News Archive

New Tool Supports Climate Resilience in Rural Alaska

Alaska’s rapidly changing climate is driving the need for better collaboration and access to data for rural communities. To address this, AOOS funded a project led by Sean Kelly of Alaska Sea Grant to create an ArcGIS Story Map titled “Data for Resilience Planners in...

Backyard Buoys reflects on a successful 2024 season in Alaska

The Backyard Buoys program celebrated another successful year in Alaska in 2024. With coordination by UIC Science, Indigenous hunters from Savoonga, Gambell, Little Diomede, Point Hope, Wainwright, Utqiaġvik, and Kaktovik deployed 26 small wave buoys from their...

Announcing the Northeast Pacific Acoustic Telemetry node

AOOS is a key partner in the development of the new Northeast Pacific Acoustic Telemetry (N-PAcT) node, an initiative focused on building partnerships to better understand marine species on the move. This collaborative network will unite researchers and organizations...

Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook releases short film

The Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook (SIWO) announced the release of a new short film highlighting the collaboration and dedication of the many contributors who have shaped the program’s success as it approaches its 15th season. SIWO provides weekly updates during the...

Find AOOS at spring 2025 conferences

Throughout the year, AOOS sponsors and participates in numerous conferences across Alaska. Below are upcoming events where you can learn more about AOOS programs by visiting our booth or attending presentations by AOOS staff and partners. Ice Seal Committee Meeting...

AOOS staff featured in Anchorage Museum exhibit

Three Alaska Ocean Observing System staff members are featured in the “How to Survive” exhibit at the Anchorage Museum. On display through January 19, the show explores survival through hope, care, and interconnectedness, urging reflection, action, and responsibility...

AOOS is hiring data and water level positions

With the influx of the 5-year Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, the Alaska Ocean Observing System is adding two positions to our team. Please see the full position descriptions linked below for more details, contact information, and instructions on how to apply....

YRDFA Fisheries Biologist position

The Fisheries Biologist will support staff on various projects along with oversight of Yukon River research, monitoring, and evaluation.

IOOS regions convene in Juneau

Program Office staff, directors, and representatives from each Regional Association of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) gathered in Juneau for the annual fall meeting.

Partner highlight: Donna Hauser and AAOKH

Donna Hauser is a marine ecologist whose research emphasizes community-based monitoring of coastal changes. Based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she is a research associate professor and the science lead for the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH).

AOOS deploys new Imaging FlowCytoBot

In July 2024, Thomas Farrugia deployed AOOS’s new IFCB on the USCGC Healy during the NSF-funded Arctic Observing Network research cruise. The cruise traveled from Dutch Harbor north through the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Seas.

Alaska DEC is hiring!

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Environmental Health is hiring several positions to work in the Environmental Health Lab. Positions range from client services to lab technician to chemist.

Backyard Buoys engages students across Alaska

This summer, the Backyard Buoys program connected with students from throughout Alaska at the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) in Juneau and the BARC Science Fair in Utqiaġvik.

2024 Yukon River Chinook Run Timing Forecast

Yukon River Chinook are predicted to arrive on the delta just slightly later than average in 2024: The first significant pulse (15% point) is expected by June 14th and 50% of the run is expected to have arrived by June 23rd. April mean air temperature at the Nome, AK...

COASST: Community science for Pacific coastal marine health

COASST, short for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, is a citizen science initiative based at the University of Washington with the aim of documenting seabird carcasses that wash up on the shore. AOOS helps COASST with trainings and uploading seabird carcass data on the Ocean Explorer Data Portal.

Implications of the Proposed President’s FY25 Budget

The proposed President’s FY25 budget for Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Observations is a reduction of more than 76% from fiscal year 2023 and 2024 enacted levels, and less than any funding level for the program since its inception in the 2008 federal budget. If enacted, funding at this level would cripple the IOOS system.

Marine Weather Dashboards and new mobile app

The AOOS data portal offers displays of maritime conditions so that users can easily access this information in real-time. The data are from multiple sources, such as the National Weather Service and the Marine Exchange of Alaska, and include tide predictions,...

Time of the baby seal

As Alaskans plan their summer schedules and stow away their winter gear, a familiar scene unfolds: collective grumbling at the arrival of wet spring snow. There is a silver lining to this type of spring precipitation, as the traditional Inuit calendar reminds us.

Spring 2024 Glider update

It’s going to be a very busy season for the Glider Operations Team at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences! They are excited to further push the boundaries of ocean research with these technological wonders.

2024 planned research vessel movements in Alaska

The 2024 Planned Research Vessel Movements list is now available on the IARPC Collaborations website. This community-driven resource compiles the details for upcoming and ongoing research activities in Arctic and Alaska waters during the 2024 field season.

AOOS expands Alaska Native representation on board of directors

This year, the Alaska Ocean Observing System is committed to enhancing Alaska Native representation on its board of directors by expanding from one to four seats. The organization is currently reaching out to leaders within Alaska Native Organizations across the state to identify interested entities.

Scientists share upcoming plans at Alaska Marine Research Night

AOOS hosted the Alaska Marine Research Planning Night at the 2024 Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS). This fun and collaborative event provides an opportunity for marine researchers working across Alaska to share information on their upcoming field season for networking and collaboration.

Glider recovery was a collaborative effort in 2023

Two autonomous underwater vehicles, nicknamed “Shackleton” and “Loki,” received help from mariners when issues arose during their ocean adventures in 2023. AOOS supports a fleet of these vehicles, also called “gliders,” through a partnership with UAF’s College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.