Access to the Arctic is increasing with diminished sea ice cover and issues related to natural resource management in region continue to develop. The region has never been subject to commercial fishing and any new fisheries in the Arctic need to be conducted on a sustainable basis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service has announced a proposed framework to accomplish this need and are asking the public to comment on the plan for fishing in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
Acting Administrator NOAA Fisheries Service in Alaska Doug Mecum says, ”Historically, there have been no commercial fisheries in our Arctic seas, but with Arctic sea ice receding, more human activities may likely begin there, including increased interest in commercial fishing. The new management plan sets up a framework for possible development of Arctic fisheries in the next decades. It would ensure that we proceed carefully and do not allow commercial fishing to expand northward before we know what level of fishing the Arctic can sustain.” Read More »
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The heath and sustainability of fish stocks has played a major role in the history of Alaska and explains its need to become a state fifty years ago. Harvest of salmon, pollock, halibut and crab has formed the underpinning of the Alaskan economy and prudent fisheries management is of vital interest to state residents.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) retained Bob King a well-known fisheries journalist to write a book that describes the history of commercial fishing in Alaska in the lead up to the state’s fiftieth anniversary this year. The publication was sponsored through a grant from the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board and is titled Sustaining Alaska’s Fisheries: Fifty Years of Statehood.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd says of the publication, “I hope you enjoy this book, as a resource and a reminder of the visionary pioneers, scientists, and leaders who have been a part of developing Alaska’s amazing commercial fisheries. The stage is set for keeping our fisheries wild and productive, sustaining ways of life and livelihoods for generations to come.” Read More »
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The history of Ketchikan is Alaska’s hallmark for the boom and bust economic cycle of natural resource development. Located at the extreme southern reach of the vast state, the region is rich in timber, minerals, wildlife and salmon. The community is found 1,093 kilometers (679 miles) north of Seattle, Washington on the shores of Revillagigedo Island. Located in the Tongass National Forest, a temperate rain forest, Ketchikan receives a remarkable 4.1 meters (13.5 feet) of rain a year. Its shifting economy created a robust and colorful community that offers great rewards for the inquisitive visitor. Opportunities for saltwater fishing, wildlife viewing, native cultural understanding, cruising rugged fiords and wilderness camping abound. Known as Alaska’s First City, Ketchikan offers an excellent jumping off point for a visit to the Great Land
Local Attractions – Most visitors to Ketchikan begin their journey with a walk through downtown and through historic Creek Street. Creek Street is actually a pile-supported boardwalk, dotted with a variety of buildings spanning a tidal creek and not a street at all. This out of the way corner is the town’s historic red light district that actively conducted its affairs until 1953. City planners recognized the unique character of the area and now renovated, it now hosts galleries, cafes, waterfront shops, and visitor lodging. The U.S. Forest Service operates the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center easily located on Main Street. This facility is a portal for visitors interested in exploring Southeast Alaska and is one of four Public Lands Information Centers within the state. The facility serves visitors interested in camping, hiking or learning about public lands around Ketchikan. The City of Ketchikan operates the Tongass Historical Museum. This museum features material related to the history and culture of the region. Visitors are welcomed to special events and program offered regularly by the institution. Wildlife watchers will want to have a copy of The Nature of Southeast Alaska by Rita O’Clair and Robert Armstrong. Read More »
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Icebreaker Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 11)
Port expansion, arctic shipping and economic development in the north will be effected by global warming and the opening of the Northwest Passage.
My professional interests have historically focused on the Alaskan marine transportation industry. A group of like-minded souls met recently in Whitehorse, Yukon to discuss resource development and transportation challenges in the north. Two groups, the Western Transportation Advisory Council and Van Horne Institute, organized the conference entitled Advantage North. The cost and capacity of the transportation system in the north directly effect its economic development. Excellent speakers including Yukon Transportation Minister Archie Lang and Northwest Territory Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche. One ongoing topic of discussion is the northwest shipping passage through the Canadian arctic.
Global Warming and Transportation – The multi-year ice pack of the Arctic has shrunk more than 14% since 1980 and half of the ice present in 1950 is now gone. Shrinking of the ice pack could mean the beginning of routine shipping through the Northwest Passage. Several outside influences including the political instability of Panama and the potential cost savings associated with the route will make the passage even more attractive. Using the Northwest Passage could save millions to dollars to worldwide shipping companies. A shipment from Europe to Asia is around 2,500 miles shorter via the Northwest Passage compared to using routing through the Panama Canal. The Northwest Passage represents a naturally created alternative to the Panama Canal. Read More »
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Alaska’s Aleutian Islands span some 1,200 miles across the North Pacific Ocean dividing the Bering Sea from the Gulf of Alaska to the south. An area rich in seafood, coastal communities in both Russia and Alaska depend greatly on the marine resources of this region. Terry Johnson, a Marine Advisory Program Agent in Homer, Alaska has written a remarkable guide to the Aleutians and Bering Sea. Consider reading The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands: A Region of Wonders, an adventure supported through photography, art work, illustration, mapping, and radio archives.
A Wealth of Expert Knowledge – Just as this is a diverse region within Alaska, describing it effectively depends on multiple media treatments. In publishing this book, the Alaska Sea Grant College Program uses the prose of Terry Johnson, editing by Kurt Byers, and radio stories produced by Douglas Schneider to better describe the area. Photographs in the book come from Alissa Crandall, Fred Hirchmann, and the UAF Rasmuson Library. Fish and invertebrate illustrations were provided by Sandra Noel. Maps produced by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Department of Education and Alaska Geographic Alliance were adapted for use in the book by Tatiana Piatanova. As with all Alaska Sea Grant publications, information presented was thoroughly vetted by subject matter experts through the oversight of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Project Sponsorship – Work presented in this book was sponsored by an organization created by Congress in 1999, the North Pacific Marine Research Program (NPMR). Information is presented topically, leaving it up to the reader how best use the material presented. Subjects can be explored by topic or the book read from cover to cover. Material presented is supported by complete references and a subject index. Read More »
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Posted in Book Reviews, Natural History | Tagged Alaska Marine Advisory Program, Alaska Sea Grant, Aleutian Chain, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Forgotten War, Gulf of Alaska, North Pacific Ocean, Ring of Fire, Terry L. Johnson |
Access to the Arctic is increasing with diminished sea ice cover and issues related to natural resource management in region continue to develop. The region has never been subject to commercial fishing and any new fisheries in the Arctic need to be conducted on a sustainable basis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service has announced a proposed framework to accomplish this need and are asking the public to comment on the plan for fishing in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
