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Media Advisory 10-012

NSF and NPRB Invite Media to Apply for Reporting Slots on Two Bering Sea Cruises


April 30, 2010

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

The National Science Foundation and the North Pacific Research Board are accepting proposals from professional journalists to report on the ocean-going research vessel, the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, this spring and summer. One to two reporting slots will be available on two separate cruises, with durations ranging from two weeks to a full month.

The research cruises are part of a multi-year assessment of the impact of climate change on the Bering Sea, a diverse ecosystem that is also an important commercial fishing ground familiar to many Americans from the popular reality show "Deadliest Catch."

Accompanying media will have the opportunity to report on an extensive range of research efforts related to climate change. Scientists onboard the Thompson will deploy an array of scientific equipment and gather various types of samples in their studies, and will make use of the vessel's onboard facilities to conduct initial analyses of their observations and collections. Specific research topics include the impact of climate change on a range of animals, including sea birds, commercial fish species, whales and plankton, as well as gauging differences in sea temperature and ocean currents. The Thompson will stop at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands during the first cruise.

The exact dates of departure and return for the cruises may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions, however, the first cruise will depart Dutch Harbor, Alaska on May 9 and will end at the same location on June 14. Members of the media may depart or join the expedition during a stop at St. Paul, Alaska, May 26-28. The second cruise will depart June 16 from Dutch Harbor and will return to the same location on July 16.

Members of the media interested in reporting from the Thompson during part or all of the cruises should submit a proposal of no more than three pages to Dana Cruikshank via email at dcruiksh@nsf.gov. Each proposal should include the reporter's name and affiliation along with a general description of the topics and focus of their proposed reportage. Freelancers are encouraged to apply, however, preference will be given to those with firm commitments for placement.

Questions about the cruise or proposals should be directed to Dana Cruikshank, dcruiksh@nsf.gov, telephone (703) 292-7738, or Nora Deans, nora.deans@nprb.org, telephone (907) 644-6707.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Dana W. Cruikshank, NSF, (703) 292-7738, email: dcruiksh@nsf.gov
Nora Deans, National Pacific Research Board, (907) 644-6707, email: nora.deans@nprb.org

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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