The sea ice on the shore of Elim, Alaska has had a late freeze-up, which is uncommon. The usual freeze-up occurs by the end of October, but as of January 1, 2012, it had just begun. This has affected subsistence crabbing and seal hunting, which are usually done by now. The first crabbing in Elim was not until mid-January 2012.

Observation: We just began to have freeze up of sea ice on the shore, which was very uncommon. Usually we have freeze up by the end of October. We have not been able to do our subsistence crabbing and seal hunting because of the ice conditions. Usually we are doing this kind of subsistence by now. Note: the first crabbing in Elim was not until mid January 2012. Warren Daniels, Native Village of Elim