Observations from the warm ocean water temperature event (The Blob) south of Bering Strait.
Location: Alaska ocean waters south of the Bering Strait.
Description: This project includes observations from the LEO Network which may be associated (directly or indirectly) with the event know as the The Blob.
Local Observations – Insights on Community Impacts
Local observations are indicators of the impacts being experienced in communities across Alaska. Over 100 observations were posted to the LEO Network between October 2013 and December 2016 that could potentially be attributed to the Blob. The observations describe a variety of unusual events related to seasonality, weather, ocean conditions, plants and wildlife. Re-occurring themes include the changes and challenges for people engaged subsistence activities, and increased variability and uncertainty for hunters, from failures one year to bumper harvests the next. The lack of winter sea ice in Western Alaska delayed or prevented ice-based harvesting of fish, crab, seal and whale. Low snow resulted in stream drying and mass mortalities of pink salmon in south central Alaska. Meanwhile bumper pink runs were documented in Aleutian communities. Low snow pack and high air temperatures were attributed to wild berry harvests failures across the State in 2015. While in 2016, an exceptionally early spring and moderate rainfall resulted in early berries and an exceptional harvest across species and across the State. For shellfish harvests, the warm waters translated into persistent high levels of harmful algae in Southern Alaska, and concerns about emerging food safety challenges as far North as the Bering Strait. Through these local observations new perspectives were presented about changes in the acquisitions, preservation, quality and quantity of wild foods.
This project contributed to the study published December of 2017 in the Journal of the American Meteorological Society entitled, The High Latitude Marine Heat Wave of 2016 And Its Impacts on Alaska by John Walsh et al. The paper in a pdf format is attached.
References:
Kakoona, Andrew, and Olivia Lee, Hajo Eicken. "Open Water in Our Ocean." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 30 December 2016. Accessed 24 February 2017.
John, Anna R, and Hajo Eicken, Moses Tcheripanoff. "Still No Sea Ice." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 1 March 2016. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Brubaker, Ryan, and Stephen Payton, Michael Opheim . "Low Stream Water for Pink Salmon ." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 5 September 2016. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Krueger, Kelly. "Low Waters For Fish in Kodiak." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 25 September 2015. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Osterback, David . "So Many Pinks (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)!." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 15 July 2015. Accessed 24 February 2017.
John, Anna R. "Early and Abundant Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 10 July 2016. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Kazimirowicz, Sylvia. "Berry harvest failure." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 25 September 2014. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Barnowski, Bobbie Ann . "PSP Levels Rising." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 1 May 2013. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Porcincula, Karis. "High PSP in Clams." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 15 February 2015. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Gay, Santina, and James Berner, Soumik Basu, Mike Brubaker. "Are Ocean Conditions Right for Vibrio parahaemolyticus? ." LEO Network (leonetwork.org). Observed 6 September 2016. Accessed 24 February 2017.
Background: The Blob is the warm water event in the Pacific that occurred between roughly the fall of 2013 though December 31, 2016. In Alaska, it was associated with a vaBiety of impacts, including changes to the physical conditions of the sea water, unusual weather, changes in seasonal conditions, increases in algal blooms (including harmful algae like that which causes PSP), unusual fish and bird species, changes in the range of marine life and potentially stress, illness and die-offs of marine mammals and birds from starvation, exposure to harmful algae any other causes. All of these types of events were reported by LEO Network members between October 2013 and October 2016. This project provides an overview with the intent of providing some local observation context to the Blob in Alaska.
Funding: Project participants.
Partners: ANTHC, National Weather Service, AOOS, UAF, Kasitsna Bay Laboratory (NOAA)
Observing Guidance: This project is currently closed, and not accepting additional observations.
Source Data: LEO Network observations.
