PACIFIC SEABIRDS - Volume 46, Number 1 2019 - Pacific Seabird Group
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PACIFIC
SEABIRDS
A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group
Volume 46, Number 1 2019
PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP
Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment
The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) is a society of professional seabird researchers and managers dedicated to the study
and conservation of seabirds. PSG was formed in 1972 out of a need for increased communication among academic and
government seabird researchers. The principal goals of PSG are to (1) increase the quality and quantity of seabird research
through facilitating exchange of information; (2) identify and assess the importance of threats to seabird populations;
and (3) provide government agencies and others with expert advice on managing populations of seabirds. PSG is headed
by an Executive Council composed of members volunteering their time. Members include biologists, wildlife managers,
students, and conservationists from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan and 12 other countries. PSG annual meetings
and publications provide forums where members can share their findings on all research topics relating to Pacific seabirds
and discuss local and large scale conservation issues. Abstracts for meetings are published on our website. PSG publishes
the on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin; www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine
Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these
are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the Ornithological Council and the American Bird Conservancy.
Annual dues for membership are US$50 (individual); US$35 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and US$1,500 (Life
Membership, payable in five US$300 installments). Two-year memberships are also available for individuals for US$90
and for sudents for US$55. Dues are payable on our website or by check to the to the Treasurer; see the PSG website or the
Membership Information at the back of this issue.
Website
http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org
Donations
The Pacific Seabird Group is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of California. Contributions
to the Pacific Seabird Group are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. law (IRS Section 501[c][3]).
Pacific Seabirds
This on-line bulletin reports on the work and committee activities of the Pacific Seabird Group, conservation news, and
other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The bulletin is a twice-yearly on-line news bul-
letin and archive of PSG activities. This issue summarizes the proceedings of the annual PSG Conference and reports on
the work committees have completed or have in progress in the previous year. Back issues of the PSG Bulletin and Pacific
Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site.
Pacific Seabirds Editor
Jennifer Lang, editor@pacificseabirdgroup.org
Pacific Seabirds Associate Editors
Theodore Squires
Marine Ornithology
Marine Ornithology is published by the Pacific Seabird Group on behalf of a consortium of seabird groups: African, Aus-
tralasian, Dutch, Japanese, Pacific, and UK. The journal is published two times a year and publishes contributed papers,
forum articles, and book, website and software reviews, on all aspects of marine ornithology worldwide. For details on
submitting to the journal, please go to marineornithology.org.
Change of Address
Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Emma Kelsey, membership@pacificseabirdgroup.org
PACIFIC SEABIRDS
A Publication of the Pacific Seabirds Group
Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment
Volume 46 2019 Number 1
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Elizabeth Flint, by Lindsay Young................................................................................................................................. 4
Dr. David Duffy, by Mark Rauzon and Daniel Roby.......................................................................................................... 6
Student Presentation Awards..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Reports of PSG Officers for 2018
Chair’s Report...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Chair-elect’s Report............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Past Chair’s Report.............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Vice-Chair for Conservation’s Report............................................................................................................................... 13
Secretary’s Report for 2018................................................................................................................................................. 15
PSG Financial Report.......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Reports to PSG Executive Council for 2018
Northeast Asia Seabird Conservation Committee............................................................................................................ 18
Kittlitz’s Murrelet Technical Committee.......................................................................................................................... 18
Scripps’s Murrelet and Guadalupe Murrelet Technical Committee.............................................................................. 19
Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee........................................................................................................................... 21
Aleutian Tern Technical Committee.................................................................................................................................. 21
Seabird Monitoring Committee.......................................................................................................................................... 22
Tufted Puffin Technical Committee.................................................................................................................................... 23
North Pacific Albatross Working Group........................................................................................................................... 23
Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Committee........................................................................................................... 24
Elections Committee............................................................................................................................................................ 25
Communications Committee............................................................................................................................................... 27
Student Representative Report........................................................................................................................................... 31
Awards Committee Report.................................................................................................................................................. 31
Membership Report............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Corresponding Membership Committee........................................................................................................................... 32
World Seabird Union .......................................................................................................................................................... 34
North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) Report......................................................................................... 34
Ornithological Council........................................................................................................................................................ 35
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) ............................................................................ 37
PSG News.................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Meeting Photo Gallery.............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Summary of Executive Council Meeting Minutes.................................................................................................................. 41
General Information
Information on the Pacific Seabird Group............................................................................................Inside Front Cover
Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group......................................................................................................................... 42
PSG Committee Coordinators............................................................................................................................................ 44
PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards.................................................................................................................. 26
Membership Information.................................................................................................................................................... 47
PSG Executive Council for 2019....................................................................................................................Inside Back Cover
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Pacific Seabird Group occasionally honors major contributors to seabird science and conservation with Lifetime
Achievement or Special Achievement awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose outstanding
work for seabirds influenced the course of research, conservation, and/or education throughout the world.
DR. ELIZABETH FLINT
By Lindsay Young
The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG)
honored Dr. Elizabeth Flint with
a Lifetime Achievement Award in
February 2019 in Kaua’i, Hawai’i.
Beth is the Supervisory Wildlife
Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service at the Pacific Remote Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex,
and the Seabird Coordinator for the
Pacific Islands Refuges, a position
she has held for the last 28 years.
Beth received her undergraduate
degree from the University of
Montana, and a Ph.D. in Biology from
University of California - Los Angeles
in 1985 where her work focused on
Sooty Terns. Professionally, she has Beth at work surrounded by Laysan Albatrosses. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.
served as a role model and mentor for
hundreds of nascent seabird biologists when it comes to the removal of invasive Beth is a biologist and advocate for
over the years. You would be hard- species, and has led the charge on promoting science in her life. She
pressed to find a seabird biologist in multiple complex eradication projects collects 100-year old biology posters
the Pacific who has not worked with, that collectively benefit millions of originally used in college classrooms and
or benefited from Beth’s knowledge. seabirds across the U.S. Tropical Pacific is a tireless advocate for the funding and
Beth is a passionate advocate for habitat (e.g. Palmyra, and Midway Atoll). promotion of science, frequently visiting
restoration and protection, particularly Outside of working with the USFWS, school groups and serving as a long time
Judge in the Hawaii state Science Fair.
