Science & Environment

Science and environmental reporting on news and community topics. Science coverage is occasionally provided by community members.

Dead Otters Discovered Along The Aleutians And Alaska Peninsula

By • Jun 7, 2018
USFWS

 

 

Dead and dying sea otters are being found along the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula.

 

During an aerial survey in March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service counted 56 dead otters from Cold Bay to Pilot Point.

 

Otters in Port Moller and Nelson Lagoon tested positive for streptococcus infection -- a common cause of sea otter mortality.

 

As Summer Sportfishing Begins, ADFG Wants To Hear From Unalaska Anglers

By • Jun 7, 2018
Courtesy Cade Terada

Summer sportfishing has begun in Unalaska, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game wants to hear how local anglers are doing.

"There are about five people who regularly contact me and give me updates about what's going on, which I really appreciate," said biologist Tyler Polum. "But more would help too."

Polum is a sportfish biologist for Kodiak, the Aleutian Islands, and the Alaska Peninsula.

With 50+ Ringed Seal Sightings, Unalaskans Start Tracking The Unexpected Species

By • May 3, 2018
Melissa Good / Alaska Sea Grant

Unalaskans are used to spotting marine mammals around the island.

But lately, they're not just seeing whales or otters. They're seeing ringed seals — an Arctic species that typically lives far north of the ice-free Aleutian Islands.

Now, scientists are monitoring the unusual visitors to find out why they're here.  

ADFG Won't Operate Salmon Weir At McLees Lake This Summer

By • May 1, 2018
KUCB

For the first time in 18 years, Unalaska won't collect detailed data on the salmon run at McLees Lake this summer.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) spent months trying to secure funding for the Wislow fish weir.

But last week, biologist Lisa Fox announced that it was too late to keep searching.

Unalaska's Arctic Youth Ambassador: 'We're Going To Make Progress'

By • Apr 30, 2018
Courtesy of Alaska Geographic Field Institute

Unalaska's Brian Conwell is serving as a youth ambassador to the Arctic Council for the next two years. 

The high school senior recently attended the 5th Annual Arctic Encounter Symposium in Seattle, where he met with leaders like U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Lt. Governor Byron Mallott.

KUCB's Laura Kraegel spoke with Conwell afterward to ask what policymakers have planned for Alaska.

TRANSCRIPT 

Pages