Apply gliders to the task of collecting environmental and fisheries data that will help address environmental changes within alaskan fisheries and ultimately support their sustainability

The University of Alaska Fairbanks received a $1,750,000 Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) for a 4-year period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.

The purpose of this award is to apply underwater gliders to collect environmental and fisheries data that will help address environmental changes and support the sustainability of Alaskan fisheries. The University will deploy Slocum gliders in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea to develop and maintain repeat observation track lines, with a focus on collecting data during the winter and spring seasons when limited vessel-based surveys are conducted. This builds on the University's past investments in Slocum glider technology. The University will also work with the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island to assess the feasibility of operating glider surveys in the middle of the Bering Sea.

We propose to deploy slocum gliders in the gulf of alaska and the being sea in an effort to develop and maintain repeat observation track lines. Surveys will be conducted in all seasons, but with particular emphasis on winter and spring when limited numbers of vessel-based surveys are conducted and the marine ecosystem is transitioning into the spring bloom. This project builds on past investments in software development and hardware upgrades of the university of alaska fairbanks slocum glider fleet. We will work with the aleut community of ST. Paul island to assess feasibility of operating glider surveys in the middle of the bering sea.