UAF College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences

Avoiding bycatch is important for both the health of salmon species and the economics of commercial fishing fleets. After analyzing the movements of Chinook salmon for more than 13 years, a UAF research team developed a model to help trawlers avoid them. “It shows what you can do when you collect enough data about a species over a long enough time,” said CFOS grad student Marcel Gietzmann-Sanders.

Salmon tagging data could help trawlers reduce bycatch A University of Alaska Fairbanks research team has translated a trove of data from a Chinook salmon tagging program into a predictive model that could help reduce bycatch by fishing trawlers. Chinook salmon range from the ocean’s surface to depths where trawl nets target groundfish species. The re...

The Kuskokwim River is unique, with massive tidal influences and a winter ice road that spans hundreds of miles. CFOS researcher Steve Dykstra is leading an effort to better understand the Kuskokwim and how intensifying storms could affect villages in the region, even those that are far from the coast. “We often think that the inland communities are distant from marine hazards. In reality, they’re right in the middle of them,” he said.

Research team seeks answers from a changing river Dan Gillikin surveyed the view from his front window and didn’t like what he saw.

✨️ TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ✨️

🐟 To Swim And Speak With Salmon is looking for new members to honour our shared responsibilities to our Yukon River relatives and salmon, pensuring their well-being and preservarion of their culture, knowledge and values

🐟We are looking for passionate, curious Indigenous emerging leaders who are committed to making a difference for the future generations

🐟If you are interested in learning about Indigenous place based knowledge, conservation principles, leadership, research, and advocacy skills, take a splash and join us in Protecting our Salmon relatives!

If this sounds like you or someone you know please apply now by filling out the Google form from the QR code or by the Link below 👇🏼 :

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQZVnt4ceXbGAGA3Ew5tNwoJYw96rmIvX_884KQX8a0nq_IA/viewform

Juneau-based CFOS graduates were recognized on Sunday during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony. Congratulations to Lorna Wilson (PhD), Juliana Leggitt (Master of Marine Policy) and Court Pegus (PhD) for their accomplishments and new degrees!

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates from the College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences!!

UAF honored 15 retiring faculty and staff members with emeritus status at the Gold Ceremony on Friday, an honor given “for distinguished service, significant accomplishments and lasting contributions to the university.” Those recognized included Professor of Fisheries Shannon Atkinson DeMaster and Oceanographer Kate Hedstrom. Congratulations to our new emeriti!

UAF kicked off commencement weekend by honoring new Ph.D. recipients at the Gold Ceremony on Friday, including CFOS’ Austin Flanigan, Karen Grosskreutz, Elizabeth Hinkle and Emily Ortega. Court Pegus, who also received his doctorate this spring, did not attend the ceremony. Congratulations Drs. Flanigan, Grosskreutz, Hinkle, Ortega and Pegus!

Save the date for this year's Arctic Research Open House, coming to campus Thursday, May 14th from 4-7PM!

Rooted in Fairbanks, UAF research sprouts solutions for Alaska and the Arctic! Visit West Ridge to meet researchers in your community, and see how UAF research branches across science, engineering, and creative activity.

• Park for free along Koyukuk Drive
• Explore West Ridge to win prizes
• Free ice cream hosted by the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research

Minors must be accompanied by an adult

CFOS will host Libby Liggins from the University of Auckland this Thursday for the 2026 Frank and Marjorie Meek Seminar in Fisheries. Liggins will discuss supporting local agency in global biodiversity data systems from 3:40-5 pm at Murie Auditorium and via Zoom. Register to watch online at https://alaska.zoom.us/meeting/register/sZUFTdWITF6i0HqjMNVqaA #/registration