Extreme climate events are being experienced worldwide, and Alaska ecosystems, unfortunately, have a front-row seat. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes, are having profound environmental impacts, and are expected to continue for decades to come.One of these extreme climate events, called the Pacific marine heatwave, occurred between 2014 and 2016. During this time, water temperatures rose far above normal conditions and had expansive ecological impacts throughout the Gulf of Alaska and northeast Pacific Ocean. Luckily, the Chiswell Steller Sea Lion Remote Video Monitoring team (the ASLC Chiswell team) has been monitoring the Endangered population of Steller sea lions for nearly 25 years — long before the Pacific marine heatwave occurred. This western population of Steller sea lions was  listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1997 following a major population decline. The ASLC Chiswell team has monitored this population since 1998 and has seen a general increase in the population over the years until 2016. The ASLC Chiswell team conducts multiple population surveys each year in the area around Resurrection Bay and monitors the Steller sea lion rookery called Chiswell Island through remote video cameras controlled at the Center.  The population data collected through the Pacific marine heatwave showed a continued increase in the population through 2015.  The peak impact of the heatwave occurred during the winter of 2015 and into 2016, and the Chiswell team began to see significant declines in pups and adults in the summer of 2016. Changes in food availability likely played some role in the decline. Dr. John Maniscalco, Ph. D. — a lead scientist at the ASLC — recently published a peer-reviewed article in Global Ecology and Conservation that looks at how the Pacific marine heatwave could have affected the winter diets of the Endangered population of Steller sea lions in Alaska over this time frame.  Winter is considered a critical time for Steller sea lions as it is likely the most energetically challenging time of the year. In addition to regulating their body temperatures in freezing Alaskan waters, adult female sea lions can be both lactating and pregnant with new pups, which they will birth in the coming summer. Limited food availability during the winter months could have dire outcomes for adult females, leading them to abort growing fetuses, wean their pups too early, or put their own survival at risk. Winter is also a high-risk season for scientists, as harsh and unpredictable weather at sea makes regular surveys logistically challenging, if not impossible. So how do scientists find out what sea lions are eating during this critical time period? The answer lies not in the sea lions, but in what they leave behind: scat samples.   Continue reading the full update on the ASLC blog: https://stories.alaskasealife.org/2023/05/01/changes-in-ssl-winter-diets/

Dr. John Fraser Receives Prestigious Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award from AZA   The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has honored John Fraser, Ph.D., AIA, ASLC Director of Mission Impact, with the Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award, one of its highest recognitions. Established in 2014, the award celebrates scientific contributions that advance animal management, education, and conservation. Named for pioneering zoologist Dr. Devra Kleiman, it is presented only when a candidate’s impact reflects her legacy. This marks the first time a social scientist has been recognized with the award. Over nearly four decades, Fraser’s work has transformed how zoos and aquariums understand their impact on people, showing that conservation success depends as much on human behavior as on ecosystems. Fraser’s career began as an architect designing exhibits for the Toronto Zoo in the 1980s. Encouraged by mentors including Drs. Jill Mellen, Kathy Carlstead, and David Shepherdson, he was welcomed by Kleiman into the groundbreaking Methods of Behavioral Assessment project, one of the first multi-institutional behavioral research efforts. That collaboration sparked a lifelong focus on the human side of conservation. In 2000, Drs. Carol Saunders, Stephen Kellert, and Fraser launched the idea of conservation psychology, a social-science partner to conservation biology. Since then, Fraser has led landmark projects showing how zoos and aquariums influence environmental identity, hope, and action. His leadership of Phases II and III of the Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter studies provided critical data on the social and educational impact of AZA institutions. He later co-authored The Social Value of Zoos with Tawnya Switzer, published by Cambridge University Press.   Fraser has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles, more than 20 books and chapters, and served as editor of Curator: The Museum Journal from 2015–2022. Within AZA, he was a founding member of the Research and Technology Committee, co-author of the AZA’s Research Priorities, and a key driver behind the Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group. He developed shared research tools that fostered collaboration and elevated social science in the field. “Devra welcomed me into my first major research project, and her belief in rigorous science as a tool for conservation has guided me ever since,” Fraser said. “I’ve tried throughout my career to carry that same commitment forward.” The Alaska SeaLife Center is proud to celebrate Dr. John ‘Johnny’ Fraser’s achievement and the recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to conservation science. About AZA Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and abroad.        

