Alaska | NOAA Fisheries
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Archived: 2026-04-23 14:58
Alaska | NOAA Fisheries
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Alaska
Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Management and Marine Life Protection
Learn about NOAA Fisheries' work in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea.
Alaska's dynamic, often ice-covered seas are home to a remarkable diversity of life—crustaceans, fish, seals, sea lions, porpoises, whales, and more. Few places in the world offer such beauty and bounty. This region of nearly 1.5 million square miles includes waters in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea.
Alaska produces more than half the fish caught in waters off the coast of the United States, with an average wholesale value of nearly $4.5 billion a year. Alaska's fisheries are among the best-managed, most sustainable in the world. Alaska resources provide jobs and a stable food supply for the nation, while supporting a traditional way of life for Alaska Native and local fishing communities.
Together, NOAA Fisheries
Alaska Regional Office
and
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
help ensure the sustainability of these marine resources for generations.
More Information
Funding Opportunities
Jobs and Internships
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications
About Us
|
Contact Us
Alaska Regional Office
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Alaska Best Scientific Information Available
Follow Us
@NOAAFisheriesAK
NOAA Fisheries Alaska
NOAA Fisheries Alaska
Featured News
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Asks for Public Comment on Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska State Waters
Alaska
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Alaska
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Alaska
View More News
Notices & Rules
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Turnagain Marine Construction's Aak’w Landing Development Project in Juneau, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Federal Register Notices of Proposed and/or Continuing Information Collections as Required by the Paperwork Reduction Act
Alaska
Alaska
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: City of Homer's Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project in Homer, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and Annual Management Measures - Federal Register Rules and Notices
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Incidental Take Authorization: Robert Storrs Harbor Floats A&B Replacement Project in Unalaska, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
More Fisheries Notices & Rules
More Protected Resources Regs & Actions
Upcoming Events
Public Listening Session: NOAA's Aquaculture Opportunity Area process in Alaska
Apr 28, 2026
Alaska
More Events
Bulletins
IB 26-20: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska.
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-19: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-18: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-17: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-16: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod By Catcher/Processors Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Alaska
More Bulletins
Open Funding Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement
National
National
Species Recovery Grants to States
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
More Opportunities
Featured Highlights
New Studies Will Improve Abundance Estimates for Ice Seals in Alaska
Alaska
Late afternoon residents walk to investigate the fin whale carcass. Credit: Bridget Crokus, volunteer Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services
47-Foot Fin Whale Found Washed Ashore Near Anchorage
Alaska
Spring Chinook Salmon. Credit: Michael Humling, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alaska Salmon Research Task Force
Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Alaska Marine Life and Ecosystem Science
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center supports the sustainable management and conservation of marine life. Find scientific reports and research program information.
Our
high quality
research supports sustainable management and conservation of Alaska marine species with economic and cultural benefits for the nation. Alaska waters support some of the most important commercial fisheries in the world. Large and diverse populations of whales, seals, sea lions, and porpoises and Alaska native hunting and fishing communities also share these waters.
We study the health and size of marine animal populations. We also study the key areas where these animals feed, breed, and grow. To study ocean habitats, we monitor environmental conditions important to sustain marine life. For instance, we regularly monitor sea surface temperatures in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. We analyze biological, oceanographic and ecological data collected during research surveys and by trained fisheries observers in our laboratories. From this, we learn more about marine animal diets,
age
, growth and reproduction,
food web dynamics
and the role of humans in marine ecosystems. We use this and other information to monitor changes to marine animal populations and Alaska ecosystems over time.
