Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #8

Some of our observations during this survey of deep sea coral ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska

July 29, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

A soft fan shaped coral sits surrounded by the rocky structures that have built upon each other for years as part of this unique ecosystem. Credit: NMFS/NOAA. Color correction applied by NOAA Fisheries

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #7

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

Environmental DNA (eDNA): using genetics from the environment to survey for deep sea life in the Gulf of Alaska

July 26, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

Two scientists extracting eDNA from Niskin bottle water sample.

Meredith Pochardt (left) and Sean Rooney (right) collecting water samples from a Niskin bottle. The bottles are attached on the cable above the drop camera and can be triggered to capture water at targeted depths and locations to look for eDNA. Image courtesy of Sean Rooney, NOAA

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #6

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

A preview of the exciting findings from Leg 1 of our survey!

July 19, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

An underwater photograph shows a diverse muddy bottom habitat with brittlestars, stylasterid (lace) corals, and other invertebrates forming a deep-sea coral ecosystem in the North Pacific. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Diverse benthic habitat, showing brittlestars, a crinoid, and stylasterid corals of the genus Stylaster. Stylasterid (Stylasteridae) corals are among the most important habitat-forming invertebrates in deep-sea coral ecosystems in the North Pacific. They are also known as ‘lace corals’ or ‘hydrocorals’. Like their warm water cousins the stony coral, found in coral reefs, they have rigid skeletons made of calcium carbonate. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #5

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

A review of challenges and accomplishments upon arrival in Yakutat, Alaska at the end of Leg 1 of the coral survey.

July 14, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

A group of scientists pose around an underwater drop camera in a metal housing aboard a ship. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

The vessel and scientific crew aboard the R/V Woldstad. From top-left: Michael Rathibhan (Woldstad) and Glen Martin (Woldstad), James Longero (Woldstad), Chris Andrews (Woldstad), Brooke Andrews (Woldstad), Pam Goddard (AFSC), Elaina Jorgensen (AFSC), Pat Malecha (AFSC), and Sean Rooney (AFSC). Not shown, Meredith Pochardt (AFSC) Image courtesy of NOAA Fisheries

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #4

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

Highlights from the deep: images of corals found in Alaska during 2022's survey.

July 05, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

A sea floor of soft sediment covered in venus flytrap sea anenomes and other invertebrates such as brittle stars. Credit: NMFS/NOAA

One of the more common seafloor habitats in the Gulf of Alaska is sand and mud. These soft sediment habitats are home to the venus flytrap sea anemone (Actinoscyphia aurelia) and other invertebrates such as this great armored brittle star (Stegophiura ponderosa). Many of the organisms in these habitats are passive suspension feeders that orient themselves into the current to capture passing organic particles as they drift by. Image courtesy of NMFS, NOAA. Color correction applied by NOAA Fisheries.

Innovation to Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #3

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

Sean Rooney shares his observations as coral survey team heads to the U.S. – Canada border in Dixon Entrance

June 30, 2022 - Survey ,

Alaska

Map of data collection points in the Gulf of Alaska for measuring coral and sponge density and diversity. Color of points indicates priority for sampling a given location. Image courtesy of Sean Rooney, NOAA

Innovation To Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #2

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

On June 14th the Alaska Coral and Sponge Initiative began the Gulf of Alaska Coral and Sponge Model Validation Survey in Homer, Alaska.

June 29, 2022 - Research ,

Alaska

The Woldstad, our home and research laboratory for the next several weeks. The Woldstad is a 121’ steel vessel built originally for the State of Alaska to patrol the icy waters of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Credit: NOAA Fisheries / Sean Rooney

Innovation To Learn More About Alaska's Deep-Sea Corals and the Species that Live There Post #1

Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska

On June 14th the Alaska Coral and Sponge Initiative began the Gulf of Alaska Coral and Sponge Model Validation Survey in Homer, Alaska.

June 13, 2022 - Research ,

Alaska

fish species swimming around deep-sea coral habitat in Glacier Bay AK

Rockfish swimming around deep-sea coral habitat in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

"Innovation to Learn About Deep-Sea Coral Communities in the Gulf of Alaska"

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