LEO Network

About the LEO Network
The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Mystery invertebrate in a red crab
A crab was caught on the ice just offshore in Nome. It had a small invertebrate in the gills of the crab.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Four dead seals on beach
Four dead seals have washed up on a beach in Trinidad, California, with locals noting an unusual occurrence as they have not seen this many washed up at once in recent years.
Trinidad, California, United States

High water in Kotzebue Sound
Water floods the Kotzebue lagoon. Grasses can be seen in July and a month later in August the water has risen 4-6 ft.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Jacquelyn Overbeck, Susan Tessier, Jimmy Evak, Nic Kinsman, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Strange orange deposit on beach and waters of Kotzebue Sound
Out commercial fishing on the water in the inter Kotzebue Sound the weather was calm and there were miles and miles of a strange floating orange layer on the surface.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Dean Stockwell, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Dean Stockwell, Derek Sikes, Gay Sheffield, Sarah Yoder

Tapioca disease in pink salmon
White cysts in the muscle of salmon could be caused by Henneguya salminicola also called "tapioca disease". It affects the texture of the meat but is not a health concerns for people. White cysts could also however, be from a tape worm. That is a human health concern. Guidance on how to check the cysts to confirm and how to prepare food so it is safe to eat, is provided.
Kelsey Bay
Jayde Ferguson, Dionne Sanderson, Jordan Brubacher, Sarah Yoder, Ted Meyers

Floating Helmet
"My son found this helmet floating here in Prince William Sound."
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

Persistent drought
"In our country Afghanistan I have observed that the level of water is decreasing day by day."
Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Dead fish and bad air from algae bloom
There are miles of dead fish washing up on the beach. That's not all. Just breathing the air can be harmful.
Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Minke whale pod sighted
A rare sighting is possible indicator of prey abundance.
Kasaan, Alaska, United States

No sea ice in Grantley Harbor
December should have sea ice development in Norton Sound. But no sign of ice yet this year. Several storms have moved northward across the western Bering Sea and brought strong winds and bouts of above freezing weather to the Teller area and all of the Bering Strait region.
Teller, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Kendra Lee, Anahma Shannon, Austin Ahmasuk, Kitrea P Takata-Glushkoff, Hajo Eicken

Fish die off near Kotzebue
Ali Ralson was riding her 4 Wheeler towards Cape Blossom and came upon a beach full of fish. It appears that most of the fish are stickleback although there may be other species involved too. This would suggest an environmental issue that would impact multiple fish species rather than a pathogen. One potential cause could be harmful algal toxins.
Cape Blossom
Gay Sheffield, Carmen Daggett, Joanna Barton, Ted Meyers, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Jayde Ferguson, Dean Stockwell, Bruce Wright

Storm unearths ancient tusks
The aftermath of Typhoon Merbok left fuel tanks floating and home flooded, but locals also saw an opportunity.
Newtok, Alaska, United States

Storm bounty in clams
Storms can bring a bounty to the beach - driftwood sometimes or in this case, clams! But be careful out there. There are new concerns about emerging levels of harmful algae in Western Alaska waters, which could impact shellfish and human health.
Mertarvik, Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Chris Dankmeyer, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Emma Pate, Joanna Barton, Julie Matweyou, Thomas Farrugia, Karen Pletnikoff

Storm impacts from Kotzebue airport
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
James Benzschawel, Chris Dankmeyer, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer

Typhoon Merbok in Tununak
On September 17, 2023 Typhoon Merbok hit the coast of Tununak, Alaska. Here are some photos taken by Roseanne Panruk, after the storm caused by Typhoon Merbok
Tununak, Alaska, United States
John Walter Jr, James Benzschawel, Max Neale

Cormorants establishing new rookery
The cormorants moved in when the peregrins did not return this year. "We believe (they did not return) because of the bird flu."
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Mike Brook, Gay Sheffield, Toby Anungazuk Jr

Summer storm hits Kotzebue
There has been alot of heavy weather hitting western Alaska this summer. Here are photos from recent storm surge in Kotzebue.
James Benzschawel, Richard L Thoman Jr, Susan Tessier, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joanna Barton

Extremely windy on the lagoon
Many boats had to be secured & moved this morning. Hoping winds & rain slow down, but in the forecast.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
James Benzschawel, Carol Oliver, Anahma Shannon, Richard L Thoman Jr, Racheal Lee, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gay Sheffield

Strange fish caught in Togiak Bay area
No one in Togiak had ever seen a fish like this before. In the photo it looks like a cross between a tad pole and a piranha! With help from ADF&G it has been identified as the smooth lumpsucker fish, found at depths of up to 1000 meters.
Togiak, Alaska, United States
Heidi Kritz, Gabe Dunham, Jayde Ferguson

