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A protective mother brown bear assisting her two young cubs to hunt near a watershed. Credit to Mark Kelley. This month's articles series will discuss.., Admiralty Island, Alaska. Admiralty Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago, in Southeast Alaska. The island is the 7th largest island in the United States, & the 132nd-largest island in the world. The nearest main city is Juneau, the state capital. The island itself is approximately 955,747 acres, & 90 miles long. The island has extremely few people, with a population density of 0.39 per square mile. The total population is 650, which makes it so that the bears outnumber the humans 3:1. The island is famous for its large population of brown bears, & its beautiful canoeing areas. The island is approximately 2.59 nautical miles (2.980519 miles or 1.398488 kilometers) from mainland Alaska. Since the island's coast is so untouched by man, many marine animals migrate closeby to the island every year. The majority of oceanic animals don’t live here year-round though, as they tend to migrate further south in the winter to survive. The oceanic resources have been used by the island's main population, The Tlingit Aboriginals, for a variety of reasons. In this article, we will discuss the Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, & Marine Geography, of the island, the most prominent ecosystems of the island, The documented marine flora & Fauna, & Finally, & how ocean acidification has affected the island. With that being said, let us delve into the oceans surrounding the wondrous, Admiralty Island. The Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, Marine Geography, & Basic Information Of The Oceans Surrounding Admiralty Island Admiralty Island rests in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The salinity in Juneau is extremely low, due to freshwater glaciers melting & mixing freshwater into the sea. The Salinity in Juneau is approximately 15.2 parts per thousand, which is extremely low for the Pacific. Salinity is measured in 1,000-gram increments of water. For every 1000 grams of water, there will be a certain number of grams that are pure salt. This is the way that salinity is currently measured. The Temperature charts of Admiralty Island can be found in a variety of places, such as but not limited to:  https://www.watertemp.org ,  https://www.tide-forecast.com , &  https://www.tideschart.com . The average yearly sea temperature for the Eliza Harbour area of Admiralty Island is approximately 45° Fahrenheit (7.22222° Celsius). The tidal charts can be found on similar web pages, including  https://www.tide-forecast.com , &  https://tides4fishing.com/us/alaska . The tide usually doesn’t exceed 5.13 feet, & usually doesn’t go below -2 feet. The deepest oceanic point within 5 nautical miles (5.7539 miles, or 9.26 kilometers) of the island is approximately 1,259.8 feet (383.7432 meters) deep. The oceanic floor surrounding the island is primarily composed of Rock Sand, & Gravel. The area is unpopulated, & largely untouched by man. The water is safe for swimming in, though the water is incredibly cold so precautions should be taken. The wetsuit thickness needed for the annual average temperature is 8 millimeters thick semi-dry suit or a drysuit. Unfortunately, we are unable to find information about the riptide, & currents of this island. You can go snorkeling or scuba diving around the island, but it is not recommended as there is very little interest, & it is extremely cold. The Most Prominent Marine Ecosystems In The Oceans Surrounding Admiralty Island Ecosystem Type No. 1: Open Ocean The majority of the creatures that live around Admiralty iIslandlive in open oceanic areas. They usually are just there to hunt, & then migrate away. This ecosystem is the farthest from the coast, & the most biodiverse.  Ecosystem Type No. 2: Sandy / Rocky Flats There are sand flats, but the only creatures really found in those areas are crustaceans. These areas are on the bottom of the oceanic floor, & are found everywhere. Occasionally, species of fish or crustaceans will build elaborate burrows below the sand, but those are the only real formations in the area.  The Documented Marine Flora Of Admiralty Island Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm that any species of seagrass, or kelp, are found here at all. The Documented Marine Fauna Of Admiralty Island  Admiralty Island is not very biodiverse marine-wise, largely due to how cold it is, & the fact that little to nothing grows here. The majority of animals found here are cetaceans or have a large amount of blubber to protect them. As of 2025, there are no accepted endemic marine species on Admiralty Island. With that being said, the list of all the most prominent marine species currently found around Admiralty Island: Eumetopias Jubatus (Steller Sea Lion), Orcinus Orca (Killer Whale), Enhydra Lutris (Sea Otters), & Megaptera Novaeangliae (Humpback Whale).  Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “ Alaskan Oceans: Temperature & Salinity ” Written By Elizabeth Litwin, & Published in 2002. Published By PBS. Retrieval Date: September 29, 2023.  https://www.pbs.org/harriman/education/projects/elitwin.html Citation No. 2: “ Wetsuit thickness and temperature guide ” Written By Mark Evans, & Published On April 24th, 2023, at 3:05 PM. Published By Scuba Divers Magazine. Retrieval Date: September 29th, 2023. https://www.scubadivermag.com/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-guide/#Scuba_diving_wetsuits Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast STEMScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

