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Observations

Gooseneck Barnacles
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Dead Sea Cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata) on Beach
Strong winds might have blown sea cucumbers (*Cucumaria miniata*) up on to the beach, exposing them to the cold at low tide.
Anchor Point, Alaska, United States
Mandy Lindeberg, Richard L Thoman Jr, Erica Lujan

Young Nuttall Cockles (Clinocardium nuttallii) Exposed on Beach
Luck was against these young cockles, which were likely washed up on to the beach during a storm and did not survive the cold air temperatures during low tide.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Large Northern Sea Nettle (Chrysaora melanaster) Die-off
A large group of dead northern sea nettles (*Chrysaora melanaster*) found near the shore in Kasitsna Bay.
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States

Large Squid Caught in Chignik Bay
Unidentified squid caught by rod and reel off the beach.
Chignik, Alaska, United States

Uncommon Squat Lobster (Munida quadrispina) Sighting
A squat lobster (*Munida quadrispina*) was pulled up in a shrimp pot placed in Prince William Sound, which is not a common event. Squat lobsters are commonly found in Southeast Alaska during ADF&G shrimp survey pots and in scallop dredge surveys near Yakutat, Kayak Island, Kachemak Bay, and Kodiak.
Surprise Cove, Alaska, United States

Krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) Found Washed Up on Beach
Krill (*Thysanoessa spinifera*) were found washed up along the beach in Dutch Harbor. Samples sent to University of Alaska Fairbanks are in the process of being tested for toxins.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Karen Pletnikoff, Asia Beder, Dean Stockwell, Melissa Good, Bruce Wright

Unidentified Orange Substance Found Washed Up on the Beach in Unalaska
An unidentified substance was found washed up on the Summers Bay beach. Samples were sent to University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and are being tested.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Karen Pletnikoff, Dean Stockwell, Asia Beder, Melissa Good

Sea Star Wasting Disease
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) observed near King Cove
King Cove, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Ginger Bear, Amy Holman, Bruce Wright, Melissa Miner, Karen Pletnikoff

Dead Krill and Sea Birds, Stranded Ice Seals
A range of wildlife-related events have been occurring this month in Shishmaref and other parts of Norton Sound.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Dean Stockwell, Kathy Burek Huntington, Louisa Castrodale, Kathy Kuletz, Andrew Kakoona, Ted Meyers, Sharon Nayokpuk, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Richard L Thoman Jr, Joel Garlich-Miller, Mike Brubaker, Amy Holman, Racheal Lee, Barbara Mahoney, Kimberlee Beckmen, Chris Dankmeyer

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Die-Off
"When we looked over the side of the boat, we saw clumps of mussels floating up the whole Tuksuk channel. No one has ever heard of something like this before."
Port Clarence, Alaska, United States
Brad Harris, Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield, Allison Topkok, Louisa Castrodale, Amy Holman, Jonathan Snyder, Joel Garlich-Miller, Racheal Lee, Erica Lujan, Barbara Mahoney, Emily Mosites, Bob Gerlach, Dean Stockwell

Low Tide and No Sea Stars
We did not see a single sea star in the Kachemak-side tide pools, and boulders we visit each year all looked a little vacant, with a lot of empty, critter-free space.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Michael Opheim , Kris Holderied, Mike Brubaker

Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troscheli) Die-off Juneau
Approximately 700 dead mottled sea stars (*Evasterias troscheli*) found with appendages intact, which indicate that mortality event may be related to stormy weather.
DuPont beach Juneau, Alaska, United States

Lots of Female King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
Large number of Red King Crabs (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*) found on the beach during an extreme low tide. According to fisheries researchers, crabs move to shallow water to hatch and release eggs.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Sea Nettle Jellyfish (Chrysaora melanaster) are Landing
Sea Nettle (*Chrysaora melanaster*) jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Unusual Squid Found on Shoreline
Squid are becoming more common on the shoreline over the past few years.
Aleksandrovsk, Alaska, United States

Shellfish Warning
Crescent City, California, United States

Elevated PSP Levels in Unalaska and Sand Point
Regional monitoring program notifies shellfish harvesters of an upward trend in concentrations of PSP.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Foraging in Re-occupied Soft Bottom Habitats
Rare observation of sea otter in Haro Strait, perhaps first since 2014.
Haro Strait, British Columbia, Canada

