"Grayling guts with unknown pearl like cyst or tapeworm. Never seen this before in our grayling."
From the images shared, these appear to be Philemona, a freshwater parasite. Philomena is a food quality concern but is Not considered a human health concern. With proper preparation, the salmon is safe to eat.
A couple of weeks ago I spotted a small gull on the second bridge behind Kotzebue. The bird wouldn't fly and was walking slowly.
These eggs from a trout caught in the Fish River, had unusual milky translucent capsules in it.
Observations and research across Alaska indicate shifting berry ripening times and unpredictable yields, with climate change as a key factor affecting these important subsistence and cultural resources.
A crab was caught on the ice just offshore in Nome. It had a small invertebrate in the gills of the crab.
Erratic temperatures led to the absence of tomcods, severely affecting local fishing.
Red and Black Currants are present on the property and the moose seem to be picky about what berry they like to consume.
"This season we have observed many salmonberry bushes that appear to be defoliated. It seems something is eating the leaves. We have also noticed the berries look sickly."
White cysts in the muscle of salmon could be caused by Henneguya salminicola also called "tapioca disease". It affects the texture of the meat but is not a health concerns for people. White cysts could also however, be from a tape worm. That is a human health concern. Guidance on how to check the cysts to confirm and how to prepare food so it is safe to eat, is provided.
The sockeye salmon are coming back smaller for the Newhalen River and Iliamna Lake, plus not a thick as they once did when I was younger.
Is the abundance of insects unusual? Updates from around the state with picking and weather impacts.
An image of a swollen leg on this caribou raises questions that it may be a case of brucellosis.
A rare sighting is possible indicator of prey abundance.
December should have sea ice development in Norton Sound. But no sign of ice yet this year. Several storms have moved northward across the western Bering Sea and brought strong winds and bouts of above freezing weather to the Teller area and all of the Bering Strait region.
Die-offs of krill are in some cases associated with hypoxia (low oxygen) excess sediment suspended in the water column and changes in water temperature. There were recent reports of high levels of Alexandrium in water samples in the areas, and Norton Sound Health Corporation is performing some testing of krill samples (see below). There was also an unprecedented storm event only a week ago, unusual for the storm surge and early season.
Storms can bring a bounty to the beach - driftwood sometimes or in this case, clams! But be careful out there. There are new concerns about emerging levels of harmful algae in Western Alaska waters, which could impact shellfish and human health.
There were alternatives for Trans Mountain Corporation to digging a trench in the river to lay pipe during the time the salmon were running.
A resident of Seldovia reported an infestation of worms infesting an area of salmonberry brush and nettle.
I saw an extreme amount of spittle bugs not only on grasses and plants but on flowers.
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