Science & Data

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial surveys to photograph and count Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (~1 month old) and non-pups (adults and juveniles ≥ 1 year old)... (AFSC/MML/AEP 2016) in Alaska in June-July 2022.

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial surveys to photograph and count Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (~1 month old) and non-pups (adults and juveniles ≥ 1 year old)... (AFSC/MML/AEP 2016) in Alaska in June-July 2021.

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in the Eastern Chukchi Sea, Eastern and Western Beaufort Sea, and Amundsen Gulf, 2019 Annual Report

The Marine Mammal Laboratory conducted aerial surveys to photograph and count Steller sea lion pups (approx. 1 month old) and non-pups (adults and juveniles ≥ 1 year old) on known terrestrial rookery and haulout sites in Alaska in June-July 2019.

The purpose of cruise results is to describe the purpose, methods used, personnel who participated, and a summary of the total number of samples collected for various government and university investigators during the Ecosystem Surveys Branch's seasonal bottom trawl, shrimp, surf clam and scallop resource cruises.

This report describes field activities of the Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals (ASAMM) project conducted during summer and fall (1 July–29 October) 2018, and data and analyses used to summarize field activities. Surveys were based in Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, and Deadhorse, Alaska, and targeted the northeastern and southcentral Chukchi and western Beaufort seas, between 67°N and 73°N latitude, 140°W and 169°W longitude.

Although decreasing length at maturity has been observed in some Alaska salmon populations, the generality of this trend is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to determine whether this pattern holds for multiple species of salmon from a small watershed in Southeast Alaska (Auke Creek), and if so, what abiotic and biotic factors are contributing to this phenomenon.

The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducted aerial- and ship-based surveys to count Steller sea lion pups and non-pups in Summer 2018.

Approximately 30-50% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions are absorbed by the world’s oceans (Feely et al. 2004, Sabine et al. 2004). Increased CO2 uptake by the oceans is expected to reduce surface ocean pH by 0.3 – 0.5 units over the next century, which would be the largest change in pH to occur in the last 20-200 million years (Feely et al. 2004). Ocean acidification reduces the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation point. Dramatic reductions in calcium carbonate saturation have been observed in the North Pacific since the industrial revolution (Feely et al. 2004).

The North Pacific Ocean is a sentinel region for signs of ocean acidification. Approximately 30-50% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are absorbed by the world’s oceans. Dissolving CO2 increases the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in the ocean, and thus reduces ocean pH. Corrosive waters reach shallower depths more so there than in other ocean basins, especially in Alaska, and so biological impacts will likely occur earlier than in many other places. Ocean acidification reduces the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation point, which stresses calcifying organisms by making calcification more difficult. The Alaska Fisheries Science Center research plan will focus on commercially important fish and shellfish species, their prey (calcareous plankton) and shelter (corals). Ocean acidification will likely impact the ability of marine calcifiers, such as corals and shellfish, to make shells and skeletons from CaCO3. Ocean acidification may also affect fish, marine mammal and seabird species through reduced abundance of calcareous plankton at the base of the food web. Species-specific studies of shellfish, calcareous plankton, corals and fish will be conducted to understand physiological effects (growth and survival). The CaCO3 content of calcareous organisms is not well known and a survey of shellfish, calcareous plankton and corals will be conducted to assess species vulnerabilities to ocean acidification. The results of the species-specific studies will be incorporated into population and ecosystem models to forecast population and ecosystem impacts. Bioeconomic models of Alaskan crab fisheries will be used to forecast fishery performance for a range of climate and ocean acidification scenarios.