New website to lure Alaskans into fisheries and marine science

Submitted by Carin Bailey
Phone: (907) 322-8730
06/20/07

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has launched a new website to help bring more rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives into fisheries and marine science careers.

The Future Alaskans in Fisheries and Marine Sciences website, provides listings of scholarships, degree programs, and internship and summer opportunities. The site also offers links to employers and contact information for fisheries and marine scientists in various communities around Alaska.

"Alaska is a big state and fisheries and marine science are critical to our economy and well-being as Alaskans," said Paula Cullenberg, leader of the Marine Advisory Program in Anchorage. "Unfortunately, Alaska Natives and other rural Alaskans are often not employed as professionals in these fields in any number. We are working together to change that."

The Future Alaskans website is the result of a collaborative effort between UAF and multiple organizations across Alaska. Partners include the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Sheldon Jackson College, the Rasmuson Foundation, NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. The site was created and is hosted by the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

"The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is very interested in attracting young Alaskans to the many career opportunities we provide in fisheries and marine science," said Deborah Hart, coordinator of the Fish and Wildlife Careers for Alaskans program at Fish & Game. "This new website is an excellent portal and provides our agency with a direct link to young Alaskans across the state."

The new website also includes curriculum resources and grant opportunities for K-12 teachers in Alaska, as well as pre-college preparation programs for high school students. Future plans for the website include the development of success stories to highlight the accomplishments of homegrown fisheries and marine scientists.

The UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences conducts world-class marine and fisheries research, education and outreach across Alaska, the Arctic and Antarctic. More than 60 faculty scientists and 160 graduate and undergraduate students are engaged in building knowledge about Alaska and the world’s coastal and marine ecosystems. SFOS is headquartered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and serves the state from facilities located in Seward, Juneau, Anchorage and Kodiak.