news

2013 New Project Awards

The North Pacific Research Board met May 13-17, 2013 in Anchorage to review proposals recieved in response to the 2013 RFP. One-hundred and thirty proposals were recieved by the December 2012 deadline requesting over $23.5M, almost six times the amount of funding available.

After reviewing submitted proposals and input from the Science and Advisory Panels, the Board has recommended 23 proposals for funding to the Department of Commerce. Proposers will be notified by email the week of May 27th regarding the funding status of their proposal.

Announcing The 9th International Flatfish Symposium

This meeting, which is funded in part by NPRB, will be held November 9th -14th, 2014 in Cle Elum, Washington. More information on this meeting is available at www.flatfishsymposium.com.

NPRB Appoints John Hilsinger As Interim Executive Director

The North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) has appointed Mr. John Hilsinger as its Interim Executive Director. Mr. Hilsinger will serve as Interim Executive Director through while the search for a permanent director is underway. Read the announcement here.

Elusive Giant Pacific Octopus Studies

NOAA Alaska Fishery Science Center: With funding support from NPRB (Projects 906, 1005), Alaska Fishery Science Center scientists in collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying ways to capture and tag giant Pacific octopus. They also are studying the reproductive biology of the animal and the effects of being captured and discarded. Check out the spectacular underwater video and more information here! 

 

Between Pacific Tides Project on the Radio

A  community engagement project at the Sitka Sound Science Center, funded by NPRB (Project1115) was recently featured in a newspaper story and on KCAW, the local Sitka radio station, and picked up by NPR in Anchorage--listen here.  (Photo from SSSC)

NPRB Co-Sponsors Arctic Ocean Teacher Workshop

NPRB co-sponsored a recent workshop that brought together Arctic scientists and educators from the North Slope and elsewhere in the United States to develop lessons about the Arctic Ocean.  The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) Alaska, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS).NPRB Arctic Program Manager, Danielle Dickson, participated in the workshop May 18 – 23 in Barrow, Alaska. 

     Among the participants were several scientists who are actively engaged in Arctic research, educators from the North Slope Borough School District representing a variety of grade levels, and teachers from outside of Alaska who have participated in the PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program.  Researcher-teacher pairs who formed lasting relationships through PolarTREC shared their experiences and inspired North Slope teachers to reach out to the scientists who frequent the Alaska Arctic to bring Arctic science into their classrooms.  Local Barrow community members including elders and whaling captains also shared their wisdom.

     The incorporation of traditional knowledge and the importance of putting lessons into context using local examples figured prominently in the workshop.  The teachers from the North Slope Borough School District developed lessons based on the Iñupiaq Learning Framework that is currently being implemented.  Lessons were developed for many different grade levels from kindergarten to high school and their focus ranged from basic Arctic Ocean food webs to the potential effects of changing environmental conditions on the balance of ecosystems.  The finished products will be made available on the ARCUS website in early July.

     GULF OF ALASKA: Last summer, NPRB co-sponsored a teacher workshop on the Gulf of Alaska through the EARTH workshop. Resources can be found at mbari.org/earth/EARTH2011.html

     BERING SEA: In the fall of 2012, NPRB worked with partners to spearhead the launch of the ecosystem professional development workshop series with one focused on the Bering Sea. Visit www.polartrec.com/collections/bering-sea-ecosystem.html for the Bering Sea Collection of educational resources.

about NPRB

Congress created the North Pacific Research Board in 1997 to recommend marine research initiatives to the US Secretary of Commerce, who makes final funding decisions.

Vision

A clear understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems that enables effective management and sustainable use of marine resources.

Mission

To develop a comprehensive science program of the highest caliber that provides a better understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems and their fisheries. The work of the NPRB will be conducted through science planning, prioritization of pressing fishery management and ecosystem needs, coordination and cooperation among research programs, competitive selection of research projects, enhanced information availability and public involvement.

2009-2010 NPRB Report

For highlights of the activities of the Board over the years 2009-2010, download a PDF of the bi-annual report here.