U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Response to Vessel Grounding/Oil Spill off Unalaska Island

Update: December 17, 2004: Two oiled crested auklets arrived in Dutch Harbor by helicopter from the Cape Flattery today. Three more crested auklets left Dutch Harbor for further treatment in Anchorage.

Field reports from Skan Bay indicate that there are significant numbers of oiled bird carcasses on the shoreline, many of which have been scavenged by gulls or bald eagles. An accurate estimation of these numbers will probably not be possible until weather conditions allow biologists to go ashore.

The two Service biologists who have been doing skiff surveys from the Cape Flattery were flown back to Dutch Harbor. The Exito, a 128’ crabber, carrying another Service biologist and IBRRC (International Bird Rescue Research Center) personnel, has moved north from Skan Bay to Anderson Bay where it will provide support for wildlife survey and rescue operations. No additional updates on today’s skiff or aircraft surveys were available at the time of posting, nor do we know if Fish and Wildlife Service biologists were able to land skiffs on the shore.

Updates will be provided over the weekend only if warranted.