Marine bird experts gathered at a workshop last September and voted on three bird species they believed needed priority attention and research: Western grebe (upper left) / Rick Cameron, rhinoceros auklet (center) and surf scoters / Mike Yip

In the Pacific Northwest, salmon get a lot of press. Salmon are an indicator species, and their numbers reveal much about the health of the region’s ecosystem.

But marine birds are also an indicator of this ecosystem’s health. Since 1970, the total number of marine birds in the region has dropped by an astounding 47 percent. Unfortunately, seaducks and seabirds don’t share the same kind of glory that salmon do.

“We’ve known about marine bird declines for some time,” said Dave Nysewander, a biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “But the news has often been eclipsed by the emphasis on salmon due to the more overt commercial and economic factors associated with them.”

Scientists who study marine birds are hoping to change all that.

Last September, 34 scientists and resource managers from state and federal agencies, universities and non-profit organizations around the Pacific Northwest met to identify gaps in the science, research and management of marine birds and to determine next steps.

Convergence, collaboration and commitment
What’s causing marine bird populations to decline? Participants agreed more research is needed to fully understand the influences of people, diet and fisheries on marine bird populations. The group also recognized the need to find an organization willing to spearhead a campaign to educate the public and lawmakers on the marine birds’ plight.

By the end of the daylong meeting, participants had voted on three bird species for priority research attention: Western grebes, rhinoceros auklets and surf scoters.

“Before the meeting, there was really no convergence of thought on how best to approach the marine bird issue,” said Hilary Culverwell, the Action Team’s Regional Liaison for San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties, and one of the organizers of the conference. “Now, there’s a new focus and energy to work together to reverse marine bird declines.

Culverwell expects to complete a report on research gaps by fall 2006. This information will help develop an appropriate role for the Action Team in the broader effort. To learn more, download a summary of the September meeting: www.psat.wa.gov/bird_report.

The SeaDoc Society sponsored the 2005 Puget Sound Seabird and Seaduck Research Meeting, with help from Action Team staff.

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