Links and Bonds Post 4

The Barrow Arctic Research Center (BARC) Science and Culture Fair 2024, held in Utqiaġvik, was a summer event that brought together scientists, educators, students, and the community for a day of learning, exploration, and fun.

The scientific institutions that participated in this year's fair included the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, and the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program. One of the key focuses of the fair was the study of ice seals, the collective name for four species – bearded seals, ringed seals, spotted seals, and ribbon seals – that inhabit the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of the Alaskan Arctic.

The Ice Seal Committee and NOAA Fisheries, who share management responsibilities under Alaska co-management agreements with Alaska Indigenous communities and Tribes, played a significant role in the fair. They used the occasion to promote the sustained health of Alaskan Ice Seals, advance co-management, research, and the use of traditional knowledge of Alaska Natives.

The Ice Seal Committee and NOAA Fisheries also shared information with subsistence hunters and the public, providing them with valuable insights into the habits and habitats of these marine mammals. NOAA Twin Otter planes, outfitted with pairs of cameras, including regular and advanced thermal (infrared) imaging, were used to take thousands of images of these elusive creatures.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center used these aerial surveys to count and map the locations of ice seals. The data collected by the Marine Mammal Laboratory, a part of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, provides a long-term record (since 2007) of marine mammal presence and the environmental sounds around them. This data is especially important in the context of a changing marine environment in the region.

The first activity led by the education team at the BARC Science Fair was titled "Who's Calling Underwater? Studying Marine Mammals by their voices." This interactive session aimed to educate participants about the passive acoustic techniques used to monitor Alaskan waters for marine mammals and the natural and man-made sounds present in their habitats.

The BARC Science Fair also included afternoon youth activities, a community "BARC-B'que", and evening science presentations. Local, national, and international research institutions engaged with hundreds of local students and residents, encouraging them to explore the world around them by making science accessible and connecting it to the world they see daily. The fair served as a platform to inspire future scientists and foster curiosity, creativity, and a connection to community.

Mabel Baldwin-Schaeffer, who traveled with the education team to Utqiaġvik during August, was a key figure in the success of the event. The BARC Science and Culture Fair was not just a showcase of scientific advancements, but also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the region. It was a testament to the power of collaboration, education, and community engagement in the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of our natural world.