The world is rich in natural resources, but many of them are being squandered so senselessly and wastefully that they may not be around for much longer, like petroleum, for example. Even agricultural food production is suffering significant setbacks and challenges, which poses a direct threat to the human population of the entire planet. However, some natural resources are still being wisely and efficiently managed, such as the Alaskan fisheries, which continue to provide the country (and world) with healthy and abundant food, at a sustainable rate thanks in large part to the successful Alaska habitat protection initiatives of recent years.

For many decades the fishing industry was relatively unregulated, until in the mid-twentieth century states like Alaska took the lead and began fixing limits and specific control mechanisms to make sure that such a valuable resource was not pilfored and ruined. Beginning with simple measures to control which nets and which species (and how many fish) were fair game, Alaska got a significant head start on many other fishing industries in this regard, mainly because of the foresight of the locals and state government. Subsequently, many prudent Alaska habitat protection measures were approved, preserving particularly the breeding grounds of the many diverse species that compose the enormous and productive Alaskan fishing industry.

Today, many of these Alaska habitat protection sites are used for research purposes, which in turn help the state regulators and fishermen more wisely execute their duties, protecting the tremendous bio-diversity of the Alaskan waters and its promise of bounty and nutrition for a large part of the planet. In fact, the various initiatives to preserve habitat cover a variety of areas, from preventing erosion that destroys fish habitat along small streams and rivers, to providing better passageways for migrating fish to reach their final destinations. Many Alaska habitat protection initiatives also extend out into the far seas, rigorously regulating what kinds of fishing activities are permissible and which are not. Thank heavens that people in Alaska have had the insight to undertake these positive steps for ecological preservation, because they will have the immediate and long term result of providing a steady and nutritionally superior gamut of seafood options for national and international consumption, which works out in everybody’s favor.

Alaska is home to an abundant variety of seafood, and offers some of the purest marine, freshwater, and upland habitats on the planet.

From the clear crystal waters comes seafood that is delicious and healthy. Alaskan seafood is low in fat but big on flavor and Omega-3 oils. You can study thousands of pages of nutritional research. Or, simply observe the amazing health and longevity of people in countries where seafood is the most important part of their diet. Either way, Alaska seafood is as healthy as it is delicious.

Are you are looking for a meal that is low in saturated fat, filled with nutrients and packed with good heart healthy Omega-3s oils? Then you should start with Alaska Seafood.

http://www.alaskaseafood.org

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Protecting-Alaskas-Natural-Habitat&id=2095017

For many, Alaska would appear to be nothing more than a frozen ‘desert’ of emptiness, however, the Alaska real estate displays many remarkable natural wonders. Alaska is by no means the backward and desolate state many may picture, as in the last few decades it’s infrastructure and industry has flourished while Alaska real estate has become more desirable.

Alaska became the 49th state of the United States in 1959, yet the history of Alaska as a territory of the USA started a few years after the civil war. Originally owned by the Russian Empire, the US negotiated a price of seven million dollars for its purchase. This made the Alaska real estate value at about two cents an acre. The majority of Alaska real estate is still owned by the US government, however, the available real estate is much prized for it’s glorious landscapes and breathtaking scenes.

Although the perception that Alaska is mainly cold, the summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s°F especially in more populous areas such as Fairbanks. Areas in the central and extreme north which are largely unpopulated and undeveloped receive the coldest temperatures.

Commerce in Alaska has also encouraged development and made Alaska real estate more desirable in the last 5 years. Big Box retailers, especially Wal-Mart and Costco have found an excellent opportunity in Alaska. The Internet has also proved to be an economic stimulus, as Alaskan consumers are able to order products from all over the world.

Not withstanding the wondrous beauty of the state. Sportsmen from all over the world have sought out Alaska real estate to enjoy their hunting and fishing activities. Numerous real estate professionals deal in the rental and sale of Alaska real estate to persons interested in renting or buying cabins or lodging for outdoor excursions. The US Bureau of Land Management maintains more than 3 million acres of Alaska real estate for use by the public.

