Marine birds and mammals are sensitive to variation in marine ecosystems. Our focus is on nearshore marine bird and mammal monitoring because these relatively abundant species are trophically linked to the nearshore food web. This food web consists of kelps and seagrasses, that contribute substantially to primary productivity, and benthic invertebrates such as clams, mussels and snails. When consumed, these invertebrates can transmit energy to higher trophic level fishes, birds and mammals.