Over 40,000 indigenous people living on Alaska’s Arctic coastline depend on marine resources for subsistence. But the Arctic Ocean affects not just people in Alaska, but across the lower 48 as well. For example, commercial harvest of groundfish, shellfish, salmon and other resources constitute almost 50 percent of marine fish landings in the U.S. As the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea becomes warmer, sea ice continues to retreat, and the area becomes more accessible, consequences to U.S. communities and economies must be anticipated. NOAA’s Ocean Service conserves and manages our Arctic and coastal resources based on sound science to support healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems and communities. 

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