Seabirds use the Chukchi Sea environment in multiple ways, either temporarily during the summer or others year-round. They are important feeders of zooplankton and fishes, and in some species even benthic invertebrates. Several species also are of cultural relevance to the local communities living along the northern coast of Alaska. The transient nature of many seabirds requires a lot of effort and skill to observe them from the ship and sightings are immediately recorded using GPS-interfaced computer software. [AMBON scientist: Kathy Kuletz; research associate Dan Cushing]
