Alaska Fish Research Surveys
NOAA Fisheries scientists conduct a variety of ongoing field studies and surveys to help us better understand and predict marine life abundance in Alaska. We also collect a variety of information about the environment in which they live.
Field Season Research Briefs
- 2025 Alaska Fisheries Science Center Field Season and Program Updates
- 2024 Alaska Fisheries Science Center Field Season
- 2023 Alaska Fisheries Science Center Field Season
Sablefish
Pacific Cod Satellite Tagging
Image
Location
Aleutian Island subareas (NOAA Fisheries Service areas 541, 542 543) and adjoining state waters around the Aleutian Island chain; Bering Sea with focus of the Northern Bering Sea waters around St. Lawrence Island.
Timing
February–September
Description
We capture live Pacific cod and release them after attaching satellite tags. We work aboard commercial fishing vessels that have agreed to make gear sets to specifically capture Pacific cod and not fish for commercial purposes. In the Aleutians, we capture Pacific cod with pots or trawl nets. In the Northern Bering Sea, we work with Alaska Native community members and longline fishermen.
Contact
Susanne Mcdermott (email: susanne.mcdermott@noaa.gov)
Winter Pollock Survey of the Bering Sea/Bogoslof
Image
Location
Eastern Bering Sea, Bogoslof Island region.
Timing
February–March
Description
The Winter Acoustic-Trawl Survey eastern Bering Sea/Bogoslof is conducted in even years. Using a combination of sonar and trawl catches, we obtain an estimate of midwater abundance and information on the location of spawning walleye pollock in the deep waters of the eastern Bering Sea. This region used to support a large international fishery for pollock but resource managers closed the area to fishing after the walleye pollock population collapsed. We use the estimated abundance and biomass and other information on sex, ovary weight, size (length and weight), otoliths (ear bones to determine age) in the biennial Bogoslof Island pollock stock assessment. We also collect information on other species of ecological and commercial interest during the survey. Abundance estimates from this acoustic-trawl survey of pre-spawning pollock are critical to pollock stock assessment, and are used by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for setting pollock fishery quotas in the Bering Sea. As a signatory member of the Central Bering Sea Convention, the U.S. is obligated to conduct this survey to manage pollock in the International Zone (Donut Hole).
Contact
Patrick Ressler (email: patrick.ressler@noaa.gov)
Sandy Parker-Stetter (email: sandy.parker-stetter@noaa.gov)
Winter Pollock Survey of the Gulf of Alaska/Kenai Peninsula
Image
Location
Gulf of Alaska including Shelikof Strait and vicinity (e.g., Chirikof Island shelf break, Marmot Bay) and the Shumagin Islands and vicinity (e.g., Sanak Trough, Morzhovoi Bay), the Gulf of Alaska bays of the Kenai Peninsula, and Prince William Sound.
Timing
February–March
Description
Winter Acoustic-Trawl Surveys in the Gulf of Alaska are conducted annually. They use a combination of sonar and trawl catch to obtain an estimate of midwater abundance and information on the location of pre-spawning walleye pollock in the vicinity of the Shumagin Islands, Shelikof Strait, Kodiak Island, the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound during late winter and early spring. We use data and information including biomass and abundance, sex, size (length and weight), weight of ovaries, otoliths (ear bones to estimate age) and other information in the annual Gulf of Alaska pollock stock assessment. We also collect information on other species of ecological and commercial interest (e.g., krill and rockfish) and on environmental conditions. Abundance estimates from this acoustic-trawl survey of pre-spawning pollock are critical to pollock stock assessment, and are used by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for setting pollock fishery quotas in the Gulf of Alaska.
Contact
Patrick Ressler (email: patrick.ressler@noaa.gov)
Sandy Parker-Stetter (email: sandy.parker-stetter@noaa.gov)
Spring Larval Fish and Eggs Survey in Southeastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Image
Location
Shelikof Strait and sea valley and Gulf of Alaska, and the Bering Sea
Timing
May–June
Description
The Spring Ichthyoplankton Survey is conducted in alternating years in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. We assess survey abundance of walleye pollock larvae and other groundfish species. We collect a variety of information on zooplankton (animal) and phytoplankton (zooplankton) time and sea ice permitting. We also examine the interactions among climate, weather, and oceanography and how these factors affect larval fish survival and transport.