Aside from being a sportsman’s paradise, Alaska boasts a state park system larger than any other in the United States, making camping and wilderness exploration an ideal recreation. Many other outdoor activities such as snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling are available in many areas. One more prevalent activity is to see the amazing ocean-view sights from an Alaskan cruise ship. Mostly a tourist attraction, it also makes a nice mini-vacation for residents.

Whether you seek a vacation home or a permanent place to settle, Alaska real estate offers advantages not seen in many of the lower 48 states. Great potential lies in the Alaskan lands of wonder, the beauty of nature combined with the advanced society makes it an extraordinary choice to live and play here.

Learn more about Alaska real estate and real estate in general.

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Industrial fishing is a very active sector of the economy, especially in states like Alaska, where fisheries account for a major source of revenue. The Alaskan waters are some of the most bountiful in the world, and thanks to prudent regulation of the fishing industry in that state, there is every sign that those waters will remain just as abundant. Not only because of the effective legislation on the subject, however, but also because of efficient fishing methods, like Alaska gillnetting, which happens to be one of the most species-specific fishing methods out there.

With gillnetting, many factors are carefully calibrated to ensure that the right species of fish will end up in the net. The weight, strength, and width of the string are all diligently measured to assure that bycatch-a term that in the fishing industry refers to the harvesting of unintended species-is minimal to none. The size of the target fish species is used to determine the size of the mesh in Alaska gillnetting, one of the most important controls in the process. With certain species, such as many kinds of salmon, the rate of bycatch is incredibly low, meaning that gillnetting reduces unintentional harm to the ecosystem.

Of course, since Alaska gillnetting is so efficient, the practice needs to be-and is-very tightly managed to ensure the preservation of wild fisheries, which are one of Alaska’s biggest assets. After all, only a brief period of gillnetting can yield extremely high results, drastically cutting the necessary period of time and making the entire industry a little bit more practical.

With many different kinds of gillnets out there, there are distinct varieties being used to catch certain species or to hunt in certain waters. With encircling gillnets, driftnets, set gillnets, and a few other varieties still, different circumstances will determine which Alaska gillnetting technique will be implied, further maximizing the efficiency and exactitude of the industry overall. So, if you want to help support a sustainable and intelligent fishing industry the next time you choose to eat seafood, consider buying Alaskan seafood, where the most sustainable of all standards are applied.

Alaska is home to an abundant variety of seafood, and offers some of the purest marine, freshwater, and upland habitats on the planet.

From the clear crystal waters comes seafood that is delicious and healthy. Alaskan seafood is low in fat but big on flavor and Omega-3 oils. You can study thousands of pages of nutritional research. Or, simply observe the amazing health and longevity of people in countries where seafood is the most important part of their diet. Either way, Alaska seafood is as healthy as it is delicious.

Are you are looking for a meal that is low in saturated fat, filled with nutrients and packed with good heart healthy Omega-3s oils? Then you should start with Alaska Seafood.

http://www.alaskaseafood.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allie_Moxley
http://EzineArticles.com/?Keeping-Fish-Catches-Smart-in-Alaska&id=2094796

My passion for prospecting and my enduring love for the wilderness of Alaska were born on the beaches of Nome in 1993. I couldn’t stop whistling, North To Alaska! It was my good fortune to spend seven adventure packed weeks that summer on the crew of a gold camp 15 miles west of Nome. I have returned twice on the same crew, my latest expedition in 2007.

Nome’s weather is dominated by the Bering Sea and can change rapidly. In the summer, highs average in the mid-50s, with lows in the low to mid-40s. The coldest three months are December through February, when the highs average about 13 degrees and the lows average a little below zero.

The beaches are often still covered in ice pack and snow in May. June offers the best combination of clear skies and warm temperatures. As the summer progresses, more rain can be expected. Severe storms are common and the window of opportunity for working the beach sands diminishes as September approaches.