Endowment Fund Make a donation today that keeps giving year after year The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has partnered with the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) to create the Alaska SeaLife Center Endowment Fund, which will support the ASLC in achieving its mission of generating and sharing scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems for the years to come. Endowment funds generate a predictable stream of income, leaving a majority of the assets to grow in perpetuity. An endowment offers the flexibility to meet ASLC’s immediate needs while ensuring assets are always preserved for our long-term mission. The ACF protects the fund’s assets from being spent for any other purpose. For example, your gift today will be invested by the ACF and will earn returns every year from the moment you make it. That means a gift of $1,000 today is a gift of $50 every year permanently to the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Alaska SeaLife Center Endowment Fund welcomes gifts of all kinds including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets. Gifts can be made online directly with the ACF or by calling (907) 334-6700. Online donations can also be made here through the Alaska SeaLife Center which will transfer Endowment Fund donations to the ACF on a monthly basis.  

Education programs at the Alaska SeaLife Center foster ocean literacy and stewardship by connecting people of all ages to Alaska's marine ecosystems in meaningful ways. We invite you to gain a deeper understanding of marine science through the process of discovery!  If you’d like to learn more about the animals in our aquarium or go on a virtual field trip with researchers, visit the Discovery Zone! For teachers and scout groups, our programs are offered year-round. Whether your group is interested in spending the night with our sea lions or connecting to the aquarium from afar, we have something for everyone! To learn more about our education programs, as well as our annual teacher workshops, please visit the Teacher’s Room.  

  A New Way to Share ASLC Stories!   The ASLC 60 North Science Blog has expanded to include even more stories highlighting the important work that happens at the ASLC!  See the new look of the blog and join our staff as they share stories fo research, education, wildlife response, and animal care. All the amazing archived science stories are still active on the blog, but the link has changed to https://stories.alaskasealife.org/                

animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         MEET DR. ALLYSON HINDLE Animal Physiologist and Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Alaska SeaLife Center WHAT SHE STUDIES: - Animal physiology - Physiological telemetry EDUCATION: Ph.D. Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences M.S. Zoology B.S. Zoology HOMETOWN: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ONE COOL EXPERIENCE I HAD WORKING IN THE ANTARCTIC WAS WHEN… "I saw the area where we work from above. The area is flat and white and windy, and it all kind of looks the same from the ground. Seeing it from an overlook made me realize how amazing and beautiful the different ridges of ice are around the islands in the frozen ocean."  MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN SCIENCE IS… "Find a balance between becoming really good at your speciality and learning about what other people do. You will be much better at asking questions if you have ideas about different ways to answer them." Dr. Allyson Hindle explains why you always see Antarctic researchers wearing sunglasses. (1:00) Video Transcript The first thing that you're told before you even get to Antarctica, before they even let you on the plane, is to always wear your sunglasses. We work in Antarctica in the summertime so there's 24 hours of daylight, and we work on sea ice, which is covered by snow. So, you're actually receiving quite a lot of ultraviolet radiation, so it's really important to protect your eyes. Snow blindness is a real problem that if you basically let your eyes get sunburnt inside you have a lot of pain and difficulty seeing and you can actually lose your sight. So, nobody wants to go blind because you fail to take proper precautions like wearing your sunglasses. Also, for us we can't afford anything that would keep us from being able to work for a day so we try to be as safe as possible and that means that you're always wearing your sunglasses.   WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?    

animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Meet Sonia Batten Biological Oceanographer, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science Sonia's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Principal Investigator Important skills for her position: Basic science training, interest in small things, interest in seeing both "big pictures" and patterns Challenges in her work: "Anything to do with studying the ocean is challenging because you can’t sample enough of it to really understand what is going on. So trying to understand what’s going on across the horizontal region, down through the water column, and through time is really hard because they all change, all of the time." Sonia's advice to young people interested in science: "If you have a questioning mind and you like looking at the way the world works, then you are a scientist.  How you use that in a career could be anything from teaching, to talking with politicians to try and get policies that will help a community - there are so many different things. I would just say that it may not be the dry and dusty thing that you think it is. You can be a scientist and have a huge range of careers. If you are interested in things like that, keep your mind open for opportunities where you can use science." Sonia Batten discusses one of the coolest things about the ocean. (0:31) Video Transcript I think the coolest thing is that you can take a bucket of seawater, you can filter out the stuff and put it under a microscope and show people and they go, “Oh my god, I didn’t know I was swimming with that!” You can look at a crab larvae, a little tiny crab before it settles out under the microscope, and it’s got, some of them have spines that are three times the length of their body sticking out, and they look like alien things, and you have no idea that you’re swimming with that kind of thing, and yeah – I think that’s cool.   Who is watching the Gulf?    

animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Check back here for updates about the ongoing work from the team at Gulf Watch Alaska! This page is your source for news, announcements and data pertaining to each of the long term monitoring projects. GOOD NEWS! From the Lingering Oil team: • 25 years after EVOS, harlequin ducks and sea otters are no longer being exposed to lingering oil in Prince William Sound! Click the image below to see how other species have fared since 1989. Gulf of Alaska Data Portal Click the image below to visit the Gulf Watch Alaska webpage that allows you access to an interactive data page where you can browse data sets, access project descriptions, and project data onto a map allowing you to graphically explore individual or multiple layers of data! Text goes here!         Who is watching the Gulf?      

animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         MEET DR. BODIL BLUHM MARINE BIOLOGIST AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS WHAT SHE STUDIES: -Marine invertebrates -Sea ice & benthic ecology EDUCATION: B.A. Biology M.S. Zoology Ph.D. Marine Biology ONE COOL EXPERIENCE WHEN WORKING IN THE ARCTIC WAS... "We were trying to trawl for bottom fauna, at like 10,000 feet, in ice (in the Arctic deep sea). We deployed an ROV and deep sea cameras and we were sitting on the ship, and live-seeing what was on the sea floor, creeping around there." Dr. Bodil Bluhm describes what she likes best about Arctic marine research. (1:00) Video Transcript   I think the two things I like best are the interactions with people, and that's both with the fellow scientists from all over the place as well as with outreach activities, just talking to my five year old and her preschool group- the other day they had this ocean topic and I brought my dive gear, and they get all excited- so that's one part I really like, the interaction with people. Also on the international level, with the Arctic being the Arctic there's a lot of countries all around it, and we really have contacts to all of them. The other thing I really like is the study area itself. It has so many challenges, and it is under pressure from all these different activities- including climate change, and oil and gas and so on- but it just keeps being an interesting area to me to study. So those are the two things that really keep me excited about the work.   WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?  

    animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         MEET DR. KATRIN IKEN MARINE BIOLOGIST AND PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS WHAT SHE STUDIES: -Foodweb interactions -Marine plants and invertebrates         ONE CHALLENGE OF WORKING IN THE ARCTIC IS... "You have to be prepared to be cold, because you can only put on so many clothes." Dr. Katrin Iken describes how her work as a scientific diver gives her special insight into her study of marine ecosystems. (1:00) Video Transcript   I am a scientific diver, and I love doing it.  Not just for the adventure but really for the reason that it gives me a completely different appreciation of how things look under water.  It is much easier for me to understand, sort of how organisms live together and how they work together if I can actually see them in their natural environment.  It’s very different to see them there than for instance to have a big bottom trawl bring up organisms and you look at a big pile of them, but they are all just jumbled together and you don’t know anymore how they were actually distributed; especially sort of in relation to each other, in relation to certain habitat features such as rocks or sediment or elevation under water or depressions in the sea floor you know, all these kind of things.  So I think it gives us as researchers a different insight to be able to actually see how it is under  the water.     WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?  

