Seabird and Marine Mammal Surveys

Due to their existence at the boundary layers of the atmosphere and the ocean, seabirds are the most conspicuous of all marine organisms which rely on surface and near-surface ocean habitats. Seabirds also are less exploited than other upper-level predators such as fish and mammals. Owning these and other characteristics, seabirds have been put forth as reliable ecological indicators of coupled physical-ecological change. In this project, we are investigating changes in the abundance, distribution, and spatial organization of seabirds in the California Current. In this study Farallon Institute biologists make counts of seabirds from fisheries research vessels.

Ocean Observations

  1. Seabird Abundance and Distribution 
  2. Marine Mammal Abundance and Distribution 

Applications

1. Fisheries and Ecosystems

(Top left: Elegant Turn, top right: Brown Pelican. bottom left: Brandt's Cormorant, bottom right: Pacific Loon. Photo Credit: Ron Le Valley) 

Data Access:

CalOOS Data Portal

ERDDAP - Farallon Institute CalCOFI and RREAS Seabird Survey 

Seabird & Mammal Surveys Completed During CalCOFI/CCE-LTER and Juvenile Rockfish Ship-Based Surveys

Additional Reports

SCCOOS Principal Investigator:

Bill Sydeman, Farallon Institute - wsydeman @faralloninstitute.org

Publications

Santora J., Schroeder I., Bograd S., Chavez F., Cimino M., Fiechter J., Hazen E., Kavanaugh M., Messie M., Miller R., Sakuma K., Sydeman W., Wells B., & Field J. (2021). PELAGIC BIODIVERSITY, ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION, AND SERVICES. Oceanography, 34(2), 16-37. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2021.212 

Leirness JB, Adams J, Ballance LT, Coyne M, Felis JJ, Joyce T, Pereksta DM, Winship AJ, Jeffrey CFG, Ainley D, Croll D, Evenson J, Jahncke J, McIver W, Miller PI, Pearson S, Strong C, Sydeman W, Waddell JE, Zamon JE, Christensen J. 2021. Modeling at-sea density of marine birds to support renewable energy planning on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf of the contiguous United States. Camarillo (CA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. OCS Study BOEM 2021-014. 385 p. https://espis.boem.gov/final%20reports/BOEM_2021-014.pdf

MacCall, A. D., Sydeman, W. J., Davison, P. C., & Thayer, J. A. (2016). Recent collapse of northern anchovy biomass off California. Fisheries Research, 175, 87-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2015.11.013

Funding

The project is supported by the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System and the California Current Ecosystem Long-Term Ecological Research project.