Planned Research Vessel Movements: 2023 Research Season
Each spring, summer, and fall, numerous research vessels travel through Alaska and Arctic waters. , federal agencies, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System () compile and communicate planned research expedition dates and routes, research goals, and mooring locations. Our hope is that researchers can use this information to coordinate activities, and that communities can use it to understand what vessels are in their waters and how to contact them if necessary.
On this page you will find a spreadsheet with all planned expeditions, brief descriptions of research activities, and a spreadsheet of mooring locations.
The research vessel spreadsheet and descriptions will be periodically updated and emailed out to partners. If you would like to receive updates, sign up for the email distribution list. Please contact Sarah Tucker () and Katy Smith () with any questions.
Download the spreadsheet of research expeditions
Excel | PDF
Updated June 1, 2023
Download the spreadsheet of mooring locations (coming soon)
Oceanographic moorings provide fixed location time-series ocean observations through a collection of sensors and data collection equipment tethered to a chain and anchored on the seafloor. By maintaining an up-to-date mooring location spreadsheet, we aim to inform the scientific community and vessel operators of the locations of all moorings presently deployed in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. This will reduce the risk of damage to the moorings. It will also facilitate collaborative science activities.
This valuable resource was developed and maintained by Dr. Robert Pickart. Please reach out to sarah.tucker@noaa.gov with any questions. It will be posted here soon.
Pre-field season meeting
On May 25, held a pre-field season meeting to share information about upcoming expeditions, improve collaboration among Arctic researchers, and expand communications and coordination with local and Indigenous communities.
2023 expeditions
Expeditions here are organized by location, then launch date. If an expedition will visit more than one location, it will appear under both location headers. To see all expeditions at once, download the spreadsheet above, or view the calendar below.
Click each vessel photo to go to that vessel's webpage. Click each expedition track to see a larger version of the image.
Gulf of Alaska
Aleutian Islands Region
Bering Sea
Chukchi & Beaufort Seas
North Atlantic Ocean
Location TBD
Gulf Of Alaska
Approaches to Revillagigedo
Photo:
March 29 - April 17
Departs from: Newport, Oregon
Returns to: Juneau
Research location: Southeast Alaska
Vessel: Fairweather ()
Description: Hydrographic surveying.
For more information, contact: Martha Herzog, Martha Herzog, martha.herzog@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided
Sikuliaq Annual Acoustic Calibrations
Photo: Kim Kenny/
April 9-16
Departs from: Seattle, Washington
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Gulf of Alaska, transiting from Seattle to Seward
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: In April 2023, Sikuliaq will transit from Seattle, WA to Seward, AK. During this time, we would like to perform annual calibrations and verifications of Sikuliaq's hull-mounted sonars. We will work with subject-matter experts to support these efforts.
For more information, contact: Ethan Roth, ehroth@alaska.edu
Photo:
April 15-20
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Kodia
Research location: Gulf of Alaska, 50.1°N, 144.9°W
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: No description provided.
For more information, contact: Meghan Cronin, meghan.f.cronin@noaa.gov
Photo:
April 21 - May 8
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: This expedition will be used to deploy spring surface moorings as well as to maintain existing ones in the East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Profile datasets on temperature, salinity, productivity, and others will also be collected up to the ice edge. Larval surveys in the area of the Pribilof Islands will also be conducted as time allows.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Shaun Bell, shaun.bell@noaa.gov
Photo: Kim Kenny/
April 22 - May 8
Departs from: Seward
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Northern Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: No description provided.
For more information, contact: Russell R. Hopcroft, rrhopcroft@alaska.edu
Photo:
May 5-27
Departs from: Seattle, Washington
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the first of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Samuel Cuellar, samuel.cuellar@noaa.gov
Photo: Kim Kenny/
May 13 - June 1
Departs from: Seward
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: This is the tenth expedition (ninth turnaround) for the Global Station Papa Array of the National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories Initiative (). The Station Papa Array includes a network of moorings and gliders to monitor waters in the data-sparse high latitudes of the Gulf of Alaska. The moorings and the gliders give the array the capability to address the role of the mesoscale flow field in ocean dynamics.
