Government Threatens Native Communities, Bering Sea with Salmon Bycatch Decision

Fishing for Trouble

Overkill

Fishing is changing the world's oceans in ways scientists can not fully understand. We may only learn about the nature and extent of the damage after it is too late to do anything to stop it.

Bering Sea Tour 2007

The Bering Sea seems so remote for most of us. However, the waters between Alaska and Russia are a rich marine environment home to a diverse array of wildlife. Polar bears, seals, sea lions, walruses, whales and millions of seabirds make their home here. It is also one of the most productive fishing spots in the world. In fact, more than half the fish we catch in the United States comes from Alaska, including salmon, pollock, king crab, and Pacific cod.

Overview

The Bering Sea is one of the wildest regions in the world and the source of half the seafood caught in the US. Alaska trawl fisheries are widely considered to be the standard by which "sustainable" management is measured in the US. The truth is a bit more complicated.

Marine Cultural Heritage Zones

About 10,000 years ago, the Unangan, (Aleuts), Upik Eskimo, and the Inupiat peoples of the Northern Bering Sea settled on the islands, islets, and thousands of miles of shore line of the mighty Bering Sea. Many descendants of these ancient peoples still call the Bering Sea home. Sadly, it may be that these hearty peoples who trace their lineage, culture and traditions back 10,000 years may not have any choice but to pack up and leave their homes, migrating instead to large impersonal urban settlements; settlements which may further contribute to their demise.

Science

Our Scientific Advisory Committee taps into a wide pool of expertise. Its members include:

Bering Sea Tour 2006: A Look from Within

We called this expedition "The Bering Sea: A Look from Within" and and our goal was to develop a deeper understanding of the forces that are changing the Bering Sea. We began building relationships with the people who can help enrich that understanding – the scientific community and the local communities who are as much a part of this ecosystem, and as dependent on its health, as every other form of life we encountered. All along the way, we documented the beauty and voices of the Bering, and the threats that are beginning to unravel the fabric of this magnificent ecosystem.

Below are the blog postings from the crew.

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