
About|
o
o
o
o



Search
History
Team
Board of Directors
Annual Report & Financial Reports
News|
Join Our Staff|
o Employment Opportunities
o Fellowships
o Volunteer
Contact
Go

Encounters

Donate

Membership




Plan A Visit
o Hours & Tickets
o Tours & Encounters
o Calendar of Events
o News
o Cafe & Gift Shop
o Directions & Accessibility
o Local Information
o Facility Rental
o Groups & Tour Wholesalers
Animals
Science & Research
o Overview
o Meet Our Scientists
o Science Spotlight
o Scientific Advisory Committee
o Publications Database
Wildlife Response
o Overview
o
o
o
o


Stranding Network
Stranding Guidelines
Rescue & Rehab Journal
How You Can Help
Teachers & Students
o Discovery Zone »
 Virtual Field Trips
 Species ID
 Seal or Sea Lion
o Teacher's Room »
 Day & Nocturne Programs
 Outreach
 Distance Learning
 Visiting Groups
Support Us
o Donate »
 Individual Giving
 Legacy Society
 Endowment Fund
 Creative Critters
 Corporate Giving
o Memberships
o Special Events
Gala 2016
Gala Photos
Science and research
Wildlife Response
Photo Contest
Submit a photo
Latest News News Archives
February 3, 2016
Alaska SeaLife Center Announces Alaska Ocean Leadership Award Recipients
Seward, Alaska (January 22, 2016) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is proud to announce
the recipients of the 2016 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to
individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and
sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support
provided by the award sponsors and thanks the Awards Committee members: Denby Lloyd,
Molly McCammon, Lisa Busch, Ian Dutton, Jason Brune, Michael Castellini and Phyllis
Shoemaker for assistance in selecting the awardees.
Two of the awards will be presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium on January 25,
2016 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska. The remaining awards will be
presented at the Alaska Marine Gala on February 13, 2016 at the Dena’ina Center in
Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For additional
information, visit www.alaskasealife.org or contact Nancy Anderson,
nancya@alaskasealife.org or 907-224-6396.
Following are the 2016 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award winners:
Captain Ed Page will receive the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime
Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee endowed this
award for 10 years to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the
management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 years or more. Through
his tireless efforts to promote safety, stewardship, and environmental protection of the marine
environment, Captain Ed Page has been an exemplary leader and public servant on behalf of
Alaska's oceans. Even after 29 years of service with the United States Coast Guard, Captain Page
chose not to retire. Instead, he put his extensive maritime experience, knowledge of marine law,
contacts with the shipping industry, talent for communication, and passion for the ocean to good
use by creating the Marine Exchange of Alaska in 2000. Under his leadership, the Marine
Exchange of Alaska tracks and monitors over 2,000 vessels in the 1.2 million square miles of
ocean bordering Alaska. The Marine Exchange makes it more likely that potential vessel-related
problems at sea will be detected, thereby preventing unseen marine accidents. Award to be
presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.
The nonprofit organizationSeaShare will receive the Stewardship & Sustainability Award. This
award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest
commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. SeaShare leads our seafood industry in a
collective effort to improve nutrition for the people served by our nation’s food bank
network. SeaShare combines the generosity of fishermen with processors, service providers, and
financial donors to generate high volumes of donated seafood. SeaShare started in 1994 with an
Experimental Fishing Permit to retain Prohibited Species Bycatch in Dutch Harbor and use those
valuable fish resources for hunger relief. Over 20 years later, SeaShare remains the only
organization authorized by NMFS to coordinate donations from over 120 boats and shore plants
in Alaska. To date, this has resulted in 4 million pounds of fish distributed in communities such
as Anchorage, Kodiak, Juneau, Cordova, Fairbanks, St. Paul, Kotzebue, Galena, Nome,
Diomede, Savoonga and Wales. It’s a great story of fishermen and processors who respect the
resource and who want to see that fewer fish are wasted. Award to be presented at the Alaska
Marine Gala.
Sofia Astaburuaga will receive the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award, which is sponsored
by Dale Hoffman.The award honors an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who
have displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans.
Sofia is an active member of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, and is passionate about
working with teens on issues related to climate change and the environment. She has worked on
habitat restoration and resource monitoring efforts in Prince William Sound and the Chugach
National Forest, as well as salmon habitat restoration through the Student Conservation
Association. This past year, Sofia has been working with researchers at the University of Alaska
to investigate the effects of plastics on seabirds in the Aleutians. Award to be presented at the
Alaska Marine Gala.
Arliss Sturgulewski will be recognized with the Ocean Ambassador Award. The Ocean
Ambassador Award was created to recognize an individual or organization that has made
outstanding contributions in promoting public awareness and appreciation of Alaska’s oceans,
coasts, and marine ecosystems. Arliss is well-known throughout the state of Alaska for her
service in political office and on many key advisory committees related to marine research and
outreach. She is an active champion for the wise use of Alaska’s resources. While serving in the
Alaska State Senate from 1979 to 1993, Arliss was an advisor to the International North Pacific
Fisheries Commission. She fought against foreign fishing in US waters and championed the
Community Development Quota program that supports local Alaska communities and fisheries.
She has also been a member of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and
Ocean Sciences Advisory Council since 1992 and has served on the Alaska Sea Grant Program
Statewide Advisory Committee since 2003. In these roles, she has been actively supportive of
expanded marine research capacities in the state, as well as providing scholarship opportunities
