Alaska Fish & Wildlife News
June 2024

Why Rockfish Matter

By Ryan Ragan

We motored slowly toward a dark rock outcropping flecked by large hemlock trees on the bank that were no more than 40 feet away from the bow of the boat. The sky was open and blue, the water calm but undulating with minor swells; a rare day for me, at least in my experience out in Prince William Sound. I scanned the fish finder one more time and was awed at the abrupt depth from shoreline to seafloor – 120 feet. A few pixilated forms held council just above the jagged substrate dotted here ...   Why Rockfish Matter Article Continued

Cubs, Calves, & Fawns
Leave wildlife alone

By Riley Woodford

Newborn moose calves, deer fawns, and bear cubs are appearing in Alaska. Biologists are warning Alaskans who may encounter newborn wildlife to resist the urge to approach or “rescue” them.

Cow moose can be especially dangerous during calving season, and attacks on people (and their dogs) by mother moose vigorously defending calves are reported each spring. In mid-May this year a cow moose with twin days-old calves killed a man near his house in Homer. A few weeks later a moose ...   Leave wildlife alone Article Continued

Salmon Ocean Ecology Program

By Ben Gray

When you think of projects designed to monitor salmon populations in Alaska, what comes to mind? Maybe a weir or a counting tower, a sonar project, or a spawning grounds survey? While these activities are crucial for sustainably managing our salmon populations, they share a common focus: they occur in the freshwater stage and monitor the spawning phase of salmon. However, there is another crucial part of the salmon life cycle – their time at sea! Compared to the freshwater stage, our knowledge ...   Salmon program Article Continued

Citizen Science Opportunities in Alaska

By Arin Underwood

Are you on the lookout for opportunities for conservation action in your daily life? Citizen science and other volunteer opportunities allow you to contribute to scientific research, help your local natural spaces, gain new natural science and data collection skills, and improve your mental health. Whether you join a project or input data at your convenience, every little action can help!

Below are a few citizen opportunities available in Alaska.

Volunteer Opportunities

Most ...   Citizen Science Article Continued