Arctic Coast and Bering Sea Overflight

The North Pacific Research Board has been implementing an integrated six year ecosystem research program in the Bering Sea region for several years now (see http://bsierp.nprb.org/).  The Board also funds research projects annually in other areas of Alaska and is moving forward with plans for both an integrated research program in the Gulf of Alaska (in final stages of approval) and in the Arctic.  As part of the design process for the Arctic program, Board members recently joined the regular Coastguard C-130 overflight over the north and west coasts of Alaska.

Inflight briefing on flight path and observation points

Passing by Denali, Foraker and other peaks of the Alaska range

Packed coastal ice in the vicinity of Barrow

Wainright settlement

Red Dog Mine infrastructure (near Kivalina)

Lower Yukon River and tributaries

Point Mackenzie, Cook Inlet and Anchorage

The overflight again reminded the Board of the vast scale of Alaska's coasts and the general lack of understanding of marine ecosystems and processes in much of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.  Presentations to the Board by NOAA and UAF scientists earlier in the meeting had emphasized how fast Arctic systems are changing and why there is a compelling need to document existing conditions and better understand ecosystem dyamics.  Information gathered during the flight will be very helpful in framing the NPRB Arctic strategy. 

Thanks again to the Coastguard crew who provided the observation platform and to the Board members for making time to join the flight... now if I can just get my hearing back...