Special Experiences    Encounters are available for a single group at a time at a flat-rate price. General Admission must be purchased in addition. Members receive 20% off the regular price! Learn more. To book a reservation by phone please call 907-224-6300. For more information and questions, email onlinesales@alaskasealife.org.  Click on a experience for more details. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Limited space available. Tickets only valid for date selected. ***Occasionally, experiences may be adjusted due to weather or other conditions beyond our control to ensure the comfort and safety of our animals and guests. Accessibility For guests needing accommodations, every effort will be made to allow participation in encounters. Some of our tours require walking on uneven surfaces, kneeling, walking up stairs, and standing for up to 45 minutes.  For the safety of both the service animal and our ASLC animals, service animals may not be present during behind-the-scenes animal encounters. If you require a service animal, please contact our visitor services team to learn about the best ways to participate in an encounter.  Please contact us at visit@alaskasealife.org if you have any questions about accessibility for any of our tours.                                                        Tickets only valid for date selected. Cancellation Policy To change or cancel your reservation, please call 888-378-2525 or email us at onlinesales@alaskasealife.org We encourage you to reschedule your reservation, if possible, as opposed to canceling. We will do our best to accommodate any changes.  1. 7 days or more in advance: no penalty, full refund or free rescheduling.  2. 2-6 days in advance: 50% of reservation refunded or free rescheduling. 3. Less than 48 hours in advance: no refund or rescheduling. All cancellations will be confirmed by phone or email.

Porthole Cafe  Welcome to The Porthole Cafe, your go-to cafe spot inside the Alaska SeaLife Center! Enjoy craft coffee, espresso, refreshing Lotus Energy and boba drinks along with a selection of grab-and-go food, bagels, baked goods, and delicious sandwiches. Whether you're fueling up before your adventure or winding down afterward, we’ve you covered.  Learn more on the Porthole Cafe website.  The Porthole Cafe is open year-round with limited hours.  General admission is not required to visit the Porthole Cafe.    Discovery Gift Shop Take a part of the Alaska SeaLife Center with you! We have all of your favorite SeaLife plush animals, logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, green-conscious goodies, and gifts handmade by Alaskan artists. Discovery Gift Shop is open year-round. General admission is not required for entry to Discovery Gift Shop.   Phone: (907) 224-6300 ext. 6204 Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 ext. 6204 Email: linda.summerst@eventnetwork.com 

Local Information Seward is located at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway, 125 miles south of Anchorage. Located at the head of Resurrection Bay, Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, with Chugach National Forest and Caines Head State Recreation Area nearby. The city offers many recreational activities, including day wildlife viewing cruises, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.    Seward is accessible year-round by road or by train and cruise ship during the summer season. Local Links Seward Chamber of Commerce   City of Seward    City Campgrounds & Parks    Visit Anchorage

Visiting School Groups 1. Schedule your trip well in advance. When scheduling your visit, have several alternate dates selected in case your intended date is already taken. 2. Have 1 chaperone for every 10 students. We ask that you bring 1 chaperone for every 10 students. Assign groups of students to chaperones before your visit. Chaperones should keep their students with them at all times in the Center. Chaperones will actively lead groups around the facility and participate in lessons. Please have each chaperone read our Chaperone Letter for some tips to help them guide the students' learning in a positive way. 3. Make visible nametags. We have found that calling students by name makes teaching much more effective. Please make large nametags to be worn by students. Have fun with it! For example, have students create their own sea animal name tags. 4. Arrive at scheduled time. We ask that you allow time in your traveling schedule to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled program time. This will ensure that your students get sufficient time for exploration and programs. Before unloading the bus, please check in with the front desk to let us know that your group has arrived. If you think there is a possibility of being late, please contact us at 907-224-6306 to let us know. 5. Have students ready to give attention to our Educators. Upon your arrival we will go over the rules of the Center and our expectations of your group. We will then give instructions for the overall itinerary of your group's visit. We look forward to seeing you !  

 

Virtual Small Fry School Welcome to Virtual Small Fry School - The Fun Learning Show for Kids! At Virtual Small Fry School, join us from anywhere in the world to explore the amazing underwater world of Alaska! This educational and fun kids' show is perfect for pre-k learners (ages 3-5) who love sea animals and want to learn all about them!  In each 2-5 minute episode, your little one will join Allie, Aurelia, Auntie  Carol, and more of our friends at the Alaska SeaLife Center to meet  awesome sea creatures like sea urchins, sea stars, seals, octopuses, sea lions, and more. We’ll learn new big words and practice  counting while we play, move like animals, and discover how these underwater creatures live, eat, and find their homes.  Each month, we'll explore new themes:  1. Squishy, Prickly, & Sticky – Meet squishy, prickly, and sticky animals of the sea!  2. Animals Like You & Me – See how sea animals are just like us! 3. Hide & Seek – Learn how animals use camouflage to blend into their environment!  4. ABCs of the Sea – Get to know our puffins, sea lions, diving ducks, and salmon up close! 5. Homes – Discover how sea animals find safe places to live! With fun activities, games, and amazing facts, Virtual Small Fry School makes learning about sea animals easy and exciting for little ones. Kids will be inspired to care for the ocean and explore the wonders of Alaska’s sea life. By the end of each episode, your little one will be excited to explore the natural world and understand how we all play a part in keeping our environment healthy and happy!  In the description of each episode you’ll find a link to an overview of the week's topic, as well as suggested activities and crafts. Subscribe to the Alaska SeaLife KIDS YouTube page now for more underwater adventures every week!   Why Small Fry School is Perfect for Kids:  FREE, fun, short episodes (2-5 minutes) great for preschoolers • Learn about sea animals and the ocean Fun movement activities and games for kids to do along with the show Unique learning opportunities that can only be found in Alaska A great way to start conversations about caring for our  environment   Join our Small Fry School Facebook Group to connect with other pre-k families and continue learning with activities provided by our education team!   Email smallfry@alaskasealife.org with any questions you may have.         Episodes and Activities    February: Homes Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Borrowed Homes Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Neighborhoods Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Seasons Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Working Together Don't forget to download this episode's activities!    January: The ABCs of the Seas Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  “F” is for Flying, Floating, Feathered Puffins Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  “D” is for Dancing, Diving Ducks Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  “L” is for Leaping, Listening, Learning Sea Lions Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  “S” is for Silver, Swimming Salmon Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  December: Hide and Seek Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Hide With a Wolf Eel Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Dress Up With Decorator Crabs Don't forget to download this episode's activities!    Change Like An Octopus Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Blend In Like a Ringed Seal Don't forget to download this episode's activities!    November: Animals Like You and Me Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Meet One Special Seal: Asiqtuq Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Meet a Wildlife Veterinarian: Fingers, Flippers, and Paws Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Move Like Our Animals Friends Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Learn How to Do the Seal Hop with the Qutecak NAtive Youth Olympics Team Don't forget to download this episode's activities!          October: Squishy, Prickly, and Sticky!  Squishy Sea Stars Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Prickly Urchins & Squishy Anemones Don't forget to download this episode's activities!    Sticky Octopus Don't forget to download this episode's activities!  Squishy, Prickly, and Sticky Game!  Don't forget to download this episode's activities!        November  Check back at the start of the month       December Check back at the start of the month       January Check back at the start of the month       February Check back at the start of the month           Virtual Visits for All Ages Virtual Visits bring you an inside look at the animals and staff that contribute every day to the mission of the Alaska SeaLife Center. Whether you consider yourself an ASLC amateur or an "a-fish-ionado," there is always something to discover!  Weekly Virtual Visit episodes available now on the ASLC Facebook and Youtube pages!    Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch new and previously aired episodes at any time: https://www.youtube.com/user/AKSeaLifeCenter   Virtual Visits are made possible from generous support from Royal Caribbean Group.            Both programs will be FREE on our YouTube channel. Subscribe today>>> www.youtube.com/user/AKSeaLifeCenter Teachers & Groups, please visit our Distance Learning page to find out about group programs.

