This annual meeting showcases recent research on the waters, habitats, and resources of Alaska. Each day of the conference focuses on a different geographic region:  the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Arctic. While the meeting covered a diverse range of subject topics including climate, oceanography, living marine resources, and human dimensions, a consistent common theme of rapid and profound environmental change emerged across all areas and subtopics. A recent period of unprecedented climatic and ocean warming has altered oceanic processes and conditions, and significantly changed ecological relationships and the survival status of a number of species.

The well-attended conference provided a convenient opportunity for Emergency Response Division scientists to engage with technical and response cohorts like those with the National Weather Service, National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources, Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, and the Oil Spill Recovery Institute, among many others. In addition, workshops and meetings are scheduled throughout the week to take advantage of the congregation of environmental researchers and practitioners from remote communities and outside the state to collaborate on future projects and research needs.

For more information, contact Dylan.Righi@noaa.gov, Catherine.Berg@noaa.gov, or Gary.Shigenaka@noaa.gov.

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