ASLC Announces Major Marine Tours Challenge Match
October 29, 2018

Seward, Alaska (October 29, 2018) – Twenty years ago today the first real-time video link between Chiswell Island and the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) was established, making remote monitoring of Steller sea lions from the Center possible. Chiswell Island is a remote rocky island 35 miles south of Seward, and is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. ASLC staff has operated remote video cameras to conduct long-term research on Steller sea lions throughout Resurrection Bay since 1998.
 
Coincident with this anniversary, Major Marine Tours is challenging businesses and Alaskans to contribute to a fundraiser replacing degraded monitoring equipment on Chiswell Island and surrounding sea lion monitoring sites in Resurrection Bay. Major Marine Tours, through donations collected from customers and an additional amount from the company, will match the next $5,000 of donations made in support of Chiswell Island Camera Project. “Visiting Chiswell rookery is one of the highlights of our cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park. Major Marine Tours is committed to doing our part to help the Alaska SeaLife Center continue to monitor and study this endangered species,” states Tom Tougas, Owner of Major Marine Tours.
 
Generous donations thus far have made it possible for four antennas and one digital camera to be installed. “The video quality and accessibility of this new system is amazing compared to what we have been working with over the past twenty years,” states Chiswell Team Lead, Dr. John Maniscalco. While progress has been made, additional funds are needed to complete all the necessary upgrades. The fundraiser is set up on ASLC website: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. Select “Chiswell Island Camera Project” in the pull-down tab to directly support the project.
 
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