Donate DonateDonate   Donate     BBWebsiteComponent.goalMeter('renxt', 'p-3Wba-LFiGkm-LNS_YH9QNg', '43c107a6-18e8-47dc-b15e-53f4429dbcd8', 'usa', 75)     BBDonorFormLoader.newBlackbaudDonationFormZoned('tcs', 'p-3Wba-LFiGkm-LNS_YH9QNg', '000f8ac0-36d4-4053-95a1-2fee011f4e6b', 'usa')Become a Member of the Alaska SeaLife Center and you will support research, education, and wildlife response programs Member Benefits Unlimited free admission to the Alaska SeaLife Center for a year from the day you register Digital Membership cards 20% Discount on guest admission 20% Discount on Center tours and encounters 10% Discount on retail prices in the Discovery Gift Shop Exclusive email announcements and discounts on special events Reduced admission at other zoos and aquariums through the AZA Reciporcity Program Children 2 years and younger always admitted free. Choose the membership level that fits you best! Standard Memberships, Family Memberships, or Giving Circle Memberships     Standard Memberships Individual $70 One named member Individual Plus $115 One named member and one guest per visit Dual $115 Two named members Dual Plus $160 Two named members and one guest per visit Trio $160 Three named members Join / Renew     Family Memberships* Family $175 Two named members and eligible children and/or grandchildren Family Plus $220 Two named members and eligible children and/or grandchildren and one guest per visit Family Trio $220 Three named members and eligible children and/or grandchildren Family Quad $265 Four named members and eligible children and/or grandchildren Join / Renew *Family levels include the primary member's dependent children ages 17 and younger (and/or grandchildren ages 17 and younger) Giving Circle Memberships SeaLife Associate $300-$499 Complimentary Family Membership Four one-time use guest passes Join / Renew SeaLife Advocate $500-$999 Complimentary Family Membership Eight one-time use guest passes Invitation to an annual virtual CEO update Join / Renew Steller Partner $1,000-$2,499 Complimentary Family Membership Eight one-time use guest passes Invitation to an annual virtual CEO update An exclusive VIP tour of the Center for four Join / Renew Steller Guardian $2,500-$4,999 Complimentary Family Membership Eight one-time use guest passes Invitation to an annual virtual CEO update An exclusive VIP tour of the Center for four Invitation to quarterly VIP virtual programs Join / Renew Steller Patron $5,000-$9,999 Complimentary Family Membership Eight one-time use guest passes Invitation to an annual virtual CEO update An exclusive VIP tour of the Center for four Invitation to quarterly VIP virtual programs Breakfast or lunch with the CEO Join / Renew Steller Champion $10,000+ Complimentary Family Membership Eight one-time use guest passes Invitation to an annual virtual CEO update An exclusive VIP tour of the Center for four Invitation to quarterly VIP virtual programs Breakfast or lunch with the CEO Keeper for a Day, a 5-hour program for one or two people with minimum age of 16 Join / Renew

  In-Person Small Fry School    Welcome to Small Fry School 2025 - 2026 The 2025 - 2026 Small Fry School sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. starting in October.    Small Fry School is a FREE educational program at the Alaska SeaLife Center, specially designed for preschool-aged children! At Small Fry School, we invite you and your pre-K learner(s) to join us in person at the Alaska SeaLife Center for a fun and exciting adventure under the sea, where curious little explorers get to meet all kinds of amazing animals that live in our backyard. Each week, we’ll dive into the world of sea stars, sea urchins, puffins, seals, sea lions, and more— learning about their homes, behaviors, what makes them so special,  and how they aren’t so different from you and me.  Designed especially for preschoolers, Small Fry School is a FREE  educational program that combines engaging videos, hands-on activities, and interactive learning to help kids connect with their environment and its animals. From hopping like a seal to touching a sticky octopus, each episode is packed with fun, laughter, and lots of new discoveries!  At Small Fry School, your little one will be excited to explore the natural  world and understand how we all play a part in keeping our environment  healthy and happy.  So come on–gather your Small Frys and we’ll see you soon!  Join our Small Fry School Facebook Group to access Pre-K activities from our education  team and connect with other families!   Stay updated with weekly schedules, curriculum, games, and more. For additional information  email: smallfry@alaskasealife.org or call: 907-224-6306  *Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.      Exploring the Coastline  October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30* Discover what it’s like to live near the ocean! We’ll explore tidepools, meet the animals of the intertidal zone, and learn about the birds that live along the coastline. Hands-on activities and playful exploration will bring the shoreline to life!                                                                                                                                                        *Thursday, Oct. 30 - Kids are encouraged to come in costume    Amazing Alaska Animals  November 6, 13, & 20  Let’s meet some of Alaska’s coolest creatures! From clever octopuses to playful sea otters and even mysterious ice seals, we’ll discover the amazing tricks they use to live in their wild homes.                                              *Thursday, Nov. 27 - NO Small Fry School  Life in the Dark  December 4, 11 & 18  Dive into the deep sea to explore creatures who thrive without sunlight. Kids will discover ocean zones and animals with amazing adaptations—like glowing in the dark!                                                                          *Thursday, Dec. 25 - NO Small Fry School  Sunlight and Sea  January 8, 15, 22 & 29  Learn how light helps the ocean come alive! Kids will explore kelp forests, seagrass beds, and plankton, discovering how these ocean plants and tiny creatures use light to grow and thrive.                                        *Thursday, Jan. 1 - NO Small Fry School    Caring for Our Ocean  February 5, 12, 19 & 26 Let’s dive into how people and the ocean are connected! From scuba diving and fishing to learning how Alaska Native peoples care for the sea, kids will discover fun ways we can all help protect our ocean home. 

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Invitation to Bid (2): Fiberglass Cabin Cruiser and Platform Barge Invitation to Bid (ITB) for 21’ Fiberglass Cabin Cruiser and Trailer ITB Number: ASLC-ITB-2025-001 Start Date 06/04/2025 Close Date 06/18/2025, 3:00 PM Organization: Alaska SeaLife Center                                                                   PO Box 1329 / 301 Railway Avenue                                       Seward, AK 99664                                                                                Contact: Johanna Kinney Phone: 907-224-6349.    Email: Johannak@alaskasealife.org Date: June 4, 2025 1. Introduction The Alaska SeaLife Center invites qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for the sale of a used 21’ Parker fiberglass cabin cruiser vessel and 1,400 lb. capacity EZ Loader trailer. This procurement aims to update our fleet to support our research and outreach activities. 2. Viewing Opportunities Interested bidders are invited to view the vessel and trailer in person at Storm Chasers Marine Services, located at 13552 Lowell Point Rd, Seward, AK 99664. Viewing opportunities are available during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Climbing on and/or entering the vessel is not permitted. 3. Bid Submission Bids should be delivered or mailed in a sealed envelope and addressed as follows: Alaska SeaLife Center Attn: Johanna Kinney, RE: ASLC-ITB-2025-01 PO Box 1329 Seward, AK 99664 Envelopes must be clearly marked “ITB – Cabin Cruiser and Trailer: ASLC-ITB-2025-01”. Bids can be delivered in person to the front ticket counter at the Alaska SeaLife Center, located at 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664, during normal business hours. To be considered, bids must be received by 3:00 p.m. on June 18, 2025. Bid contents should include the bidder's name, mailing address, phone number, bid number (ASLC-ITB-2025-01), bid item (Cabin Cruiser and Trailer), and bid amount. No money should be included in the bid envelope. 4. Evaluation and Award Bids will be evaluated based on complete bid information and price. The Alaska SeaLife Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and waive any minor irregularities. 5. Additional Terms The successful bidder must remit payment in cash or a cashier’s check and sign a bill of sale by June 25, 2025. Upon successful payment, execution of the bill of sale, and transfer of the trailer title, the successful bidder is responsible for either removing the items from the Storm Chasers' property by June 30, 2025, or providing documentation of a new storage services agreement to remain at the current location. The vessel and all associated equipment, parts, and materials are being offered and will be sold “AS IS, WHERE IS,” with no warranties or guarantees, express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The buyer assumes all responsibility for inspection and evaluation of the items prior to purchase and agrees to accept the items in their present condition. Vessel and Trailer Specifications Vessel Details: Vessel Name: Sea Searcher Type: Cabin Cruiser Year: 2003 Length: 21 feet Vessel Make: Parker Marine Enterprises Hull Material: Fiberglass/plastic Engines: 2 Yamaha Outboard engines, 200 HP / 10 HP each Fuel Capacity: 80 gallons (gasoline) Trailer Details: Type: EZ Loader – EZZY Class: 31 Year: 2003 Body: BT Weight: 1,400 lbs Most recent boat surveys and additional photos are available upon request to Johanna Kinney: johannak@alaskasealife.org, 907-224-6349. Invitation to Bid (ITB) for Platform Barge ITB Number: ASLC-ITB-2025-002 Start Date 06/04/2025 Close Date 06/18/2025, 3:00 PM Organization: Alaska SeaLife Center                                                                      PO Box 1329 / 301 Railway Avenue                                   Seward, AK 99664                          Contact: Johanna Kinney Phone: 907-224-6349.    Email: Johannak@alaskasealife.org           Date: June 4, 2025 1. Introduction The Alaska SeaLife Center invites qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for the sale of a used aluminum-pontoon platform barge with hydraulic steering console. This procurement aims to update our fleet to support our research and outreach activities. 2. Viewing Opportunities Interested bidders are invited to view the vessel in person at Storm Chasers Marine Services, located at 13552 Lowell Point Rd, Seward, AK 99664. Viewing opportunities are available during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Climbing on and/or entering the vessel is not permitted. 3. Bid Submission Bids should be delivered or mailed in a sealed envelope and addressed as follows: Alaska SeaLife Center Attn: Johanna Kinney, RE: ASLC-ITB-2025-02 PO Box 1329 Seward, AK 99664 Envelopes must be clearly marked “Platform Barge: ASLC-ITB-2025-02”. Bids can be delivered in person to the front ticket counter at the Alaska SeaLife Center, located at 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664, during normal business hours. To be considered, bids must be received by 3:00 p.m. on June 18, 2025. Bid contents should include the bidder's name, mailing address, phone number, bid number (ASLC-ITB-2025-02), bid item (Platform Barge), and bid amount. No money should be included in the bid envelope. 4. Evaluation and Award Bids will be evaluated based on complete bid information and price. The Alaska SeaLife Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and waive any minor irregularities. 5. Additional Terms The successful bidder must remit payment in cash or a cashier’s check and sign a bill of sale by June 25, 2025. Upon successful payment and execution of the bill of sale, the successful bidder is responsible for either removing the vessel from the Storm Chasers' property by June 30, 2025, or providing documentation of a new storage services agreement to remain at the current location. No trailer is included with the vessel. The vessel and all associated equipment, parts, and materials are being offered and will be sold “AS IS, WHERE IS,” with no warranties or guarantees, express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The buyer assumes all responsibility for inspection and evaluation of the items prior to purchase and agrees to accept the items in their present condition. Vessel Specifications Vessel Details: Vessel Name: SSL Barge Year: 2003 Overall length: 32 feet Overall width/beam: 10 feet Deck load capacity: 10,000 pounds Weight: 3820 Vessel Make: Alcan Products Ltd Hull Material: double aluminum pontoon structure Pressure-treated lumber deck Propulsion: outboard compatible (no motors are for sale) Additional photos and information are available upon request to Johanna Kinney: johannak@alaskasealife.org, 907-224-6349. ***Motors and equipment shown in photographs are not for sale.  

