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Wildlife Observations for
First Responders:
The Alaska Spill Response 
Wildlife ID Aid

Bridget Crokus
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alaska Region
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Full Abstract
Many oil spills in Alaska happen in remote environments or in communities without wildlife agency staff, but early wildlife observations are crucial to plan and implement a successful wildlife response. The three wildlife agencies in Alaska – Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and NOAA Fisheries routinely collaborate to address wildlife response issues in Alaska, including development of the Alaska Spill Response Wildlife ID Aid: Take a “Wildlife Minute” and Record What You See (the Aid). The laminated, spiral-bound, ”4 x 6” Aid leads wildlife novices through basic identification of six groups of birds (e.g., long-winged seabirds, football-shaped seabirds) and seven groups of marine mammals. The Aid emphasizes identification through size, shape, habitats, and behavior. It includes spaces to note numbers and observations with a permanent marker and the Aid can be reused after cleaning with hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes. Additional wildlife identification applications and the USFWS Spill Response Alaska Region Spill Response hotline are also listed, and a 20-minute training video is hosted on the USFWS website. The Aid was created to be used by professional oil spill first responders (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard, EPA, industry, and OSROs), and the Aid has proven popular with other groups, such as fishermen, tour operators, university students, and volunteers on spill response rosters. We distribute free printed copies of the Aid throughout Alaska upon request, and an electronic copy is available on the USFWS website. This project was funded by a grant from the Department of the Interior’s Inland Oil Spill Preparedness Program and developed during a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directorate Fellowship.

An introduction to NOAA's updated Oil and Sea Turtles guide


Nicolle Rutherford
NOAA

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Full Abstract
The NOAA Oil and Sea Turtles guide is a resource written to provide responders with a basic overview of sea turtle biology, information on the effects of oil on sea turtles, and an understanding of the potential response actions in the event of a release. In addition, the guide contains case histories from previous spills. At the time of its original publication in 2003, little was known about the effects of oil on sea turtles, but the authors explored what was known from a response perspective. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred, resulting in the largest sea turtle response and rehabilitation effort ever undertaken. Between the response and rehabilitation efforts and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment studies that occurred in the aftermath of the spill, there is a greatly enhanced understanding of how sea turtles and spilled oil interact. The updated Oil and Sea Turtles guide incorporates this new knowledge, providing information on operational considerations when responding in sea turtle habitats, as well as the documented effects on sea turtles as a result of their oil exposure and rehabilitation. This presentation will provide an overview of the Oil and Sea Turtles response guide.

Determining best practices for using drones around sea otters during oil spills

Colleen Young
California Department of
Fish and Wildlife
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Full Abstract
Drones are becoming increasingly popular tools among wildlife biologists to monitor wildlife populations and among spill responders to assess oiling impacts. During an oil spill, drones may be used to survey areas for presence of oil, presence of wildlife, and possibly to assess oiling status of individual animals. The ability to record photos and videos for later review and documentation of damages is an additional benefit. However, drones also have the potential to disturb wildlife, which can disrupt reproduction and rearing of young, cause stress, and provoke animals to flee. Sea otters are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance, including drones. Our study is designed to determine sea otter reactions to drones, with the primary objective of determining the lowest altitude a recreational quadcopter drone can approach sea otters without causing a disturbance. This study expands on preliminary work conducted in 2020. Initial analyses of the 2020 data suggest a possible difference in sea otter behavior during observation sessions when a drone was present compared to observation sessions without a drone, and possible differences in drone tolerance among sea otters in different geographic locations. In our current work we are increasing the sample size to improve statistical power to distinguish drone effects. A secondary component of the study is to develop and test the viability of a real-time auto-detection program that would allow reconnaissance and recovery personnel to quickly identify and evaluate sea otters during drone surveys. Together, the two components of our study will improve preparedness for a spill involving sea otters, minimize unnecessary stress to sea otters, and improve our ability to detect and evaluate sea otters during response operations.
Using NOAA’s Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) tool to support wildlife response activities


Nicolle Rutherford
NOAA
Full Abstract
A product of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that may be at risk in a given geographic area. ESIs are a standardized, compiled data resource used to evaluate potential environmental consequences from oil spills and other coastal threats. They combine information about shoreline sensitivity with biological and human-use resources, enabling planners and responders to consider all factors jointly when evaluating protection and clean-up priorities.
When an oil spill occurs, ESI maps help responders meet one of the main response objectives: reducing the environmental consequences of the spill and the cleanup efforts—particularly the effects on wildlife. Additionally, planners use ESI maps before a spill happens (such as during a drill or in preparing a contingency plan) to identify vulnerable locations, establish protection priorities, and identify cleanup strategies.
Biological resources in the ESI datasets include birds, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and habitats. Emphasis is placed on species listed as rare, threatened, endangered, and/or of special concern; commercial and recreational species; areas of high concentrations (e.g., rookeries); and/or where sensitive life-history stages or activities occur. ESIs also contain information on species seasonal occurrence, a unique aspect of ESIs.
ESIs exist for the entire U.S. coast, including the Great Lakes and the U.S. Territories, and the ESI guidelines have been used as a model in numerous countries to develop similar tools. This presentation will provide an overview of the ESI tool, and its applicability to wildlife response efforts.
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