Unusual container found on Bering Sea beach
This container was found on the beach near Nelson Lagoon, Alaska. No letters or numbers, symbols or any other noticeable identifications. It turns out it is a special type of long term bait container used for crab fisheries.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Mark McNeley, Tom Okey, Gay Sheffield, Amy Holman

Early ocean ice break-up
"We used to have snowmobile races on the ocean ice in front of Elim during the first weekend in April but we cannot have any races this year."
Elim, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Leigh Takak, Matthew Druckenmiller, Anahma Shannon, Richard L Thoman Jr, Mike Brook

Japanese skeleton shrimp found in Nateekin Bay
Historically cold temperatures made it difficult for invasive species survive in Alaska. The Japanese skeleton shrimp *Caprella mutica* is now established in Unalaska area and in this observation observed on a buoy line in Nateekin Bay.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Tammy Davis, Elizabeth E Mears

Storm related flooding and infrastructure damage
"We lost internet and a power outage effected several residential homes and businesses. Of course there was no way to travel. Thankfully no medical emergencies."
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Carol Oliver, Racheal Lee, Edward "Ted" Smith, Anahma Shannon

Erosion at Cape Blossom
"The sea level rise and wind is making this happen because it is really vulnerable. We are always really amazed every time we go out there with the change, and pieces of earth the size of a house falling over."

Gumboot Chiton Cryptochiton stelleri Die-off
We saw over 100 on a 1/2 mile stretch of beach. I am wondering if the chiton die-off is related to the stormy conditions or something else?
Coupeville, Washington, United States

Decrease in Prawn Abundance of Desolation Sound
It is apparent that this area of coastline has experienced a sharp decline in its prawn populations. This may be due to increased fishing pressure from commercial prawn fishermen.
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
David Oswald, Cody Thomas, Conlan Magel, Tom Okey

Sea Life Die-Off Found on Beach
"While on a field trip for work, we stopped at the beach and you can notice hundreds of dead clams and star fish littering the beach."
Elim, Alaska, United States
Carol Oliver, Derek Sikes, Leigh Takak, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee

Blue mussel die-off in Skagway
"The first wave of dead mussels washed ashore on July 14th, possibly earlier but this was the first report we received. I took the pictures included in my LEO observation on July 16th, and the temperatures were only just then beginning to climb into the upper 70s and lower 80s."
Skagway, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Mandy Lindeberg, Reuben Cash

Intertidal life after significant heat wave
In Malahat Drive in BC, an extraordinary heat wave, combined with low tides during the middle of the day resulted in the die off of possibly billions of intertidal invertebrates along the coast of British Columbia and Washington State.
Malahat Drive

Washed up - euphausiid shrimp on area beach
Thousands of euphausiid shrimp, the species identified here in Resurrection Bay as Thysanoessa spinifera. were washed into the intertidal zone and on the beach near Whittier
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Gary Freitag, Melissa Good, Amy Holman, Sunny Rice, Tuula Hollmen, Julie Matweyou, Kris Holderied, Richard Hocking

Unidentified Waxy Substance
Unusual waxy, white substance washed up on beach.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Chyna Williams, Johanna Tellman, Tom Okey

Dust-like deposit on water along beach
White, dust-like deposit on the beach on sunny day after high tides. Water samples would be required for identification.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Dean Stockwell, Arlene Gunderson, Thomas Farrugia

Pacific Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Make First Appearance
Pacific sand lance can be found along the Western and Southern coasts of Alaska, although their distribution is based on habitat availability. Computer models suggest that there is a low probability this habitat exists near Kivalina.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Coonstripe Shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotis) Found on Beach After Storm
Coonstripe shrimp (*Pandalus hypsinotis*) can be found at a depth of 30-300 feet in Norton Sound. During a strong storm, some washed up on a beach north of their known range.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Foreign Trash Washing Up on Beaches
"We have been finding plastic bottles, glass bottles, couple life vests, and boots." The Bering Sea has noted an abundance of foreign debris washing up on our shores. Communities like Unalakleet, Gambell, Savoonga and Nome have all reported and documented hoards of this debris.
Shishmaref, Alaska

Major Coastal Erosion near Kotzebue
The rate of coastal erosion seems to be speeding up near Cape Blossom.
Cape Blossom, Alaska, United States
Jimmy Evak, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Vladimir Romanovsky

Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in Kachemak Bay
Until 2007, there have been only three verified reports of green sturgeon in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, and two anecdotal reports from the Copper River and Unalaska areas.
Halibut Cove, Alaska, United States

Washed-up Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) on Front Beach
Female Stellar sea lion found dead on the beach, partially scavenged by eagles. There was no sign of any bullet holes. In addition, there wasn't any other evidence of what happened to the sea lion.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Barbara Mahoney, Gay Sheffield, Julieanne Renee Berikoff, Melissa Good

Yellow-tinted Water around Nome Identified As Spruce Pollen
The yellow tinting in ocean water has been identified by the Tanana Valley Clinic as spruce pollen, but it remains to be seen why the pollen counts are so high this year.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Picking Shellfish Yields Tingling Fingers
Is there something that would cause fingers to tingle or swell after touching the mussels and clams?