Fish and Crab Science
Age and Growth Research
Alaska Fish Research Surveys
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Interactive Data Maps
Assessing Alaska Fish Stocks
Crab Stock Assessments
Genetics Research
Groundfish Stock Assessments
Fish Age Determination Tool
Fisheries Monitoring (Observer Program)
North Pacific Observer Program
Observer Deploy and Declare System
Observer Training Schedule
Observer Fee Collection and Payment
Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis
Electronic Monitoring
North Pacific Observer Program Contacts
North Pacific Annual Sampling Manual
Marine Mammal Science
Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work
Passive Acoustics
Beluga Whales
Harbor Seals
Ice-Associated Seals
Northern Fur Seals
North Pacific Right Whales
Steller Sea Lions
Ecosystem Science
Alaska Economic and Social Science Research
Alaska Climate Integrated Modeling Project
Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment
Ecosystem and Recruitment Processes Research
Ecosystems and Ecology Research
Ecosystem Status Reports
Habitat Research
Recruitment Energetics and Coastal Assessment
More Information
National Overview: Science & Data
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Divisions and Programs
Research in Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications
Questions and Answers: Partial Coverage Observer Program Reintroduction
NOAA Live! Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Strategic Science Plan 2023-2027
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Scientists measure juvenile Pacific cod and extract tissues for genetic analysis. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Johanna Vollenweider
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
Cod vs. Crab: It’s Not Just Cod Abundance—Size Influences Predation on Crab
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Pacific cod in Alaska waters. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Bowhead whales. Image captured during the 2025 aerial survey over the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken while working under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #25563-02. Credit: NOAA Fisheries & CICOES / Skyla Walcott
More News
Sustainable Fisheries
Alaska Commercial, Recreational, and Subsistence Fishing Resources
Find permits, reporting forms, rules, and regulations for Alaska's commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries.
The Alaska Regional Office works with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to manage Alaska’s sustainable fisheries. Using the best available science, we work through the Council process authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to develop measures for best management of Alaska’s fisheries, considering a range of factors such as the health of the fish stocks and economic impact of fishery practices. Once fishing levels and regulations are adopted and approved, the Alaska Regional Office works to implement the Council decisions. The goal is to allow fishermen to harvest the optimum amount of fish while leaving enough in the ocean to reproduce and provide future fishing opportunities in perpetuity.
Commercial Fishing
Permits, Applications, and Forms
Catch Share and Limited Access Programs
Groundfish
Halibut and Sablefish
Crab
Salmon
Scallop
Forage Species, Grenadiers, Sculpins, and Squids
Recreational (Sport) Fishing
Unguided Sport Halibut Fishing
Guided Sport Halibut Fishing
Applications and Reporting Forms
Guided Angler Fish (GAF) Program
Charter Halibut and GAF Permits Issued
Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan
Charter Halibut Limited Access Program
State of Alaska Sport Fisheries: Salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod, Shellfish, Freshwater Fish
Subsistence Fishing
Permit Applications and Reporting Forms
Frequently Asked Questions about the Subsistence Halibut Program
How to Replace or Renew a SHARC
Online SHARC Renewal (eFISH)
Permits and Licenses Issued
Subsistence Halibut Program
Resources and Programs
Online Services (eFISH, eLandings)
Federal Fishing Permits and Licenses Issued in Alaska
Restricted Access Management
Fisheries Reports
North Pacific Observer Program
Monitoring and Reporting
Bycatch Reduction
Cost Recovery Programs and Fee Payment
More Information
Rules and Notices Open for Comment
Regulations, Acts, and Treaties
Figures, Maps, Boundaries, Regulatory Areas, and Zones
Fishery Management Plans and Amendments
Federal Fishing Seasons in Alaska
Fisheries Analyses
Tribal Consultation
Contact Information
Fisheries News
IB 26-20: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska.
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-19: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-18: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-17: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-16: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod By Catcher/Processors Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Alaska
More News
Protected Marine Life Overview
Alaska Marine Life Conservation and Recovery Resources
We protect, conserve, and manage Alaska's protected marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. Find information on our protected species programs.
The Protected Resources Division works to conserve and recover marine mammals in close coordination with the State of Alaska and other partners. To manage protected marine species, as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fur Seal Act, the Alaska Region advances recovery of
threatened and endangered species
and the conservation of marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea lions. We work to minimize
interactions between marine mammals and commercial fisheries
; promote responsible
marine mammal viewing
practices; coordinate response to stranded or entangled marine mammals;
consult with federal agencies
to minimize project effects on threatened and endangered species; and cooperatively manage subsistence use of marine mammals through
co-management agreements
with Alaska Native organizations.
