2024 Ice Seal Research in Alaska Photo Gallery
What does ice seal research in Alaska look like? Explore our photo gallery to see photos from scientists in the field.
NOAA Fisheries scientists conduct several regular surveys and field projects on ice seals in Alaskan waters to gather information to be used to manage seal populations.
Four species of ice-associated seals that inhabit the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of the Alaskan Arctic include:
Below are photos from the 2024 survey currently underway:
An adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests in the sunshine on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Photo taken wh...
A ribbon seal pup peers over a tuft of snow on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Ribbon seal pups are born with a white lan...
Researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Marine Mammal Laboratory, Gavin Brady (left) and Peter Mahoney (r...
Researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Marine Mammal Laboratory, Peter Mahoney (left) and Gavin Brady (r...
Researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Marine Mammal Laboratory, Peter Mahoney (left) and Gavin Brady (r...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Photo taken from a small UAS...
An adult female bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and her pup (left) hauled out on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credi...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) hauled out on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) looks around among ice floes in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheri...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) swims at the surface among ice floes in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA...
Scientist from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kyle Kolda, observes a ribbon seal through a scope from the top deck ...
Kyle Kolda is a graduate student researcher at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is working in collaboration with N...
Ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea) perched on an ice floe in the western Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Josh M London.
A northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) glides over the water in the Bering Sea with it's wingtip briefly touching the su...
A northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) in flight. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Josh M London.
Adult female bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and pup as they rest in the sunshine on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. C...
Infrared image of an adult female bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and pup as they rest in the sunshine on an ice floe...
Spotted seal triad resting on an ice floe. A triad consists of a female and pup, with a male suitor. Credit: NOAA Fisher...
Female spotted seal nurses her pup on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Gavin M Brady. Photo taken w...
A ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) pup rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jessica M Linds...
A ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) pup rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea, looking up toward the sky. Credit:NOAA...
A ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) pup rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jessica M Linds...
A subadult female spotted seal (Phoca largha) with a newly applied satellite transmitter that will record data on her lo...
A killer whale (Orcinus orca) surfaces between ice floes in the Bering Sea, showing its tall dorsal fin. Credit: NOAA Fi...
A ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) pup rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea, looking back over its shoulder. Credit...
A spotted seal (Phoca largha) pup rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. The pup is starting to shed its white coat fro...
An adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jessica...
An adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) stretches his hind flippers on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Credit: ...
Researcher Skyla Walcott prepares a young male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) for release after measuring and taggi...
Research scientist Skyla Walcott surveys the sea ice for seals from the bird box of the R/V Norseman II (SVA). Credit: N...
Researchers (from left to right) Stacie DiRocco, Jessica Lindsay, and Heather Ziel survey the sea ice for seals from the...
Group photo of the researchers participating on the 2024 Ice Seal Research Cruise. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Skyla M Walcot...
Veterinarian Stacie DiRocco holds a ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) pup while measurements are taken to assess the a...
Adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) heads back to the water after being outfitted with a tag that helps res...
Adult female spotted seal (Phoca largha) heads back to the water after being outfitted with a tag that helps researchers...
Principal Investigator Heather Ziel launches a drone to survey a nearby resting female bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus...
A combination of rough seas and cold temperatures in the Bering Sea produced freezing spray that covered the sides of th...
Researchers (from left to right) Peter Mahoney, Gavin Brady, Kyle Kolda, Josh London, Brett McClintock, and Skyla Walcot...
Chief Scientist Heather Ziel looks out at the sea ice, with the R/V Norseman II (SVA) in the background. Credit: NOAA Fi...
Researchers Kyle Kolda (left) and Josh London (right) stand in a small inflatable boat, looking across the sea ice to th...
Researchers Kyle Kolda (left) and Gavin Brady (right) prepare to capture a young ribbon seal who is hidden behind ice re...
Researchers Gavin Brady (left) and Jessica Lindsay (right) measure a subadult spotted seal (Phoca largha) on an ice floe...
Researcher from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kyle Kolda, measures the blubber depth of an adult female ribbon sea...
Summer Bay, Unalaska. Credit: Gavin M Brady/NOAA Fisheries
A break in the fog grants a brief glimpse of the sun. Poor visibility is a common challenge when searching for seals fro...
Researcher Peter Mahoney driving as the small boats depart the R/V Norseman II to search for seals. Credit: Gavin M Brad...
The research vessel Norseman II pushes carefully through the ice, maneuvering for open water. Credit: Gavin M Brady/NOAA...
Heavy snowfall fills the inflatable Zodiac boats on the upper deck of research vessel Norseman II. Credit: Gavin M Brady...
A rare mirror calm day out on the water. Credit: Gavin M Brady/NOAA Fisheries.
