The Seasonal Cycle

Community activities can be linked with observations

Ice roughness affects whaling trail routes as well as pupping areas for ice seals

Pack ice persistence near communities affects travel distances and access to walrus and ice seals

Snow cover affects building of ringed seal lairs

Ice stability and thickness affects ability to travel on ice and use as a platform for harvested bowhead whales

We are hiring observers for Kaktovik, Kotzebue, Point Lay, and Wales. Learn more

Pacific cod. (Steven Patkotak)

Collecting murre eggs.

White-fronted goose. (Billy Adams)

In 1998 people would leave for fishing cabins in late August or early September, now it is as late as the end of November.

Freeze up is coming later and melting earlier, in between the ice is more difficult to read.

Now we’re lucky to start ice fishing in October. By the time the river is safe the fish have already spawned.

In asking what the story is I think number one is food and water security. It is the most important story.

Ice is important for Ugruk [walrus] hunting. The ice was a lot thinner this past year, so it is necessary to hunt earlier and earlier.

There are different migration patterns ... we are getting used to the frequent changes.