Showcasing the latest marine research about the Arctic, Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystems.
The Alaska Marine Science Symposium
SINCE 1993
The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS), Alaska’s premier marine research conference, has been bringing together scientists, educators, resource managers, students, and interested public for over twenty years to discuss the latest marine research being conducted in Alaskan waters. Over 700 people attend this conference held annually during the month of January.
Each day of the conference highlights important Alaskan marine ecosystems: Gulf of Alaska (Tuesday), Arctic (Wednesday), and the Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands (Thursday). Research topics discussed range from ocean physics, fishes and invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, to local traditional knowledge. Since its inception, NPRB has been a proud sponsor and one of the leading organizers of AMSS.
MISSION STATEMENT
Providing a collaborative public forum to promote and engage with current, relevant, and exceptional Alaska marine science
SYMPOSIUM AUDIENCES
PROFESSIONAL & NEXT-GENERATION SCIENTISTS
POLICY & RESOURCE
MANAGERS
COASTAL
COMMUNITIES
MARINE
INDUSTRIES
EDUCATORS & COMMUNICATORS
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
HOLDERS
LOCATION & ACCOMMODATIONS
EVENT LOCATION
THE HOTEL CAPTAIN COOK
939 W 5th Ave,
Anchorage, AK 99501
The plenary session and the workshops will be held at the Captain Cook. The poster session will be held at the Egan Civic Center.
WHERE TO STAY
THE HOTEL CAPTAIN
COOK
(907) 276-6000
Online Booking Link:
Alaska Marine Science Symposium Code: AMSS
THE MARRIOTT
(907) 279-8000
Online Booking Link:
Alaska Marine Science Symposium
NEW! PROFESSIONAL & CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
AMSS 2024 now offers professional and continuing education credit for teachers and other educators. We hope that this will continue for future symposiums and encourage teachers from around the state to attend along with their students. Below you will find two different credit options: single credit and double credit options. Course descriptions and step-by-step registration guides are available. These credits have been approved through the University of Alaska Anchorage Professional and Continuing Education.
STUDENT AWARD INFORMATION
Student presentations at the 2024 Alaska Marine Science Symposium will be considered for best student oral presentations and best student posters. The awards of $300 each will be presented at the symposium. Read the sample judging criteria below and be sure to check the appropriate student award eligibility box when you submit your abstract.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The symposium expanded to include reporting on science derived from NPRB funding and beyond. The geographic focus continued and evolved into the traditional focus days of the Arctic, Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Regions. Given AOOS’s co-location with NPRB, mission and geographic coverage, AOOS took on some of the coordination responsibilities with NPRB (2004-2009?). The primary core team of organizers and contributors are NPRB, BOEM, NOAA, AOOS and EVOS. Representatives from other organizations such as OSRI, DOI, USARC and SeaGrant help with event planning and implementation.
The science symposium’s focus expands beyond oil spill response but carries the underlying need to understand marine ecosystems and address research priorities in the marine areas surrounding Alaska for management and protection. AMSS continues to be Alaska’s premier marine research conference for nearly 30 years. Over 700 people attend this 4-day long conference held annually during the month of January. Each day of the conference highlights important Alaskan marine ecosystems: Gulf of Alaska , Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands, and the Arctic. Research topics discussed range from ocean physics, fishes and invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, impacts of climate change and local traditional knowledge.
AN EXCERPT OF EVOSTC ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE ALASKA FORUM OF THE ENVIRONMENT MEETING IN 2008:An excerpt of EVOSTC accomplishments that was presented at the Alaska Forum for the Environment meeting in 2008:
The first Science Workshop was held in spring 1993 at a church on 9th and G. Attendees included scientists, state and federal agency representatives, spill area Native community and local government leaders, and of course members of the public.
In March 1999 the Symposium focused on the 10th Anniversary, Legacy of an Oil Spill.
In October 2001 the Symposium focused on the Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Program (GEM), presenting a draft for review, then soliciting comments.
Up until the 2003 Marine Science Symposium EVOS was the primary sponsor and coordinator for the event.
In 2003 the North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) accepted the coordination and facilitation of the event and EVOS became a contributor.
Over time the EVOS Science Workshop evolved into a multi-regional Symposium with participants from the Bering Sea and the Aleutians as well as Prince William Sound.
COVID-19 MITIGATION POLICY
The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) is excited to host the first in-person symposium since the advent of COVID-19. To ensure a successful event, we take the health of attendees and staff seriously. The AMSS organizers encourage all attendees and staff members to take COVID-19 precautions prior to and while attending AMSS 2025, including at-home testing prior to attending. Attendees or staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 within ten days prior to the start of the AMSS are asked to recuse themselves from the event. If any attendees or staff members experience symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that these individuals test for COVID-19 and not to attend without a confirmed negative test.