Site Name: Southeast Chukchi, marine
Status: Identified State: Alaska
Priority: Country: US
Criteria Proposed: A4ii
Criteria Confirmed: 		County:
 
Latitude: 70.0
Longitude: -167.5
 Area (ha): 3700000.0 Elevation (m):
Min 0.0  Max 0.0  Avg 0.0
 
Bird Conservation Region:
Arctic Plains and Mountains 		Endemic Bird Area:
 
Site Description:
This large offshore area is about 500 km long and 100 km wide. It stretches in a northeast direction starting at about 100-150 km west of the northeastern Chukotski Peninsula as far as Point Barrow latitude. The distance from from coast is about 100 km.
 
Ornithological Significance:
Tens of thousands of Northern Fulmars and hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of Short-tailed Shearwaters can be found in this area of the Southeast Chukchi Sea in late summer. Also many thousands of Crested Auklets and Least Auklets come as far north as Cape Lisburne. All of these birds are non-breeders, and many of the auklets are immatures (1st and 2nd year birds).

No quantitative surveys, information is based on the qualitative observations of seabird experts.

Until more specific data become available, however, this site is PENDING GLOBAL/CONTINENTAL status.

 
Criteria:
 
Species Data and Criteria :
Common Name Date Seasonal/ Daily Season # Observed Density (#/km2) Units Proposed Criteria Confirmed Criteria
Crested Auklet 1700 non-breeding  1000    Unknown     
Least Auklet 1700 non-breeding  1000    Unknown     
Northern Fulmar 1700 non-breeding  30000    Unknown     
Short-tailed Shearwater 1700 non-breeding  1000000    Unknown  A4ii - >1% global pop. seabirds/terrestrial sp. simultaneously; 5% over season
  
 
Ownership
% of IBA Ownership
  Federal 

 
Habitat
Depth range: 15-30 fathoms with average of ~25 fathoms. Off-shore midshelf waters.
% of IBA Habitat
  Water / Open Water / Marine 

 
Land Use
urban/industrial transport.
% of Total Use of IBA Land Use
  urban/industrial/transport 

 
Conservation Issues
Potential for oil development in the Chukchi Sea.

Transportation of petroleum products and associated pollution.

Disturbance associated with possible opening of the Northern Sea Route.

Decline in availability of food resources due to global climate change.

Level Threat
  Disturbance to birds 
  Extraction Industry 
  Infrastructure 

Citation: National Audubon Society 2010. Important Bird Areas in the U.S.
Available at http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba 02/2010