Summer is the busy season for marine research in the waters of Western Alaska, and that means plenty of ship traffic through the Port of Nome. One such ship is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Fairweather, which recently made a third stop in Nome during a mission to map the ocean floor.
Oceans
Cruise ship anchor cut to free humpback whale in Southeast
A cruise ship in Southeast Alaska cut its anchor free Sunday to release a humpback whale tangled in the ship’s anchor chain. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said numerous whales were bubble net feeding in Holkham Bay near Tracy Arm, about 45 miles south of Juneau early Sunday morning.
Why are Atlantic salmon being farmed in the Northwest?
Earlier this month, thousands of Atlantic salmon escaped a net pen in Washington state, raising concerns from environmentalists and questions about farming non-native species. Here are some answers.
Responders have mitigated pollution threat of F/V Akutan, Coast Guard says
Coast Guard Petty Officer John-Paul Rios said responders have removed almost 16,000 gallons of oil and sludge from the F/V Akutan, which is moored in Captains Bay.
Scientists find new clue in Steller sea lion decline
Scientists have finished another research season without solving the 40-year-old mystery of the Steller sea lion decline in the Aleutian Islands. But this summer, a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may have found a new clue.
How oyster milkshakes and teamwork are getting Alaska’s shellfish safely to market
There was an uptick in paralytic shellfish poisoning this summer. But scientists think the future of oyster farming in Alaska still looks bright.