Lots of dead krill washed up on Sarichef Island

Invertebrates

Food Security

Death / Die-off / Decline

Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

DMS:	N 66º 14' 13.171" W 166º 8' 16.84"
Lat/Lng:	66.2369918233895 -166.138011020897

Nearby

Die-offs of krill are in some cases associated with hypoxia (low oxygen) excess sediment suspended in the water column and changes in water temperature. There were recent reports of high levels of Alexandrium in water samples in the areas, and Norton Sound Health Corporation is performing some testing of krill samples (see below). There was also an unprecedented storm event only a week ago, unusual for the storm surge and early season.

Observation by Sadie McGill:

Local residents of Shishmaref Alaska woke up to dead krill washed up on the beach.

Commen by LEO Network editors:

There have been a few posts of similar krill die-offs in past years. Metklakatla in December of 2013; there in Shishmaref in June of 2019, and Unalaska in July of 2019, Whittier in April of 2021. No definitive causes were identifed for any of these die-offs. At least nothing has been shared with LEO Network. Die-offs of krill are in some cases associated with hypoxia (low oxygen) excess sediment suspended in the water column and changes in water temperature. There were recent reports of high levels of Alexandrium in water samples in the areas, and Norton Sound Health Corporation is performing some testing of krill samples (see below). There was also an unprecedented storm event only a week ago, unusual for the storm surge and early season.

Comments by Gay Sheffield:

Thank you for the heads up re. Krill at Shishmaref. Emma Pate (NSHC) and I have requested samples of the krill to be tested for two harmful algal biotoxins, saxitoxin + domoic acid. We are just waiting at this end to receive samples. Thanks again for the heads up! Please let Emma and I know if you have any other questions or need any other info from this end of things.