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2002-2004 implementation plan
Graduate students
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Research
and information on Alaska coastal and marine issues
The Alaska Sea Grant College Program conducts marine and coastal research,
public education, and marine industry advisory services to help Alaskans
wisely use and conserve the state's ocean resources. Funding comes from
the state and federal government, and from industry.
2002-2004
Project Summaries
From 2002 to 2004, Alaska Sea Grant will undertake seven marine research
projects, support several graduate students at the University of Alaska,
and carry out a statewide public education and industry advisory program.
Research and outreach projects described
here address important regional issues identified
by Alaska Sea Grant through consultation with
marine user groups, members of the seafood
industry, and officials in state and federal
government agencies. Each project was reviewed
by peers and an advisory panel.
To see a list of publications resulting from
past Alaska Sea Grant research and scientific
meetings, take a look at our research
catalog.
Contents
 Impacts on Salmon
Wiser Utilization
of Fisheries
Marine Environmental
Issues
Diversification of Economy
Education and Training
Outreach
Impacts
on Salmon
- Understanding
the Role of Marine-Derived Nutrients in
Population Dynamics of Sockeye Salmon
R/31-08
• Milo D. Adkison, ffmda@uaf.edu
SFOS Juneau Center, UAF
Bruce Finney, finney@ims.uaf.edu
SFOS Institute of Marine Science, UAF
Scientists have long known that nutrients,
such as nitrogen, released into freshwater
lakes and rivers by decomposing adult
salmon carcasses help nourish the next
generation of salmon. But just how important
are these nutrients, and how can fishery
managers determine the optimum number
of returning salmon to provide for the
nutrient needs of freshwater systems?
Sea Grant–funded researchers will study
the importance of salmon-derived nutrients
to the productivity of 50 Alaska lakes.
They'll use data on the relationship of
adult spawning salmon to the number of
smolts produced, and from that develop
a model of the nutrients used in these
systems. For ten lakes, existing nutrient
conditions will be compared to records
of long-term conditions to understand
what these systems need for optimum nutrients
and salmon production. Results are expected
to help fishery managers adjust spawning
goals to produce more salmon for both
fishermen and the ecosystem.
- Coastal
Community Development Program and Fisheries Assistance Project
A/152-01
• Paula Cullenberg, anpjc@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Failed salmon runs, low salmon prices,
and reduced timber harvests are causing
severe economic hardship in some Alaska
coastal communities. This project will identify
the economic needs of impacted communities,
design a program to assist the communities,
and seek funding to implement the program.
- Alaska Fisheries Extension
Enhancement (FEE): Workshops on Change in the Salmon Industry
A/152-17
• Paula Cullenberg, anpjc@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Alaska's commercial salmon fishing industry is at a crossroads.
Profitability continues to fall as salmon returns in some areas
begin to decline. Fundamental changes may be necessary to maintain
vibrant coastal fishing communities. This project will host a series
of community workshops aimed at bringing stakeholders together to
find ways to improve the industry.
Return to the top
Wiser
Utilization of Fisheries
- An
Economic Analysis of the Pacific Halibut
Commercial Fishery
R/32-02
• Keith Criddle, kcriddle@b202.usu.edu
Department of Economics, Utah State University
Mark Herrmann, ffmlh@uaf.edu
School of Management, Department of Economics,
UAF
While important changes have taken place in the commercial halibut
industry, such as adoption of individual fishing quotas and guideline
harvest limits, there exists no reliable economic model to gauge
the impact of these and other management decisions on commercial
fishermen. Sea Grant–funded researchers will develop a comprehensive
economic model that considers biological factors such as halibut
population dynamics, and market information such as prices, inventories,
production costs, and markets. Their model will allow fishery managers
to examine the economic consequences of changes in Pacific halibut
abundance and changes in the allocation of halibut among commercial,
sport, and subsistence user groups.
Return to the top
-
Technical Assistance Program
for Alaska Seafood Processors
A/152-02
• Chuck Crapo, dfcac@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Service, UAF
Many of Alaska's seafood processors
do not have the technical or marketing expertise needed to develop
new products, respond to quality issues, or develop marketing efforts.
