Planned Research Vessel Movements: 2025 Research Season
Each spring, summer, and fall, numerous research vessels travel through Alaska and Arctic waters. and federal agencies compile planned research expedition dates, planned routes, research goals, and locations of data-collection moorings.
Our hope is that researchers can use the information about research expeditions to coordinate activities, and that communities can use it to understand what vessels are in their waters and how to contact them if necessary. Additionally, with the list of mooring locations 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 and facilitate collaborative science activities.
On this page you will find a spreadsheet with all planned expeditions, brief descriptions of expeditions, and a spreadsheet of mooring locations.
The spreadsheets 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 field.operations@iarpccollaborations.org with any questions, or to provide additional information about upcoming expeditions.
Download the spreadsheet of research expeditions
Excel | PDF
Updated May 2, 2025
Download the spreadsheet of mooring locations
Excel | PDF
Updated April 28, 2025
Pre-field season meeting
On May 7, held a pre-field season meeting. The meeting included lighting-talk presentations from principal investigators leading research expeditions in Alaska and Arctic waters in 2025, followed by group discussion. It supported the exchange of information about planned expedition objectives and facilitated collaborations. It was hosted by the Field Operations, Sea Ice, and Marine Ecosystems communities of practice
Photo: CFOS,
2025 expeditions
Expeditions here are organized by location, then launch date. If an expedition will visit more than one location, it appears under both location headers. To see all expeditions at once, download the spreadsheet above, or view the calendar below.
Jump to location:
Gulf of Alaska
Aleutian Islands Region
Bering Sea
Chukchi & Beaufort Seas
North Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Alaska
MACE Shelikof Strait Pollock Acoustic Trawl Winter
March 16 - April 1
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Acoustic-trawl survey of Shelikof Strait, Chirikof Island, and Marmot Bay for spawning pollock
For more information, contact: Sandy Parker-Stetter, sandy.parker-stetter@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations () Spring Mooring Cruise 2025
April 24 - May 12
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Annual survey to provide baseline fisheries and oceanographic data to support sustainable management of living resources in the Bering Sea and the rapidly changing US Arctic ecosystem.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Heather Tabisola, heather.tabisola@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
GOA Spring Ichthyplankton Survey
May 17 - June 4
Departs from: Unalaska, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: The objective of this survey is to conduct an assessment of eggs and larvae of walleye pollock in the western Gulf of Alaska. We also examine the interactions among climate, weather, and ichthyoplankton distribution and abundance. This work is needed to describe larval fish assemblages and determine how physical and biological factors affect the transport and survival of fish larvae.
For more information, contact: Julie Keister, Julie.Keister@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
May 20 - August 3
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Ketchikan, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: F/V Ocean Explorer, F/V Alaska Provider
Description: Standardized bottom trawl survey of the groundfish and benthic invertebrate resources of the Gulf of Alaska.
For more information, contact: Susanne McDermott, susanne.mcdermott@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 26
Southeast Coastal Monitoring 1
June 23 - 28
Departs from: Juneau, Alaska
Returns to: Juneau, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: ADF&G Ship Medeia
Description: Surface trawl, oceanography, zooplankton in northern inside waters of southeast Alaska.
For more information, contact: Wesley Strasburger, wes.strasburger@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
FBEP Central GOA Age-0 cod Summer 1
July 12 - 20
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Nudibranch and Grayling
Description: Seining and small mesh beam trawl surveys of age-0 fish for recruitment indices
For more information, contact: Ben Laurel, ben.laurel@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 27
BC North Coast and Mooring 2025
July 20 - August 5
Departs from: Canada
Returns to: Canada
Research location: Chatham Sound
Vessel: Tully
Description: This DFO cruise surveys BC’s north coast near the Alaskan border to study water exchanges in Dixon Entrance and service moorings along the BC continental shelf. It supports ecosystem management by collecting oceanographic data, water samples, and occasional plankton monitoring across remote coastal regions.
For more information, contact: Cynthia Bluteau
Last updated: April 22
Southeast Coastal Monitoring 2
July 24 - 29
Departs from: Juneau, Alaska
Returns to: Juneau, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: ADF&G Ship Medeia
Description: Surface trawl, oceanography, zooplankton in northern inside waters of southeast Alaska.
