Alaska’s Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium Brings Together Scientists to Discuss Climate Change, Invasive Species, and More

The fifth Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium took place this week, bringing together scientists from around the archipelago and Alaska every three years to present their research. This year’s symposium was organized by Alaska Sea Grant, which funds scientific research in coastal and marine resources. Julie Matweyou, the marine advisory program agent in Kodiak, mentioned that there were a number of presentations scheduled, including two full days of plenary talks and various evening activities. Topics covered in presentations included the effects of climate change on fisheries, monitoring invasive species, ocean acidification, tours of the R/V Oscar Dyson, and evaluations of mariculture.

Rick Thoman, a climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, was the keynote speaker for this year’s symposium. He discussed how average temperatures in the northernmost regions of Alaska have risen by around 6 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 50 years, while Kodiak’s temperatures have increased by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Thoman emphasized that although Kodiak is not experiencing the same drastic warming as the arctic, extreme weather events like the 2018 “blob” in the North Pacific Ocean will become more common in the next few decades.

Thoman also shared historical climate data from Kodiak dating back to the 1870s and presented a preview of the island’s potential future climate, showing a general warming trend in the graphs. The symposium provided an opportunity for scientists to share their research, collaborate