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# Alaska

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Habitat
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## Alaska

Alaska's dynamic, often ice-covered seas are home to a remarkable diversity of life—crustaceans, fish, seals, sea lions, porpoises, whales, and more. Few places in the world offer such beauty and bounty. This region of nearly 1.5 million square miles includes waters in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea.

Alaska produces more than half the fish caught in waters off the coast of the United States, with an average wholesale value of nearly $4.5 billion a year. Alaska's fisheries are among the best-managed, most sustainable in the world. Alaska resources provide jobs and a stable food supply for the nation, while supporting a traditional way of life for Alaska Native and local fishing communities.

Together, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office and Alaska Fisheries Science Center help ensure the sustainability of these marine resources for generations.

## More Information 

                        -  Alaska Geographic Strategic Plan 
                        -  Funding Opportunities 
                        -  Jobs and Internships 
                        -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications 

## About Us | Contact Us 

                        -  Alaska Regional Office 
                        -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center 
                        -  Alaska Best Scientific Information Available 

### Follow Us

@NOAAFisheriesAK

NOAA Fisheries Alaska 

NOAA Fisheries Alaska 

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## Featured News

Three juvenile Bristol Bay red king crab. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

### New Model Predicts Where Red King Crab Bycatch Is Likely to Occur in Bering Sea Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Alaska

Three snow crabs. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

### Snow Crab Collapse Due to Ecological Shift in the Bering Sea

Alaska

### New Deputy Director for Alaska Fisheries Science Center Survey Division

Alaska

Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries

### 18 Years of Eastern North Pacific Right Whale Sightings Shed Light on Important Habitats and Movements

Alaska

Oysters being farmed by Alaska Shellfish Farms in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

### NOAA and State of Alaska Release Summary Report for Aquaculture Opportunity Area Spatial Planning Workshops

Alaska

View More News

## Notices & Rules

#### Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Alaska

#### 2024-2025 Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications

Alaska

Alaska

#### Amendment 113 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program Adjustments

Alaska

Alaska

#### Incidental Take Authorization: Office of Naval Research's Arctic Research Activities (Year 7) in the Beaufort Sea and Eastern Chukchi Sea

Alaska

Alaska

#### North Pacific Observer Program - Federal Register Rules and Notices

Alaska

Alaska

More Fisheries Notices & RulesMore Protected Resources Regs & Actions

## Bulletins

#### IB 24-40: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf Alaska

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-39: NMFS Reallocates the Projected Unused amount of Pacific Cod from American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processor Vessels to Amendment 80 Vessels in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-38: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Atka Mackerel by Vessels Participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Trawl Limited Access Sector Fishery in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-37: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Ocean Perch by Vessels Participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Trawl Limited Access Sector Fishery in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-36: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Ocean Perch  in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Alaska

Alaska

More Bulletins

## Open Funding Opportunities

#### Citizen Science for Improved Stock Assessments and Climate-Ready Fisheries Management

National

National

#### Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement

National

National

#### Species Recovery Grants to States

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

National

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

National

#### Species Recovery Grants to Tribes

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

#### John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program

National

National

More Opportunities

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## Featured Highlights

Three snow crabs. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

### Snow Crab Collapse Due to Ecological Shift in the Bering Sea

Alaska

Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries

### 18 Years of Eastern North Pacific Right Whale Sightings Shed Light on Important Habitats and Movements

Alaska

### Alaska Equity and Environmental Justice Implementation Plan

Alaska

Spring Chinook Salmon. Credit: Michael Humling, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

### Alaska Salmon Research Task Force

Alaska

## Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Our high quality research supports sustainable management and conservation of Alaska marine species with economic and cultural benefits for the nation. Alaska waters support some of the most important commercial fisheries in the world. Large and diverse populations of whales, seals, sea lions, and porpoises and Alaska native hunting and fishing communities also share these waters.

We study the health and size of marine animal populations. We also study the key areas where these animals feed, breed, and grow. To study ocean habitats, we monitor environmental conditions important to sustain marine life. For instance, we regularly monitor sea surface temperatures in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. We analyze biological, oceanographic and ecological data collected during research surveys and by trained fisheries observers in our laboratories. From this, we learn more about marine animal diets, age, growth and reproduction, food web dynamics and the role of humans in marine ecosystems. We use this and other information to monitor changes to marine animal populations and Alaska ecosystems over time.

