New work published by PCCRC research fellow Julie Nielsen

Julie Nielson recently published work on a method she and fellow researchers developed for characterizing activity and inferring survival of Pacific halibut based on accelerometer data from Pop-up Satellite Archival Tags (PSATs). The metrics developed in this project help researchers infer activity patterns and resultantly survival which may be extended to other species.

Nielsen, J.K., C.S. Rose, T. Loher, P. Drobny, A.C. Seitz, M.B. Courtney, and J. Gauvin. 2018. Characterizing activity and assessing bycatch survival of Pacific halibut with accelerometer pop-up satellite archival tags. Animal Biotelemetry 6:10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-018-0154-2

Fork & Fin - Trident's food truck showcasing Alaska pollock

In 2017 Trident seafoods launched an engaging experiment to educate people about Alaska pollock. The food truck showcases pollock in a diverse array of dishes. You can find the tried-and-true 'Alaskan Beer Battered fish tacos' to the innovative 'Peanut Butter and Jelly Ultimate Fish Sticks'. 

“Alaskan Pollock is the most abundant certified-sustainable seafood species in the world. Plus, it leaves a much lower carbon footprint on our planet than land based proteins, such as cattle and poultry. It is our mission to show the world how delicious this often over-looked, under-appreciated cousin to cod truly is – one serving at a time. ”

— Fork & Fin

The truck operates all over Seattle and relocates daily! If you want to try delicious Alaska pollock you can locate the truck at the Fork & Fin website. Also you can take a look at their beautiful food on Instagram.  

We're back @seattleu. Come see us today until 1:30p. In the meantime, check out this scrumptious Alaska fish & chip basket posted by @pudgelyfe ・・・ Delicious Alaska Pollock Fish and Chips with Tartar and BBQ Aioli from The Fork & Fin food truck. From Sea to Street indeed, never tasted such fresh fish in my life! The fries had the perfect amount of seasoning of seaweed, sesame seeds, and salt. #foodporn #fishandchips #fries #foodtrucks #seattle #alaskapollock #wallaceyee #seafood #foodies

33 Likes, 2 Comments - The Fork And Fin (@forkandfin) on Instagram: "We're back @seattleu. Come see us today until 1:30p. In the meantime, check out this scrumptious..."

Thanks for coming out to to see us and sending this great shot of your Wild Alaska Pollock Tacos @belliusi ..... we'll be back at the Anacortes Waterfront Festival again tomorrow! #forkandfin ・・・ @forkandfin grilled pollack tacos 🌮 Yummy! #waterfrontfestival

20 Likes, 1 Comments - The Fork And Fin (@forkandfin) on Instagram: "Thanks for coming out to to see us and sending this great shot of your Wild Alaska Pollock Tacos..."

USDA is looking for Pollock suppliers for the National School Lunch Program!

The United States Department of Agriculture has solicited offers for Pollock products (514,800 pounds frozen bulk and 76,000 pounds breaded sticks), bound for the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs in Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington, New Mexico, and Ohio. 

Pollock in the Press!

Alaska pollock was recently featured in an article by Laine Welch on Alaska Fish Radio! Alaska pollock remained the top fish catch in the world for the fourth consecutive year. More information can be found in The State of the Wold Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018. 

PCCRC funded student Ben Williams successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation

On 19 April 2018 Ben Williams successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation entitled "The reproductive biology and management of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) in the Gulf of Alaska". Ben was funded as part of Dr. Gordon Kruse's Walleye pollock maturity study. Dr. Williams works for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the Commercial Fisheries division.  

One chapter from his dissertation examining the variability in maturity of pollock in the Gulf of Alaska is available here.

PCCRC funded student Tessa Minicucci successfully defended her Master's research

On Wednesday April 18th Tessa Minicucci presented her Master's research entitled 'Determining the effects of Asian pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum (O.keta) salmon on western Alaska chum salmon growth' in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the MS in Fisheries. 

Information about her specific project including annual reports and presentations can be found here:

https://www.pccrc.org/research-projects-detailed-2#14-02

A recording of Ms. Minicucci's presentation is online and available here:

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1909371/uiconf_id/37126962/entry_id/0_g3ifbpvx/embed/auto

2017 PCCRC Symposium in Anchorage Alaska

On the 26th of January the PCCRC board and researchers from around Alaska gathered in the Quadrant room of the Captain Cook hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Principle investigators and their graduate students gave 30 minute presentations on the status of their projects. A total of 15 presentations (13 research projects and 2 graduate fellowships) were given on research topics ranging from zooplankton to salmon sharks!

This years symposium was held in Anchorage, Alaska.

Cheryl Barnes gives a presentation on her doctoral research entitled 'Ecological interactions among groundfish predators in the Gulf of Alaska'. Photo by Elizabeth Figus

PCCRC Symposium 26 January 2018

The PCCRC board will be convening in Anchorage, Alaska during the Alaska Marine Science Symposium to hear presentations (13 projects and 2 fellowships) on currently funded projects. 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Figus on a successful defense of her Ph.D.!

On Friday 17 November 2017 Elizabeth Figus defended her Ph.D. dissertation:

"Eyes on the Sea: Demonstrating the usefulness of local knowledge to inform commercial fisheries management in Poland and Alaska" Science and decision making in commercial fisheries management take place in the context of uncertainty. This research demonstrates ways that local knowledge held by fishermen can be used to mitigate that uncertainty. This dissertation documents how fishermen in Poland and Alaska perceive management strategies in their fisheries, and compares those perceptions with traditional measures of management performance. Specific case study examples were developed through exploratory interviews with stakeholders in two study regions. Interviews were conducted with Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) fishermen in Poland (n = 31) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) fishermen in Alaska (n = 78). Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze stakeholder knowledge about ecosystems, as well as their preferences about regulations. Findings show how the inclusion of stakeholder input in fisheries management need not be limited to ad hoc data collection methods in order to be meaningfully interpretable by managers.

Photo: Molly Fox Zaleski

Karl Bratvold, Aleutian Spray Fisheries joins the PCCRC advisory board!

The PCCRC would like to welcome Karl Bratvold of Aleutian Spray Fisheries to the advisory board. Karl will bring to the board decades of experience fishing in Alaska's marine waters. He first began fishing for salmon and tuna in high school during the summers. In the early 1980's he participated in the Alaska crab fishery and later transitioned to trawlers. He has worked in nearly every capacity on a fishing boat: cook, deckhand, engineer, mate and captain. He has worked for Aleutian Spray Fisheries since 1981 and served as the captain of their catcher processor Starbound for 22 years. He currently serves as senior executive and part owner of the company. Recently he led a $40 million rebuilding of the CP Starbound to decrease fish waste and achieve fuller utilization of the Pollock harvest. His dedication to preserving the sustainability of Alaska marine resources is evident in his long history with Aleutian Spray Fisheries and we are excited to benefit from his 'on the water' perspective.