Endangered Species Conservation
Proposed Actions Open for Public Comment
ESA Species and Critical Habitat Mapper Web Application
ESA Species Directory
Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species in Alaska
ESA Section 7 Consultations
Non-Marine Mammals Reviewed for ESA Listing
Protecting Marine Life
Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773)
Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines
Entanglement and Marine Debris
Alaska Oil Spill Response Guidance
Co-Management
Permits and Authorizations
Bycatch
Marine Mammal Observer Program
Pinnipeds
Harbor Seals
Ice Seals: Bearded
Ice Seals: Ribbon
Ice Seals: Ringed
Ice Seals: Spotted
Northern Fur Seals
Steller Sea Lions
Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises
Beluga Whale
Humpback Whale
Bowhead Whale
Killer Whale
Gray Whale
North Pacific Right Whale
More Whale Species
Dolphin and Porpoise Species
More Information
Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773)
Buying or Finding Marine Mammal Parts and Products
Stock Assessments
Marine Mammal Research
Funding Opportunities
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Managed Species: Walrus, Sea Otters, Polar Bears
Laws and Policies
Contact Information
Marine Life News
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
“Westley” the Steller Sea Lion pup on a work bench in the Westward Seafoods Plant in Unalaska. Credit: Asia Beder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA permit #24359.
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
Feature Story
Northern Fur Seal Deaths on St. George Island, Alaska, Linked to Harmful Algal Bloom
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
St. George Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Bowhead whales. Image captured during the 2025 aerial survey over the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken while working under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #25563-02. Credit: NOAA Fisheries & CICOES / Skyla Walcott
More News
Habitat Conservation
Alaska Habitat Conservation and Restoration Resources
We conserve Alaska's habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support communities. Find information on our programs.
NOAA Fisheries conducts and reviews environmental analyses for a large variety of activities ranging from commercial fishing, to coastal development, to large transportation and energy projects. Working with industries, stakeholder groups, government agencies, and private citizens, we ensure that these activities have minimal impact on essential fish habitat and marine life in Alaska. Our habitat conservation activities include protecting essential fish habitat, mitigating damage to and enhancing habitat affected by hydropower project construction and operations, removing invasive species, and restoring habitat that has been affected by development, oil spills, and other human activities. We focus on habitats used by federally-managed fish species located offshore, nearshore, in estuaries, and in freshwater areas important to migratory salmon.
Essential Fish Habitat
EFH Descriptions and Identification
EFH Consultations
Environmental Consultation Organizer (ECO)
Frequently Asked Questions about EFH
EFH Policy and Directives
EFH 5-Year Review
EFH Omnibus Fishery Management Plan Amendments
Resource Tools
Alaska EFH Mapper
National EFH Mapper
ShoreZone Coastal Images and Maps
Nearshore Fish Atlas
Habitat Conservation Area Maps
Pacific Salmon Freshwater EFH in Alaska
Oil Spill Risk Analysis Calculator
Aquaculture Best Management Practices
Habitat Programs
Aquatic Invasive Species
Hydropower Project Review
Fish Passage
Analyzing Risk to Improve Oil Spill Planning and Response
Annual Report of Division Accomplishments
Habitat Restoration
Habitat Research in Alaska
NOAA Habitat Blueprint: Kachemak Bay, AK, Habitat Focus Area
How We Restore
More Information
National Overview: Habitat Conservation
Funding Opportunities
Contact Information
Habitat News
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Alaska Creek Impacted by Historic Mining Restored to Support Salmon and Local Communities
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
An excavator digs a new stream channel while a dump truck unloads stones to recreate the stream bed on Resurrection Creek. Credit: Molly Feltner/NOAA.
Feature Story
Underwater Sound Recordings Confirm Endangered North Pacific Right Whales Use of Historic Habitats
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Two North Pacific right whales photographed from the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson in August, 2021, during a survey in Alaska. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #20465.
