Summary of Bering and Chukchi Seas seabird necropsies, 2017-2021. More than 14,000 dead seabirds were reported and a total of 117 carcasses were examined. 92 cases had emaciation identified as the Cause Of Death (COD), seven cases where COD was undetermined, and 17 cases where COD was determined as "Other", which included predation, trauma, encephalitis, peritonitis, and bacterial infection. Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (n=4) and saxitoxin (n=15) were also detected; however, the virus and biotoxin were not determined to be the COD except for one case in 2020 where saxitoxin toxicosis was suspected.

The seabird necropsy dataset contains information on seabird specimens that were collected under salvage and scientific collection permits primarily by NMFS-certified fisheries observers deployed by the Pacific Islands Regional Office Observer Program to shallow and deep set pelagic longline fisheries operating in North Pacific waters and fisheries observers deployed by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Observer Program to groundfish demersal longline, pot, and trawl fisheries in waters off Alaska. The database includes Magnuson-Act protected data on the precise date and location where the specimen was collected and publicly available information on the results of the necropsy work. This includes a suite of data including age class, sex, morphometrics, plumage characteristics, body condition, tissue samples, and plastics ingestion. Food habits are completed as a parallel program.

This data package contains one table with morphometric and diet information for "non-die-off" seabirds captured and collected in southcentral and southwest Alaska. Data pertains to birds captured (live) or collected (lethally) including, bird identification numbers, sampling dates, geographic locations, body measurements, diets (from either stomach contents or regurgitated prey), and sex and age of the bird when discernible. Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) were captured from their breeding colonies in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2016-2023. Kittiwakes, murres, Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) and Horned Puffins (Fratercula corniculata) were collected in Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Unalaska.

This data package contains one table with morphometric and diet information for "non-die-off" seabirds captured and collected in southcentral and southwest Alaska. Data pertains to birds captured (live) or collected (lethally) including, bird identification numbers, sampling dates, geographic locations, body measurements, diets (from either stomach contents or regurgitated prey), and sex and age of the bird when discernible. Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) were captured from their breeding colonies in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2016-2023. Kittiwakes, murres, Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) and Horned Puffins (Fratercula corniculata) were collected in Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Unalaska.

These data are a compilation of geographically widespread observations of premature mortality in Pacific salmon across their range in Alaska in 2019. Premature mortality observations primarily spanned an area of western and southcentral Alaska that is approximately one million km2 and included all five species of Pacific salmon. Observations were obtained and compiled in a single database from four sources including reports to a citizen science reporting network (LEONetwork.org), from Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region by community members or staff, traditional media and social media, and directed emails by the lead author. Occasional observations of species other than Pacific salmon were obtained during this effort and were included in the database.

These data are a compilation of geographically widespread observations of premature mortality in Pacific salmon across their range in Alaska in 2019. Premature mortality observations primarily spanned an area of western and southcentral Alaska that is approximately one million km2 and included all five species of Pacific salmon. Observations were obtained and compiled in a single database from four sources including reports to a citizen science reporting network (LEONetwork.org), from Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region by community members or staff, traditional media and social media, and directed emails by the lead author. Occasional observations of species other than Pacific salmon were obtained during this effort and were included in the database.

Avian botulism toxicity is a common cause of death to water and shore birds that live near or migrate through Lake Michigan. The botulism neuro-toxin type E (bontE) gene is responsible for the production of botulinum neurotoxin type E. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was performed using a Step One Plus Thermocycler (Applied Biosystems) and protocol described in Getchell and others, 2011, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. The assay was used to assess microbial community DNA obtained from environmental samples that were collected by Great Lakes Science Center and by National Park Service from 2011 to 2014 for the bontE gene. Samples were obtained by ponar grab or by divers and matrices collected included sediment, Cladophora, mussels, mussel micro habitat, and invertebrates. This data set is comprised of qPCR data, reported in gene copies per gram wet weight of material for each environmental matrix assessed. Ancillary information specific to sample collection is also included in the data-set, e.g., date, year, site, substrate type, depth, SER, "other description", MIBaRL ID, core depth in centimeter, matrix, collection agency, and copies per gram wet weight as an average reported value. The terms in the "Remark Code I" column are defined as follows: the term "BDL" is used when the average reported value is below the limit of detection. The term "DNQ" is used when the value is higher than the BDL and lower than the Limit of Quantification (LoQ). The term "--" is used when the value is fully quantifiable (above the LoQ). The terms in the "Remark Code II" column are defined as follows: the symbol < indicates that the result is less than the detection limit. The letter E indicates that the value was estimated because it was higher than the upper range observed for the No Template Control (NTC) samples, but lower than the Limit of Quantification (LoQ). The letter Q indicates that the sample was fully quantifiable. Where no information was given for the sample, the term “Not Applicable”, (N/A) was used. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Trophic Pathways: Sediment samples collected at fixed and random sites during 2011-2014 were analyzed for the presence of the bontE gene (the C. botulinum gene that codes for botulinum type E toxin) using quantitative PCR (qPCR) using methods described in Getchell and others, 2011. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. Quantitative PCR has been conducted on over 700 environmental samples collected during 2011-2014, including sediments, mussels and the mussel micro habitat, which is the immediate area surrounding mussel beds, attached and sloughed Cladophora, and several types of invertebrates from the waters near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Not all samples collected are represented in this data table as some samples were used for testing purposes or rendered not tested. This effort has involved challenging sample collection and coordinated environmental and laboratory approaches and is the first such comprehensive analysis using modern gene-based approaches on multiple environmental matrices for this area of the Great Lakes. Preliminary results suggest that vegetative C. botulinum cells are widespread in sediments near SLBE and that seasonality may be a factor in C. botulinum proliferation. In addition, qPCR bontE detections are being evaluated with respect to their association with depth, relation to temperature, and relation to conditions at depth, including the nature of the bottom materials, and whether mats of dead Cladophora are present. When a unique identifier is seen more than one time, it indicates that the sample was run was run undiluted and diluted. The bontE qPCR Assay: The composited standard curve for this project has a slope of -3.546, an intercept of 42.5, an R2 value of .997, and an efficiency of 91%. The Limit of Detection (LoD)and Limit of Quantification (LoQ) were calculated as follows: LoD: Choose Dilution (gc/rxn): 250; Ct0LoD: 34; Std.

