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Near Real-time Temperatures from the Gulf of Alaska Bottom Trawl Survey 2023

Water temperature affects many species' spawning times, access to food, growth rates, and overall range. Collecting temperature data helps better understand species’ habitats and the larger ecosystem.

Alaska
NOAA Fisheries AFSC Groundfish Assessment Program conducted the Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey. The near real-time ocean bottom temperatures depicted were collected May 21-August 4. On August 4, a station 445-63 (54.92°N, -133.23°W; >6–7°C) was surveyed by the F/V Alaska Provider. No stations were surveyed by the F/V Ocean Explorer. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries scientists are providing information on ocean temperatures observed during the Gulf of Alaska Bottom Trawl Survey in 2023. Updated colors: This year in an effort to make the heatmaps more accessible to a broader audience a new color scheme was used for our heatmaps. However, given feedback we have received we are reverting back to the colors used in previous years. If anyone is having difficulty reading the maps, please contact us at afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov and we would be happy to provide the alternative color scheme we test-cased this year. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

The goal of the Gulf of Alaska Bottom Trawl Survey is to collect data on the distribution and abundance of fish, crab and other bottom-dwelling species found in the Gulf of Alaska. This year, for the first time, the survey will be providing regular survey progress and temperature at all of our survey stations. 

Survey Progress

This PDF provides static maps of each day's progress and bottom temperatures (Celsius). The last page includes a regional map of the Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey and Shumagin, Chirikof, Kodiak, Yakutat, and Southeastern subregions.

NOAA Fisheries AFSC Groundfish Assessment Program conducted the Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey. The near real-time ocean bottom temperatures depicted were collected May 21-August 4. On August 4, a station 445-63 (54.92°N, -133.23°W; >6–7°C) was surveyed by the F/V Alaska Provider. No stations were surveyed by the F/V Ocean Explorer. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries conducted the Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey in 2023 aboard the F/V Ocean Explorer and F/V Alaska Provider. This survey covers the Shumagin, Chirikof, Kodiak, Yakutat, and Southeastern regions, which are sampled randomly each year. The near real-time ocean bottom temperatures are depicted for each station. Updated colors: This year in an effort to make the heatmaps more accessible to a broader audience a new color scheme was used for our heatmaps. However, given feedback we have received we are reverting back to the colors used in previous years. If anyone is having difficulty reading the maps, please contact us at afsc.webmaster@noaa.gov and we would be happy to provide the alternative color scheme we test-cased this year. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Map showing the survey region for research in the Gulf of Alaska
The Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey region. This survey covers the Shumagin, Chirikof, Kodiak, Yakutat, and Southeastern subregions. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Learn more about the Gulf of Alaska survey in our 2023 research brief. All data collected on the surveys are publicly accessible from 

Survey Dates

The Gulf of Alaska trawl survey is scheduled to run from May 18-August 6. This year, start dates are staggered for the two vessels conducting the surveys, the F/V Ocean Explorer (departing Dutch Harbor on May 22) and the F/V Alaska Provider (departing Dutch Harbor on May 21). We will keep the communities informed of our survey progress by posting daily updates of our survey progress via the website and social media. 

The Gulf of Alaska summer bottom trawl survey begins in Samalga Pass near the Islands of Four Mountains (Chuginadak) in May. We continue eastward along the south side of the eastern Aleutian archipelago and Alaska Peninsula. We navigate around Kodiak Island into Cook Inlet before proceeding into Southeast Alaska.  The survey will finish at Dixon Entrance in August. 

Three crew changes occur during the survey. The first happens in early June at Sand Point, the second in late June at Kodiak Island, and the third in July at Seward. Both vessels return to Ketchikan at the end of the survey. Afterward, scientists finalize and report the data collected.

Left image is the boat called Ocean Explorer and the right image is the boat called Alaska Provider.
Left: F/V Ocean Explorer. Right: F/V Alaska Provider. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Pictures from the field

What do surveys in the Gulf of Alaska look like? Explore our new photo gallery to see this current survey’s photos from scientists in the field. These photos show the incredible places that NOAA scientists go and showcase our mission in ways that words cannot.

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Last updated by Alaska Fisheries Science Center on August 07, 2023

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