Podcast
2024 Winter News Roundup
Podcast
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineer Owen Ceserano downloads images collected from a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle called “Stella” on deck of R/V Hugh R. Sharp. HabCam can be seen in the background. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Zach Fyke
Podcast
Summer News Roundup
Podcast
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
National
Coral nurseries are one tool NOAA uses to restore reefs, which are vital habitats for many managed seafood species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
More News
Featured Species
Alaska Managed and Protected Marine Species
Find a list of federally managed or protected fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and mammals in the Alaska region.
Alaska's coastal communities depend on healthy marine resources to support commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, and the Alaskan way of life. Our mission at NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office is the science-based stewardship of Alaska’s marine resources and their habitats in the Gulf of Alaska, eastern Bering Sea, and Arctic oceans. We are responsible for supporting sustainable fisheries, recovering and conserving protected species, such as whales and seals, and promoting healthy ecosystems and resilient Alaska coastal communities.
Beluga Whale
Humpback Whale
Steller Sea Lion
Pacific Cod
Alaska Pollock
North Pacific Right Whale
Northern Fur Seal
Harbor Seal
Ringed Seal
Bearded Seal
Pacific Salmon and Steelhead
Harbor Porpoise
View All
More Information
Alaska Stock Assessments
Ecosystem Status Reports
Species News
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Scientists measure juvenile Pacific cod and extract tissues for genetic analysis. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Johanna Vollenweider
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
“Westley” the Steller Sea Lion pup on a work bench in the Westward Seafoods Plant in Unalaska. Credit: Asia Beder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA permit #24359.
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
New Studies Will Improve Abundance Estimates for Ice Seals in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
An adult female ribbon seal looks around among ice floes in the Bering Sea. Animals are much harder to detect during aerial surveys when they are in the water. Credit: NOAA Fisheries / Josh M London / Photo taken under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #23858.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
More News
Skip to main content
Alaska
Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Management and Marine Life Protection
Learn about NOAA Fisheries' work in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea.
Alaska's dynamic, often ice-covered seas are home to a remarkable diversity of life—crustaceans, fish, seals, sea lions, porpoises, whales, and more. Few places in the world offer such beauty and bounty. This region of nearly 1.5 million square miles includes waters in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea.
Alaska produces more than half the fish caught in waters off the coast of the United States, with an average wholesale value of nearly $4.5 billion a year. Alaska's fisheries are among the best-managed, most sustainable in the world. Alaska resources provide jobs and a stable food supply for the nation, while supporting a traditional way of life for Alaska Native and local fishing communities.
Together, NOAA Fisheries
Alaska Regional Office
and
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
help ensure the sustainability of these marine resources for generations.
More Information
Funding Opportunities
Jobs and Internships
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications
About Us
|
Contact Us
Alaska Regional Office
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Alaska Best Scientific Information Available
Follow Us
@NOAAFisheriesAK
NOAA Fisheries Alaska
NOAA Fisheries Alaska
Featured News
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Asks for Public Comment on Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska State Waters
Alaska
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Alaska
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Alaska
View More News
Notices & Rules
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Turnagain Marine Construction's Aak’w Landing Development Project in Juneau, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Federal Register Notices of Proposed and/or Continuing Information Collections as Required by the Paperwork Reduction Act
Alaska
Alaska
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: City of Homer's Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project in Homer, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and Annual Management Measures - Federal Register Rules and Notices
Alaska
Alaska
Fisheries
Incidental Take Authorization: Robert Storrs Harbor Floats A&B Replacement Project in Unalaska, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
More Fisheries Notices & Rules
More Protected Resources Regs & Actions
Upcoming Events
Public Listening Session: NOAA's Aquaculture Opportunity Area process in Alaska
Apr 28, 2026
Alaska
More Events
Bulletins
IB 26-20: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska.