Contact
Libby Logerwell (email: libby.logerwell@noaa.gov)
Spring and Fall Plankton and Oceanographic Surveys
Image
Location
Southeastern Bering Sea Continental Slope and Shelf and Gulf of Alaska
Timing
April–May/September
Description
EcoFOCI Eastern Bering Sea/Gulf of Alaska Spring and Fall Mooring Surveys are conducted in collaboration with scientists from NOAA Research’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. During this survey we recover and deploy surface and subsurface moorings along the 70 m isobath each year in the spring and fall. We collect oceanographic data on currents, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. We also conduct net tows around the moorings at the time of the mooring deployments to assess the zoo- and ichthyoplankton community (animal and plant plankton community). We also conduct a subset of tows using a Bongo net around the "Unimak Box" to examine plankton community composition.
Contact
Libby Logerwell (email: libby.logerwell@noaa.gov)
Phyllis Stabeno (email: phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov)
Sablefish and Groundfish Longline Survey
Image
Location
Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea
Timing
May–September
Description
This is an annual three-month longline survey. We gather biological data to help estimate the population size and health of several major groundfish species, in particular sablefish, turbot, Pacific cod, turbot. We use hook-and-line gear to fish the ocean floor at depths from 200 to 1,000 m. We also collect temperature and depth information. We conduct the survey in the Gulf of Alaska every year, the Bering Sea in odd numbered years, and the Aleutian Islands in even-numbered years. This survey is a cooperative venture with a contracted commercial vessel. After data have been collected, contracted vessels process and sell the catch, using the revenue to pay for survey operations.
Contact
Chris Lunsford (email: chris.lunsford@noaa.gov)
Pat Malecha (email: pat.malecha@noaa.gov)
Juvenile Sablefish Tagging Survey
Image
Since 1985, sablefish have been tagged as juveniles (age-1) in nearshore shallow bays (predominately in inside southeast Alaska waters) with both external T-bar anchor tags and internally placed archival tags. Juvenile sablefish tagging has helped track ontogenetic movement into deeper waters of the slope and determine the age of recruitment into the fishery. In addition, otoliths recovered from these tagged fish have been used to validate otolith ageing. Young sablefish routinely undertake migrations of a thousand miles or more.
Contact
Chris Lunsford (email: chris.lunsford@noaa.gov)
Katy Echave (email: katy.echave@noaa.gov)
Summer Pollock Survey
Image
Location
Eastern Bering Sea Continental Shelf; Gulf of Alaska
Timing
June–August
Description
The Summer Acoustic-Trawl Survey alternates every other year between the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Using a combination of sonar and trawl catches, we estimate midwater walleye pollock size and age distribution. In even years, the survey is conducted across the southeastern Bering Sea shelf and in odd years, it is conducted in the Gulf of Alaska shelf and bays. We also collect data on other fish species of interest (rockfishes, forage fishes), plankton species (e.g., euphausiids) and information on the physical environment (e.g., temperature, salinity, etc.). The fish data obtained from the survey are an important contribution to the annual stock assessment of Bering Sea pollock and are used by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for setting pollock fishery quotas in the Bering Sea. Data on euphausiids are now incorporated into Ecosystem Status Reports.
Contact
Patrick Ressler (email: patrick.ressler@noaa.gov)
Sandy Parker-Stetter (email: sandy.parker-stetter@noaa.gov)
Southeast Coastal Monitoring Age-0 Groundfish and Salmon Survey
Image
Location
Gulf of Alaska and inside waters of southeastern Alaska
Timing
June–September
Description
The Southeast Coastal Monitoring (SECM) survey has assessed the status of the pelagic ecosystem in Southeast Alaska (SEAK) annually since 1997 using fish, zooplankton, and oceanographic samples. It is one of the longest continuous annual survey of its type in the North Pacific. Juvenile fish abundance and oceanographic data collected during SECM have provided reliable forecasts of abundance of commercially important species to SEAK fisheries managers and stakeholders. SECM data is also used to describe ecological response to climate change. In 2018 SECM survey became a partnership between NOAA and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and is currently funded by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Northern Fund and the 2016 Gulf of Alaska pink salmon fishery disaster relief fund.
