States
AlaskaEcosystem
Coastal, MarineOverview
Alaska provides critical habitat for marine birds, with Alaska's coasts and offshore waters supporting some of the largest marine bird breeding populations in the world. Each summer, around 30 million marine birds breed along Alaska's extensive coastline, which stretches for 46,000 miles, while another 30 million migrate to these productive waters, drawn by the abundance of food.
Since 2006, our program has been conducting offshore marine bird surveys in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and the Arctic Ocean. By examining the distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements of marine birds, we gain a deeper understanding of their ecological roles and the factors that influence their populations.
We conduct marine bird surveys in conjunction with multidisciplinary vessel-based projects conducting research in these geographic regions. During these surveys, we work together to collect comprehensive data on environmental conditions (i.e., sea surface temperature, primary productivity, harmful algal blooms and forage fish availability) alongside our marine bird observations. Data collected during these surveys is used to assess the spatial distribution and seasonal changes in marine bird communities and examine marine bird response to oceanographic and prey conditions.
Importance of this Work
Marine birds are highly mobile and spend most of their lives at sea, making them important indicators of marine ecosystem health. Changes in their distribution and abundance can reflect shifts in oceanographic conditions, prey availability, and overall marine productivity. Our previous surveys have documented significant declines in seabird density, particularly in the northern Bering Sea, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring. The data collected through these surveys not only informs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies about current and proposed marine planning areas, such as oil and gas exploration, but also helps us assess the potential impacts of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change and human activities on these vulnerable species. By understanding these dynamics, we can better protect and conserve the rich biodiversity of the Arctic marine environment.
Action WE ALL can take
Marine birds are experiencing steep declines throughout the world, with some populations down as much as 95%. Threats to marine birds are dynamic and compounding. With threats like changes in ocean temperatures, sea-level rise, fisheries bycatch, and predation from non-native predators, it may feel impossible that our actions could make a difference in the lives of marine birds. But even simple actions can make a big difference.
Protect Birds from Entanglements: Properly Dispose of Fishing Line. Monofilament fishing line is strong and durable, so when discarded improperly, it can entangle birds and other wildlife, leading to serious injuries or death. If you come across any discarded fishing line on the beach or in nature, please pick it up and dispose of it in a garbage can or recycling bin. Your small action can make a big difference in keeping our marine birds safe!
Protect Birds from Plastic Ingestion: Pick Up Litter and Marine Debris. Marine debris, especially food packaging, poses a significant threat to seabirds, as they can mistake it for food. You can help reduce waste by using reusable containers, cups, and utensils whenever possible. Additionally, consider organizing or participating in local clean-up events to remove litter from beaches and waterways. To learn more aboutmarine debris and how it may be affecting your area, you can contact NOAA’s national Marine Debris Program: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/who-we-are/contact-us
Help Keep Birds Wild and Healthy: Don’t Feed the Gulls. Feeding gulls and other marine birds human food can lead to health problems and disrupt their natural foraging behaviors. Leftover food can also pollute waterways and local habitats, leading to issues such as algal blooms and attracting pests. This can harm not only the birds but also the broader ecosystem. Instead of feeding them, enjoy watching these birds in their natural habitats. Supporting conservation efforts that protect their ecosystems is a great way to help them thrive without relying on human-provided food.
Give them Space. Beach/coastal walking, a seemingly harmless activity, can have negative consequences on marine birds, like gulls and terns, that are using the area for rest, foraging, or nesting. In some parts of the U.S., human disturbance poses a significant threat to coastal birds. These threats can intensify as human use (recreation, off-leash dogs) in these coastal areas increases, leading to an overall reduction in suitable, undisturbed habitats for marine birds.
If you are recreating near a coastline, shoreline, or other wetland type used by marine birds, please give them space—ideally, do not approach within 200 m (656 ft.). If you are recreating with a dog, please keep your dog leased, as the presence of dogs is directly related to birds expending more energy being alert to their presence. If you are located in Anchorage, the municipal law requires you to restrain your dog in public places unless you are in a designated off-lease dog park. Learn more about how leashing your dogs protects birds from the National Audubon Society.
Report Sick and Dead Birds. If you observe dead seabirds or encounter a sick or dead wild bird(s) and the cause is NOT immediately apparent, please call the Alaska Sick or Dead Bird Hotline at (866) 527-3358. Before calling, please note the location (GPS coordinates are best), species of bird (if known) and the date/time found. For your safety, do not handle any sick birds or bird that are found dead.
Participate in Citizen Science: Help Scientists Monitor Bird Populations. Anyone can contribute valuable data by submitting what they see to citizen science programs like eBird. Marine birds can be difficult to survey as they are often found in remote locations. However, even casual bird sightings, whether out on a boat trip or watching from shore, can be a valuable data points for scientists. By submitting your bird sightings to eBird, you can play a crucial role in helping scientists monitor marine birds.
Spread the Word: Share information about marine birds and their threats with others. Talk about how sustained public support is crucial to ensure the future of these birds.
Project Data and Metadata
Access project data and metadata on the USFWS Region 7 Migratory Bird Management ScienceBase-Catalog.
