenberg; Phil Seddon; during the chick-rearing period. Surprisingly, Yolanda Van Heezik; Antje Steinfurth; F. there was little evidence of improvement in Hernan Vargas; G. Jimenez-Uzcategui; S. penguin chick-rearing success with increased Naranjo; Charles Bost; Karine Delord; krill availability.” (P2-118 poster) Heather Lynch; Lloyd Davis; M. Cerdena; Patricia Majluf; Richard Cuthbert; Wayne Ana Paula Carneiro and Michael Polito; Trivelpiece (SWFSC); Mark Hindel Martin Sander; Wayne Trivelpiece (SWFSC) Penguin status in troubled oceans Abundance and spatial distribution of “Marine and coastal ecosystems are undergoing sympatrically breeding Catharacta spp. unprecedented alterations in their processes and (skuas) in Admiralty Bay, King George structure. Penguins are sensitive species Island, Antarctica impacted by these phenomena. As top predators, “We examined the abundance and spatial they are key constituents of marine ecosystems, distribution of sympatrically breeding skuas and are indicators of the oceanic and coastal (Catharacta spp.) within Admiralty Bay, King ecosystem health. We integrated the most George Island, Antarctica during the austral updated information on distribution, abundance summer of 2004/2005 in relation to spatial and trends for all penguin species. IUCN listed

60% of the 18 penguin species as vulnerable or possibility of interactions with the ESA-listed endangered. Some threatened species are at their short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus). lowest recorded populations: Galapagos, With the mitigation measures in place, overall Yellow-eyed and Fiordland, with their seabird interactions were reduced by over 90% restricted ranges, have less than 3,000 pairs; even after the re-opening of the shallow-set Humboldt, Snares and African, have less than fishery in 2004. Gilman et al. (2008) 30,000 pairs. Even abundant species like the demonstrated that albatross capture rates were Macaroni, and Rockhopper penguins are in reduced by 67% in the deep-set fishery. Seabird steep decline. Around 80% of the threatened mitigation measures developed in Hawaii were species occur on islands, increasing their used to help develop conservation management vulnerability to threats such as introduced measures (CMMs) adopted internationally by predators. Threatened penguins are mainly the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries concentrated in New Zealand, East-Pacific Coast Commission (WCPFC) in 2007. However, the (Galapagos and Peru-Chile), and South-Africa. WCPFC CMMs contain additional measures, The status of penguin species is not improving. such as tori lines, that are not required in Hawaii Anthropogenic sources of mortality are likely to longline fisheries.” (P2-7 poster) increase and are drivers of the decline of penguins. Oceanic threats include climate Stephani Zador (AFSC) and Ed Melvin change, marine pollution, and fisheries Fast-tracking seabird data into Alaskan mismanagement. Prey availability potentially fisheries management decisions linked to climate variation is one of the most “Seabirds are numerically-abundant top commonly suggested causes of population predators in Alaskan marine ecosystems. They decline. Human activities, including interact with fisheries through competition for irresponsible tourism, coastal development, prey, foraging on fisheries discards, and physical and introduced predators, can have a major interaction with fishing gear. Because both impact on penguin populations. As ocean direct (e.g., bycatch mortality) and indirect (e.g., samplers, penguins provide insight into the demographic responses to fishery-based magnitude and location of marine conservation ecosystem impacts) effects occur, seabirds are a problems. Larger scale ecosystem-based concern for fisheries managers and ecosystem conservation planning and more focused local scientists alike. By mandate, commercial efforts are needed for the successful fisheries in the United States must be managed conservation of many penguin species.” (P2-147 using ecosystem-based fishery practices. poster) However, methods to accomplish ecosystem- based fishery management are still in Lewis Van Fossen (PIRO) development. In Alaska, ecosystem data are Seabird mitigation measures in Hawaiian currently integrated into decisions made by the longline fisheries North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the “The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service’s body responsible for setting annual fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) annually quotas. In this talk I will review how seabirds issues reports detailing seabird interactions for have been incorporated into fishery management its pelagic longline fisheries. These reports can decisions through the required protection of be accessed on the PIRO web site at: endangered species, through bycatch mitigation, http://www.fpir.noaa.gov. Seabirds, mostly and through research on the distribution, albatrosses (Phoebastria spp.), are captured abundance and demography of seabirds with incidentally to fishing operations in both the respect to fisheries activities. Mechanisms for deep-set and the shallow-set pelagic Hawaii further inclusion of seabird data in management longline fisheries. The deep-set fishery targets decisions will be discussed, as will the tunas (Thunnus spp.), while the shallow-set mechanisms that currently exist but are not fully fishery targets swordfish (Xiphias gladius). utilized for effecting management changes by Seabird mitigation measures (50 CFR 665.815) incorporating seabird data directly into the were originally implemented due to the management process.” (C6-4 presentation)

George Hunt and Stephani Zador (AFSC); Alexander Kitaysky; G. Vernon Byrd Climate variability and the responses of kittiwakes and murres breeding at the Pribilof Islands: what have we learned over 30 years? “Climate-related impacts on seabirds occur over a wide range of temporal scales, from that of individual storm events, to the timing of seasonal transitions, to large-scale impacts on marine ecosystems and their ability to support prey resources in the vicinity of a colony. It this paper, we present examples of climate-related phenomena that have affected seabirds breeding at the Pribilof Islands. There, the timing of chick loss in black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) nests with two chicks is related to the occurrence of storms, while the timing of nesting is related to winter conditions (ice cover, sea-surface temperature) and delayed transitions to summer conditions (late-melting snow banks affect the availability of cliff-face nesting sites). Climate variability can influence prey availability through changes in prey recruitment, distribution, or interactions with competitors for shared resources. Decadal-scale changes in the composition and or abundance of prey species affects the ability of parents to complete egglaying, successfully incubate eggs to hatching, and to fledge young, once hatched. Additionally, variations in the work required to raise young may affect the stress levels of adults and their ability to survive the post-breeding period and to return to breed in subsequent years. Thus, not only may direct climate impacts affect seabirds, but also indirect impacts on food supplies may affect not only breeding success, but also adult survival that, in turn, strongly impacts demography.” (V1-12 presentation)