However, this expertise can be found among the Marine Advisory Program
(MAP) agents and specialists. The project will develop and distribute
brochures describing the technical assistance programs, workshops,
and courses available from MAP.
-
Seafood Technology Literature
Log
A/152-03
• Don Kramer, afdek@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Many seafood processors have
limited access to research discoveries in seafood science and technology.
This is an especially serious handicap for processors in Alaska's
remote locations. This project will produce two issues of a bibliography
highlighting new technologies for handling, processing, and storing
seafood in 2002, and four issues in 2003. Subscribers will be able
to choose between receiving it as a hard copy or electronic.
- Assortment
Analysis of Hong Kong Seafood Products
A/152-04
• Quentin Fong, qfong@sfos.uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Chuck Crapo, dfcac@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Seafood plays an important role in Hong
Kong's trade activity. Hong Kong annually
imports about $1.3 billion worth of seafood.
This project will analyze the seafood product
variety available in several Hong Kong supermarkets.
Evaluations of quality indicators of selected
seafood products also will be conducted.
A manual will be prepared to describe the
evaluated products.
- Herring
Market Survey
A/152-05
• Quentin Fong, qfong@sfos.uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Terry Johnson, rftlj@uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
In Alaska, there is interest in
increasing the trade volume and value of
herring products other than roe. To increase
the use of herring, issues such as seafood
technology, marketing, and knowledge of
existing infrastructures must be addressed.
In conjunction with other projects, a scientifically
based mail survey will be conducted to identify
the consumption patterns, price, and quality
preferences of users of herring products
in Belgium, Germany, and France.
- Technology
Transfer to Enhance Seafood Plant Productivity
A/152-06
• Ed Kolbe, kolbee@engr.orst.edu
Food Innovation Center, Oregon State University
Increasing costs and diminishing supplies
of energy and water require immediate attention
by seafood processors. This project will
yield a minimum of six bulletins for the
seafood industry that provide information
to enhance energy and water conservation,
minimize waste, and increase plant productivity.
- Training
Assistance for Alaska Processors
A/152-07
• Don Kramer, afdek@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Chuck Crapo, dfcac@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Ed Kolbe, kolbee@engr.orst.edu
Food Innovation Center, Oregon State University
New federal and state seafood processing regulations, as well as the
increased need to supply high-quality fresh and frozen seafood products,
make training in seafood quality and safety essential for the industry.
Increased production of farmed salmon continues to raise quality standards
for all salmon species. This project provides the training needed
by seafood companies to comply with state and federal regulations
for seafood processing, as well as information needed to produce high-quality
products.
- Alaska Regional FEE: Future of West Coast Commercial Fisheries
A/152-18
• Terry Johnson, rftlj@uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Paula Cullenberg, anpjc@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Harvesters of wild-caught Pacific salmon have lost markets to the burgeoning salmon farming industry and other economic conditions, forcing hundreds of fishermen out of the business and causing upheaval in rural coastal communities dependent on commercial fishing. Direct marketing of salmon from the dock to the consumer is one way to lower expenses and bolster profits to fishermen. This project will update the Alaska Fishermen's Direct Marketing Manual and expand its contents to be relevant to fishermen along the entire West Coast. The project also will include regional workshops aimed at helping fishermen, especially in hard-pressed rural communities, successfully adjust to changing economic conditions in the fishing industry.
Return to the top
Marine Environmental
Issues
- Utilization
of Alaska Kelp Beds by Commercially Important
Fishes
R/31-09
• Brenda Konar, bkonar@ims.uaf.edu
SFOS Global Underwater Research Unit, UAF
Kelp beds are important habitat for commercially important fish
species in many parts of the world. But little is known about the
importance of large marine plants, including kelp, as habitat for
commercially caught fishes in Alaska. In this study, Sea Grant–funded
researchers will study fish assemblages in kelp beds. They'll examine
the use of canopy-forming and understory kelp beds by juvenile and
adult fish to determine species' habitat preferences, and follow
seasonal changes in kelp cover and fish assemblages over one year.
