"Resource Ecology and Ecosystem Modeling Program"

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management.

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management.

Most comprehensive database of Alaska predator diets; First ecosystem report card for Gulf of Alaska.

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management and to spur new understanding of the connections between ecosystem components by bringing together the results of many diverse research efforts into one document. However, this year the report has been split into four separate documents, one for the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, and the Arctic1. This new presentation allows for a more cohesive focus on each large marine ecosystem (LME). While this simplifies navigation for the reader, it also better highlights data gaps and research needs within each LME.

Feedback Encouraged on Regional Action Plan.

For 20 years, scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center have been pulling together data for numerous indicators of ecosystem health including water temperature, sea ice extent, and seabird reproductive success. Scientists from federal, state, and academic institutions monitor these indicators for the four marine ecosystems that surround Alaska – the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Arctic.

The Resource Ecology and Ecosystem Modeling (REEM) Program’s laboratory is primarily dedicated to the task of collecting data on the stomach contents of Alaskan marine fish. This laboratory is also commonly known as the Food Habits Lab or Trophic Interactions Lab. This Stomach Content Analysis Procedures Manual describes analysis methods, identification techniques, and data entry procedures to be used when processing stomach samples. A companion manual, the Chemical Handling and Sample Tracking Procedures Manual, covers general laboratory safety and the procedures for handling chemicals, tracking samples and other common laboratory tasks. Finalized versions of these manuals, as well as The Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Standard Operating Procedures for Hazardous Chemicals information and The On-Screen Form Manual, are available.

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management and to spur new understanding of the connections between ecosystem components by bringing together the results of many diverse research efforts into one document.

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management and to spur new understanding of the connections between ecosystem components by bringing together many diverse research efforts into one document. The purpose of the first section, the Report Cards, is to summarize the status of the top indicators selected by teams of ecosystem experts to best represent each ecosystem. Time series of indicators are presented in figures formatted similarly to enable comparisons across indicators. Recent trends in climate and the physical environment, ecosystems, and fishing and fisheries are highlighted in bulleted lists.

The goal of the Ecosystem Considerations report is to provide stronger links between ecosystem research and fishery management and to spur new understanding of the connections between ecosystem components by bringing together many diverse research efforts into one document. There are three main sections: • Executive Summary • Ecosystem Assessment • Ecosystem Status and Management Indicators The purpose of the first section, the Executive Summary, is to provide a consise summary of the status of marine ecosystems in Alaska for stock assessment scientists, fishery managers, and the public. Time series of indicators are presented in figures formatted similarly to enable comparisons across indicators. Recent trends in climate and the physical environment, ecosystems, and fishing and fisheries are highlighted in bulleted lists. The purpose of the second section, the Ecosystem Assessment, is to synthesize historical climate and fishing effects on the eastern Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska ecosystems using information from the Ecosystem Status and Management Indicators section and stock assessment reports. Notable trends, “hot topics”, that capture unique occurrences, changes in trend direction, or patterns across indicators are highlighted at the beginning. An ongoing goal is to produce ecosystem assessments utilizing a blend of data analysis and modeling to clearly communicate the current status and possible future directions of ecosystems. In future drafts, the Ecosystem Assessment section will also provide an assessment of the possible future effects of climate and fishing on ecosystem structure and function.