## Fish and Crab Science 

                                -  Age and Growth Research 
                                -  Alaska Fish Research Surveys 
                                -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center Interactive Data Maps 
                                -  Assessing Alaska Fish Stocks 
                                -  Crab Stock Assessments 
                                -  Genetics Research 
                                -  Groundfish Stock Assessments 
                                -  Fish Age Determination Tool 

## Fisheries Monitoring (Observer Program) 

                                -  North Pacific Observer Program 
                                -  Observer Deploy and Declare System  
                                -  Observer Training Schedule 
                                -  Observer Fee Collection and Payment 
                                -  Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis 
                                -  Electronic Monitoring  
                                -  North Pacific Observer Program Contacts 
                                -  North Pacific Annual Sampling Manual 

## Marine Mammal Science 

                                -  Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work 
                                -  Passive Acoustics  
                                -  Beluga Whales 
                                -  Harbor Seals 
                                -  Ice-Associated Seals 
                                -  Northern Fur Seals 
                                -  North Pacific Right Whales  
                                -  Steller Sea Lions   

## Ecosystem Science 

                                -  Alaska Economic and Social Science Research 
                                -  Alaska Climate Integrated Modeling Project 
                                -  Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment 
                                -  Ecosystem and Recruitment Processes Research 
                                -  Ecosystems and Ecology Research  
                                -  Ecosystem Status Reports 
                                -  Habitat Research 
                                -  Recruitment Energetics and Coastal Assessment 

## More Information 

                        -  National Overview: Science & Data 
                        -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center Divisions and Programs 
                        -  Research in Alaska 
                        -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications 
                        -  Questions and Answers: Partial Coverage Observer Program Reintroduction 
                        -  NOAA Live! Alaska 
                        -  Alaska Fisheries Science Center Strategic Science Plan 2023-2027 

## Science News & Blogs

Science Blog

#### An Alaskan Fishing Pioneer, Part 1

Alaska

Alaska

R/V Oscar Dyson leaving Dutch Harbor. Credit: Paul Hillman/NOAA Fisheries. 

Feature Story

#### New Model Predicts Where Red King Crab Bycatch Is Likely to Occur in Bering Sea Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Three juvenile Bristol Bay red king crab. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Feature Story

#### Snow Crab Collapse Due to Ecological Shift in the Bering Sea

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Three snow crabs. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Science Blog

#### Studying Fur Seal and Sea Lion Populations in Sunny Southern California – Blog Post 3

Alaska

West Coast

Alaska

West Coast

Surfing California sea lions. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Tony Orr under NMFS Research Permits #22678 and #23283.

Science Blog

#### Studying Fur Seal and Sea Lion Populations in Sunny Southern California – Blog Post 2

Alaska

West Coast

Alaska

West Coast

California sea lion pup. Credit: NOAA Fisheries / Tony Orr UAS under NMFS Research Permits #22678 and #23283.

More News

## Sustainable Fisheries

The Alaska Regional Office works with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to manage Alaska’s sustainable fisheries. Using the best available science, we work through the Council process authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to develop measures for best management of Alaska’s fisheries, considering a range of factors such as the health of the fish stocks and economic impact of fishery practices. Once fishing levels and regulations are adopted and approved, the Alaska Regional Office works to implement the Council decisions. The goal is to allow fishermen to harvest the optimum amount of fish while leaving enough in the ocean to reproduce and provide future fishing opportunities in perpetuity.

## Commercial Fishing 

                              -  Permits, Applications, and Forms 
                              -  Catch Share and Limited Access Programs 
                              -  Groundfish 
                              -  Halibut and Sablefish 
                              -  Crab 
                              -  Salmon 
                              -  Scallop 
                              -  Forage Species, Grenadiers, Sculpins, and Squids 

## Recreational (Sport) Fishing 

                              -  Unguided Sport Halibut Fishing 
                              -  Guided Sport Halibut Fishing 
                              -  Applications and Reporting Forms 
                              -  Guided Angler Fish (GAF) Program 
                              -  Charter Halibut and GAF Permits Issued 
                              -  Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan 
                              -  Charter Halibut Limited Access Program 
                              -  State of Alaska Sport Fisheries: Salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod, Shellfish, Freshwater Fish 

## Subsistence Fishing 

                              -  Permit Applications and Reporting Forms 
                              -  Frequently Asked Questions about the Subsistence Halibut Program 
                              -  How to Replace or Renew a SHARC 
                              -  Online SHARC Renewal (eFISH) 
                              -  Permits and Licenses Issued 
                              -  Subsistence Halibut Program 

## Resources and Programs 

                              -  Online Services (eFISH, eLandings) 
                              -  Federal Fishing Permits and Licenses Issued in Alaska 
                              -  Restricted Access Management 
                              -  Fisheries Reports 
                              -  North Pacific Observer Program 
                              -  Monitoring and Reporting 
                              -  Bycatch Reduction 
                              -  Cost Recovery Programs and Fee Payment 