This study will yield information valuable to fishery managers in
their goal of protecting important fish nurseries. The study also
is expected to provide baseline information important to understanding
the role of nearshore kelp beds in sustaining diverse, productive
marine ecosystems.
- Generalized
Models of Local Depletion for Walleye Pollock in Steller Sea Lion
Critical Habitat
R/101-02
• Terrance J. Quinn II, fftjq@uaf.edu
SFOS Juneau Center, Fisheries Division,
UAF
(Two-year extension of R/101-01,
Has Local Depletion of Walleye Pollock
Occurred in Steller Sea Lion Critical Habitat?)
There is concern that commercial fishing
for walleye pollock in the Bering Sea could
be hampering the recovery of the endangered
Steller sea lion. Specifically, biologists
wonder if commercial fishing is causing
localized depletions of pollock that are
at times critical to the health and survival
of sea lions. However, there has been no
published analysis of fishery data or survey
data to suggest that such local depletions
occur. Over the next two years, Sea Grant–funded researchers will standardize fishery
data from 1992 to 2000. Local depletion
models will be applied to the data on large
and small scales to study harvests near
Steller sea lion rookeries and haul-outs.
The results of the study should provide
fishery managers with better information
on the impacts of fishing time and place
on Steller sea lions, which can be used
to improve fishery management in concert
with sea lion recovery.
- The
Seasonal and Biochemical Nutritional Variance
in Pollock as a Food for Marine Mammals
R/101-03
• Michael Castellini, mikec@ims.uaf.edu
SFOS Institute of Marine Science, UAF
Feeding trials with harbor seals at the Alaska SeaLife Center in
Seward showed significant seasonal differences in how this pinniped
responded to controlled diets of herring and pollock. At some times
of the year, seals gained fat and body mass consuming both herring
and pollock. At other times of the year, they lost body fat eating
both species, but gained mass. In these trials, the seals were fed
from single batches of fish so that fish nutritional quality was
the same. In nature, however, the body composition of fish is not
constant and presumably varies seasonally and developmentally in
nutritional value. The next step, therefore, is to understand how
season impacts the nutritional value of the fish. During the next
two years, Sea Grant–funded researchers will quantify the
seasonal nutritional and biochemical differences in pollock, and
relate those differences to pinniped metabolism. Because pollock
is a significant fishery in Alaska and because it is a focal point
of current predator-prey studies with marine mammals, the project
is limited to that species.
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
(NOSB)
Video Program
A/152-08
• Deborah Mercy, andam@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is an annual event that pits high
school students from across the country in a competition to see
who knows the most about our nation's oceans. In Alaska, where one
of several regional competitions is held prior to the national finals,
high schools from across the state compete for the honor of representing
the state. During three of the last four competitions, the Marine
Advisory Program has produced a video of the event. It has been
exciting for those in the event to see the videos, and they have
been useful to organizers in helping them explain the competition
and recruit new schools. This project will result in videos of the
2002 and 2003 Alaska competitions. The videos will be aired on television
stations throughout the state and shown in the classrooms of those
interested in participating in the event.
- Sightings
and Samples: A Community-Based Research
Effort
A/152-09
• Kate Wynne, ffkmw@uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Coastal communities are socially and economically affected by Steller
sea lion protective measures. This project will provide the opportunity
for residents and mariners to participate in research by reporting
sightings and collecting fish samples needed to assess the distribution
and diet of Steller sea lion predators and competitors in the Gulf
of Alaska. This project will provide both biological and social
benefits. It will inexpensively facilitate collection of valuable
biological data and samples needed to improve our knowledge of Steller
sea lions, and refine the assumptions on which fisheries management
plans are based. Public involvement in this research will generate
a grassroots-level sense of stewardship, and an understanding of
and involvement in research on Steller sea lion ecology.