Today’s map is an antique map of the Southern Pacific Ocean. The Southern Pacific Ocean is a region from the Pacific Ocean spanning from the southern side of the Equator to Southern Chile. The area spans approximately 12,726 kilometers across.  The map is in fantastic condition, apart from yellowing in the upper right corner, wrinkles, & a few small creases. These imperfections are consistent with being used on a ship, meaning this map was likely used by a group of sailors. The dimensions of the map are approximately 38.5 inches long & 75 inches wide.  In this article, we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Southern Pacific Ocean. The Map Itself  A beautifully in-depth map of the Southern Pacific Ocean. Credit to Maps Of Antiquity. Due to the map being in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is centered on the Southern Pacific Ocean, & Oceania. The chart is was made to be uncoloured, however it has slightly yellowed with time. The chart has the names of various islands, seaways, & topographic features, with certain areas marked with a question mark, or as “doubtful”. The map is semi-accurate, as certain islands are not listed, & other areas are marked as unknown.  The chart has 6 different small compasses on the chart located in the center, upper center, lower left, & upper left. These would have been used by sailors to stay on course, & guide them.  An Analysis Of The Chart  This chart was originally designed in 1848 by James Imray, a Scottish Hydrographer, Sailor, & Cartographer. The map was produced & published in London, as that is where Imray’s cartographic office was located. Revisions & additions were made in 1855, with a new version of the map being published then. The map was originally made for Civilian Use, & was likely not used by any militaries.  Considering the time that the map was produced in, & the mapmaker, this map was likely made using Lithography. Lithography is a method of printing that arose in the 1820’s, & remained the most popular method of printing until the early 1930’s, when more efficient methods became available.  In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits  All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com . To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships  Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler The Marine Enthusiasts Podcast STEMScribe Our Loyal Patrons  P. R. Ochoa

A stunning Steller Sea lion colony, with a very large male in front. Credit to Andrey Giljov. This month's articles series will discuss... Admiralty Island, Alaska! Admiralty Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago, in Southeast Alaska. The island is the 7th largest island in the United States, & the 132nd-largest island in the world. The nearest main city is Juneau, the state capital. The island has extremely few people, with a population density of 0.39 per square mile The total population is 650, which makes it so that the bears outnumber the humans 3:1. The island is famous for its large population of brown bears, & its beautiful canoeing areas. The island is approximately 2.59 nautical miles (2.980519 miles or 1.398488 kilometers) from mainland Alaska. Since the island's coast is so untouched by man, many marine animals migrate close to this island every year. The majority of oceanic animals don’t live here year-round though, as they tend to migrate further south in the winter to survive. There isn’t much seagrass around this area either, because the water temperatures make it very hard for anything to survive. One of the creatures that can survive though, is the Steller Sea Lion. The Steller Sealion is a species of Sea Lion found from Honshu, Japan, to Año Nuevo Island, California. They are found across the Bering Strait, & tend to stay in colder areas. The males are extremely fat, while the females are much slimmer looking, making it very easy to distinguish the sex. They are not friendly animals, & can be extremely aggressive if their children are threatened by any source. For this reason, people should generally avoid interaction with these creatures unless it is necessary. It is also illegal in the United States to interfere with these creatures in their natural habitats. They tend to congregate on rocks, & socialize this way. They are the largest of all the eared seals, & the third largest of all the pinnipeds. In this article, we will discuss the Discovery & Life of the Steller Sea Lion, the Mating Procedures, Practices, Cycles, Tactics, & Strategies of the Steller Sea Lion, the Distribution of the Steller Sea Lion, & the Scientific Detailings of the Steller Sea Lion. With that being said, let us delve into this massive oceanic creature. The Discovery & Life Of The Steller Sea Lion  The Steller Sea Lion was first described in the year 1776, & was first described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber. The species was named after Georg William Steller, who was one of the first people to interact with them in 1741. The males are an astounding 11 feet (3.3528 meters), while the females only reach about 9.5 feet (2.8956 meters). There is a massive sexual dimorphism between the two sexes, with the males being approximately 2.5 U.S. tons (2267.96 kilograms), while the females only reach 800 pounds (362.874 kilograms). The females can live for up to 30 years, while the males are only able to live for up to 20. Sea lions are brilliant creatures, behaving much like cats at times. Sea lions can perform tricks, remember