Accredited zoos and aquariums are saving more than 30 endangered species and the Alaska SeaLife Center Plays a Leading Role. Seward, Alaska (November 17, 2014) – As American families prepare for the annual ritual of giving thanks, they can add to their list of things to be thankful for a rare victory in the battle against global climate change – more than 30 endangered species brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to America’s accredited zoos and aquariums.  With climate change, population growth and deforestation, and poaching threatening species around the world, we are facing what scientists call the “Sixth Extinction.”  But the 229 accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have built a unique infrastructure to save endangered species – breeding programs that coordinate across many institutions to ensure genetic diversity, systems so that animals can be safely moved between institutions, and partnerships with local, national, and international conservation organizations working on re-introducing these animals to their native ranges.  Because of that infrastructure, there is good news in the face of the extinction crisis:  from the Florida manatee to the California condor, the Hawaiian crow to the Puerto Rican crested toad, the Chinese alligator to the American bison, zoos and aquariums have saved more than 30 species, and are working today on dozens more. Over the next several months, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will be celebrating these successes, and inviting the public to support efforts to save even more species.  In November, in honor of Thanksgiving, AZA is spotlighting endangered birds, including: ·         All four species of eider sea ducks saw a decline in population from the 1970s to the 1990s, and two of the species are currently listed as threatened in the U.S.: thespectacled eider and the Alaska-breeding population of Steller’s eider.  For over thirteen years, the Eider Research Program at the Alaska SeaLife Center has conducted field, laboratory, and captive studies on Steller’s and spectacled eiders in Alaska.  Currently, the Alaska SeaLife Center houses captive breeding flocks of both spectacled and Steller’s eiders, making the organization the only facility in the world to house these species for research and conservation purposes.  The Steller’s eiders at the Alaska SeaLife Center serve as a unique reservoir flock of the threatened Steller’s eiders in Alaska, and the Center works in close partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop methods to recover the threatened eiders in Alaska. ·         Bali mynah have striking white plumage with black wing tips and bright blue coloration around the eyes. The species can approach 10 inches in height.  Bali mynahs are nearly extinct in the wild because poachers collect them for the illegal pet trade, where they are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. Because of this poaching, Bali mynahs are found almost exclusively in zoos.   But much has been done to help the Bali mynah's wild population recover, including protection of their native breeding grounds.  In 1987, 40 Bali mynahs from US zoos were sent to the Surbaja Zoo in Indonesia to form a breeding group, with resulting offspring released into the wild. In 2009, Bali mynahs raised in managed care were introduced to a neighboring island, Nusa Penida, and seem to be doing well so far. ·         The largest bird in North America, the California condor once dominated the western skies, able to soar to 15,000 feet and travel up to 150 miles a day in pursuit of food.  With its keen vision, the condor hunts for carcasses of dead animals, and then swoops in to feast, serving as nature’s clean-up crew.  But destruction of habitat and poaching decimated the species, and by 1982, only 22 birds remained in the wild.  The San Diego Zoo Global, the Los Angeles Zoo and 16 other AZA institutions took the lead at captive propagation, working with a network of government and non-profit partners.  Beginning in the early 1990s, zoo-bred condors began being reintroduced into the wild.  From a low of 22, there are now more than 435 condors in the world, with almost 250 free-flying in the West. ·         Prior to the 1960s, there were probably around 10,000 Guam rails living on Guam, a South Pacific island. Sometime between 1944 and 1952, brown tree snakes arrived on Guam, most likely on cargo ships. The snakes’ population rapidly increased, because there was plentiful prey (such as the Guam rails) and no natural predators. The tree snakes wiped out the native animal populations, and by the 1970s, 9 of the 11 native bird species, including the Guam rail, had disappeared.  Trying to save the species, the last few birds were removed from the island in the 1980s. In 1989, reintroduction of these birds began on the island of Rota, near Guam, as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for the species. ·         The palila Hawaiian songbird is one of the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper species and efforts to expand the palila population back to its historic range at Pu`u Mali have included experimental releases of captive-bred birds, as well as relocation of wild birds to protected areas. The palila was the first animal to have a federal circuit court case named after it, in a precedent setting case that increased protection for endangered species.  While several zoos are working to preserve the palila, they are not currently on exhibit to the public. ·         Known in Hawaii as Alala, the Hawaiian crow is the most endangered corvid in the world and is the only crow species found in Hawaii. The birds are extinct in the wild, and the remaining population is managed at zoos, where the chicks are fed and cared for by animal care staff they never see to ensure they do not imprint on humans.  The last `alalā were recorded in their natural habitat in 2002. Planning is underway to restore the `alalā to the Big Island of Hawaii beginning this year.  ·         The Waldrapp ibis, also known as the hermit ibis or the northern bald ibis, may not be viewed by some as the most attractive bird, but their strong character and bizarre appearance give them unique appeal. They look almost comical with their bald heads, long red beaks and crazy crest feathers going every which way. Their black feathers take on brilliant sheens of purple, green and orange when viewed in bright sunlight. With only about 420 wild Waldrapp ibis remaining, this is one of the world's most critically endangered avian species.  But thanks to a very successful breeding and release program, there are over 1,100 Waldrapp ibis in captivity, and offspring from zoos are being released back to the wild.  For a list of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums where you can see some of these incredible birds in person, please visit the AZA website: http://www.aza.org/SpeciesBeingSaved. 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, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and six other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org. 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 departments. 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 (January 15, 2015) - Science meets art as the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) brings the Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago exhibit to Seward, Alaska. The exhibit is on loan from the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) and is done in collaboration with Ray Troll. Areas around the aquarium will be transformed into the Paleozoic marine world of the humongous, whorl-toothed shark.   “Summer of Sharks” at the Alaska SeaLife Center opens April 17 with fossils, sculptures, and artwork featuring the majestic Helicoprion. 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 Buzzsaw Shark roamed the Permian Seas more than 270 million years ago. Now, it has come back to life thanks to the informed imagination of Alaskan artist Ray Troll and Idaho State University researchers.  Obsessing over this prehistoric marine species for more than 20 years, Troll is now the go-to guy for all things Helicoprion. Detailed artwork from Troll include a 17.5-foot-long by 8-foot-high mural of sharks, as well as 21 individual pieces. His colorful artwork combined with informational graphics explore a side of scientific history you have never seen before.   Sculptures by artist Gary Staab welcome visitors as they travel back in time. A hanging 15-foot shark sculpture and a giant shark head bursting through the wall watch over visitors as they are immersed in Troll’s ode to this extinct creature. The exhibit, which was previously at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, also includes four fossils of the shark’s unusual and complex whorl dentition dug from Idaho phosphate mines. Three casts of rare fossils and an interactive shark jaw showcase the power of the animal kingdom’s most unusual set of teeth.  “I’m really excited to have the ‘Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago’ be a big part of the Alaska SeaLife Center's ‘Summer of Sharks.’ I think visitors to this special exhibit will find the fossils, life-sized models and colorful artwork to be pretty amazing. I can guarantee that folks have never seen sharks like these ancient wonders before. It's going to be wonderful to get to share them with my fellow Alaskans,” Ray Troll said recently when asked about the exhibit. 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.  “This is the Alaska SeaLife Center’s first traveling exhibit, and we are thrilled to have such scientifically significant artifacts and the fantastic artwork of Ray Troll here at the Center. This is a milestone for ASLC and a major event for Alaska,” President and CEO Dr. Tara Riemer said. Buzzsaw Sharks of Long Ago explores the many ways that people have come to better understand the natural world through mysterious fossils and the quest for creatures of the deep. Troll hopes Buzzsaw Sharks will not only intrigue visitors, but also inspire them to take action and help protect all species of shark and marine life. Summer of Sharks is open April 17 through Labor Day and made possible by our presenting sponsor BP. 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. About the IMNH The Idaho Museum of Natural History is home to permanent and special collections in Anthropology, Earth Sciences, and Life Sciences, a place where researchers pursue scholarly study of the collections and publish their findings in peer-reviewed and museum-sponsored publications.  

