Pacific CPR Collaborations
Two collaborative projects began in 2002. The first involved the installation of a thermosalinograph on the Polar Alaska to collect temperature, salinity and eventually chlorophyll data along the transect. These physical/chemical data will be used by us to help explain the plankton distributions. Contact: Steve Okkonen at University of Alaska Fairbanks,
The second project involves a marine bird and mammal observer on board the Skaubryn recording sightings along the transect. In June 2002, over 112,000 sightings were made on one transect between Vancouver and Japan. Comparing these distribution data with the plankton populations may reveal information on trophic interactions. Contact: Bill Sydeman at Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation Science (PRBO).
In 2003 some of the CPR servicing and sample processing was moved to the west coast of North America. Prof Bob Benda at the Prince William Sound Community College coordinates the Polar Alaska servicing while technicians at the Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo BC (David Welch's group) coordinate the Skaubryn servicing, Dave Mackas' group at Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, BC carry out some sample processing. Both institutes are part of Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans and have a collaborative agreement with SAHFOS.
Also see http://www.pices.int/projects/tcprsotnp/default.aspx
