Marine bird surveys are conducted in the northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas to provide better understanding of the distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements of marine birds. This information provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Pacific Research Board, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management with current data and improved knowledge for current and proposed marine planning areas, particularly oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas. We conduct marine bird surveys in conjunction with multidisciplinary vessel-based projects conducting research in these geographic regions. 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.
Habitat management, Monitoring, Research