For more information, contact: Deidra Emrich, demrich@whoi.edu
Spring Ichthyoplankton Survey
Photo:
May 14-25
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Western Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Ichthyoplankton survey to assess the abundance, distribution, and survival of the early-life stages of groundfish, especially walleye pollock.
For more information, contact: Steve Porter, steve.porter@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Bottom Trawl Survey of the Gulf of Alaska
May 21 - August 6
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Ketchikan
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Alaska Provider (fishing vessel)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
Bottom Trawl Survey of the Gulf of Alaska
May 22 - August 1
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Ketchikan
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Ocean Explorer (fishing vessel)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
May 29 - August 28
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Alaska Leader (fishing vessel)
Description: Bottom longline survey to continue 45-year time-series that generates indices of abundance for sablefish and other groundfish species. Survey occurs along the outer shelf and upper slope in 100-1000 m. Age and length data are collected for use in stock assessments for several species.
For more information, contact: Patrick Malecha, pat.malecha@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Photo:
June 2-20
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the second of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Thomas Morrow, thomas.morrow@noaa.gov
Southeast Coastal Monitoring
Photo: James Brooks
June 17-27
Departs from: Juneau
Returns to: Juneau
Research location: Southeast Alaska
Vessel: Medeia (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)
Description: Survey to improve our understanding of marine ecosystems and their impact on the growth and survival of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and ecologically-related species. In particular, Southeast Coastal Monitoring data is currently used to provide an annual pink salmon harvest forecast, and provides long term environmental and population data that are used by harvest managers in the PST northern boundary, which includes PST Chapter 2 pink salmon treaty issues in districts 101, 102, 103, and 104.
For more information, contact: Wesley Strasburger, wes.strasburger@noaa.gov
Photo:
June 28 - July 25
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the third of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping and remotely operated vehicle () operations to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Shannon Hoy, shannon.hoy@noaa.gov
Southeast Coastal Monitoring
Photo: James Brooks
July 29 - August 3
Departs from: Juneau
Returns to: Juneau
Research location: Southeast Alaska
Vessel: Medeia (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)
Description: Survey to improve our understanding of marine ecosystems and their impact on the growth and survival of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and ecologically-related species. In particular, Southeast Coastal Monitoring data is currently used to provide an annual pink salmon harvest forecast, and provides long term environmental and population data that are used by harvest managers in the PST northern boundary, which includes PST Chapter 2 pink salmon treaty issues in districts 101, 102, 103, and 104.
For more information, contact: Wesley Strasburger, wes.strasburger@noaa.gov
Photo:
July 31 - August 17
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the fourth of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Thomas Morrow, thomas.morrow@noaa.gov; Abby Letts, abby.letts@noaa.gov
August 1 - September 30
Departs from: TBD: Kodiak or Dutch Harbor
Returns to: TBD: Kodiak or Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: TBD
Description: fall mooring deployment/recovery expedition and lower trophic level study. Recover/deploy biophysical moorings (including sensors to measure temperature and salinity, currents, fluorescence, ice thickness, met, pCO2, and passive listening device for marine mammals), and collect CTD, ADCP, and water/net tow samples. Supports: North Pacific Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP), Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI), North Pacific Research Board (), Alaska Ocean Observing System (), Endangered Species Act (), National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), and ocean acidification program.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Coral Settlement Plate Recovery
Photo: Danny Brothers/
August 21-28
Departs from: Elfin Cove
Returns to: Cordova
Research location: Gulf of Alaska SE—Fairweather Bank
Vessel: Solstice (Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)
Description: Recover and deploy ARMS coral and sponge recruitment plates to determine settlement and growth rates.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Photo:
August 23 - September 16
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the fifth of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping and remotely operated vehicle operations to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Samuel Candio, samuel.candio@noaa.gov
Juvenile Pollock and Forage Fish Survey
Photo:
August 27 - September 30
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Western Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Survey to assess the abundance and distribution of juvenile pollock, other groundfish species, and forage fish species in the western Gulf of Alaska.
For more information, contact: Steve Porter, steve.porter@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Seascape Alaska
Photo:
August 28 - September 11
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Offshore south Kodiak Island
Vessel: Fairweather ()
Description: Hydrographic surveying.