Seward, Alaska (January 29, 2015) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is proud to announce the 2015 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that  have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the Awards Committee members: Jason Brune, Dale Hoffman, Dr. Mike Castellini, Dr. Ian Dutton, Lisa Busch, Molly McCammon, Denby Lloyd, and Carlyn Nichols for assistance in selecting the awardees.  Two of the awards were presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium the week of January 19, 2015 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska. The remaining awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 21, 2015 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available.  For additional information, visit www.alaskasealife.org Following are the 2015 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners: Al Burch will receive the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this award for 10 years to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 years or more. Starting as a shrimp dragger in Seward, Al Burch has fished Alaskan waters for more than 55 years and serves on numerous national and international fishing boards. Since 2002, Al has represented the Kodiak Island Borough on the board of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council. Al accepted the council position because he believes it is important that active fishermen have representation. He strives for an equal balance between various interest groups to ensure Alaskan waters are protected but not overly regulated. Al is a founding member of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and served 30 years on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Advisory Panel. He recently retired as the Executive Director of the Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Association, a non-profit group representing approximately 40 bottom-fish vessels out of Kodiak. He was inducted into the United Fishermen of Alaska’s Seafood Hall of Fame in 2009 for his dedication to Alaska’s fisheries and ocean resources. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.   The Alyeska Vessel of Opportunity Program will receive the Stewardship& Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company employs its Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) annually to train and educate crew members of some 450 vessels in Prince William Sound to support spill response in the region. Participants from Valdez, Cordova, Whittier, Homer, Kodiak, and Seward learn necessary skills to join Alyeska in spill response, containment, and recovery. The training results in an entire fleet of an estimated 1,500 professionals now poised to work with SERVS to protect their communities in the unlikely case of an actual incident. The local knowledge and commitment of the Prince William Sound fishing communities is evident in this program’s ongoing success - ensuring that the fisheries and environment are protected and sustained for years to come. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.   Alisa Aist will receive the Ocean Youth Award, which is sponsored by Dale Hoffman. The award honors an individual, or team, of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who have displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. Alisa is a student at Polaris K-12 School in Anchorage. Her dream to become a marine biologist was born in seventh grade during a school field trip to the tide pools in Homer. Since that trip, Alisa has taken every opportunity to expand her scientific knowledge. Alisa has taken extra science classes at school, attended two summer science camps run through the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and created four research projects for the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair, presenting two of these projects at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Alisa has worked alongside her community to do research and has continued to present her work at school, local organizations, and symposiums. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.   Benjamin Carney received the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media or other communications. It is co-sponsored by the University of Alaska, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Armed with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and M.S. in Fisheries, Ben currently teaches chemistry, physical science, and oceanography at Juneau-Douglas High School.  His passion centers on the National Ocean Sciences Bowl and coaching his students to victory. Ben has coached a team from Juneau-Douglas High School to first place at the state level since 2007, the longest winning streak in the history of the Alaska Tsunami Bowl. Last year’s winning team, Team Pogonophoraphobia, placed third at the National Finals. Award was presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium.   Jacqueline Grebmeier and Lee Cooper received the Marine Research Award, sponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of  scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Jacqueline and Lee have shown major leadership in Pacific Arctic marine research over the past several decades. Both conducted their Ph.D. work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and are now Research  Professors at the University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science. Spending most of their summers at sea in Alaska’s arctic, both have participated in dozens of research cruises, many as chief scientists. Through involvement in high level national committees, strong management skills, and deep knowledge of the Pacific Arctic, they have provided important leadership in large research  programs, such as BEST-BSIERP, the Pacific Arctic Marine Regional Synthesis, and the Distributed Biological Observatory. Award was presented at the  Alaska Marine Science Symposium.     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 (January 22, 2016) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2016 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the Awards Committee members: Denby Lloyd, Molly McCammon, Lisa Busch, Ian Dutton, Jason Brune, Michael Castellini and Phyllis Shoemaker for assistance in selecting the awardees. Two of the awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium on January 25, 2016 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska. The remaining awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 13, 2016 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available.  For additional information, visit www.alaskasealife.org or contact Nancy Anderson, nancya@alaskasealife.org or 907-224-6396. Following are the 2016 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners: Captain Ed Page will receive the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this award for 10 years to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 years or more. Through his tireless efforts to promote safety, stewardship, and environmental protection of the marine environment, Captain Ed Page has been an exemplary leader and public servant on behalf of Alaska's oceans. Even after 29 years of service with the United States Coast Guard, Captain Page chose not to retire. Instead, he put his extensive maritime experience, knowledge of marine law, contacts with the shipping industry, talent for communication, and passion for the ocean to good use by creating the Marine Exchange of Alaska in 2000. Under his leadership, the Marine Exchange of Alaska tracks and monitors over 2,000 vessels in the 1.2 million square miles of ocean bordering Alaska. The Marine Exchange makes it more likely that potential vessel-related problems at sea will be detected, thereby preventing unseen marine accidents. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.  The nonprofit organizationSeaShare will receive the Stewardship & Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. SeaShare leads our seafood industry in a collective effort to improve nutrition for the people served by our nation’s food bank network. SeaShare combines the generosity of fishermen with processors, service providers, and financial donors to generate high volumes of donated seafood. SeaShare started in 1994 with an Experimental Fishing Permit to retain Prohibited Species Bycatch in Dutch Harbor and use those valuable fish resources for hunger relief. Over 20 years later, SeaShare remains the only organization authorized by NMFS to coordinate donations from over 120 boats and shore plants in Alaska. To date, this has resulted in 4 million pounds of fish distributed in communities such as Anchorage, Kodiak, Juneau, Cordova, Fairbanks, St. Paul, Kotzebue, Galena, Nome, Diomede, Savoonga and Wales. It’s a great story of fishermen and processors who respect the resource and who want to see that fewer fish are wasted. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala. Sofia Astaburuaga will receive the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award, which is sponsored by Dale Hoffman.The award honors an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who have displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. Sofia is an active member of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, and is passionate about working with teens on issues related to climate change and the environment. She has worked on habitat restoration and resource monitoring efforts in Prince William Sound and the Chugach National Forest, as well as salmon habitat restoration through the Student Conservation Association. This past year, Sofia has been working with researchers at the University of Alaska to investigate the effects of plastics on seabirds in the Aleutians. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala. Arliss Sturgulewski will be recognized with the Ocean Ambassador Award. The Ocean Ambassador Award was created to recognize an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in promoting public awareness and appreciation of Alaska’s oceans, coasts, and marine ecosystems. Arliss is well-known throughout the state of Alaska for her service in political office and on many key advisory committees related to marine research and outreach. She is an active champion for the wise use of Alaska’s resources. While serving in the Alaska State Senate from 1979 to 1993, Arliss was an advisor to the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission. She fought against foreign fishing in US waters and championed the Community Development Quota program that supports local Alaska communities and fisheries. She has also been a member of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Advisory Council since 1992 and has served on the Alaska Sea Grant Program Statewide Advisory Committee since 2003. In these roles, she has been actively supportive of expanded marine research capacities in the state, as well as providing scholarship opportunities to students. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala. Susan Saupe will receive the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media or other communications. It is co-sponsored by the University of Alaska, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Susan grew up on Kodiak Island, earned a Master’s degree in Chemical Oceanography, and has conducted research at sea throughout Alaska. She has been with the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council since 1996, and drew on her previous experiences to build their science program. Her role as Director of Science and Research provides unique opportunities to bridge the gap between marine researchers and coastal communities. Susan includes outreach in each program component – whether talking about oceanography, contaminants monitoring, coastal habitat mapping and assessments, or oil fate and effects research – to build meaningful partnerships. By seeking commonalities, Susan leverages funding, logistics, and expertise to collect and deliver user-friendly information about Alaska’s marine environment to a wider range of research, educational, agency, industry, and community users. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. Dr. Gunnar Knapp was selected toreceive the Marine Research Award, sponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Dr. Gunnar Knapp has been studying fisheries management, fisheries markets, and the world seafood industry for more than twenty-five years, focusing particularly on the Alaska salmon industry. Gunnar’s willingness and ability to build close links with all sectors of the industry make him an inspiration to researchers in his field.  During the 1990’s, he began the Salmon Market Information Service for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. He co-authored the major 1997 report “The Great Salmon Run: Competition between Wild and Farmed Salmon.” He has written numerous articles and reports on salmon markets, trends in limited entry permit ownership, the effects of halibut and crab IFQs, the Chignik salmon co-op, implications of climate change, and the economic impacts of Alaska fisheries. Dr. Knapp is closely engaged with the seafood industry and policy makers in Alaska. Currently, he is writing a book, The Economics of Fish, which is intended as an introduction to the insights provided by economics about fisheries, aquaculture and the seafood industry. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. 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 

