Climate planning for fishing communities
Advancing an understanding of climate adaptation and resilience in Gulf of Alaska fishing communities About our ProjectWhat is the problem?
Warming temperatures and extreme weather in the Gulf of Alaska are undermining marine ecosystems and disrupting ways of life. Our work supports resilience in the fishing communities of Cordova, Kodiak, and Sitka by developing fisheries climate adaptation plans that maintain fisheries and a thriving blue economy, protect ecosystems, and promote energy independence and economic diversification.
This work is being led by community organizations – Prince William Sound Science Center (Cordova), the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (Kodiak), and the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (Sitka). These organizations are working alongside scientists from the NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Alaska Sea Grant, the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System.
Our research is centered around three major fishing communities:
Cordova
A fishing community in Prince William Sound, Cordova thrives on the rich salmon runs of the Copper River Delta, doubling its population in the summer.
Sitka
Kodiak
Meet Our Team
Project Leads
About Marysia
Marysia Szymkowiak is a Research Social Scientist with NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Juneau, Alaska, working with fishermen and fishing communities to understand how to shape local and regional resilience in the face of multiple stressors.
About Natalie
Natalie Sattler is the Programs Director of Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust and her passion lies in supporting sustainable environments and economies.
About Theresa
Theresa Peterson is the Fisheries Policy Director for AMCC, a longtime commercial fisherman and resident of Kodiak, and has served on numerous fisheries bodies including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Kodiak Rural Leadership Forum.
About Katrina
Katrina Hoffman is the president and CEO of the Prince William Sound Science Center, the administrative principal investigator of Gulf Watch Alaska, and she sits on the Board of the Alaska Ocean Observing System and the North Pacific Research Board.
Co-Investigators and Collaborators
Cordova Contact
Kinsey Brown
About Kinsey
Sitka Contact
Linda Behnken
About Linda
AOAN Contact
Darcy Dugan
About Darcy
Darcy Dugan is the director of the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network, working with researchers and commununities across the state to expand the understanding of ocean acidification processes and consequences as well as adaptation and mitigation measures. She is based at the Alaska Ocean Observing System.
Sea Grant Contact
Davin Holen
About Davin
Davin Holen is an Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska Sea Grant Coastal Community Resilience Specialist. Davin is an anthropologist who builds trusted collaborations to provide Alaskans with data and decision support tools to help them adapt to climate and environmental changes and build resilience and better community well-being.
NERRS Contact Contact
Syverine Bentz
About Syverine
Syverine Bentz is the Coastal Training Program Director for the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Fisheries Anthropologist, Commercial Fisherman
Ringer Consulting
About Danielle
Danielle Ringer is a lifelong Alaskan, fisheries social scientist, and part of a commercial fishing family based in Kodiak. She works to provide the best available anthropological science for fishery systems and to support fishing communities as they seek to foster well-being and livelihood sustainability into the future.
Recent News
Climate Adaption Planning Underway for the Kodiak Region
A cross-regional Gulf of Alaska fishing community effort is currently underway to advance understanding of climate adaptation and resilience.
Climate Planning for Fishing Communities
A cross-regional Gulf of Alaska Fishing Community effort to understand and plan for climate change.
Workshops and Resources
Cordova Fisheries Adaptation Workshop - November 18, 2024
The purpose of the workshop is to create and discuss potential opportunities for our fishing community to adapt to the changes presented by a changing climate.
Kodiak Adaptation Planning Workshop - November 12th
Visioning session, vunerability assessment review and planning process.
Coastal Climate Radio Series
The Coastal Climate Radio Series is a four-part local radio series exploring changes in the marine ecosystem through conversations between fishermen, scientists, and resource managers in coastal Alaska.
Organized by NOAA Fisheries and the Alaska Ocean Observing System, the series highlights local observations and pathways for adaptation from communities including Kodiak, Sitka, and Cordova.
Produced by KMXT’s Davis Hovey, the series features conversations recorded in Kodiak and Sitka, which are shared below.
