Data from: Seabird survival as indicator of sustainable capelin fishery management
Data files
Jun 04, 2026 version files 71.98 KB
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ann_surv.csv
19.91 KB
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covar_abund.csv
31.32 KB
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covar_catch.csv
8.46 KB
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covar_sst.csv
9.06 KB
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README.md
3.21 KB
Abstract
This dataset contains annual estimates of adult survival for eight seabird populations in the Barents Sea region, together with associated environmental and fisheries covariates used to evaluate relationships between climate variability, prey availability, fisheries activity, and seabird demography. The dataset includes colony-specific survival estimates for four pelagic seabird species (Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, common guillemot Uria aalge, Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia, and black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla) spanning 1993–2020, derived from long-term capture-mark-resight monitoring programs in northern Norway and Svalbard.
Environmental covariates include autumn sea surface temperature (SST), autumn prey abundance indices (capelin, krill, juvenile herring, and 0-group fish), and annual Barents Sea capelin fishery landings. Covariates were spatially aggregated within seabird population-specific seasonal distributions derived from geolocator tracking data. Fishery data represent the proportion of capelin spawning stock biomass harvested within seabird pre-breeding distributions. Prey abundance indices were derived from the Barents Sea ecosystem survey conducted jointly by the Institute of Marine Research (Norway) and PINRO/VNIRO (Russia). SST data were extracted from HadGEM3-GC3.1-MM climate products and observational records.
The dataset was compiled to support path modelling analyses of direct and indirect relationships among fisheries harvest, prey dynamics, ocean climate, and seabird adult survival. Data are structured as annual time series by colony and species, facilitating comparative analyses across populations and trophic pathways.
All data are aggregated at the annual population level and do not contain personally identifiable or sensitive information. Fisheries and environmental datasets originate from publicly available or institutional monitoring programs. Users should acknowledge the original monitoring programs and data providers when reusing these data. The dataset accompanies the manuscript “Seabird survival as an indicator of sustainable capelin fishery management.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.51c59zwqc
Description of the data and file structure
Annual demographic, environmental, and fisheries covariate data used to investigate relationships between seabird adult survival, prey availability, ocean climate, and capelin fisheries in the Barents Sea ecosystem. The dataset accompanies the manuscript “Seabird survival as indicator of sustainable capelin fishery management”.
The dataset includes colony-specific annual estimates of adult survival for four pelagic seabird species, together with associated environmental covariates extracted within population-specific seasonal distributions derived from seabird tracking data. Covariates include autumn prey abundance indices, autumn sea surface temperature (SST), and capelin fishery landings.
The study species are:
- Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)
- Common guillemot (Uria aalge)
- Brünnich’s guillemot (Uria lomvia)
- Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
Study colonies include Hornøya, Hjelmsøya, and Bjørnøya.
The data are structured as annual time series by species and colony.
Files and variables
File: ann_surv.csv
Description: Annual adult survival estimates for seabird populations.
Variables
- Species: Seabird species name
- Colony: Breeding colony
- Year: Survival interval ending year
- Median: Median posterior annual survival estimate
- 95_lCI: Lower 95% credible interval
- 95_uCI: Upper 95% credible interval
- Pop: Population identifier combining species and colony
File: covar_abund.csv
Description: Autumn prey abundance covariates
Variables
- CovGroup: Prey covariate group (Capelin, Krill, or Other)
- Year: Observation year
- total_biomass_sc: Standardised prey biomass index
- Species: Seabird species associated with autumn distribution kernel
- Colony: Breeding colony associated with autumn distribution
File: covar_catch.csv
Description: Capelin fishery landings covariates.
Variables
- Year: Observation year
- Tot_Catch_Tonnes: Total capelin catch within seabird pre-breeding distributions (tonnes)
- Species: Seabird species associated with the pre-breeding distribution
- Colony: Breeding colony associated with the pre-breeding distribution
File: covar_sst.csv
Description: Autumn sea surface temperature covariates
Variables
- Year: Observation year
- Species: Seabird species associated with the seasonal distribution
- Colony: Breeding colony associated with the seasonal distribution
- MeanAut_SST: Mean autumn sea surface temperature (°C)
Code/software
Excel
Access information
Data sources
Seabird survival estimates: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norwegian Polar Institute, and collaborating monitoring programs.Prey abundance indices: Barents Sea ecosystem survey conducted by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR, Norway) and PINRO/VNIRO (Russia).Sea surface temperature data: HadGEM3-GC3.1-MM climate products and observational SST datasets. Fishery landings: Norwegian Fisheries Directorate.
Adult survival estimates were derived from capture-mark-resight data analysed using Bayesian Cormack-Jolly-Seber models with adjustments for trap dependence and transience where appropriate. Seasonal seabird distributions were estimated from geolocator tracking data using kernel utilisation distributions. Environmental covariates were extracted within colony-specific seasonal distributions. Annual prey abundance indices were obtained from Barents Sea ecosystem surveys, while capelin fishery landings were compiled from Norwegian Fisheries Directorate records. All predictor variables used in the path analyses were standardised prior to modelling.