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.  

Overview The ASLC  Wildlife Response program responds to live and dead marine wildlife that has been abandoned, stranded, or injured throughout Alaska. The ASLC is the only institution authorized to rehabilitate live stranded marine mammals in the state. We operate under permits and agreements issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). ASLC plays a critical role in responding to oil spills or other unusual events. In addition to covering the live animal response and care during the ‘busy’ season, May to September, ASLC remains in a ready state year round to provide basic animal care for oil-affected animals and deploy a mobile treatment and rehabilitation enclosure. The ASLC Wildlife Response Program is an important part of the Center's commitment to generate and share scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystem. The main goal of this program is to learn from live and dead stranded animals to better understand wild populations and maintain capacity to respond to natural or manmade disasters. We accomplish this by: Screening for conditions of concern Determining the health of individual animals Providing humane animal care Training staff and partners for response When possible, returning healthy animals to the wild

How You Can Help Donate Our Wildlife Response program is mostly funded through private donations. Please consider making an online donation today to support this critical program. Wishlist The patients and their caregivers in the Wildlife Response Program can also be supported by purchasing an item on our Amazon Wishlist. Items in need range from formula for orphaned animals to footwear for the caregivers.  Volunteer Volunteers are key to the success of our Wildlife Response team. The Alaska SeaLife Center has volunteer opportunities to fit a variety of schedules.  

Stranding Network The Alaska Stranding Network is a group of dedicated volunteers and organizations that help support rescue, stranding and rehabilitation efforts statewide. Participating organizations include the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the North Slope Borough, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast, as well as representatives from native communities and oil companies.   The Alaska Stranding Network works with the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to maintain and meet the following objectives: Improve the rescue, care and treatment of stranded marine mammals. Reduce the health risk to animals, humans, and the ocean environment during response to, and rehabilitation and release of, stranded marine mammals. Collect life history, biological, and biomedical data from live and dead stranded marine mammals. Develop baseline reference data on the health of wild marine mammal populations, normal stranding rates, and causes of morbidity and mortality; improve the rapid detection of morbidity and mortality events. Collect archival samples for future retrospective studies on causes of mortality or illness, including genetics and genomics, and for placement in the National Marine Mammal Tissue (and Serum) Bank and other properly curated, professionally accredited archival facilities. Refine and/or utilize comprehensive and consistent guidance for the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals, collection of specimens, quality assurance, and analysis of tissue samples.

