Ken H. Morgan

Where the wild things are: Predicting hotspots of seabird aggregations in the California Current System

Marine protected areas (MPAs) provide an important tool for conservation of marine ecosystems. To be most effective, these areas should be strategically located in a manner that supports ecosystem function. To inform marine spatial planning and support strategic establishment of MPAs within the California Current System, we identified areas predicted to support multispecies aggregations of seabirds (hotspots). We developed habitat-association models for 16 species using information from at-sea observations collected over an 11-year period (1997-2008), bathymetric data, and remotely sensed oceanographic data for an area from north of Vancouver Island, Canada, to the USA/Mexico border and seaward 600 km from the coast. This approach enabled us to predict distribution and abundance of seabirds even in areas of few or no surveys. We developed single-species predictive models using a machine-learning algorithm: bagged decision trees. Single-species predictions were then combined to identify potential hotspots of seabird aggregation, using three criteria: (1) overall abundance among species, (2) importance of specific areas (core areas) to individual species, and (3) predicted persistence of hotspots across years. Model predictions were applied to the entire California Current for four seasons (represented by February, May, July, and October) in each of 11 years. Overall, bathymetric variables were often important predictive variables, whereas oceanographic variables derived from remotely sensed data were generally less important. Predicted hotspots often aligned with currently protected areas (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries), but we also identified potential hotspots in Northern California/Southern Oregon (from Cape Mendocino to Heceta Bank), Southern California (adjacent to the Channel Islands), and adjacent to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, that are not currently included in protected areas. Prioritization and identification of multispecies hotspots will depend on which group of species is of highest management priority. Modeling hotspots at a broad spatial scale can contribute to MPA site selection, particularly if complemented by fine-scale information for focal areas.

Hotspots in cold seas: The composition, distribution, and abundance of marine birds in the North American Arctic

The distribution and thickness of sea ice in the Arctic is changing rapidly, resulting in changes to Arctic marine ecosystems. Seabirds are widely regarded as indicators of marine environmental change, and understanding their distribution patterns can serve as a tool to monitor and elucidate biological changes in the Arctic seas. We examined the at-sea distribution of seabirds in the North American Arctic in July and August, 2007–2012, and marine areas of high density were identified based on bird densities for four foraging guilds. Short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) were the most abundant species observed. Northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), and dovekies (Alle alle) were also sighted in large numbers. Few birds were sighted between Dolphin and Union Strait and King William Island. Areas of high density over multiple years were found throughout the entire western portion of the study area (Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea), Lancaster Sound, Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, and the low Arctic waters off Newfoundland. These waters are characterized by high primary productivity. This study is the first to document the marine distribution of seabirds across the entire North American Arctic within the same time period, providing a critical baseline for monitoring the distribution and abundance of Arctic seabirds in a changing Arctic seascape.

Mortality of Migratory Birds from Marine Commercial Fisheries and Offshore Oil and Gas Production in Canada

