Oceans

On an island about 4 miles off of Kodiak, marine scientists working with the University of Alaska are trying to figure out why Pacific cod stocks are crashing in the Gulf of Alaska. And, how climate change may be affecting the fish when they’re young.

The  second annual Bristol Bay Fish Expo will feature a variety of events aimed at developing Bristol Bay communities and the commercial fishing industry. One of this year’s highlight will be a debate between gubernatorial candidates.

From bass to lobster, hundreds of species that live along U.S. coastlines are projected to migrate north over the next 80 years, making them harder to catch and manage. It’s already happening.

Residents saw a few hundred walrus hauled out at the beginning of April. By the end of April, they reported seeing about a thousand. On a recent flight over the shoreline, an Alaska Fish and Game biologist saw only 100.

Ringed seals — an Arctic species that typically lives far north of the ice-free Aleutian Islands — are showing up.

Now, scientists are monitoring the unusual visitors to find out why they’re near Unalaska..  

Alaska SeaLife Center’s family of octopuses is growing. A giant Pacific octopus, named Gilligan, laid thousands of eggs about a year ago. Less than a hundred hatched this month. Aquarium curator Richard Hocking expects the remaining eggs to hatch by the end of May.