Beth has such humility that she doesn’t
seek a spotlight. Despite this humility,
she is also unafraid to challenge people
and ideas based on the best available
science. She will not stand for untruths
from friend or foe, and that is what
makes her a fantastic scientist and true
advocate for seabirds. Her knowledge
of the life history of tropical seabirds
and how to integrate management
to benefit them is unparalleled.
Beth has been responsible for
monitoring and protecting millions of
seabirds representing the 25 species
nesting at the refuges. She also
plans and implements the biological
Beth with Johnston Atoll in the background. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint. monitoring, research, recovery,
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 4
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Dr. Elizabeth Flint
restoration, and management programs
in the Pacific Remote Islands complex.
The region that Beth is responsible for
is arguably the most important area
for tropical seabirds worldwide and
Beth has dedicated her life and career
to their protection and conservation.
In recognition of her mentorship to
early career seabird biologists and her
unwavering dedication to protect and
conserve seabirds across the tropical
Pacific, Beth is well deserving of
the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beth speaking at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2016. Photo courtesy of Beth
Flint.
Michelle Hester, David Flint, Beth, and David Hyrenbach at the Hawaii March for Science. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.
Beth among a team of albatross counters on Midway Island. Photo courtesy of Beth Flint.
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 5
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DR. DAVID C. DUFFY
By Mark Rauzon and Daniel Roby
Blue-footed Booby growth and apparent
food supply across the archipelago.
Dave then accepted a 5-year position
as Chief Scientific Officer for the
Benguela Ecology Programme at
the FitzPatrick Institute of African
Ornithology in South Africa, where
he supervised a research team of 10
scientists investigating seabird/fisheries
interactions. This included research
on Swift Terns, African Penguins, and
Cape Cormorants with Roy Siegfried,
Rory Wilson, and others. During the
1983 El Niño, Dave worked with John
Cooper, Vere Shannon, and others to
look at the effects on seabirds and their
prey off South Africa, the Galapagos,
and in the South Atlantic. Later,
David in his element on Prince William Sound, Alaska. Photo courtesy of David Irons. in 1993, he published Stalking the
Southern Oscillation: Environmental
David Cameron Duffy is currently seabirds in the highly productive uncertainty, climate change and North
a Professor of Botany, and a Graduate Humboldt Current, and combined his Pacific seabirds, an outgrowth of a
Professor of Zoology, and of Ecology, interests in the tropics and in seabirds. PSG symposium. The paper examined
Evolution and Conservation Biology, Two years of field work led to a number perturbations at the scale of years,
as well as the Director of the Pacific of classic papers on Peruvian guano decades, centuries, and millennia,
Cooperative Studies Unit at the seabirds, El Niño effects on seabirds, discussed how climate change might
University of Hawaii-Manoa. Dave nest site competition among seabirds, affect Pacific seabirds, and how seabird
began his career at the tender age of fisheries/seabird interactions, and biologists might approach the problem.
nine helping at the Children’s Science impacts of tick parasitism on Peruvian During the 1997-1998 El Niño/Southern
Center of the American Museum of seabirds. Six months on one Peruvian Oscillation event, he generated a weekly
Natural History in New York. At age island taught him that environmental blog of events (http://archive.fo/3hbGX)
13 he initiated a decade-long field perturbations can affect isolated seabird that documented the apparent world-
investigation into the population biology, colonies in complex ways, a theme wide effects of the phenomenon.
foraging ecology, and conservation that has continued in his research After his stint with the FitzPatrick
of Common and Roseate terns for the throughout his professional career. Institute. Dave moved back to the
Museum’s Great Gull Island Project. After receiving the Ph.D. degree Western Hemisphere where he served
Dave attended Harvard University, from Princeton in 1980, Dave moved as a Visiting Professor in the School
where field trips to Yucatan and to the Galapagos Islands, where he of Environmental Sciences at the
Colombia as an undergraduate ignited served as the Director of the Charles Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica.
his interest in tropical biology. After Darwin Research Station. During his There he established, designed, and
earning a B.A. degree in Biology from two-year stint as Director, he took a directed the first Latin American center
Harvard in 1975, he moved to Princeton station that was on the verge of financial for wildlife research, and continued
University to pursue a Ph.D. degree in collapse and turned its fortunes around his research on seabird foraging
Population Biology. His dissertation by securing new funding support and ecology. This was followed by a two-
research at Princeton focused on the rebuilding the professional staff. While year, NSF-funded position as the
population dynamics, nesting ecology, in the Galapagos he also worked with Executive Director of the International
and foraging ecology of Peruvian Malcolm Coulter and Robert Ricklefs on Association for Ecology at Athens,
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 6
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Dr. David C. Duffy
Georgia, whose goal was to maintain milk sickness, the disease that killed Hawaii, where Dave joined the faculty
and expand programs to support Lincoln’s mother. During this time he of the University of Hawaii and became
ecologists in developing countries. also worked with David Schneider, the Director of the Pacific Cooperative
After ticks caused the abandonment Alec MacCall, and Dan Anderson Studies Unit. The Pacific Cooperative
of a colony of several hundred thousand to explore methods of formalizing Studies Unit has as its mission to
guano seabirds that Dave studied in fishery interactions with seabirds conserve the resources of the Hawaiian
Peru, he became interested in exploring in Seabird-fisheries interactions: Islands and other Pacific Islands, and
what controls tick parasitism in seabird evaluation with dimensionless in the last 20 years been awarded about
colonies. This led to the next chapter ratios (1992) and Seabird-fishery 1,000 grants and contracts totaling
in Dave’s professional life, first as interactions: a manager’s guide (1994). over $250 million, plus supports a
the Executive Director of the Seatuck Then Dave migrated north to the staff of 460 scientists and managers.