Outputs: Analysis of event impacts in Alaska. BAMS Paper
Media
Does the 'Blob' foretell North Pacific's future? A scientist says yes
Lead Organization
ANTHC |
Mike Brubaker LeadAnchorage Alaska, United States
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Seth Danielson ConsultantFaribanks
Associate Professor of Oceanography Physical Oceanography
UAF, University of Alaska Fairbanks
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Hajo Eicken ConsultantFairbanks
UAF, International Arctic Research Center
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Kris Holderied ConsultantHomer Alaska, United States
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Richard L Thoman Jr ConsultantFairbanks Alaska, United States
Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP)
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Toxic algae may have played part in sea bird die offNome, Alaska, United States
Nov 17, 2017
The Nome Nugget
Event
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Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus)Golovin, Alaska, USA
Jul 3, 2014
Event
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Atka Mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) Reeled-inKake, Alaska, United States
Jun 15, 2015
Event
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The warm ‘blob’ in Canada’s Pacific OceanGulf of Alaska / Northeast Pacific
Apr 4, 2015
Times Colonist
Event
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The Blob: Why warmer oceans are a big concernNortheast Pacific Ocean
Apr 29, 2015
Sooke News Mirror
Event
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Atka Mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) in Set-net GearTogiak, Alaska, United States
Jun 26, 2014
Event
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Surge in dead gray whales concerns scientistsWest Coast of the USA
May 17, 2019
CNN
Background
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Unusual Fish - Whitespotted greenling (Hexagrammos stelleri)Togiak, Alaska, United States
Aug 1, 2016
Event
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Dead grey whale towed to Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney for necropsySidney Channel, British Columbia, Canada
Apr 5, 2019
CHEK
Event
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Needle Fish Die-offKongiganak, Alaska, United States
Feb 20, 2015
Event
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Scientists monitoring new marine heat wave off B.C. coast similar to 'the Blob'Northeast Pacific Ocean
Sep 5, 2019
CBC
Event
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Needle Fish with LesionsChefornak, Alaska, United States
Feb 17, 2014
Event
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Mysterious ocean 'blob' could be behind warmer B.C. temperaturesBritish Columbia
May 24, 2015
CBC
Background
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Northern Sea Nettle Jellyfish Die-OffSand Point, Alaska, United States
Aug 8, 2014
Event
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Dead Murres (Uria aalge)Homer, Alaska, United States
Jan 24, 2016
Event
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Ocean 'blob' brings bad fish food to B.C. watersNortheast Pacific Ocean
Jun 8, 2015
CBC News
Event
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Blob of warm Pacific water may have killed dozens of whalesCoastal British Columbia
Sep 14, 2015
CBC
Background
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Dead Birds - Murres (Uria aalge)Nanwalek, Alaska, United States
Aug 17, 2015
Event
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Adams River sockeye salmon run lacking fish this yearAdam's River, BC, Canada
Oct 19, 2019
Castanet
Event
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Lantern Fish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus)Haines, Alaska, United States
Feb 15, 2015
Event
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Sea urchin explosion decimates kelp forests off Pacific coastCoastal Oregon and California
Oct 24, 2019
CBC
Background
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Heavy Rains and FloodingNome, Alaska, United States
Jan 31, 2014
Event
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Aequorea (hydrozoan) bloom in the Northern California CurrentNorthern California Current
Jun 30, 2018
NOAA NWFSC CCIEA Custom Plotting
Background
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Blue Sail (Velella) JellyfishSeldovia, Alaska, United States
Oct 9, 2015
Event
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Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) an Unusual CatchSeldovia, Alaska United States
Jul 3, 2015
Event
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No Ice Fishing YetShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Oct 17, 2013
Event
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Low Waters For Fish in KodiakKodiak, Alaska, United States
Sep 25, 2015
Event
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Dead Birds On Spit BeachSand Point, Alaska, United States
Mar 28, 2016
Event
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Low Seal NumbersPort Heiden, Alaska, United States
Aug 17, 2015
Event
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Persistent High PSP LevelsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Nov 19, 2013
Event
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Ice Fishing HazardousGolovin, Alaska, United States
Nov 4, 2013
Event
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Unusual Mortality of Tufted and Horned Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata and Fratercula corniculata)Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
Oct 16, 2016
Event
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Willows Budding in WinterBethel, Alaska, United States
Jan 24, 2014
Event
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Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)King Cove, Alaska, United States
Sep 23, 2015
Event
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Grounded Murres (Uria aalge)Mount Yealo, Alaska, United States
Jan 1, 2016
Event
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Late Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)Klawock, Alaska, United States
Dec 13, 2014
Event
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Arctic Char with Sores and Parasites (Salmincola)Quinhagak, Alaska, USA
Oct 24, 2014
Event
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Jellyfish BloomToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Jun 25, 2015
Event
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Jellyfish BloomHaines, Alaska, United States
Nov 14, 2014
Event
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High PSP in ClamsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Feb 15, 2015
Event
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High PSP in ClamsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Dec 5, 2014
Event
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Krill Die-offMetlakatla, Alaska, United States
