News
The latest blog posts and news releases from Alaska Sea Grant
Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference focuses on climate change (5/27/2021) - Alaska Sea Grant, together with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus, hosted the 13th annual Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC) on May 13 and 14. The conference brought together local and indigenous knowledge of subsistence-based communities and other scientific research relevant to Western Alaska. Normally convening in a Western Alaska community such…
Shellfish and Seaweed Festival highlights mariculture in Alaska (5/27/2021) - More than 100 people, including farmers, scientists, industry personnel, and community members participated in Alaska Sea Grant’s first Shellfish and Seaweed Festival. The online event featured presentations to celebrate and promote the mariculture industry in Alaska and the delicious shellfish and seaweed products grown here. Melissa Good, Alaska Sea Grant’s mariculture specialist, kicked off the…
Alaska Sea Grant welcomes two students to the staff (5/27/2021) - Two undergraduate students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have recently joined Alaska Sea Grant in the Fairbanks office. Robert Fuerstenau and Kyla Hammond are assisting staff and faculty with administrative and communications projects, including working in the Alaska Sea Grant bookstore, organizing photos and publications, helping with videos and the Alaska Sea Grant YouTube…
New tools will help prospective businesses navigate aquaculture permitting (5/25/2021) - Alaskans’ interest in the mariculture industry is growing. In 2016, state permitting agencies received only four aquatic farm applications. From 2017–2020, it jumped to 64. Mariculture includes the cultivation of shellfish, such as oysters, and seaweeds, used in a variety of foods, fertilizers and biofuels. Alaska state law prohibits the inclusion of finfish farming. Shellfish…
Alaska Sea Grant Education Specialist finalist presentations (5/14/2021) - Alaska Sea Grant is recruiting an education specialist. Each of the three finalists will give a public presentation on their vision and qualifications for this role. The UAF community is invited to attend presentations and provide feedback. Keane Richards, Thursday, May 20, 11:30 a.m. Krysta Williams, Wednesday, May 26, 12:00 p.m. Leigh Lubin, Wednesday, May…
Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (4/28/2021) - Alaska Sea Grant serves a diverse constituency, from small business and industry, to groups and individuals in urban and rural communities. In order to be effective in responding to the needs of these communities, our work must appropriately engage, acknowledge and reflect differences. When Indigenous and other minority and underrepresented groups are included, and when…
Kodiak hosts regional marine science symposium (4/27/2021) - Alaska Sea Grant recently wrapped up the fourth Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium. The multi-day symposium had taken place every three years since 2011, but was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. “We were determined not to let another year go by without this important regional event,” said event chair and local Marine Advisory…
COVID-19 safety webinar for commercial fishing operations and seafood processors (3/26/2021) - As Alaska gears up for another fishing season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska Sea Grant is ready to assist seafood processors and commercial fishing operations with accessing and understanding current safety operations guidance and mandates. On April 28 from 12–2pm, Alaska Sea Grant will host a webinar “Federal and State guidance…
New Alaska Shellfish and Seaweed Festival in May (3/26/2021) - Alaska Sea Grant is holding the first Alaska Shellfish and Seaweed Festival from May 17–20, hosted online with specials and promotions in several coastal communities around the state. Join us each evening for informative presentations, videos, and demonstrations all about oysters and seaweed in Alaska. Leading up to the event and during the week of…
Improving sea ice forecasts for safer subsistence harvests (3/25/2021) - Alaska Native people have lived along the coasts of the Chukchi and Bering seas in northwest Alaska for thousands of years. The rich bounty of the ocean, including marine mammals, fish and birds, has sustained these communities, not only feeding them, but also shaping their traditions, culture, identity and health. The Pacific walrus is an…