The Northern fur seals that breed on the Pribilof islands have been on the decline for decades, but a smaller colony just 200 miles away is thriving. A new study of these colonies is challenging scientists’ assumptions about what marine animals need from their environment — and how they get it.
Science & Tech
Bill would lessen cruise ship discharge standards
The Parnell Administration wants to change another part of the 2006 cruise ship initiative. Bills introduced this session at the governor’s request would effectively allow more chemicals and minerals to be released into the water. Backers say the levels would still be safe
Earthquakes reported in Southeast, Southcentral
5.4 magnitude felt in the Panhandle on Monday. 3.7 and 4.7 felt in Anchorage area on Sunday.
Quake wakes SE residents, tsunami warning issued for outer coast
Warning cancelled just before 2 a.m. after 7.5 magnitude quake. No significant waves were reported.
Midnight earthquake shakes Juneau
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 7.5 quake struck at midnight Friday Alaska time and was centered about 60 miles west of Craig, Alaska.
Small but insignificant increase in Cook Inlet belugas, NOAA reports
The number of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales is up a bit from last year, but not enough to indicate a turn-around in the population’s slow decline. That’s according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, which announced Thursday that the 2012 whale population is 312 animals, up from 284 in…