Foundation in Islip, New York, and University of Alaska, Anchorage, Despite the heavy administrative
then as the Principal Investigator for the where he was promoted from Assistant demands of this position, Dave has
Cooperative Project on Lyme Disease Professor to Full Professor in the managed to continue teaching, advising
for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Department of Biology in a scant four graduate students, and conducting
and the Seatuck Foundation. There years, while serving as the Program research on strategies for restoration
he led the effort to understand the role Manager for the Alaska Natural Heritage of Hawaii’s native ecosystems, and
of the environment in controlling the Program. But during Dave’s time in particularly the conservation biology
tick vectors of Lyme Disease in the Alaska he became perhaps best known and restoration ecology of seabirds.
northeastern U.S. (A serendipitous side for serving as the Project Leader for the He has written reviews of seabird
project demonstrated that seabirds can Apex Predation Ecosystem Experiment management and conservation science
transport Lyme spirochetes between (APEX), a long-term, multi-disciplinary, in the Islands, and an examination of the
hemispheres.) Along the way, he multi-million dollar research project invasive species committees, uniquely
found time to serve as an Adjunct in Prince William Sound designed to Hawaiian community-based creations.
Assistant Professor at the Marine understand the trophic factors that were He also served as Principal Investigator
Sciences Research Center at the State limiting the recovery of seabirds and for an NSF Biocomplexity Project on
University of New York Stony Brook, other top-trophic level predators in the avian malaria, examining whether new
investigate whether eastern deciduous aftermath of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. approaches at different scales might
forests ever recover from clearcutting, In the first 18 years of Dave’s career, he yield answers to the biggest threat to the
model the non-linear dynamics of fish managed to accomplish more than most Islands’ endangered forest birds. He has
schools, produce the first evaluations of us do during a professional lifetime. been grateful to former students Lindsay
of seabird conservation in Ecuador and But then, a little over 20 years ago, Dave Young and Aron Hebshi for helping
Peru, investigate why Double-crested migrated with his wife, Maria, and their him keep his feet wet with seabird
Cormorants get no respect, and examine two children, Alex and Domonique, to work. He has also been fortunate to
continue work in Alaska with David
Irons, Susan Oehlers, and others on
multiyear studies of the long-distance
migration of Arctic and Aleutian terns.
Dave’s research interests have varied
widely from the organism level to the
ecosystem, but his focus has always
remained on how natural systems
respond to perturbations, either natural
or anthropogenic. Most recently he
has become interested in how to shape
management and science to respond to
the problem of invasive alien species
in Hawaii by asking how much science
do you need and how can management
measure whether it is being effective?
His work has also focused on the effects
of feral and domestic cats that are
Dan Roby presenting David his award at the 46th PSG Annual Meeting in Kaua’i. major predators in the Hawaiian and
Photo: Tim Lawes.
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 7
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Harry R. Carter
Galapagos Islands, as well as vectors
of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects
humans, Hawaiian monk seals, and
even marine birds such as boobies.
Dave’s publication record is extensive
and includes more than 125 scientific
journal articles and book chapters,
most on seabird ecology. For all of the
accomplishments listed here, and many
more too numerous to list in the limited
space available, Dave is richly deserving
the PSG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. David Cameron Duffy was
presented with the PSG Lifetime
Achievement Award on 28 February
2019 at the Pacific Seabird Group’s
46th Annual Meeting in Kaua’i, in
recognition of his major contributions
David accepting the Lifetime Acheivement Award at the 46th PSG Annual Meeting in
to seabird ecology and science- Kaua’i. Photo: Tim Lawes.
based efforts to conserve seabirds.
David holding a shearwater chick. Dan Roby presenting David with the award and a “Duff” hat. Photo: Tim
Lawes.
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 8
STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARDS
Student presentation awards are given out at each year at the Annual Meeting. Oral and poster presentations are judged
separately according to guidelines that include originality, presentation style, graphics, format and research data. The award
guidelines and judging forms can be found in the PSG Handbook.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Ruth Dunn (University of Liverpool)
A Model to Estimate Seabird Field Metabolic Rates
Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Johannes Fischer (Victoria University of Wellington)
A Critically Endangered Seabird Species Fails to Respond to Eradications of Multiple Invasive Predators
Honorable Mention - Doctorate: Jennifer Howard (Wake Forest University)
Effects of Aging on the Foraging Behavior of a Long-lived Seabird in the Galápagos
Best Student Paper Award - Masters: Keenan Yakola (University of Massachusetts Amherst & Northeast Climate
Adaptation Science Center)
Long-term Trends and Potential Drivers of Chick Diet in Four Tern Species in the Gulf of Maine, USA
Honorable Mention - Masters: Andrea Estandía (Durham University)
Genome-wide Data Reveal the Deep Evolutionary History of Oceanic Seabirds (Procellariiformes)
Best Student Paper Award - Undergraduate: Tessa Nania (University of Puget Sound)
Using Age to Assess Retention Time of Ingested Plastic in Seabirds
Honorable Mention - Undergraduate: Jessica Idle (University of Hawai’i at Manoa)
Human Presence near Wedge-tailed Shearwater Burrows and its Impact on Nesting Success
People’s Choice Award: Hannah Moon (University of Hawai’i at Manoa)
How do Seabirds Perceive Light? Spectral Effects on the Temporal Sensitivity of Hawaiian Seabirds
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Best Student Paper Award - Doctorate: Caitlin Kroeger (University of California, Santa Cruz)
At-sea Energetics of Campbell and Grey-headed Albatrosses in Relation to Southern Ocean Wind Variability
Honorable Mention - Doctorate: Ui Shimabukuro (SOKENDAI [The Graduate University for Advanced Studies])
Diving and Flying Activity of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) During the Non-breeding Period
Best Student Paper Award - Masters: Sonya Pastran (Simon Fraser University)
Habitat Utilization of Marbled Murrelets in Haida Gwaii, BC: Using Long-term and Additional Data from Laskeek Bay
Honorable Mention - Masters: Jill Tengeres (Oregon State University)
Passive Monitoring to Investigate Predation Pressure at Aleutian Tern Colonies in Coastal Alaska
Best Student Paper Award - Undergraduate: Makenzie Weber (Oregon State University)
Variation in Phenology and Reproductive Success of Three Cormorant Species in Central Oregon
Honorable Mention - Undergraduate: Alyssa Nelson (Oregon State University)
Quantifying Top Down Effects of Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Disturbances on a Common Murre (Uria aalge)
Colony
People’s Choice Award: Ann Wiley (University of Akron)
Foraging Behavior and Reproductive Success of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) Across an Environmental Gradient
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 9
REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
CHAIR’S REPORT FOR 2018
Adrian Gall
Welcome to 2019 and another Secretary Jane Dolliver, Treasurer Travel awards.
