Anthony Fischbach
Applying wildlife biology tools, including satellite imagery interpretation and telemetry, to address Pacific walrus conservation problems.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2004 - 2022 Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2003 - 2004 Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak, Alaska
1999 - 2003 Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Biological Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1998 - 1999 Wildlife Biologist, Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
1997 - 1999 (summers) Volunteer Wildlife Biologist, Tongass Bat Habitat Project, U.S. Forest Service, Thorne Bay, Alaska
1995 - 1998 Biological Technician / Walrus Harvest Monitor, Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
1994 - 1995 Volunteer, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Soldotna, Alaska
Education and Certifications
M.A. 1994 University of Texas, Austin, TX Ecology
B.S. 1989 University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Molecular Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Reviewer: BioScience, Arctic, Marine Mammal Science, Progress In Oceanography, Polar Biology
Contributor: R-sig-geo
Honors and Awards
1989-1990 Fulbright Scholar, Bayreuth, Germany
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
Walrus Haulout and In-water Activity Levels Relative to Sea Ice Availability in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2014 Walrus Haulout and In-water Activity Levels Relative to Sea Ice Availability in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2014
An animal's energetic costs are dependent on the amount of time it allocates to various behavioral activities. For Arctic pinnipeds, the time allocated to active and resting behaviors could change with future reductions in sea ice cover and longer periods of open water. The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is a large Arctic pinniped that rests on sea ice or land between...
Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Database 1852-2016 Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Database 1852-2016
This dataset contains a summary of available information about 150 Pacific walrus haulouts. The data were compiled from available reports (published and unpublished), interviews with coastal residents and aviators, and the personal observations of the authors. Each record provides summary characteristics, including: location information, maximum haulout size, age-sex composition, season...
ArcGIS Mapping Service for Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulouts ArcGIS Mapping Service for Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulouts
ArcGIS web mapping service created for the Pacific walrus coastal haulout database for NOAA's use. We summarize available information on Pacific walrus haulouts from available reports, interviews with coastal residents and aviators, and personal observations of the authors. We provide this in the form of a georeferenced database that may be queried and displayed with standard geographic
Walrus Bayesian State-space Model Output from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, 2008-2012 Walrus Bayesian State-space Model Output from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, 2008-2012
State-space models offer researchers an objective approach to modeling complex animal location datasets, and state-space model behavior classifications are often assumed to have a link to animal behavior. We evaluated the behavioral classification accuracy of a Bayesian state-space model in Pacific walruses using Argos satellite tags outfitted with sensors to detect animal behavior in...
Filter Total Items: 27
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 40
Walrus areas of use in the Chukchi Sea during sparse sea ice cover Walrus areas of use in the Chukchi Sea during sparse sea ice cover
The Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens feeds on benthic invertebrates on the continental shelf of the Chukchi and Bering Seas and rests on sea ice between foraging trips. With climate warming, ice-free periods in the Chukchi Sea have increased and are projected to increase further in frequency and duration. We radio-tracked walruses to estimate areas of walrus foraging and...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, Anatoly A. Kochnev
Results and evaluation of a survey to estimate Pacific walrus population size, 2006 Results and evaluation of a survey to estimate Pacific walrus population size, 2006
In spring 2006, we conducted a collaborative U.S.-Russia survey to estimate abundance of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). The Bering Sea was partitioned into survey blocks, and a systematic random sample of transects within a subset of the blocks was surveyed with airborne thermal scanners using standard strip-transect methodology. Counts of walruses in photographed...
Authors
Suzann G. Speckman, Vladimir I. Chernook, Douglas M. Burn, Mark S. Udevitz, Anatoly A. Kochnev, Alexander Vasilev, Chadwick V. Jay, Alexander Lisovsky, Anthony S. Fischbach, R. Bradley Benter
Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions, Alaska, 1910–2010 Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions, Alaska, 1910–2010
This report presents data on the approximate locations and methods of discovery of 392 polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal dens found in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions between 1910 and 2010 that are archived by the U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska. A description of data collection methods, biases associated with collection method, primary time...
Authors
George M. Durner, Anthony S. Fischbach, Steven C. Amstrup, David C. Douglas
Divergent movements of walrus and sea ice in the northern Bering Sea Divergent movements of walrus and sea ice in the northern Bering Sea
The Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens is a large Arctic pinniped of the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Reductions of sea ice projected to occur in the Arctic by mid-century raise concerns for conservation of the Pacific walrus. To understand the significance of sea ice loss to the viability of walruses, it would be useful to better understand the spatial associations between the...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Mark S. Udevitz, Ron Kwok, Anthony S. Fischbach, David C. Douglas
Enumeration of Pacific walrus carcasses on beaches of the Chukchi Sea in Alaska following a mortality event, September 2009 Enumeration of Pacific walrus carcasses on beaches of the Chukchi Sea in Alaska following a mortality event, September 2009
On September 14, 2009, we encountered substantial numbers of fresh walrus carcasses on the Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea near Icy Cape. We enumerated 131 carcasses using geo-referenced strip transect photography and visual counts of solitary carcasses. All appeared to be young animals based on review of aerial photographs and reference to 12 carcasses that we examined on the ground...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Daniel H. Monson, C.V. Jay
Modeling haul-out behavior of walruses in Bering Sea ice Modeling haul-out behavior of walruses in Bering Sea ice
Understanding haul-out behavior of ice-associated pinnipeds is essential for designing and interpreting popula-tion surveys and for assessing effects of potential changes in their ice environments. We used satellite-linked transmitters to obtain sequential information about location and haul-out state for Pacific walruses, Odobenus rosmarus divergens (Il-liger, 1815), in the Bering Sea...
