The West Coast & Polar Regions Undersea Research Center (WCPR) was established in 1990 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, following a national competition. As one of several regional centers in NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP), this Center promotes, facilitates and supports undersea research in support of national needs and NOAA priorities, along the West Coast of the United States and in Polar regions.
The West Coast region includes approximately two-thirds of the U.S. continental shelf, numerous seamounts, and earthquake producing subduction zones including the 8600m deep Aleutian Trench. The seafloor spreading ridges off California, Oregon and Washington are by far the closest of their kind to U.S. ports – their volcanic and hydrothermal vent related ecosystems have received considerable scientific attention. The Juan de Fuca Ridge is one of several foci for the Global Ocean Observing System that are included in the Center’s region.
The Polar regions are likely to experience early and potentially severe impacts from global warming as patterns of seasonal and permanent ice cover change. The Alaska/Arctic region includes vast extended continental shelf areas, with great strategic, economic and scientific importance. Fisheries resources are of tremendous importance along the West Coast and especially in the Alaska region, and fishery-related ecosystem studies are a priority area for Center supported research.
The West Coast & Polar Regions Undersea Research Center entertains proposals for undersea research from scientists and engineers at U.S. academic, government and not-for-profit institutions. Funding priorities and budgets vary from year to year – prospective proponents are advised to visit the web pages and/or contact the center for the latest information and procedures. A small number of “developmental proposals” designed to enable future full proposals through proof-of-concept studies, technology development, and similar activities may also be funded.
Center-supported projects typically require use of advanced undersea technologies including, but not limited to: SCUBA, occupied research submersibles, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and advanced sensors. Center staff work with investigators to provide appropriate vessels and equipment. Available equipment includes NURP-owned as well as leased vehicles and vessels. Cooperative agreements with other groups, especially the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), expand the availability of key technologies.
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