Fish

Many Alaskan salmon fisheries use escapement numbers, which count how many fish make it from the ocean and through a weir or test fishery on their way to spawning grounds. The numbers allow state biologists to set fishing openings and closures and to get a sense of the overall health of the fishery.But the Kotzebue test fishery that helped track those numbers, located near Kiana along the Kobuk River, closed several years ago.

The Pacific herring is the only known herring species in Alaska — at least, for now. But University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers say herring further north might be a separate species.

According to Fraley, now sheefish can be found as far north as Point Hope and as far south as Shishmaref, a significant increase over what was previously thought to be their range. And there's a reason for it.

Carter said that the lack of baseline data could be detrimental, especially as climate change heats Arctic waters.

Last month, researchers came back with good news. Mercury levels in Kotzebue-area subsistence fish are safe.