Fisheries and Marine Science in Southeast Alaska

What does the work of a marine or fisheries biologist involve?  The Fisheries/Marine Science module gives students the chance to find out.   Working alongside NOAA and UAS marine and fisheries biologists and technicians, students will investigate Southeast Alaska’s marine world, immersing themselves in that work during a seven day field research experience at NOAA’s Little Port Walter Marine Station located 110 miles south of Juneau on Baranof Island.

The Little Port Walter Station sits on a bay in a fjord teeming with fish, marine mammals and sea birds which is surrounded by pristine old growth forests making this a stimulating and rich ecosystem full of biological diversity. The Station operates with a year-round staff, with fish culturing and laboratory facilities in addition to permanent housing for staff.  Research is conducted on the genetics of Chinook salmon and steelhead, fish behavior, fish culture techniques and the marine climate.  Students will be exposed to field camp and remote living experiences while conducting investigations on the nearby streams, lakes, intertidal and marine areas  and fish culturing facilities.  Students will explore the area by boat, trails and beach.

Study themes include:

• Salmon Life History and Ecology
• Marine Derived Nutrients
• Fjord Dynamics
• Tidal Processes
• Climate
• Intertidal Ecology
• Harbor Seal Biology
• Bioenergetics of Salmon
• Fish Culture Techniques and Diseases
• Invertebrates in the Intertidal Ecosystem

This is a remote module, with students traveling by floatplane to Little Port Walter.  Students will stay in NOAA housing and assist with meal preparation and clean up, while  actively participating in fisheries research and tagging programs.  There will be extensive time outdoors.   General fitness and ability to work well with others are pre-requisites for this module.

Instructors

Beth Mathews, UAS;  Ron Heintz, Fisheries Biologist, NOAA Auke Bay Laboratory