Researcher to discuss sea otter impact on mariculture
By Julie Stricker | UAF on Comments Off on Researcher to discuss sea otter impact on mariculture
UAF photo by Todd Paris The behavior of sea otters, such as this one eating shellfish near the boat harbor in Seward, may have an effect on aquaculture and mariculture projects.
Learn about sea otter activity and interactions with mariculture operations in a free statewide webinar hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service.
Emily Reynolds, an Alaska Sea Grant state fellow with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, works on projects related to seaweed farming and mapping kelp. In the field, she monitors sea otter activity. She will share her insights on the foraging behavior, habitat use and potential impacts of sea otters in aquaculture and mariculture settings.
Her presentation will examine the role of sea otters as keystone predators and their influence on evolving coastal economies, particularly in Alaska.
Reynolds earned a master’s degree in marine biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her thesis research examined sea otter activity and foraging behavior in and around oyster farms.
For more information, contact Molly Johansson at 907-786-6313 or mjohansson@alaska.edu.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