A rare mirror calm day out on the water. Credit: Gavin M Brady/NOAA Fisheries.
A mackerel sky promises incoming weather as NOAA researchers in small inflatable boats move slowly through the ice, sear...
Days out searching for seals can be long and cold. Here the researchers gather for a quick huddle, a bite to eat, and pe...
The research vessel Norseman II settles in for the night. Credit: Gavin M Brady/NOAA Fisheries.
The R/V Norseman II shelters behind St. George Island on the transit north to the ice during high winds and freezing spr...
The R/V Norseman II shelters behind St. George Island on the transit north to the ice during high winds and freezing spr...
The fieldwork to capture, sample, and tag ice seals involves a wide variety of equipment that is required for sampling s...
Researcher Gavin Brady (right) pilots a small uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in for recovery as researcher Peter Mahoney (...
The seascape environment in the Bering Sea where we worked was incredible and somewhat otherworldly; we moved through ar...
The R/V Norseman II moves through the ice on a rare bright sunny day. Credit: Heather L Ziel/NOAA Fisheries.
The sea ice and clouds and partial sun in the Bering Sea combined to create some extraordinary scenery. Credit: Heather ...
We rarely saw the sunset on this trip because it was cloudy most days, but we did get to see a few spectacular sunsets o...
A young-of-the-year spotted seal rests on an ice floe only a few yards from the back deck of the R/V Norseman II. This a...
The R/V Norseman II was our home for 6 weeks on the Bering Sea. They provided the most incredible support for all aspect...
Researcher Jessie Lindsay and veterinarian Stacy DiRocco in the small boat, ready to search for and capture seals on a s...
Researchers in the small boats look for a seal that has been spotted in the distance by one of the boats. When someone s...
When the sun came out, the light at the end of the day on the sea ice with the low clouds was remarkable. Credit: Heathe...
Researchers Kyle Kolda, Jessie Lindsay, Skyla Walcott, and Gavin Brady climb up a taller ice floe to get a better perspe...
Researchers Josh London, Brett McClintock, and Peter Mahoney are drivers of the small boats, and they wait in the small ...
Researchers Brett McClintock (left) and Skyla Walcott (right) in the small boat with boxes and bags of sampling gear, re...
Researcher Kyle Kolda waits to be picked up from an ice floe with a box of scat that he just collected. When we attempt ...
Researcher Skyla Walcott releasing a weaned female ribbon seal after a successful sampling procedure. Photo taken while ...
Ice floes in the Bering Sea act as important habitat for seals to rest, pup, and molt. Credit: Kyle P Kolda/NOAA Fisheri...
Researcher Jessie Lindsay releases a subadult spotted seal (Phoca largha) after a successful sampling procedure. Photo t...
The R/V Norseman II (SVA) floating amid light pack ice in the Bering Sea. Credit: Jessica M Lindsay/NOAA Fisheries.
A subadult female spotted seal (Phoca largha) with a newly applied satellite transmitter that will record data on her lo...
Researcher Kyle Kolda gently restrains a young-of-the-year spotted seal (Phoca largha) in preparation for its release. P...
A spotted seal (Phoca largha) pup rests on sea ice in the Bering Sea. The pup is starting to shed its white coat from it...
Researcher Peter Mahoney, equipped with protective gloves and helmet, prepares to hand-catch a small uncrewed aerial sys...
Sunset over a seascape of pack ice in the Bering Sea. Credit: Jessica M Lindsay/NOAA Fisheries.
The sun sets over a seascape of pack ice off the side of the R/V Norseman II (SVA), with the ship railing visible in the...
A young spotted seal (Phoca largha) resting on an ice floe alongside the R/V Norseman II (SVA). The seal is partway thro...
A ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) mother and pup rest on pack ice in the Bering Sea. Photo taken while working under...
A young-of-the-year ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) with a new satellite tag that will record data on his location a...
A young-of-the-year ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) with a new satellite tag that will record data on his location a...
A young-of-the-year ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) with a new satellite tag that will record data on his location a...
Researcher Kyla Kolda releases an adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) after a successful sampling procedure. ...
An adult male ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seal rests on an ice floe after a successful sampling procedure. Photo take...
A closeup of an adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) resting on an ice floe. Photo taken while working under a...
An adult male ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seal rests on an ice floe after being released by the research team. The R/...
A closeup of a white-coated ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) on an ice floe. Photo taken while working under auth...
A white-coated ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) resting on sea ice. Photo taken while working under authority of ...
Researchers Kyle Kolda (left) and Josh London (right) approach a ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) to retrieve the...
A white-coated ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) resting on sea ice. Photo taken while working under authority of ...
