The Southeast Alaska Coastal Monitoring (SECM) project in Alaska was initiated in 1997 by the Auke Bay Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, to study the habitat use and early marine ecology of juvenile (age-0) Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and associated epipelagic ichthyofauna. This research has been conducted to meet several needs identified in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries 2006-2011 Strategic Plan, the North Pacific Anadromous Fisheries Commission (NPAFC) 20062010 Science Plan, and the Gulf of Alaska Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) Program.

The scientific objective of the survey is to assess Young of the Year (YOY) groundfish, salmonid species, plankton, and oceanographic conditions in the eastern GOA and coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. A chartered fishing vessel will be the sampling platform to provide information on species distribution, ecosystem structure, and marine productivity in response to changes in season, region, and climate. All objectives will be met by collecting data on fish, plankton, and oceanography at the same pre-determined master station locations. A SBE19 Plus was deployed synoptically with Bongo, CalVET and Tucker trawls used to sample icythoplankton and zooplankton at selected stations. Temperature and Conductivity were measured and Salinity and Sigma-T were derived from these measurements

To recover and deploy several oceanographic moorings. To complete Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) profiler casts, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI) Vertical Egg Tow (CalVET) and Marine Assessment Monitoring and Prediction (MARMAP) Bongo tows near the mooring sites and along the 70-meter isobath in the Bering Sea.

We will conduct an ichthyoplankton survey in the Gulf of Alaska in the vicinity of Kodiak Island, Alaska. This area is a known nursery ground for a variety of species of fish - walleye pollock, Pacific cod, rock sole, and Pacific halibut. Work is needed to describe larval fish and zooplankton assemblages in summer, and to examine the movement of water and associated biota from the slope onto the shelf. We will also conduct some trawling to describe abundances of juvenile groundfishes and small forage fishes in selected canyons and in the vicinity of Kodiak Island. Six satellite-tracked drifters will be released to study current trajectories in the vicinity of Port Lock Bank. Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth profiler casts will be made to characterize water column properties, collect nutrient and chlorophyll information, and to use to evaluate the flow field.

The scientific objective of the survey is to assess Young of the Year (YOY) groundfish, salmonid species, plankton, and oceanographic conditions in the eastern GOA and coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. A chartered fishing vessel will be the sampling platform to provide information on species distribution, ecosystem structure, and marine productivity in response to changes in season, region, and climate. All objectives will be met by collecting data on fish, plankton, and oceanography at the same pre-determined master station locations. A SBE19 Plus was deployed synoptically with Bongo, CalVET and Tucker trawls used to sample icythoplankton and zooplankton at selected stations. Temperature and Conductivity were measured and Salinity and Sigma-T were derived from these measurements

We will be conducting an ichthyoplankton survey in the waters contiguous to Kodiak Island, Alaska. This work is needed to describe larval fish assemblages on the shelf and slope in late summer and early fall, and to study the transport and early life history of larval forage fishes (ex: capelin). Zooplankton data and data on physical characteristics of the water column will also be collected. Limited trawling activities for juvenile groundfishes (age-0 pollock) and adult forage fishes (capelin) will be conducted as well to study differences in production between offshore banks and troughs and nearshore Kodiak Island.

We will conduct an ichthyoplankton survey in the waters contiguous to Kodiak Island, Alaska. This work is needed to describe larval fish assemblages on the shelf and slope in winter, and to study the transport and early life history of larval fishes, particularly the feeding and zooplankton prey of capelin (Mallotus villosus) and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus). Data on physical characteristics of the water column will also be collected.

The objectives of this cruise are to conduct an ichthyoplankton survey and process oriented studies in the region between Unimak Pass, the Shumagin Islands, and through Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island, Alaska, so that we may estimate the abundance, transport, and factors influencing the survival of young walleye pollock larvae. We will also occupy stations on Line 8 to continue our 19 year time series of environmental and biological conditions in Shelikof Strait.

The objectives of this cruise are to conduct an ichthyoplankton survey and process oriented studies in the region between Unimak Pass, the Shumagin Islands, and through Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island, Alaska, so that we may estimate the abundance, transport, and factors influencing the survival of young walleye pollock larvae. We will also occupy stations on Line 8 to continue our 20 year time series of environmental and biological conditions in Shelikof Strait.

FOCI's goal is to understand the effects of abiotic and biotic variability on ecosystems of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea in order to discern the physical and biological processes that determine recruitment variability of commercially valuable finfish and shellfish stocks in Alaskan waters. The objectives of 3MFO3 included the recovery and deployment of moorings at the FOCI study areas Site 2 and Site 4 andn recovering and deploying moorings for the Steller Seal Lion (SSL) project in the Aleutian Islands study areas. Lastly, to conduct Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) profile casts at all mooring sites, and possibly other stations.