The mission of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center is to
generate the scientific information and analysis necessary for the conservation,
management, and utilization of the region's living marine resources.
|
|
-
The 2011 abundance estimate for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population is 284 animals, almost 20 percent lower than last year’s estimate of 340. This year's estimate is the second-lowest since NOAA’s surveys began in 1993. According to AFSC Science and Research Director Doug DeMaster, “While NOAA remains concerned that this population is not showing signs of recovery, at this time we do not believe this estimate represents a marked decrease in the population.” More>
|
- In an effort to sustain commercial and recreational fishing for the next several decades, the United States this year will become the first country to impose catch limits for every species it manages. More>
|
- Benthic invertebrates of the eastern Bering Sea: A synopsis of the life history and ecology of snails of the genus Neptunea. NOAA Technical Memorandum AFSC-NMFS-231. More>
|
- NOAA declared the recent deaths of ringed seals in the Arctic and Bering Strait regions of Alaska an unusual mortality event, triggering a focused, expert investigation into the cause. A decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on making such a declaration for Pacific walrus in Alaska is pending.
The public is encouraged to report siightings of diseased or dead animals. More>
|
- The 2011 North Pacific Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Reports for 2012 are now available on the AFSC's Status of Stocks web page. More>
|
- Results of an aerial survey to assess Steller sea lion pup production in the range of the western distinct population segment in Alaska conducted from 27 June to 16 July 2011 are now available online. (pdf: 648KB) More>
|
- Survey nets used in bottom trawl assessment surveys are limited in their ability to sample rocky areas, since the nets are easily snagged and torn on rough rocky substrate. Therefore, a different method was needed to survey the abundance of fishes in these rocky areas. More>
|
- NOAA Fisheries announced the initiation of a new status review of the ribbon seal to determine whether the species warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act.
More>
|
Cooperative Survey of Red King Crab in Nearshore Areas of Bristol Bay
- This study was motivated by the observation that Bristol Bay red king crab distribution is correlated with water temperatures in the eastern Bering Sea, with crabs migrating from cold water areas of the Bristol Bay shelf into nearshore areas with warmer waters. One potential explanation for this phenomenon is that red king crab females perform an offshore migration to release larvae and find mates, which is delayed during years with colder water temperatures due to a delay in the crab larvae development. More>
|
- The Alaska Harbor Seal Survey is one of the largest, regularly occurring wildlife surveys in the world. The 2011 summer surveys ranged from Attu Island in the western Aleutian Islands to Portland Canal in Southeast Alaska—a straight-line distance of approximately 2,000 nmi and roughly 4,000 nmi of coastline. More>
|
This is an official United States Government web site produced
by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department
of Commerce.
Last updated
9 January, 2012
