History of Marine Mammals Observed During Oil Spills 1989: Exxon Valdez (US)

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Abner Edwards
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2 History of Marine Mammals Observed During Oil Spills 1989: Exxon Valdez (US) Otters: 360 live, 1000 dead Pinnipeds: seals, sea lions Cetaceans: orca, porpoise 1993: Braer (Shetland UK) Seals: some direct obs 1997: San Jorge (Uruguay) Fur seal pups: 5,000 dead 2001: Jessica (Galapagos) Sea lions: 70 live 2010: Deepwater Horizon (US) Cetaceans: 13 live, 178 dead 2014: Texas City Y (US) Cetaceans: 48 dead Page 2

thermoregulatory impairment - hypothermia Irritant Potential

3 Toxic Effects of Oil on Marine Mammals External Exposure Physical impairment Potential impacts: mobility impairment, thermoregulatory impairment - hypothermia Irritant Potential impacts: mucosal, oral, and ocular irritation; predisposal to bacterial infections Page 3

adjoining tissue, susceptible to infection Ingestion Ingestion of oiled water, sediment, or prey Potential

4 Toxic Effects of Oil on Marine Mammals Internal Exposure Inhalation Cetaceans breathing at surface/air interface, high % exchange of deep air volume Potential impacts: Direct damage to lung, air escapes to adjoining tissue, susceptible to infection Ingestion Ingestion of oiled water, sediment, or prey Potential impacts: gastrointestinal ulcers/bleeding, aspiration (to lungs), organ damage, blood damage (anemia), reproductive damage Page 4

5 Toxic Effects of Oil on Marine Mammals Schwacke et al. (2013): Health of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Health assessment capture/release studies in bottlenose dolphins sampled 48% given guarded or worse prognosis, 17% considered not likely to survive Evidence of high rates of adrenocorticism and lung disease, including aveolar intersitial syndrome, pulmonary consolidation and lung masses Ø Increased importance of planning for marine mammal response Ø Response is not a science experiment (Damage Assessment), but it is important to learn what we can as experimental approaches are not often feasible; Guidelines focus on collection of information for dual purposes U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 5

Wildlife Response Primary Response Carcass recovery Disturbance

Tertiary Response Recovery & rehabilitation Response in the

other Response activities, Best Management Practices not included U.S.

6 Wildlife Response Primary Response Carcass recovery Disturbance minimization Secondary Response Deterrence Pre-emptive capture Tertiary Response Recovery & rehabilitation Response in the Guidelines are activities directed at marine mammals; impacts from other Response activities, Best Management Practices not included U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 6

NMFS Marine Mammal Oil Spill Guidelines Based on emerging awareness in 2000 s Document Draft in 05, Final in 07 Regional Trainings Stranding Networks: 05 Safe Seas drill: 06

7 NMFS Marine Mammal Oil Spill Guidelines Based on emerging awareness in 2000 s Document Draft in 05, Final in 07 Regional Trainings Stranding Networks: 05 Safe Seas drill: 06 NE SONS drill: Apr 10 National Meetings 2005, 2010 Used in Deepwater Horizon U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 7

8 Post-DWH Recommendations Guidelines provided a good starting point but needed: More refined wildlife protocols Reality-based CoC & sampling Better integration of field procedures Inclusion of all marine mammals (more cetacean) Clear personnel policies Better comms between and among Regional Networks Cross-training and building of depth Inclusion into drills and non-regional responses Increase supply caches & facility readiness Resources need to be available when needed U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 8

9 Revised Pinniped & Cetacean Guidelines Overview Purpose & Use Effects Legal/Structural Framework Readiness Network Structure Org Categories General Personnel General Training General Equipment Safety Response Reporting & Activation Initial Notification ICS Overview WB Overview MM Group Overview Data Management Group Activities Intro & Goals Personnel Safety Documentation Procedures U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 9

Assessment of Marine Mammal Risk Determining whether mm operations are needed Based on likelihood of mammals in area at time of spill, not waiting until first reports

10 Assessment of Marine Mammal Risk Determining whether mm operations are needed Based on likelihood of mammals in area at time of spill, not waiting until first reports of oiled mammals Experts in species natural history should be involved U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 10

11 US Pre-Existing Marine Mammal Stranding Network Primary Care Secondary Care Processing Recovery Personnel U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 11

12 Sample Oiled Wildlife ICS Structure UNIFIED COMMAND Operations! Section Planning Section! Wildlife Branch Reconnaissance! Group Hazing! Group Wildlife Care &! Processing! Group Wildlife Field! Stabilization! Group Recovery! Group! Processing! Strike Team Care! Strike Team Intake Pre-Wash Care Cleaning Conditioning Support U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 12

Marine Mammal Reconnaissance Real-time data dedicated surveys, supplemental surveys, or responding to reports Oiling Assessment: can be difficult, need experts Dark pelts w/natural sheen Low-level

13 Marine Mammal Reconnaissance Real-time data dedicated surveys, supplemental surveys, or responding to reports Oiling Assessment: can be difficult, need experts Dark pelts w/natural sheen Low-level exposure Long period since oiling Tar patches can be normal Must understand normal behavior Need to capture only impacted animals U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 13

g., Hawaiian monk seals) May consider translocation Many challenges but worthy of discussion U.

14 Marine Mammal Deterrence/Hazing Deter mammals from entering areas Some deterrence accomplished thru primary response (presence of many vessels, aircraft) May consider pre-emptive capture (e.g., Hawaiian monk seals) May consider translocation Many challenges but worthy of discussion U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 14

15 Marine Mammal Recovery & Transport Capture animals that would otherwise die Stabilize animals quickly for maximal survival Remove dead oiled wildlife to reduce secondary exposure Strike teams on water/on land, live/dead, cetacean/pinniped U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 15

16 Marine Mammal Processing Live Animal: Collect samples, e.g. external oil sample Dead Animal: Necropsy dead mammals recovered from spill area to determine internal exposure (note: large animals such as whales may need to have field necropsy) U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 16

17 Marine Mammal Care Includes many steps: Deoiling, intake, supportive care, long-term care May be performed at multiple facilities (primary, secondary) Many personnel Goal is release U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 17

Conclusions Review/update National Guidelines Final review stages, expected publication and available on web in next few months Develop Regional Annexes w/in US Based on Regional needs/deadlines

18 Conclusions Review/update National Guidelines Final review stages, expected publication and available on web in next few months Develop Regional Annexes w/in US Based on Regional needs/deadlines (ACP) Establish Training Calendar and Drill/Exercise Plan for US marine mammal stranding network responders U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 18

19 Questions? Sarah Wilkin U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 19

Looking back after 20 years

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Long Term persistence and and Long term effects Looking back after 20 years Dr. Stanley Jeep Rice Auke Bay Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center Juneau, AK Jeep.rice@noaa.gov