the BREAKWATER 
A newsletter from the Prince William Sound Science Center
May 28, 2014
Katrina image

 

It's hard to believe it's almost June, which means so many things for the Science Center and Cordova. The Copper River fishing fleet had their first opener almost two weeks ago, and town is abuzz with activity. Here at PWSSC our busy summer research season is getting into full swing. We have a portable laboratory set up on our dock and four new fisheries research technicians on board with more due to arrive later in summer. With the return of the fish comes the return of Cordova's finest benefit party: PWSSC's Copper River Nouveau. We hope you enjoy this update on some recent Science Center initiatives as we eagerly prepare to welcome friends and supporters from near and far to our quintessentially Alaskan gala. 

 

Best,

 

Katrina Hoffman

President/CEO

 

Salmon Release Project

Last week, Cordova's 5th grade class released over 180 coho salmon fry at Fleming Spit. They, along with the fourth and sixth grade classes, helped raise the fry from the egg stage this winter.  
Click here to see a video and photos

Update on the "Radioactive Ocean Project"

In April, the Science Center sent in the first water sample for the "Radioactive Ocean Project." It has been determined that no radiation from Fukushima has reached Gulf of Alaska waters near Hinchinbrook Island (where the sample was taken).

Click here to read the full results.

Alevin pumping

As part of the Hatchery/Wild Salmon Interaction Study, PWSSC crew collected pink alevin samples from the gravel in Stockdale Creek on Montague Island. This was a pilot test to determine whether genetic "fingerprinting" can connect these offspring with their parents sampled the previous summer, to compare the relative survival of wild and hatchery fish.

 

View the video of this pilot test by clicking here.


Detecting Oil in Ice

The Oil Spill Recovery Institute recently was awarded funding from the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers to coordinate a research effort for detecting oil on-in-and under ice as part of the Arctic Oil Spill Response Technology Joint Industry Programme.

 

Click here to learn more.

 
The Science Center is committed to understanding how one place on earth can maintain a reliable economy and natural environment for the long-term. 
 
We invite you - donors, researchers, partners, funders, elected officials, citizens - to join us in better understanding one of the world's last, great natural regions, home of the world's richest waters.
The Science Center is committed to understanding how one place on earth can maintain a reliable economy and natural environment for the long-term. 
 
We invite you - donors, researchers, partners, funders, elected officials, citizens - to join us in better understanding one of the world's last, great natural regions, home of the world's richest waters.
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