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, J. L. Garlich-Miller
Pacific Walrus Response to Arctic Sea Ice Losses Pacific Walrus Response to Arctic Sea Ice Losses
Sea ice plays an important role in the life of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are seeking to understand how losses of sea ice during summer over important foraging grounds in the Chukchi Sea will affect walruses. USGS scientists recently modified a remotely deployed satellite radio-tag that will aid in studying walrus foraging...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach
Molecular method for determining sex of walruses Molecular method for determining sex of walruses
We evaluated the ability of a set of published trans-species molecular sexing primers and a set of walrus-specific primers, which we developed, to accurately identify sex of 235 Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). The trans-species primers were developed for mammals and targeted the X- and Y-gametologs of the zinc finger protein genes (ZFX, ZFY). We extended this method by...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Chadwick V. Jay, James V. Jackson, Liselotte W. Anderson, George K. Sage, Sandra L. Talbot
Landward and eastward shift of Alaskan polar bear denning associated with recent sea ice changes Landward and eastward shift of Alaskan polar bear denning associated with recent sea ice changes
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the northern Alaska region den in coastal areas and on offshore drifting ice. We evaluated changes in the distribution of polar bear maternal dens between 1985 and 2005, using satellite telemetry. We determined the distribution of maternal dens occupied by 89 satellite collared female polar bears between 137°W and 167°W longitude. The proportion of dens...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Steven C. Amstrup, David C. Douglas
Adjusting for telemetry bias in behavior data Adjusting for telemetry bias in behavior data
No abstract available.
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, Joel L. Garlich-Miller
Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses
No abstract available.
Authors
C.V. Jay, M. P. Heide-Jorgensen, Anthony S. Fischbach, M.V. Jensen, D.F. Tessler, A.V. Jensen
Genetic characterization of brown bears of the Kodiak Archipelago Genetic characterization of brown bears of the Kodiak Archipelago
Here we examine genetic characteristics of brown bears of Kodiak and Afognak islands, using 14 variable nuclear microsatellite loci and nucleotide sequence information including the hypervariable domain I of the mtDNA control region (Wakely 1993). Because these markers, or a subset of them, have been used to characterize brown bears of the Kenai Peninsula (Jackson et al. 2005), Katmai...
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Judy R. Gust, George K. Sage, Anthony S. Fischbach, Kristin S. Amstrup, William Leacock, Larry Van Daele
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
Walrus Haulout and In-water Activity Levels Relative to Sea Ice Availability in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2014 Walrus Haulout and In-water Activity Levels Relative to Sea Ice Availability in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2014
An animal's energetic costs are dependent on the amount of time it allocates to various behavioral activities. For Arctic pinnipeds, the time allocated to active and resting behaviors could change with future reductions in sea ice cover and longer periods of open water. The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is a large Arctic pinniped that rests on sea ice or land between...
Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Database 1852-2016 Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Database 1852-2016
This dataset contains a summary of available information about 150 Pacific walrus haulouts. The data were compiled from available reports (published and unpublished), interviews with coastal residents and aviators, and the personal observations of the authors. Each record provides summary characteristics, including: location information, maximum haulout size, age-sex composition, season...
ArcGIS Mapping Service for Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulouts ArcGIS Mapping Service for Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulouts
ArcGIS web mapping service created for the Pacific walrus coastal haulout database for NOAA's use. We summarize available information on Pacific walrus haulouts from available reports, interviews with coastal residents and aviators, and personal observations of the authors. We provide this in the form of a georeferenced database that may be queried and displayed with standard geographic
Walrus Bayesian State-space Model Output from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, 2008-2012 Walrus Bayesian State-space Model Output from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, 2008-2012
State-space models offer researchers an objective approach to modeling complex animal location datasets, and state-space model behavior classifications are often assumed to have a link to animal behavior. We evaluated the behavioral classification accuracy of a Bayesian state-space model in Pacific walruses using Argos satellite tags outfitted with sensors to detect animal behavior in...
Filter Total Items: 27
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 40
Walrus areas of use in the Chukchi Sea during sparse sea ice cover Walrus areas of use in the Chukchi Sea during sparse sea ice cover
The Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens feeds on benthic invertebrates on the continental shelf of the Chukchi and Bering Seas and rests on sea ice between foraging trips. With climate warming, ice-free periods in the Chukchi Sea have increased and are projected to increase further in frequency and duration. We radio-tracked walruses to estimate areas of walrus foraging and...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, Anatoly A. Kochnev
Results and evaluation of a survey to estimate Pacific walrus population size, 2006 Results and evaluation of a survey to estimate Pacific walrus population size, 2006
In spring 2006, we conducted a collaborative U.S.-Russia survey to estimate abundance of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). The Bering Sea was partitioned into survey blocks, and a systematic random sample of transects within a subset of the blocks was surveyed with airborne thermal scanners using standard strip-transect methodology. Counts of walruses in photographed...