Pollen Tinting Water around Norton Sound Communities
Ocean water may be tinted yellow from pollen.
Nome, Alaska, United States
Vanessa Tahbone, Anahma Shannon, Toby Anungazuk Jr

Possible Pacific White-sided Dolphin Sighting (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)
Unusually active marine mammals seen near Unalaska may actually be Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Melissa Good, Julieanne Renee Berikoff, Asia Beder

Velella velella Strandings in Tofino
On a recent family vacation, stranded Velella velella were observed on beaches near Tofino, British Columbia.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Gooseneck Barnacles
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Evidence of Forest Erosion by Sea Level Rise
The northwest and west shoreline of Cormorant Island, British Columbia appears to have eroded due to sea level rise during the last few decades.
West Side Trail, Cormorant Island, British Columbia

Numerous Dead Mottled Sea Stars (Evasterias troschelii)
Roughly 60 dead starfish were scattered on a stretch of beach about 1/4-mile long, showing potential signs of sea star wasting disease.
Fort Wrangel, Alaska, United States

Erosion of Burial Site
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Ice Fog (Low Visibility) = Cancelled Flights
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Big Winds Blowing in Norton Sound
Local reports on the big storm system hitting northern and western Alaska.
Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon, Mike Brubaker, Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver

Meshik Village Erosion and the End of Goldfish Lake
Gradual sea ice reduction and reconfiguration of the coast, have increased the rate of erosion near Port Heiden over the course of several decades. Draining of Goldfish Lake brings memories, loss of community landmark, and many emotions.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Large Northern Sea Nettle (Chrysaora melanaster) Die-off
A large group of dead northern sea nettles (*Chrysaora melanaster*) found near the shore in Kasitsna Bay.
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States

Schools of California Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Ross Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Shearwater (genus Puffinus) Bird Die-off
Eighteen dead shearwaters (genus *Puffinus*) have washed ashore at Humpy Cove. Additional birds were observed by other community members at Wide Bay and Morris Cove.
Chris Price, Karen Pletnikoff, Melissa Good, Kathy Kuletz, Brian Berube, Shayla Shaishnikoff, Hillary Burgess

Slender armorhead (Pentaceros wheeleri) caught in purse seine
Juveniles and sub adults live and migrate in open water at shallow to moderate depths. They move to the bottom as adults when they settle around sea mounts in the North Pacific.
Chignik Lake, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Tom Okey, Amy Holman, Andrés López, Edgar Smith

Algae Observed in Satellite Image - Could This Be Related to Shearwater Die-offs?
This region in the Bering Sea began to change color in early July, during roughly the same period when dead shearwaters began being reported by LEO members in coastal communities. Ocean experts suspect it's a non-toxic coccolithophore bloom. Interestingly, these kinds of blooms have occurred before in conjunction with shearwater die-offs. But this may be circumstantial.
Bering Sea
Dean Stockwell, Kathy Kuletz, Richard L Thoman Jr, Amy Holman, Sarah Schoen, Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Hillary Burgess

Short-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) Found on Chukchi Sea Beach
More than 50 birds and a seal were found along the shoreline.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Kathy Kuletz, Janet Mitchell, Gay Sheffield, Hillary Burgess

Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) with White Nodes/Lumps
If the cysts contain milky, white fluid, they are likely *Henneguya*, a harmless and relatively common parasite. But if they contain a larvae, they are likely tape worms which can infect people.
Tolstoi Bay, Alaska, United States
Ted Meyers, Carol Fletcher, Emily Mosites, Ryan Brubaker, Andrew Atkinson

Algal Bloom, Possibly Noctiluca, in Kizhuyak Bay
Ribbons of discolored water observed over Kizhuyak Bay that are likely related to a *Noctilica* bloom.
Chiniak, Alaska, United States
Brian Berube, Andie Wall , Kayla Schommer

Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) on the Kuskokwim
Nine short-tailed shearwaters (*Ardenna tenuirostris*) were seen floating in the Kuskokwim river, directly in front of Bethel. The birds were acting disoriented and farther up the Kuskokwim than normal.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Cecilia Franko, Jennifer Hooper, Kathy Kuletz, Hillary Burgess

August Storm Resulted in High Water
An unseasonable rain event brought high rainfall and led to high water, especially around noon on August 3rd.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, John Henry, Richard L Thoman Jr, Edward "Ted" Smith

Storm-related Erosion in Shaktoolik
"We were lucky to have the berm in place. The next day, the water levels went down and the erosion was noticeable."
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Racheal Lee, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Richard Buzard, Jolene Auliye, Gay Sheffield, Edward "Ted" Smith