year for the Pacific Seabird Group Kirsten Bixler, and Vice-Chair for In a carryover from last year, I
(PSG) to support seabird research and Conservation Mark Rauzon. My set up and managed the registration
conservation! As we look forward to responsibility as Chair is to “execute process for the annual meeting in
getting together in Kaua’i, it is also the objectives, policies and programs Cvent, PSG’s cloud-based event
worth looking back at 2018 and the developed by the Executive Council management software. Jenny Howard,
wonderful accomplishments that PSG and membership.” As an organization, Jill Tengeres, and Jane Dolliver took
members’ fees, volunteered time, and it was our goal in 2018/2019 to maintain over management of the event website
additional donations to PSG have made the wonderful momentum coming out and did an excellent job of keeping the
possible: of the meeting in La Paz to strengthen many pages up-to-date. I also assisted
• The PSG 2018 meeting in La Paz, and support the connections with Latin new Membership Coordinator Emma
Mexico had a net positive balance American members. This goal guided Kelsey in taking over management
of new members, especially those decisions that included where to have of memberships from outgoing
from Latin America, and a positive meetings in the next few years, how to coordinator Jennifer Lang.
balance to PSG’s General fund. recruit more Corresponding Members, Thank you for your membership
• The General and Student Travel and a concerted effort to raise funds dues and extra donations that support
Funds are supporting a record to support travel for non-U.S./Canada the Conservation Grants Program,
number of student, Early Career scientists. Other objectives for this the travel awards, and the meetings
Scientist, and non-US/Canada past year included catching up on that bring us together to dive deep
scientist travel awards for PSG bookkeeping and accounting tasks, into seabird biology, ecology, and
2019. enacting recommendations from the conservation. Whenever a call went out
• First time offering pre-reserved Membership Committee to enhance to support these worthy causes, PSG’s
rooms for students at PSG 2019. recruitment and retention of members, members answered it with generosity
• The Corresponding Membership and exploring ways to reduce the and compassion.
program is revived and actively environmental footprint of our annual There are still challenges ahead,
seeking participants to broaden meetings. however. In this coming year, PSG will
PSG’s perspective and participation I facilitated the monthly ExCo calls need to:
throughout the Pacific Rim. and followed up as needed with action • Maintain and expand the
• The most conservation letters ever items resulting from the calls. This relationships with donors and
written in a 2-year period (22 topics task was easily accomplished thanks members that fund its good work.
addressed! 60 letters sent!), thanks to Secretary Jane Dolliver, who did an • Recruit new volunteers to
to our Vice-Chair for Conservation excellent job of scheduling meetings, contribute to the Corresponding
Mark Rauzon and the members preparing agendas, tracking action Members committee, the Local
who raised issues and produced items, and keeping us on the right Organizing Committees, editorial
drafts of text. side of process and policies outlined work at our journal Marine
• Full slate of candidates for the PSG in the PSG Handbook. I also guided Ornithology, delegate to the OC,
election. the Request For Proposals process to and other tasks.
• Over 280 people registered, and select an event planner for PSG 2019. • Engage in formal strategic planning
more than 180 abstracts submitted This process was used to avoid any • Publish the Code of Conduct,
for PSG 2019. possible conflict of interest as one of revised PSG Handbook.
• Local Committees in place and the candidates was a spouse of an ExCo • Keep exploring ways to improve
planning already under way for member. I supported exploring digital the abstract submission and
PSG 2020 in Portland, OR and solutions to replace the printing of paper review process and building of the
PSG 2021 in San Diego, CA. programs and the Local Committee’s scientific program.
This impressive (but not exhaustive) efforts to provide only useful swag This organization is incredibly
list of accomplishments is thanks to for the conference that will reduce the fortunate to have an energized and
our powerfully motivated members of use of disposable items. As a member engaged membership with folks that
the Executive Council (ExCo), most of the Awards Committee, I reviewed, have been volunteering for over 40
especially the officers: Past Chair ranked, and helped select recipients for years (!) mentoring those who are just
Kyra Mills, Chair-Elect Dave Craig, this year’s Lifetime Achievement and now coming on board. I have been
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 10REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
involved with PSG for over 15 years and entertaining as the original group. the enthusiasm and teamwork that has
have watched with admiration and wonder Entertaining? Oh yes. There is no way made my tenure as Chair enjoyable and
as the mantle of the founding members is PSG would have survived and thrived productive.
being passed on to a new cast of characters if it weren’t a whole lot of fun with Muchas gracias, mahalo nui loa, and
every bit as dedicated, inspired, and good friends. I am grateful for all of thanks so much!
