The small size and isolation of the endangered population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest have led to high levels of inbreeding. This inbreeding has contributed to their decline, which has continued as surrounding killer whale populations expand, according to research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution. The groundbreaking new study combined modern genomics […]
PORT ANGELES, Wash. — The Coast Guard Cutter Active (WMEC 618) and crew returned to their homeport Friday after a 65-day patrol in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean near Central and South America. Coast Guard cutters operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean often collaborate to prevent and deter Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) from […]
Pacific oysters are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under state and federal regulations. Alaska’s aquatic farming industry is relatively new—it only became legal in the state in 1988. Since then, the industry has flourished. Want a meal that’s good for you and good for the planet? Pacific oysters farmed in the […]
Agency announces a positive 90-day finding on a petition to expand North Pacific right whale critical habitat; seeks public comment. NOAA Fisheries is initiating a review of designated critical habitat for endangered North Pacific right whales, of which there are only an estimated 30 animals remaining. The review is in response to a petition we received […]