Arimitsu, Mayumi L. (ORCID: 0000-0001-6982-2238) Piatt, John F. (ORCID: 0000-0002-4417-5748) Heflin, Brielle H. (ORCID: 0000-0002-4836-9187) Marsteller, Caitlin E. (ORCID: 0000-0002-2430-0708) 20170418 tabular digital data Gulf Watch Alaska - Pelagic Ecosystems Forage Fish Component - Data from Prince William Sound: Distribution, Abundance, and Morphology of Fish, Zooplankton, and Predators and Oceanographic Conditions ver 5.0, May 2025 Anchorage, Alaska U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Suggested Citation: Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., Heflin, B.M., Marsteller, C.E., 2017. Gulf Watch Alaska - Pelagic Ecosystems Forage Fish Component - data from Prince William Sound: distribution, abundance, and morphology of fish, zooplankton, and predators and oceanographic conditions (ver 5.0, May 2025): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F74J0C9Z https://doi.org/10.5066/F74J0C9Z One table with the results from surveys conducted to document the at-sea distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Surveys followed standard U.S. Fish and Wildlife protocols for strip surveys. Data include: transect ID, date, time, latitude, longitude, record number, data type, animal species, count, behavior, plumage, distance, observers, observer conditions, the altitude of the survey, ice presence, trip ID, Beaufort, transect type, transect width, and comments. These data were collected to document the marine bird and mammal distribution and abundance in relation to forage fish availability. Specifically to compare these surveys with simultaneous hydroacoustic data. This data package is part of the Pelagic Monitoring Component of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s integrated, multi-project program known as Gulf Watch Alaska (Long-term Monitoring of Marine Conditions and Injured Resources and Services). 2012 2019 observed Planned As needed Prince William Sound, Alaska -148.402 -146.003 61.149 59.970 USGS Metadata Identifier USGS:ASC103 ISO 19115 Topic Category Biota Oceans Environment NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus Animals/Vertebrates Fish Fisheries Pelagic habitat USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus Aquatic birds Marine mammals Aquatic mammals USGS Thesaurus Coastal ecosystems Marine ecosystems Marine fishery resources None Seabirds Sea ducks USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Alaska Gulf of Alaska Prince William Sound None Animals Birds Mammals ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Unknown online database online ITIS-North America Taxonomic details retrieved March 30, 2023 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database https://www.itis.gov https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on general appearance of plumage, behavior, and vocalization. Provided here is the classification to the taxonomic rank of Class. Further details of taxonomy are provided in the table "marineBirdMammal_taxonomy_princeWilliamSound.csv" included with this data package. Kingdom Animalia Subkingdom Bilateria Infrakingdom Deuterostomia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Infraphylum Gnathostomata Superclass Tetrapoda Class Aves Class Mammalia No access constraints. No use constraints. We request that the suggested citation of this USGS data release be included in any publications that reference or utilize these data. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Mailing and Physical

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Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA 907-786-7000 gs-ak_asc_datamanagers@usgs.gov Funding was provided by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council and U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center. Chelsea Clawson was supported through an Alaska Sea Grant Fellowship hosted by USGS. We thank Greg Snedgen, the captain of the USGS R/V Alaskan Gyre, as well as Jonathan Felis, Jamie King, Mike Larson, and Erica Madison for their help in the field and Jordan Watson for extracting and making available the sea surface temperature data. Arimitsu, M.L. Piatt, J.F. Heflin, B. Schoen, S.K. von Biela, V.R. 2018 document Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Long-term Monitoring Program (Gulf Watch Alaska) Final Report (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Project 16120114-O) Anchorage, Alaska Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, Alaska Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., Heflin, B., Schoen, S.K., von Biela, V.R., 2018. Monitoring long-term changes in forage fish distribution, abundance and body condition. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Long-term Monitoring Program (Gulf Watch Alaska) Final Report (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Project 16120114-O). Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, Alaska. Unpublished report archived by the Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS) https://www.arlis.org [reference code: ILS:5083203] https://www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/EVOS/2018/16120114-O.pdf von Biela, V.R. Arimitsu, M.L. Piatt, J.F. Heflin, B. Schoen, S.K. Trowbridge, J.L. Clawson, C.M. 2019 journal article Marine Ecology Progress Series 613:171–182 online Inter-Research von Biela, V.R., Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., Heflin, B., Schoen, S.K., Trowbridge, J.L., Clawson, C.M., 2019. Extreme reduction in the nutritional value of a key forage fish during the Pacific marine heatwave of 2014–2016. Marine Ecology Progress Series 613:171–182, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12891 https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12891 Arimitsu, M.L. Piatt, J.F. Hatch, S.A. + 18 others 2021 journal article Global Change Biology 27(9):1859-1878 online Wiley Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., Hatch, S.A., Suryan, R.M., Batten, S.D., Bishop, M.A., Campbell, R.W., Coletti, H.A., Cushing, D.A., Gorman, K., Hopcroft, R.R., Kuletz, K.J., Marsteller, C.E., McKinstry, C.A.E., McGowan, D., Moran, J.R., Pegau, W.S., Schaefer, A., Schoen, S.K., Straley, J.M., von Biela, V.R., 2021. Heatwave-induced synchrony within forage fish portfolio disrupts energy flow to top pelagic predators. Global Change Biology 27(9):1859-1878, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15556 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15556 Suryan, R.M. Arimitsu, M.L. Coletti, H.A. + 46 others 2021 journal article Scientific Reports 11:6235 online Nature Portfolio Suryan, R.M., Arimitsu, M.L., Coletti, H.A., Hopcroft, R.R., Lindeberg, M.R., Barbeaux, S.J., Batten, S.D., Burt, W.J., Bishop, M.A., Bodkin, J.L., Brenner, R.E., Campbell, R.W., Cushing, D.A., Danielson, S.L., Dorn, M.W., Drummond, B., Esler, D., Gelatt, T., Hanselman, D.H., Hatch, S.A., Haught, S., Holderied, K., Iken, K., Iron, D.B., Kettle, A.B., Kimmel, D.G., Konar, B., Kuletz, K.J., Laurel, B.J., Maniscalco, J.M., Matkin, C., McKinstry, C.A.E., Monson, D.H., Moran, J.R., Olsen, D., Palsson, W.A., Pegau, W.S., Piatt, J.F., Rogers, L.A., Rojek, N.A., Schaefer, A., Spies, I.B., Straley, J.M., Strom, S.L., Sweeney, K.L., Szymkowiak, M., Weitzman, B.P., Yasumiishi, E.M., Zador, S.G., 2021. Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave. Scientific Reports 11:6235, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83818-5 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83818-5 Arimitsu, M.L. Piatt, J.F. Hatch, S.A. + 19 others 2021 book chapter Long-Term Monitoring Program (Gulf Watch Alaska) Synthesis Report Chapter 3 online Gulf Watch Alaska Arimitsu, M., Piatt, J.F., Hatch, S.A., Suryan, R.M., Batten, S., Bishop, M.A., Campbell, R.W., Coletti, H., Cushing, D., Gorman, K., Haught, S., Hopcroft, R.R., Kuletz, K.J., Marsteller, C.E., McKinstry, C., McGowan, D., Moran, J., Pegau, W.S., Schaefer, A., Schoen, S.K., Straley, J., von Biela, V.R., 2021. Reduced quality and synchronous collapse of forage species disrupts trophic transfer during a prolonged marine heatwave. In: Suryan, R.M., Lindeberg, M.R., Aderhold, D.R. (eds), The Pacific Marine Heatwave: Monitoring During a Major Perturbation in the Gulf of Alaska. Long-Term Monitoring Program (Gulf Watch Alaska) Synthesis Report, (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Program 19120114). Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, Alaska https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70220895 Donnelly, D. Arimitsu, M.L. Pegau, W.S. Piatt, J.F. 2024 journal article Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 16(2):e10283 online Wiley Donnelly, D., Arimitsu, M.L., Pegau, W.S., Piatt, J.F., 2024. Quantifying spatiotemporal variation of nearshore forage fish schools with aerial surveys in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 16(2):e10283, https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10283 https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10283 Marine bird surveys following standard US Fish and Wildlife protocols for strip surveys, counting all birds within 150 meters of the vessel (300 m strip) on the RECON with DLOG software or a toughbook with DLOG software. A RECON is a handheld collection computer that uses the Windows CE platform, the DLOG software facilitates the collection of seabird and marine mammal distribution data on strip surveys at sea. This raw data includes flying birds. NA NA Surveys in all years were conducted with two observers and a data recorder, observations were identified to species or Genus using the NPPSD 4-Letter Code (Drew and Piatt, 2015), and conditions were recorded continuously using DLog seabird data logging software (R.G. Ford Consulting Co., Portland, OR). Locations of observation are accurate to within several meters, or whatever the GPS accuracy estimate was when the points were recorded. All data and metadata go through and USGS internal review for error and clarity checks. Attribute values fall within expected ranges. These data were collected in different locations and different years with the same equipment, the data set is complete. Latitude and longitude were obtained from commercially available Garmin GPS units, accuracy estimated to be within 4 m. Drew, G.S. Schoen, S.K. Hood, M.D. Arimitsu, M.L. Piatt, J.F. 2005 database North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database ver. 4.1, May 2023 U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Anchorage, Alaska