For more information, contact: Wesley Strasburger, wes.strasburger@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
FBEP Central GOA Age-0 cod Summer 2
August 21 - 28
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Nudibranch and Grayling
Description: Seining and small mesh beam trawl surveys of age-0 fish for recruitment indices
For more information, contact: Ben Laurel, ben.laurel@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 27
August
Departs from: Petersburg, Alaska
Returns to: Petersburg, Alaska
Research location: Inside Passage, LeConte Glacier
Vessel: Steadfast
Description: Understanding how the ocean melts glaciers and how currents interact with topography to generate mixing.
For more information, contact: Jesse Cusack, jesse.cusack@oregonstate.edu
Last updated: March 25
Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations () Fall Mooring Cruise 2025
September 15 - September 30
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Annual survey to provide baseline fisheries and oceanographic data to support sustainable management of living resources in the Bering Sea and the rapidly changing US Arctic ecosystem.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Heather Tabisola, heather.tabisola@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
One Ocean Expedition 2
September 20 - October 4 (US Arctic Port Calls)
Port Call: Nome, AK
Port Call: Whittier, AK
Research location: Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Statsraad Lehmkuhl
Description: The One Ocean Expedition 2025–2026 is a year-long global voyage aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, aimed at raising awareness of the ocean’s role in sustainable development and contributing to the UN Ocean Decade. The expedition includes scientific research, education, and outreach events across Europe, the Arctic, and the U.S. West Coast, with a focus on youth engagement, innovation, and international collaboration.
For more information, contact: Geir Pedersen
Last updated: April 22
Aleutian Islands Region
Aleutian Seafloor Benthic Mapping and Characterization
June 15 - July 2
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: Central Aleutian Archipelago
Vessel: Atlantis
Description: This project will explore and provide initial characterization of high-priority sites in the Aleutian Islands during a ship- and submersible-based expedition. Research targets for exploration and characterization include coral and sponge communities, volcanoes and other seafloor hazards, gas seeps, hydrothermal vents, and potential critical seabed minerals. Primary operations will include data collection (e.g., video and biological, geological, and water samples) during submersible dives, CTD casts, and seafloor mapping.
For more information, contact: Amanda Demopoulos, ademopoulos@usgs.gov
Last updated: May 2
AEP Alaska W. Stock Steller Sea Lion Population and Vital Rates Summer Cruise
June 21 - July 9
Departs from: Adak, Alaska
Returns to: Adak, Alaska
Research location: Western Aleutian Islands
Vessel: RV/ Tiglax
Description: Visit known Steller sea lion sites to collect sightings of marked animals, collect remote camera imagery, and condcut counts (visual and surveys), collect sample for eDNA project.
For more information, contact: Tom Gelatt, tom.gelatt@noaa.gov; Brian Fadely, Brian.Fadely@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
Bering Sea
Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations () Spring Mooring Cruise 2025
April 24 - May 12
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Annual survey to provide baseline fisheries and oceanographic data to support sustainable management of living resources in the Bering Sea and the rapidly changing US Arctic ecosystem.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Heather Tabisola, heather.tabisola@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
Obata/Geo-Traces Cruise
May 29 - August 16
US Port Call: Dutch Harbor, July 4
Research location: Bering Sea
Vessel: Hakuho Maru
Description: This cruise, part of the international GEOTRACES program, will study trace elements and their isotopes (TEIs) in the Bering Sea and subarctic Pacific to better understand oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Researchers will collect air, water, sediment, and plankton samples using specialized clean techniques and instruments to analyze key trace metals and radionuclides.
For more information, contact: Hajime Obata
Last updated: April 22
Alaska Coastal Cooperative Convergence Science Cruise
July 23 - August 9
Departs from: Seward, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Eastern Bering Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Hydrographic and geological surveys across the Bering Sea and coastal Alaska will include mooring and buoy deployments, sediment core collection, and mapping to study ocean conditions, seabed features, and harmful algal blooms.
For more information, contact: Chris Maio, cvmaio@alaska.edu
Last updated: April 4
-C30 Arctic Cruise
July
Departs from: Victoria, B.C.
Returns to: Utqiagvik, AK
Research location: Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canada)
Description: Not provided
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu
Last updated: March 25
August 4 - September 24
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: Central Bering Sea and Southern Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Yushin Maru 2 (Japan)
Description: Visual and passive acoustic line transect survey for large whales to obtain abundance and density information, photo-ID photographs, and biopsy samples.
