drones – Alaska Sea Grant

Combining local knowledge and new technology to study spotted seals

By Kyle Kolda | October 20, 2025

Distant nadir view of 11 spotted seals resting on a sand spit surrounded by crashing waves.

Spotted seals are a vital part of Alaska’s Arctic marine ecosystems and a crucial resource for many coastal Iñupiaq communities. Yet despite their cultural and ecological significance, these elusive marine…

Seaweed farming, robot-style

By Sue Keller | November 6, 2017

An underwater robot with a custom-built arm may become a useful tool in seaweed farming, an emerging industry in Alaska. Alaska Sea Grant’s Gary Freitag designed and modified the seaweed-plucking arm to help our state’s aquaculture industry expand its reach.