Researchers Josh London (left) and Kyle Kolda (right) approach a ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) to retrieve the...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on the sea ice after being released by the research team. The ...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on the sea ice after being released by the research team. The ...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on the sea ice after being released by the research team. The ...
A subadult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) is moved in a hoop net in preparation for release. The transmitter...
An adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) in an area of densely packed ice floes. This seal was too far back in ...
Researcher Skyla Walcott prepares to release a subadult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) after a successful sa...
The research team wraps up their sampling for the day while the sun sets in the background. Photo taken while working un...
A closeup of an adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata). Photo taken while working under authority of NMFS Rese...
Researchers Kyle Kolda (left) and Josh London (right) approach an adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) to re...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) with a newly applied transmitter on the top of her head. The transmi...
An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) with a newly applied transmitter on the top of her head. The transmi...
A young-of-the-year spotted seal (Phoca largha) at the edge of an ice floe after a successful sampling procedure. The tr...
View of the ice floes visible from the top deck of the R/V Norseman II (SVA). Ice floes in the Bering Sea often congrega...
Josh London and Kyle Kolda pictured infront of the R/V Norseman II (SVA) during a boat launch. The maneuverability of th...
Sunset in the Bering Sea. Credit: Kyle P Kolda/NOAA Fisheries.
Ribbon seal pup (Histriophoca fasciata) with a lanugo coat rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Photo taken while wor...
Resarchers, Josh London (left) and Skyla Walcott (right), dry the nape of an adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasc...
Tracks of a spotted seal (Phoca largha) imprinted onto an ice floe. Credit: Kyle P Kolda/NOAA Fisheries.
Researcher Jessie Lindsay lightly restrains a male young-of-the-year spotted seal (Phoca largha). The transmitter on the...
Researchers enjoy the last bits of land, prior to departing from Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fish...
Small boats are pumped up and prepared prior to departing Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Bald eagle catches a ride on the A frame of the Norseman II, just outside Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/...
Researchers check and restrap small boats after heavy storms during the transit have jostled boats around. Credit: Skyla...
Researchers check and restrap small boats after heavy storms during the transit have jostled boats around. Credit: Skyla...
View from inside the support vessel shows safety bars encased with snow. Crew experienced 50knt winds and freezing sleet...
Research crew awaits craning back up onto the Norseman II. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
View from the bird box of an icy and foggy vista. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
A view of the craning system of the Norseman II research vessel. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Satellite tags are prepared for deployment each day prior to departing on the small boats. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA ...
View from the side deck of the Norseman II, looking out at chunks of sea ice. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Teams rotate taking turns searching for seals from the wheelhouse of the Norseman II. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fishe...
Small boats often raft up towards an ice floe to discuss plans. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Researchers take a short break to stretch and rest arms after a long day of searching for seals. Credit: Skyla M Walcott...
Seal tracks on an ice floe show how the animal moves its body along a few inches at a time. Forward flippers help to mov...
Sea ice is formed in stages, grease ice is an early stage which resembles an oil slick. Grease ice can be seen here amon...
Researcher keeps a hand on a drone, while others prepare the datasheets for launch. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheri...
Researchers go through a flight checklist prior to each flight. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Flying drones from the deck of the Norseman II. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Flying drones from the deck of the Norseman II. Credit: Skylar M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Hoar frost can be seen on ice floes during conditions of extreme cold. The crystals can be beautiful in the setting sunl...
Sunsets in the Bering sea get to be later and later in the day, as the calendar approaches summer solstice. Credit: Skyl...
Research crew learns to navigate the Norseman II. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries.
Group photo of the researchers participating on the 2024 Ice Seal Research Cruise. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisherie...
Researcher Gavin Brady (left) operates a small uncrewed aerial system (UAS) over an adult male ribbon seal (Histriophoca...
Water samples are collected at various depths in order to assess what kinds of prey items can be found in the water colu...
Researchers Jessie Lindsay (left), Heather Ziel (middle), and Josh London (right) prepare to attach a flipper tag to an ...
While processing an animal, boats are often pulled up onto an ice floe, or tied off so researchers can access gear and k...
Spotted seal released after handling. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheries. Photo taken while working under authority ...
Researchers Gavin Brady (left) and Kyle Kolda (right) collect scat samples on an ice floe. Scat samples provide key info...
Seal tracks on an ice floe show how the animal moves its body along a few inches at a time. Forward flippers help to mov...
Female ribbon seal with newly attached tag on her head. This type of GPS datalogger gives researchers information on whe...
Spotted seal departs an ice floe after being outfitted with two new satellite tags. Credit: Skyla M Walcott/NOAA Fisheri...
Occasionally, a seal will be resting on a floe that is too small for researchers to sample on, so they must be carefully...
Researchers carefully keep track of how many seals were captured. They use special codes called SPENOs to keep track of ...
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