KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
This week a few dozen scientists will converge on Kodiak to talk fisheries and watersheds. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, typically holds an annual Arctic Science Conference, but it usually takes place in Anchorage or Fairbanks. This year, however, Kodiak will host the three-day conference at the Harbor Convention Center.
Brian Himelbloom is an associate professor of seafood science and technology at University of Alaska Fairbanks’ School of fisheries and Ocean Sciences and said the conference will feature various scientists giving presentations on their work.
“And try to provide information to students or to the public or to fellow scientists to keep them aware of what’s going on in their neck of the woods.”
He said they are typically 20 minute presentations and some workshops are also included in the conference, which runs Thursday through Saturday.
The theme this year is fisheries and watersheds: food security, education and sustainability.
“So we’re trying to cover a broad brush of areas so the various talks have been broken down into six different sessions that will be given on the two and a half days.”
Himelbloom said the AAAS’ Arctic Division puts the annual event together.
“It used to be called the Alaska division and then it changed to the arctic division, but not all the talks have to do with the arctic, that’s just the umbrella group for delivering the conference. The various talks will cover where these scientists are coming from, either from Fairbanks or Bristol Bay campus or here locally, or from Anchroage.”
The conference is open to the public with a daily fee of $30. Himelbloom said that covers the cost of putting the event on and includes continental breakfast and refreshments at various breaks. You can find out more information about the meeting and AAAS in Alaska by visiting arctic A-A-A-S dot org.