For more information, contact: Jessica Crance, jessica.crance@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
August 4 - September 24
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: Bering Sea
Vessel: F/V Northwest Explorer, F/V Alaska Knight
Description: Standardized bottom trawl survey of the groundfish and benthic invertebrate resources of the eastern and northern Bering Sea shelf
For more information, contact: Duane Stevenson, duane.stevenson@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
August 11 - September 6
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Northern Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: The Arctic Collaborative Ecosystem Cruise is a collective of researchers who conduct annual research surveys in late summer/early fall to address how changes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas are impacting the physics, chemistry, and Arctic ecosystem.
The goal of the research is to evaluate ecosystem status by collecting samples at various locations (stations) and to deploy and retrieve moorings. This is achieved by quantifying changes in the bottom dwelling community, physics and chemistry that impact the food web (including adult fish, marine mammals, and seabirds).
For more information, contact: Katrin Iken, kbiken@alaska.edu; Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Seth Danielson, sldanielson@alaska.edu; Jackie Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu
Last updated: April 9
August 29 - September 30
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: North Bering Sea
Vessel: Chartered Vessel
Description: Northern Bering Sea ecosystem and surface trawl survey.
For more information, contact: Jim Muphy, jim.murphy@noaa.gov; Katherine Howard, kathrine.howard@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 9
Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations () Fall Mooring Cruise 2025
September 15 - September 30
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Kodiak, Alaska
Research location: East Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Vessel: Oscar Dyson ()
Description: Annual survey to provide baseline fisheries and oceanographic data to support sustainable management of living resources in the Bering Sea and the rapidly changing US Arctic ecosystem.
For more information, contact: Phyllis Stabeno, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov; Heather Tabisola, heather.tabisola@noaa.gov
Last updated: April 10
One Ocean Expedition 2
September 20 - October 4 (US Arctic Port Calls)
Port Call: Nome, AK
Port Call: Whittier, AK
Research location: Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Statsraad Lehmkuhl
Description: The One Ocean Expedition 2025–2026 is a year-long global voyage aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, aimed at raising awareness of the ocean’s role in sustainable development and contributing to the UN Ocean Decade. The expedition includes scientific research, education, and outreach events across Europe, the Arctic, and the U.S. West Coast, with a focus on youth engagement, innovation, and international collaboration.
For more information, contact: Geir Pedersen
Last updated: April 22
Chukchi & Beaufort Seas
June 2 - 30
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Norseman II
Description: This project will focus on collection of genetic biopsy samples and age structure data from free ranging Pacific walruses. This is a second cruise in a series of 3-5 annual cruises aimed at obtaining updated estimates of walrus population abundance, trend, and demographic parameters.
For more information, contact: William Beatty, wbeatty@usgs.gov
Last updated: March 31
K-AWARE
July 20 - August 19 (U.S. sampling dates)
Departs from: Nome, AK
Returns to: Nome, AK
Research location: Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Araon (South Korea)
Description: The K-AWARE project aims to identify environmental parameters that are changing because of sea ice decreases in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas, and predict patterns of environmental change. Sampling on this cruise will include physical oceanography (CTD casts, underway measurements of surface temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence), biological oceanography (niskin water sampling, phytoplankton net, EK80 scientific wide-band echo sounder), and chemical oceanography (pCO2 system, box coring). In addition, the cruise will measure atmospheric chemistry (black carbon, air temperature/pressure/humidity, ozone, aerosols) and atmospheric physics.
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu; Eun-Jin Yang, ejyang@kopri.re.kr
Last updated: April 7
July 2-10
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Norseman II
Description: Research activities include mooring recovery and redeployment, hydrographic sections with water sampling for nutrients and trace metals.
For more information, contact: Rebecca Woodgate, woodgate@uw.edu
Last updated: April 23
-C30 Arctic Cruise
July 17-28
Departs from: Nome, AK
Returns to: Utqiagvik, AK
Research location: Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canada)
Description: Annual Distributed Biological Observatory () cruise at standard time series stations for physical, biogeochemical, and biological measurements to track status and change of the marine ecosystem.
For more information, contact: Jacqueline Grebmeier, jgrebmei@umces.edu
Last updated: April 30
August 4 - September 24
Departs from: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Returns to: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Research location: Central Bering Sea and Southern Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Yushin Maru 2 (Japan)
Description: Visual and passive acoustic line transect survey for large whales to obtain abundance and density information, photo-ID photographs, and biopsy samples.
For more information, contact: Jessica Crance, jessica.crance@noaa.gov
Last updated: March 25
August 11 - September 6
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: Sampling will take place at stations near Hanna Shoal to collect water column and benthic data and turn around the CEO mooring cluster, supporting long-term ecosystem monitoring and collaboration between the and CEO programs.
