Alaskan Fur Seals - Earthwatch Institute

2. RESEARCH AREA
Physical Environment
At 40 square miles, St.
George Island is the
second largest of the
four volcanic Pribilof
Islands in the Bering
Sea. The island is
approximately 780
miles southwest of
Anchorage and 300
miles northwest of
Unalaska, Alaska. St.
Paul Island, where the
majority of the
Pribilovians (primarily
Aleut natives) live and
the main site of
commercial activity (fishing and fish processing), is located 43 miles north of St. George. Otter Island and Walrus
Island, the other two Pribilofs, are uninhabited islets located off of St. Paul.
St. George’s terrain is diverse and includes rocky uplands, rugged hills, broad expanses of tundra and steep cliffs
that drop into the ocean. The shores are lined with low bluffs and high cliffs, with the highest rising over 1,000
feet from the ocean. Boulder beaches and basalt shelves are found below some of these cliffs. From May through
July, Alaska experiences 16-19 hours of daylight each day and nights never get completely dark.
St. George was designated as a research reserve in 1973 with the end of the commercial fur seal harvest. Because
of its isolation, proximity to the continental shelf break, and variety of habitats unique in the central Bering Sea,
St. George supports astonishingly high concentrations of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates. The
Pribilofs are the world’s principle breeding area for both red-legged kittiwakes and northern fur seals. These
islands, particularly St. George, provide a unique opportunity to conduct long-term monitoring of a diverse and
productive marine ecosystem.
Cultural, Social, and Political Environment
The predominant language spoken on St. George is English, while local names and traditions reflect some
Russian influence. Most people on the island are Aleut, also called “Unangan,” and are very friendly and enjoy
sharing their culture with visitors. The main religion of the islanders is Russian Orthodox, and if you intend to
visit the island’s church, be aware that women stand on the left and men on the right, and women are not allowed
in the alter area. Also, if you take photographs inside the church building, a donation must be made to the
church.
The St. George Traditional Council (STGTC) is the federally recognized tribal government of St. George Island.
Organized in 1932, the STGTC represents St. George’s Aleut community in the conservation and co-management
of a diverse ecosystem and the customary and traditional practices of the Aleut people. The Pribilof Islands
Stewardship Program and the STGTC Island Sentinel Program provide an excellent opportunity for integrating
volunteers, community members, and local youth into scientific research on the island.
Because of their year-round presence on the islands, the Aleut communities of St. Paul and St. George play a
critical role in observing and monitoring the ecology and status of the Pribilof region. The Citrus oil spill of 1996
accentuated the need for a community-based program to monitor the ecosystem throughout the year. The Island
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