There is an imminent need for conservation and best-practice management efforts in marine ecosystems where global-scale declines in the biodiversity and biomass of large vertebrate predators are increasing and marine communities are being altered. We examine two marine-based industries that incidentally take migratory birds in Canada: (1) commercial fisheries, through bycatch, and (2) offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production. We summarize information from the scientific literature and technical reports and also present new information from recently analyzed data to assess the magnitude and scope of mortality. Fisheries bycatch was responsible for the highest levels of incidental take of migratory bird species; estimated combined take in the longline, gillnet, and bottom otter trawl fisheries within the Atlantic, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Pacific regions was 2679 to 45,586 birds per year. For the offshore oil and gas sector, mortality estimates ranged from 188 to 4494 deaths per year due to the discharge of produced waters resulting in oil sheens and collisions with platforms and vessels; however these estimates for the oil and gas sector are based on many untested assumptions. In spite of the uncertainties, we feel levels of mortality from these two industries are unlikely to affect the marine bird community in Canada, but some effects on local populations from bycatch are likely. Further research and monitoring will be required to: (1) better estimate fisheriesrelated mortality for vulnerable species and populations that may be impacted by local fisheries, (2) determine the effects of oil sheens from produced waters, and attraction to platforms and associated mortality from collisions, sheens, and flaring, so that better estimates of mortality from the offshore oil and gas sector can be obtained, and (3) determine impacts associated with accidental spills, which are not included in our current assessment. With a better understanding of the direct mortality of marine birds from industry, appropriate mitigation and management actions can be implemented. Cooperation from industry for data collection, research to fill knowledge gaps, and implementation of mitigation approaches will all be needed to conserve marine birds in Canada. RESUME. Dans les ecosystemes marins, le declin de la biodiversite et de la biomasse des grands predateurs vertebres s’accentue a l’echelle globale et les communautes marines subissent de plus en plus de perturbations. Etant donne la situation, il est important de faire des efforts de conservation et de pratiques exemplaires de gestion pour ces ecosystemes. Nous avons examine deux industries du milieu marin qui entrainent des prises accessoires d’oiseaux migrateurs au Canada : 1) la peche commerciale; et 2) l’exploration, le developpement et l’exploitation du petrole et du gaz au large des cotes. Afin d’evaluer l’ampleur et les sources de mortalite, nous avons compile l’information issue de la litterature scientifique, y compris de rapports techniques, et presentons les resultats d’analyses recentes. La peche commerciale etait responsable du plus grand nombre de prises accessoires d’oiseaux migrateurs : les prises accessoires combinees de la peche a la palangre, aux filets maillants et aux chaluts de fond a panneaux dans les regions de l’Atlantique (y compris le golfe du Saint-Laurent) et du Pacifique, s’echelonnaient de 7 579 a 38 798 oiseaux par annee. En ce qui concerne l’industrie petroliere et gaziere extracotiere, les estimations se situaient entre 188 et 4 494 oiseaux morts par annee, en raison de la decharge d’eau souillee qui forme un film d’hydrocarbures, et des collisions avec les plateformes et les navires. Cependant, ces estimations pour le secteur petrolier et gazier marin sont fondees sur de nombreuses premisses non verifiees. En depit de ces incertitudes, nous pensons que la mortalite causee par ces deux industries n’affectera vraisemblablement pas les communautes d’oiseaux marins au Canada, mais que la peche commerciale est susceptible de causer certains effets sur les populations locales. De plus amples recherches et suivis seront necessaires pour : 1) obtenir de meilleures estimations de la mortalite causee par la peche pour les especes vulnerables et les populations pouvant etre affectees a l’echelle locale; 2) determiner Coastal & Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Wildlife Research Division, Environment Canada, Population Ecology Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Department Fisheries & Oceans Avian Conservation and Ecology 8(2): 4 http://www.ace-eco.org/vol8/iss2/art4/ l’effet des films d’hydrocarbures issus des rejets d’eau souillee, de meme que l’attraction des plateformes et la mortalite qui y est associee (collisions, lumiere et brulures par torcheres), afin d’obtenir de meilleures estimations de la mortalite causee par l’industrie petroliere et gaziere extracotiere; et 3) determiner les impacts associes aux deversements accidentels, qui ne sont pas pris en compte dans notre analyse. Grâce a une comprehension accrue de la mortalite directe des oiseaux marins par l’industrie, des mesures d’attenuation et de gestion appropriees pourront etre instaurees. Afin de conserver les oiseaux marins au Canada, il sera necessaire d’obtenir la cooperation de l’industrie pour la collecte des donnees, la poursuite des recherches destinees a pallier le manque de connaissance et la mise en place de mesures d’attenuation.

EFFECTS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY ON REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS

Abstract Although significant numbers of the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) occur at military installations, little research has been initiated to determine what effects military activities have on the birds. From 1994–1996 we collected data at Ft. Benning Military Installation, Georgia, to assess the effects of selected military activities on reproductive success of the birds. Noise and vibration levels were recorded at or directly adjacent to active woodpecker clusters that received significant use by the military on a regular basis (i.e., firing of small arms and artillery). Identical data were collected at active clusters that were not normally used by military personnel and that we perceived to be relatively free of such disturbances. Surprisingly, we found no significant differences in noise or vibration levels between treatments and controls. There also were no significant differences between treatment and control sites with regard to the numbers of eggs, nestlings, adults, return rates of adults feeding young, or masses of nestlings and adults. Habitat assessments revealed no differences in basal area or midstory density; however, understory was significantly more pronounced at treatment sites.

