Details:

Journal Title:
Marine Progress Ecology Series
Personal Author:
Powers, K.D. ; Wiley, D.N. ; Allyn, A.J. ; Welch, L.J. ; Ronconi, R.A.
Powers, K.D. ; Wiley, D.N. ; Allyn, A.J. ; Welch, L.J. ; Ronconi, R.A. Less -
NOAA Program & Office:
NOS (National Ocean Service) ; ONMS (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries)
NOS (National Ocean Service) ; ONMS (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) Less -
Description:
In the western North Atlantic, great shearwaters Puffinus gravis are among the most abundant seabirds during summer months, yet little is known about their movement ecology and habitat requirements in this ecosystem. We deployed platform terminal transmitters on shearwaters captured in the Gulf of Maine and used a Bayesian switching state-space model to describe bird movements, behavior, foraging areas, migration timing, and how such habitat use and movements might be related to age. From July to November, great shearwaters traveled an average of 515 km per week and spent most of their time foraging around the rim of the gulf, primarily using shallower waters (<100 m), where bathymetry was more steeply sloped. A generalized additive model fit to these foraging locations data revealed correlations between foraging habitat use and depth, chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature, but not slope. Interestingly, these relationships were not consistent across birds from different tagging sites, suggesting a flexible foraging strategy based on local habitat conditions and high mobility. Movements associated with the shearwaters’ southern migration began in August and continued through much of September, with birds leaving the study area via a pathway south of Nova Scotia, Canada. Nape plumage analysis showed most of the captured birds in the Gulf of Maine were young birds; 89% were <3 yr old. These results suggest that modeling shearwater location information using state-space models can be useful in identifying discrete, high-use habitat patches as part of efforts to reduce fishery bycatch.
Content Notes:
We thank...the crew of NOAA R/V Auk for assistance collecting great shearwater data. Funding for the work done in Massachusetts was provided by the Volgenau Foundation, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Mudge Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust.
Keywords:
[+]
Habitat (Ecology) Shearwater Age Composition Foraging Areas Great Shearwater Habitat Use Movements State-space Models
Source:
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 574:211-226
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12168
Format:
PDF
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
Maine, Gulf of
Rights Information:
Other
Rights Statement:
The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the;author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US;Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA or the Department of Commerce. This publication does not constitute an endorsement;of any commercial product or intend to be an opinion beyond;scientific or other results obtained by these agencies.;
Compliance:
Submitted
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:c04d7afeceba4d28cf25122c50777a427d2d17bd0347e1ecd20eb5d6ed764d6e
Download URL:
https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/52304/noaa_52304_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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