CHAIR-ELECT’S REPORT FOR 2018
David P. Craig
Chair Elect Duties for 2019 Scientific of 3 concurrent sessions with critical in setting up the event website
Program (27 February – 3 March assistance from André Raine and and in coordinating information
2019, Lihue, Kaua’i, Hawai’i): Local Committee. consistently and up-to-date between the
• Theme of the meeting - Seabirds • Reviewed program prior to Cvent event website, the PSG website,
in a Changing Pacific: Ensuring a printing with special attention listserv, and social media. Adrian Gall’s
Future, Fighting the Plastic to talk schedule, profiles of recommendation last year to phase out
• Call for Special Paper sessions, plenary speakers, and Letter from use of the PSG website for delivering
symposia, and workshops sent Scientific Program Chair. information to the membership about the
out via the list serv, Facebook, • Compiled abstract book. meeting and direct attentions towards
and Twitter 16 July 2018; second the Cvent website was successful. I
call 14 August 2018. Lessons Learned recommend priority updates on the
• June through August 2018 Cvent’s Abstract Management Cvent website with reminders through
explored improving abstract tool was great for taking in abstracts the PSG website, listserv and social
and presentation schedule and for some correspondence with media.
management with mobile apps presenters. In building this year’s Cvent Registration and the program were
from Whova and Cvent. Based on registration we forgot to include a choiceespecially challenged for a second year
costs, the decision was to retain for presentation of oral, poster, or no in row. This year it was because many
hand-management of schedule preference for abstracts with the initial travel requests from U.S. government
and abstracts using google docs call for abstracts which required a lot ofemployees were denied or held in limbo
to process and digital pdfs. following up correspondence. by their agencies in connection with the
• Worked with Chair and Mysteriously, 24 of those who longest federal furlough in history. The
Communications Committee to submitted abstracts that were accepted timing of the furlough was especially
maintain the conference website missed the notification of that acceptance.
challenging with some U.S. government
hosted by Cvent and linked to Luckily through informal social networks employees only able to confirm their
registration. many people learned others were attendance on 15 February. There was
• Call for abstracts open 10 accepted and they contacted me or others time consuming and negative synergy
September – 15 December 2018 in ExCo. I re-sent acceptance messages because of the restricted use of email
• Abstracts accepted 14 December to all authors and invited them to review by U.S. government employees and
2018, with a couple more trickling their accepted abstract and my formatted my need to contact them about their
in after the deadline for a total of versions of that abstract in a GoogleDoc. intent to present an oral or poster
209 abstracts submitted, before At least 18 of the 24 who missed the presentation. Including a registration
withdrawals. initial acceptance subsequently found field for a secondary personal email is
• Invited plenary speakers on 1 my original ‘accepted abstract’ message recommended.
June 2018; 5 plenary speakers in spam filtered folders.
confirmed. Details were managed in a Scientific Program
• Participated in Lifetime and GoogleSheet based on a 2018 template 145 oral presentations and 54 posters.
Special Achievement Award to schedule the sessions, which allowed Six Plenary speakers:
decisions in late October. for a collaborative approach with version 1. Sabra Kauka (Hawaiian Studies
• Participated in Travel Awards records. Kumu at Island School)
decisions in mid-December. Cvent registration and event 2. Dr. Mark Rauzon (Laney College)
• Organized Session Chairs. website worked seamlessly. The 3. Dr. David Duffy (University of
• Organized the Scientific Program Communications Committee was Hawaii)
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 11REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
4. Dr. Helen James (Smithsonian Natural History) and Peggy (American Bird Conservancy) 9
Institution) Ostrom (Michigan State talks, 2 poster
5. Dr. Tony Gaston (Environment University) 10 talks, 2 poster 5. Plastic ingestion in seabirds and
and Climate Change Canada) 3. Seabirds and Indigenous its chemical effects Convener:
6. Dr. Beth Flint (U.S. Fish and Cultures, Conveners: Jaime Yutaka Watanuki 8 talks, 2 poster
Wildlife Service) Ojeda (University of Victoria) Workshops
Special Paper Sessions and Cristián Suazo (Justus Liebig 1. Predator Control Workshop:
1. Restoration of Procellariform University-Giessen & ATF-Chile, Predator Control for Seabird
Seabirds, Conveners: Lindsay BirdLife International) 6 talks, 1 Protection offered by Kyle Pias
Young and Eric VanderWerf poster and Alex Dutcher
(Pacific Rim Conservation) 8 4. Human Dimensions of Seabird 2. Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter
talks, 2 posters Conservation: Challenges and SM4 Workshop, offered by Ali
2. Specimen-based Historical Solutions Conveners: Verónica Donargo (Wildlife Acoustics)
Research, Conveners: Helen López, (Oikonos Ecosystem 3. Hot Topics Round Table, offered
James (National Museum of Knowledge); Hannah Nevins, and moderated by Adrian Gall
PAST-CHAIR’S REPORT FOR 2018
Kyra Mills
Summary of Past Chair Tasks for at the September 2018 EXCO meeting, Chair-Elect, David Craig and the local
2017-2018: with all approved. committee chairs (Jessi Behnke and
Based on the PSG Handbook of As Travel Awards Chair: In 2019 we André Raine).
primary responsibilities for the Past received 48 student and ECS travel award Begin the selection and confirmation
Chair, I report the following: applications. Because of limited funds, of future meeting sites: The EXCO
Assist the Chair with PSG we were only able to offer awards to 24 has received and already approved the
operations: Adrian Gall, PSG Chair, people for a total amount of $10,750. We selection of the locations for the 2020
has been a pleasure to work with and offered 6 Early Career Scientist grants, 2 meeting (Portland) and the 2021 meeting
is an extremely competent person that awards to non-U.S./Canadian scientists, (San Diego).