For more information, contact: Martha Herzog, martha.herzog@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Photo:
September 23 - October 14
Departs from: Seward
Returns to: San Francisco, California
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This expedition will include transit mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Abby Letts, abby.letts@noaa.gov
Transit
Photo: Kim Kenny/
November 15-21
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Transit from Nome to ship's homeport at end of field season.
For more information, contact: Doug Baird, ddbaird2@alaska.edu
Vessel track not provided.
Aleutian Islands Region
Photo:
May 5-27
Departs from: Seattle, Washington
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the first of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Samuel Cuellar, samuel.cuellar@noaa.gov
Photo:
June 2-20
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the second of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Thomas Morrow, thomas.morrow@noaa.gov
Steller Sea Lion Abundance, Vital Rates, and Health Survey
Photo:
June 21 - July 6
Departs from: Adak
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutian Islands
Vessel: Tiglax ()
Description: Visit Steller sea lion rookeries and haulouts in the western/central Aleutian Islands (Attu - Adak) and Ugamak Island to support abundance, vital rates, and health assessment studies.
For more information, contact: Brian Fadely, brian.fadely@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided
Photo:
June 28 - July 25
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the third of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping and remotely operated vehicle () operations to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Shannon Hoy, shannon.hoy@noaa.gov
Photo:
August 23 - September 16
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This is the fifth of six telepresence-enabled expeditions on Ship Okeanos Explorer offshore Alaska in 2023. This expedition will include mapping and remotely operated vehicle operations to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Samuel Candio, samuel.candio@noaa.gov
Photo:
September 23 - October 14
Departs from: Seard
Returns to: San Francisco, California
Research location: Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Okeanos Explorer ()
Description: This expedition will include transit mapping to collect data in support of Seascape Alaska. Seascape Alaska is a regional campaign involving a collaboration of federal, Tribal, state, and nongovernmental partners focused on fully mapping the U.S. waters off Alaska.
For more information, contact: Abby Letts, abby.letts@noaa.gov
Untitled Expedition
Photo: Support Vessels
of Alaska
Dates TBA
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Aleutian Islands
Vessel: Woldstad (Support Vessels of Alaska, Inc.)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Bering Sea
Photo:
April 21 - May 8
Departs from: Kodiak
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: This expedition will be used to deploy spring surface moorings as well as to maintain existing ones in the East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Profile datasets on temperature, salinity, productivity, and others will also be collected up to the ice edge. Larval surveys in the area of the Pribilof Islands will also be conducted as time allows.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Shaun Bell, shaun.bell@noaa.gov
Togiak Bay
Photo:
May 16 - July 28
Departs from: Juneau
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Togiak Bay
Vessel: Fairweather ()
Description: Hydrographic surveying.
For more information, contact: Martha Herzog, martha.herzog@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Bottom Trawl Survey of the Eastern and Northern Bering Sea
May 17 - August 24
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern and Northern Bering Sea
Vessel: Alaska Knight (fishing vessel)
Description: The objectives of this survey are to monitor the marine ecosystem of the eastern Bering Sea, produce fishery-independent biomass and abundance estimates for commercially important fish and crab species, and collect other biological and environmental data for use in ecosystem-based fishery management.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
Bottom Trawl Survey of the Eastern and Northern Bering Sea
May 21 - August 22
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern and Northern Bering Sea
Vessel: Northwest Explorer (fishing vessel)
Description: The objectives of this survey are to monitor the marine ecosystem of the eastern Bering Sea, produce fishery-independent biomass and abundance estimates for commercially important fish and crab species, and collect other biological and environmental data for use in ecosystem-based fishery management.
For more information, contact: Gerald Hoff, jerry.hoff@noaa.gov
May 29 - August 28
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Alaska Leader (fishing vessel)
Description: Bottom longline survey to continue 45-year time-series that generates indices of abundance for sablefish and other groundfish species. Survey occurs along the outer shelf and upper slope in 100-1000 m. Age and length data are collected for use in stock assessments for several species.
For more information, contact: Patrick Malecha, pat.malecha@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Photo: Support Vessels
of Alaska
June 5 - July 2
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea where walrus can be observed
Vessel: Norseman II (Support Vessels of Alaska, Inc.)
Description: Collect age structure data from visual on-board surveys and collect skin biopsy samples from walruses using skiffs. Data will be used to determine abundance and population trend of the Pacific walrus population.
