Alaska Regional Marine Research Plan

Initiative Summary

In 2006, Alaska Sea Grant received a five-year, $400,000 grant to facilitate the development of an Alaska Regional Marine Research Plan. Alaska Sea Grant is using the funds to bring together stakeholder groups, state and federal resource agencies, and others, to develop an Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Research and Information Plan that prioritizes management-critical research and information needs for the region.

The Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Research and Information Plan will address the interdisciplinary (ecology, oceanography, fisheries, social, economic) ecosystem needs for this region of vital importance to the state of Alaska and the nation. It is anticipated that an Aleutian Islands planning effort will serve as a model for the future development and implementation of other Alaska-region marine research plans, and ultimately a comprehensive statewide marine research and information plan.

Mission

To assist Alaska resource agencies and stakeholders to develop a consensus around a set of prioritized management-critical marine research and information needs for the Aleutian Islands archipelago.

Goal

An Aleutian Islands region marine research plan built with stakeholder involvement that serves the management-critical needs of state and federal resource managers to protect, conserve, and manage Aleutian marine resources for the sustained economic, social, and cultural benefit of Alaska and the nation.