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-19: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-18: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-17: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-16: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod By Catcher/Processors Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Alaska
More Bulletins
Open Funding Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement
National
National
Species Recovery Grants to States
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
More Opportunities
Featured Highlights
New Studies Will Improve Abundance Estimates for Ice Seals in Alaska
Alaska
Late afternoon residents walk to investigate the fin whale carcass. Credit: Bridget Crokus, volunteer Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services
47-Foot Fin Whale Found Washed Ashore Near Anchorage
Alaska
Spring Chinook Salmon. Credit: Michael Humling, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alaska Salmon Research Task Force
Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Alaska Marine Life and Ecosystem Science
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center supports the sustainable management and conservation of marine life. Find scientific reports and research program information.
Our
high quality
research supports sustainable management and conservation of Alaska marine species with economic and cultural benefits for the nation. Alaska waters support some of the most important commercial fisheries in the world. Large and diverse populations of whales, seals, sea lions, and porpoises and Alaska native hunting and fishing communities also share these waters.
We study the health and size of marine animal populations. We also study the key areas where these animals feed, breed, and grow. To study ocean habitats, we monitor environmental conditions important to sustain marine life. For instance, we regularly monitor sea surface temperatures in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. We analyze biological, oceanographic and ecological data collected during research surveys and by trained fisheries observers in our laboratories. From this, we learn more about marine animal diets,
age
, growth and reproduction,
food web dynamics
and the role of humans in marine ecosystems. We use this and other information to monitor changes to marine animal populations and Alaska ecosystems over time.
Fish and Crab Science
Age and Growth Research
Alaska Fish Research Surveys
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Interactive Data Maps
Assessing Alaska Fish Stocks
Crab Stock Assessments
Genetics Research
Groundfish Stock Assessments
Fish Age Determination Tool
Fisheries Monitoring (Observer Program)
North Pacific Observer Program
Observer Deploy and Declare System
Observer Training Schedule
Observer Fee Collection and Payment
Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis
Electronic Monitoring
North Pacific Observer Program Contacts
North Pacific Annual Sampling Manual
Marine Mammal Science
Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work
Passive Acoustics
Beluga Whales
Harbor Seals
Ice-Associated Seals
Northern Fur Seals
North Pacific Right Whales
Steller Sea Lions
Ecosystem Science
Alaska Economic and Social Science Research
Alaska Climate Integrated Modeling Project
Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment
Ecosystem and Recruitment Processes Research
Ecosystems and Ecology Research
Ecosystem Status Reports
Habitat Research
Recruitment Energetics and Coastal Assessment
More Information
National Overview: Science & Data
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Divisions and Programs
Research in Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications
Questions and Answers: Partial Coverage Observer Program Reintroduction
NOAA Live! Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Science Center Strategic Science Plan 2023-2027
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Scientists measure juvenile Pacific cod and extract tissues for genetic analysis. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Johanna Vollenweider
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
Cod vs. Crab: It’s Not Just Cod Abundance—Size Influences Predation on Crab
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Pacific cod in Alaska waters. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Bowhead whales. Image captured during the 2025 aerial survey over the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken while working under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #25563-02. Credit: NOAA Fisheries & CICOES / Skyla Walcott
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Sustainable Fisheries
Alaska Commercial, Recreational, and Subsistence Fishing Resources
Find permits, reporting forms, rules, and regulations for Alaska's commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries.
The Alaska Regional Office works with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to manage Alaska’s sustainable fisheries. Using the best available science, we work through the Council process authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to develop measures for best management of Alaska’s fisheries, considering a range of factors such as the health of the fish stocks and economic impact of fishery practices. Once fishing levels and regulations are adopted and approved, the Alaska Regional Office works to implement the Council decisions. The goal is to allow fishermen to harvest the optimum amount of fish while leaving enough in the ocean to reproduce and provide future fishing opportunities in perpetuity.
