Keynote Speaker Rick Thoman to headline Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium hosted by the Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium

The fifth Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium took place this week, bringing together scientists from across the archipelago and Alaska every three years to share their research. The event started on April 23 and concluded on April 25, featuring films about coastal life. Julie Matweyou introduced Keynote Speaker Rick Thoman on the opening night of the symposium.

Organized by Alaska Sea Grant, which funds scientific research in coastal and marine resources, this year’s symposium was led by Julie Matweyou, the marine advisory program agent in Kodiak. The event included two full days of plenary talks, evening activities, and various presentations on topics such as climate change, the monitoring of invasive species, ocean acidification, tours of the R/V Oscar Dyson, and mariculture evaluations.

The keynote speaker for this year was Rick Thoman, a climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. Thoman discussed how temperatures in Alaska have been affected by climate change, noting that average temperatures in the northernmost regions of the state have risen more significantly than those in Kodiak over the past 50 years. He also highlighted the increase in extreme weather events, such as the “blob” in the North Pacific Ocean in 2018, which are expected to become more common in the future.

Thoman provided insights into Kodiak’s climate history dating back to the 1870s and shared projections for the island’s future climate, showing a general warming trend in graphs. The symposium served as a platform for scientists to exchange information and collaborate on solutions for addressing climate-related challenges in coastal and marine environments.