The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill released 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, contaminating about 1,300 miles of coastline and exposing major gaps in ecosystem data. In response, long-term monitoring programs like Gulf Watch Alaska and the Southwest Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network were established to track marine ecosystem health, species recovery, and environmental change. These efforts provide critical baseline data and document how wildlife populations shift over time in response to changing ocean and coastal conditions. Seasonal surveys in Kenai Fjords National Park reveal patterns in species distribution, from winter concentrations of sea ducks to notable observations like large harbor seal haul-outs and rare wildlife sightings. Together, this long-term monitoring has proven essential for understanding events like the Pacific marine heatwave and continues to inform resource management, conservation, and future planning in the Gulf of Alaska.

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Eelgrass in Kachemak Bay, particularly the large meadow in Mud Bay, is a vital yet vulnerable coastal habitat that supports diverse marine life and ecosystem health. It depends on clear, shallow water for sunlight, making it sensitive to pollution, sedimentation, and potential impacts from developments like the Homer Harbor Expansion. Long-term monitoring by Gulf Watch Alaska shows that eelgrass beds vary widely across locations and years but demonstrate resilience, often recovering after declines. Additional research led by NOAA and local scientists aims to establish detailed seasonal maps and better understand changes in eelgrass distribution. Students are also contributing through field studies that assess eelgrass as a foundational species supporting broader ecological interactions. Continued monitoring and community-driven research are critical for protecting eelgrass ecosystems amid environmental change and ensuring the health of coastal habitats and fisheries.

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A major marine heatwave in 2014, known as “The Blob,” had a severe impact on Alaska’s marine ecosystem and its resident killer whale population. New research shows that female killer whales that grew up during the heatwave are smaller, making them less able to store energy and less likely to have successful pregnancies. Long-term monitoring by researcher John Durban reveals that the population’s recovery, which had been ongoing since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, was largely reversed by the heatwave. While recent sightings of new, healthy calves offer hope, the effects of the 2014 heatwave still linger, and future climate-related events may further challenge the whales. The research highlights how apex predators, such as killer whales, serve as early indicators of broader ecosystem health and underscores the growing threat posed by climate change.

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Harvest control rules (HCR) describe the factors used when determining when to fish. Graduate student Josh Zahner at the University of Washington tested the impact of applying ten different harvest control rules on the Prince William Sound Pacific herring population to see what would happen to the herring population if changes were made to the fisheries management plan. The graph below shows the predicted biomass, each color representing a distinct HCR. Applying the various HCR had little effect on the final population size in his simulations.

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Researcher Sarah Traiger recently had an article published by Open Access Government featuring Sunflower Sea Stars and changes occurring in the nearshore environment. In addition to this written work, the CoRAL network and the Nearshore component worked together to produce a video detailing the effects of climate change on the nearshore environment. Together, these outreach tools provide audiences with a general understanding of Sea Star Wasting and some of the research being done by the nearshore component of the Gulf Watch Alaska team.

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Watch the video here

Open Access Government published an article about the Gulf Watch Alaska program and its recent findings in its April 2023 online magazine. The organization’s website states that “Open Access Government is a digital publication that provides an in-depth perspective on key public policy areas from all around the world, including health and social care, COVID-19, research and innovation, technology, government, environment and energy.” They produce digital products for a broad international audience.

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Members of GWA-LTRM’s Nearshore component team recently worked with other researchers to publish two papers in the journal, Frontiers for Young Minds. Frontiers for Young Minds is a peer-reviewed journal for children that includes scientific experts and young reviewers (children) in the peer-review process. One article focused on brown bear and sea otter interactions and the other compared the genetics of two populations of razor clams.

To read “Where Land and Sea Meet: Brown Bears and Sea Otters” follow the link below: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.715993

To read about “The Mysterious Case of the Missing Razor Clams” follow this link: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.715425

Marine ecologist, Heather Colleti, lead PI in the nearshore component, was asked to write an article about the Pacific Marine Heatwave for the winter issue of Park Science. For those not familiar, “Park Science is the flagship science magazine of the National Park Service. It covers research and stewardship related to our national parks. Discover the advances in science and technology that help us preserve, understand, and enjoy our public lands.” The article discusses the detrimental impacts on ecosystems and species the heat wave had in addition to exploring the question of why some were more resilient than others. Follow the link to read the article: How Alaskan Marine Ecosystems Responded to a Massive Heatwave (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

In the latest volume of Deep Sea Research II more than 70 authors came together to present their most recent insights into the processes at work in the Gulf of Alaska. Highlighted works in the journal titled, Understanding Ecosystem Processes in the Gulf of Alaska, primarily examine shifting oceanographic conditions and the responses inhabitants are exhibiting. This is the 3^rd volume in a series related to Gulf of Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Research Program studies funded by the North Pacific Research Board and complements a special issue volume published by Gulf Watch Alaska and Herring Research and Monitoring in January 2018.

To find a brief summary of what is featured in the journal follow the link below: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/special-issue-journal-focuses-ecosystem-processes-gulf-alaska

Follow the link below to check out the journal in its entirety: Understanding Ecosystem Processes in the Gulf of Alaska: Volume 3, Deep-Sea Research II.