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU CAN DO YOUR PART TO HELP CARE FOR THE BERING SEA! Since changes to the Bering Sea food web will directly impact people around the world, it's everyone's responsibility to do our part to care for the ocean. You might feel like there's not much you can do to preserve the health of clams and copepods in the Bering Sea, but in fact you CAN help! Here are ideas of positive things you can do: Educate yourself about how humans are impacting climate in the Arctic and around the globe. Do your part to help lessen our impact: Learn about your carbon footprint and about what earth-friendly actions you can take in your everyday life. Then, take the pledge. Let us know: What's one thing you'll do to help care for the ocean? Coming Soon: Ocean Ally Quiz! Find out how things you already do every day help the ocean.     WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?  

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         MEET DR. KATRINA COUNIHAN SCIENTIST at the Alaska SeaLife Center WHAT SHE STUDIES: - Microbiology - Pathology - Immunology EDUCATION: B.A.S. in Biology and History from the University of California Davis Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California Davis   "SOMETIMES WHAT THEY SEE CANDLING AN EGG...could look normal to them and then we open it and we see something that’s unusual that they weren’t able to see on candling. You never know what you’re going to find until you open it." "MY FAVORITE PART OF RESEARCH...even when you kind of finish a project it often creates more questions than answers, so you aren’t doing the same thing every day. I like having something new to do all the time." Dr. Katrina Counihan tells why she likes working in the lab on the Steller's eider project. (0:55) Video Transcript I like working in the lab because it’s hands-on work. I like pipetting things and working with samples, and you work with the different equipment. And the eggs are always fun because each one can be a little different, so it’s always interesting to see what result you are going to get with whatever experiment you're doing. The hardest part is usually not breaking the yolk, because you want to have the albumen and the yolk separated cleanly. Everyone thinks they are going to be like a chicken egg and have pretty tough yolks, but eider eggs have very delicate yolks, so you have to empty it into the dish very gently and take your samples very quickly because the yolk breaks pretty fast. That’s usually the challenge we always set for each other, to not break the yolk. After three hundred plus eggs you get pretty good.   CLICK BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT SEADUCK SCIENTISTS!    

    animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() Meet Seth Danielson, Ph.D. Research Associate Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks Seth's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Co-Principal Investigator, Gulf of Alaska Mooring (GAK1) Important skills for his position: In my position it is important to be able to write clearly and to be proficient at computer programming. Programming skills allow one to perform customized analyses that will extract new information from a dataset, while writing skills are needed to communicate your results and demonstrate the importance of your work. Challenges in his work: "Sometimes the biggest challenge is in properly crafting a scientific hypothesis that is both tractable and cost-effective. There are often very expensive ways to find answers to a research problem but these may not be affordable. Half the fun of doing research is finding the right balance between costs, effort, and scientific results." Seth's advice to young people interested in science: "A solid background in mathematics, statistics and critical thinking provides a springboard that can direct you into any of the sciences that interest you. Set yourself up for success by learning how to both identify and solve problems." Seth Danielson describes his interest in oceanographic research. (1:16) Video Transcript My name is Seth Danielson; I’m a Research Associate Professor of Oceanography at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. As a research professor, I’m really interested in firstly understanding how the world works and going out and making new discoveries about how the ocean system responds to the atmosphere: how it provides an environment that the fish and the birds and the whales are living in in the marine system, and how the physics – the winds, the waves, the currents, the temperature of the ocean – how all those affect the ecosystem as they come together. Along the way I get to go to these beautiful places, remote places that very few people get to see on the ocean and along the coasts around the Arctic and around Alaska. I get to bring my stories back to schools and share those with the students, and that’s a lot of fun and very fulfilling. The ability for us to be able to learn new things about the world and communicate them is just incredibly satisfying – it makes a great career.   Who is watching the Blob?    

