Between 2010 and 2023, Pew’s U.S. Arctic project sought to protect environmentally sensitive areas of the nation’s Arctic waters, including the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas.
The work focused on reducing harm from industrial fishing, offshore oil and gas development, and ship traffic, and on advancing science-based policies to guide environmentally responsible development and climate resilience. Pew also worked to advance Tribal co-management and to ensure that decision-making incorporated Indigenous knowledge.
As vessel traffic continues to increase through the northern Bering Sea and Bering Strait region of Alaska—driven by factors including diminishing Arctic sea ice, accessible natural resources, and interest in shorter travel—concerns are mounting that the waste produced by these ships could cause significant harm on this highly productive marine ecosystem and the people who live here.
Our Work
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