PROJECT INFO
Millions of seabirds roam the vast Southern Ocean. They travel thousands of kilometres, often spending multiple years at sea before returning to land for the first time to breed. Seabirds are thus intimately linked to their oceanic environment and can teach scientists about ocean changes, such as pollution, fisheries management or climate change. Often referred to as “marine sentinels”, they also provide valuable insights into the less visible parts of ocean ecosystems, like fish and krill populations.
The Open Ocean Seabird Surveys were initiated in 2015 inviting citizen scientists to help establish a long-term ecological monitoring programme of seabirds in the Southern Ocean.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Participating in seabird surveys on open-ocean crossings during our polar travels provides an easy way to collect important data from these remote regions. This helps scientists close much needed spatial and temporal data gaps to study how birds use oceanic habitat, and ultimately how their behaviour and populations might change due to climate change.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
SEASON UPDATE
PROJECT IMPACT
Data from this project gives scientists an entirely new perspective on how to study seabirds on the open ocean. Gathering bird observations from many people at different times and locations and the context of their sightings, creates a comprehensive picture of seabird distribution that was not possible before.
PROJECT PARTNERS
The Open Ocean Seabird Survey partners with eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, one of the most active centres of research on birds in the world.
Learn more about Dr. Schrimpf's work here