For more information, contact: Irina Trukhanova, irina_trukhanova@fws.gov; Bill Beatty, wbeatty@usgs.gov
Building Arctic Seagoing Research Capacity: Arctic Chief Scientist Training Expedition
Photo: Kim Kenny/
June 6-12
Departs from: Seward
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Bering Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Transit from Seward to Nome for Arctic field season, and early career chief scientist training.
For more information, contact: Emily Eidam, emily.eidam@oregonstate.edu
Untitled Expedition
June 8 - August 3
Departs from: Hakodate, Japan
Returns to: Hakodate, Japan
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory regions 1 (North Bering Sea-South St. Lawrence Island), 2 (North Bering Sea-Chirikov Basin), and 3 (SE Chukchi Sea) Vessel: Oshoro-Maru (Hokkaido University)
Description: Training Ship Oshoro Maru will conduct hydrographic, biogeochemical, and ecosystem surveys including plankton, microplastic, fish, and bottom sediment samplings and seabird/marine mammal surveys in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas.
For more information, contact: Hiromichi Ueno, ueno@fish.hokudai.ac.jp
Pribilof Islands
Photo:
June 10 - August 18
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Kodiak
Research location: Pribilof Islands
Vessel: Fairweather ()
Description: Hydrographic surveying.
For more information, contact: Martha Herzog, martha.herzog@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Photo: Support Vessels
of Alaska
July 4-14
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Bering Strait/Southern Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Norseman II (Support Vessels of Alaska, Inc.)
Description: Expedition to recover and redeploy oceanographic moorings in the Bering Strait region, and run associated hydrographic lines including sampling for nutrients and trace metals.
For more information, contact: Rebecca Woodgate, woodgate@uw.edu
Photo: Government of
Canada
July 5-25
Departs from: Victoria, British Columbia
Returns to: Utqiagvik
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory regions 1 (North Bering Sea-South St. Lawrence Island), 2 (North Bering Sea-Chirikov Basin), 3 (SE Chukchi Sea), 4 (NE Chukchi Sea), and 5 (Barrow Canyon)
Vessel: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canadian Coast Guard)
Description: The annual /C30 cruise occupies DBO1-5 in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas. The vessel departs from Victoria, BC, Canada and collects samples for Canadian science into the Bering Sea, with stations occupied starting in the northern Bering Sea. Core measurements (CTD/R, water column, zooplankton, benthic sampling, benthic camera, seabird and marine mammal surveys) are undertaken.
For more information, contact: Jackie Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu
August 1 - September 30
Departs from: TBD: Kodiak or Dutch Harbor
Returns to: TBD: Kodiak or Dutch Harbor
Research location: Eastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: TBD
Description: fall mooring deployment/recovery expedition and lower trophic level study. Recover/deploy biophysical moorings (including sensors to measure temperature and salinity, currents, fluorescence, ice thickness, met, pCO2, and passive listening device for marine mammals), and collect CTD, ADCP, and water/net tow samples. Supports: North Pacific Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP), Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI), North Pacific Research Board (), Alaska Ocean Observing System (), Endangered Species Act (), National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), and ocean acidification program.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov
Vessel track not provided.
Submarine Basins, Steppe, and Sea Ice: Paleoclimate and Paleoecology of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene Bering Sea Shelf
Photo: Kim Kenny/
August 6 - September 4
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Bering Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Sarah Fowell, sjfowell@alaska.edu
Northern Bering Sea Ecosystem Surface Trawl Survey
August 28 - September 20
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Northern Bering Sea
Vessel: Northwest Explorer (fishing vessel)
Description: The survey will include the deployment of multiple sampling gear types, including a surface trawl, a small mesh beam trawl, a bongo net, a CTD, a rosette water sampler, and a Van Veen benthic grab. The survey will support multiple research activities, including stock-specific juvenile salmon abundance estimates, the pelagic food web, fish condition, oceanographic conditions, zooplankton distribution and abundance, seabird densities, harmful algal bloom toxins, essential crab habitat, environmental DNA, and salmon shark migration.