I admire very much. I have tried to and 15 grants to students (as compared Recommendations for the future:
assist where needed, although Adrian to 36 in 2018, when we received a large (1) include a question with registration
took on the lion’s share (and more), as Packard grant). that specifically asks if individual
I was going through some challenging Organize student paper judging: students want to be considered for
personal issues. I participated in EXCO In the weeks leading up to the 2019 student presentation award (wasn’t
meetings, provided input on monthly meeting I will be coordinating the done this year and would save an extra
decisions and on letters drafted by the judging of student papers and posters. step); (2) consider setting aside funds
Conservation Chair, and held follow- For the first time ever, we will be trying for supporting invited speakers or to
up teleconferences on various issues as an online system of recording scores, have a targeted plea to solicit funding
needed. which will hopefully make this process for supporting these invited speakers
As Awards Committee Chair: This much more efficient for the selection (perhaps by the local committee?); (3)
year it was decided to award the of the winners. In addition, this year consider waived registration fees in
Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) we are implementing, for the first time, the total amount of the award to avoid
to two recipients: Dr. David Duffy and a People’s Choice Award (winner and confusion and to lessen the financial
Dr. Beth Flint. They will be honored at runner- up) in the categories of best oral burden on PSG; (4) in general, the
the upcoming PSG Annual Meeting in and best poster presentation (open to student, ECS, and non-U.S./Canada
Kaua’i. Assisting in the selection of the all presenters, not just students). Voting travel awards needs more guidelines
LAA were the Chair-Elect (David Craig) is open to all meeting attendees, and (which group should have priority over
and Chair (Adrian Gall). I solicited certificates will be presented at the party. the limited funds, what is the selection
nominations during the 2018 PSG Assist Chair Elect and Local rubric, what to do about registration fees
annual meeting and via postings on the Committee Chair in preparation for the for award winners, how to resolve the
PSG listserv. The committee submitted annual meeting: Whenever possible issue of invited speakers).
their selections to the EXCO for a vote I have tried to be of assistance to the
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 12REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
VICE-CHAIR FOR CONSERVATION’S REPORT FOR 2018
Mark Rauzon
In 2018-19, I sent 22 key letters, 3. 30 December 2018; To: Species nesting island for the nesting
with an additional 26 iterations sent Conservation Policy Branch, Heermann’s Gulls.
to a variety of affiliated constituents Ministry of Natural Resources 7. 5 November 2018; Washington
associated with the key letter. Key and Forestry Policy Division, Department of Natural Resources
concerns for future actions are wind Government of Ontario, Canada; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
energy, feral cat colonies, and the Re: A proposed no-limit hunting Service; Re: The Pacific Seabird
perpetual Marbled Murrelet issues of the Double-crested Cormorant Group is writing to comment on
involving fisheries, logging, and wind (Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Revised Draft Environmental
energy siting. Working with American Ontario, Canada. The Pacific Impact Statement and Habitat
Bird Conservancy’s wind energy team is Seabird Group strongly protests Conservation Plan Amendment
critical to aiding PSG, by letting a louder the wholesale slaughter of for the Marbled Murrelet Long-
voice set the policy that we echo. Double-crested Cormorants Term Conservation Strategy.
In August 2018, I represented proposed by the Government 8. 21 August 2018; To: Masaharu
the Pacific Seabird Group at the of Ontario. EBR Registration Nakagawa, Minister of the
International Ornithological Congress, number 013-4124 Environment, Government of
in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 4. 10 December 2018; To: Division Japan; Re: PSG expresses concern
Together with Simba Chan (BirdLife of Policy, Performance, and for the placement of the Goto-shi
Asia), we convened a symposium Management Programs, U.S. offshore wind power generation
session on Conservation-Reliant Seabird Fish and Wildlife Service project, east of Fukue Island,
Species, including Chinese-crested (USFWS); Re: Comment on Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
Terns (Thalasseus bernsteini) and other USFWS Proposed Black-capped 9. 30 July 2018; To: Phil Anderson,
seabirds, with presenters from China, Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) Chair of the F.7 Future Council;
New Zealand, and USA. Listing. The Pacific Seabird Re: The Pacific Seabird Group
Group strongly urges the U.S. gratefully acknowledges your
Below are our letters submitted in Fish and Wildlife Service to great efforts in mitigating seabird
2018/2019 starting with the most recent: list the Black-capped Petrel as bycatch in the fisheries industry.
1. 14 February 2019; To: Secretary “Endangered” under the U.S. We now request the Council add
David Bernhardt, U.S. Endangered Species Act. FWS- the agenda item: “ESA mitigation
Department of the Interior; Re: R4-ES-2018-0043 measures for seabirds” to the
Substantial deficiencies in the 5. 29 November 2018; To: November 2018 Council meeting.
Draft Environmental Impact Karen Witherspoon, Senior 10. 25 July 2018; To: The Honorable
Statement on the Coastal Plain Project Planner, Lewis County Grant Robertson, Minister of
Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Community Development Culture and Heritage, New
Arctic Wildlife Refuge. PSG Department; Re: Skookumchuck Zealand; Re: National Museum of
Vice-chair for Conservation and Wind Energy Project Draft New Zeland staff reduction: The
EXCO officers signed a letter co- Environmental Impact Statement Pacific Seabird Group calls on
authored by Stan Senner, former (DEIS). The Pacific Seabird Minister Robertson to not support
Vice-Chair for Conservation for Group provided comments on the proposed restructuring of the
PSG. the DEIS for the Skookumchuck Te Papa Museum.
