Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial survey
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial surveyNorth River Air pilot Taj Shoemaker getting ready for takeoff in Prince William Sound.
George G Esslinger
Using new technologies to study ecosystems; sea otter ecology; geographic information systems; population estimation; predator/prey interactions.
Science and Products
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
SeeOtter: Improving software for AI-assisted processing of imagery for wildlife surveys
Expanding documentation, accessibility, and flexibility of a powerful AI tool for wildlife aerial photo-survey processing
USGS Research Vessel Alaskan Gyre
The R/V Alaskan Gyre is a 50-foot fiberglass seiner that has been converted into a versatile research vessel to provide USGS scientists and collaborators with access to remote marine areas of Alaska and serve as a mobile laboratory. The vessel was built by Ledford Marine of Marysville, Washington in 1989 and is named after the Alaskan Gyre, a series of wind driven currents that rotate counter...
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial survey
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial survey
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial surveyNorth River Air pilot Taj Shoemaker getting ready for takeoff in Prince William Sound.
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDistribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDistribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDensity estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Sea otters in southcentral Alaska are the northernmost stock of sea otters and a keystone predator because they are known for structuring nearshore marine ecosystems through their feeding habits. Biologists with the USGS and USFWS conducted aerial
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDensity estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Sea otters in southcentral Alaska are the northernmost stock of sea otters and a keystone predator because they are known for structuring nearshore marine ecosystems through their feeding habits. Biologists with the USGS and USFWS conducted aerial
A resting sea otter
A resting sea otter in the Homer harbor, Alaska. Photo was taken in 2011. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean.
A resting sea otter in the Homer harbor, Alaska. Photo was taken in 2011. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean.
A resting sea otter with eyes closed
A resting sea otter with eyes closed. Photo taken in the Homer harbor in Alaska. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean
A resting sea otter with eyes closed. Photo taken in the Homer harbor in Alaska. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim pastA sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past. Photo taken in Glacier Bay at Point Carolus, Alaska
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim pastA sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past. Photo taken in Glacier Bay at Point Carolus, Alaska
Female sea otter, Cook Inlet, Alaska
A female sea otter resting in the morning light in Cook Inlet Alaska.
A female sea otter resting in the morning light in Cook Inlet Alaska.
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, AlaskaBrian Robinson (USGS) and Ben Weitzman (NOAA) record observations along nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. USGS is studying the migration strategies and movement ecology of Black Oystercatchers as part of the new tracking study.
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, AlaskaBrian Robinson (USGS) and Ben Weitzman (NOAA) record observations along nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. USGS is studying the migration strategies and movement ecology of Black Oystercatchers as part of the new tracking study.
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
A young sea otter foraging for invertebrates
A young sea otter foraging for small invertebrates off an emergent rock covered with seaweed, snails, and barnacles. Photo taken in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A young sea otter foraging for small invertebrates off an emergent rock covered with seaweed, snails, and barnacles. Photo taken in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A layout diagram of the R/V Alaskan Gyre
A layout illustration of the R/V Alaskan Gyre deck.
A layout illustration of the R/V Alaskan Gyre deck.
Juvenile female sea otter eating urchins
A juvenile female sea otter eating small green urchins in the intertidal. Photo taken in Glacier Bay near Geikie Inlet, Alaska.
A juvenile female sea otter eating small green urchins in the intertidal. Photo taken in Glacier Bay near Geikie Inlet, Alaska.
A sea otter eating a basket star
A sea otter at sunset eating a basket star in Glacier Bay near Bartlett Cove, Alaska
A sea otter at sunset eating a basket star in Glacier Bay near Bartlett Cove, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, AlaskaThe R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, AlaskaThe R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
Science and Products
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
SeeOtter: Improving software for AI-assisted processing of imagery for wildlife surveys
Expanding documentation, accessibility, and flexibility of a powerful AI tool for wildlife aerial photo-survey processing
USGS Research Vessel Alaskan Gyre
The R/V Alaskan Gyre is a 50-foot fiberglass seiner that has been converted into a versatile research vessel to provide USGS scientists and collaborators with access to remote marine areas of Alaska and serve as a mobile laboratory. The vessel was built by Ledford Marine of Marysville, Washington in 1989 and is named after the Alaskan Gyre, a series of wind driven currents that rotate counter...
