Seward, Alaska (November 1, 2016)– The Alaska SeaLife Center invites Alaska residents to take advantage of FREEzing Winter Wednesdays when planning their winter excursions. Every Wednesday from November 2, 2016 through February 22, 2017, Alaska residents receive free general admission to the Alaska SeaLife Center upon presentation of a valid ID. Visitors 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult.   The Alaska SeaLife Center is open seven days a week from 12:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m, except November 24 and December 25 for the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day holidays.  

Meet Mara's new pup! We are so excited to announce ASLC's newest family member! Mara recently had her baby on June 26th and weighing in at 40lbs. Both mom and pup are healthy and strong. Stay tuned for the gender reveal!

  Alaska SeaLife Center Distressed Mammal Observation Guidelines Call First! If you see a stranded or injured marine animal DO NOT PICK IT UP! Please call the Stranded Marine Animal Hotline:  1-888-774-SEAL (7325) If your call is not immediately answered, please leave a detailed message and our team will return your call as soon as we can.  Important: It is illegal to pick up a marine mammal unless authorized by US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA/NMFS. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) states all viewing must be at a distance which must not disturb the animal or change its natural behavior. It is very important for human and animal safety to follow all of the following guidelines for observing a marine mammal possibly in distress. Do not approach, touch, or feed the animal. Help keep all people and domestic animals away. Continue to note all physical characteristics and behaviors. Continue to observe for any other animals in the area. Take detailed notes with times of observations. While you are assisting with crowd control and observations, you should call the ASLC, or local authorities, if you have any problems with individuals harassing the animal. If the animal returns to the water, continue to observe until it is out of sight. Report to the ASLC. If the animal shows signs of health deterioration, call the ASLC immediately. Contact the ASLC every two hours with observations unless instructed differently. Include contact numbers of observers on site. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Try to gather the following information and call the ASLC Rescue and Rehabilitation Stranding Hotline as soon as possible: Note physical characteristics. Does the animal appear extremely skinny or weak? Are there any obvious signs of injury? Is the animal alone or are there other wild animals in the area? How long have you observed this animal? If possible, take digital photos of the animal and the area. Gather as much information as possible before you call using the Observation Form. If available, have someone continue to observe the animal and keep others away. ASLC Wildlife Response staff will guide you as to what to do next. Call the ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER WILDLIFE RESPONSE PROGRAM 1-888-774-7325 (SEAL) with any questions or concerns.    

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/

2025 Teacher Workshop One Ocean: The Ocean Connects Us All We are partnering with the National Park Service to host a teacher workshop at the Alaska SeaLife Center on October 24-26 for 4th through 8th grade teachers. The theme this year is One Ocean: The Ocean Connects Us All. In this workshop, we will engage in nature journaling, learn local coastal ecology, and use ocean literacy to inspire students to care for their environment. We will also include conversations about cultural connections to the ocean and the value of marine environments to local people. Please submit the following application by September 26: https://forms.gle/s6m1KTxDDbeaBa1N8 If you have any questions, please reach out to the ASLC Education Department at education@alaskasealife.org. In case you didn't already know...  Alaska teachers always receive free general admission to the Alaska SeaLife Center - just present a teacher ID or pay stub at the ticket counter!

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.        

