Kathy Kuletz
Since 1978, Dr. Kathy Kuletz has engaged in research and management of seabirds. Her graduate degrees include a M.Sc from the University of California, Irvine and a Ph.D. from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Kathy’s M.Sc. thesis on the reproductive consequences of foraging behavior of Pigeon Guillemots in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, provided essential baseline information prior to the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Kathy’s Ph.D. on Marbled Murrelets followed their at-sea distribution and fledging success relative to marine habitat use and prey availability. After four decades of federal service, Kathy retired as the Alaska Migratory Bird Management Seabird Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), but remains involved in national and international projects for seabird ecology and conservation, including the Distributed Biological Observatory array in the Pacific Arctic, the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network, and the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long-term Ecological Research Program.
In 2006, Kathy initiated the USFWS’ Alaska At-sea seabird survey program and led numerous seabird studies that examined factors driving Alaskan seabird distribution and abundance and the impacts of climate change. Her many seasons at sea, and leadership in multi-disciplinary research projects, provided invaluable data archived in the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database. Kathy served on the Science & Statistical Committee of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (2007-2012), to provide scientific grounding for management of some of the world’s most important fisheries. She served as Chair of the Pacific Seabird Group in 2016 and in 2020 received the first USFWS Migratory Bird Program Distinguished Biologist Support Award, in part for her conservation influence and success in building diverse partnerships. Kathy’s scientific publication and presentation record, as well as her international coordination efforts, are indicative of her tireless and unselfish approach in maintaining long-term collaborations with state and federal agencies, universities, and NGOs, all while serving on graduate student committees. Her international collaborations include the Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team, the Circumpolar Seabird Expert Network, and multiple Arctic Council and PICES working groups and regional environmental assessments. Conservation of seabirds has always been at the heart of Kathy’s work and research, and she frequently served as an advisor on natural resource damage assessment teams, spill response and planning teams, and international conservation committees.
In recognition of her distinguished contributions to the study and conservation of seabirds, student mentoring, and our organization, the Pacific Seabird Group honors Dr. Kathy Kuletz with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