- Marine and Fisheries Adult Education Workshops for Yukon-Kuskokwim Area
A/152-10
• Don Kramer
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Under this project, a series of adult education
workshops and conferences will be conducted
for residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
region in the area of fisheries and related
fields. Ten workshops will be held in Bethel
at the UAF Kuskokwim campus. Another workshop
will be held in Goodnews Bay. This project
will help Y-K Delta residents make decisions
that will improve their fishing industry
and economy, and provide training to produce
higher quality products, improved marketing
strategies, and a more skilled workforce.
- Alaska
Resource Issues Forum Television Program
A/152-11
• Rick Steiner, afrgs@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
This project is a continuation of a series
of televised debates among principal spokespeople
on issues pertinent to the wise use of Alaska's
resources. To date, tens of thousands of
people throughout Alaska have watched the
21 programs in the series, and have gained
a better understanding of resource issues
facing them and their state. Thus, public
opinion on these issues has been developed
from a more informed, rational basis, and
better decisions have resulted.
Return to the top
Diversification
of Economy
- Identification
of the Cyanobacterial "Saxitoxin Genes"
R/95-03
• Gerald Plumley, fffgp@uaf.edu
SFOS Institute of Marine Science, UAF
Consumption of shellfish containing accumulations of various marine
toxins can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Each year
individuals become sick and occasionally die after eating untested
shellfish contaminated with PSP. During the next two years, Sea
Grant–funded researcher Gerry Plumley will seek to understand
the molecular biochemistry of toxin production, the genetic mechanisms
underlying toxin synthesis, and the role of environmental conditions
on toxin synthesis. A key step is to clone the genes that lead to
the production of the toxin. Progress in this area is expected to
help researchers and scientists manage the ever-growing threat of
harmful algal blooms and their impact on commercial fisheries and
nearshore ecosystems.
- A Model System to Examine Delayed Effects of Pollution Exposure
R/97-01
• Michael S. Stekoll, M.Stekoll@uaf.edu
SFOS Juneau Center, UAF
Scientists believe delayed impacts of oil pollution can significantly
reduce productivity of exposed marine fish populations. But it is
generally too expensive to carry out trials to measure these effects.
In this project, Sea Grant–funded researchers will incubate
the eggs and pre-swimming larvae of zebrafish, a common laboratory
fish, in varying concentrations of oiled and unoiled water. Surviving
free-swimming larvae will be transferred to clean water and reared
to adulthood. Factors relating to fitness will be observed as the
fish grow to maturity. Once mature, the fish will be bred—oiled
fish with oiled fish, and non-oiled fish with non-oiled fish—to
allow scientists to evaluate multigenerational effects. Their offspring
will likewise be reared in clean water to adulthood to evaluate
sublethal effects of oil pollution.
- Charter
Log and Boatkeeper Publication
Series
A/152-12
• Terry Johnson, rftlj@uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
This project is a continuation of two ongoing
publications that meet some of the information
needs of commercial fishermen and marine
recreation tourism operators in Alaska.
Charter Log is the only dedicated
information source for charter operators
in the state, and has wide readership. Boatkeeper
articles address common problems in
boat operation and maintenance, and are
intended to improve efficiency and profitability
in the commercial fisheries by helping to
lower ownership and operating costs.
- Development
of Voluntary Guidelines for Marine Wildlife
Viewing
A/152-13
• Terry Johnson, rftlj@uaf.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
A growing marine ecotourism industry is dependent on continuing
availability of marine wildlife to view. Charterboat operators are
sometimes in conflict with passengers who want to get as close as
possible to the animals, and wildlife managers who want to minimize
disturbance. Regulation is arbitrary, not situation-specific, and
difficult to enforce. In some regions, operators have agreed to
voluntary standards, which tend to be followed out of good will
and possibly also out of peer pressure. This project will develop
a set of voluntary standards or guidelines for commercial marine
wildlife viewing, covering approach distances, disturbance prevention,
and other issues.
- Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Outreach, Monitoring, and Research Project
A/152-14
• Ray RaLonde, afrlr@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) is a naturally
occurring toxin sometimes found in shellfish.
