The buoy that has been streaming real-time wave data from the Bering Sea will call Nome its new home, at least for the winter. The buoy is owned by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and operated by the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), and for the past two years, it’s been providing vital wave data from the water west of King Island.
With impending freeze-up in the next few weeks, the buoy was extracted from the Bering Strait on October 8 by the R/V Norseman II—a process made easier this year by calm seas and clear weather. And now, thanks to Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, the buoy is tucked away for winter hibernation. Its housing was of concern earlier this season when funding set to expire from Western Alaska LLC meant the buoy’s future was uncertain.
Kevin Keith with NSEDC says, now, having the buoy in Nome means local users of the buoy’s data can have more influence over where it’s deployed in the future.
“It’s one of the reasons that NSEDC thought that it was worth stepping up and doing—so that local folks will have some kind of say in where it’s going to make the most sense and have the greatest benefit for people here in Nome and people in the villages and around Norton Sound as well,” said Keith. “It’s a great benefit for the region.”
Going forward, NSEDC and Alaska Sea Grant are hoping to hear from other community members who utilize the buoy’s information.
Ellen Tyler from AOOS said, “We got some feedback this past year from the IRA president in Gambell, suggesting that the buoy be moved to a different location near where it used to be deployed but that would be a lot more use to subsistence hunters in the area. And so we thought, hey, that would be great.”
Keith also heard from one local fisherman who proposed having the buoy deployed within Norton Sound instead of out in the Bering Sea. They’d like to hear more from mariners in the region—particularly subsistence and commercial hunters. Keith and Tyler say, if you have ideas or suggestions for where the buoy should be placed next summer, you can contact Gay Sheffield with Alaska Sea Grant.