commands, & have a long-term memory of at least 3.5 months. Usually, though, they aren’t very agreeable creatures, which is why they are much like cats. During a study in which two flower pots were placed in front of a female sea lion named Zwerg, & she was rewarded if she touched the instructed flower pot, it was discovered that Zwerg would pick the correct flower pot 83% of the time. This experiment was conducted by Lauren Highfill, in the Schönbrunn Zoo. They are also able to show affection towards humans they hold in high regard, & each other. It is unknown how long exactly this species has existed, but it has to be a minimum of 120,000 years, & a maximum of 220,000 years based on fossil records of similar sea lion species. These creatures are naturally very timid, & they do not usually interact with humans in the wild. They can be aggressive towards other sea lions, & even humans if provoked enough. Sea Lions have many different captive populations around the globe, which would prevent them from going extinct if some disease were to break out. They are territorial, but they usually don’t begin holding one territory until at least the age of 9 years old. They are rather social creatures & usually rest in extremely large groups. They sleep by hauling themselves onto rocks, & sunbathing as they nap. They rarely sleep underwater, as that could result in drowning. They swim by rapidly pulling their front flippers forward & back. At top speed, they swim at top speeds of 17 miles per hour (27.3588 kilometers per hour). This species is rather agile, as individuals swim hundreds of miles each month. Their diet is primarily fish-based with over 100 species of fish comprising their nutritional base. The most common species of fish they consume are Pacific Cod, Walleye Pollock, Atka Mackerel, & Pacific Salmon. They eat between 5 to 8% of their body weight in fish per day. Usually, they hunt at least 1 mile (1.60934 kilometers) away from the coast. Usually, they will forage for multiple days on end, to maintain their body weight. They locate food by feeling the ripples with their whiskers. Occasionally, they will seek out commercial fish nets, to steal already caught fish from the nets. This is rare, but it has happened before. Once the fish is caught, it will promptly be swallowed whole. They are not cannibalistic in any way, shape, or form. Their metabolism is fairly fast, similar to that of seals. Usually, they hunt strictly nocturnally. They have very few predators apart from orcas, & sharks due to how massive they are. Steller sea lions have a bulky build & a very thick neck with longer fur that resembles a lion's mane, hence the name "sea lion." Their skin ranges from a pale yellow to a light grey color. Sea lions also shed their fur every year, so they may look different depending on the season. Their current IUCN Red List Status is Near Threatened, with the last population assessment being on February 4th, 2016. Their population trend is increasing, with approximately 81,327 mature individuals. Conservationists are actively observing the population of Steller Sea Lions, & making sure that the population makes a proper recovery.  The Mating Strategies, Tactics, Procedures, Cycles, & Practices Of The Steller Sea Lion The Steller Sea Lion breeds via sexual reproduction. This species has two distinct sexes, & is not hermaphroditic. Their breeding system is polygamous. Their mating season is between June & August. They tend to mature between 3-7 years of age sexually but don’t usually hold stable breeding territories until 9. Their gestational period is similar to that of humans, being approximately 9 months. Fertility for this species usually peaks when they are most at the halfway point of their lives.   The females will court the males by lying in submissive poses in front of them. After the couple decides to breed with each other, they will breed in a safe location. Usually, only 1 pup is had per pregnancy due to the size of the pups. The pups will be weaned for approximately 1 year before beginning to consume solid foods, & beginning to mature into young adulthood. The mothers will care for these babies, & defend them fiercely from any threat. Approximately 25 days after giving birth, the females will breed again, & give birth every May or June.  The Distribution Of The Steller Sea Lion  The Steller Sea Lion is found from Honshu, Japan, to Año Nuevo Island, California. They are migrational, as they migrate south in the winter to avoid the frigid conditions. They tend to prefer extremely cold waters, & rocky coastal areas. Usually, they are in either sandy/rocky beach areas or wharves. Oftentimes, they can be seen sleeping on wharf docks. During Hunting Season, they will dive to extreme depths to hunt fish more effectively. The world record deepest dive for this species is approximately 1,400 feet. Between the 1970s & 2010, there was a mysterious decline in the population of adult female sea lions, that has been not entirely explained. Due to this issue, they were placed on the endangered species list in 1990. Thankfully, the population did replenish, which led to them being officially removed from the list in November of 2013. The Scientific Detailings Of The Steller Sea Lion The oldest fossil of this species was discovered to be approximately 800,000 years old. This fossil was male, & named GKZ-N 00001. This fossil was found in Kanazawa, Japan, which is located along the western coast of Japan's Honshu island. The Steller Sea lion has a bone structure similar to that of humans, in that they both have finger bones. Though