Nome is located on the southern Seward Peninsula coast of Norton Sound in the Bering Sea, approximately 540 air miles northeast of Anchorage. There are no roads connecting Nome to any major city in Alaska. A robust 4,000 folks now inhabit what was once one of the most populous cities in Alaska. Half of the population are Native American Eskimo. Incorporated in 1901, Nome lies within the region of the Bering Straits Native Corporation. The Sitnasuak Village Corporation has its land holdings in and around the city of Nome.

There Is No Place Like Nome

If the prospectors of 1899 had followed Johnny Horton’s lyrical directions to the gold in the movie North to Alaska, they would have found themselves in the frigid, salty waters of the Bering Sea. In the song, Horton places the golden bonanza beneath that old white mountain, just a little southeast of Nome. That would place the mountain in the ocean. But in the actual story, that is where the gold is, in the water.

History shows that the majority of the Nome gold recovered to date has been gleaned from the beaches of Nome, rather than the creeks and rivers. Thousands of gold seekers tromped over this golden treasure in their quest inland, never realizing that they were grinding beneath their boots the elusive mineral they so avidly sought.

The majority of the credit for the Nome gold rush goes to the triad of John Brynteson, Erik Lindblom and Jafet Lindeberg, who became infamous as those “Three Lucky Swedes,” although Lindeberg was actually from Norway.

In the summer of 1898 John Brynteson was a member of an exploration party from Council City prospecting the Seward Peninsula. Foul weather forced their ship to seek refuge in the mouth of the Snake River, 13 miles west of Cape Nome. The men passed the time waiting for the storms to abate by prospecting the drainages within a four or five mile radius of the ship. They found some color in their gold pans, but not enough to excite them. J. Brynteson, however, had faith and he formed a partnership with the two other Scandinavians, Lindblom and Lindeberg. The men continued to prospect and they eventually worked their way to Anvil Creek where they discovered an impressive amount of coarse gold. After restocking their meager supplies at Golovin, a small trading post 100 miles east, they immediately returned to Anvil Creek, formed the Cape Nome Mining District, and between the three of them, staked out 43 claims. By power of attorney, they also immediately filed on 47 additional claims for backers, relatives and friends.

When word of this leaked out, as it always does, a feverish migration of prospectors descended on the Nome area, unaware that The Lucky Swedes had yet to find anything near a true gold strike. The chaos and confusion that ensued involved rampant claim-jumping, cross filings, lawyers, litigation and myriads of claims filed, by power of attorney, for persons who, in most cases, probably did not even exist. The stampede to Nome by thousands of prospectors from the outside world resulted in disappointment and discouragement for most and death for many.

The lawful resolution of litigations and claim boundaries was impeded by District Judge Arthur H. Noyes, who later turned out to be a flagrant crook who took part in a scheme to use the law to take over the richest gold claims.

In this treeless land, lawlessness prevailed as gangs roamed the streets, setting fires to cover robbery and looting. Troops from Fort St. Michael across Norton Sound were summoned to maintain order.

In those early weeks of the gold rush, the three Lucky Swedes must have felt anything but lucky. The blame for the whole fiasco began to settle squarely on their shoulders. Rumors spread like wildfire, the Lucky Swedes had already filed on all the productive prospects. In reality, little gold had yet been found by anyone. The Swedes’ filings were especially anger-provoking to some of the other prospectors because federal law prohibited foreigners from filing claims unless they could show valid intent to become citizens, the Scandinavians had not.

Finally, in a miners meeting where tempers flared and destinies were forever changed, the Cape Nome Mining District was declared null and void, an illegal enterprise and all their claims were revoked.

The decision was in itself illegal. The miners may have taken the law into their own hands had not a handful of soldiers stepped into the fracas and forcefully disbanded them with fixed bayonnets.

That was a lucky break for the Swedes. They got another break. A few days later they were literally forgotten when one of the soldiers stationed at Nome went to haul water from near the mouth of the Snake River and found gold in the beach sand. It was almost impossible to believe the magnitude of the discovery. Within a matter of days, gold was located stretched along the water line for over 40 miles both east and west of Nome. This time the rush really was on.

