Welcome to the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, where our world-class faculty educate future leaders in fisheries and marine science. Our research addresses pressing issues in aquatic ecosystems from the Arctic to Antarctica. We invite you to explore our website and welcome any questions you may have.
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At the UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, we challenge our students to explore academically, geographically and culturally. Our community of scholars provides opportunities for students to learn and conduct research in some of the most beautiful and pristine locations in the world.
A simple addition to fishing nets has delivered promising early results for keeping
killer whales out of deep-water flatfish trawls.
An ambitious new project is tracking king salmon during their difficult journey from freshwater habitat to the ocean.
CFOS researcher Matthew Wooller has studied the remains of over 300 mammoths, but two recent samples came with a unique twist.
Salmon tagging data could help trawlers reduce bycatch
June 08, 2026
A University of 91ÊÓƵ Fairbanks research team has translated a trove of data from a Chinook salmon tagging program into a predictive model that could help reduce bycatch by fishing trawlers. Chinook salmon range from the ocean's surface to depths where trawl nets target groundfish species. The researchers' model uses more than 700,000 data points between Southeast 91ÊÓƵ and the Bering Sea to predict how Chinook will be distributed across the water column. With that information, trawlers can potentially adjust their operations to reduce inadvertent salmon catches.
Deep-sea expedition uncovers dozens of new species
June 05, 2026
An international team of experts discovered over two dozen new marine species on a recent expedition off the coast of Brazil in the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The science team, which included University of 91ÊÓƵ Fairbanks researcher Russ Hopcroft, used advanced technologies to explore the ocean's midwater, the zone between the sunlit layer and the seafloor. It can take scientists decades to identify and describe new species, but the combination of technology and expertise enabled the team to confirm 31 new species within a matter of days.
Research team seeks answers from a changing river
May 29, 2026
Dan Gillikin surveyed the view from his front window and didn't like what he saw.