to students. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Gala.
Susan Saupe will receive the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person,
team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or
informal education, media or other communications. It is co-sponsored by the University of
Alaska, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and the Alaska Ocean Observing System. Susan
grew up on Kodiak Island, earned a Master’s degree in Chemical Oceanography, and has
conducted research at sea throughout Alaska. She has been with the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens
Advisory Council since 1996, and drew on her previous experiences to build their science
program. Her role as Director of Science and Research provides unique opportunities to bridge
the gap between marine researchers and coastal communities. Susan includes outreach in each
program component – whether talking about oceanography, contaminants monitoring, coastal
habitat mapping and assessments, or oil fate and effects research – to build meaningful
partnerships. By seeking commonalities, Susan leverages funding, logistics, and expertise to
collect and deliver user-friendly information about Alaska’s marine environment to a wider
range of research, educational, agency, industry, and community users. Award to be presented at
the Alaska Marine Science Symposium.
Dr. Gunnar Knapp was selected toreceive the Marine Research Award, sponsored by Drs.
Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or
an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution
to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Dr. Gunnar Knapp has been studying
fisheries management, fisheries markets, and the world seafood industry for more than twentyfive years, focusing particularly on the Alaska salmon industry. Gunnar’s willingness and ability
to build close links with all sectors of the industry make him an inspiration to researchers in his
field. During the 1990’s, he began the Salmon Market Information Service for the Alaska
Seafood Marketing Institute. He co-authored the major 1997 report “The Great Salmon Run:
Competition between Wild and Farmed Salmon.” He has written numerous articles and reports
on salmon markets, trends in limited entry permit ownership, the effects of halibut and crab
IFQs, the Chignik salmon co-op, implications of climate change, and the economic impacts of
Alaska fisheries. Dr. Knapp is closely engaged with the seafood industry and policy makers in
Alaska. Currently, he is writing a book, The Economics of Fish, which is intended as an
introduction to the insights provided by economics about fisheries, aquaculture and the seafood
industry. Award to be presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium.
About the ASLC
Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution
and public aquarium, with wildlife response and education programs. It generates and shares
scientific knowledge to promote
Read More »
January 23, 2016
The 2016 Alaska Marine Gala is Proud to Announce Joel Sartore as Guest
Speaker
Joel Sartore, Guest Speaker for 2016 Alaska Marine Gala
Seward, Alaska (January 22, 2016) - Photographer, conservationist and National Geographic
Fellow, Joel Sartore, is the guest speaker for the 2016 Alaska SeaLife Center’s annual
fundraising event, the Alaska Marine Gala.
Sartore’s multimedia presentation will feature his work on endangered species and landscapes from around the world. Sartore is
founder of Photo Ark, a multi-year documentary project to save species and habitats. Over 5,000 species have been photographed
to date, including animals from the Alaska SeaLife Center.
The Alaska Marine Gala takes place Feb. 13 at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. For event information and tickets,
visit https://alaskasealife.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2016AlaskaMarineGala/tabid/721528/Default.aspx.
About the ASLC
Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and
public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share knowledge to promote understanding
and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.
Read More »
January 14, 2016
KTVA Comes to Alaska SeaLife Center to Better Understand Murre Die-Off
ASLC in the news
Seward, Alaska (January 14, 2016) - KTVA reporter, Heather Hintze, visited the Alaska SeaLife
Center and spoke with our Avian Curator, Tasha Dimarzio, and Science Director, Tuula Hollmen
to get the latest on efforts to understand what is currently impacting common murres. An unusual
number of live murres have been sighted in the region for this time of year. Researchers and the
public have also seen an exponentially higher murre die-off than what is typically associated
with El Nino years, with thousands of birds washing up on Alaska’s shores.
For the past five years, Hollmen and ASLC staff, working in partnership with National Park Service, have conducted monthly
surveys of murres contributing to the baseline knowledge of these highly specialized seabirds. In addition to working with murres
and other birds in the ASLC aviary, Dimarzio volunteers for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey (COASST) helping
partners enhance the regional understanding of seabirds.
Hintze’s video and story can be found at http://www.ktva.com/seward-volunteers-tracking-dead-murre-numbers-across-alaska794/.
Read More »
January 7, 2016
Volunteer this Summer for a FREE Waterfront RV Site!
The Alaska SeaLife Center is recruiting RV’ers for Interpretation, Ticketing, and Cafe volunteer
positions for the 2016 season. An RV camping space with electric & water hook ups will be
provided!
Before volunteering you will participate in training and receive additional information on each
position.
·
Interpretation - As an interpretation volunteer you will help the Alaska SeaLife Center
guests connect with our animals and appreciate our mission. This will be accomplished by
interpreting live and static exhibits for our guests. You may also have daily interaction with
education, exhibits, husbandry, and research personnel.
·
Ticketing/Café Cashier – As a cashier you would be responsible for front-line customer
service, ticket sales, and café duties at the Center.
Applicants must be able to provide their own camping unit. An RV site will be provided on
the shores of beautiful Resurrection Bay, within walking distance of the Center. The site is in the
City of Seward waterfront campground and includes water, electricity, and refuse removal (there
is a $5 dump fee). In exchange the Center asks for 20 hours of volunteering per week per
person for a minimum of 6 weeks. The volunteer positions are open from May through