Seward, Alaska (January 31, 2017) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the awards committee members: Betsy Baker, Molly McCammon, Lisa Busch, Ian Dutton, Jason Brune and Michael Castellini for assistance in selecting the awardees.  The awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 11, 2017 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets are nearly sold out.  For more information, please contact: Nancy Anderson, nancya@alaskasealife.org or 907-224-6396.   Following are the 2017 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners: Dorothy Childers will receive the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this award for 10 years to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources for more than 20 years. Dorothy Childers’ contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources have included tireless work of an exceptional quality as program staff, executive director, and as a Pew Marine Fellow with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. She devoted her career to protecting the long-term health of Alaska’s oceans and to ensuring a voice for those Alaskans whose economy and culture depend on the long-term health of our ocean resources. Dorothy was instrumental in the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s promulgation of a northern bottom trawl boundary in the Bering Sea, a collaboration with Bering Sea Elders Group on the publication of “The Northern Bering Sea: Our Way of Life” to inform conservation decisions, and production of the “Faces of Climate Change” DVD featuring climate scientists and Alaska Native observers. She has been a quiet catalyst for ongoing efforts to bring together Western science and traditional knowledge for continued understanding of climate change and its consequences for marine life, ocean habitat, communities, and cultures. Special projects supporting Bristol Bay fisheries and engaging coastal Alaskans on ocean acidification are helping to safeguard marine ecosystems. She has served on the North Pacific Research Board since 2004. ConocoPhillips will receive the Stewardship and Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. The year 2016 marked the 31st year that ConocoPhillips and its predecessors have funded a collaborative program with local fishers to monitor the fall Qaaqtak (Arctic cisco, Coregonus autumnalis) subsistence fish harvest on the Nigliq Channel of the Colville River, making it one of the longest Arctic subsistence fishery datasets in the world. Qaaqtak are a highly-prized food source for Alaskan Inupiat communities and a particularly important cultural resource for the nearby community of Nuiqsut. The monitoring program incorporates local and traditional knowledge of Nuiqsut fishers and collects data on Qaaktak abundance, the effort required to catch the species throughout the harvest season, as well as age, length, and weight of the catch. The information is used to monitor overall trends in the fishery. The program concept was originally focused on monitoring fish in Prudhoe Bay, but was expanded to include the Colville River Delta based on a request from Nuiqsut residents. ConocoPhillips has continued to voluntarily support the program as a commitment to the sustainability of an important anadromous species for which little was known of its lifecycle before the monitoring program began. Cade Emory Terada will receive the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award, which is sponsored by Dale Hoffman.The award honors an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who has displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. Cade has dedicated the past two years to advocating for our oceans. As the son of a fisherman and an active community member in Unalaska, he has a vested interest in protecting the oceans. Cade has traveled to Washington D.C. and Juneau to meet and speak with politicians about the impacts of ocean acidification on the crabbing and commercial fishing industries. Last year he also became an Arctic Youth Ambassador, and joined in official Arctic Council meetings to talk about his community’s concerns around oceans on an international level. Cade also participated in the Students on Ice program, which last summer brought together youth from across the Arctic to Greenland and Canada to dive deeper into how communities, land, and ocean are connected to ice and warming temperatures. In August of 2016, he took part in the Aleutian Life Forum which discussed ocean acidification and strategies for building more resilient communities. Despite the jet setting lifestyle that Cade has lived for the past two years as he has traveled to advocate for our oceans, he is a committed community member and student. He maintains a high grade point average and participates in school sports and clubs. He also encourages his peers to get involved and recently helped start a chapter of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action to bring Unalaska students together. Phyllis Shoemaker will receive the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media or other communications. It is sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Phyllis Shoemaker coordinated and quietly led the Alaska Region National Ocean Sciences Bowl – “Tsunami Bowl” – in Seward for over 15 years. Her work make possible the development of hundreds of budding marine science high school students, many of whom have gone on to the university study of marine science and careers in the field. During her time as coordinator for the “Tsunami Bowl” it grew from about ten teams competing each year to the maximum of twenty teams, often with waiting lists, that represent schools from throughout urban and rural parts of the state, from Southeast Alaska to the Arctic. Her leadership and work in getting sponsors for the Bowl, finding housing for teams and volunteers coming from thousands of miles away, organizing a complex competition schedule and set of brackets and bringing the National Ocean Sciences Bowl final competition to Alaska, have been essential to the Bowl’s success. Dr. Stanley Rice was selected to receive the Marine Research Award, sponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Following a federal career spanning more than 40 years, Dr. Stanley Rice, known to all as “Jeep,” retired as Program Manager of Habitat and Chemistry at NOAA’s Auke Bay Laboratories in 2012. Jeep and his team’s tireless efforts, including more than 150 publications, have greatly added to our understanding of the long term fate and biological effects of oil in the marine environment whether it be from spills or chronic oil pollution. The discovery of the extent to which very low concentrations of oil in the environment could damage the productivity of marine organisms and compromise their habitats culminated, after a decade of further research, in a publication in Science (2003). These findings were built upon by other scientists to extend to seabirds, marine mammals, and the intertidal biota, resulting in a major paradigm shift in the scientific view of oil spills and chronic pollution. Beyond the arena of catastrophic oil spills, Jeep’s findings have been applied by scientists in the management of very low levels of hydrocarbon pollution and the protection of ecosystems in urban estuaries. For example, Jeep’s team’s findings led to more stringent water quality standards for hydrocarbons in fish spawning habitats. Jeep’s work also had an impact on oil spill contingency planning where proactive measures such as double hulled tankers and altered shipping routes have appeared in plans that once focused solely on cleanup technologies. 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. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

Check here to learn more about the round-the-clock care provided to Tyonek while at the Alaska SeaLife Center.                     3/9/2018 It has been a long journey for Tyonek and we were happy to be a part of this young calf’s story. Tyonek is the first Cook Inlet beluga calf to ever be successfully rehabilitated. Learn more about how the Alaska SeaLife Center team worked to rehabilitate Tyonek here. 3/9/2018 Learn more about Tyonek’s transition to his new home at SeaWorld San Antonio here. 2/27/2018 One of Tyonek's favorite enrichment activities is playing with bubbles. Check out this video! 2/21/2018 Check out this KTUU Channel 2 News story on Tyonek! 2/10/2018 Tyonek is the first Cook Inlet beluga calf to ever be successfully rehabilitated. He was found stranded, high and dry on the beach in very poor condition. Six institutions from all across North America united to care for this little cetacean. He has recovered against the odds thanks to our staff here at ASLC and dedicated partners at Shedd Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld, and Vancouver Aquarium. When Tyonek first arrived at the Center, September 30th he was 64 kilos and 162 cm long. Today he is 116 kilos and 180 cm long. We are ecstatic that Tyonek continues to grow and gain strength when just over four months ago he was found stranded, malnourished, and dehydrated on a beach. Amazing the things we can do when we work together.     2/8/2018 Once NOAA Fisheries determined Tyonek was non-releasable and could not survive in the wild, the agency followed its formal procedure to place him at a permanent care facility in the United States. Based on a thorough review of the applications, NOAA Fisheries selected SeaWorld San Antonio as the location best suited for Tyonek to thrive because they have both adult females and young male calves that will be important for Tyonek’s social development. Read more about NOAA’s decision here. 1/19/2018 We, at ASLC, along with our supporters and partners, have been awaiting NOAA's decision about Tyonek's future. Since he is the first stranded Cook Inlet beluga calf to ever be successfully rehabilitated, it was a long process to determine what would be best for this young calf. NOAA Fisheries has announced Tyonek is not a candidate for release due to his young age upon arrival, health conditions, and other factors. Read more about NOAA's decision and the next steps for Tyonek here. 1/7/2018 As part of our environmental enrichment we play Cook Inlet beluga whale sounds for Tyonek twice a day in five minute intervals. Our animal caretakers notice that he is very curious about the sounds and even mimics the calls. This type of enrichment helps us assess how his vocalizations are progressing as well as his hearing. Watch this video to hear Tyonek's calls.  We receive Cook Inlet beluga whale sounds from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) based study. Learn more about the study here.  12/22/2017 The Alaska SeaLife Center is excited to introduce Beluga Chats! What does it take to care for a baby beluga? Don't miss this opportunity to chat with Alaska SeaLife Center husbandry or vet staff caring for Tyonek, the three-month-old beluga whale. Chats will be at 12:15 PM on December 26th, 28th, 29th, and 30th. For a limited time only. Participation is free with paid admission. 12/18/2017 Similar to newborns in hospitals across the country, Tyonek had his hearing tested. Preliminary results do not indicate any significant problems and he appears to have hearing ability similar to belugas tested in Bristol Bay. 12/7/2017 Click here to watch a Q&A session and bottle feed with Tyonek, the rescued Cook Inlet beluga calf. 11/21/2017 While Tyonek's energy levels are on a positive trend, we still monitor him very closely as stranding is a traumatic experience that can cause unseen internal damage. Our team uses imaging (ultrasound, radiographs, and CT scans) to regularly monitor Tyonek's condition. For instance, we are able to track increase in blubber as he puts on weight as well as changes in his internal organs. 11/19/2017 "When it comes to helping a terribly rare Cook Inlet beluga, every day is a victory.” Check out this Washington Post article to learn a bit more about Tyonek and hear from his caretakers here.  11/17/2017 We have been getting some wonderful support from our Facebook community regarding ASLC's efforts with Tyonek and we thank you! Our Wildlife Response efforts are made possible by visitors, members, donors, and the community.  "We support your incredible efforts to save this calf! Kudos to your dedicated and hard working team. This is a round the clock effort. Incredibly proud of the work you are doing! Keep it up crew!" - Nancy C.  To support Tyonek and our other Wildlife Response patients, donate here. 11/15/2017 Tyonek is now in our outdoor pool. Only after slowly acclimating the beluga to colder water temperatures in our I.Sea.U unit, was our team able to transition him outside. He is handling the climate change well. 11/12/2017 Tyonek is now exclusively on bottles! Initially, he was not strong enough to take in the necessary daily calories through just a bottle so we had to supplement his diet with tube feedings. Thanks to the efforts of our staff and partners, this little calf has recovered enough to successfully participate in all of his bottle feedings. Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, SeaWorld, Shedd Aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium. 11/05/2017 Marc Lester, from Alaska Dispatch News wrote this article about Tyonek, the Cook Inlet beluga calf here at ASLC. Read the story here. 11/05/2017 Tyonek's rehabilitation has progressed enough that we are introducing him to our outdoor pool in short intervals. We want to slowly acclimate him to the cooler temperatures beluga's are accustomed to. For now, his outdoor time will vary from day to day. 11/03/2017 Check out this video to learn more about how the beluga team assesses Tyonek's health!  10/26/2017 Check out this video to learn more about what goes in to caring for a stranded beluga calf. We could not do this without the help of our dedicated partners: Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, SeaWorld, Mystic Aquarium, and Vancouver Aquarium. This little cetacean is still in our I.Sea.U and is currently not viewable to the public. We will keep you updated when this changes. Thank you for your patience and support! 10/24/2017 BELUGA UPDATE! There are various tests and check-ups our staff regularly conducts on this little beluga calf to gauge his condition. One thing we do is collect thermal imagery from a FLIR camera to keep track of any sore muscles or other soft tissue injuries. In this particular image it looks like his only current “hot spot” is from his eye, which is normal. No other sources of heat are obvious which is good since it means no infections or injured muscles are in the pictured area.      

