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Black Oystercatcher / Human Interaction

Black Oystercatchers are a conspicuous summer resident along the rocky beaches of Kenai Fjords National Park. These are the same beaches that are favored as camping areas by an increasing number of kayakers and boaters. As human activity along the Park's coast increases, so does concern for Black Oystercatchers.

They were adversely impacted by the Exxon Valdez oil spill both in the Park and in adjacent areas, and though they are now listed as "recovered" from the spill, they continue to hold a spot on the National Audubon Society's Watch List as a species of special concern. The National Park Service is mandated by law to maintain natural resources like the Black Oystercatcher "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." These factors combined to create a need for understanding more about this fascinating bird and the impacts our activities may be having on it.

The OASLC, in partnership with Kenai Fjords National Park, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, has helped sponsor an ongoing, multi-year study of Black Oystercatcher nesting productivity. The project is now moving into a phase where human interaction will be examined more closely in relation to productivity, eventually resulting in guidelines for managing human use so that Black Oystercatcher can thrive while humans continue to enjoy the Park. Use the links at the right to learn more about the Black Oystercatcher/Human Interaction Project.