For more information, contact: Jim Murphy, jim.murphy@noaa.gov
Photo: Kim Kenny/
September 10 - October 4
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Northern Bering and Chukchi seas
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Occupy and ecosystem stations. Recover/deploy biophysical moorings (including sensors to measure temperature, salinity, currents, fluorescence, ice thickness, met, pCO2, and passive listening device for marine mammals), and collect CTD, ADCP, and water/net tow samples.
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu; Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; David Allen, david.allen@noaa.gov
Transit
Photo: Kim Kenny/
November 15-21
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Seward
Research location: Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Transit from Nome to ship's homeport at end of field season.
For more information, contact: Doug Baird, ddbaird2@alaska.edu
Vessel track not provided.
Chukchi & Beaufort Seas
Photo: Support Vessels
of Alaska
June 5 - July 2
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea where walrus can be observed
Vessel: Norseman II (Support Vessels of Alaska, Inc.)
Description: Collect age structure data from visual on-board surveys and collect skin biopsy samples from walruses using skiffs. Data will be used to determine abundance and population trend of the Pacific walrus population.
For more information, contact: Irina Trukhanova, irina_trukhanova@fws.gov; Bill Beatty, wbeatty@usgs.gov
Untitled Expedition
June 8 - August 3
Departs from: Hakodate, Japan
Returns to: Hakodate, Japan
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory regions 1 (North Bering Sea-South St. Lawrence Island), 2 (North Bering Sea-Chirikov Basin), and 3 (SE Chukchi Sea) Vessel: Oshoro-Maru (Hokkaido University)
Description: Training Ship Oshoro Maru will conduct hydrographic, biogeochemical, and ecosystem surveys including plankton, microplastic, fish, and bottom sediment samplings and seabird/marine mammal surveys in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas.
For more information, contact: Hiromichi Ueno, ueno@fish.hokudai.ac.jp
The Tale of Three Systems: The Fate of Primary Production in the Chukchi Sea
Photo: Kim Kenny/
June 16 - July 30
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Chukchi Sea. We will mostly work on the shelf but could go north off the shelf a ways if ice conditions permit.
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: We will be studying the fate of microalgal blooms in the sea ice, in the water column under the ice, and in open waters of the Chukchi Sea.
For more information, contact: Matthew Mills, mmmills@stanford.edu
Photo: Support Vessels
of Alaska
July 4-14
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Bering Strait/Southern Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Norseman II (Support Vessels of Alaska, Inc.)
Description: Expedition to recover and redeploy oceanographic moorings in the Bering Strait region, and run associated hydrographic lines including sampling for nutrients and trace metals.
For more information, contact: Rebecca Woodgate, woodgate@uw.edu
Photo: Government of
Canada
July 5-25
Departs from: Victoria, British Columbia
Returns to: Utqiagvik
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory regions 1 (North Bering Sea-South St. Lawrence Island), 2 (North Bering Sea-Chirikov Basin), 3 (SE Chukchi Sea), 4 (NE Chukchi Sea), and 5 (Barrow Canyon)
Vessel: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canadian Coast Guard)
Description: The annual /C30 cruise occupies DBO1-5 in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas. The vessel departs from Victoria, BC, Canada and collects samples for Canadian science into the Bering Sea, with stations occupied starting in the northern Bering Sea. Core measurements (CTD/R, water column, zooplankton, benthic sampling, benthic camera, seabird and marine mammal surveys) are undertaken.
For more information, contact: Jackie Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu
Photo: Bernard Spragg
July 6 - October 1
Departs from: Incheon, South Korea
Returns to: Incheon, South Korea
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory Region 3, Chukchi Borderland, Beaufort Sea
Vessel: Araon (Government of South Korea)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Eun Jin Yang, ejyang@kopri.re.kr
Vessel track not provided
Biophysical Drivers of Bowhead Whales
Photo via Carin Ashjian
August 16 - September 6
Departs from: Prudhoe Bay
Returns to: Prudhoe Bay
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory Region 5 (Barrow Canyon) and Beaufort Shelf
Vessel: Ukpik (Southern Cross, LLC)
Description: Work on Beaufort Shelf near Prudhoe, Beaufort Shelf-Break north of Nuiqsut, Beaufort Shelf and Chukchi Shelf near Pt. Barrow. Based primarily in Utqiagvik. Day trips.