Nov 1, 2013
Event
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Low Salmon NumbersUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Sep 5, 2016
Event
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Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)St. Paul, Alaska, United States
Feb 26, 2015
Event
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Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)St. George, Alaska, United States
Feb 2, 2016
Event
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High PSP levels in clamsKing Cove, Alaska, Unites States
Nov 7, 2013
Event
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Late Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) RunCordova, Alaska, United States
Nov 12, 2014
Event
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Unseasonably WarmUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Nov 13, 2014
Event
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Winter Break-upCordova, Alaska, United States
Jan 28, 2014
Event
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Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Die-off, Jakolof CreekJakolof Creek, Alaska, United States
Aug 27, 2015
Event
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Dead Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)Seldovia, Alaska, United States
Jul 5, 2016
Event
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Unseasonably Warm WeatherNanwalek, Alaska, USA
Dec 16, 2014
Event
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Finally snow - then rainShaktoolik, Alaska, USA
Jan 20, 2014
Event
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Too Wet for Food PreservingElim, Alaska, United States
Oct 15, 2013
Event
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Dead Murres (Uria aalge)Port Graham, Alaska, United States
Jan 6, 2016
Event
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So Many Pinks (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)!Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Jul 15, 2015
Event
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Low Stream Water for Pink SalmonSeldovia, Alaska, United States
Sep 5, 2016
Event
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Unusual 'Sea Butterflies' (thecosomes) On BeachSeldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Aug 10, 2016
Event
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Early Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Jul 21, 2016
Event
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High PSP Levels in ClamsKing Cove, Alaska, United States
Feb 6, 2014
Event
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Shearwater (genus Ardenna) Die-offPilot Point, Alaska, United States
Aug 14, 2016
Event
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Very Little SnowBethel, Alaska, United States
Feb 20, 2014
Event
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Where is the Snow?Solomon, Alaska, United States
Jan 3, 2014
Event
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River Ice TreacherousBethel, Alaska, United States
Apr 13, 2014
Event
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No Sea IceShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Feb 26, 2015
Event
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Berry Harvest FailureEkwok, Alaska, United States
Sep 25, 2014
Event
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Dead Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)King Cove, Alaska, United States
Jun 6, 2015
Event
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Unseasonable weatherSt. Michael, Alaska, USA
Oct 1, 2014
Event
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High PSP Levels in ClamsKing Cove, Alaska, United States
Apr 30, 2014
Event
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Subsistence Harvest Comes EarlyNelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Sep 26, 2016
Event
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Rare Sighting of Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)Grayling, Alaska, United States
Sep 28, 2016
Event
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Dead Spotted (Phoca largha) and Ringed (Pusa hispida) SealsWales, Alaska, United States
Jun 16, 2014
Event
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Dead Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)McDonald Spit, Alaska, USA
Jul 10, 2014
Event
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Low Snow PackNanwalek, Alaska, United States
Mar 24, 2015
Event
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More Murre Deaths (Uria aalge)Nanwalek, Alaska, United States
Sep 22, 2015
Event
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Low Water In Area RiversNome, Alaska, United States
Aug 12, 2015
Event
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Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii EarlyShaktoolik, Alaska, USA
May 15, 2014
Event
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High PSP in ClamsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Mar 18, 2015
Event
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Unseasonably WarmKwinhagak, Alaska, United States
Nov 15, 2014
Event
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Open Water in Our OceanShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Dec 30, 2016
Event
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PSP High in ClamsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Jan 15, 2015
Event
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Dead SeabirdsGoodnews Bay, Alaska, United States
Aug 21, 2015
Event
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Mussel Roe Fouls Fishing GearUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Oct 23, 2013
Event
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Unalakleet River Goes Out EarlyUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Apr 27, 2016
Event
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Nome Area Ponds Are DisappearingNome, Alaska, United States
Sep 8, 2016
Event
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Still No Sea IceToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Mar 1, 2016
Event
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Seabird DeathsSeldovia, Alaska, United States
Nov 22, 2015
Event
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Dead Birds - Seagulls, Puffins, MurresKing Cove, Alaska, United States
Jul 17, 2015
Event
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Advisory - Avian choleraSt. Lawrence Island, Alaska, USA
Nov 20, 2013
Event
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Dead Birds On McDonald's SpitSeldovia, Alaska, United States
Jul 30, 2015
Event
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Abundant Herring RoeToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Jun 6, 2014
Event
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Unusual Mussel (Mytilus californianus) SpeciesUnalaska, Alaska, United States
Sep 23, 2015
Event
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Dead Whale on BeachPort Heiden, Alaska, United States
