Arctic conditions that dominated in the preindustrial Bering Sea are expected to continue to decline over the next 1-2 decades. NOAA Fisheries scientists attribute the abrupt collapse of snow crab in Alaska to borealization, or an ecological shift from Arctic to sub-Arctic conditions in the southeastern Bering Sea due to human-caused climate change. Cold-adapted species […]
Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries Eastern North Pacific right whales once numbered in the tens of thousands; today there are estimated to be fewer than 50. Studying these extremely rare whales across their vast ocean range is an […]
Scientists are able to evaluate more data in less time to support sustainable Alaska Fisheries. Scientists demonstrate that an innovative technology to scan fish otoliths (ear stones) coupled with trained computer models can determine rockfish ages as well as humans, and even more quickly. This technology, Fourier-transform near-infrared spectroscopy, examines the unique vibrations of molecules […]
Funding will advance NOAA’s efforts to support Indigenous Knowledge holders and Alaska Natives. Last week, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced the availability of $1 million for multi-year funding opportunities that will be distributed through the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Indigenous Engagement Program to support remote Alaska communities. This investment — funded by the […]