Mass Die-off of Shearwaters (genus Ardenna)
"Within a week we saw thousands of shearwaters along the beaches, and witnessed hundreds dead. They would sit on the tideline unable to walk, foraging on dead fish that had washed ashore and trying to feed on the fish in the nets of the set net sites as well."
Egegik, Alaska, United States
CaSandera Johnson, Jessica Chernikoff, Kathy Kuletz, Erin Ranney, Jaclyn Christensen, Hillary Burgess, Melany Eakin

Uncommon Squat Lobster (Munida quadrispina) Sighting
A squat lobster (*Munida quadrispina*) was pulled up in a shrimp pot placed in Prince William Sound, which is not a common event. Squat lobsters are commonly found in Southeast Alaska during ADF&G shrimp survey pots and in scallop dredge surveys near Yakutat, Kayak Island, Kachemak Bay, and Kodiak.
Surprise Cove, Alaska, United States

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Found Farther West Than Normal
Giant kelp (*Macrocystis pyrifera*) is normally found in Prince William Sound and Kodiak Archipelago. However, it has recently appeared at the north end of Zachary Bay near Sand Point.

Unidentified Orange Substance Found Washed Up on the Beach in Unalaska
An unidentified substance was found washed up on the Summers Bay beach. Samples were sent to University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and are being tested.
Karen Pletnikoff, Dean Stockwell, Asia Beder, Melissa Good

Algal Bloom
Discolored marine waters near Haines may be reflective of the extremely high level of algae in southeast waters this month.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Kyle Rosendale, Luke Williams, Bruce Wright, Rose Masui, Chris Whitehead, Dean Stockwell

Warm Ocean Temperatures
In July, Norton Sound water surface temperatures reached 68.2 DEG F on 7/10 and 69.3 DEG F on 7/11, which is about 17 degrees above average. The water was warm enough to comfortably swim in.
Nome Alaska
Jason Sebring, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon

Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Die-Off
Hundreds of dead sand lance (*Ammodytes hexapterus*) found along the shores of White Sands Beach.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Bruce Wright, Jayde Ferguson, Stephanie Mason, Ted Meyers

TenTen Creek return of Salmon Species
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Sargassum Seaweed (S. fluitans and S. natans) beaching in Key West
Little to no apparent management posed possible ecological and environmental health concerns.
Key West, Florida, United States

Cape Thompson: Gathering Murre (Uria aalge) Eggs
Murres along Cape Thompson are migrating earlier, allowing coastal community residents to collect eggs a few weeks earlier than normal.

Sea Star Wasting Disease
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) observed near King Cove
King Cove, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Ginger Bear, Amy Holman, Bruce Wright, Melissa Miner, Karen Pletnikoff

Dead Krill and Sea Birds, Stranded Ice Seals
A range of wildlife-related events have been occurring this month in Shishmaref and other parts of Norton Sound.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Anahma Shannon, Dean Stockwell, Kathy Burek Huntington, Louisa Castrodale, Kathy Kuletz, Andrew Kakoona, Ted Meyers, Sharon Nayokpuk, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Richard L Thoman Jr, Joel Garlich-Miller, Mike Brubaker, Amy Holman, Racheal Lee, Barbara Mahoney, Kimberlee Beckmen, Chris Dankmeyer

Late Arrival of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Late arrival of humpback whales may be related to a change in abundance of prey species.

Dead Smelt (Osmerus mordax) and Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) Scattered for Miles along Beach
Widespread mortality events that include more than one fish species are indicators that something is wrong in the environment.
Teller, Alaska, United States
Kendra Lee, Anahma Shannon, Carol Oliver, Gay Sheffield, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee, Jayde Ferguson, Ted Meyers

Little Ice for Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) Hunting
Because of the increased travel distance, only families with larger boats were able to participate in the hunt and bring back enough to make the trip cost effective. With a heavier load in the boat, one family ran out of gas trying to get home and had to be rescued.
Janet Mitchell, Anna Godduhn, Richard L Thoman Jr

Low Tide and No Sea Stars
We did not see a single sea star in the Kachemak-side tide pools, and boulders we visit each year all looked a little vacant, with a lot of empty, critter-free space.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Michael Opheim , Kris Holderied, Mike Brubaker

Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Feeding in Haro Strait
Haro Strait, Canada
Theo Okolowicz, Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Tom Okey

Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troscheli) Die-off Juneau
Approximately 700 dead mottled sea stars (*Evasterias troscheli*) found with appendages intact, which indicate that mortality event may be related to stormy weather.
DuPont beach Juneau, Alaska, United States

Marine Tar (Oil Residue) On Beaches
The western coast line of India is prone to oil pollution. Marine tar deposition is heaviest during early monsoons or monsoons months.
Arambol, Goa, India

Intrusion of Beach Stones and Saltwater into the Coastal Forest
French Beach Provincial Park

Shorefast Ice Breaks Off in Nome
Warm ocean temperatures are keeping ice thin, which become easily moved by the wind. This ice movement separates commercial and subsistence crabbers from their gear, and have led to the loss of both crabbing and mining gear.