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial survey
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial surveyNorth River Air pilot Taj Shoemaker getting ready for takeoff in Prince William Sound.
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial survey
Float plane taking off in Prince William Sound for sea otter aerial surveyNorth River Air pilot Taj Shoemaker getting ready for takeoff in Prince William Sound.
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDistribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Distribution map of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDistribution map of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDensity estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Sea otters in southcentral Alaska are the northernmost stock of sea otters and a keystone predator because they are known for structuring nearshore marine ecosystems through their feeding habits. Biologists with the USGS and USFWS conducted aerial
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska
Density estimate of sea otters in southcentral AlaskaDensity estimate of sea otters in southcentral Alaska from aerial surveys flown in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Sea otters in southcentral Alaska are the northernmost stock of sea otters and a keystone predator because they are known for structuring nearshore marine ecosystems through their feeding habits. Biologists with the USGS and USFWS conducted aerial
A resting sea otter
A resting sea otter in the Homer harbor, Alaska. Photo was taken in 2011. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean.
A resting sea otter in the Homer harbor, Alaska. Photo was taken in 2011. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean.
A resting sea otter with eyes closed
A resting sea otter with eyes closed. Photo taken in the Homer harbor in Alaska. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean
A resting sea otter with eyes closed. Photo taken in the Homer harbor in Alaska. Sea otters provide one of the best documented examples of top-down forcing effects on the structure and function of nearshore marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim pastA sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past. Photo taken in Glacier Bay at Point Carolus, Alaska
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past
A sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim pastA sea otter resting in kelp as two orcas swim past. Photo taken in Glacier Bay at Point Carolus, Alaska
Female sea otter, Cook Inlet, Alaska
A female sea otter resting in the morning light in Cook Inlet Alaska.
A female sea otter resting in the morning light in Cook Inlet Alaska.
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, AlaskaBrian Robinson (USGS) and Ben Weitzman (NOAA) record observations along nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. USGS is studying the migration strategies and movement ecology of Black Oystercatchers as part of the new tracking study.
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Scientists record nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, AlaskaBrian Robinson (USGS) and Ben Weitzman (NOAA) record observations along nearshore transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. USGS is studying the migration strategies and movement ecology of Black Oystercatchers as part of the new tracking study.
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher, AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller prepares to release a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in Alaska
Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher on beach in AlaskaUSGS Biologist Caitlin Marsteller releases a Black Oystercatcher after assisting with the collection of morphometric data and tagging. Data were collected from Black Oystercatchers as part of a new study to better understand migration strategies and movement ecology of the species.
A young sea otter foraging for invertebrates
A young sea otter foraging for small invertebrates off an emergent rock covered with seaweed, snails, and barnacles. Photo taken in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A young sea otter foraging for small invertebrates off an emergent rock covered with seaweed, snails, and barnacles. Photo taken in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A layout diagram of the R/V Alaskan Gyre
A layout illustration of the R/V Alaskan Gyre deck.
A layout illustration of the R/V Alaskan Gyre deck.
Juvenile female sea otter eating urchins
A juvenile female sea otter eating small green urchins in the intertidal. Photo taken in Glacier Bay near Geikie Inlet, Alaska.
A juvenile female sea otter eating small green urchins in the intertidal. Photo taken in Glacier Bay near Geikie Inlet, Alaska.
A sea otter eating a basket star
A sea otter at sunset eating a basket star in Glacier Bay near Bartlett Cove, Alaska
A sea otter at sunset eating a basket star in Glacier Bay near Bartlett Cove, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, AlaskaThe R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, AlaskaThe R/V Alaskan Gyre in Katmai National Park, Alaska