Scientists find that some Pacific cod may be more vulnerable to climate change than others. Much of the success in managing U.S. fish species has come with recognizing local differences and genetic variability within species. Pacific cod are an important commercial fish species caught throughout Alaskan waters. Cod caught in the Gulf of Alaska and […]
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Coast Guard issued a violation to a commercial fishing boat near Kodiak Island. A boarding team from Cutter Chandeleur discovered eight allegedly illegally-retained halibut aboard vessel Currency about 12 miles west of Cape Barnabas. The violation reflected a seasonal closure for halibut. Chandeleur’s boarding team seized the halibut and handed them […]
Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska were earmarked to lose certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) on April 5 but remained certified as sustainable under the Alaska Seafood Management Institute’s Responsible Fisheries Management program. MRAG Americas Inc., an independent auditing and certification body for the MSC standard, said the suspension was based […]
The 2013 to 2016 marine heatwave—known as “The Blob”—is the largest warm anomaly ever recorded in the North Pacific. In the Gulf of Alaska, scientists have connected low numbers of Pacific cod larvae, juveniles, and adults to loss of spawning habitat. This occured during and immediately following the heatwave. Compounding the ecological loss is the […]
Scientists and fishermen are working together to gain new insight into seasonal movements of valuable Pacific cod. Cutting edge technology and fishermen’s expertise are helping scientists track Aleutian Islands Pacific cod for the first time. Last winter scientists and fishermen partnered to launch a pilot study to develop methods for tagging cod on working commercial fishing […]
Pacific cod stocks hard hit by warming ocean temperatures are becoming a focal point at federal fisheries meetings, where harvesting sectors and processors fight over who gets to catch and process this versatile vitamin and protein packed white fish. Stock assessments in the fall of 2019 put the population of P-cod in the Gulf […]
Scientists simulated the Blob marine heatwave in the laboratory to assess the effects of past and future climate change on one of Alaska’s valuable commercial fish. Preliminary findings from a new laboratory study suggest that when ocean temperatures rise, lower fat prey leads to slower growth for juvenile Pacific cod. Scientists are evaluating how changes […]
Arctic cod is an important source of food for whales, seals, fish, birds, and humans in Arctic ecosystems. Arctic cod surviving to the juvenile stage were smaller and in poorer condition 5 months after embryonic oil exposure. Top fish experienced clean seawater whereas bottom fish was exposed to brief, low concentrations of dispersed oil during […]
New approach will deliver more timely, actionable data on changing ocean conditions. The Bering Sea is home to some of the nation’s largest and most profitable commercial fisheries, including Alaskan pollock and Pacific cod. It’s also one of the fastest warming parts of the world, with fish stocks becoming increasingly vulnerable to marine heat […]