2. 28 January 2019; To: Jean Wind Energy Project. 11. 25 July 2018; To: The Honorable
Thurston, Coordinator, Bureau 6. 12 November 2018; To: Seaside Josh Frydenberg, Minister for
of Ocean Energy Management City Council, California; Re: the Environment and Energy;
Renewable Energy Task Force Habitat creation for Heermann’s Honorable Lily D’Ambrosio,
Office of Strategic Resources; Gulls (Larus heermanni). The Minister for Energy, Environment
Re: Commercial Leasing for Pacific Seabird Group supports and Climate Change; Gabrielle
Wind Power Development on the Coastal Administrative Permit Upton; Annastacia Palaszczuk,
Outer Continental Shelf Offshore CAP-18-01, the proposal to Premier of Queensland; Re:
California - Call for Information replace the eroded island in Balloon Ban: PSG strongly
and Nominations. Roberts Lake with a floating supports the call for an Australia-
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 13REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
wide ban on the release of Act. The Pacific Seabird Group Seabird Protection Project for
balloons and the use of helium expresses our great concern the eradication of invasive mice
to inflate balloons. We call on all regarding the misrepresentation of at Midway Atoll as of February
States and Territories to change scientific information in the letter 2019. Our Finding of No
their littering act to specify sent by Oregon’s Coastal Caucus, Significant Impact (FONSI) and
releasing helium balloons. to the ODFW Commission prior several documents were completed
12. 1 July 2018; To: Jason Miner, to the June 2018 meeting and the for this project including the Final
Natural Resource Advisor to Commission’s recent decision Environmental Assessment and
Governor Brown, Members of to reverse the uplisting of the its six Appendices. Appendix
the Coastal Caucus, Oregon Marbled Murrelet under the F documents the 107 Public
Department of Fish and Wildlife Oregon Endangered Species Act. Comments we received and
(ODFW) Commission, ODFW 15. 5 June 2018; To: Chair Finley our responses. All compliance
staff, and Governor’s Office; Re: and Commissioners: Oregon documents can be found at the
Misrepresentation of scientific Department of Fish and Wildlife Midway Atoll website: https://
information in the letter sent by Commission; Re: Comments on www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_
Oregon’s Coastal Caucus. PSG Marbled Murrelet Draft Survival Atoll.
expresses great concern regarding Guidelines. PSG provided 19. 8 March 2018; To: David Y.
the misrepresentation of scientific comments on the draft survival Ige, Governor, State of Hawai‛i;
information in the letter sent by guidelines for the Marbled Re: Comments of Hawai‛i
Oregon’s Coastal Caucus to the Murrelet which is currently listed Administrative Rules. PSG
ODFW Commission prior to as endangered under the state and provided comments for the
the June 2018 meeting and the federal Endangered Species Act. following: Chapter 13-232-57.1
Commission’s recent decision 16. 31 May 2018; To: Mark Ostwald, Feeding of colony strays or feral
to reverse the uplisting of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; animals prohibited; Chapter 13-
Marbled Murrelet under the Re: Scoping comments for EIS/ 232-57.2 Animal abandonment
Oregon Endangered Species Skookumchuck Wind Energy and creating or contributing to
Act. The information in the Project, WA. PSG provided colonies prohibited.
Caucus letter does not accurately scoping comments on the 20. 22 March 2018; To: Wildlife
represent the science it quotes; Environmental Impact Statement Protection and Nature Reserves
much like other testimonies at the for potential Skookumchuck Division, State Forestry and Steppe
June hearing opposed to uplisting Wind Energy Project proposed Administration, Beijing, China;
the species. The Oregon Coastal for Lewis and Thurston Counties, Re: In February 2018, photographs
Caucus letter cherry-picks select Washington. of dead seabirds for sale as food
scientific data that does not reflect 17. 31 May 2018; To: Karen A. were posted on social media in
the science. Witherspoon, Lewis County China. It appeared that murrelets
13. 29 June 2018; To: Cliff Johnson, Community Development; Re: and loons were caught in nets and
Senior Planner, County of Scoping comments for EIS/ the key concern was that Japanese
Humboldt Planning and Building Skookumchuck Wind Energy Murrelets (Synthliboramphus
Department, California; Re: Project, WA. PSG provided wurmizusume) were among the
Scoping comments for the scoping comments on the birds for sale at Lianyungang,
Environmental Impact Statment Environmental Impact Statement Jiangsu, China.
(EIS) /Humboldt Wind Energy for potential Skookumchuck 21. 18 March 2018; To: Senator Lisa
Project, California. The Pacific Wind Energy Project proposed Murkowski, Alaska; Re: PSG
Seabird Group is providing for Lewis and Thurston Counties, urged support for the Albatross
scoping comments on the Washington. and Petrel Conservation Act. This
Environmental Impact Report for 18. 15 April 2018; To: U.S. Fish critically-needed legislation will
potential Humboldt Wind Energy and Wildlife Service; Re: greatly contribute to conservation
Project. We are concerned that Endorsement for Environmental of these magnificent, yet highly
this project could significantly Assessment of Midway Seabird imperiled seabirds that we
impact the Marbled Murrelet. Protection Plan PSG strongly highlight as our logo.
14. 21 June 2018; To: The members endorses the proposed plan to 22. 20 March 2018; To: State of
of the Coastal Caucus and ODFW eradicate House Mice from Hawai’i; Re: Testimony SCR 36.
Commissioners; Re: Protest Midway Atoll National Wildlife PSG requested rejection of this
decision to reverse the uplisting Refuge. Update: The USFWS proposal as Trap/Neuter/Release as
of the Marbled Murrelet under completed the planning and not an effective long-term strategy
the Oregon Endangered Species consultation phase of the Midway to eliminate cat colonies.
