The Seward Marine Center's shoreside facilities include both wet and dry laboratory space, a research library, a machine shop, and apartments for visiting scientists and students.
About SMC
The Seward Marine Center (SMC) is a major marine experimental facility operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks' School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. SMC opened its doors in 1970 when the University of Alaska Fairbanks Institute of Marine Science transferred its coastal headquarters from Douglas, near Juneau, to Seward.
In addition to support for research vessel operations, shore based fishery research is also a major activity at SMC. Throughout its history, SMC has successfully maintained live organisms for studies of almost every type of fish and crustacean found in Alaskan waters.
SMC facilities include 1,989 square feet of wet laboratory space with a running sea water system, a variety of sizes of tanks and aquaria, and lights controlled by timers for the ability to simulate natural photoperiods. The untreated sea water, taken from a pipe extending 137 meters out into Resurrection Bay and drawing from a depth of 75 meters, is monitored daily for temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen. Two seawater pumps are each capable of pumping 150 gallons of water per minute. Water outflow is treated with a Chem-Free Ozone water treatment system before returning to Resurrection Bay in accordance with permitting agency regulations for holding non-resident species in the lab. There is an adjacent prep room for processing samples or preparing animal feed and two walk-in temperature controlled rooms.
The 2,073 square foot Hood Laboratory provides dry laboratory space with wireless computer capability. A small research library, walk-in freezer, machine shop and wood shop are on site.
Housing is available for visiting scientists and students in the SMC four-plex apartment building.
The Center operates a coastal research vessel, the 28' R/V Little Dipper, which is available for oceanographic and marine biological research in Resurrection Bay. Researchers can collect water, sediment, net, and trawl samples from Resurrection Bay and adjacent sheltered waters. Skiffs are also available.
The K.M. Rae Marine Education Building is available for classes or meetings in its 100-seat auditorium. A Poly Com 3000i videoconferencing system is available at the K.M. Rae Building for viewing classes or meetings at a distant location.
For further information or to request use of any of the facilities at the Seward Marine Center, please contact the Seward Marine Center at (907) 224-5261, or Phyllis Shoemaker, Lab Manager, at fnpas1@uaf.edu (907) 224-4312.