Adugak Island Explained

Adugak Island (also spelled Adougakh, possibly from Aleut: Adudak;[1] (Unangam Tunuu: Adugax̂) is a small island in the Fox Islands group in the Aleutian Islands of southwestern Alaska. It is about 2sp=usNaNsp=us long and is located 8sp=usNaNsp=us off the northwest coast of Umnak Island.

Name

The name was recorded in 1840 by Ivan Veniaminov. It may arise from the word "Adudak", which means "somewhat long".[2]

Geography

The island about 2sp=usNaNsp=us long and is located 8sp=usNaNsp=us off the northwest coast of Umnak Island. It reaches an elevation of about 31m (102feet) above sea level and the area around the island is extremely hazardous to ships because of the numerous rocks that lie just below the surface of the water.[3]

Wildlife

The island has been protected as a rookery for the endangered Steller sea lion,[4] which has been observed during the winter feeding on the fish that inhabit the water nearby.[5]

Cassin's auklet once lived in the area, but disappeared. They also disappeared from other Aleutian islands such as Keegaloo, and Ilak Island due to introduced predators, oil spills, and mortality from fisheries interactions.[6]

Some animals on the island were tested positive for Polydnavirus, along with Yunaska.[7]

References

52.9047°N -169.1744°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bulletin - United States Geological Survey. United States Geological Survey. 1906. 2008-09-22.
  2. Book: Geological Survey Professional Paper. 1949. U.S. Government Printing Office. en.
  3. Book: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. United States Coast Pilot: Alaska. Part II. Yakutat Bay to Arctic Ocean. 1916. US Govt. Printing Office. 216. adugak island.. 2008-09-22.
  4. Web site: US Code - 50 CFR Ch. II - Subpart B - § 223.202 - Steller sea lion. United States Federal Government. 2008-09-22.
  5. Web site: SEASONAL AND SPATIAL DIFFERENCES IN DIET IN THE WESTERN STOCK OF STELLER SEA LIONS (page 8). Elizabeth . Sinclair. National Marine Mammal Laboratory. 2008-09-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20080921175553/http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/sslmc/research/sinclair_zepplin.pdf. 21 September 2008 . live.
  6. Web site: Alaska Seabird Information Series. Alaska Region Migratory Bird Management. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  7. Book: VanWormer, Elizabeth. Viral emergence in the North Pacific may be linked to Arctic sea ice reduction. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2019. 7.