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Observations

NCCOS Assists Response to Multispecies Mortality Event in St. George Island, Alaska
A rapid, multi-agency response is underway on St. George Island, Alaska, to investigate a multispecies mortality event linked to a harmful algal bloom, with concerns that paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) toxins may be affecting local wildlife and human health.
Saint George, Alaska, United States
NCCOS - National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths
A die-off last year at St. Paul Island, the first compelling case of fatal saxitoxin poisoning in marine mammals, comes as more harmful algae is found farther north
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Harmful Algal Blooms Linked to Deaths of Northern Fur Seals in the Southeast Bering Sea
Testing confirmed widespread exposure of saxitoxin in marine mammals and other wildlife. In the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from 10 dead northern fur seals and hundreds of dead, mostly benthic, fish that washed ashore on a popular beachcombing beach on St. Paul Island in August 2024.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
NOAA

Arctic sea ice reached its maximum extent at a near-record early date
The melt season for Arctic sea ice is underway after the annual maximum extent was reached late last month. Sea ice extent reached its annual maximum on Feb. 25, 15 days earlier than the 1981-2010 average date and one of the earliest dates for that milestone in the four-decade satellite record.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
ArcticToday

Bering Sea ice reaches St. Paul for a week, now recedes north
The main Bering Sea ice pack has begun its retreat to the north after extending to the Pribilofs earlier this month. This winter’s freeze-up has been reminiscent of more historical sea ice conditions.
Pribilof Islands
KNOM Radio Mission

Fuel shortage and blizzard leave St. George residents rationing heat and water
“Whatever led up to the situation where all the sudden we don't have any fuel in the dead of winter, and with all these storms coming through, is beyond me,” said St. George resident Victor Malavansky. “I would like to say this is totally unacceptable.”
Saint George, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Mass "Ballooning" Spider Event Responsible for Unusual Webs on Vegetation
Unusual webs spread across vegetation is likely related to a mass ballooning event, where spiders launched themselves in the air using the Earths magnetic charge and the wind.
St. Paul Island, Alaska, United States

A rat was found dead on St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea. Here’s why that’s a big deal.
The Bering Sea island is breeding habitat for millions of seabirds, including rare migratory species. A “strike team” had been searching for the rogue rat for 10 months.
Anchorage Daily News

A struggling Bering Sea village loses one of its few remaining young men
For the 60 or so villagers who live on the island of St. George, where Serge Lekanof was one of only a half-dozen 20-something men, the discovery of his body brings vivid grief.
Saint George, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

St. Paul Ramps Up Reindeer Program to Improve Food Security
For the last century, reindeer have roamed St. Paul Island without much oversight. But now, the tribal government is stepping up its management style to boost subsistence options and the local economy.
KTOO Public Media

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.

When Their Food Ran Out, These Reindeer Kept Digging
Reindeer are thought to face a grim future as climate change threatens lichen, a key winter food source. But on one Alaskan island, reindeer have found a new food source, making scientists hopeful.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States
NPR.org

St. Paul’s fur seal pups at lowest level in 100 years
Scientist Rod Towell has been part of the fur seal counts since 1992. He said the difference at the rookeries is striking. Northern fur seal pup production has hit its lowest level since 1915.
Alaska Public Media

St. Paul’s reindeer thrive without lichen
As lichen has disappeared, the herd has changed its diet. This adaptation could have global implications for reindeer facing a warming climate.
Alaska Public Media

Seal - Harbor (Phoca vitulina) or Spotted (Phoca largha) with Hair Loss and Skin Infection
Was observed for the first time.
Kathy Burek Huntington, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Pamela Lestenkof, Gay Sheffield

Dead Puffins
Over 100 dead puffins, mostly tufted, have been found in Saint George, Alaska.

Unusual Mortality of Tufted and Horned Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata and Fratercula corniculata)
Several ill or dead tufted and horned puffins were found on the shores of St. Paul Island.
Lisa Tran, Aaron Lestenkof, Pamela Lestenkof, Julia Parrish, Lauren Divine, Paul Melovidov, Barbara Bodenstein, Hillary Burgess, Karin Holser

Juneau scientist helps discover new whale species
Mysterious beaked whale washed up on Pribilof Islands is 1 of only 8 known specimens • Michelle Ridgway, St. George community collect crucial tissue samples leading to discovery
Juneau Empire

Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
A fin whale washed ashore in St. George, Pribilofs, Alaska.
St. George, Alaska, United States

Poor Bird Fledgling
Poor seabird chick fledging rates
St. George, Alaska, United States

Dead Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
A highly decomposed whale carcass was identified as a gray whale.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States

Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
This is one in a string of dead whale sightings that have been designated as the [2015 Gulf of Alaska Large Whale Unusual Mortality Event From May to mid-August, 30 large whales were reported including 11 fin whales, 14 humpback whales, 1 gray whale and 4 other unidentified large cetaceans.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States

New Beaked Whale Species (Berardius)
New beaked whale species: Berardius
Karin Holser, Joshua Prokopiof, Hertha Kashaverof, Aaron Merculief

Early Fur Seals
This winter has been especially mild in the central Bering Sea and this is the earliest recorded fur seal on St. George Island ever.
St. George, Alaska, USA

Water Red in Harbor (Algae)
Red-colored seawater in boat harbor.

Dead Whale
Two dead marine mammals--a fur seal and a whale.
St. George, Alaska, United States

Unusual species of kelp (Aureophycus) identified
Twenty-five students in the Pribilof Island Marine Science Camp have discovered the second-known population of a new species.

California Sea Lions Venture North: Arctic Science Journeys Radio
That's right, California sea lions. As populations of native Steller sea lions decline, Maniscalco says a growing number of California sea lions are showing up on Steller sea lion rookeries and haul-outs across the state. According to his research, some 33 sightings have been recorded. And some of those California sea lions have made their way as far west as the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea.
Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, United States
Arctic Science Journeys Radio
Doug Schneider, Alaska Sea Grant Program, UAF

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