Late in the season, winter was settling in and the coast was icebound, but gold seekers began descending on the tent town in the spring of 1899. The gold rush spurred permanent, non-indigenous settlement of the booming city with the population exceeding 40,000 by 1900. According to the US Census of 1900, one third of all whites recorded in Alaska were living in Nome. During the peak of the Nome gold rush, hundreds of tents stretched out along twenty miles of the beach west of town.

Nome was a worthy strike. In the summer of 1899 alone, 2,000 miners, both men and women, worked the sand to extract in excess of two million dollars worth of gold from the beaches gravels before freeze up.

Nandu Green is a lifestyle portal, offering high-quality, unique, intriguing and innovative merchandise from around the globe.

Marlene Affeld’s passion for the environment and all things natural inspire her to write informative and insightful articles to assist others in living a Green Lifestyle. For more Green Living info visit Nandu Green at http://nandugreen.com

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The sheer size and varying landscape of Alaska offers many different places to schedule your Alaskan Fishing Trip. You can try your luck fishing the high seas for Halibut, fly-in to a remote location for fly-fishing, or even just bait fish at a fishing hole outside of Anchorage. However, some areas cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world for the amount and size of their fish. Here are four of the best places to fish in Alaska.

Kenai River

The size and amount of fish in the Kenai river is simply outstanding. The river is on the Kenai Peninsula and runs 132 miles from Kenai Lake before it empties into the Cook Inlet. There are two runs of king, silver, silver, and red salmon each summer and a run of pink salmon every other year. This is one of the only places where you can guarantee that the river is going to be full of running salmon itching for a fight. There aren’t just a lot of fish, there’s big fish too. The world record king salmon, weighing in at 97 pounds, was caught in the Kenai River in 1985. However, all these fish also attract lots of other fisherman and you might end up bumping elbows with some of them. If you want a more isolated experience, come here in the fall when you can stalk the river by yourself for monster rainbow trout.

Bristol Bay

Bristol bay is 250 miles long and 180 miles wide, sandwiched between mainland Alaska and the Alaskan Peninsula. This place, with several rivers and streams entering into it, is home to the largest salmon run in the world. You can catch chum, silver, and king salmon, but most everyone comes to Bristol Bay for the legendary sockeye salmon fishing. Bristol Bay is the largest fishery for the tasty sockeye in the world. If your arms end up getting tired from fighting enormous salmon all day, try fishing the many streams in the area for rainbows, arctic char, and grayling.

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island, home to the legendary bear, is 100 miles long and between 10 and 60 miles wide. The Karluk River, as well as several other streams on the island, has great fishing for both trout and salmon. However, the main attraction of Kodiak Island is the road system, which allows people to navigate the backcountry for the perfect secluded fishing hole, which in most cases is only a few feet from the main road.

Copper River

The 300 miles of the Copper River make for some of the best salmon fishing in Alaska. During the summer months, over 2 million salmon navigate these waters to find their spawning grounds.

Deciding where to go is just the tip of the iceberg for planning your Alaska fishing trip. Make Sure to check out AlaskaFishingWorld.com for other information, from Lodges to Halibut fishing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Wary
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Places-to-Fish-in-Alaska&id=2113701

Sarah Palin’s run on the ticket with John McCain generated quite a bit of interest about Alaska – not that there wasn’t already. We get more than a million visitors to our capital city of Juneau each year. So, the interest is definitely there.

