TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
This category encourages the development of novel technologies and the validation of existing methodologies under new applications. Justification must be provided for the use of existing technology. Proposals that solely develop technology should indicate where such technology may be applied.
2017
2018
Epigenetic aging of Cook Inlet beluga whales Charles Baker | Oregon State University | $177,633 This project will develop and validate an epigenetic assay to estimate age of Cook Inlet beluga whales from annual biopsy samples using next-generation sequencing. Assay calibration will be performed using samples with estimated ages from growth-layer groups in teeth. The age assay will then be applied to biopsy samples from living beluga whales of unknown age to better understand the life history and age structure of the endangered Cook Inlet population. A sex identification assay for Chinook salmon James Seeb | University of Washington | $167,335 Chinook salmon as well as other salmon have important differ- ences between sexes, such as growth rate, age at maturation, timing of return, and vulnerability to net entanglement. This project will develop a set of molecular genetic sex markers that can be used to accurately determine the sex of Chinook salmon throughout their range in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Improving satellite collars Todd Atwood | U.S. Geological Survey | $120,455 Satellite collars have proven to be an important technological advancement in the field of population ecology. However, belting design and materials in collars have changed little over the years and some key accessories to release belting have failed to reliably perform. This project will re-design key satel- lite collar components while maximizing the likelihood that collars drop off individuals in a timely and consistent manner.
A new technique to measure body condition in Steller sea lions David Rosen | University of British Columbia | $60,367 The efficacy of data obtained from a hand-held device that uses low-level microwave emissions to estimate lipid stores in 8 trained Steller sea lions will be evaluated. The study will collect data during natural seasonal changes in body condition, as well as during experimentally induced episodes of nutritional stress. Using UAS to survey seabirds: a validation study Casey Brown | Alaska SeaLife Center | $118,247 This project attempts to utilize unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to validate and refine survey methods for the estimation of seabird abundance, quantify nest productivity at seabird colonies, measure the behavioral responses of seabirds to UAS, and establish guidelines for the effective use of UAS for wildlife surveys and safe UAS operation.
Technology Development Funding Metrics
Funding Success Rate 2017-2018
24%
Ageing fish otoliths with NIRS Thomas Helser | NOAA AFSC | $145,794
Target
Requested
Funded
The goal of this research will be to attempt to analyze and calibrate the age of fish (i.e., pollock vs Pacific cod) spatially and temporally using machine based techniques called Fourier Transform near Infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) to scan and analyze fish otoliths. With little preparation necessary, samples can be processed very quickly after capture, potentially even aboard seagoing vessels.
$300,000
$465,423 2017
$3,142,884
$300,000
2018
$2,367,520
$324,408
$789,831 Total Funded, 2017-2018
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2 0 1 7 – 2 0 1 8 B I E N N I A L R E P O R T
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