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() Meet Sonia Batten Biological Oceanographer, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science Sonia's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Principal Investigator Important skills for her position: Basic science training, interest in small things, interest in seeing both "big pictures" and patterns Challenges in her work: "Anything to do with studying the ocean is challenging because you can’t sample enough of it to really understand what is going on. So trying to understand what’s going on across the horizontal region, down through the water column, and through time is really hard because they all change, all of the time." Sonia's advice to young people interested in science: "If you have a questioning mind and you like looking at the way the world works, then you are a scientist.  How you use that in a career could be anything from teaching, to talking with politicians to try and get policies that will help a community - there are so many different things. I would just say that it may not be the dry and dusty thing that you think it is. You can be a scientist and have a huge range of careers. If you are interested in things like that, keep your mind open for opportunities where you can use science." Sonia Batten discusses one of the coolest things about the ocean. (0:31) Video Transcript I think the coolest thing is that you can take a bucket of seawater, you can filter out the stuff and put it under a microscope and show people and they go, “Oh my god, I didn’t know I was swimming with that!” You can look at a crab larvae, a little tiny crab before it settles out under the microscope, and it’s got, some of them have spines that are three times the length of their body sticking out, and they look like alien things, and you have no idea that you’re swimming with that kind of thing, and yeah – I think that’s cool.   Who is watching the Blob?    

CONTACT: Alaska SeaLife Center Tara Riemer, President and CEO Phone: (907) 224-6349 E-mail: tarar@alaskasealife.org U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Andrea Medeiros, Public Affairs Specialist Phone: (907) 786-3695 E-mail: andrea_medeiros@fws.gov Team Works to Understand Cause of Increased Sea Otter Deaths Public Asked to Report Animals Found and Not Approach   Anchorage, Alaska (October 8, 2015)– More than 200 dead or sick sea otters have been reported on beaches in the Kachemak Bay region in 2015.  Similar cases in the past have been linked to streptococcus related illnesses. A team of experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center are working to understand what has caused the spike in sea otter deaths and potential significance to the population. Despite the ongoing investigation, including exams and tests on the carcasses, the cause of death for many of the sea otters remains unknown. Sea otters are aquatic animals and normally do not spend much time on land.  If a sea otter is found on the beach, it is likely to be sick or injured and should not be approached. The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine mammals or birds, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal.  Call first!  1-888-774-SEAL Be prepared to provide: ·         Exact location ·         Date and time of encounter ·         Number and type of animals involved ·         A description of the condition of the animal(s) ·         Any available digital photographs of the animal(s) To learn more about the Alaska SeaLife Center, visit www.alaskasealife.org. Learn more about sea otters, visit: http://1.usa.gov/1RwjIg9

Seward, Alaska (December 16, 2015) - Egg, a giant Pacific octopus, was released back into the waters of Resurrection Bay on Dec. 16. Giant Pacific octopus are the largest known species of octopus in the world.   Egg was first found on Easter Sunday, 2012, making him the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Easter “Egg”. Back then Egg weighed less than 10 grams, or 0.02 pounds. At his last weigh in before his release, Egg weighed 31.9 kilograms – over 70 pounds!   Researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center are trying to learn more about the juvenile stages of octopuses like Egg. They were able to observe Egg grow for nearly four years until he reached sexual maturity at which point he was released back into the waters of Resurrection Bay to find mates and begin a new generation.   For an underwater video of Egg’s release, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center on Facebook.     About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org. 