If I am asked where I’m from there is no hesitancy on my part in replying, “I’m from Alaska!” Yes, I was born and raised in San Francisco, but my heart (unlike Tony Bennett’s ) is right here in Juneau, Alaska. So, the obvious question is: “What’s so great about Alaska?” Well, if you’re an outdoor person – a hiker, a hunter, or a fisherman – it’s your almost private paradise. The Juneau area has more miles of hiking trails than it has miles of roads (including every street and alleyway that can accommodate an automobile) – roughly 250 miles of trails compared to 200 miles of roads. Our backyard is a 1,500 square mile glacial ice field that borders Canada, and our front yard is the Pacific Ocean and the islands of the Inside Passage. Granted, Juneau isn’t the easiest place to reach. You either arrive by air or by water. The 1500 square miles of ice prevent a road from reaching us; and the weather sometimes prevents the jets from landing. In the latter instances you might spend the night in Anchorage and, hopefully, reach Juneau the next day. However, when you do finally arrive, it’s all worth it.

Where else in the world can you think of where the locals go fishing in a lake (casting three barbed lead weighted hooks) for pieces of glacier ice for their evening cocktails? Or, where have you seen tourists ride rafts on a raging glacial river that winds through a small bedroom community? Yes, it’s true – dad is out on the back porch barbecuing and waving at the rafters as they float by. As that Russian comic (i think his name is ‘Smirnoff’) used to say, “What a country!”

In one of my future postings, I’ll tell you about some of my most notable fishing and hunting experiences in Alaska. In the meantime, remember my admonition: do yourself a favor – at least once in your lifetime visit Alaska.

I love writing and doing book reviews. I enjoy reading and writing mysteries and thrillers of all kinds; especially my own. Historical facts are often blended into my stories.

http://www.rainsmurder.com

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An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is perhaps the most popular of all the itineraries any cruise line has to offer because of its spectacular and unbeatable scenery. This area of Alaska is also known as the Panhandle because of its history as an active center of gold mining. This is only one of the historic moments you will learn about when you visit this incredibly beautiful part of the state. Inside Passage cruises depart only from Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver.

This Alaska Inside Passage cruise is almost always taken as a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver and this is just one more reason it is as popular as it is. Economical round trip airfare to and from either of these cities is extremely affordable for any travel budget. The duration of this passage option is seven days on average and this is enough time to get a great taste of all there is to see within this part of Alaska. If you are looking for a longer cruise they are sometimes offered out of California but the extra three to four days are generally spent at sea, therefore this extra time is time spent aboard the ship and not within Alaska. On the other hand shorter cruises of four to five days are offered as well from Klondike Cruise tours directly within Alaska.

Let’s go through what an average Alaska Inside Passage cruise itinerary would include. Your first day is often spent cruising through the Inside Passage of Alaska and taking in the sights of breathtaking glaciers, mountains and wildlife of all kinds. You will then spend the next three to four days exploring different cities and ports of Alaska including Juneau, Skagway, Misty Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park and several others. Your final day is spent retracing your path to your port of origin.

If you are debating on a family cruise vacation, it is not uncommon for families to travel to Alaska this way. There is a great deal for children to see and learn about this part of the United States and many of the land excursions are child friendly which makes for a great family vacation.

The best time of year to take an Alaska Inside Passage cruise is anywhere from the beginning of April until the end of September. This is when the weather is most agreeable and wildlife is everywhere to see. The migration of the whales is one sight many travelers never forget when they take this cruise during the spring months of the year. Always consider the time of year you choose to travel so you will be sure to see the sights you want to be able to see.

There is nothing like an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, especially if you are interested in seeing something truly different. Take in air so fresh you will feel like you have never breathed before, see mountains that go on for miles and miles and witness whales leaping from the sea and bears lumbering along the shore. Really see nature for the first time when you visit Alaska. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is one you will want to take again and again because there is so much to see–seven days is just not enough!

J. David Rogers travels the world and has a passion for uncovering the best deals in every destination. What you just learned is the tip of the iceberg. To learn even more about taking an Alaska Inside Passage cruise and always get the latest news about discounts, be sure to visit the only blog exclusively dedicated to Alaska cruise deals.

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If you want to go rainbow trout fishing, Alaska is the place to be. With its pristine wilderness and seemingly untouched waters, the fish are available in abundance.

But, before you plan your next or first fishing trip to the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, keep reading for some tips and tricks that will help your fishing expedition go a little smoother.

