Breaking News - PGA Endorses New Major in AK - SeaLife Center Mini Golf Tournament

Maybe we'll get an endorsement in the not too distant future.  With all that is happening in the game these days, we would be a great contender for the world's most northerly tournament!

Seriously, having played some of the great courses, I can already state that the ASLC offers the most entertaining and novel golf course in the world - come on - where else can you chip in front of the unwavering gaze of a 2,000 lb. sea lion, or risk the rough edges of moving escalator steps as you putt for glory or be caddied by the sartorially elegant Howard Ferren?

Last year was my first mini golf tournament, but I can now see why seasoned Alaskan golfers now make this annual outing.  Even Mr Whitekeys has played a round in his inimitable style...
All of which goes to say that I strongly encourage you to sign up early for:

The Alaska SeaLife Center’s

4th Annual Indoor Miniature Golf Tournament

Saturday, March 27th, 2010 - 7:00 pm

Proceeds support our Wildlife Rescue Program.

Registration and sponsorship forms available at

the Alaska SeaLife Center or by calling (907) 224-6890.

Forms also can be downloaded at http://www.alaskasealife.org/

See you on the course...

FORE

(friends of rescue efforts)!

2010 Alaska Stranding Network Meeting at ASLC - what does it take to be a strandings responder?

What would possess normally reserved researchers, nonchalant non-profit leaders, arcane administrators and otherwise sane scientists to volunteer to enter the labs at the SeaLife center, dress up like CSI investigators and begin dissecting dead and smelly marine life?..

Some insight may be gained by the fact that once again, for the 6th year in a  row, this same group had gathered from around the country and the State in snowy Seward in the middle of winter to discuss dead (and stranded) wildlife.  Yes, they are a dedicated bunch!  Last week the SeaLife Center hosted the Alaska Strandings network annual meeting and more than 50 eager partners joined us for three very intense days - this clearly is the meeting to be at if you work on injured and dead marine life.

As Seward Mayor, Willard Dunham noted in his opening remarks this network really is an important asset to the State of Alaska - with more than 500 person years of experience in responding the stranded marine mammals and birds, this group represents the core of Alaska's intellectual capital in this field.

Over the three days, the group heard about the range of cases that the network had been involved in, from the the species scale (e.g. walrus mass stranding event) to individual cases (such as the discover of pox in sea otters - a first for Alaska).  The group also undertook media training and engaged in a very useful discussion of how the Alaska SeaLife Center may be able to secure additional resources for stranding work - recommendations from that discussion will inform the ASLC 2020 strategic planning process currently underway.  They also heard a wonderful presentation on physiological adaptations to life below zero from the best selling author of "Cold" and active network member, Bill Streever.

The challenges confronting the group are enormous, particularly in view of the vast marine territory of Alaska, the uncertainties and unknowns associated with many species, the costs of strandings response in Alaska and the decentralized distribution of expertise and limited response resources.  Unlike many other states where there is vast expertise and widespread public support for strandings work, Alaskan network members really do have to improvise and scramble for resources. 

Despite those challenges, Alaska Strandings Network members are an incredibly resourceful and committed group.  We learn so much from this work that just would not be possible to obtain any other way. 

After observing first hand the great work being done by all members, it was evident that the meeting strengthened the unique bonds that bring this group together - maybe sharing a necropsy experience is good for team and character building after all!

* all photos courtesy of Tim Lebling

50 blogs later - what should the next 50 cover?

Years ago I used to play a game called cricket that is unfamiliar to most Americans, but which has a huge international following.  You can get a  quick insight into the game at the governing body's website (http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/), but the very best orientation is to watch a game of the Twenty20 league from India where cricket has now moved to a new level!

Despite first appearances and the inevitable challenge of comparing it to more familiar sports, its really is a pretty simple game - played on a large oval field like the one pictured above by two teams who traditionally wear white uniforms.  Whoever scores the most points (runs) wins! 

I was mostly a  bowler (pitcher), but occasionally had the good fortunate to score a few runs/points as a batsman - each of the 11 team members has to bat at some time in a game.  As a batsman, a score above 50 is a great achievement - most of the top class players aspire to a career average above 50.  Occasionally they go on to massive scores like 300+, but that's another story..

As you may already have intuited after that long winded sporting diversion... the number 50 has a certain significance to me.  And so after agonizing long and hard over what to make the subject of this milestone 50th blog, especially now that we have opened the blog to a wider audience beyond SeaLife Center staff, I thought it only fair to ask...

what would you most like to see (or not see)       

in the next 50 blogs?

Howzat for an appeal?

please post you thoughts and suggestions following the protocols described in Blog#1 so very long ago...

Marine Invasives Matter!

As recent efforts to introduce a wider range of new animal species to Alaska have demonstrated, there is a classic lack of understanding of the impact of introduced, non-native or "exotic" invasive species on both natural systems and our economy and lifestyle. 