Drew, G.S., Schoen, S.K., Hood, M.D., Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., 2005, North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) (ver. 4.1, May 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3 https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3 publication 2023 publication date Drew and Piatt 2005 North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database METHODS - FIELD: Marine bird surveys were conducted following standard U.S. Fish and Wildlife protocols for strip surveys (Gould and Forsell, 1989), counting all birds within 150 meters to either side or 300 m forward of the vessel (300 m strip). Surveys in all years were conducted with two observers and a data recorder, observations were identified to species or Genus using the NPPSD 4-Letter Code (Drew and Piatt, 2005), and conditions were recorded continuously using DLog seabird data logging software (R.G. Ford Consulting Co., Portland, OR). The GPS attached to the RECON automatically created a location entry every 11 seconds (AUTO). Unknown LITERATURE CITED: Drew, G.S., Schoen, S.K., Hood, M.D., Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., 2005, North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) (ver. 4.1, May 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3 Gould P.J., Forsell D.J., 1989. Techniques for shipboard surveys of marine birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish and Wildlife Technical Report 25:1-22; https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/90201 [Unpublished report archived by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Catalog (ServCat) https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat (reference code: 90201) and the Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS) https://www.arlis.org (reference code: ILS:159528)] Unknown Point 0.0001 0.0001 Decimal degrees World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84) World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84) 6378137 298.257223563 marineBirdMammal_taxonomy_princeWilliamSound.csv Table containing the taxonomic classification of bird and mammals encountered in this study. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined Common_name Common name of species. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Common name of species Class Taxonomic hierarchical level; class ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Taxonomic hierarchical level; class Order Taxonomic hierarchical level; order. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Taxonomic hierarchical level; order Family Taxonomic hierarchical level; family. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Taxonomic hierarchical level; family Genus Taxonomic hierarchical level; genus. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Taxonomic hierarchical level; genus Species Taxonomic hierarchical level; species. Blank cells indicate that an animal was not identified to species. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Taxonomic hierarchical level; species TSN Unique identification number for each species provided by ITIS. ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Unique identification number for each species. marineBirdMammal_survey_princeWilliamSound.csv Marine predator survey data. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined latitude Latitude of survey point. Author defined Latitude of survey point in decimal degrees (WGS84) longitude longitude of survey point. Author defined Latitude of survey point in decimal degrees (WGS84) date Date of survey Author defined Date of survey (MM/DD/YYYY) time Time of survey track/observation record Author defined Time of survey track/observation record, local time (HH:mm:ss) rec Record number in track. Author defined Unique identifier for each sampling station. A unique sequential number. data_type Data was either logged automatically from the GPS or by a user to record an observation. Author defined AUTO Automatic tracking entry from GPS Author defined USER Observation entered by the user Author defined species Four letter code for the species observed at a survey point. Blank cells indicate no animal observation at the point. Author defined North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) 4-Letter Taxa Code List https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3 count Number of individuals animals of a species observed at a survey point. Blank cells indicate no animal observation at the point. Author defined Number of individuals animals of a species observed at a survey point. behavior Behavior of animal when observed at a survey point. Blank cells indicate no animal observation at the point. Author defined Water observed on the water Author defined Land observed on land Author defined Dive observed diving Author defined Feed observed feeding Author defined Fish observed with a fish Author defined Fly observed flying Author defined Follow observed following the boat on transect Author defined Ice observed on ice Author defined Rest observed at rest Author defined Porpoise observed moving through the water, alternately rising above it and submerging Author defined plu Plumage of bird species observed (if recorded) at a survey point. Blank cells indicate no animal observation at the point. Author defined AW Adult winter Author defined J Juvenile Author defined J? possible juvenile plumage Author defined dist Distance observed from the vessel, meters Author defined 0 Observed directly in front of the vessel, 0 meters to the left or right of the vessel Author defined 50 Observed within 50 meters on either side of the vessel Author defined 100 Observed within 100 meters on either side of the vessel Author defined 150 Observed within 150 meters on either side of the vessel Author defined >150 Observed >150 meters on either side of the vessel (off transect) Author defined obs_1_name initials of the first observer Author defined JFP John Forrest Piatt Author defined SKS Sarah K. Schoen Author defined MLA Mayumi Lynn Arimitsu Author defined ENM Erica Nicole Madison Author defined obs_1_cond visibility conditions of the first observer Author defined excellent excellent observation conditions Author defined good good observation conditions Author defined fair fair observation conditions Author defined average average observation conditions Author defined poor poor observation conditions Author defined bad bad observation conditions Author defined obs_2_name initials of the second observer Author defined ENM Erica Nicole Madison Author defined BMH Brielle Marie Heflin Author defined SKS Sarah K. Schoen Author defined JFP John Forrest Piatt Author defined obs_2_cond visibility conditions for the second observer Author defined excellent excellent observation conditions Author defined good good observation conditions Author defined fair fair observation conditions Author defined average average observation conditions Author defined poor poor observation conditions Author defined bad bad observation conditions Author defined altitude altitude above the water surface that the survey was conducted Author defined 1 6 meters ice percent of ice present on the transect Author defined NA Not applicable or no ice Author defined <1% less than 1% of the transect is cover with ice Author defined 0-5% 0-5% of the transect is cover with ice Author defined 1-10% 1-10% of the transect is cover with ice Author defined 10-25% 10-25% of the transect is cover with ice Author defined icetrace trace amounts of ice on the transect Author defined trip_ident trip identification Author defined PWS Prince William Sound Author defined trans_ID transect reference number Author defined Unique Identifier for each sampling station. A concatenation of sample year and a unique sequential number. beaufort beaufort conditions, wind speed to observer conditions Author defined 0 (speed = beaufort 0, calm Author defined 1 (1-3 kt) beaufort 1, light air Author defined 2 (4-6 kt) beaufort 2, light breeze Author defined 3 (7-10 kt) beaufort 3, gentle breeze Author defined 4 (11-16 kt) beaufort 4, moderate breeze Author defined 5 (17-21 kt) beaufort 5, fresh breeze Author defined trans_type transect type Author defined STRIP Strip survey (300 meters) from a boat Author defined trans_width_m total width of the transect in meters, 300 meter strip survey (150m on either side and 300 m ahead of the vessel) Author defined 300 300 meters Author defined comment comment Author defined text U.S. Geological Survey USGS ScienceBase Team Mailing and Physical

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Denver Colorado 80225 USA 1-888-275-8747 sciencebase@usgs.gov The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center is the authoritative source of these data, distributed by ScienceBase (a USGS Trusted Digital Repository). Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes or on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. CSV Tabular data in CSV format; FGDC metadata in XML and HTML formats. https://doi.org/10.5066/F74J0C9Z None Gulf Watch Alaska Mailing and Physical

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Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA (907) 278-8012 https://gulfwatchalaska.org Gulf Watch Alaska is the long-term ecosystem monitoring program of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council for the marine ecosystem affected by the 1989 oil spill. Gulf Watch Alaska is an alternative distributor of these data. The USGS Alaska Science Center is the authoritative source and distributor of these data. To facilitate discovery and access, the data are also available through Gulf Watch Alaska via the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) - Gulf of Alaska Data Portal. The USGS Alaska Science Center is not responsible for the accuracy, maintenance, or integrity of any alternative source of these data. CSV https://portal.aoos.org/gulf-of-alaska#metadata/3ca497e2-3421-4fa4-a550-f4d397a73c07/project None The Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) - Gulf of Alaska Data Portal is accessible at: https://portal.aoos.org/gulf-of-alaska# 20250506 U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Mailing and Physical

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Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA 907-786-7000 gs-ak_asc_datamanagers@usgs.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) FGDC-STD-001.1-1999