Subsistence

On remote St. Paul Island, federal rules have restricted subsistence hunting for years, forcing residents to buy expensive groceries. New rules could take effect soon, but opponents worry about a declining local seal population.

The Gulf of Alaska is once again experiencing a marine heatwave. Scientists around the world are trying to predict these events, but there are economic implications to forecasting the future.

Winter storms and blustery weather buffeting the Bering Sea this month have reduced sea ice coverage by almost 25% since late January. Sea ice in the Bering Sea is typically solid and stable this time of year, but scientists and communities are observing large areas of open water, and where there is ice, much of it is shifting.

Donlin Gold says its design is much safer than the one that collapsed in Brazil.

“Everything just falls into place,” says Nancy Leavitt of the hard work involved in sinew thread making. “The problems, the stress, the thoughts you have. Most of them just disappear.”

Ice seals use sea ice to raise their young, and sea ice is in rapid decline. Logically, that should spell doom for seals in the Arctic. But one researcher says the animals have adapted well so far.