Seward, Alaska (February 8, 2018) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the awards committee members: Jason Brune, Lisa Busch, Ian Dutton, Dale Hoffman, and Molly McCammon for their assistance in selecting the award recipients. These awards were presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 3, 2018 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The following are the 2018 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners: Mead Treadwell received the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this award for 10 years to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources for more than 20 years. Mead Treadwell has been one of the most influential Alaska ocean leaders of the past 30 years. From his early career experience responding to the Exxon Valdez oil spill on behalf of the City of Cordova and as Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, to his service on the boards of the Oil Spill Recovery Institute and the Prince William Sound Science Center, and to his more recent roles as Chair of the United States Arctic Research Commission, Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, and as a business leader catalyzing international fisheries partnerships, Mead has demonstrated remarkable vision and helped ensure a strong science and education base for ocean management in Alaska. He has also been a leader in Alaska’s efforts to build circumpolar cooperation through the Arctic Council and through his active involvement in numerous Arctic policy-focused organizations including the Institute of the North, the Aspen Institute, the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, the Arctic Circle, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Action Council on the Arctic. He is always open to work with diverse stakeholders and has been a proactive supporter of innovation and pan-Arctic partnerships. Mead has been a tremendous advocate for our oceans and champion for Alaska’s ocean industries, ocean dependent communities and ocean research and education institutions. Major Marine Tours received the Stewardship and Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Major Marine Tours applies environmentally friendly practices, by using environmentally friendly cleaning solutions on their vessels and by outfitting their vessels with emission reducing and fuel saving engines. In 2016, owner Tom Tougas was awarded the Business Energy Efficiency Leader of the Year Award from the Seward Alternative Energy Group. A current member of the Board of Directors of the Alaska SeaLife Center, Tougas invites guests to donate to the ASLC at the time of booking to raise funds for their Wildlife Response Program. They also conduct other fundraisers, and have assisted the ASLC in the release of rehabilitated wildlife from their vessels. Major Marine Tours is an active participant in Whale SENSE, a voluntary education and recognition program, committed to responsible whale watching practices. Major Marine Tours also partners with the National Park Service and the National Forest Service to promote environmental education through their onboard Park Range narration and Junior Ranger Program, helping guests from all over the world learn about how to better care for our marine environment and coastlines. Kyrstyn Kelly received the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award, which is sponsored by Dale Hoffman. The award honors an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who has displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. As a freshman at Colony High School, Kyrstyn joined the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) to learn about ways to advocate for Alaska’s environment. In 2015, she was an intern for the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies in Homer, where she gained experience working in the fields of environmental education and environmental science. At the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies, she helped with research, tours, and other aspects of protecting our oceans. Kyrstyn is a member of the board of the Alaska Center Education Fund. She is a passionate advocate for research and the health of our oceans and shows an eagerness to expand her understanding of marine and environmental issues. She has attended and presented at the Alaska Forum on the Environment for three years in a row. Last summer, Kyrstyn traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Alaska delegation and urge funding for vital programs for our oceans and coasts including the Village Safe Water program. She has participated in the state Science Olympiad program in events such as ecology, hydrogeology, and invasive species. Kyrstyn is the Colony High School Senior Class Secretary, has been a member of the Key Club since her freshman year, and is an avid skier. Paula Cullenberg received the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media or other communications. It is sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Paula Cullenberg is the Director of Alaska Sea Grant, a University of Alaska Fairbanks-NOAA partnership with offices across coastal Alaska. Paula has brought over 35 years of service, vision, and skill to Alaska, its coastal communities, and the marine resources we all depend on. Paula first came to the state in the late 1970’s serving as an observer on a Russian trawler in the Bering Sea. She then traveled to villages in western Alaska as the first extension agent for the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association. She continued her career working as an aide for interior legislator Kay Wallis, as a subsistence advocate for the Tanana Chiefs Conference and as a Sea Grant Marine Advisory agent in Bristol Bay. At the University of Alaska, Paula directed the Fishery Observer Training Center at UAA and joined Alaska Sea Grant in 2002 working as a coastal communities specialist and ultimately director of the program. Paula has provided well-respected leadership of Alaska Sea Grant, whose passionate and talented Marine Advisory faculty and staff help Alaskans understand and responsibly use our marine resources. Paula established the Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship program which links newly completed graduate students with state and federal agencies. In 2015, Paula worked to create the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan for the State of Alaska. She has also initiated an innovative school grant program that has invested more than $100,000 in marine and watershed education programming in schools around the state. She and her family fish commercially in Bristol Bay and just completed their 30th salmon season last summer. Dr. John “Craig” George was selected toreceive the Marine Research Award, sponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. A Senior Wildlife Biologist for the North Slope Borough, Craig George has lived in UtqiaÄ¡vik (formerly called Barrow) since the late 1970’s. His presence in the Arctic and among Iñupiat hunters and elders has given Craig a unique perspective that has been extremely helpful for wildlife conservation and for protecting subsistence hunting opportunities. Craig has helped establish a meaningful process where combining traditional knowledge and western science has improved our understanding and management of the Arctic environment. Craig’s studies, numerous publications, and technical reports have been especially helpful in managing the subsistence hunt of bowhead whales at local, national, and international levels. He has improved knowledge about many aspects of the biology of bowheads, including physiology, energetics, foraging, survival, and reproduction. Because of Craig’s commitment we know more about bowhead whales and how they use the ocean than just about any other marine mammal in the world. Craig’s most noteworthy contribution to biological science is providing evidence that bowhead whales live up to 200 years and are likely the longest-lived mammal. The son of a well-known children’s book author and a professor of Wildlife Management, Craig attributes his achievements by being persistent, working with a diverse group of people, being curious, and recognizing the value of local knowledge. V Rae is this year’s recipient of the Ocean Ambassador Award. The Ocean Ambassador Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in promoting public awareness and appreciation of Alaska’s oceans, coasts, and marine ecosystems. V Rae’s images at the Alaska SeaLife Center are not only gorgeous and captivating, they light the way for our deeper respect and love for Alaska’s marine animals. Her work adorns many homes and offices in Alaska and beyond. V’s overall impact is to inspire and excite all of us in our understanding, knowledge, and stewardship of Alaska’s living marine resources. But she is also a direct, fantastic benefactor to the Alaska SeaLife Center, by her many donations of breathtaking artwork for our Gala auction. Each year a portion of V’s work is dedicated to wildlife preservation efforts that protect and sustain the natural tension between subsistence and conservation unique to Alaska and Hawaii, as well as non-profit humanitarian outreach. 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. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.  

