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 SHUYAK Uncovered (July 19-27, 2008)

This environmental project brough volunteers from all over the United States to take part in a marine debris clean-up at Shuyak island.   Volunteers spent one week gathering marine debris, learning about is causes and effects on the food chain, and observing humankind's impact on the ocean world from the perspective of one of Alaska's most remote and beautiful shores.   This rich island is situated at the crossroads of the Gulf of Alaska, approximately halfway between Homer and Kodiak, Shuyak is known for it's abundant wildlife, inviting intertidal backwaters, dramatic tides and strong, nutrient rich ocean currents.  Almost the entire island is a protected Alaska State Park, and portions of the coastline are part of the National Maritime Wildlife Refuge.  During our week-long stay at Shuyak, periods of volunteer work were offset by guided trips by foot, kayak and skiff through the backcountry of this wild place.   Our team was transported to Shuyak from Kodiak and back, took all meals and berthing aboard the MV Island C, an 83' yacht chartered for this expedition. 



Returning from Kayaking, Carry Inlet, Shuyak SP.   Alex Senior photo.

 

A worldwide problem

Marine debris carries toxins through the marine environment, impacts wildlife, and detracts from the natural beauty of the coastline of every ocean in the world.   The islands of the Kodiak archipelago are host to hundreds of tons of marine debris, including plastics, bottles, cans, and derelict fishing gear from all over the Pacific.  Sources of debris range from all over the Pacific rim, from California to Korea. 

                               




Entangled Steller Sealion near Kodiak, June 2008.  Shawn Reynolds photo.

 

What we are doing

Through a grant from NOAA, the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation and Island Trails Network are conducting a survey of marine debris and several targeted clean-ups on the islands of the Kodiak archipelago from the Trinity islands to Shuyak island. Through aerial surveys and a voluntary reporting system, we are  identifying which areas are most heavily affected by floating ocean waste, conducting large scale clean-ups of coastal areas, and educating the public about the impacts of marine debris on the natural world.  Learn more about the survey or make your own report of marine debris in the Kodiak archipelago.
 

                                      Check this website in fall/winter 2008 for a preview of Shuyak 2009 trips!
 

Removing fishing web from Dead Bird Beach, Shuyak  Island SP.  Andy Schroeder photo.
Chronicle:

July 19  
1500   Vessel tours & guest orientation.  Depart Kodiak.
1700   Whalewatching:  Marmot Bay (Humpback, Fin, Minke, Dall's Porpoise)
1900:  Dinner, Kitoi Bay
2000:  Bearviewing & Tour, Kitoi Hatchery
2200:  Ice Cream
 

 

Pillar Cape, Afognak Island.  On the way to Shuyak.   Emily Tiller photo.
July 20

0413  High Tide, 14.5 ft
0800   Breakfast
0900  Underway from anchor
1038  Low Tide, -1.5 ft
1200  Lunch
1400  Marine Debris Clean-up operations safety briefing. Gear Issue.
1600   Arrive Shuyak Strait
1709  High Tide, 13.9 ft
1800   Anchor Big Bay
1900   Dinner 
 2000    Kayaking & Skiff Tour to Dead Bird Beach
 2100   Brownies
 2354   Low Tide, 2.1 ft

Dead Bird Beach, Shuyak SP.  Andy Schroeder photo.
July 21 


0451               High Tide, 14.3 ft
0700                Breakfast with Alaska State Parks Rangers
0800-1200     Marine Debris Clean-up - Dead Bird Beach (6 Super Sacks)
1111               Low Tide, -1.1 ft
1200-1300     Lunch
1300-1700     Big Bay Ranger Station Tour or Dead Bird Beach Clean-up (3 Super Sacks)
1740               High Tide, 14.0 ft
1900                Dinner
2332               Low Tide, 1.8 ft



Auxiliary craft.  Harry Middleton photo.

July 22 

0531             High Tide, 13.7 ft
0700              Breakfast
1144             Low Tide, -0.5 ft
 0800-1200   Marine Debris Clean-up - Dead Bird Beach (6 Super Sacks)
 1200-1400    Lunch
1400             MD Onload - Buckets and ALPAR bags
1600             Kayaking - Skiff Pass and Red Buoy Beach
1811              High Tide, 13.9 ft
1900              Dinner - Pork Loin




A moment's peace.  Emily Tiller photo.
July 23

0012             Low Tide, 1.7 ft
0613             High Tide, 12.9 ft
0700             Breakfast
0800-1200  Marine Debris Clean-up - Dead Bird Beach (8 Super Sacks)
1200-1300  Lunch
1220            Low Tide, 0.5 ft
1400            Hiking "508".
1600            Relaxing in a banya (wood-fired sauna), Big Bay Ranger Station
1845            High Tide, 13.9 ft
1800             Dinner , Underway from anchor.  Departing Big Bay for Carry Inlet.
1900            MD onload, Dead Bird Beach.
2100            Anchored, Carry Inlet. 

Tidying up at Red Buoy Beach.  Clivia Feliz photo.

July 24
 

***Foul weather, rest day.

0057              Low Tide, 1.7 ft
0700               Breakfast
0702              High Tide, 12.0 ft
1200-1300    Lunch
1300              Low Tide, 1.6 ft
1300-1700   Personal time, Cribbage & Scrabble.
1900              Dinner.
1924             High Tide, 13.6 ft
2000-2200   Clearing weather, evening hike.
 

Evening at anchor,  Carry Inlet, Shuyak Island SP.  Emily Tiller photo.

July 25
0150             Low Tide, 1.8 ft
0700             Breakfast
0801            High Tide, 10.9 ft
0800-1200  Marine Debris Clean-up - Red Buoy Beach (8 Super Sacks). 
1200-1300   Lunch
1300-1700   Kayaking, Carry Inlet & Christie Cabin or Hiking to Salmon Cove. 
1348             Low Tide, 2.9 ft            
1800             Pork Loin Dinner.
2000            Kayaking, Middle Lagoon Portage. 
2010             High Tide, 13.2 ft



Red-throated Loon.  Clivia Feliz photo.
July 26
 

0255             Low Tide, 1.8 ft
 0700              Breakfast
0800-1000    Marine Debris clean-up Red Buoy Beach (4 Super Sacks).
0915              High Tide, 10.1 ft
1000             Underway from anchor.
1200-1300    Lunch.
1300-1500    Birding & Whalewatching , Cape Perevalnie to Marmot Strait
1449               Low Tide, 4.2 ft
1900               Anchor, Kitoi Bay.  Dinner.
2109              High Tide, 12.9 ft
 


Humpback Whale lob-tailing near Shuyak Strait.  Harry Middleton photo.

July 27

0412            Low Tide, 1.5 ft
0700             Breakfast
0800             Bearviewing, Kitoi Bay. 
1030            Underway from anchor.  Photo-sharing.
1045            High Tide, 9.9 ft
1200-1300  Lunch
1500            Marine Debris Offload, Alaska Pacific Seafoods (13 super sacks, 4020 lbs)
1600             Island C moored, St. Herman Harbor, Kodiak.



 

Brown Bear in Kitoi Bay.  Harry Middleton photo.

As of August 1st, 2008, 20 super sacks full of marine debris remain on Shuyak Island, to be collected and returned to Kodiak for recycling during the next 30 days.  Total weight of marine debris collected for this project is estimated at over 10,000 lbs.

Prepared by Island Trails Network under award number NA06NOS4630024 from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation. 

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