The FY2023-FY2027 Strategic Science Plan has been released, outlining the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s goals and objectives for the coming five years.
In a post this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the center revisits its strategic plan every five years to ensure it aligns with administration and national priorities while fulfilling regulatory mandates.
“Strategic planning is really essential to the wise use of federal funds and doing our jobs efficiently. Through this effort we are able to meet mission critical priorities with some room to be adaptive and responsive to our stakeholders’ needs and changing environmental conditions,” Alaska Fisheries Science Center Director Robert Foy said on the NOAA website.
According to the post, Alaska's fisheries are among the most productive, sustainable and profitable in the world. These also serve as homes or feeding grounds for endangered species, including a number of whale populations.
Through their work, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center underpins the sustainable management of Alaskan waters. Every five years, the Science Center revisits its strategic plan, NOAA reports.
Among priorities outlined in the plan include monitoring and assessing Alaska fish, crab and marine mammal populations, fisheries and marine ecosystems, monitoring and predicting climate impacts on Alaska marine life and advancing new initiatives such as artificial intelligence, electronic monitoring technologies, satellite sensing and more.