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 14REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR 2018
Jane Dolliver
Motions passed by the 2017-2018 PSG Call 2 1. Approve support of WSTC#5
Executive Council 1. Spend up to $2200 on a ECS award proposal, $200
conference scheduling app for 2. Purchase PSG Life Member
March 2018 PSG 2019 buttons, up to $500
1. Conduct a compilation report, 2. Approve revised draft FY2019 3. Create the “People’s Choice
review or audit in FY2018 budget Award” at PSG 2019
2. Approve FY2018 budget 3. Commit all EXCO to fundraise 4. Create 500 PSG stickers for
3. Approve conference organizer from at least 6 organizations for distribution at PSG 2019
RFP process PSG 2019 Call 2
Call 3 1. Approve membership-elected
April 2018 1. Decline the use of an app at PSG candidates to the PSG 2019-2020
1. Approve PSG 2019 annual 2019 EXCO
meeting budget 2. Increase PSG membership rates
2. Approve PSG 2021 location – Secretary Milestones in 2018-2019
San Diego, California September 2018 In addition to serving on the
3. Establish the Former Chairs’ No motions Executive Council, the Secretary also
Fund on the PSG website serves on the Elections Committee
October 2018 (per the PSG Handbook). The current
May 2018 1. Approve two, Lifetime Secretary has elected to serve on
1. Approve committee-nominated Achievement Awards to be the Communications Committee,
PSG 2019 conference organizer presented at PSG 2019 Conservation Committee, and the
2. Extend conference organizer 2. Approve a partial deposit for two Ad-hoc Policies and Procedures
position to runner-up if shared student rooms at PSG Committee. In 2018, the Secretary also
nominated candidate declines 2019 elected to assist the Corresponding
3. Approve PSG 2020 conference Members Committee, the 2019-2021
June 2018 organizer Local Committees, and the Membership
1. Approve PSG 2019 venue and 4. Approve two-year membership Committee. Those roles include:
$1000 deposit rates and advertising on the PSG
2. Approve PSG 2020 location – website Executive Council
Portland, Oregon • Polling EXCO for availability,
November 2018 scheduling 16 calls and calendar
July 2018 1. Approve PSG 2020 venue invites, 48 reminder emails
1. Refund the PSG checking 2. Approve the rest of the deposit • 16 call invites separately to all
account with the amount spent for two shared student rooms at PSG Committee heads, Local
on publications in FY16 and PSG 2019 Committees 2019, 2020, 2021
FY17, with approval from the 3. Approve PSG 2021 venue • 80 pages of transcript-like notes
endowment trustees. 4. Approve the purchase of hats for • Updates on PSG workplan and
PSG 2019 annual timeline, reminder emails
August 2018 • Detailed review of annual
Call 1 December 2018 operating budget and ongoing
1. Conduct quarterly internal 1. Approve PSG 2021 conference resource to Treasurer
statements on PSG finances, organizer • Proposal and report assistance
$1500 for EXCO and external funding
2. Approve draft FY2019 budget January 2019 requests
3. Approve PSG 2019 registration No motions • Keep running list of volunteer
rates opportunities, connect
4. Approve letter of February 2019 prospective volunteers with
recommendation for Laura Bliss Call 1 Committees
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 15REPORTS OF PSG OFFICERS
and results report The next PSG Secretary should:
Communications • Forward post-2018, 2017, 2016 1. Help the EXCO set two financial
• Website updates, annual meeting reports, budgets for 2016-2018 goals, at a minimum:
section and website posts (about • Near daily email communication a) fundraising plan for PSG
60/year) re: meeting details 2020 with fundraising
• Significant contributions to • Kick-off meeting, volunteer goals (annual meeting is
Facebook. This platform is now duties sheet, PSG 2019 program historically the best way
at about 2,600 likes + follows • Coordinating between LOCO and for external organizations
and a weekly post reach of social media team, PSG website, – government and state
10,000. “The Seabird Group” Cvent web team (100+ posts) agencies, consulting firms
(UK) has 1.5K, PSG’s page has • Fundraising assistance ($1500) - to donate to PSG
grown an order of magnitude • Registration updates for EXCO b) membership plan with
(started at about 500 in 2015). calls membership goals (the
• Pacific Seabirds copy editing and • Reminders to leads and co-leads bulk of PSG operating
photo database from PSG 2018 re: student events, judging, funds)
registration deadlines, etc.
Conservation • Student judging e-forms and 2. Continue to assist and be the
• Forwarding letter suggestions via judging organization google liaison to EXCO on the Elections
email, social media (2+) sheet Committee
• Providing feedback on all drafts • Student mentor session and ride 3. Assist the Treasurer in record-
and resolving comments (16 sharing e-forms – forwarded keeping and PSG EXCO file
letters) from 2018 storage
4. Assume management of EXCO
Elections Membership deadlines and deadline reminders
• Communicating with, and • Transition meeting and vital 5. Continue to provide EXCO notes
securing candidates for workplan goals and check-ins from calls within 24-48 hours
positions outside Chair-Elect (9 • Membership pin design and logo
candidates) Closing thoughts
• Sending adjusted ballots to 12 Corresponding Members Committee Like many volunteer-run
people, 7 reminders to over 200 • Assistance finding replacement organizations, PSG continues to
people co-coordinators struggle with a structure where 3-6
• Providing 3 updates to EXCO, • Kick-off meeting and list of non- extremely proficient (albeit over-
creating final report for candidate represented countries, Central worked) people complete the vast
approval America leads Ad-hoc policies majority of the Society’s annual work.
and procedures Committee The Officers need to address this within
Annual Meetings • Compilation of edits to be a larger planning workshop or advisory
• Post-2018 meeting survey set up included in the PSG Handbook board setting. This may include hiring
and results report • Conflict of Interest forms from a professional who specializes in
• Conference organizer RFP all EXCO, signed each year organizational structure and strategic
process document and planning.
organization Projects and needs, 2019-2020
• PSG 2020 and PSG 2021 Local Jane will:
Chair solicitation and proposal 1. Complete the PSG Handbook
assistance version 2019 (leftover from
• PSG 2020 venue and budget 2017)
assistance 2. Mentor the next Secretary Feb
• PSG 2021 venue assistance 2019 – Feb 2020; create a draft
PSG EXCO calendar
PSG 2019 Local Committee
• Pre-2019 meeting survey set up
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 46, Number 1 • 2019 • Page 16You can also read