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 DR. JO-ANN MELLISH Animal Physiologist at the Alaska SeaLife Center and Research Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks WHAT SHE STUDIES: - Marine mammal energetics - Animal physiology - Thermoregulation EDUCATION: Ph.D. Animal Physiology B.S. Biology HOMETOWN: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada WHY IS TEAMWORK ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHILE WORKING IN ANTARCTICA? "We're working together not just to get the science done but to keep each other safe. It's fieldwork that we do on a routine basis, but we're in the Antarctic and you really are taking your life in your hands every time you go out on the sea ice. We really care about each other. And we're there, number one, to look out for one another and then, number two, to get the science done." Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish describes what she loves about working as a scientist in Antarctica. (1:18) Video Transcript It's the kind of place where you can feel isolated and connected to everything around you at the same time. If you're out on the sea ice you don't hear any motorized vehicles, there's nobody else around you. All you hear is the wind and the cracking of the ice moving underneath you and the seals around you and sometimes if you're lucky a penguin and it's just, you have that moment of being in a space that so few other people get to experience that it, it's a spiritual moment. There's no other way for me to explain it but you just, time stops and you just want to be there in the moment and experience it. All the rest, everything else just kind of goes away. And to get to be a part of that as your career with people that you want to be with, you just can't beat that kind of experience, and it makes you want to go back!   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 Heather Coletti Marine Ecologist, National Park Service SW Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network Heather's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Nearshore Program Principal Investigator Important skills for her position: "Curiosity is a big one, I think.  And a willingness to work in uncomfortable conditions - and long hours." Challenges in her work: "Having just that one opportunity to collect the data, and what does that really mean in a whole year?"   Heather's advice to young people interested in science: "Volunteer. You know, school, of course, is important, but the sooner you can volunteer and get out in the field and start to get to know folks, the opportunities will present themselves.  We always have work, we always have questions, and if you are willing to get out there, opportunities will come."   Heather Coletti describes her favorite thing about working with sea otters and how she got interested in nearshore ecology. (0:54) Video Transcript My favorite daily duties… I would say one of my favorites is we do a lot of sea otter foraging work, data collection, so with high-powered telescopes we’re watching these animals eat because they bring everything up to the surface. It’s always a surprise, it’s challenging and really interesting. I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. Some circumstances just sort of present themselves professionally of who you meet, and it really does matter who your mentors are. And if you’re a good mentor I think whatever you’re interested in… and I had a great mentor, and his interest was in the nearshore, particularly in sea otters but just the ecology in general, and it stayed with me.     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()         Meet John Moran Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA/NMFS Auke Bay Laboratories John's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Pelagic Ecosystems Humpback Whale Program Co-Principal Investigator Important skills for his position: "You definitely need patience, you need to be very tolerant of weather, and just being able to endure things and not really give up." Challenges in his work: "Being on a small boat when it’s really rough, battling the weather, wind and rain, having your expensive camera getting salt spray on it... and then the whales just not cooperating." John's advice to young people interested in science: "I would take math and English. Those are two things that I didn’t really think I needed very much that are very important. Work hard, do things that people don’t want to do. You’re not going to go out and tag whales on your first day, but if you're entering data or doing some of the more tedious things, then you make yourself very useful. And it’s a good way to meet people, a good way to get your foot in the door."   John Moran describes some of the fun and frustrations of tracking humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska. (0:50) Video Transcript When things change, like this last winter we thought we knew where all the whales were going to be in Port Gravina, and we got out there and they weren’t there. And we were just so sure of ourselves, we’ll just get out there and get a bunch of IDs, it’ll be nice & protected, and we were completely wrong. So when things jump out as being unusual that’s when it gets interesting. You think you have things figured out and you really don’t know what you’re talking about. I really like driving the boat for some reason, I don’t know why maybe it’s the control issue, but for doing photo Id or biopsies especially or tagging, and I do disentanglement work in Southeast and just being the one that maneuvers the boat, gets the boat close to the whales while somebody else maybe does the other things, you feel like you’re the one literally in the driver’s seat.   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()         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?      

  The inaugural Seward Seabird Festival is June 21, 22, and 23. All weekend long, visit Seward for events celebrating the arrival of Alaska's seabirds through education, science, and art!     Click here to purchase a space on a private photography session in the aviary.    Click on an image below to download the pdf version.   

    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() 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?    

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Veterinary/Research Externship in Marine Animal Health This externship is offered as a partnership between Dr. Hollmen’s research laboratory and the veterinary sciences department at the Alaska SeaLife Center. This opportunity will occur in Seward, Alaska, a world-class marine animal research and rehabilitation facility. The extern will learn about research centering on the One Health concept by participating in projects relating marine animal health and conservation in the Arctic, in the context of ecosystem health. Student opportunities involve laboratory research using physiological, molecular and biochemical methods, animal health, and may involve an opportunity to participate in field investigations on marine ecology and disease epidemiology. The student will be able to shadow and may participate in veterinary procedures with the Alaska SeaLife Center veterinary team as schedule allows.   Experiences lasting a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks are available. Only one Scholar will be scheduled at a time. Limited positions are available year-round based on veterinary and research joint decision of project and time availability. Veterinary students at any level may apply but please note that hands-on clinical opportunities may not be available due to permit restrictions so this experience may not fulfill the clinical experience needs of upper level students though may qualify as a research rotation. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program. Work hours are typically 8:30–5:00 but may vary depending on the needs of the center, wildlife response, or the specific project assigned. The work week will typically be Monday through Friday. However, students should be flexible if opportunities arise on their weekend days. Housing is not provided. Students should provide their own transportation to and from the aquarium. There is limited public transportation but most places in Seward are within walking or biking distance. Health insurance is required. 2025 and 2026 positions filled. Next externship availability: Summer 2027. Application portal will open Fall 2026 for opportunities available in the 2027-2028 academic calendar year. All applicants will be reviewed annually and will receive notification regarding final decisions within 2 months of the application deadline. Some dates may not be available for externships, so please provide up to 3 different sets of non-overlapping dates in your cover letter. Required application materials: Cover Letter/ Letter of Intent   Curriculum vitae/resume   Veterinary School transcript, electronic copy (unofficial is acceptable)   3 letters of recommendation   3 sets of available dates in order of preference included in the application’s ‘AVAILABILITY’ section in the area in which you are asked to ‘Please explain the time frame you will be available to volunteer.’   *Apply through our “Join Our Staff” page at www.alaskasealife.org. under “Employment Opportunities” click on the Marine Animal Health Externship option and include “Marine Animal Health Externship” in the subject line of your cover letter. Upload all documents and information requested above. Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the student’s responsibility to check that their information packet is complete. Your application will be reviewed by Veterinary and Research Staff.