they are not visible, the Steller Sea Lion has finger bones that are in their forelimbs. They have between 34 & 38 teeth, used for tearing parts of the fish in order to make the fish more digestible. Their phylum is Chordata, meaning that they developed these 5 characteristics all species under the phylum of Chordata develop 5 similar characteristics either In adulthood or as juveniles. The characteristics that they develop include, a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, endostyle or thyroid, pharyngeal Slits, & a post-anal tail. Their class is known as Mammalia. Mammalia is classified by the production of milk by the mother for their child to nurse, a neocortex which is a region of the brain, some capacity oforfur or hair, & three middle ear bones. Their order is Carnivora which is a monophyletic order of placental mammals. These mammals have all evolved in ways to specialize in eating fish.  This order is the 5th largest order of mammals & has at the time of publishing, at least 279 species categorized under it. Their clade is Pinnpedia, meaning they are Pinnipeds. Pinnipeds are a heavily distributed & extremely diverse clade of semiaquatic species & marine mammals. Their family is Otariidae, which is a family of Eared Seals, with approximately 15 extant species. All Creatures in this family are strangely enough, not found in the North Atlantic. All species in this family have visible ear flaps, instead of ear holes. Their Genus is Eumetopias, which is a monotypic genus. A monotypic genus is a genus in which there is only one species. The binomial name of the Steller Sea Lion is Eumetopias Jubatus.  Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “Steller Sea Lion” Written By Unknown & Published at An Unknown date. Published by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Retrieval Date: September 27th, 2023.  https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/steller-sea-lion Citation No. 2: “Sea Lion Smarts” Written by S. Dingfelder, & Published in 2007. Published by the American Psychological Association. Retrieval Date: September 27th, 2023.  https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2007/03/sealion Citation No. 3: “Steller Sea Lion - Biology Fast Facts” Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown date. Published by the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia. Retrieval Date: September 27th, 2023.  https://mmru.ubc.ca/biology/steller-sea-lion-fast-facts Citation No. 4: “Steller Sea Lion” Written By Unknown & Published at an Unknown date. Published By the IUCN Red List. Retrieval Date: September 27th, 2023. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/8239/45225749 Citation No. 5: “The oldest record of the Steller sea lion  Eumetopias jubatus  (Schreber, 1776) from the early Pleistocene of the North Pacific” Written by Nahoko Tzuzuku & Naoki Kohno, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the National Center For Biotechnology Information. Retrieval Date: September 27th, 2023.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7456534/ Strategic Partnerships  Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast STEMScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

Our Volunteer Program Our organization operates a dedicated volunteer program for individuals aspiring to make an impact, possessing a profound appreciation & admiration for marine life, and who enjoy the oceanic environment. We value every one of our volunteers, regardless of whether their commitment is long-term or limited to a single afternoon spent participating in one of our beach cleanups. We kindly request that you complete this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTrkkKLvzZRN4iHBhMzsbUyl25CkhYE7WbRh9utDlRIdQ6A/viewformif) you are interested in volunteering with our organization in a long-term capacity. Upon completion, you will receive an email within fourteen business days either accepting you into the organization or politely declining your services. Each new volunteer will receive a complimentary sticker, pin, and nonprofit-branded mug upon joining the organization. The two principal categories of long-term volunteers are Science Communication Volunteers and Social Media Volunteers. Each role, along with its associated responsibilities, is detailed below. Science Communication Volunteers: Science Communication Volunteers take on a variety of responsibilities within the organization. Typically, Science Communication Volunteers will design educational graphics for our social media accounts, as well as our online courses, assist with designing courses, & assist in writing guest articles. The responsibilities are relatively fleshed out, however, they can be tailored to the individual strengths of the Volunteer. These individuals are integral to our educational programs & are imperative to the organization. For this role, we are requesting a time commitment of 3 to 9 hours per week depending on what exactly the Volunteer can do. Social Media Volunteers: Social Media volunteers also take on a variety of roles within our organization. Their primary responsibilities are to maintain our social media accounts, such as our Facebook & Eventbrite page. They work closely with our Science Communication team to design valuable educational graphics. These individuals are integral to promoting our organization, as without their valuable contributions, our organization would not be able to promote our programs, & message. For this role, we are requesting a time commitment of 3 to 7 hours per week, depending on what exactly each Volunteer can do.