Commercial Fishing
Permits, Applications, and Forms
Catch Share and Limited Access Programs
Groundfish
Halibut and Sablefish
Crab
Salmon
Scallop
Forage Species, Grenadiers, Sculpins, and Squids
Recreational (Sport) Fishing
Unguided Sport Halibut Fishing
Guided Sport Halibut Fishing
Applications and Reporting Forms
Guided Angler Fish (GAF) Program
Charter Halibut and GAF Permits Issued
Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan
Charter Halibut Limited Access Program
State of Alaska Sport Fisheries: Salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod, Shellfish, Freshwater Fish
Subsistence Fishing
Permit Applications and Reporting Forms
Frequently Asked Questions about the Subsistence Halibut Program
How to Replace or Renew a SHARC
Online SHARC Renewal (eFISH)
Permits and Licenses Issued
Subsistence Halibut Program
Resources and Programs
Online Services (eFISH, eLandings)
Federal Fishing Permits and Licenses Issued in Alaska
Restricted Access Management
Fisheries Reports
North Pacific Observer Program
Monitoring and Reporting
Bycatch Reduction
Cost Recovery Programs and Fee Payment
More Information
Rules and Notices Open for Comment
Regulations, Acts, and Treaties
Figures, Maps, Boundaries, Regulatory Areas, and Zones
Fishery Management Plans and Amendments
Federal Fishing Seasons in Alaska
Fisheries Analyses
Tribal Consultation
Contact Information
Fisheries News
IB 26-20: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska.
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-19: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-18: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-17: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska
IB 26-16: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod By Catcher/Processors Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Alaska
Alaska
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Protected Marine Life Overview
Alaska Marine Life Conservation and Recovery Resources
We protect, conserve, and manage Alaska's protected marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. Find information on our protected species programs.
The Protected Resources Division works to conserve and recover marine mammals in close coordination with the State of Alaska and other partners. To manage protected marine species, as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fur Seal Act, the Alaska Region advances recovery of
threatened and endangered species
and the conservation of marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea lions. We work to minimize
interactions between marine mammals and commercial fisheries
; promote responsible
marine mammal viewing
practices; coordinate response to stranded or entangled marine mammals;
consult with federal agencies
to minimize project effects on threatened and endangered species; and cooperatively manage subsistence use of marine mammals through
co-management agreements
with Alaska Native organizations.
Endangered Species Conservation
Proposed Actions Open for Public Comment
ESA Species and Critical Habitat Mapper Web Application
ESA Species Directory
Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species in Alaska
ESA Section 7 Consultations
Non-Marine Mammals Reviewed for ESA Listing
Protecting Marine Life
Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773)
Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines
Entanglement and Marine Debris
Alaska Oil Spill Response Guidance
Co-Management
Permits and Authorizations
Bycatch
Marine Mammal Observer Program
Pinnipeds
Harbor Seals
Ice Seals: Bearded
Ice Seals: Ribbon
Ice Seals: Ringed
Ice Seals: Spotted
Northern Fur Seals
Steller Sea Lions
Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises
Beluga Whale
Humpback Whale
Bowhead Whale
Killer Whale
Gray Whale
North Pacific Right Whale
More Whale Species
Dolphin and Porpoise Species
More Information
Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Stranding Hotline: (877) 925-7773)
Buying or Finding Marine Mammal Parts and Products
Stock Assessments
Marine Mammal Research
Funding Opportunities
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Managed Species: Walrus, Sea Otters, Polar Bears
Laws and Policies
Contact Information
Marine Life News
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
“Westley” the Steller Sea Lion pup on a work bench in the Westward Seafoods Plant in Unalaska. Credit: Asia Beder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA permit #24359.
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
Feature Story
Northern Fur Seal Deaths on St. George Island, Alaska, Linked to Harmful Algal Bloom
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
St. George Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Bowhead whales. Image captured during the 2025 aerial survey over the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken while working under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #25563-02. Credit: NOAA Fisheries & CICOES / Skyla Walcott
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Habitat Conservation
Alaska Habitat Conservation and Restoration Resources
We conserve Alaska's habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support communities. Find information on our programs.
