Kodiak Area Native Association

Description:the Main Objective of This Project Is to Help Address Harmful Environmental Trends in the Kodiak Region of Alaska Through Continuous Phytoplankton Monitoring and Bi-weekly Shellfish Sampling. the Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) Has Identified the Presence of Three Different Genuses of Phytoplankton That Pose a Threat to Human Health and Marine Mammals, and One of Them Can Produce Saxitoxin, the Toxin Responsible for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Because Some of the Highest Toxin Values in the State of Alaska Have Been Recorded in Kodiak Waters, Tribal Members and Other Kodiak Subsistence Resource Users Have Stressed the Importance of Monitoring and Research That Will Help Reduce Their Risk of Harvesting During a PSP Event. This Project Will Help Continue to Address Environmental Trends That Pose a Threat to Human Health and Other Mammals Utilized as Subsistence Resources by Native and Non-native Alaskans. Activities:this Funding Will Allow Kana to Monitor Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS) in Kodiak Waters, Collect Weekly Phytoplankton Samples and Regular Bi-weekly Monitoring and Testing of Shellfish for Toxins That Could Cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). the Researchers Will Also Collaborate With Tribal Environmental Staff in Villages and on the Kodiak Road System About Habs and Shellfish Testing. Data From This Project Will Be Used to Create Advisories for Shellfish Harvesting at Several Sample Locations on the Kodiak Road System and in Participating Villages. the Project Is Also Designed to Increase Knowledge About Habs and Biotoxins in Kodiak Waters Among Tribes and Community Members. Subrecipient:no Subawards Are Included in This Assistance Agreement.outcomes:data From This Project Will Be Used to Create Regular Advisories for Shellfish Harvesting at Several Sample Locations on the Kodiak Road System and in Participating Villages. the Recipients Also Plan to Create Outreach and Public Service Announcements, Flyers, Social Media Posts and Other Means of Disseminating the Information and These Will Include That Kana Will Accept Shellfish From Subsistence Harvesters and Providing Shellfish Toxin Results So They Can Make Informed Harvest Decisions. the Recipient Will Submit Annual Reports on Their Project and for the Final Report, They Plan to Collaborate With Kodiak Tribes and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Environmental Research Lab (STAERL) to Compile Samples and Environmental Datasets for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Into a Final Report.