A New World Arctic

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure to join one of those meetings that makes you pause and rethink your view of the world.  The Arctic Imperative Summit, held in Girdwood attracted an amazing array of political military, science, financial, indigenous, industrial, academic and community leaders.  Organized by Alice Rogoff from the Alaska Dispatch with support from industry, native corporations and non profit think tanks, the event attracted more than 200 Arctic experts.

The event was a timely opportunity to reconsider the special role of Alaska in the Arctic.  Many speakers described Alaska as the last US emerging market, but also lamented how little known the US Arctic is and how poorly prepared we are as a nation to take advantage of development opportunities in the Arctic.  Much of the conference focused on oil and gas, transportation and infrastructure and related development issues, but there was substantial discussion in every session about common issues such as impacts of development on native subsistence, about climate change impacts (notably ice retreat), about the importance of science and research to development and about increasing opportunities, conflicts and risks associated with the "high arctic" (above the Bering Strait) opening up.

There was also much discussion about the importance of international collaboration, with the Arctic Council emerging as an increasingly significant forum for collaboration – the active engagement of Sec. Clinton in the most recent Council meeting has raised expectations for a stronger US presence.
Perhaps the most surprising piece of information came from Maersk Shipping who stated categorically that there will not be a transit shipping route developing in the Arctic this century – even though the great polar route is about half the distance from Asia to Europe through Panama, it is not commercially viable and thus is not likely to be exploited by the big shippers.

Four high priority needs identified included:
o Ratification of Law of the Sea (which would provide the US with a legal basis to extend its offshore jurisdiction to cover significant OCS resources)
o Establishment of an increased Arctic icebreaker capacity – State Senator Lesil McGuire went as far as to suggest in her summation speech that the State of AK should invest in its own icebreaker ship to support Arctic research and development
o Development of a “proven” arctic oil spill response capacity – many presenters emphasized the challenges of arctic spill response and the importance of being prepared for the many potential scenarios that entails (ship and platform based)
o The importance of promoting a greater understanding of what it means to be an arctic nation both in Alaska and in the US generally – there was a strong undercurrent of sentiment that most Americans are not sufficiently aware of what it means to be an Arctic nation.
Understanding how the Arctic is changing, developing wildlife response protocols and promoting "Arctic literacy" are increasingly imporant roles that the Alaska SeaLife Center can and will play going forward.  I encourage all with an interest in the Arctic to visit the Arctic Imperative Summit website to review the presentations and reports made - http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/live-arctic-imperative-summit.

Celebrating World Oceans Day 2011 in Seward

Seward Artist, Dot Bardarson introducing the Homer-based artist Brad Hughes' powerful Sculpture "Salmon"

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to formally establish June 8th as World Oceans Day. Last year we held a small staff BBQ to mark the day, but, given the significance of oceans to Alaska, we began to plan a much bigger event this year!

Juneau-based Artist Lisa Ricky unveiling her kinetic creation "Bull Kelp"

That planning began with a Statewide art contest in 2010 that led to the commissioning of two sculptures. The Art Jury for that contest comprised Dot Bardarson (ASLC Community Relations Board member + Seward Artist), Christy Terry (former City Community Development Director), Annette Bellamy (Alaska Artist – Halibut Cove, Justine Pechusal (Seward Community & Mural Artist), Joseph Abegg (Livingston Slone, AIA, Associate), Howard Ferren (ASLC Director of Conservation), Steve Carrick (former ASLC Director of Operations and Facilities) and Laura Tauke (former ASLC Graphic Designer). Both sculptures were installed on June 6th after much great work by our facilities team and now occupy prominent knolls outside the front door of the Center. They have already received much critical acclaim and form a stunning addition to the ocean art precinct now developing in the downtown area!

Tyson Fick from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute with ASLC CEO Ian Dutton (l) and ASLC Board Chair Steve Grabacki (r) opening the new seafood exhibit.

We then opened two new exhibits inside the Center. The new Alaska Sustainable Seafood exhibit supported by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute provides a stunning reminder of just how important seafood is to the State economy and provides visitors with information on how to make wise seafood choices.

Seward Mayor, Willard Dunham congratulating Bret Chambers from BP Alaska on the opening of the new North to the Future Theater.

The second exhibit is the new “North to the Future Theater” sponsored by BP Alaska. Located on the lower level at the end of the visitor path, the theater provides an opportunity to learn about the US Arctic, the changes being experienced there and some of the science work underway to better understand Arctic resources.

The final part of the evening's program was our first great culinary challenge – an amazing array of appetizers courtesy of talented local chefs Monica Cooper (Alaskan Dermish Deserts), Kevin Lane (AVTEC), Erik Slater (Resurrection Roadhouse). Kevin’s creations were voted most popular by participants in a photo-finish and he received a prize donated by the Inn at Tern Lake.
However, the real winners on the evening were our 80 guests who not only got to learn a little more about Alaska’s oceans, but also had fun being serenaded by Marian Call (http://www.mariancall.com/), the incredibly talented Alaskan singer and song writer.

Mark your calendars – we have already begun planning for World Oceans Day on June 8th, 2012… and June 8th, 2013 and…. You get the idea!

Seward - the BEST Fishing Town in the Pacific!!

Well, the results are in and... Seward was voted the best Fishing Town in the Pacific and 6th best overall in the nation!!

Both are amazing achievements and well deserved recognition of the amazing attraction that Seward has for anglers and others who appreciate seeing marine wildlife in a spectacular natural setting!

Full results of the WFN poll can been accessed at:
http://www.wfnfishingtown.com/leaderboard.php

Thanks again to everyone who supported Seward - 5,000+ votes from a town the size of Seward with limited internet access for many of the population is probably comparable to the winner (Roscoe NY) on a per capita adjusted basis.

Please pass on this news to anyone thinking of a fishing trip to Alaska... even if you don't fish, you may care to come and enjoy the incredible diversity and abundance of marine wildlife that the fish attract each summer.