Contact
Andrew Gray (email: andrew.gray@noaa.gov)
Juvenile Pacific Cod Near-Shore Survey
Image
Location
Kodiak near shore waters
Timing
July–December
Description
This survey is conducted via small boat and seine nets to evaluate the seasonal habitat use and movements by juvenile Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska. Demersal beach seine surveys sample juvenile fish after their settlement in nursery habitats and provide the only reliable measures of age-0 and age-1 abundance of commercially important gadids in some ecosystems. Seine surveys typically collect post-settled age-0 gadids in 2-4 m of water during late summer/early fall at densities of several orders of magnitude higher than those reported offshore. As such, seine surveys offer a means of understanding 1st year of life survival.
Contact
Ben Laurel (email: ben.laurel@noaa.gov)
Eastern Bering Sea Shelf Bottom Trawl Survey
Location
The continental shelf of the eastern Bering Sea from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Strait
Timing
May–August
Description
The eastern Bering Sea bottom trawl survey has been conducted annually since 1982. During this multispecies survey, we monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species as well as oceanographic data (e.g., water temperature, depth). We collect biological information such as organism weight, length, stomachs to learn about diets, and otoliths to determine fish ages. Focus species for the Bering Sea include walleye pollock, Pacific cod, Greenland turbot, yellowfin sole, northern rock sole, red king crab, and snow and Tanner crabs. We use this information in annual stock assessments and to assess the state of the ecosystem. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels using a stratified systematic sampling survey design with fixed stations. Learn more about the Groundfish Assessment Program.
Contact
Duane Stevenson (email: duane.stevenson@noaa.gov)
nmfs.afsc.gap.metadata@noaa.gov
Northern Bering Sea Shelf Bottom Trawl Survey
Location
The continental shelf of the northern Bering Sea, including the area north of St. Lawrence Island and Norton Sound
Timing
August
Description
The northern Bering Sea bottom trawl survey is a multispecies survey that has been conducted intermittently since 2010. We collect environmental and biological data to assess how climate variability and loss of sea ice are affecting bottom-dwelling marine life on the Bering Sea shelf. Similar to the eastern Bering Sea shelf bottom trawl survey, we monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species as well as oceanographic data (e.g., water temperature, depth). We collect biological information such as organism weight, length, stomachs to learn about diets, and otoliths to determine fish ages. We use this information in annual stock assessments and to assess the state of the ecosystem. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels using a stratified systematic sampling survey design with fixed stations. Learn more about the Groundfish Assessment Program.
Contact
Duane Stevenson (email: duane.stevenson@noaa.gov)
nmfs.afsc.gap.metadata@noaa.gov
Eastern Bering Sea Upper Continental Slope Bottom Trawl Survey
Location
The eastern Bering Sea upper continental slope survey area extends from Unalaska and Akutan Islands to the U.S.-Russian Maritime Boundary at 61° N near the International Date Line (166° E to 180° W) at depths from 200 to 1,200 m
Timing
June–August
Description
The eastern Bering Sea upper continental slope bottom trawl survey is a multispecies survey that has been conducted intermittently since 2002. During this multispecies survey, we monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species as well as oceanographic data (e.g., water temperature, depth). We collect biological information such as organism weight, length, stomachs to learn about diets, and otoliths to determine fish ages. We use this information in annual stock assessments and to assess the state of the ecosystem. Focus species for the Bering Sea slope include giant grenadier, Pacific ocean perch, popeye grenadier, walleye pollock, and arrowtooth flounder. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels using a stratified random sampling survey design. Learn more about the Groundfish Assessment Program.
Contact
Jerry Hoff (email: jerry.hoff@noaa.gov) and Duane Stevenson (email: duane.stevenson@noaa.gov)
nmfs.afsc.gap.metadata@noaa.gov
Gulf of Alaska Bottom Trawl Survey
Location
Continental Shelf and Upper Slope of the Gulf of Alaska extending from the Islands of Four Mountains 2,300 km east to Dixon Entrance
Timing
May–August
Description
The Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl survey is a multispecies survey that has been conducted in odd years annually since 1991. During this multispecies survey, we monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species as well as oceanographic data (e.g., water temperature, depth). We collect biological information such as organism weight, length, stomachs to learn about diets, and otoliths to determine fish ages. Important commercial species in the Gulf of Alaska include walleye pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, Pacific ocean perch, and other rockfish species. We use this information in annual stock assessments and to assess the state of the ecosystem. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels using a stratified random sampling survey design. Learn more about the Groundfish Assessment Program.
