The North Pacific right whale is one of the rarest animals in the Bering Sea. Only about 30 North Pacific right whales inhabit the eastern Bering Sea, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. This week, a NOAA researcher was able to find and collect information on not one but two of these whales.
Northwest
Egan calls for criminal justice bill, income tax
Senate Bill 54 would have increased jail times for some offenses. The Senate passed the bill by a wide margin.
Whale butchered, meat distributed to villages surrounding Kuskokwim River
Around 9 p.m., sections of the whale had been given to community members from Napaskiak, Atmautluak, Bethel, Akiachak, Tuluksak, and Akiak.
GCI tells customers “No Worries” increases data plan for “rural hub communities”
As of Tuesday, customers in Nome, Kotzebue, Bethel, and Utqiagvik, were automatically upgraded to the No Worries Plan.
Legislature passes capital budget in one-day special session
The vote allows road projects and other construction to move forward. It was the only piece of business for the six-hour special session.
“Red Horde” swims through Nome escapement goals; managers predict strong silver run
Jim Menard, says he and his staff are encouraging subsistence fishers to get out there and stop the “red horde” before it overtakes Salmon Lake.
Recent Kuskokwim openings leave boats heavy with chum
Some families told ONC that they witnessed “chum chucking” during the openings.
Norton Sound beluga whale population is ‘abundant,’ new survey suggests
A recent aerial survey of the eastern Bering Sea suggests the Norton Sound beluga whale population is abundant in number.
Last season’s difficulties for Bering Strait auklets may indicate changing climate
In 2016, the birds were coming later than expected, and their bills weren’t fully orange. Douglas doubts that these latecomers, who lay a single egg per season, could breed successfully.
Confusion over legalities is hurting Alaskan ivory market, locals say
With five different states’ ivory bans currently in effect, the latest passed by Hawaii at the beginning of this year, confusion remains among potential walrus ivory buyers in Alaska about what ivory is legal and what isn’t.