NOAA Fisheries conducts and reviews environmental analyses for a large variety of activities ranging from commercial fishing, to coastal development, to large transportation and energy projects. Working with industries, stakeholder groups, government agencies, and private citizens, we ensure that these activities have minimal impact on essential fish habitat and marine life in Alaska. Our habitat conservation activities include protecting essential fish habitat, mitigating damage to and enhancing habitat affected by hydropower project construction and operations, removing invasive species, and restoring habitat that has been affected by development, oil spills, and other human activities. We focus on habitats used by federally-managed fish species located offshore, nearshore, in estuaries, and in freshwater areas important to migratory salmon.
Essential Fish Habitat
EFH Descriptions and Identification
EFH Consultations
Environmental Consultation Organizer (ECO)
Frequently Asked Questions about EFH
EFH Policy and Directives
EFH 5-Year Review
EFH Omnibus Fishery Management Plan Amendments
Resource Tools
Alaska EFH Mapper
National EFH Mapper
ShoreZone Coastal Images and Maps
Nearshore Fish Atlas
Habitat Conservation Area Maps
Pacific Salmon Freshwater EFH in Alaska
Oil Spill Risk Analysis Calculator
Aquaculture Best Management Practices
Habitat Programs
Aquatic Invasive Species
Hydropower Project Review
Fish Passage
Analyzing Risk to Improve Oil Spill Planning and Response
Annual Report of Division Accomplishments
Habitat Restoration
Habitat Research in Alaska
NOAA Habitat Blueprint: Kachemak Bay, AK, Habitat Focus Area
How We Restore
More Information
National Overview: Habitat Conservation
Funding Opportunities
Contact Information
Habitat News
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Alaska Creek Impacted by Historic Mining Restored to Support Salmon and Local Communities
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
An excavator digs a new stream channel while a dump truck unloads stones to recreate the stream bed on Resurrection Creek. Credit: Molly Feltner/NOAA.
Feature Story
Underwater Sound Recordings Confirm Endangered North Pacific Right Whales Use of Historic Habitats
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Two North Pacific right whales photographed from the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson in August, 2021, during a survey in Alaska. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #20465.
Podcast
2024 Winter News Roundup
Podcast
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engineer Owen Ceserano downloads images collected from a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle called “Stella” on deck of R/V Hugh R. Sharp. HabCam can be seen in the background. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Zach Fyke
Podcast
Summer News Roundup
Podcast
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
National
Coral nurseries are one tool NOAA uses to restore reefs, which are vital habitats for many managed seafood species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
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Featured Species
Alaska Managed and Protected Marine Species
Find a list of federally managed or protected fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and mammals in the Alaska region.
Alaska's coastal communities depend on healthy marine resources to support commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, and the Alaskan way of life. Our mission at NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office is the science-based stewardship of Alaska’s marine resources and their habitats in the Gulf of Alaska, eastern Bering Sea, and Arctic oceans. We are responsible for supporting sustainable fisheries, recovering and conserving protected species, such as whales and seals, and promoting healthy ecosystems and resilient Alaska coastal communities.
Beluga Whale
Humpback Whale
Steller Sea Lion
Pacific Cod
Alaska Pollock
North Pacific Right Whale
Northern Fur Seal
Harbor Seal
Ringed Seal
Bearded Seal
Pacific Salmon and Steelhead
Harbor Porpoise
View All
More Information
Alaska Stock Assessments
Ecosystem Status Reports
Species News
Feature Story
Genetics Shines New Light on Cod Populations and Distributions in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Scientists measure juvenile Pacific cod and extract tissues for genetic analysis. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Johanna Vollenweider
Feature Story
Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
“Westley” the Steller Sea Lion pup on a work bench in the Westward Seafoods Plant in Unalaska. Credit: Asia Beder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA permit #24359.
Feature Story
NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
New Studies Will Improve Abundance Estimates for Ice Seals in Alaska
Feature Story
,
Alaska
Alaska
An adult female ribbon seal looks around among ice floes in the Bering Sea. Animals are much harder to detect during aerial surveys when they are in the water. Credit: NOAA Fisheries / Josh M London / Photo taken under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #23858.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
More News