Authors
Suzann G. Speckman, Vladimir I. Chernook, Douglas M. Burn, Mark S. Udevitz, Anatoly A. Kochnev, Alexander Vasilev, Chadwick V. Jay, Alexander Lisovsky, Anthony S. Fischbach, R. Bradley Benter
Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions, Alaska, 1910–2010 Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions, Alaska, 1910–2010
This report presents data on the approximate locations and methods of discovery of 392 polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal dens found in the Beaufort Sea and neighboring regions between 1910 and 2010 that are archived by the U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska. A description of data collection methods, biases associated with collection method, primary time...
Authors
George M. Durner, Anthony S. Fischbach, Steven C. Amstrup, David C. Douglas
Divergent movements of walrus and sea ice in the northern Bering Sea Divergent movements of walrus and sea ice in the northern Bering Sea
The Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens is a large Arctic pinniped of the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Reductions of sea ice projected to occur in the Arctic by mid-century raise concerns for conservation of the Pacific walrus. To understand the significance of sea ice loss to the viability of walruses, it would be useful to better understand the spatial associations between the...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Mark S. Udevitz, Ron Kwok, Anthony S. Fischbach, David C. Douglas
Enumeration of Pacific walrus carcasses on beaches of the Chukchi Sea in Alaska following a mortality event, September 2009 Enumeration of Pacific walrus carcasses on beaches of the Chukchi Sea in Alaska following a mortality event, September 2009
On September 14, 2009, we encountered substantial numbers of fresh walrus carcasses on the Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea near Icy Cape. We enumerated 131 carcasses using geo-referenced strip transect photography and visual counts of solitary carcasses. All appeared to be young animals based on review of aerial photographs and reference to 12 carcasses that we examined on the ground...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Daniel H. Monson, C.V. Jay
Modeling haul-out behavior of walruses in Bering Sea ice Modeling haul-out behavior of walruses in Bering Sea ice
Understanding haul-out behavior of ice-associated pinnipeds is essential for designing and interpreting popula-tion surveys and for assessing effects of potential changes in their ice environments. We used satellite-linked transmitters to obtain sequential information about location and haul-out state for Pacific walruses, Odobenus rosmarus divergens (Il-liger, 1815), in the Bering Sea...
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, J. L. Garlich-Miller
Pacific Walrus Response to Arctic Sea Ice Losses Pacific Walrus Response to Arctic Sea Ice Losses
Sea ice plays an important role in the life of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are seeking to understand how losses of sea ice during summer over important foraging grounds in the Chukchi Sea will affect walruses. USGS scientists recently modified a remotely deployed satellite radio-tag that will aid in studying walrus foraging...
Authors
Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach
Molecular method for determining sex of walruses Molecular method for determining sex of walruses
We evaluated the ability of a set of published trans-species molecular sexing primers and a set of walrus-specific primers, which we developed, to accurately identify sex of 235 Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). The trans-species primers were developed for mammals and targeted the X- and Y-gametologs of the zinc finger protein genes (ZFX, ZFY). We extended this method by...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Chadwick V. Jay, James V. Jackson, Liselotte W. Anderson, George K. Sage, Sandra L. Talbot
Landward and eastward shift of Alaskan polar bear denning associated with recent sea ice changes Landward and eastward shift of Alaskan polar bear denning associated with recent sea ice changes
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the northern Alaska region den in coastal areas and on offshore drifting ice. We evaluated changes in the distribution of polar bear maternal dens between 1985 and 2005, using satellite telemetry. We determined the distribution of maternal dens occupied by 89 satellite collared female polar bears between 137°W and 167°W longitude. The proportion of dens...
Authors
Anthony S. Fischbach, Steven C. Amstrup, David C. Douglas
Adjusting for telemetry bias in behavior data Adjusting for telemetry bias in behavior data
No abstract available.
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, Chadwick V. Jay, Anthony S. Fischbach, Joel L. Garlich-Miller
Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses
No abstract available.
Authors
C.V. Jay, M. P. Heide-Jorgensen, Anthony S. Fischbach, M.V. Jensen, D.F. Tessler, A.V. Jensen
Genetic characterization of brown bears of the Kodiak Archipelago Genetic characterization of brown bears of the Kodiak Archipelago
Here we examine genetic characteristics of brown bears of Kodiak and Afognak islands, using 14 variable nuclear microsatellite loci and nucleotide sequence information including the hypervariable domain I of the mtDNA control region (Wakely 1993). Because these markers, or a subset of them, have been used to characterize brown bears of the Kenai Peninsula (Jackson et al. 2005), Katmai...
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Judy R. Gust, George K. Sage, Anthony S. Fischbach, Kristin S. Amstrup, William Leacock, Larry Van Daele
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government