Qangyut, meaning “ocean waves” in Sug’stun, embodies the spirit of this collaborative project. Partnering with the Chugach Regional Resource Commission (CRRC) and the Tribes they serve, NOAA’s Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), we aim to develop the "Ocean Forecast for the Gulf of Alaska" (OFGA). This project is designed to foster meaningful relationships among Tribal members, researchers, agency representatives, and community members, co-developing OFGA products that serve a diverse group of users.

OFGA will generate nine-month forecasts for key ocean conditions, including temperature, salinity, sea surface height, oxygen, nutrients, pH, carbon dioxide partial pressure, aragonite saturation state, and chlorophyll-a. These forecasts will be transformed into user-friendly products, such as animated temperature and pH maps, or indicators for extreme events and harmful algal blooms. All products, along with details on predictability, skill, and uncertainty, will be made available through a public website.

Our team will also engage communities through knowledge exchange events, distributing OFGA products and information relevant to species harvested by local communities. Additionally, these forecasts will inform NOAA’s annual ecosystem status report for the Gulf of Alaska, contributing to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council's Fisheries Ecosystem Plan for the upcoming fishing season.