Wales Loses Shorefast Ice
Wales lost shorefast ice early in the season. Ice along the shore has been crushed and broken. This is a very unusual event for Wales as many of our hunters rely on great ice conditions for whale and other sea mammal catch for food.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Lots of Female King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
Large number of Red King Crabs (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*) found on the beach during an extreme low tide. According to fisheries researchers, crabs move to shallow water to hatch and release eggs.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Coastal Flood Advisory
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
Olivia Lee, Richard L Thoman Jr, John Henry

Leads in Ice After Warm Storm
Leads appeared following a warm storm, in areas with usually stable, shorefast ice. The leads separate many crabbers from their pots, and are illustrative of how Norton Sound's recent erratic sea ice patterns are altering subsistence opportunities and patterns.

Icebergs and Open Sea
Very strong south winds took out all the sea ice and created an ice pile in front of the village.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Andrew Kakoona, Olivia Lee, Sharon Nayokpuk

Pregnant Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus) in Coles Bay
A pregnant bluntnose sixgill shark found on the banks of Coles Bay may have come in to shallow water to give birth and died from complications.
Cole Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Pale Green Waters Spell Danger
When the green water is here, its dangerous to travel straight across the Lagoon to White Mountain. In the past we took the land route, cross on Kitchavik river and on up over land to White Mountain.

Aftermath of Nov. Storm at Kivalina

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) living near Race Rocks
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, British Columbia, Canada

Unusual Squid Found on Shoreline
Squid are becoming more common on the shoreline over the past few years.
Aleksandrovsk, Alaska, United States

Missing Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) Bed
Large bull kelp (*Nereocystis luetkeana*) bed near the 1st channel marker, which used to attract sea otters, has disappeared.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States
David Harmes, Joy Britt, Mandy Lindeberg

Low Coastal Cloud Ceiling on Landing
White, puffy, clouds unusually close to the land.

Slow Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Run
Slow sockeye salmon (*Oncorhynchus nerka*) runs in the Aleutians potentially linked to warming ocean temperatures.

Dead Sea Mammal and Sea Birds on the Beach
Residents of Chevak and Hooper Bay found two species of sea bird either dead or approachable near the mouth of the Kiuqliiviq and Aprun rivers near fish camps. Residents of Hooper Bay also found a dead sea mammal on the beach.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Phytoplankton Bloom near Prince of Wales Island
Ocean water has a green tint near Craig and Klawock, Alaska.
Craig, Alaska, United States

Arrival of Sargassum on Florida's Central East Coast Beaches
We observed large patches of marine macro-algae (*Sargassum* sp.) floating just offshore, drifting north, and getting stranded on the beach.
Hutchinson Island, Florida, United States

Very sick dog after eating from the beach
On this occasion he did not just vomit once, but over and over, combined with severe diarrhea and fatigue.
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Michael Opheim , Gillian Brubaker , Rose Masui, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Brian Berube, Mike Brubaker

Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) Weed in Dominican Republic
Evidence from Dominican Republic of the larger regional weed event.
Boca de Yuma, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) and dead fish at Punta Cana
Punta Cana, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Foraging in Re-occupied Soft Bottom Habitats
Rare observation of sea otter in Haro Strait, perhaps first since 2014.
Haro Strait, British Columbia, Canada

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Targeting Forage Fish in Open Water
Island View Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Noctiluca Bloom
Second Noctiluca bloom we have had in the last 4 weeks
Kasaan, Alaska, United States

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sighted in the Haro Strait
Island View Beach Regional Park
Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Theo Okolowicz, Tom Okey

'Set net' of Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Island View Beach, Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Morris Cove Creek and Ocean Disconnection
An obstruction has disconnected Morris Cove from ocean waters, preventing salmon from moving upstream.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States

No Sea Stars on Bishop's Beach
Sea Star Wasting Disease has caused sea stars to die off since 2013. As of 2018, there are still no sea stars on Bishops Beach in Homer.
Homer, Alaska, United States

Washed-up Carcass Tangled in Netting
The remains of a possible seal carcass tangled in netting may have come into contact postmortem, "ghost fishing" as a potential cause.

Pair of Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Observed in Cordova Channel
Tsawout First Nation Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in the Homathko River
The trout we were gorging on them and the mergansers looked like they had eaten their fill.
Homathko River

Unidentified Skate Found on Beach
It is unusual for skates to wash up on the beach.
Togiak, Alaska, United States

Ross's Gull (Rhodostetia rosea) Spotted at Togiak Beach
An unusual gull species (possibly Ross's gull) sighted within days of a confirmed Ross's gull sighting in Togiak.
Togiak, Alaska, United States

Increased Turbulent Experience and High Winds While Flying during Winter Season
Passenger experiences usually turbulent conditions on winter flights.