Give to ASLC and enter to double your dividend! Seward, Alaska (January 1, 2016) - Alaskans who file online for their PFD can help support the Alaska SeaLife Center - and enter into a drawing to double their PFD dividend by participating in Pick. Click. Give. prior to March 31. This innovative program gives Alaskans a way to donate to their favorite nonprofit organizations including the Alaska SeaLife Center. For those who may not have given to an Alaska nonprofit in the past, the program provides a safe and secure way to make a donation. For those Alaskans who already support their favorite nonprofits, Pick.Click.Give. is a great way to make an additional gift.  To make a gift today, visit http://pfd.alaska.gov/. If you have already filed, you can add or change your Pick. Click. Give. donation and simply select the Alaska SeaLife Center from  the list eligible organizations. You will be able to direct from $25 to the full amount of the dividend to eligible nonprofits or your choice.   About the ASLC   Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org. 

Seward, Alaska (October 18, 2016)– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) announces the opening of the nomination period for the 2016-17 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. ASLC established the Awards to recognize those who have made significant contributions to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. All awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 11, 2017. Nominations for the 2017 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards are open now through December 2, 2016. The award categories are as follows: Walter J. & Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award:Awarded to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 or more years. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Governor Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel. Stewardship & Sustainability Award:Awarded to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Sponsored by Jason Brune. Marine Research Award:Awarded to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution or a career spanning achievement in any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dr. Clarence Pautzke and Dr. Maureen McCrae. Marine Science Outreach Award: Awarded to a person, team, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications about Alaska’s marine ecosystems. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Alaska Ocean Observing System. Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award:Awarded to an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who has displayed dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dale Hoffman. To make a nomination for any of these awards, click here, or email oceanawards@alaskasealife.org.

The annual ASLC Staff and Volunteer Awards were presented by President and CEO Tara Riemer and Human Resources Manager Amy Komarek last Friday. Join us in recognizing again these well-deserving, dedicated employees, volunteers, and service partners! * Recognition of 15-, 10-, and 5-year employee service: Chip Arnold, Operations Director (15); Brett Long, Husbandry Manager (10); Nancy Deel, Marketing & Events Coordinator (5); and Ricky Deel, Lead Exhibit Designer (5) - (photo forthcoming)   * Service Award in appreciation for serving as Junior Board Member: Keefer Brown     * President’s Award for outstanding individual staff contribution to the mission of the ASLC: Nancy Anderson, Senior Development Manager     * Ned Smith Teamwork Award for outstanding teamwork and successful completing a task that is a mission critical priority for the Alaska SeaLife Center: The entire ASLC staff     * Planet Blue Partner Award recognizing an outstanding partner contribution to the mission of the ASLC: Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz (accepted by Shelby Burman, ASLC Mammalogist)     * Planet Blue Staff Award recognizing an ASLC staff member for their exceptional contribution to science, education or stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems: ASLC Education Department’s Distance Learning Team (accepted by Alex Havens, Education Specialist)     * Unsung Hero Award for making a consistently important contribution to ASLC day-to-day operational effectiveness: Jane Belovarac, Clinical Veterinary Technician     * Unsung Hero Award for making a consistently important contribution to ASLC day-to-day operational effectiveness: Lisa Hartman, Husbandry Manager     * Cindy Ecklund Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding volunteer service: Deb Magruder