Avian botulism toxicity is a common cause of death to water and shore birds that live near or migrate through Lake Michigan. The botulism neuro-toxin type E (bontE) gene is responsible for the production of botulinum neurotoxin type E. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was performed using a Step One Plus Thermocycler (Applied Biosystems) and protocol described in Getchell and others, 2011, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. The assay was used to assess microbial community DNA obtained from environmental samples that were collected by Great Lakes Science Center and by National Park Service from 2011 to 2014 for the bontE gene. Samples were obtained by ponar grab or by divers and matrices collected included sediment, Cladophora, mussels, mussel micro habitat, and invertebrates. This data set is comprised of qPCR data, reported in gene copies per gram wet weight of material for each environmental matrix assessed. Ancillary information specific to sample collection is also included in the data-set, e.g., date, year, site, substrate type, depth, SER, "other description", MIBaRL ID, core depth in centimeter, matrix, collection agency, and copies per gram wet weight as an average reported value. The terms in the "Remark Code I" column are defined as follows: the term "BDL" is used when the average reported value is below the limit of detection. The term "DNQ" is used when the value is higher than the BDL and lower than the Limit of Quantification (LoQ). The term "--" is used when the value is fully quantifiable (above the LoQ). The terms in the "Remark Code II" column are defined as follows: the symbol < indicates that the result is less than the detection limit. The letter E indicates that the value was estimated because it was higher than the upper range observed for the No Template Control (NTC) samples, but lower than the Limit of Quantification (LoQ). The letter Q indicates that the sample was fully quantifiable. Where no information was given for the sample, the term “Not Applicable”, (N/A) was used. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Trophic Pathways: Sediment samples collected at fixed and random sites during 2011-2014 were analyzed for the presence of the bontE gene (the C. botulinum gene that codes for botulinum type E toxin) using quantitative PCR (qPCR) using methods described in Getchell and others, 2011. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. Quantitative PCR has been conducted on over 700 environmental samples collected during 2011-2014, including sediments, mussels and the mussel micro habitat, which is the immediate area surrounding mussel beds, attached and sloughed Cladophora, and several types of invertebrates from the waters near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Not all samples collected are represented in this data table as some samples were used for testing purposes or rendered not tested. This effort has involved challenging sample collection and coordinated environmental and laboratory approaches and is the first such comprehensive analysis using modern gene-based approaches on multiple environmental matrices for this area of the Great Lakes. Preliminary results suggest that vegetative C. botulinum cells are widespread in sediments near SLBE and that seasonality may be a factor in C. botulinum proliferation. In addition, qPCR bontE detections are being evaluated with respect to their association with depth, relation to temperature, and relation to conditions at depth, including the nature of the bottom materials, and whether mats of dead Cladophora are present. When a unique identifier is seen more than one time, it indicates that the sample was run was run undiluted and diluted. The bontE qPCR Assay: The composited standard curve for this project has a slope of -3.546, an intercept of 42.5, an R2 value of .997, and an efficiency of 91%. The Limit of Detection (LoD)and Limit of Quantification (LoQ) were calculated as follows: LoD: Choose Dilution (gc/rxn): 250; Ct0LoD: 34; Std.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) measured environmental contaminants in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) to evaluate dietary exposure to lead, mercury, and anticoagulant rodenticides (AR), which was identified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a priority issue of concern for the Mountain Prairie Region 6. Carcasses of bald eagles (n = 172) and golden eagles (n = 142) collected from North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, and Kansas between 2014-2017 were assessed for cause of death and liver lead, mercury, and AR levels. Trauma, electrocution, and lead poisoning were the 3 leading causes of death, affecting 51%, 21%, and 20% of eagles, respectively. Trauma was the leading cause of death for both species, while lead poisoning was the second leading cause of death for bald eagles (31%) and was only diagnosed as the cause of death in 7% of golden eagles. Elevated lead levels within the range of subclinical or clinical poisoning (>2 mg/kg wet weight) were present in 25% of eagles tested, including 36% of bald eagles and 11% of golden eagles. No association was detected between lead exposure and trauma, electrocution, or infectious disease. Mercury levels were considered high (>80 mg per kilogram dry weight) for only 2% of bald eagles and no golden eagles. Brodifacoum was the most common AR detected, present in 56% of eagles, including 70% of bald eagles and 39% of golden eagles. However, death was not directly attributed to AR toxicosis in any case.

This data set includes data from five waterfowl species (northern pintail, American wigeon, lesser scaup, green-winged teal and mallard) that were captured in Interior Alaska in 2010, then measured and sampled for blood parasite and avian influenza infections.