Shifting species composition of sealions at Hornby Island
Flora Islet, British Columbia, Canada

Bivalves recently cracked by sea otters (Enhydra lutris) indicating re-occupation
We discovered numerous large marine bivalve shells (and two chiton shells) that had been cracked recently by sea otters. Ocean View Beach is around the southern extent of Vancouver Island and back again north in the Strait of Georgia. The present observation is evidence of sea otters traveling into the Strait of Georgia.
Island View Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Tom Okey, Theo Okolowicz, Phoebe Okey-Dobie

Thin Sea Ice, Permafrost Thaw, and Earth's Rotational Axis
Thinner sea ice and melting permafrost. Is it related to changes in the Earth's axis?
Wainwright, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Storm Related Erosion
Without ice to provide protection from storm waves, Port Heiden has lost the old town road.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Shrimp Found While Collecting Badarkies
I have never found live shrimp before in King Cove while subsisting for Chiton's not sure if it is unusual or significant.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Ocean Ice Is All Gone
Rough seas and moving sea ice.
Sharon Nayokpuk, Hajo Eicken, Richard L Thoman Jr

Mushroom ascidian (Distaplia occidentalis) Found on Beach
It's about the size of a dinner plate and has a rubbery texture, was told it’s a sea cucumber but I’m not sure.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Tom Okey, Tammy Davis, Erica Lujan, Scott Anderson

High winter winds and warm temperatures
We've had so much wind this winter, on the 15th of January, the winds were warm!!!!!!

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 2
While taking photos this afternoon of the snow ice on various objects near the Native Village of Unalakleet, which was on the approximate order of 4 minutes and with very little wind (playground, grass, powerlines), my hands were cold due to the "wetness" in the air and the ambient air temperature.

Ahousaht Harbor: Swimming Hole Monitoring
Ahousaht, British Columbia, Canada

Chordgrass (Spartina sp.) eradication at Goose Spit
Goose Spit Regional Park, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Hilary Blackman, Colin Robinson, Tom Okey, Cory Frank, Laura Loucks

Coral Found Following November Storm
Red coral observed near Port Heiden along the Bering Sea coast.

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath 11/09
Using a hand-held Garmin Montana 650t unit, I took photos of the tideline in three areas.

Foggy Fall of 2017 in Noorvik
Many foggy days in Noorvik during the fall of 2017.
Noorvik, Alaska, United States

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath
I documented my tracks using the Garmin unit adjusting the track setting to log about every 5 feet, which was saved as a GPS Exchange (GPX) Format. From there, I imported the information into Google Earth Desktop as a KML track.

After the Storm
A recent storm in Norton Sound has increased coastal erosion affecting community transportation.

Fish Return to Akhiok Bay
Akhiok residents report that fish have returned to Akhiok Bay since the outfall was repaired/extended further into the ocean
Akhiok, Alaska, United States

Aftermath of the Storm

Storm Surge
A strong storm impacting NW Alaska with high winds and sea level rise (over 6 ft) caused localized flooding in Kotzebue.

"Glowing" Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) in the dark - plankton?
I notice fluorescent glowing in the dark: happens to be the tomcods I caught the other day.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

King-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis) stranded on beach
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) in Auke Bay
California sea lions are rare but occasionally show up in Southeast Alaska and have been documented in other parts of Alaska as well.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Giant Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes giganteusin)
Jakolof Bay, Alaska, United States
Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton, Mandy Lindeberg

Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) - Smith Island, Puget Sound
Horned Puffin sighted near Smith Island in the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA.
Oak Harbor, Washington, United States

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) off Masset, Haida Gwaii
near Masset, Haida Gwaii

Stranded Carcass Identified as Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) Whale
Carcass largely decomposed and difficult to identify.
North of Point Romanof, between Kotlik and Stebbins, Alaska, United States
William Murphy Jr., Kathy Burek Huntington, Gay Sheffield

Weird Jelly on Tube Worms
Tube-Dwelling Worms on Seldovia Beach
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Beach Sand - Coastal Erosion
We are losing coastline due to erosion and this is a sad sight to witness.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
Sandra Hill, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mary Mullan

Unidentified Marine Mammal
We could not figure out the what type of sea mammal it is.
Gay Sheffield, Kathy Burek Huntington, Janet Mitchell

Squid Found in Seldovia Bay
Squid are occasionally found in the area, but not very often.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Worm Species Found During Beluga Hunt
Several dozen worms were observed during a Beluga hunt in Norton Bay.
Norton Bay, Alaska, United States