Seward, Alaska (October 29, 2018) – Twenty years ago today the first real-time video link between Chiswell Island and the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) was established, making remote monitoring of Steller sea lions from the Center possible. Chiswell Island is a remote rocky island 35 miles south of Seward, and is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. ASLC staff has operated remote video cameras to conduct long-term research on Steller sea lions throughout Resurrection Bay since 1998.   Coincident with this anniversary, Major Marine Tours is challenging businesses and Alaskans to contribute to a fundraiser replacing degraded monitoring equipment on Chiswell Island and surrounding sea lion monitoring sites in Resurrection Bay. Major Marine Tours, through donations collected from customers and an additional amount from the company, will match the next $5,000 of donations made in support of Chiswell Island Camera Project. “Visiting Chiswell rookery is one of the highlights of our cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park. Major Marine Tours is committed to doing our part to help the Alaska SeaLife Center continue to monitor and study this endangered species,” states Tom Tougas, Owner of Major Marine Tours.   Generous donations thus far have made it possible for four antennas and one digital camera to be installed. “The video quality and accessibility of this new system is amazing compared to what we have been working with over the past twenty years,” states Chiswell Team Lead, Dr. John Maniscalco. While progress has been made, additional funds are needed to complete all the necessary upgrades. The fundraiser is set up on ASLC website: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. Select “Chiswell Island Camera Project” in the pull-down tab to directly support the project.  

Alaska SeaLife Center announces birth of Steller sea lion pup Seward, Alaska (August 21, 2017) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce the birth of a Steller sea lion pup, Kuliak, to parents Eden and Pilot. Kuliak is named for Cape Kuliak, a Steller sea lion rookery in Katmai National Park. Born on June 22, the male pup weighed 50 pounds at one week old. At his most recent weigh-in on Aug. 12, Kuliak weighed 87 pounds. He is the fourth Steller sea lion pup ever born at the Center, and the fourth born in a North American facility since the 1980s. “We’re excited to announce this new addition to the Alaska SeaLife Center family. Both Eden and Kuliak are doing well,” said ASLC Director of Animal Health, Dr. Carrie Goertz. "Having pups around is a lot of fun; watching them learn about the world around them and seeing their peronalitied develop is so enjoyable. He’s strong, healthy, and reaching all the developmental milestones we observed with his siblings.”  The Alaska SeaLife Center is permitted by National Marine Fisheries Service for scientific research with Steller sea lions, some populations of which are listed as endangered. ASLC is studying population dynamics, foraging behavior, reproductive biology, and maternal care. Pregnancies in Steller sea lions are closely monitored by ASLC husbandry, veterinary and research staff. Eden was given routine checkups and periodic ultrasounds throughout her pregnancies. Both Eden and pup are in good health and being given time to nurture and bond within a private, monitored environment before joining the other Steller sea lions at the Center. About ASLC: Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org or find us on Facebook.   

Seward, Alaska (June 19, 2019) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) will be highlighting seabird research and education all weekend long at the inaugural Seward Seabird Festival. On June 21, 22, and 23, events throughout Seward will focus on the arrival of Alaska’s seabirds. The Center will have activities and programs throughout the day where guests can learn more about these magnificent creatures. The Seward Seabird Festival is co-sponsored by ASLC, Seward Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Park Service.   ASLC is excited to offer additional programming about Alaska’s seabirds throughout the weekend: ● At the Interpretative Bird Dive at 9:00 am on Friday, visitors can watch divers in action and learn more about their underwater work in the seabird habitat. ● Puffin Encounters are offered twice daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm where guests get the chance to participate in a feeding in the aviary with resident puffins. Reservations recommended; additional fee applies. ● Seabird Keeper Chats happen daily at 10:30 am. Avian staff will give visitors a glimpse into the animal care at the Center, and guests will hear about the gossip of the aviary. ● Learn more about Alaska’s seabirds by visiting with an educator at the daily Education Station at 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm. ● Outside on the ASLC plaza there will be food and art vendors, a kids’ tent with fun educational activities and crafts, a chance to earn your Junior Seabirder badge, and more! ● A Private Photography Session in the Aviary will take place Saturday morning before opening. Go behind the scenes into ASLC’s seabird exhibit for a personal, up-close opportunity to photograph the birds. Reservations required; additional fee applies. A keynote address, “The birds’ tale: Long-term seabird research on Middleton Island” by Scott Hatch, will take place across the street from ASLC at the K.M. Rae Building at 125 Third Avenue on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Hatch is a wildlife biologist whose research interests are population biology and feeding ecology of North Pacific seabirds.   Bird-watching competitions, talks by bird experts, seabird boat charters and cruises, and bird trivia night and more are happening at different locations in town. For a detailed schedule of events, please visit the ASLC website at www.alaskasealife.org/sewardseabird.   About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and a public aquarium. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