## More Information 

                      -  Rules and Notices Open for Comment 
                      -  Regulations, Acts, and Treaties 
                      -  Figures, Maps, Boundaries, Regulatory Areas, and Zones 
                      -  Fishery Management Plans and Amendments 
                      -  Federal Fishing Seasons in Alaska 
                      -  Fisheries Analyses 
                      -  Tribal Consultation 
                      -  Contact Information 

## Fisheries News

#### IB 24-40: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf Alaska

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-39: NMFS Reallocates the Projected Unused amount of Pacific Cod from American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processor Vessels to Amendment 80 Vessels in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-38: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Atka Mackerel by Vessels Participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Trawl Limited Access Sector Fishery in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-37: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Ocean Perch by Vessels Participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Trawl Limited Access Sector Fishery in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Alaska

#### IB 24-36: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Ocean Perch  in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Alaska

Alaska

More News

## Protected Marine Life Overview

The Protected Resources Division works to conserve and recover marine mammals in close coordination with the State of Alaska and other partners. To manage protected marine species, as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fur Seal Act, the Alaska Region advances recovery of threatened and endangered species and the conservation of marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea lions. We work to minimize interactions between marine mammals and commercial fisheries; promote responsible marine mammal viewing practices; coordinate response to stranded or entangled marine mammals; consult with federal agencies to minimize project effects on threatened and endangered species; and cooperatively manage subsistence use of marine mammals through co-management agreements with Alaska Native organizations.

## Endangered Species Conservation 

                            -  Proposed Actions Open for Public Comment 
                            -  ESA Species and Critical Habitat Mapper Web Application 
                            -  ESA Species Directory  
                            -  Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species in Alaska 
                            -  ESA Section 7 Consultations 
                            -  Non-Marine Mammals Reviewed for ESA Listing 

## Protecting Marine Life 

                            -  Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773) 
                            -  Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines 
                            -  Entanglement and Marine Debris 
                            -  Alaska Oil Spill Response Guidance 
                            -  Co-Management 
                            -  Permits and Authorizations 
                            -  Bycatch 
                            -  Marine Mammal Observer Program 

## Pinnipeds 

                            -  Harbor Seals 
                            -  Ice Seals: Bearded 
                            -  Ice Seals: Ribbon 
                            -  Ice Seals: Ringed 
                            -  Ice Seals: Spotted 
                            -  Northern Fur Seals 
                            -  Steller Sea Lions 

## Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises 

                            -  Beluga Whale 
                            -  Humpback Whale 
                            -  Bowhead Whale 
                            -  Killer Whale 
                            -  Gray Whale 
                            -  North Pacific Right Whale 
                            -  More Whale Species 
                            -  Dolphin and Porpoise Species 

## More Information 

                    -  Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773) 
                    -  Buying or Finding Marine Mammal Parts and Products 
                    -  Stock Assessments 
                    -  Marine Mammal Research 
                    -  Funding Opportunities 
                    -  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Managed Species: Walrus, Sea Otters, Polar Bears 
                    -  Laws and Policies 
                    -  Contact Information 

## Marine Life News

Feature Story

#### 18 Years of Eastern North Pacific Right Whale Sightings Shed Light on Important Habitats and Movements

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### Ship Strike Suspected as Cause of Death of Two Whales in Alaska

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young, male humpback whale (2024097) on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove.  Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. Credit: Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services.

Podcast

#### Summer News Roundup

Podcast,

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

Coral nurseries are one tool NOAA uses to restore reefs, which are vital habitats for many managed seafood species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### July 4th Means Freedom for Humpback Whale Near Valdez, Alaska

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

NOAA Fisheries large whale entanglement response expert John Moran approaches the entangled humpback with a specialized pole in an attempt to cut the lines binding the whale. Taken under NOAA Permit No. 24359. Credit: NOAA/Ed Lyman

Feature Story

#### Déjà Vu: Another Steller Sea Lion Rescued in Kodiak

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Lethargic subadult male Steller sea lion in the Kodiak harbor entangled in a plastic packing band. Credit: Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak/Matt Van Daele, NOAA permit No. 24359. 