Erosion Could Drain Lake at Anytime
Goldfish Lake near Port Heiden is on the verge of draining into the Bering Sea.
Chris Maio, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Mike Brubaker, Richard Buzard, Scott Anderson, Susan Flensburg, Erica Lujan, Moses Tcheripanoff

Marea Roja en costas de Ensenada
Salvavidas, pescadores y funcionarios de gobierno dicen que nunca se había presentado este fenómeno en esta zona.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Fast Sea Ice Movement

Salinity and leopard shark mortality in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco, California, United States

Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawning along west Seattle shoreline
West Seattle Beaches, Washington, United States

Parasite on a Hooligan's (Thaleichthys pacificus) Gill
A parasitic copepod- similar to or possibly *Salmincola*.
Lutak Inlet, Alaska, United States

Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in Port Moody Arm
Port Moody Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Ice Shelf Off of St George Island
Coastline along town had sheets of ice pushed against it, maybe 20 to 30 yards deep, this has not happened since 2012, 5 years ago.
Saint George, Alaska, United States

Herring spawn on eelgrass
Coal Port, Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Herring spawn near Lily Point
Near Lily Point, Point Roberts, Washington, United States

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 1
Unusually wet winter weather activity observed. Traveling in early February (AFE) disrupted travel due to weather conditions.

Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) near Vancouver
Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area, British Columbia, Canada

Bloated Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Harbor
Sick and bloated sea lion may have been caused by eating rotten fish, noted state DVM.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) Die-Off
Manila Clam (*Venerupis philippinarum*) Die-off observed - possibly related to freezing temperatures.
Lummi Bay, Bellingham, Washington (Lummi Nation), United States

Movimientos inusuales de la marea en El Cuyo, Yucatán
El Cuyo, Yucatán, Mexico

Ice of Change - Amid Waterfowl Sightings
No sea ice; hunters say it should not be like this today.
Diomede, Alaska, United States

Winter Storm Disrupts Village Communication
Winter storm shuts down communication services for the community.
Gambell, Alaska, United States

Winter Storm Brings Surge of Water and Ice
The storm raises local concerns about food security and preparedness for transportation emergencies.
Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver, Tonya James, Anahma Shannon

Coastal Erosion Damaging Boat Launch
Without sea ice, our beaches are eroding.

Open Water in Our Ocean
This fall freeze-up was somewhat delayed, not just in the Bering Straits region, but all the way up to Barrow.

Thousands of Dead Red Rock Crabs (Cancer productus) on Beach
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) school
Island View Beach

Bellingham Bay Water Merging
On a field trip with Northwest Indian College Geology class to Chuckanut Drive saw water with apparent difference in color.
Bellingham, Washington

Long Beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) Beaching
Dolphin beaching in Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Sodwana Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Late Freeze-up of Koyuk River
Koyuk River foze solid by Oct-14 by the 28th there was open water.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) intertidal burrowing
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Sea Ice - No Sea Ice!?
Sea ice is here and then disapears.
Elim, Alaska, United States

Juvenile Pacific Herring ball (Clupea pallasii)
Henderson Point, North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Mixed schools of Sandlance (Ammodytes personatus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Plumose anemones (Metridium spp.) detaching from rocks
Bowyer Island, Howe Sound, British Columbia, Canada

Surf smelt (Hypomesus prestiosus) school
15m north of the Island View Beach boat ramp

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Langara Lighthouse
Langara Point Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada

Increasing Sea Surface Temperature at Entrance Island
Entrance Island, British Columbia, Canada

A Poor Year for Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Fishing for pinks has been really up and down the last few years. In 2014 the catch was really low, and then 2015 it was amazing with more than we had ever seen before. This year's pink salmon return again, was really bad.
Red Bluff, Popof Island, Alaska

Abundant Jellyfish Disrupt Commercial Salmon Fishery
Purse seiner crew scrambles to shovel the huge bycatch of Northern sea nettle jelly fish (*Chrysaora melanaster*) overboard.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Quitsano Narrows, British Columbia

Large school of post-larval California anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Trincomali Channel, Valdes Island

M/V Crystal Serenity Cruise Ship
Visits Port of Nome before voyage through Northwest Passage.

Unusual 'Sea Butterflies' (thecosomes) On Beach
Washing ashore from Kachemak Bay
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Shift of Diverse Subtidal Community to Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea) Barrens
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Decadal shift in Lion's Mane Jellies (Cyanea capillata) on Nova Scotia's North Shore
Caribou Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halocline Makes Water Look Oily
saltwater - freshwater "halocline" an interesting natural phenomena
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Warm Sea Surface Temperatures in Great Bear Sea
Ocean Falls to Bella Bella, British Columbia

Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) Stranded and Killed by Shoreline Erosion
Nags Head Woods Preserve, North Carolina, United States

California anchovy (Engraulis mordax) schools
Turnstall Bay, Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada

Recreational Razor Clam Fishery Closed in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
Klamath, California, United States

Sinking Islands and Lost Harvest and Hunger
Climate change is effecting the people of the Solomon Islands in many ways. Sea level rise is a major driver.

