The ocean environment is vast in scale and subject to dynamic forces that occur on global, as well as local, levels. One of the most daunting challenges in understanding what's going on in the ocean is knowing 'what's normal,' so you can begin to understand what is changing or being caused by human actions.

In the case of seabird populations, there are many factors that affect seabird distribution, abundance and mortality. If we are to recognize changes, particularly important population trends, we need to gather long-term background, or baseline data. The Coastal Observation and Survey Team (COASST) program fulfills part of this data gap by gathering data on seabird mortality.

COASST was founded in 1998 by Drs. Julia Parrish and Todd Hass at the University of Washington. COASST was quickly up and running due to generous funding from the Packard Foundation, eager cooperation by Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and other agencies and enthusiastic reception by volunteers - folks who were eager to contribute time and effort to COASST's goals.

The core of COASST is its authoritative identification guide and rigorous training for volunteers. Each volunteer must attend training in which they acquire hands-skills for identifying dead and partially decomposed remains of seabirds (and other birds!) found along the beach. Unlike most bird identification guides that show healthy birds in bright plumage, the COASST guide uses critical measurements of beaks, wing bones and feet to identify bird species. Field identifications are verified with photography.

Trained COASST volunteers adopt a regular schedule of beach surveys and compile detailed data sheets that, when compiled and analyzed, provide reliable numbers to begin to understand trends.

As a partner, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary contributes significantly to COASST. Our researchers aided in development of training materials and protocols. We piloted the program along Sanctuary beaches and recruited aggressively to build COASST's volunteer cadre. On an ongoing basis, we manage volunteers in two of the COASST's six regions and provide quality control on data. Some of our staff even work as volunteers to complete surveys.

With its growth over the last four years, COASST now surveys over 100 beaches through the efforts of over 240 volunteers from Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Olympic Coast, Southern Washington Coast and Oregon. In 2003, COASST volunteers logged 1,104 surveys, 2,600 hours on the beach and nearly 5,000 kilometers of survey. The most common species found include common murre, northern fulmar, red phalarope, gulls and western grebes. The most unusual species include a domestic chicken, an owl and a band-tailed pigeon.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is proud to be a part of COASST and has been since it fledgling days. Combining the dedication and energy of volunteers with innovative research, COASST is filling critical gaps of knowledge and helping us better understand the big picture of a vast and changing ocean environment.

For more information about volunteering, contact:

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Mary Sue Brancato
Mary.sue.brancato@noaa.gov
360/457-6622 ext. 20


COASST
Todd Hass, Program Coordinator
thass@u.washington.edu

or visit: www.coasst.org

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Ongoing Research

Hypoxia Research

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