Subsistence fishers request a decrease of salmon bycatch
As chum and chinook salmon numbers dwindle in Western Alaska, salmon bycatch in the pollock industry was a main concern addressed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, or NPFMC, from June 6 to 14.
New NOAA technology to study changing ocean ecosystem
NOAA plans to debut the Oculus Coastal Glider summer 2022 to study the Bering Sea.
Federal Subsistence Board makes regulation changes to Units 22 and 23
The FSB’s teleconference in April covered issues relevant to Units 22 and 23. Those topics included a decision to conserve Alaska hare in Units 22 and 23, a redefinition of Alaska hare, closures and rescinded closures in moose hunting, and a special action for musk ox permits.
Sea ice in dramatic decline for spring season despite ice pack around Nome
Sea ice extent in the Bering Sea has been up and down this spring. But within the last two weeks, sea ice models show a collapse of conditions.
Ice seal survey underway in Bering Sea as NOAA designates ‘critical habitat’
After a failed attempt in 2020, NOAA Fisheries is currently surveying ice-associated seals in the Bering Sea. Their research will concentrate on waters between the Norton Sound and St. Matthew Island.
Coast Guard requests comments on shipping through Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
Since 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard has been running a Port Access Route Study, or PARS, for the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to determine how vessel traffic in the region should be routed.
Sea ice coverage ‘running out of time’ as strong winds push over Norton Sound
Sea ice in the Eastern Norton Sound is breaking up as temperatures continue to warm and strong winds threaten to shift the Bering Sea ice pack even more.
Bering Sea ice reaches St. Paul for a week, now recedes north
The main Bering Sea ice pack has begun its retreat to the north after extending to the Pribilofs earlier this month. This winter’s freeze-up has been reminiscent of more historical sea ice conditions.
Jackrabbits being surveyed in Western Alaska for first time
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is studying the dwindling population of Alaska hares or more commonly, jackrabbits in Western Alaska. Researchers don’t yet know why the population has been decreasing.
Uncommonly consistent, strong winds rip through Western Alaska
“What is uncommon, is we had that pattern hardly change at all in the past few days. And that led to screaming, screaming winds…across the Seward Peninsula,” Rick Thoman said on February 3rd.