More News

## Habitat Conservation

NOAA Fisheries conducts and reviews environmental analyses for a large variety of activities ranging from commercial fishing, to coastal development, to large transportation and energy projects. Working with industries, stakeholder groups, government agencies, and private citizens, we ensure that these activities have minimal impact on essential fish habitat and marine life in Alaska. Our habitat conservation activities include protecting essential fish habitat, mitigating damage to and enhancing habitat affected by hydropower project construction and operations, removing invasive species, and restoring habitat that has been affected by development, oil spills, and other human activities. We focus on habitats used by federally-managed fish species located offshore, nearshore, in estuaries, and in freshwater areas important to migratory salmon.

## Essential Fish Habitat 

                          -  EFH Descriptions and Identification  
                          -  EFH Consultations 
                          -  Environmental Consultation Organizer (ECO) 
                          -  Frequently Asked Questions about EFH 
                          -  EFH Policy and Directives 
                          -  EFH 5-Year Review 
                          -  EFH Omnibus Fishery Management Plan Amendments 

## Resource Tools 

                          -  Alaska EFH Mapper 
                          -  National EFH Mapper 
                          -  ShoreZone Coastal Images and Maps 
                          -  Nearshore Fish Atlas 
                          -  Habitat Conservation Area Maps 
                          -  Pacific Salmon Freshwater EFH in Alaska 
                          -  Oil Spill Risk Analysis Calculator 
                          -  Aquaculture Best Management Practices 

## Habitat Programs 

                          -  Aquatic Invasive Species  
                          -  Hydropower Project Review 
                          -  Fish Passage 
                          -  Analyzing Risk to Improve Oil Spill Planning and Response 
                          -  Annual Report of Division Accomplishments 

## Habitat Restoration 

                          -  Habitat Research in Alaska 
                          -  NOAA Habitat Blueprint: Kachemak Bay, AK, Habitat Focus Area 
                          -  How We Restore 

## More Information 

                  -  National Overview: Habitat Conservation 
                  -  Funding Opportunities 
                  -  Contact Information 

## Habitat News

Podcast

#### Summer News Roundup

Podcast,

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

West Coast

National

Coral nurseries are one tool NOAA uses to restore reefs, which are vital habitats for many managed seafood species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### Meet Emily Mailman, Marine Habitat Resource Specialist for the NOAA Restoration Center

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Emily at Tern Lake in Moose Pass, Alaska. Credit: Emily Mailman/NOAA

Feature Story

#### First Winter Foraging Ground For Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Identified

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Feature Story

#### Restoring Coral and Stream Banks Through the National Fish Habitat Partnership

Feature Story,

Alaska

Pacific Islands

National

Alaska

Pacific Islands

National

Near Talkeetna, Alaska, volunteers are hard at work planting native trees and shrubs to improve shoreline habitat for fish on Montana Creek, a popular trout and salmon-fishing stream. Credit: Trout Unlimited Alaska

Feature Story

#### Supporting the Long-Term Survival of Copper River Salmon and Alaska Native Traditions

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Eyak Tribal Member Tiffany Beedle holding a 35-pound King (Chinook) salmon she processed for the Native Village of Eyak Subsistence program. (Photo: Tiffany Beedle)

More News

## Featured Species

Alaska's coastal communities depend on healthy marine resources to support commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, and the Alaskan way of life. Our mission at NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office is the science-based stewardship of Alaska’s marine resources and their habitats in the Gulf of Alaska, eastern Bering Sea, and Arctic oceans. We are responsible for supporting sustainable fisheries, recovering and conserving protected species, such as whales and seals, and promoting healthy ecosystems and resilient Alaska coastal communities.

Beluga Whale

Humpback Whale

Steller Sea Lion

Pacific Cod

Alaska Pollock

North Pacific Right Whale

Northern Fur Seal

Harbor Seal

Ringed Seal

Bearded Seal

Pacific Salmon and Steelhead

Harbor Porpoise

View All

## More Information 

                -  Alaska Stock Assessments 
                -  Ecosystem Status Reports  

## Species News

Feature Story

#### New Model Predicts Where Red King Crab Bycatch Is Likely to Occur in Bering Sea Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Three juvenile Bristol Bay red king crab. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Feature Story

#### Snow Crab Collapse Due to Ecological Shift in the Bering Sea

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Three snow crabs. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### 18 Years of Eastern North Pacific Right Whale Sightings Shed Light on Important Habitats and Movements

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### NOAA and State of Alaska Release Summary Report for Aquaculture Opportunity Area Spatial Planning Workshops

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Oysters being farmed by Alaska Shellfish Farms in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Feature Story

#### Ship Strike Suspected as Cause of Death of Two Whales in Alaska

Feature Story,

Alaska

Alaska

Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young, male humpback whale (2024097) on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove.  Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. Credit: Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services.

More News

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