No Sea Stars on Bishop's Beach
Sea Star Wasting Disease has caused sea stars to die off since 2013. As of 2018, there are still no sea stars on Bishops Beach in Homer.
Homer, Alaska, United States

Bivalves recently cracked by sea otters (Enhydra lutris) indicating re-occupation
We discovered numerous large marine bivalve shells (and two chiton shells) that had been cracked recently by sea otters. Ocean View Beach is around the southern extent of Vancouver Island and back again north in the Strait of Georgia. The present observation is evidence of sea otters traveling into the Strait of Georgia.
Island View Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Tom Okey, Theo Okolowicz, Phoebe Okey-Dobie

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Haul-out On Port Heiden Beach
Walrus in Bristol Bay and Port Heiden are not uncommon in summer. The fact they are present in April is unusual and residents believe factors such as the lack of sea ice, lack of food and warming ocean temperatures may be the reason.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Jaclyn Christensen, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Shrimp Found While Collecting Badarkies
I have never found live shrimp before in King Cove while subsisting for Chiton's not sure if it is unusual or significant.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Mushroom ascidian (Distaplia occidentalis) Found on Beach
It's about the size of a dinner plate and has a rubbery texture, was told it’s a sea cucumber but I’m not sure.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Tom Okey, Tammy Davis, Erica Lujan, Scott Anderson

Coral Found Following November Storm
Red coral observed near Port Heiden along the Bering Sea coast.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Abundant Slugs Consuming Vegetation
Abundant slugs in Dillingham acting as a stressor to garden plants.
Dillingham, Alaska, United States

Weird Jelly on Tube Worms
Tube-Dwelling Worms on Seldovia Beach
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Black Slugs (Arion ater L) Devastating Native Plants in Chugach Forest
Black slugs are impacting native plants in the Chugach Forest and may be spreading elsewhere.
McKinley Lake, Alaska, United States

Tiny California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus)
The smallest California cuke I have found.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Squid Found in Seldovia Bay
Squid are occasionally found in the area, but not very often.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Worm Species Found During Beluga Hunt
Several dozen worms were observed during a Beluga hunt in Norton Bay.
Norton Bay, Alaska, United States

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Hauling Out with Seals
Sea otter population growth not seen in recent history and shellfish harvest have been dropping.

Two-Spot Keyhole Limpet (Fissurellidea bimaculata)
A limpet not seen in the area before.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Hurghada Coast Degradation
Coral degradation, fish species decline and an increase in jellyfish population.
Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt

Two Robust Clubhook Squid (Onykia robusta) Wash Ashore
Both squid were of the genus/species Onykia robusta, previously known as Moroteuthis robusta, and commonly known as the robust clubhook squid.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Unusual Depressions in Lummi Tideflats
Marietta, Washington, United States
Tom Okey, Jeramiah Wallace, Sichangu Lee

Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) Die-Off
Manila Clam (*Venerupis philippinarum*) Die-off observed - possibly related to freezing temperatures.
Lummi Bay, Bellingham, Washington (Lummi Nation), United States

Thousands of Dead Red Rock Crabs (Cancer productus) on Beach
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

Sea Angel (Clione limacina) Bloom in December
Sea angel (Clione limacina) observed during mid December near Stika, Alaska.
Nahku Bay, Alaska, United States

Marine Mussels Clean of PSP Toxins
Klamath, California, United States

Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) vulnerable to domoic acid contamination
Warning: (2016-11-07) Recreational anglers should avoid consuming the viscera (internal organs, also known as “butter” or “guts”) of dungeness crab
Klamath, California, United States

Plumose anemones (Metridium spp.) detaching from rocks
Bowyer Island, Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada

European Black Slug
Tenakee Springs, Alaska, United States

Are Ocean Conditions Right for Vibrio parahaemolyticus?
Resident becomes sick after consuming oysters and wonders what is being done to prevent future outbreaks of *V parahaemolyticus*, this new climate related illness in Alaska.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Soumik Basu, Santina Gay, James Berner

Abundant Jellyfish Disrupt Commercial Salmon Fishery
Purse seiner crew scrambles to shovel the huge bycatch of Northern sea nettle jelly fish (*Chrysaora melanaster*) overboard.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Jellyfish Getting Bigger
Getting bigger each sighting.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Unusual 'Sea Butterflies' (thecosomes) On Beach
Washing ashore from Kachemak Bay
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Shift of Diverse Subtidal Community to Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea) Barrens
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Decadal shift in Lion's Mane Jellies (Cyanea capillata) on Nova Scotia's North Shore
Caribou Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada

Leopard or Giant Garden Slug (Limax maximus) Found
Leopard Slug Found
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Extremely High PSP Levels
Extremely high PSP levels

Recreational Razor Clam Fishery Closed in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
Klamath, California, United States

Black or perhapsTail-dropper Slug
Invasive Black Slug
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States

Thousands of Velella (by-the-wind sailors) Washed Up In Southeast AK
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Marine Mussels Clean of PSP (Toxins)
Declining after years elevated.