Whoa.. I hear you say...
How can an introduced species affect our economy and lifestyle?


There are (unfortunately) thousands of examples - ranging from deliberate and usually ill-informed efforts to re-engineer or "improve" ecological systems or due to lack of appreciation of the full consequences of moving species around the planet or creating more favorable living conditions for them. 

Two examples demonstrate these concerns.

1. The Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) native to Australia and Melanesia was introduced (likely in ships cargo) to Guam in the 1950s and has caused the loss of  most of the native forest vertebrate species (incl. birds); thousands of power outages affecting private, commercial, and military activities; widespread loss of domestic birds and pets; and considerable emotional trauma to residents and visitors alike (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_tree_snake)

2. Caulerpa taxifolia is a light green macroalga that is widely used as a decorative plant in aquaria. A cold-tolerant strain was inadvertently introduced into the Mediterranean Sea in wastewater from the Oceanographic Museum at Monaco, where it has now spread over more than 30,000 acres of seabed. It has also spread to parts of the US and in Southern CA, more than $6m has been spent on control efforts to date. (further details on this invasive and its control history are available from: http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=115&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN).

Further details of these and more of the world's top 100 invaders can be found online at the Global Invasives Species Database site - http://www.issg.org/database/species/.  

These examples demonstrate the wider social, ecological and economic significance of invasive species. They underline why the Alaska SeaLife Center has both paid careful attention to ensuring we are  not an invasives vector and why we have begun a new invasive species program to help Alaska better address the many issues asociated with marine invasive species. 

Under the leadership of Howard Ferren and Rebekka Federer, the Alaska SeaLife Center will be hosting a Marine Invasive Species Workshop on March 3rd-4th, 2010. The Workshop is a joint effort among the Alaska Invasive Species Working Group and will bring together collaborating organizations in an effort to identify key concerns and recommend priorities to address marine invasive species issues in Alaska.  The Workshop will kick-off on March 3rd with a morning session that will be open to the public where invited speakers from various organizations will discuss species and areas of concern, vectors and ballast water rules, current management plans, insights from other states and global efforts, state law and policy, and economic impacts. The morning sessions will provide a foundation for discussion sessions to be held by the invited attendees the afternoon of March 3rd and all day March 4th. Funding for the Workshop was provided by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council and Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center.

2010 - International Biodiversity Year (IYB)

2010 is an auspicious year for the life on earth - a year that marks the culmination of various global and national programs and a year that will see the launch of new initiatives that seek to protect the diversity of life on earth.  Biodiversity conservation has a mixed record of success over the past century. On the positive side more than 12% of the lands of the planet are now set aside for conservation. However, that increasing level of conservation has also been accompanied by increasing rates of species extinction and habitat loss. Marine species and habitats in particular remain under-conserved and inadequately protected at a global scale.

In recognition of the importance of 2010, the UN has declared the year the international year of biodiversity (IYB). 

Objectives of IYB:

• Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
• Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
• Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or indirect biodiversity conservation activities
• Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other stakeholders
• Reporting on the possible failures for not achieving the Target
• Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)

A website has been established to promote all IYB activities - http://www.countdown2010.net/year-biodiversity - it'll be worth tracking the site to see just what the world accomplishes in the year ahead and what we here in Alaska may both contribute to, and learn from, those efforts, even though, like the Law of the Sea Convention, the US is not a signatory to the Global Convention on Biodiversity.

 

It'll also be worthwhile to redouble our efforts to help others understand just why biodiversity matters - a  recent article in the NY Times described just how poor general ecological literacy is in much of the world... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/business/global/01green.html?ref=business

 

 

 

 

Inaugural Alaska Marine Gala - Oh What a Night!

The spectacular octopus garden created in the Denaina Center by Char McClelland (GA)

Auction Items on Display at the Gala proved popular with guests! (CM)

Our inaugural Alaska Marine Gala on January 17th, 2010 was one of those experiences one wishes could be captured and replayed again and again - what a fantastic evening!  I want to again thank everyone who helped make the evening such a tangible success.   With some 570 registered participants (we unfortunately turned away @ 40 other inquirers in the last few days as we had no more space), 50 talented volunteers helping out and a superb team of around a dozen staff, the gala really put the Alaska SeaLife Center firmly on the Anchorage Social Map!

Gala Emcee John Tracy and his family with Jean-Michel Cousteau before the gala (GA)

It was fantastic to see such great participation by people from all walks of life – as Board Chair Todd Allen noted during his welcoming remarks at the VIP reception, this event was a big deal for the Center and it was thus really helpful for us to have so many partners, supporters and members engaged in preparing for the event and linked in with the evening program. As you can see from the photos in this blog provided by Glenn Aronwits (see http://www.ga-digitalphotos.com/index.html) and Clark Mishler (http://www.mishlerphotos.com/), the venue was stunningly decorated and we had some very stylish and dapper looking guests, staff, volunteers and Board members present – all of whom had a differering creative interpretation of the "blue tie dress code"!