No Permanent Winter Ice and Early Break Up For Nome

Crecimiento del nivel del mar
Río Lagartos, Yucatán, Mexico

Seldovia beach erosion and glacial rebound
Rapid changes raise questions.

Early Iceberg Season - Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada and U.S. Coast Guard Monitoring Conditions
Ellsiton, Newfoundland, Canada

Winter Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Sighting
The lack of sea ice in Toksook Bay, has allowed for a uniquel sighting - a January beluga whale!
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Unusually Warm In Northwest Arctic
Above normal temperatures in the Northwest Arctic region

Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion near Cape Blossom

Polystyrene Debris
Polystyrene debris on beaches
McDonald Spit, Alaska, United States

Odd Marine Debris
Unusual debris found on beach
Shismaref, Alaska, United States
Sharon Nayokpuk, Gay Sheffield, Peter Murphy, Ali Hamade

Soupfin Shark (Galeorhinus galeus) Strandings
Near Pesuta Shipwreck, Tlell, Haida Gwaii

Abundant Japanese Wireweed (Sargassum muticum)
A species of invasive seaweed is becoming very abundant and displacing native species.
Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada

Arribazon atípica de sargazo
Andrés Quintana Roo, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Low Water at Mouth of Klamath River
Causing muted tidal influence
Klamath, California, United States
Micah Gibson, Mike Brubaker, Paul Van Mechelen, Joe Hostler

Where are all the jellyfish on Melmerby beach?
Little Habour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Sheen on Water in Shishmaref
Photos and observations of the sheen thought to be caused by a fuel leak in the village of Shishmaref.

Velella en Isla San Martín

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) absent around Isla Todos Santos
Around Isla Todos Santos, a massive Giant Kelp (_Macrocystis pyrifera_) bed die-off was observed, which may be linked to the 2015-2016 El Niño event.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Near San Diego, California

Pregnant whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

Wet Snowgo Race
Warm weather has made for unsafe traveling conditions, including a snowmachine race.

Victoria Harbour 2: Contaminants in Sediment and Mussels

Coastal Erosion
Weekend storm eroded the face of the sea wall.

No Sea Ice Yet
By this time of the year, we usually have 2-3 miles of shore-fast ice that sticks to our beach. We as a village have not done our winter harvest of seals and walrus, and we are worried that we will not be able to bowhead whale hunt.
Wales, Alaska, United States

High Sea Water Temperatures
9-18-14 High surface water temperatures - Bering Sea
Bering Sea, Alaska, United States

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sighted at Possession Point, Southern Vancouver Islan
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada

Smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena)

Extreme Shore Erosion
Loss of shoreline and subsistence camps.

Sea Ice Rescue
4-29-14 Sea ice rescue - Barrow, Alaska, USA
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Evidence of Sea Star Wasting Disease
Laguna Beach, California, United States

Heavy Sea Ice
Heavy sea ice observed in southeast Alaska.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Loss of Fuel Header Due to Coastal Erosion
Fuel headers leading to bulk fuel farm out of service due to coastal erosion.

No Sea Ice
No sea ice alone the northside of the Alaska Peninsula.

Storm Surge
Early fall weather conditions brought on an extreme storm surge in a Norton Sound community.
Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States

Storm Damage
Series of storms contribute to flooding, erosion, infrastructure damage.

Ice Fishing Hazardous
11-4-13 Ice fishing hazardous - Golovin, Alaska, USA

Sewage Lagoon Vulnerable - Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion potential threat to community sewage lagoon.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

Poor Sea Ice - Our Sea Garden
The sea is our garden for food and other things.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Changing Sea Ice
3-5-13 Changing sea ice - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Poor Sea Ice Changes Hunt
Lack of sea ice affects seal hunting.

Trapped on Sea Ice
A snowmachiner was trapped on the quickly moving floe and he was rescued later by a helicopter.

Tundra Slipping Below Sea Level
Melting permafrost causing tundra to slip below sea level in northern Alaska.
North Slope, Alaska, United States

Sunken Vessel Spill
Sunken vessel leads to petroleum spill.

Ice Departure Delayed
Sea ice conditions making it difficult for community to harvest seasonal fish.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) off Southern Vancouver Island, Canada
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada

Se observó una ballena gris albina
Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Baja California Sur
Reserva de la Biósfera El Vizcaíno Guerrero Negro

Prickly sharks (Echinorhinus cookei) observed in the shallow head of Monterey Submarine canyon

Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) Return to Monterey Bay
Moss Landing, California, United States

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