Sand Point's Unsafe PSP Toxin Levels
Unusually high PSP toxin levels making shellfish unsafe to eat.

Sea Pens (Pennatulacea), Peanut Worms (Sipuncula) and Sea Cucumbers (P. californicu)
Interesting Marine Invertebrates
Yakutat, Alaska, United States

Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) and Starfish (Phylum: Echinodermata)
Dead sea otter and star fish
Prince of Wales Islands, Alaska, United States

Blue Sail (Velella) Jellyfish
Blue Sail Jellyfish
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Unusual Mussel (Mytilus californianus) Species
Unusual Mussel Species

Arribo de langostas en la playa de Puerto de Progreso, Yucatán
Chelem, Yucatán, Mexico

Starfish Wasting Disease
Near MacDonald Spit, southern end of the Kenai Peninsula.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Starfish Wasting Disease
A starfish that did not appear healthy.
Kake, Alaska, United States

Jellyfish Bloom
Jellyfish bloom
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Velella en Isla San Martín

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams - Sand Point, Alaska, USA

High PSP in Clams
High PSP level in Sand Point, Alaska

Victoria Harbour 2: Contaminants in Sediment and Mussels
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Early earthworm
Earthworm found while cleaning yard
Haines, Alaska, USA

PSP High in Clams
The paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) results for Sand Point, Alaska (butter clams collected 1/5/2015) had PSP toxin levels of 112 micrograms/100 grams.

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams

Lions Mane Jellyfish Sighting
11-20-14 Unusual jellyfish - Togiak, Alaska, USA
Togiak, Alaska, Unites States
Kristin Cieciel, Aeshia Upton, Brian Abraham

Jellyfish Bloom
11-14-14 Jellyfish bloom Haines, Alaska, USA
Haines, Alaska, United States

Mollusks in Moose (Alces alces) Gut
11-29-14 Mollusks in moose gut - Egegik, Alaska, USA
Egegik, Alaska, United States

Amber Snail
These ladies found a snail that they had never seen before and brought them.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sighted at Possession Point, Southern Vancouver Islan
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada

Northern Sea Nettle Jellyfish Die-Off
Northern sea nettle jellyfish die-off

Crab larvae wash ashore
7-29-14 Crab larvae wash ashore - Port Graham, Alaska, USA
Port Graham, Alaska

Spawning Marine Worms
Spawning marine Pileworms observed along shoreline.
Nikolski, Alaska, United States

High PSP Levels in Clams
4-30-14 High PSP levels in clams - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Evidence of Sea Star Wasting Disease
Laguna Beach, California, United States

High PSP Levels in Clams
High PSP levels in clams near the end of the Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska.

Persistent High PSP Levels
Persistently high levels of PSP recorded in the Shumagin Islands.

High PSP levels in clams
11-7-13 High PSP levels in clams - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, Unites States

Krill Die-off
11-1-13 Krill die-off - Metlakatla, Alaska, USA
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

Mussel Roe Fouls Fishing Gear
Salmon and crab gear seeing an incredible increase in mussel roe and slime.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Tadpole Shrimp at Swimming Hole
7-26-13 Tadpole shrimp at swimming hole
Russian Mission, Alaska, United States

Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)
For a couple years, Sand Point residents have observed an increasing number of the non-native leopard slug.

Poor Sea Ice - Our Sea Garden
The sea is our garden for food and other things.
Wales, Alaska, United States

PSP Levels Rising
5-1-13 PSP levels rising - Old Harbor, Alaska, USA
Old Harbor, Alaska, United States

Barnacle decline
7-3-12 Barnacle decline - McDonald Spit, Alaska, USA
McDonald Spit, Alaska, USA

Barnacles Declining
3-9-12 Barnacles declining - Nanwalek, Alaska, USA
Nanwalek, Alaska, USA

Apparent native freshwater mussel mortality event

Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) Return to Monterey Bay
Moss Landing, California, United States

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