Mayumi L Arimitsu, Ph.D.
Forage fish, seabirds, predator-prey interactions, glacier-marine ecosystems, marine heatwaves, climate change
I lead research to identify factors influencing the status and trends of rare or threatened species on DOI lands, to understand the effects of glacier dynamics on coastal fjord ecosystems, and to document impacts of novel ocean climate patterns on the functioning of marine food webs. As the Pelagic Lead for the Gulf Watch Alaska long-term monitoring program I coordinate research integration across sampling programs for forage fish, marine birds, humpback whale, and killer whales.
Professional Experience
2009 - Present Research Ecologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Juneau
2007 - 2009 SCEP, USGS Alaska Science Center, Juneau
2001 - 2007 Fishery Biologist USGS Alaska Science Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2016 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska Fisheries
M.Sc. 2009 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska Fisheries
B.Sc. 1998 U.C. Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Pacific Seabird Group
Kittlitz's Murrelet Technical Committee
American Fisheries Society
Honors and Awards
2022 American Fisheries Society invited keynote speaker
2019 Sitka Whalefest invited speaker
2009 and 2010, Best student presentation, North Pacific Research Board
2007 USGS Star Award for Exceptional Performance
2005 USFWS Award of Appreciation, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Science and Products
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak and Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Kittlitz’s and Marbled Murrelets in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska: At-sea distribution, abundance, and foraging habitat, 2006–08
Distribution and spawning dynamics of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Glacier Bay, Alaska: A cold water refugium
Status review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution of ground-nesting marine birds along shorelines in Glacier Bay, southeastern Alaska: An assessment related to potential disturbance by back-country users
Ground-nesting marine bird distribution and potential for human disturbance in Glacier Bay National Park
Distribution of pelagic forage fishes in relation to the oceanography of Glacier Bay
Ground-nesting marine birds and potential for human disturbance in Glacier Bay National Park
Spatiotemporal predictability of schooling and nonschooling prey of Pigeon Guillemots
Field guide to identifying Kittlitz's Murrelet forage fish
Identifying marine bird distribution and evaluating visitor impacts
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Kenai Fjords, Alaska
The Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris is a candidate species for listing under the US Endangered Species Act because of its apparent declines within core population areas of coastal Alaska. During the summers of 2006-2008, we conducted surveys in marine waters adjacent to Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, to estimate the current population size of Kittlitz's and Marbled murrelets B.AuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. Piatt, Marc D. Romano, Thomas I. van PeltStatus and distribution of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak and Aleutian Islands, Alaska
The Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris is adapted for life in glacial-marine ecosystems, being concentrated in the belt of glaciated fjords in the northern Gulf of Alaska from Glacier Bay to Cook Inlet. Most of the remaining birds are scattered along coasts of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands, where they reside in protected bays and inlets, often in proximity to remnant glacieAuthorsErica N. Madison, John F. Piatt, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Marc D. Romano, Thomas I. van Pelt, S. Kim Nelson, Jeffrey C. Williams, Anthony R. DeGangeKittlitz’s and Marbled Murrelets in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska: At-sea distribution, abundance, and foraging habitat, 2006–08
Kittlitz’s murrelets (Brachyramphus brevirostris) and marbled murrelets (B. marmoratus) are small diving seabirds and are of management concern because of population declines in coastal Alaska. In 2006–08, we conducted a study in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska, to estimate the recent population size of Brachyramphus murrelets, to evaluate productivity based on juvenile to adult rAuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. Piatt, Marc D. Romano, E.N. Madison, Jeffrey S. ConawayDistribution and spawning dynamics of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Glacier Bay, Alaska: A cold water refugium
Pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) populations declined dramatically in the Northeastern Pacific following ocean warming after the regime shift of 1977, but little is known about the cause of the decline or the functional relationships between capelin and their environment. We assessed the distribution and abundance of spawning, non-spawning adult and larval capelin in Glacier Bay, an estuarine fAuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. Piatt, Michael A. Litzow, Alisa A. Abookire, Marc D. Romano, Martin D. RobardsStatus review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small, diving seabird inhabiting inshore waters of the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. This species feeds on small, schooling fishes and zooplankton, and nests primarily on the moss-covered branches of large, old-growth conifers, and also, in some parts of its range, on the ground. We reviewed existing information on this species to evaluate its curAuthorsJohn F. Piatt, K.J. Kuletz, A.E. Burger, Scott A. Hatch, Vicki L. Friesen, T.P. Birt, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, G.S. Drew, A.M.A. Harding, K.S. BixlerDistribution of ground-nesting marine birds along shorelines in Glacier Bay, southeastern Alaska: An assessment related to potential disturbance by back-country users
With the exception of a few large colonies, the distribution of ground-nesting marine birds in Glacier Bay National Park in southeastern Alaska is largely unknown. As visitor use increases in back-country areas of the park, there is growing concern over the potential impact of human activities on breeding birds. During the 2003–05 breeding seasons, the shoreline of Glacier Bay was surveyed to locaAuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. Piatt, Marc D. RomanoGround-nesting marine bird distribution and potential for human disturbance in Glacier Bay National Park
No abstract available.AuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, Marc D. Romano, John F. PiattDistribution of pelagic forage fishes in relation to the oceanography of Glacier Bay
No abstract available.AuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. Piatt, Marc D. Romano, David C. DouglasGround-nesting marine birds and potential for human disturbance in Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve contains a diverse assemblage of marine birds that use the area for nesting, foraging and molting. The abundance and diversity of marine bird species in Glacier Bay is unmatched in the region, due in part to the geomorphic and successional characteristics that result in a wide array of habitat types (Robards and others, 2003). The opportunity for proactive maAuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, Marc D. Romano, John F. PiattSpatiotemporal predictability of schooling and nonschooling prey of Pigeon Guillemots
Low spatiotemporal variability in the abundance of nonschooling prey might allow Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) to maintain the high chick provisioning rates that are characteristic of the species. We tested predictions of this hypothesis with data collected with beach seines and scuba and hydroacoustic surveys in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, during 1996–1999. Coefficients of variability were 20–211AuthorsMichael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Alisa A. Abookire, Suzann G. Speckman, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Jared D. FigurskiField guide to identifying Kittlitz's Murrelet forage fish
No abstract available.AuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, John F. PiattIdentifying marine bird distribution and evaluating visitor impacts
No abstract available.AuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, Marc D. Romano, John F. PiattNon-USGS Publications**
Arimitsu, M. L. 2016. The influence of glaciers on coastal marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska. Dissertation, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 154 p.Arimitsu, M. L. 2009. Environmental gradients and prey availability relative to glacial features in Kittlitz's murrelet foraging habitat. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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*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