More Information
Summary Overview
On the northern edge of the Gulf of Alaska, this PCA feature numerous bays and inlets, fjord estuaries, rocky shores, high tidal ranges and coastal currents, with the large Alaskan gyre seasonally influencing the sound. Herring spawn in nearshore seagrass beds in April and are a major food source for the wide variety of predatory fishes, birds and mammals that inhabit the sound. Leatherback turtles occasionally inhabit the area for feeding after traveling from nesting grounds in Mexico and Asia. This PCA encompasses Steller’s sea lion haulouts, and sea otter forage in the kelp beds. A resident killer whale population of 360 roam the sound. Fishing activities occur on a large scale in the sound and in the adjacent Gulf of Alaska.
Site Overview
On the northern edge of the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta feature numerous bays and inlets, fjord estuaries, rocky shores, high tidal ranges and coastal currents, with the large Alaskan gyre seasonally influencing the sound. The plume of the Copper River forms an eddy that transports nutrients through the area.
Herring spawn in nearshore seagrass beds in April and are a major food source for the wide variety of predatory fishes, birds and mammals that inhabit the sound. The herring population is extremely low compared to two decades ago (Holleman 2003). Pollock, another forage fish species, is also found here. Salmon, Halibut, Sablefish and several flatfishes are some of the other important components of this marine ecosystem. Leatherback turtles occasionally inhabit the area for feeding after traveling from nesting grounds in Mexico and Asia (NMFS and US FWS 1998a). A Cold-stunned green sea turtle has also been recovered in Prince William Sound (Bane 1992).
Various seabirds use this area for feeding and nesting as well. Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) build some 16,000 nests here (Dragoo et al. 2001), and there are also breeding sites for Marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and Kittlitz’s murrelets (B. brevirostris), both in decline (Holleman 2003). This PCA encompasses Steller’s sea lion haulouts, and Sea otter forage in the kelp beds. A resident Killer whale population of 360 and a smaller group of transients roam the sound (Angliss and Lodge 2002). Gray, Humpback and Northern right whales visit these rich waters. Fishing activities occur on a large scale in the sound and in the adjacent Gulf of Alaska. The port of Cordova landed nearly 27,215 tonnes (60 million pounds) of fish in 2002.
Fact Sheet
NOAA Fisheries-designated Steller’s sea lion critical habitats with fishing restrictions
sea otter, killer whale, humpback whale, gray whale, northern right whale, blue whale
leatherback turtle
Approximately 13,000 sea otters live in Prince William Sound
Major waterfowl staging area, Black-legged kittiwakes, 16,000 nests, Major concentrations of humpback whales following migration from Mexican and Californian waters
Major eddy originates at Copper River Delta
Threats
| PCA | Extratction of nonrenewable resources | Exploitation of renewable resources | Coastal land use change | Pollution at coast/at sea | Damagin recreational use | Physical alteration of coastline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prince William Sound/Copper River Delta (United States) |  |  |  |  | | |
MSCCC
MSCCC Mammals: sea otter, killer whale, humpback whale, gray whale, northern right whale, blue whaleMSCCC Turtles: leatherback turtle
Other Priority Conservation Areas
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are areas of trinational importance due to their ecological significance, threatened nature and opportunities for conservation.