Distinguished guests, Senator Mark Begich, Jean-Michel Cousteau with IMD (CM)

As Board Treasurer, David Gottstein and others on the event committee have constantly reminded me, this was a ‘friend and profile raising’ event – we now have a lot of re-invigorated and new friends in both the Anchorage and wider marine science community and have built stronger relationships with many key donors and prospective partners in government, industry, the community and in the education sector.  Funds raised from the event are targeted to support our education programs in 2010, particularly Internships and Sea Trek.

I have met with dozens of event attendees over the past 4 days at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium and the overwhelming message is that "we changed the game for marine science week in Anchorage". Dr. Clarence Pautzke from the NPRB commented in his opening remarks that the event is now firmly part of the marine science community schedule – he worries that instead of a gala as a side event for the symposium, the symposium is now in danger of being a side event to the gala!!

Jean-Michel Cousteau receiving a beluga sculpure made especially for the event by local artist Gina Hollomon (GA)

We are meeting with various key event partners (Char McClelland our superb event planner), donors and others key participants over the next 2 weeks to seek their inputs on what we might do better in future. The good news is that we have already locked in the same date and place for 2011 (the Sunday night before the start of the Alaska Marine Science Symposium) - save the date.

We’d very much welcome your thoughts and ideas also on the 2011 gala – please feel free to call me anytime if you’d like to discuss directly or send me a note.
This was on heck of a team effort and I could not be more proud of what we accomplished as a team this first time out!  A big thank you again to our sponsors and supporters (see http://www.alaskasealife.org/ for full details).

Alaksa Ocean Leadership Awards Committee Chair, Arliss Sturgulewski with JMC (CM)

- see next blog below for details

Alaska’s “Ocean Heroes” Recognized at First Alaska Marine Gala

(Press Release 19 January, 2009)

Last Sunday evening, before an enthusiastic audience of nearly 600 guests at the first Alaska Marine Gala at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, the Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards Committee presented awards to six different organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources.

The Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards were established to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in marine-focused media, industry, research, education, and resource management. Committee Chair Mrs. Arliss Sturgulewski presented the awards to:

• The Kenai Fjords Tours Marine Science Explorer Program won the award for Ocean Literacy, sponsored by COSEE (Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence, an NSF-funded program). As part of CIRI Alaska Tourism, Kenai Fjords Tours has provided unique vessel-based programs for over 36,000 students and teachers since 1995.

• The Ocean Media Award, for excellence in journalism that has raised public awareness of Alaska’s oceans, went to Elizabeth Arnold, producer of “Encounters: Radio Experiences in the North.” The UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences sponsored the award.

• For his work on mathematical models and fisheries data analysis that has shaped harvest management policies, Dr. Gordon Kruse from UAF was given the Ocean Research Award, sponsored by the Alaska SeaLife Center.

• The Marine Conservation Alliance (MCA) was recognized with the Stewardship and Sustainability Award, sponsored by Mr. Jason Brune. The MCA is a coalition of seafood processors, harvesters, communities, CDQ groups, and support services that has been instrumental in protecting marine ecosystems through sound science and open public processes.

• Governor Walter J. Hickel and his wife Ermalee have endowed the Lifetime Achievement Award for the next 10 years, and the committee decided to recognize two different individuals who have made exceptional contributions to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period 25 years or more. The first award went to Dr. Vera Alexander, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and first woman to earn a Ph.D. at UAF. The committee cited Dr. Alexander’s exceptional contributions to marine research.

Senator Ted Stevens earned the other Lifetime Achievement Award, based in part on his role in authoring the Magnuson-Stevens Act that governs marine fisheries management and helps ensure sustainable resource development. Senator Stevens was unable to accept his award in person, but sent thanks and appreciation for the recognition.

Mrs. Sturgulewski, who has served the community as an elected official and on many statewide boards and commissions, chaired the awards committee. Other members included Mike Devlin of Evergreen Films, Dr. Clarence Pautze of the North Pacific Research Board, Jason Brune of the Resource Development Council, and Molly McCammon of the Alaska Ocean Observing Systems, along with SeaLife Center Education Manager, Nikki Nelson.

“These awards attracted widespread interest with more than 20 nominations made in 2009, and they will be a key component of the Alaska Marine Gala in future years.” said Dr. Ian Dutton, Alaska SeaLife Center CEO. “We were delighted to be able to help recognize the great work being undertaken by these ocean heroes.” A plaque recognizing all award winners will be displayed at the SeaLife Center. Calls for nominations for the next round of awards will be made in mid 2010.