September. The position duration is based on acceptable performance and will be reviewed for
renewal. Depending on the volunteer position you are appointed to you may be subject to a
background check. No salary is provided. Please visit our website
at www.alaskasealife.org under volunteer for a list of benefits of volunteering at the Center.
About the ASLC
Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and
public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share knowledge to promote understanding
and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.
Read More »
January 1, 2016
Pick. Click. Give. to the Alaska SeaLife Center for a Chance to Double Your
PFD Dividend!
Give to ASLC and enter to double your dividend!
Seward, Alaska (January 1, 2016) - Alaskans who file online for their PFD can help support the
Alaska SeaLife Center - and enter into a drawing to double their PFD dividend by participating
in Pick. Click. Give. prior to March 31.
This innovative program gives Alaskans a way to donate to their favorite nonprofit organizations including the Alaska SeaLife
Center. For those who may not have given to an Alaska nonprofit in the past, the program provides a safe and secure way to
make a donation. For those Alaskans who already support their favorite nonprofits, Pick.Click.Give. is a great way to make an
additional gift.
To make a gift today, visit http://pfd.alaska.gov/. If you have already filed, you can add or change your Pick. Click. Give.
donation and simply select the Alaska SeaLife Center from the list eligible organizations. You will be able to direct from $25 to
the full amount of the dividend to eligible nonprofits or your choice.
About the ASLC
Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and
public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share knowledge to promote understanding
and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.
Read More »
Events
Event Calendar
Upcoming
National Ocean Sciences Bowl Art Show
02/26 - 03/21
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has teamed up with the National Ocean Sciences Bowl to
host a marine more...
Earth Day!
Summer Season Begins!
8:00am on 05/27/2016
This date kicks off Summer 2016, as well as our summer operating hours: M-Th 9am-9pm &
Fri-Sun 8am-9pm.
World Oceans Day!
From www.WorldOceansDay.org:
World Oceans Day, held every June 8th, is the United Nations-recognized day more...
5K Wildlife Rescue Run and Walk
August 6th, 2016 is the 18th annual 5K Wildlife Rescue Run & Walk!
Starting at the Alaska SeaLife Center, more...
next prev
of
Science Spotlight
Beluga Health Assessments
Overview
This project seeks to better understand the health of different populations of belugas by
comparing health parameters of individual... Learn More
Biotelemetry Development
Overview:
Most marine mammals feed underwater and far from shore, so visual observation of feeding is
rarely possible. To address this problem we... Learn More
Harbor Seal Health and Condition
This study investigates the role of diet on the health and condition of eight female harbor seals
resident at the ASLC by examining the long-term... Learn More
Maternal Investment
The Alaska SeaLife Center is home to 7 captive sea lions: 3 females (Eden, Tasu and Mara), 1
male of breeding age (Pilot), and 2 young non-breeding... Learn More
Monitoring Cook Inlet Beluga
The Objectives of this study are twofold. First, to utilize remotely operated video observation
system in the mouth of the Little Susitna River for... Learn More
Pacific Walrus Monitoring
Since 2012, the Alaska SeaLife Center, in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,... Learn More
Remote Monitoring
Overview:
This remote monitoring study is the longest ongoing research project at the Alaska SeaLife
Center (ASLC). Since 1998, scientists at... Learn More
Russia's Steller Sea Lions
Overview:
We are studying the population dynamics and foraging ecology of Steller sea lions and their
potential competitors (northern fur... Learn More
Steller Sea Lion Survival and Reproduction
Overview:
Found mostly in remote locations of Alaska and Russia, these animals spend the majority of their
life at sea. Most rookeries and... Learn More
Walrus Diets in Bristol Bay
Overview
The limited knowledge that we have about walrus diet in Bristol Bay comes from Traditional
Ecological Knowledge of local residents.... Learn More
Weddell Seals
Overview:
Combining a field experiment and mathematical model, we have been working to quantify the
energetic costs of living in air and in water... Learn More
Whale LIMPET Tags
Overview:
Cetaceans have long captured the attention of both scientists and the general public, yet our
understanding of their biology and our... Learn More
Eider Reintroduction Planning
What We Hope To Learn:
Development of captive propagation techniques is a high priority recovery task for Steller’s
eiders, and critical for long... Learn More
Marine Bird Sensitivity to Hydrocarbons
What We Hope To Learn:
The two primary goals for this project are to 1) create baselines of current hydrocarbon exposure
and 2) identify which... Learn More
SDM for Sustainable Arctic Communities
What We Hope To Learn:
We will use ecological information to inform structured decision-making workshops that we will
hold in the local... Learn More
Seabird Habitat Use and Productivity
What We Hope To Learn:
Seabirds may serve as indicators of ecosystem health because they are relatively easy to study
and are responsive to... Learn More
Tracking Eider Diets
What We Hope to Learn:
Recently advanced biochemical tracking methods involve the analysis of dietary biomarkers (i.e.
fatty acid signature... Learn More
Diets of Predatory Marine Fish
Predatory fish such as halibut and salmon are excellent samplers of available forage fishes in the
marine environment. These same forage fishes... Learn More
Bioindicators for Coastal Monitoring
Overview
Pollution and climate change are affecting environments worldwide and methods are
needed to monitor their impacts on coastal... Learn More
Conceptual Ecological Modeling
What We Hope To Learn:
An integrated monitoring program requires information on environmental drivers and pelagic
and benthic components of the... Learn More
next prev
of
All Science
Rescue and Rehab Journal
EL1603
PV1501 - Silky
PV1505 - Wobbegong
PV1506 - Dusky
PV1508 - Finneas
PV1509 - Cookie
PV1515 - Heli
PL1501 - Kunik
PH1502 - Pimniq
EL1511 - Atka
EL1533 - Kesuk
EL1580 - Pukiq
Murres
SS1502 - Kuparuk
PV1402 - Taj Mahal
PV1403 - Vesuvius
PV1404 - Machu Picchu
PV1405
PV1406 - Stonehenge
PV1407 - Liberty
PV1408 - Mt. Everest
PV1409 - Tigris
PV1410 - Sahara
PV1411 - Sphinx
next prev
of
All Rehab

Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Coastal America

Alaska Green Star

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015
next prev
Sitemap [+]

About
o
o
o
o



History
Team
Board of Directors
Annual Report & Financial Reports
News
Join Our Staff
o Employment Opportunities
o Fellowships
o Volunteer
Contact

Encounters

Donate

Membership



Plan A Visit
o Hours & Tickets
o Tours & Encounters
o Calendar of Events
o News
o Cafe & Gift Shop
o Directions & Accessibility
o Local Information
o Facility Rental
o Groups & Tour Wholesalers
Animals
Science & Research
o
o
o
o
o



Overview
Meet Our Scientists
Science Spotlight
Scientific Advisory Committee
Publications Database
Wildlife Response
o Overview
o Stranding Network
o Stranding Guidelines
o Rescue & Rehab Journal
o How You Can Help
Teachers & Students
o Discovery Zone »
 Virtual Field Trips
 Species ID
 Seal or Sea Lion
o Teacher's Room »
 Day & Nocturne Programs
 Outreach
 Distance Learning
 Visiting Groups
Support Us
o Donate »
 Individual Giving
 Legacy Society
 Endowment Fund
 Creative Critters
 Corporate Giving
o Memberships
o Special Events
Connect

Alaska SeaLife Center • 301 Railway Avenue, P.O. Box 1329 , Seward,
AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-6300 • Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 • Fax: (907) 224-6320
©2016 Alaska SeaLife Center
Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn