A newsletter from the Prince William Sound Science Center

November 15, 2021

Featured photo: November sunset behind PWSSC.

Neil Wright (Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation) pours milt over coho salmon eggs while Mt. Eccles fifth grade class watches. Photo by Kate Morse.

The salmon tank is back at Mt. Eccles Elementary School this year! PWSSC educators and board member Tommy Sheridan, joined by educators and fisheries biologists from the Copper River Watershed Project, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation, led a field trip for the local fifth grade class to a salmon spawning stream last month.

The goal of the field trip was two-fold: 1) educate future stewards about salmon and the watershed and 2) collect eggs and milt from spawning coho to rear juvenile salmon in the tank at their school. We were successful with both of these goals, but not everything went according to plan. PWSSC and CRWP educators led the fifth grade students through three hands-on activity stations focused on the parts of a watershed, the purpose of redds, and the importance of stream-bank vegetation in healthy salmon habitats. The hiccup came when our fish wranglers were unable to find a female, or "hen," that had not yet laid her eggs. While the students loaded into the bus to make it back to school for lunch, the adults kept trying to collect eggs. Despite our efforts, and bonus sunshine and a bear sighting, we weren't able to collect any eggs that day.

The team went back out later to try again and were successful. The eggs and milt headed to the school where fifth graders joined to watch the eggs get fertilized by the milt and enter the salmon tank where they will hatch and grow for the remainder of the school year.

No field-based education program ever goes exactly to plan, but this was a valuable lesson for everyone involved. The students learned a lot about salmon ecology and habitat while experiencing firsthand that nature can be unpredictable. PWSSC was reminded how local partnerships and great teamwork are a huge part of our success. We couldn't do it without everyone involved and we are grateful to everyone who made this event fun, fishy, and educational - especially the fifth grade class and their teacher Railey Namitz!

This educational program and collection is permitted under Permit P-21-027.

Researchers from the Prince William Sound Science Center (PI Bishop), US Geological Survey, and NOAA recently completed a collaborative research cruise focused on marine predators and their prey in Prince William Sound. The “Integrated Predator-Prey” survey, funded by the EVOSTC through Gulf Watch Alaska, studies humpback whales and marine birds simultaneously with observations of forage fish and krill.

Anne Schaefer, avian research assistant at PWSSC, was responsible for conducting the marine bird surveys during the September 2021 cruise. Overall, marine bird densities were lower than the long-term average. Twenty-one bird species were recorded, with Black-legged Kittiwakes as the dominant species observed (pictured above left).

Interestingly, during the survey the researchers rescued a subadult Glaucous-winged Gull who was almost swallowed by a surface-lunging humpback whale. After warming up and drying off on deck for a couple hours, the gull was able to fly off successfully (pictured above right).

Thanks to everyone who recently participated in our Fall Fundraiser online auction! The support of our sponsors, donors, and participants means so much as we head into the final months of 2021.

For Katrina Hoffman, President and CEO, ten feathered friends are a frequent source of amusement. Egg production is almost a bonus and very much appreciated. Geriatric "pensioner" hens happily accompany their younger, more "productive" companions in this backyard flock.

Age/Breed: Four birds hatched in April: Fluffy, Maple Bar, Patch, and Petunia. One just started crowing last week (uh-oh); the rest will be egg layers. Honey, Big Red, Foghorn, Dorothy, and Renee range in age from 2 to 9+ (!). Breeds include Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Sapphire Gem, Rhode Island Red, Black Sex Link, and some mixed breed gals.

Favorite Foods: Fresh fruit, veggies, and salmon scraps.

Biggest Fears: Bald eagles and off-leash dogs.

Favorite Activities: Keeping the yard "mowed"; contributing to food waste reduction and a highly localized composting program; laying eggs; running to follow Katrina.

Favorite Toys: Scratching in the great outdoors keeps these gals occupied but they occasionally walk or roost on the balance beam of the backyard obstacle course (above).