Since the fishing industry as a whole is facing increased challenges and financial hardship, many are looking at mariculture as an alternative to commercial fishing. The Alaska Fisheries Science Center Kodiak Lab is currently conducting research that could support oyster farming.

The autumn community cleanup has had dozens of participants pick up car and boat parts, rusty crab pots, buoys, and more from Kodiak Island's road system. The 10 day long cleanup has one more big push before it ends on Oct. 26.

Some residents may have noticed Kodiak brown bears getting into their trash cans in certain areas of the borough lately. Borough staff say they, too, have noticed an increase in bear activity recently. But Alaska Department of Fish & Game officials say these encounters are common this time of year.

Buskin Lake and River are the only place in the state reported to have signal crayfish, an invasive species. In an effort to keep the population low, a Louisiana tradition is prospering in Alaska.

“The driver heard small explosions, pops coming from the load – once we arrived on scene we could hear the same thing,” said City Fire Chief Frank Dorner. No injuries were reported.

Alaska's suicide rate was nearly double the national average in 2017. For National Suicide Prevention Month, several organizations in Kodiak are pushing mental health resources and awareness events as part of it.

Researchers have documented a hundred more cases of wild birds in Alaska infected with the bird flu since last year. Yet there is evidence that a variety of species are building up immunity to the virus.

“We have a reimbursement transportation cost payment program, just because transportation costs here in the 49th State and particularly in remote areas such as Kodiak Island, are higher than being in the contiguous U.S," staff with the USDA-Farm Service Agency said.

Salmon sharks appear to be turning up in fishermen’s nets around Kodiak Island in greater frequency this summer. But there isn’t enough data to determine if the shark population is growing in Alaska.

Environmental staff with the Kodiak Area Native Association test water samples along with a variety of species at three beaches once a week to monitor toxin levels in shellfish and issue advisories.