Contact
Ned Laman (email: ned.laman@noaa.gov)
nmfs.afsc.gap.metadata@noaa.gov
Aleutian Islands Bottom Trawl Survey
Location
Upper Continental Slope of the Aleutian Islands from Unimak Pass to Stalemate Bank
Timing
May–August
Description
The Aleutian Islands bottom trawl survey is a multispecies survey that has been conducted in even years annually since 1992. During this multispecies survey, we monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species as well as oceanographic data (e.g., water temperature, depth). We collect biological information such as organism weight, length, stomachs to learn about diets, and otoliths to determine fish ages. Important commercial fish species include Atka mackerel, walleye pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, and other rockfish species. We use this information in annual stock assessments and to assess the state of the ecosystem. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels using a stratified random sampling survey design. Learn more about the Groundfish Assessment Program.
Contact
Ned Laman (email: ned.laman@noaa.gov)
nmfs.afsc.gap.metadata@noaa.gov
Northern Bering Sea Ecosystem Survey
Image
Location
Northern Bering Sea to southern Chukchi Sea - (60N to 69.5N)
Timing
August–September
Description
The Northern Bering Sea Surface Trawl survey is conducted to collect information on cod and other bony fish, and forage fish (e.g., herring, capelin, sandlance, mackerel, etc.) and western Alaska salmon stocks. We are also seeking to understand the impact of loss of sea ice on the eastern Bering Sea food chain, walleye pollock larval survival and ecosystem. Partners in this survey include the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and the Alaska Pacific University. This survey has been conducted annually since 2002. It is often referred to by the scientific community as the Bering Arctic Subarctic Integrated Survey (BASIS).
Contact
Ed Farley (email: ed.farley@noaa.gov)
Jim Murphy (email: jim.murphy@noaa.gov)
Fall Juvenile Fish Survey in the Southeastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Image
Location
Eastern Bering Sea (even years); Coastal Gulf of Alaska (odd years)
Timing
September
Description
The Fall Juvenile Fish Survey is conducted in alternating years in the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. We monitor the ecosystem, age-0 pollock abundance and distribution and other studies. We conduct the survey in the Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, Semidi Islands vicinities in odd years. In even years, we conduct the survey over the southeastern Bering Sea shelf.
Contact (Bering Sea)
Elizabeth Siddon (email: elizabeth.siddon@noaa.gov)
Ed Farley (email: ed.farley@noaa.gov)
Contact (Gulf of Alaska)
Julie Keister (email: julie.keister@noaa.gov)
Year-Round Monitoring of Pollock Movements in Eastern Bering Sea
Image
Location
Eastern Bering Sea, U.S./Russian Convention Line
Timing
Year round
Description
We are trying to quantify seasonal movements of walleye pollock across the US/Russia boundary, and predict how climate variability will affect these migrations. We have developed an innovative seafloor-mounted upward-looking echosounder (SME) technology to quantify the directional movements of fish over extended periods. A relatively sparse array of SMEs can quantify the direction and magnitude of pollock movement across the US-Russia Convention line in the Bering Sea throughout the year. These cost-effective SMEs will also be equipped with sensors to collect physical oceanographic data, which will be linked to the migratory behavior. This study, the first of its kind, will provide estimates of movement dynamics of Bering Sea pollock, and the extent that this species exhibits seasonal transboundary movements.
Contact
Alex DeRobertis (email: alex.derobertis@noaa.gov)
Additional Resources
- Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work
- Alaska Stock Assessments
- Groundfish and Shellfish Assessment Surveys Sample Request Instructions
- Essential Fish Habitat Research Plan in Alaska
- Research on Surveying Untrawlable Habitats in Alaska
- Alaska Groundfish Survey Data Map
- Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey Protocols
- North Pacific Groundfish Stock Assessments
- Groundfish Species and Survey Codebook