Seward, Alaska (January 24, 2020) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the awards committee members (Betsy Baker, Jason Brune, Lisa Busch, Dale Hoffman, Molly McCammon, Robert Suydam) for their assistance in selecting the award recipients. These awards will be presented at the in Anchorage Alaska Marine Gala on February 8 at the Dena’ina Center and/or at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium on January 27-31. The following are the 2020 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners: Molly McCammon will receivethe prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this award for 10 years to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources for more than 20 years. Molly has worked tirelessly to promote the long term sustainability of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources, and find creative solutions to meet the needs of Alaskans. Molly came to Alaska in 1973, first as a reporter covering a variety of natural resource issues, then homesteading in the Brooks Range, and later working in various fields in state government. Her service to marine conservation began in 1984 as a legislative aide working on the wild fishery stock priority policy and the new community development quota program. At the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Molly worked on salmon management issues and on legislation strengthening Alaska’s response and prevention efforts following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. From there, Molly served as Executive Director of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council for nine years. As Executive Director, Molly managed the largest research and monitoring program in the state, with one of her many accomplishments being the installation of annual, multi-disciplinary conferences focused on marine research. These conferences were initially funded by EVOS, and over time, have evolved into the annual Alaska Marine Science Symposium that continues today. Her leadership and work for the Trustee Council directly contributed to many significant research programs that provided a comprehensive understanding of marine ecosystems of Prince William Sound, creating a baseline for evaluation of any future oil spills as well as the dramatic changes in the ocean we are seeing now. In 2003, Molly organized and launched the Alaska Ocean Observing System where she continues to serve as its Executive Director.  Molly has direct involvement in the actual development and running of regional coastal and ocean observations systems. She has taken a leading national role in developing the Integrated Ocean Observing System on a regional level and established the national IOOS Association. Throughout her career, Molly has worked effectively for positive solutions that meet the needs of Alaskans, and, at the same time, foster the conservation and wise use of Alaska’s natural resources, especially its fisheries. Her contributions have made a lasting difference for marine conservation in Alaska. Alaska Wildland Adventures will receivethe Stewardship and Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Since 1977 and under the leadership of Kirk Hoessle, Alaska Wildland Adventures has operated natural history tours exclusively in Alaska, providing high quality, interactive experiences in wild Alaska. At the heart of this company’s culture is the strong respect for the environment and unique native heritage of Alaska. AWA recently celebrated its 10th year of operation of the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, which was born from a collaborative partnership with Port Graham Native Corporation. The lodge was created to support community goals of the corporation’s Native residents while also creating an environmentally-conscious lodge to host small groups of Alaskan tourists each summer. It is a solid example of positive stewardship and sustainability in Alaska, from its low impact construction methods, to working with local government agencies to create and maintain the Pedersen Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary that protects native flora and fauna, to supporting the local marine community of Seward. Alaska Wildland Adventures puts a strong emphasis on hiring, shopping, and transporting locally which contributes to the sustainability of the Seward community. Dr. Switgard Duesterloh will receive the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media or other communications. It is sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Dr. Switgard Duesterloh created the Ocean Science Discovery Lab in Kodiak in 2009 and has run several programs for students grades 3-12. She offers science summer camps in Kodiak Island villages and in the city of Kodiak. Her programs include a diverse study of marine biology from food webs to sea otter ecology to sea star experiments, dissections, oil spill history and response, various oceanography experiments, and more. Dr. Duesterloh is inclusive and creative with her students. During the past year she has partnered with the Island Trails Network, a local nonprofit that does beach cleanups throughout Kodiak. She works tirelessly to raise awareness of the problems associated with plastic pollution. Currently, she is organizing a spring Whale Festival, a program inviting the community to partake and recognize Kodiak’s unique position in whale migrations. She also writes a column in the Kodiak Daily Mirror, educating the community about life in the ocean. This year, the Awards Committee named two recipients for the Marine Research Award: Carin Ashjian and the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee.  This award issponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Carin Ashjianhas contributed important insights to marine research and significantly advanced leadership in shaping marine science programs in the Arctic and Bering Sea for the past two decades. Her substantial expertise in oceanography, zooplankton ecology, and biological-physical interactions focusing on Arctic and sub-arctic regions has advanced our understanding of these systems, and how lower trophic levels respond to the physical environment and connect to higher trophic levels. One specific example of her boundary-straddling work is her decade-long work around UtqiaÄ¡vik where she and her colleagues Steve Okkonen and Bob Campbell focus on the oceanographic mechanisms that produce a favorable feeding environment for bowhead whales, a species of imminent subsistence and ecological value. Carin has worked to communicate the results of her research to Alaskan coastal communities and local hunters. Carin has been published in top-ranking journals and has made continued significant contributions to Arctic and sub-arctic marine science. That her work and expertise is well-known and important beyond regional scales is exemplified by her involvement in international programs, most recently the interdisciplinary MOSAiC program that explores Arctic processes throughout an entire year on a ship-based platform frozen into the sea ice. The Alaska Beluga Whale Committee (ABWC) serves as the co-management partner with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association for four stocks of belugas in western and northern Alaska. Since its creation in 1988, the committee has encouraged and promoted the conservation and informed, sustainable management of beluga whales through collaboration of Alaska Native subsistence hunters, biologists, and agency managers. They have initiated and continue management of this important resource and conduct scientific research on belugas to address management needs. At the time the ABWC was formed, there was little precedent for hunters and scientists working together. Now the committee brings representatives from beluga hunting communities in Alaska; local, state, tribal and federal governments; and beluga researchers together to discuss management and conservation issues, the biology of belugas, and the needs for additional information. Because of this committee, there is now information on the annual harvest of belugas since 1988, population estimates, satellite tracking of belugas, and sampling for genetics from approximately 2,500 beluga whales. The information and transparency shared by the ABWC provide assurances to Alaska, the U.S., and the international community that belugas in western and northern Alaska are being well managed.  Fran Ulmeris this year’s recipient of the Ocean Ambassador Award. The Ocean Ambassador Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in promoting public awareness and appreciation of Alaska’s oceans, coasts, and marine ecosystems. Fran Ulmer’s legacy of public service spans over 40 years and is still going strong. Her achievements reflect an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources, a commitment to community, and first-hand appreciations for Alaska’s unique people and resources. Fran has had a significant impact in terms of coastal and ocean public policy. As the first director of the Alaska Coastal Policy Council, she was instrumental in the early formation and development of Alaska’s coastal management program. As a mayor, legislator, and lieutenant governor, she advocated for responsible use of the marine environment by Alaska’s growing tourism and cruise industry, as well as commercial and recreational fisheries. She was a strong voice for the careful management of Pacific Ocean fisheries as a commissioner on the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission for over a decade. Her advocacy for enhancing relevant science and policy research as Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage continues beyond Alaska, as a Visiting Professor at Stanford and now a Senior Fellow at Harvard. As chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, she has ensured that the U.S. maintains a strong focus on marine research and has built collaborations with other nations across the Arctic to ensure that activities in the Arctic are conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner. Fran lectures internationally about the rapid changes happening in the Arctic, why people everywhere should care, and why conservation of our oceans is essential to everyone’s wellbeing. 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. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

Seward, Alaska (April 7, 2020) – Nat Geo WILD’s new series, “Alaska Animal Rescue,” is airing April 11 at 5 p.m. Alaska time. This new show highlights three renowned animal conservation centers, the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Alaska Raptor Center.   The series will give viewers a unique behind the scenes look at wildlife response in action as animal care teams experience both the rewards and challenges of rescuing wildlife in various regions of Alaska. From Nat Geo WILD: “Whether caring for a stranded sea lion, an orphaned lynx or an injured eagle, these are the people on the front lines, willing to do whatever it takes to rescue and preserve Alaska’s wildlife.”   The facilities featured in “Alaska Animal Rescue” anticipate this series will help inspire people to care about wildlife and conservation. “We hope viewers of the show see how valuable all three of our facilities are not just to wildlife in the state of Alaska, but in supporting conservation work on a global scale,” said Tara Riemer, Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO.    “We are very excited for the premiere of Alaska Animal Rescue. We hope viewers will become stewards for Alaska’s wildlife and learn how everyone around the world can help participate in wildlife conservation efforts,”  said Di Whitney, Executive Director, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.   Jennifer Cross, Executive Director, Alaska Raptor Center states, “All of us at the Alaska Raptor Center are thrilled about the show’s premiere this Saturday! Although filming was challenging at times, we are thankful for this opportunity to showcase the important work non-profits do on behalf of Alaska’s wild animals.”     The show will air on Nat Geo WILD channel April 11, at 9/8c (5 p.m. Alaska time)  Learn more about the facilities highlighted in the series here: https://alaskaanimalrescue.org/    About the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3), non-profit research institution and public aquarium in Seward, Alaska. The Center 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.   About the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) Founded in 1993, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals and provides them with enclosures at a 200-acre facility in Portage, Alaska. Most of the animals that arrive at AWCC become permanent residents. To learn more, visit www.alaskawildlife.org.    About the Alaska Raptor Center (ARC) Established in 1980, the Alaska Raptor Center’s mission is to promote and enhance wild populations of raptors and other avian species through rehabilitation, education, and research. ARC provides medical treatment to about 200 injured birds each year, striving to rehabilitate and release its avian patients. Some birds who are too injured to survive in the wild find sanctuary at the facility in Sitka, Alaska, providing educational opportunities to visitors. To learn more, visit www.alaskaraptor.org.