Aug 28, 2016
Event
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Jellyfish Getting BiggerSand Point, Alaska, United States
Aug 26, 2016
Event
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Ice of Change - Amid Waterfowl SightingsDiomede, Alaska, United States
Jan 27, 2017
Event
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Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Over-heatedSeldovia, Alaska, United States
May 29, 2014
Event
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Thousands of Velella (by-the-wind sailors) Washed Up In Southeast AKSitka, Alaska, United States
May 31, 2016
Event
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Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Dec 31, 2015
Event
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Dead Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)St. Paul, Alaska, United States
Feb 26, 2015
Event
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Sand Point's Unsafe PSP Toxin LevelsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Feb 26, 2016
Event
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Extremely High PSP LevelsSand Point, Alaska, United States
Jun 9, 2016
Event
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PSP Levels RisingOld Harbor, Alaska, United States
May 1, 2013
Event
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Poor Bird FledglingSt. George, Alaska, United States
Aug 27, 2015
Event
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Dead SeabirdsNanwalek, Alaska, United States
Nov 6, 2013
Event
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Dead Orca (Orcinus orca) WhaleWales, Alaska, United States
Nov 20, 2014
Event
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Dead Murres At Boat HarborSand Point, Alaska, United States
Apr 1, 2016
Event
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Dead Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)Port Heiden. Alaska, United States
Dec 26, 2013
Event
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Dead Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)Elim, Alaska, United States
Aug 26, 2012
Event
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Dead Birds (Cepphus columba) In HarborSand Point, Alaska, United States
Aug 2, 2015
Event
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White Fish (C. nelsonii) with Saprolegnia FungusChefornak, Alaska, United States
Nov 28, 2016
Event
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Unusual Weather PatternUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
May 6, 2016
Event
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Winter Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) SightingToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Jan 27, 2016
Event
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Early Growth Of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)King Cove, Alaska, United States
May 24, 2016
Event
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Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) in Full BloomSitka, Alaska, United States
Mar 19, 2016
Event
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Bumble Bees Are Still OutSlana, Alaska, United States
Sep 9, 2016
Event
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Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) Re-emergeTatitlek, Alaska, United States
Sep 7, 2016
Event
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Early Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) BloomPalmer, Alaska, United States
Jun 25, 2016
Event
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Early Break-up, Low WaterSt. Mary's, Alaska, United States
Apr 24, 2016
Event
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No Ice on Iliamna LakeLake Iliamna, Alaska, United States
Feb 22, 2016
Event
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Tall Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)Palmer, Alaska, United States
Jul 11, 2016
Event
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Earliest River Break Up EverDenali National Park, Alaska, United States
Apr 20, 2016
Event
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Extreme Shore ErosionShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Jun 2, 2014
Event
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March Flies (Bibionidae) All Over Sand PointSand Point, Alaska, United States
Jun 12, 2016
Event
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Early MushroomsWasilla, Alaska, United States
Jul 9, 2016
Event
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Big Blueberries (Vaccinium ovalifolium), Lots of ThemMountain Village, Alaska, United States
Jul 6, 2016
Event
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Lots of Lake WeedsAleknagik, Alaska, United States
Aug 16, 2016
Event
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Are Ocean Conditions Right for Vibrio parahaemolyticus?Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Sep 6, 2016
Event
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Early Hay (Avena sativa) CuttingsPalmer, Alaska, United States
Jul 8, 2016
Event
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Year of the Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)Seldovia, Alaska, United States
Jul 6, 2016
Event
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Unusual Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) BehaviorCopper Center, Alaska, United States
Aug 19, 2015
Event
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Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Stranding at Chignik LagoonChignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Feb 25, 2016
Event
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Very Vary Berry LandToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Aug 24, 2016
Event
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Early and Abundant Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Jul 10, 2016
Event
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Bloated Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in HarborSeldovia, Alaska, United States
Feb 27, 2017
Event
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A Poor Year for Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)Red Bluff, Popof Island, Alaska
Sep 4, 2016
Event
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Abundant Jellyfish Disrupt Commercial Salmon FisherySand Point, Alaska, United States
Sep 4, 2016
Event
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Water Red in Harbor (Algae)Saint George, Alaska, United States
Sep 14, 2012
Event
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"Glowing" Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) in the dark - plankton?Chevak, Alaska, United States
Oct 4, 2017
Event
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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Targeting Forage Fish in Open WaterIsland View Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 21, 2018
Event
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