Agency rejects glacier seabird for endangered list

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska and Russia seabird that forages in glacier melt flowing into ocean runoff has been rejected for endangered species status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The agency concluded that no additional protections are needed for the Kittlitz’s murrelet, which it acknowledged declined by 30 percent annually from 1989 to 2000.

In a 161-page finding made public Tuesday, the Fish and Wildlife Service noted recent demographic information indicates the population has stabilized and likely will undergo only a slow decline of less than 2 percent annually going forward.

The agency also rejected a link between the birds’ ability to survive and tidewater glaciers, despite acknowledging that 66 percent of the global population feed in the outflow into oceans during the breeding season.

Shaye Wolf, climate science director for the Center for Biological Diversity, which petitioned to list the seabirds, called that conclusion “bizarre.” Research has linked the loss of nutrient-rich glacier outflow to declines in the population, she said by phone from San Francisco.

“We’re going to evaluate the options for challenging this,” Wolf said.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game website describes the Kittlitz’s murrelet as a small, stocky seabird with a relatively large head and short bill and tail. It has a light-colored belly and brown, gray or reddish-gold feathers on its back, wings and head. Its large eyes may help it forage in turbid glacier water, according to the department.

Kittlitz’s murrelets feed on fish and zooplankton. The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list the birds in 2001 following a population decline it estimated at 80 to 90 percent in core areas such as Alaska’s Glacier Bay and Prince William Sound.

The listing petition also noted dramatic retreats and thinning of coastal glaciers, which reduced foraging habitat.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, however, said the species is broadly distributed and found in areas that have been without glaciers for thousands of years. It said it could not find information indicating Kittlitz’s murrelets have greater foraging success and survival in waters affected by glaciers.

The agency said that although most glaciers are in retreat where the birds live, it could not conclude that the change in habitat would negatively affect the population.

“These rangewide inconsistencies in marine habitat use make it difficult to predict response of the Kittlitz’s murrelet to the loss of glaciers without an identified, underlying mechanism explaining the association,” the Fish and Wildlife Service said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.