Pelagic seabird surveys in Atlantic Canada

The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) has been conducting pelagic seabird surveys since 2006 to quantify abundance and distribution of birds at sea in Atlantic Canada. The surveys are conducted from both ships and aircraft, and effort extends from the eastern Canadian Arctic to the Gulf of Maine and east across the North Atlantic. The data are used to help understand the threats faced by birds at sea and help define areas for marine protection. Current projects include quantifying the risks of offshore oil and gas activities, defining conflict areas between birds and fishing activity, defining bird vulnerability to increased levels of shipping through Canada’s Arctic, and supporting protected area planning throughout the region.

Contact: Carina Gjerdrum, Canadian Wildlife Service, carina.gjerdrum@canada.ca