Founded by Peter Buschmann in the early twentieth century this thriving and bustling fishing community has long been a favorite destination for our expeditions in Southeast Alaska. With just over 3,000 residents – many being of Norwegian descent – Petersburg is considered one of the wealthiest per capita towns in the United States thanks to its long-standing connection to the productive fisheries. Having spent the entire day here we were able to experience many aspects of this island community, from exploring the intertidal beaches, hiking through the muskeg and forest ecosystems to witnessing the processing of fresh caught fish at one of the local canneries. As a finale to our day here and a salute to one of the many sustainable fisheries of Southeast Alaska a Dungeness crab feast was held on board for dinner.
9/3/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Ushk Bay and Peril Strait
National Geographic Quest arose amidst light clouds within the protected waters of Ushk Bay. This area is known for a salmon stream and yields plenty of opportunity for kayaking and exploring the vast meadows of its inner waterways. On this day’s occasion, guests were able to hike and paddle their way along the coast of Ushk Bay and witness firsthand the life cycle of Pacific salmon making their way upstream. As we transited through Peril Strait, we were lucky to see humpback whales. These immense mammals were “lunge feeding” very near our ship. Being able to witness this event was unique for guests and staff. Lunge feeding is process through which individual whales push their gaping mouths through the surface and collect any fish or planktonic invertebrates in the process. Witnessing this behavior was truly a remarkable experience for all. We will cherish this moment for a lifetime.