For more information, contact: Seth Danielson, sldanielson@alaska.edu; Katrin Iken, kbiken@alaska.edu
Last updated: April 4
MR25-Fujiwara Cruise
August 17 - October 23
Port Call: Dutch Harbor, August 28
Research location: Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea. East Siberian Sea
Vessel: Mirai (Japan)
Description: This cruise aboard MIRAI will survey the Chukchi, Beaufort, and East Siberian Seas to study the impact of Pacific-origin water on Arctic warming, sea ice loss, and ecosystem change. Research includes hydrographic, biogeochemical, and sediment sampling, mooring operations, and drone-based observations in marginal ice zones to support future Arctic climate modeling.
For more information, contact: Fujiwara Amane
Last updated: April 22
CHARCOT 2
September 5 - 25
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Research location: Arctic Ocean
Vessel: Le Commandant Charcot (Compagnie du Ponant)
Description: The overarching goal is to contribute to understanding of the current state, and transformation of, water masses, sea ice, marine ecosystems, carbon cycling, and plastisphere. The CHARCOT project also considers vessel performance and ethnographic studies of polar scientific expeditions. Proposed scientific sampling includes (1) seawater sampling by means of Niskin bottles at the 15 stations by a CTD, (2) plankton sampling and imaging using underwater imaging instruments attached to a cage deployed from crane/winch, and (3) measurements of sea ice, including mechanical properties and thickness. Drone flights and ice coring will be conducted, and (4) atmospheric sampling and underway weather data will be taken from the ship using the vessel weather station.
For more information, contact: Maurizio Azzaro, maurizio.azzaro@cnr.it
Last updated: April 22
One Ocean Expedition 2
September 20 - October 4 (US Arctic Port Calls)
Port Call: Nome, AK
Port Call: Whittier, AK
Research location: Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea
Vessel: Statsraad Lehmkuhl
Description: The One Ocean Expedition 2025–2026 is a year-long global voyage aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, aimed at raising awareness of the ocean’s role in sustainable development and contributing to the UN Ocean Decade. The expedition includes scientific research, education, and outreach events across Europe, the Arctic, and the U.S. West Coast, with a focus on youth engagement, innovation, and international collaboration.
For more information, contact: Geir Pedersen
Last updated: April 22
September - October
Departs from: Kodiak, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: East Siberian Sea
Vessel: USCGC Healy
Description: The overarching goal of the NABOS project is to build a cohesive picture of climatic changes in the Siberian Arctic Ocean placing these regional changes in a broad spatiotemporal context. In response to the observed dramatic reduction of sea ice, one focus of the NABOS team has been an investigation into the mechanisms behind recent sea-ice reduction.The NABOS team investigates multiple oceanographic research areas, including: circulation patterns, changes in thermodynamic state, mixing rates, chemical composition, and sea ice.
For more information, contact: Igor Polyakov, ivpolyakov@alaska.edu; Laura Whitmore, lmwhitmore@alaska.edu
Last updated: March 25
September - October
Departs from: Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada
Returns to: Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada
Research location: Beaufort Sea
Vessel: Louis S. St.-Laurent (Canada)
Description: The Beaufort Gyre is one of the Arctic Ocean’s primary circulation features, storing and transporting freshwater, sea ice, and heat across the Canadian Basin, and is a critical part of the regional and global climate system. Since 2003, during a time of unprecedented change, the Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project has provided continuous monitoring of conditions in the region and established a strong foundation that is vital for understanding the current state and future trajectories of the Arctic Ocean environment.
For more information, contact: Mary-Louise Timmermans, mary-louise.timmermans@yale.edu
Last updated: March 31
October 17 - November 11
Departs from: Nome, Alaska
Returns to: Nome, Alaska
Research location: Beaufort Sea
Vessel: Sikuliaq ()
Description: This cruise will study the transition from open water to landfast ice near Oliktok Point, Alaska, using moorings, seafloor sensors, ship-based instruments, and drones to monitor ocean and ice conditions along three transects. About a dozen moorings will be deployed, with half recovered at the end of the cruise and the rest left for summer retrieval.
For more information, contact: Madison Smith, madisonmsmith@whoi.edu
Last updated: April 4
North Atlantic Ocean
Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland Project
TBD
Departs from: TBD
Returns to: TBD
Research location: Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland
Vessel: Tarajoq
Description: Not provided
For more information, contact: Fiametta Straneo, fstraneo@uscd.edu
Last updated: March 25