Alaska SeaLife Center’s distance learning program wins national award Seward, Alaska (August 22, 2017) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce that it has received the Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). This is the seventh CILC Pinnacle Award the ASLC has received since the award was established in 2008. “The Alaska SeaLife Center’s distance learning program has reached over 86,500 students and teachers across Alaska, the United States, and internationally since its inception in 2005,” said Tara Riemer, ASLC President and CEO. “We are especially proud to earn the Pinnacle Award because it is based on evaluations by the educators and end users who participate in the program.”  During the award evaluation period, the ASLC Distance Learning Program worked with approximately 9,330 participants ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to senior citizen in 23 states, 7 Canadian provinces, South Korea and Australia. ASLC Senior Education Manager, Jeff Dillon, said he was delighted to again receive this high level recognition. “We are honored to receive the Pinnacle Award and to be among other winners who do such amazing work in the distance learning field,” said Dillon. “I am very proud of our team, led by ASLC Education Specialist, Darin Trobaugh. Distance learning is an amazing tool that is critical to us as we provide our audience opportunities to make meaningful connections with Alaska’s marine ecosystems.”  To qualify for the award the provider must receive a minimum 2.85 average score out of a possible 3 on their program evaluations from educators during the school year. The evaluation assesses seven areas: two related to the effectiveness of the presenter and five related to the educational content of the program.  About CILC: The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC), established in 1994, specializes in the access to applications and the utilization of videoconferencing for live interactive content and professional development, as well as web-based collaborative learning environments for lifelong learning. CILC serves as a program to the South Central Service Cooperative, an education service agency with its headquarters in Minnesota. To learn more, visit www.cilc.org. 

Seward, Alaska (January 18, 2018) – A male sea otter pup rescued from Bishop’s Beach, in Homer was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) on January 1, 2018. In ASLC’s wildlife response history, there has never been an animal recovered on New Year’s Day. Even though the pup arrived early in the season, the Center is prepared for wildlife response yearround. Last year was especially eventful with response to several sea otters, various species of seal, and a walrus as well as a Cook Inlet beluga calf that is still residing at ASLC.  The pup was found unresponsive on the shore with very dry fur, indicating he had been stranded for a significant amount of time. Upon approval from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ASLC’s Wildlife Response Team transported the otter to the Center. Once the pup arrived, veterinarians found him to be severely dehydrated and malnourished. The pup endured a small seizure caused by low blood sugar, but stabilized after receiving intravenous fluids and a tube feeding. Estimated at four months of age, the pup is progressing well under ASLC’s 24-hour care. His energy levels are improving and he swims and grooms on his own. Lisa Hartman ASLC Husbandry Director states, “We are allowing him to groom himself, but we still have to offer assistance at times to ensure his coat condition continues to improve.” Since sea otters have no blubber layer, the condition of their fur is imperative to survival.  Generally, a sea otter pup this age would be solely dependent on its mother’s milk. However, ASLC staff speculates that he must have begun the weaning process, because he is very interested in eating solid foods. ASLC President and CEO Tara Riemer explains, “We have no federal or state funding to care for sea otters, and we rely on donations to keep this program going. During this time of year we are very thankful to all the Alaskans that donate through Pick.Click.Give. Their contributions support the care of animals like this otter from Bishop’s Beach.” The Alaska SeaLife Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the only permitted marine mammal rehabilitation center in Alaska. The Center’s Wildlife Response Program responds to sea otters with the authorization of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine animals, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal. Call first! 1-888-774-SEAL. About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org. High resolution photos and full story available from media@alaskasealife.org or 907-224-6334