General Ecology and Natural History of Important Subsistence Fish Species (2003-2008)
| Principal Investigators | J. Craig George, Ph.D. |
| Collaborators | BLM, Alaska Dept of Natural Resources, MJM Research, and ABR, Inc. |
| Funding | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development |
Summary:
During the summers of 2003 to 2008 the habitats and populations of fish in the Teshekpuk Lake region were investigated. Fish were caught with nets, measured and sampled for stomach contents. About 94 broad whitefish (Aanaakłiq) were tagged with radio transmitters to study fish movements. Results showed that the outlet region of Teshekpuk Lake was used heavily for broad whitefish wintering habitat. During the spring time, fish moved into the warmer tributaries emptying into Teshekpuk Lake which contained higher numbers of prey populations.
Broad whitefish (Aanaakłiq) from Teshekpuk region. Photo: Craig George
Joshua Bacon with a Lake Trout (Iqaluaqpak) from Teshekpuk in 2005. Photo: Craig George
The charts below are illustrating the Burbot (Tittaaliq) and Broad Whitefish (Aanaakłiq) Life Histories in the Fish Creek, Judy Creek, and Inigok Creek area were produced by Bill Morris.
Publications:
- Morris, W. 2006. Seasonal movements and habitat use by broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus) in the Teshekpuk Lake region of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, 2003-2005. Technical Report No. 06-04. North Slope Borough, Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska.
- Moulton, L.L., Morris, W.A., George, C., Bacon, J., Rose, J.R., and Whitman, M. 2007. Surveys of Fish Habitats in the Teshekpuk Lake Region, 2003-2005. Final Report prepared for North Slope Borough, Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska.
- Moulton, L.L., Whitman, M., Morris, W.A., George, J.C., Bacon, J., and Rose, J. (2010). Surveys of fish in the Teshekpuk Lake region during 2006-2007, with comparisons to previous sampling. Final Report prepared for North Slope Borough, Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska.
NPR-A Key Subsistence Fish Species (2006-2010)
| Principal Investigators | J. Craig George, Ph.D. |
| Project Coordinator | Joshua Bacon |
| Collaborators | ADFG, MJM Research, BLM and ABR, Inc. |
| Funding | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development |
Summary:
This study incorporated habitat surveys of overwintering and spawning areas, net surveys, and harvest information for fish species used for subsistence within the NPR-A area of the North Slope. This work was a continuation of the previous study (see above) and also included documentation of the cultural importance of fisheries within the NPR-A to people using these resources.
Josh Bacon and John Seigle interviewing Tom and Margaret Opie at the Opie camp regarding fish harvests. Photo: Robin Mongoyak
Publications: Coming Soon
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Of North Slope Fish
| Principal Investigators | J. Craig George, Ph.D. |
| Collaborators | William Schneider and Karen Brewster, Research Associate, Oral History Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Stacey Mackentosh; Lawrence Moulton, MJM Research, LLC; Barrow Elders: Martha Aiken, Arnold Brower, Sr., Mollie Itta, Noah Itta, Mary Lou Leavitt, Oliver Leavitt, Warren Matumeak |
| Funding | BLM |
Summary:
Funded by the Bureau of Land Management through an Assistance Agreement to the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, the purpose of the study was to document knowledge of North Slope fish and social/cultural practices of the use of fish by the Inupiat people in order to provide baseline information for management decisions related to these fish and their habitat.
Craig George interviews Warren Matumeak about harvesting fish in the Chipp River area. Photo: Karen Brewster
Publications:
- Brewster, K., et al. 2010. Iñupiat knowledge of selected subsistence fish near Barrow, Alaska. Report to the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, AK, and the Bureau of Land Management, Fairbanks, AK.
Other Resources on Subsistence Fish on the North Slope
- Mold on Fish in Nuiqsut
- North Slope Whitefish Studies – ADFG
- Burns, J.J. 1990. Proceedings of a technical workshop on fishes utilized in subsistence fisheries in National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska: Barrow, Alaska, October 26-28, 1988. Reported to the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska.
