"Your tone is condescending, as to an uninformed child. We can disagree and state our respective points without being prickish."

Everyone is welcome to their own opinion but not their own facts, you're fabricating fake facts about CFOS that aren't true. 

"I suggest that time in class/writing would be far more meaningful if students could apply their studies with field work nearby."

What about the students who work in any of the other seas surrounding Alaska? Or for that matter Antarctica? I'm sorry to inform you, but the Gulf isn't the only Ocean in the world. 

"And might that Outside money not be put to better use than for travel expenses to/from the ocean/fish?"

Again, travel constitutes a small portion of any grant awarded. I think you're unaware that ship time (of which is shared by multiple researchers from various institutions) is the most expensive cost. 

Why are you making stuff up about CFOS?