The toxin can sicken or kill people who
eat PSP-tainted shellfish. Alaska has a
pervasive problem with PSP, resulting in
multimillion-dollar annual losses to the
commercial fishery. More than 150 outbreaks
from personal-harvest shellfish have occurred
since 1973, and two recent deaths occurred
on Kodiak Island. This two-year effort will
provide public information on the problems
and hazards of PSP in Alaska; coordinate
research and provide outreach information
resulting from research projects; coordinate
the West Coast Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)
work group; plan and conduct a conference
to present recent information on West Coast
and Alaskan HAB issues; and assist with
introduction of the Mist Alert™ PSP
test kit.
- Purple Hinge
Rock Scallop Aquaculture Development for Alaska
A/152-15
• Ray RaLonde, afrlr@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
The survival of the Alaska shellfish culture
industry depends on its ability to diversify
production to species other than the Pacific
oyster. Over the past eight years, the Alaska
shellfish farming industry has conducted
a series of projects aimed at producing
native shellfish species, such as the purple
hinge rock scallop. Shellfish hatchery technology
was developed in 1999 to produce seed from
purple hinge rock scallop. However, procedures
for growing these scallops to marketable
size have not been developed. The intent
of this project is to conduct growth research
in cooperation with participating farms
and provide the information to the farming
industry.
- Coastal Development and
Shellfish Aquaculture for Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
A/152-16
• Ray RaLonde, afrlr@uaa.alaska.edu
Marine Advisory Program, UAF
Current regulations to obtain an aquatic farming permit in Alaska
are the most cumbersome in the nation. Applications for aquatic
farm permits are only accepted in even-numbered years, and the yearlong
review process significantly slows industry growth. The primary
objective of this two-year project is to produce an aquaculture
development plan for Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, that will enable
rapid issuance of aquatic farming permits.
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Education
and Training
- Sea
Grant Traineeships
E/142-01 • Susan Sugai, susan.sugai@uaf.edu
SFOS Alaska Sea Grant College Program, UAF
Graduate student research and training
are a special asset of a university-based
research program. Since 1985, Alaska Sea
Grant has provided stipends to more than
80 graduate students in direct support
of Alaska Sea Grant research. Most of
these students graduate to productive
careers in business, academia, and government.
We invite you to visit our online
profiles for an up-close-and-personal introduction to our currently
supported students.
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Outreach
- Information
Services
A/161-01 • Kurt Byers,
fnkmb1@uaf.edu
SFOS Alaska Sea Grant College Program, UAF
Effectively communicating science and other useful information
to industry, policy makers, conservationists, resource managers,
educators, and the general public is a crucial function of Alaska
Sea Grant. Information Services communication specialists carry
out this function by organizing conferences, workshops, and symposia
that bring scientists together for professional exchanges of ideas
and information; through production and distribution of educational
books, videos, and other publications; and through community-based
marine education projects. The communication specialists also convey
useful information to people through the World Wide Web, and through
local, state, and national news media via news releases, magazine
articles, and an internationally broadcast weekly radio news service.
- Marine
Advisory Program
A/151-01 • Donald
Kramer, afdek@uaa.alaska.edu
SFOS Marine Advisory Program, UAF
In a state as big as Alaska, it's critical that people have quick
and easy access to knowledge, technology, and information concerning
the state's marine resources. Agents and specialists of the Marine
Advisory Program (MAP) live and work in the communities they serve,
linking Alaska Sea Grant and the University of Alaska to its constituents.
While the major MAP focus is on the state's commercial fishing industry,
agents and specialists also work with sport fish charter operators,
shellfish farmers, Native groups, school teachers, tourists, naturalists,
and others with an interest in coastal and marine resources. Marine
advisory agents pursue programs in the areas of fisheries, seafood
product technology, seafood quality and development, shellfish aquaculture,
marine mammals, marine conservation, marine safety, business management,
seafood marketing, coastal community development, coastal recreation,
and media technology. MAP offices are located in Anchorage, Bethel,
Homer, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Petersburg, Dillingham, and Sitka. To
learn more about the Marine Advisory Program, visit: http://www.uaf.edu/MAP.
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