Movements of Ancient Murrelet Family Groups to Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Abstract We collated between 22 and 26 observations of family groups of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) between 11 June and 31 July 1949–2009, off northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 110–350 km south of the nearest colony and up to 115 km offshore. These occurrences are consistent with a relatively short, southern, nearshore extension of normal clockwise movements of groups in regular at-sea rearing areas in southern Hecate Strait and northern Queen Charlotte Sound. Movements may be facilitated in some years by intensification of the relatively weak, residual currents (approximately 0.10 m/s) or by intensification of the moderately strong northwesterly winds in early summer. Two nests reported at Triangle Island off northern Vancouver Island in 1949 may have involved isolated pairs or a small remnant population, as breeding has not been reported since, or on surveys of colonies in June–July elsewhere on the northern coasts of Vancouver Island, from 1954 to 1988. These surveys, however, were too late for optimal detection of active nests of Ancient Murrelets, but no other signs of breeding were found. Surveys of potential habitat are required to confirm the lack of current breeding.

Pelagic Predators, Prey and Processes (P4): A Multi-species Approach to the Conservation of Offshore Organisms and Habitats in the California Current System

Pelagic Predators, Prey and Processes” (P4) is an inter-disciplinary initiative developed to address the conservation of marine top predators along the West Coast of North America. P4 integrates research and policy components lead by PRBO Conservation Science (formerly Point Reyes Bird Observatory), Duke University Marine Laboratory and Canadian Wildlife Service, in conjunction with numerous partners that include funding and resource management agencies, academia, and researchers. Herein, we provide an overview of the P4 conservation initiative background, objectives, and initial products. We include a brief summary of data collected on collaborative research cruises and preliminary analyses of seabird, cetacean, and marine turtle ocean habitat selection. Data reveal that continental shelfbreak and slope areas in the California Current System (CCS) support rich and diverse top predator assemblages. Moreover, results suggest that bathymetry may be useful in selecting appropriate marine habitats for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) 1 designation to protect highly mobile marine vertebrates. We also summarize the highlights from a workshop held in January 2002 to explore the “scientific basis for offshore / pelagic marine reserves” 2 and report on the resulting establishment of the “Pelagic Working Group” (PWG). The PWG concluded that persistent ocean productivity patterns and pelagic species distributions could be readily identified in the 1 Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a broad term referring to a site that has been afforded some level of protection (e.g. limiting oil and gas exploration) to preserve biological, geophysical or cultural resources (U.S. Executive Order 13158). However, the majority of MPAs allow recreational and commercial fishing. 2 Marine Reserves (MRVs) are specifically designed to protect biological resources by excluding extractive activities such as fishing, and in some cases, deleterious recreational activities. CCS. In principle, MPAs could be used to protect some of these offshore species and habitats from certain anthropogenic impacts.

The First Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Recorded in Coastal British Columbia

Abstract We report the 2nd occurrence of a warm water teleost predator, Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), in Canadian Pacific waters, and the first seen in coastal waters of British Columbia. A Swordfish was observed on 5 September 2017 approximately 20 nm (37 km) from the Brooks Peninsula, Vancouver Island, British Columbia (UTM: Zone 9, 560062 E, 5526365 N, WGS84) in above average water temperatures.

Seasonal variability in vulnerability for Cassin's auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) exposed to microplastic pollution in the Canadian Pacific region

Marine plastic pollution is an emerging global conservation challenge, potentially impacting organisms at all trophic levels. However, currently it is unclear to what extent plastic pollution is impacting marine organisms at the population, species or multispecies level. In this study, we explore seasonal exposure (i.e., vulnerability) of Cassins Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) to plastic pollution with exposure models during boreal summer and winter seasons. Based on these models, we infer exposure at the population level for this species, in the Canadian Pacific region where approximately 75% of the global population of this species breeds. The models quantify plastic exposure by determining seasonal core foraging areas and plastic concentrations found in those same areas. Core foraging areas were determined using a Generalized Additive Model based on at-sea observation data (collected year round: 1990-2010) and 50% Home Range Kernels based on aerial telemetry data (May and June 1999-2001). Plastic concentrations within these core areas were interpolated based on seawater microplastic concentrations from the summer of 2012. We found that during the boreal summer, Cassins Auklets were exposed to relatively low concentrations of plastics. During the winter, auklet distribution shifted towards the coast where plastic concentrations are considerably higher. Model derived seasonal variability in exposure was consistent with necropsy results from bird carcasses recovered during the winter of 2014, and from a multiyear study on chick provisioning during the summer. Local oceanography likely plays a role in determining seasonal shifts in both marine bird as well microplastic concentrations, and hence exposure. As well, individual sensitivity (i.e., dose-dependent effect) may vary with annual cycles. Currently, research is focusing on determining how sensitive individual birds are to microplastic concentrations, and our models will help translate sensitivity found at the individual level to potential impacts at population or species level.