David Janka

David has been a resident of Prince William Sound for 46 years, 30 years in Cordova, and the previous 16 in Valdez.

Even before the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, David was involved with research projects and environmental issues in the Sound, including baseline tidal surveys with the National Marine Fisheries Service, glacier research with the U.S. Geological Survey, and as a biologist for the salmon hatchery in Valdez.

David began working in the tourism industry in 1985. On March 24, 1989, he and his family were caretakers for Stan Stephens’ Growler Island Camp just 8 miles west of Bligh Reef. He worked the response for a short time and later as a relief skipper aboard small spill response boats. He also worked with the Valdez Local Response Program, was director of the Prince William Sound Conservation Alliance, participated in the Trans Alaska Gas Line Environmental Review Committee, was involved with the Prince William Sound Audubon and Prince William Soundkeeper, and represented local interests on the last major shoreline survey by Exxon.

He and his family purchased the 58-foot charter vessel Auklet in the 1990s. Since then, his business, Auklet Charter Services, has specialized in research/work trip support, film/media, as well as natural history cruises. Many trips were related to research and monitoring related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

David has spent time in every corner of Prince William Sound. Over the years, he has guided agencies, organizations, media, as well as the Council’s staff into Prince William Sound to sites where oil from the Exxon Valdez still lingers today.