Be Aware of Your Fishing Seasons

Rainbow trout season in Alaska runs from June 15 to Oct 31 – however where the trout are running depends on the year and the river you select. For more information, you can ask your guide to help you find the best trout fishing spots, or you can consult the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Have a Guide

Having a guide is not only safe, but it’s also smart. This is a person who can help you find the best spots for fishing, assist in navigating the waters and river systems of Alaska and give you helpful tips and tricks on rainbow trout fishing. Alaska fishing guides and lodges are everywhere, but choosing the right one can be critical for your overall experience.

Ideally, you want a guide who provides you with equipment, safety gear, accommodations, supplies and experience. Some recommended and locally respected companies include Puffin Alaska Fishing Charters, Alaska NW Charters, and Alaska Outdoor Adventures.

While researching prospective guides online is a great idea, you should always call the person or lodge and speak to them directly before you book. You’ll likely be committing several days in a boat with this individual, so you want to make sure you get a positive vibe and a sense that the person meshes with your fishing personality.

Get Your License

Typically, most guides will either arrange your license for you or possess a blanket license that covers you as a passenger of their boats. If you’re not heading out with a guide who does this, you’ll need to purchase your own license from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can buy it online and should expect to pay $55 for a weeklong license or $145 for yearly access to the Alaskan waters.

In addition to obtaining a license, you must follow several other state rules and regulations regarding sport fishing. For example, you can’t sell fish that were caught by sport fishing, nor can you export them unless they’re properly prepared for transport. You’re also limited in the type of equipment you can use. To review these regulations, contact the Fish and Game office directly or check out their website.

Pack Smart

Typically, your guide or lodge will supply you with your gear and equipment for fishing. However, you may have to bring your own waders or certain small supplies. Before you depart, you should ask your lodge or guide to supply you with a packing list that’s season specific. Regardless, when packing for Alaska, you need to be prepared for any weather system.

Part of pre-planning is deciding what type of clothing to take with you. If traveling during the summer months, you will be going through quite a wide variation in temperatures and climates. If you throw in a side trip to hike, camp, fish or climb, there is even more variation in clothing needed. To avoid spoiling your vacation because of being too cold all the time, you can plan ahead and pack appropriately. You’ll want some dressy clothing to wear for dinner an dancing on board ship, but when you’re doing some of the more adventurous activities you should bring clothing that will allow you to:

Dress in Layers
If you have several lightweight layers of clothing on, you will not only trap air between the layers, but can add or remove layers along with changes in temperatures.

Go for Sportswear
Comfortable lightweight clothing and your best hiking or climbing shoes are best for the rough ground you may be exploring.

Sweats and Pantsuits
Although jeans are comfortable to wear and quite sturdy, if denim gets wet it can take forever to dry and you may not have the option to change into dry clothes immediately. A better choice is pant suits or jogging suits. Also be sure to pack windbreakers, raincoats and jackets.

Protective Accessories
Protective accessories should be considered a vital part of your suitcase contents. Bring a sun visor to protect your eyes, sunglasses, a lightweight hat or cap that is water resistant and a folding type umbrella are good choices. A pair of light gloves is also good to keep your hands warm and protected from wind and water as well. One other vital accessory is a good sun block cream to protect your skin from sun’s rays.

Think ahead and plan your activities beforehand so you will be prepared with the proper clothing and supplies. Of course, you will be able to purchase anything you might have forgotten aboard the cruise ship or when you dock in a local port.

Alaska has become an increasingly popular destination for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the natural activities which are so prevalent in this beautiful country. It has even become an important honeymoon destination for those who want something out of the ordinary.

You can start with a luxurious cruise, with dancing and drinking, playing in the on-board casino and watching movies and live shows, watching wildlife, scenic mountains, glaciers and other historical attractions such as Gold Rush days, the White Pass Railroad. Or, maybe you’d prefer to climb a mountain or two, hike in one of the beautiful parks.