Category: Research

Alaska November 2016 Economic Trends – Determining Salmon Prices

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November Trends, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s annual seafood harvesting employment issue, examines the many factors that go in to setting salmon prices and how salmon farming, which has quintupled the world’s supply, has changed both pricing and Alaska’s global influence.

Also in this issue, their yearly report on estimated harvesting jobs (down slightly in 2015) and a look at Alaskans who work in seafood processing.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Q & A with ISER’s New Director, Ralph Townsend

UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research has evolved into Alaska’s think tank, playing an integral part in the state’s policy development. Now, a new director, Ralph Townsend, has taken the helm at ISER. Learn more about Townsend in this Q-and-A.

Source: Q-and-A: Ralph Townsend, ISER’s New Director – Green & Gold News

UAS Adds Two Professors in Marine Fisheries

The University of Alaska Southeast welcomes new marine fisheries professors: Keith Cox and Michael Navarro in the Department of Natural Sciences

Dr. Keith Cox has joined UAS as an assistant professor of marine fisheries in the Department of Natural Sciences. For the past three years, Cox has served as the director for the Alaska Native Science and Engineering (ANSEP) program at UAS and has taught microbiology in the department. Cox’s doctorate is in fish physiology and bioenergetics from West Virginia University. He also holds a master’s of science degree in aquatic ecology from Texas State University and a bachelor’s of science in Biology from Centenary College of Louisiana. He will continue to support the ANSEP program and teach biology courses.

Dr. Michael Navarro has joined UAS as an assistant professor of marine fisheries in the Department of Natural Sciences. Navarro comes to UAS from California State University Monterey Bay where he has been a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar in ocean sciences for two years. Navarro’s doctorate is in biological oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego; he also holds a master of science degree in biological science from California State University Fullerton and a bachelor’s of science degree in biology from the University of California Los Angeles.

Navarro brings faculty expertise for developing new courses in marine fisheries at UAS. He will also teach biology courses and supervise undergraduate research to support the growth of UAS’ marine biology and environmental science baccalaureate programs.

Source: UAS has three new arts and sciences faculty | Juneau Empire – Alaska’s Capital City Online Newspaper

UAS Marine Fisheries Faculty Participates in Submarine Research

navarroJUNEAU – New UAS Assistant Professor of Marine Fisheries Dr. Mike Navarro is currently participating in the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) oceanographic training cruise for early-career marine scientists. Dr. Navarro joins the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) this fall. He earned his PhD at the University of California San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and has most recently served as a post-doctoral researcher with California State University in Monterey Bay. His duties at UAS will include working on an expanded partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, moving toward a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries.

Dr. Navarro is currently aboard the RV Atlantis, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, through August 7. According to project spokesman Karl Bates, “this cruise is intended to help these young researchers become leaders at sea and on land, and as part of the training they will be learning about communicating with the general public and sharing the excitement of the scientific process as it happens.” Marine scientists will be interacting with “Alvin,” a human-occupied submarine, as well as an autonomous robot submarine called “Sentry.” The group is planning live video shows to Facebook Live on several evenings. Scientists will host these broadcasts which will feature videos and photos from onboard the sub, and giving updates on what is found. The researchers are also using social media to post updates on both Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #SeaFloorSci. They can be followed on Twitter @AT36_EAGER and on Instagram @at36_eager.

UA President Jim Johnsen affirmed that this offering is in line with his consideration of undergraduate fisheries in Juneau, as outlined in Strategic Pathways. The UA Fisheries, Seafood, and Maritime Initiative (FSMI) plan recognizes Alaska’s need for management and research employees in fisheries and marine biology. Those interested in pursuing careers in these fields are encouraged to contact the UAS Admissions Office or the UAS School of Arts & Sciences for more information. Both offices can be accessed through http://www.uas.alaska.edu or by calling 907-796-6100.

For more information contact Keni Campbell, Public Information Officer, at 907-796-6509.

Dr. Mike Navarro, Dr. Michael Navarro, principal investigator, directing the seafloor marine life team during the San Diego Coastal Expedition, 2012, photo credit: http://www.michael-o-navarro.com

The Arctic Circle may be more than 400 miles north, but Seward has become an Arctic port

SEWARD — In this picturesque Alaska port town more than 400 miles south of the Arctic Circle, two big symbols of U.S. Arctic ambition loomed over the harbor.

images.washingtonpost.com

Docked side by side, both preparing to head north, were the cutter Healy, the only polar-class U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker working in the Arctic, and the Crystal Serenity, the huge luxury cruise ship destined for an unprecedented journey through newly ice-sparse waters of the Northwest Passage over the top of Canada. Both ships’ paths converged in Seward, a tourist destination, fishing center and recreation hub that is emerging as a support center and port for Arctic marine and science activities.

Read the full article here.

Source: ADN – The Arctic Circle may be more than 400 miles north, but Seward has become an Arctic port.