Tag: Food Security
In Arctic Village, Gwich’in leaders say the fight to stop drilling in the Arctic Refuge isn’t over
Until recently, Gwich'in tribes were on the winning side of battle over over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then, in late 2017, Congress opened the coastal plain to oil development So Gwich'in tribes are now taking unprecedented steps to try to protect the caribou herd they depend on.
Fishing regulations on the Kuskokwim: Do they restrict Yup’ik culture or preserve it?
The Kuskokwim River has now had three fishing openings for drift gillnets, but many people in Akiak are not happy. KYUK went fishing with the mayor of Akiak to find out more about why people’s nets aren’t as full as they want them.
Unusually high number of seal deaths reported along the coast of the Bering and Chukchi Seas
“We don’t know if it’s lack of sea ice, or if there was a harmful algal bloom,” said Julie Speegle with NOAA Fisheries. “There’s quite a range of factors.”
Could Arctic warming be behind gray whale deaths in Alaska, and elsewhere? Here’s why scientists are asking.
Scientists aren't calling climate change or declining sea ice the smoking gun yet. But they’ve seen enough other events that have come along with Arctic warming, like sea bird die-offs, that they’re asking questions.
As sea ice melts, fish are showing up farther north off Alaska. A federal fishing trip will investigate if they’re sticking around.
Two summers ago, federal scientists discovered something shocking: The Northern Bering Sea was teeming with cod and pollock. Those two commercially valuable species had never been found in such large huge numbers that far north.
Marine Highway cuts could mean trouble for aspiring Susitna Valley ranchers
In the Northern Susitna Valley, things like the Alaska Marine Highway System don’t often come high on the priority list, but for one family, cuts to the state’s ferry system could have a significant impact on their new business.
Using local foods, a Juneau middle school teacher demystifies cooking for kids
For kids who’ve never cooked, smoking their own salmon might seem out of reach. But a Juneau teacher believes it’s just another life skill his students can master — and he shows them how to do it.
In Utqiaġvik, temperatures are warmer, and the ice is changing. What does that mean for whalers?
“I think it was a little more stable, and there was a little bit more assurance that the ice you were on was not going to disintegrate on you that easy,” said whaling captain Gordon Brower.
Proposed agriculture funding cuts would hurt ‘state’s ability to feed itself,’ farmers say
Alaskan farmers say the state gets a big bang for the small buck the state provides to agriculture. That’s why they say big cuts like those proposed by Governor Mike Dunleavy would inflict serious, long-term harm to the industry.
Kodiak goat dairy faces an uncertain future amid proposed budget cuts
Governor Dunleavy’s proposed budget would eliminate the state’s only dairy inspector, making it nearly impossible for up-and-coming dairies like Kodiak Baptist Mission’s Heritage Farms to sell milk commercially.
What happened to Kachemak Bay shellfish?
Kachemak Bay was once abundant with crab, shrimp and other shellfish species. But by the early 1990s, populations hit rock bottom. Now a scientist and a college student are hoping to find out more about what happened.
Alaska lawmakers learn about a subsistence superfood
The state’s food safety codes currently don’t allow seal oil in public facilities like nursing homes. But a movement is underway to serve the beloved food to Elders.
Hatcheries the ‘canary in the coal mine’ as drought extends across Southeast Alaska
A drought declaration for parts of Southeast Alaska has expanded to include Sitka and Juneau. That means most of Alaska’s panhandle is officially in moderate to severe drought.
Storms erode Bering Sea ice pack; caution is urged
Winter storms and blustery weather currently buffeting the Bering Sea have caused sea ice coverage to be reduced by almost 25% since late January.
As the Bering Sea warms, this skipper is chasing pollock to new places
“Across the board, everybody has a story about something that they haven’t seen before,” said Dan Martin, a 53-year-old captain of a Bering Sea pollock trawler. We took a fishing trip with Martin to find out what he’s experiencing as the Bering Sea heats up.
Microplastics found in Sitka mollusks
Researchers in Sitka have been looking at the impact of microplastics on local shellfish. Their findings illustrate a possible connection between microplastics in butter clams and household laundry.
So far, seals are adapting to shrinking sea ice
Ice seals thought to be most affected by the disappearance of arctic sea ice seem to be doing well, according to data presented at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium last week.
Japan whaling decision may have consequences for Alaska subsistence whalers
Last month Japan announced that it is leaving the international group that regulates whaling and will resume commercial whaling in its own coastal waters.
Learning about Alaska farms and farmers
Summer is the season of abundant farmer's markets, filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs and more. Join us to meet some Alaska farmers and learn the back story on the challenges they face. And why, especially in Alaska, we should care.
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Growing Food Near the Kitchen
During the Second World War, household “Victory Gardens” produced almost half the food the nation consumed. Now home gardens produce about two percent. Could the path to food security run though a garden plot in your front yard?
APRN: Tuesday, 3/11 at 10:00am
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