For more information, contact: Carin Ashjian, cashjian@whoi.edu
Untitled Expedition
Photo: JAMSTEC
August 25 - October 4
Departs from: Japan
Returns to: Japan
Research location: Distributed Biological Observatory regions 3 (SE Chukchi Sea) and 5 (Barrow Canyon)
Vessel: Mirai (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)
Description: In 2023, the Mirai will conduct hydrographic and biogeochemical surveys, including plankton, microplastic, and bottom sediment samplings, from the Chukchi, Beaufort, and East Siberian Seas to marginal ice zones of the Canada Basin. Moorings will be recovered and re-deployed on the pathway of the Pacific-origin water to monitor its transport and impact on marine ecosystem. Some flying drones will be used to measure meteorological parameters and to assess the conditions of sea ice and waves. Various drifting buoys will be launched to measure the ocean waves, currents, and temperature.
For more information, contact: Amane Fujiwara, amane@jamstec.go.jp
Photo: Kim Kenny/
September 10 - October 4
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Northern Bering and Chukchi seas
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Occupy and ecosystem stations. Recover/deploy biophysical moorings (including sensors to measure temperature, salinity, currents, fluorescence, ice thickness, met, pCO2, and passive listening device for marine mammals), and collect CTD, ADCP, and water/net tow samples.
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu; Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; David Allen, david.allen@noaa.gov
Arctic Mobile Observing System
Photo: Kim Kenny/
October 10 - November 13
Departs from: Nome
Returns to: Nome
Research location: Central Beaufort Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Characterizing Arctic ocean-ice-atmosphere variability and predicting the system’s evolution on synoptic to seasonal timescales requires observations that span a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. Forecast quality depends on observations for initialization, assimilation, and informing how the simulations represent unresolved physics. Data intended for use in nowcast/forecast efforts must be delivered in a timely fashion—a challenging requirement for polar regions where ice blocks access to satellite services. To support Navy missions in the ice-covered Arctic, the Arctic Mobile Observing Innovative Naval Prototype (AMOS INP) is developing a mobile observing capability composed of ice-based Gateway Nodes and an array of complementary autonomous platforms (gliders, floats, AUVs), networked together through acoustic navigation and communication to enable coordinated, cooperative sampling and efficient data relay.
For more information, contact: Craig M. Lee, craig@apl.washington.edu
North Atlantic Ocean
Spatiotemporal Observations of the Demise of an Ice Sheet: Paleo Perspectives from Baffin Bay, West Greenland
Photo:
July 11 - August 14
Departs from: Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Returns to: Nuuk, Greenland
Research location: Baffin Bay. A transect of trough mouth fans from ~150 nmi north of Nuuk, Greenland to ~680 nmi north of Nuuk.
Vessel: Neil Armstrong (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Description: Spatial and temporal characterization of the past history of the West Greenland Current and the west Greenland Ice Sheet since the last glacial maximum through geophysical surveying and piston coring of the West Greenland slope and shelf. We are proposing to retrieve sediment cores and survey the bottom of the ocean along a south-north transect in Baffin Bay, focusing on four trough mouth fan systems.
For more information, contact: Robert G. Hatfield, rhatfield1@ufl.edu
Photo:
August 27 - September 24
Departs from: Reykjavik, Iceland
Returns to: Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Research location: Irminger Sea SE of Greenland 60N, 39W
Vessel: Neil Armstrong (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Deidra Emrich, demrich@whoi.edu
Location TBD
Arctic Mobile Observing System
Photo: Charly Hengen/
July 21 - August 22
Departs from: Dutch Harbor
Returns to: Dutch Harbor
Research location: Not provided.
Vessel: Healy ()
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Craig M. Lee, craig@apl.washington.edu
Vessel track not provided.
Photo: Government of
Canada
September 15 - October 11
Departs from: Kugluktuk, Canada
Returns to: Kugluktuk, Canada
Research location: Not provided.
Vessel: Lous S. St-Laurent (Canadian Coast Guard)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Bill Williams, Bill.Williams@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Vessel track not provided.
Moorings
Photo: Government of
Canada
September 25 - October 28
Departs from: TBD
Returns to: TBD
Research location: Not provided.
Vessel: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canadian Coast Guard)
Description: Not provided.
For more information, contact: Bill Williams, Bill.Williams@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Vessel track not provided.