Gulf of Alaska | Ecosystem Perspectives
Unveiling deepwater Alaska: NOAA Ocean Exploration led community driven exploration in 2023 Presenter: Sam Candio , samuel.candio@noaa.gov, NOAA Ocean Exploration
Kasey Cantwell , Kasey.Cantwell@noaa.gov, NOAA Ocean Exploration Rachel Medley , rachel.medley@noaa.gov, NOAA Ocean Exploration Caitlin Adams , caitlin.adams@noaa.gov, NOAA Ocean Exploration
With a dedicated mission to explore our largely unknown ocean, NOAA Ocean Exploration is uniquely situated to lead partners in gathering critical ocean information. With priority placed on exploration of deep waters and the ability to operate both domestically (waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone) and internationally (high seas and other EEZs), NOAA Ocean Exploration serves as a principal coordinator for federal, non-federal, and international partners to advance national and global understanding of the world’s oceans. Alaska, specifically the Aleutian chain is a high priority exploration area across the federal, academic, NGO, and industry sectors. As a program with assets planned for deployment in the region in 2023, NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to engage the Alaska science, tribal and First Nation, and management communities in defining exploration priorities and to invite broad participation in future expeditions. NOAA Ocean Exploration plans to visit Alaskan waters for the first time with NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the summer of 2023. NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is the only federal vessel dedicated to ocean exploration, and is equipped with a full-suite of exploration tools including a deep-ocean multibeam system (EM304), midwater acoustics (EK60s and EK80s), sub-bottom profiler, ADCPs, and a 6,000 m capable ROV system. Three expeditions will target waters deeper than 500 m south of the Aleutians and conduct some of the first deepwater ROV survey work there. These expeditions have the potential to lead to new discoveries and insights about deep sea coral communities, methane seeps, habitats, and other seafloor and water column communities. Two other expeditions will conduct mapping and ROV surveys in the Gulf of Alaska. As part of our open data paradigm, NOAA Ocean Exploration is committed to sharing data collected broadly, and will work with the Alaska science, tribal, and management communities to share discoveries and refine targets for further exploration. This presentation will provide an overview of anticipated mission plans, capabilities, and invite discussion on opportunities for collaboration and priorities development.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 166
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