We are a marine biology nonprofit organization, based in the United States. Our goals are to protect the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. Join our marine biological nonprofit and become a vital part of our mission to protect and preserve our oceans! With two membership tiers, you can choose the level of support that best suits you. Membership Tiers: Atlantic Membership: For just $10 a month or $96 a year, you can make a meaningful impact as a member of our first tier. The benefits of this tier include: - A free tote bag of your choosing with one of 3 designs to choose from. - A free branded enamel pin. - You recieve each article one day early. - You get to access to any one of our online courses for free of your choosing for the lifetime of your membership. - You get your name listed at the bottom of our articles for the lifetime of your membership. Pacific Membership: If you're ready to dive deeper, our second tier offers even more opportunities for involvement at $13 a month or $135 a year. Together, we can create a brighter future for our marine ecosystems! The benefits for this tier include: - A free tote bag of your choosing with one of 3 designs to choose from. - A free branded enamel pin. - A free branded coffee mug. - A free branded nonprofit tee-shirt. - You receive each article one day early. - You get to access to any 2 of our online courses for free of your choosing for the lifetime of your membership. - You get your name listed at the bottom of our articles for the lifetime of your membership. Please fill out the application below, & you will receive an email within 7 business days with more information. Become A Member Today! Email First Name Last Name Birthday (Optional) Please specify which membership tier you would like. Join Please specify whether or not you would like to have a monthly or annual contribution. Thank You For Being A Member!

The Persaud Foundation is a marine biology nonprofit organization, based in the United States. Our goals are to protect the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation We are a U.S 501(c)3 marine biological nonprofit organization, dedicated to protecting the ocean through education, & public involvement, & conservation. We currently run an electronic newsletter called The Persaud Catalog , publish online courses about marine biology, & conduct local conservation & education events in Southern California. The Three Pillars Of Our Organization Our Online Courses: We believe in raising ocean literacy, supporting the ocean through education, and supporting people's oceanic curiosities. For this reason, in August 2024, we officially launched our first course. We currently have three courses available, with three more under construction. Every course can be found here. For updates, please sign up for our mailing list! Our Electronic Newsletter: For those who wish to advance their marine biological knowledge, we publish an electronic marine biological newsletter approximately 5 times per month. We publish on a variety of topics within marine biology, from ecology to individual ocean creatures. We strive to have an article for everyone, & attract marine biological enthusiasts, professionals in the field, & all those with a curious mind. Each article can be found here. Our Public Conservation Events & Public Educational Events: We frequently conduct conservation events in California, such as Beach Cleanups. We cannot do this without people like you! To find out the closest beach cleanup, please consult our Events Calendar. We appreciate each & every volunteer that we get, & highly recommend getting involved if you want to make a difference. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us at thepersaudfoundation@gmail.com , or consult our Eventbrite page. In addition to this, we currently conduct local oceanic education events, which can also be found on our calendar. Reach Out To Us! Name Email Subject Message Submit Thank you for submitting! We willl respond to your message as soon as possible. What exactly does your organization do & what is its mission? We are dedicated to raising ocean literacy, protecting the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. As of 2024, we run our marine biological science communication newsletter The Persaud Catalog which published 5 times per month at least, we publish online courses, & we conduct public marine biological conservation events in California. We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, based in the U.S. What exactly are your online courses? We believe in protecting the ocean through conservation, & education. Education about the sea is essential to conservation, as people cannot understand the needs of the sea & its creatures if they do not understand our ocean & its creatures. We currently have 3 available online courses , with 3 more under construction to be released soon. Our courses vary in topic, however, they typically are about oceanic animals, as people cannot understand the needs of these animals if they do not understand the animals in the first place. Our online courses can be found here. What is the benefit of reading your newsletter? Our newsletter, The Persaud Catalog, publishes approximately 5 times per month, with topics of articles ranging from individual marine animals, to how marine resources were used in different areas historically. In addition, we conduct interviews with marine scientists, ocean ecologists, conservationists, & science communicators alike to share the beauty, value, & wonder of the ocean & marine science with as many people as possible. We work our hardest to provide interesting, informative, & engaging articles to our supporters. Each of our articles can be found in the articles tab of our website, or to search for a specific article or topic, please use our navigational bar. Do you have an Oceanic Question or Question About our Nonprofit / Newsletter? Email Us & We’ll Get Back To You As Soon As Possible. Reach Out To Us