Winter Nights Series Tuesday evenings – 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Unwind, connect, and spark your creativity at our SeaLife Winter Nights series. Designed for adults and young adults, these special evenings feature a mix of crafts, games, and interactive activities in a lively, social atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to get creative, connect with friends, or meet new people, this is your chance to experience the aquarium in a whole new way. Cost: Events Ranging in price from FREE to $25.00 Space is limited; advanced reservation suggested – Click here to register   Calendar of Events: January 13 – Paint Night: Dive into creativity and paint your own ocean-inspired masterpieces to take home. All supplies provided. January 20 – Ocean Trivia Night: Free Event - How well do you know the sea? Test your ocean IQ - top teams take home prizes. *January 27 – Craft Supply Swap & Create: Free Event - Bring your gently-used craft supplies to trade with others, and participate in a variety of ocean-themed crafts (materials provided). *This activity is open to all ages. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. February 3 – Marine Music Bingo: Free Event - Like Bingo, but with music from a live DJ and an ocean twist! Catch the right songs to win prizes (extensive music knowledge not required). February 10 – Nature Journaling:  Relax, socialize, and create a take-home nature journal as you wander the aquarium for inspiration. Supplies provided! *February 17 – Community Game Night: Free Event - Join us for an evening of friendly competition! Rotate through a variety of nature-themed games and activities and collect tickets for a chance to win prizes. *This activity is open to all ages. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. February 24 – Hand-Build Pottery: Join us for an evening of hands-on creativity! Learn basic pottery techniques and create your own masterpiece with inspiration from the aquarium’s animals. All materials provided – just bring your imagination and curiosity! March 3 – Yoga Under the Sea: Stretch your fins and join us for a serene evening of underwater-inspired yoga at the aquarium.  

Seward, Alaska (April 7, 2015) - The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Markus Horning as Science Director effective July 13, 2015. He will succeed Dr. Tuula Hollmén who has chosen to return to a full time research position at the Center following five years as Science Director.  Dr. Horning is currently an Associate Professor at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute. He has conducted research at the Alaska SeaLife Center since its opening, most recently collaborating with Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish on a long-term study into the life history of Steller sea lions that recently theorized on the impact of predation by sleeper sharks. While serving as ASLC’s Science Director, Horning intends to continue his active research on conservation and management of marine species. “Dr. Markus Horning has a solid track record as a very creative and productive marine scientist, and is praised by colleagues and funders as a collaborative leader who understands the importance of the application of marine mammal research to resource management in Alaska’s oceans. I am ecstatic that he will help guide our research programs to be at the forefront of the field, as well as to be highly relevant to stakeholders,” said Dr. Tara Riemer, ASLC President and CEO.  Dr. Horning holds a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Bielefeld and Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Physiology at Seewiesen, Germany. Following postdoctoral research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography he was a scientist at Texas A&M University for 10 years. His research focuses on integrative, ecosystem-based investigations of the life history, physiological ecology, trophic and population ecology of upper trophic marine vertebrates, and their predators and prey. He has authored nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications and his research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, North Pacific Research Board, Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center, North Pacific Fisheries Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium, with wildlife response and education programs. 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, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

Seward, Alaska (April 17, 2015) - The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) opens its doors to the Summer of Sharks. Headlining the season is the Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago exhibit on loan from the Idaho Museum of Natural History in collaboration with artist Ray Troll. Areas around the aquarium are now transformed into the Paleozoic marine world of the humongous, whorl-toothed shark, the Helicoprion, via fossils, sculptures, and artwork. This prehistoric giant is the world's only animal - past or present - with a complete 360-degree spiral of teeth. Imagine a fearsome behemoth equipped with a circular blade of teeth and strong jaws that researchers believe crimped and cut its prey. The Buzz Saw Shark roamed the Permian Seas more than 270 million years ago. Detailed artwork from Troll include a 17.5-foot-long by 8-foot-high mural of sharks, as well as 21 individual pieces. Children and adults alike will enjoy a humorous documentary film about the artist as they sit on a whorl-patterned "art couch," activate the whorl tooth mechanism, "walk the whorl," and ponder the incredible bite of a "large-as-life" Helicoprion head. Obsessing over the prehistoric marine species for more than 20 years, Troll is now the go-to guy for all things Helicoprion. His colorful artwork combined with informational graphics explore a side of scientific history you have never seen before. Also opening April 17tth is the new Skates of Alaska exhibit, featuring the sharks' "flatter" cousins! Summer of Sharks is open April 17th through September 7th.