By Jess Davis, WSG Science Communications Fellow
Big actions often start with simple dreams. Nearly 40 years ago, many Washington state salmon fishermen began noticing declining stocks in salmon populations. Livelihoods impacted, a group of these fishermen felt a sense of urgency to initiate an effort to reinvigorate Washington salmon fishery ...
August 21, 2025
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to share about our research, outreach and education programs through Sea Star, our biannual magazine.
The summer 2025 issue is, unofficially, the “salmon issue,” with five feature stories highlighting the rich variety of WSG’s work through the ...
Read MoreJuly 24, 2025
One year ago, I assumed the role of interim faculty director at Washington Sea Grant (WSG). This represented a new leadership model for WSG, and my goal was to pilot the new model for 12 months while actively helping to recruit a permanent director from among the UW faculty. A second goal—no less important—was to expand the role of WSG ...
Read MoreJuly 18, 2025
WSG is thrilled to share that Kate Litle, WSG interim director and deputy director, was nominated for the prestigious 2025 Washington Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award.
The award recognizes state managers who “not only met high standards of leadership, but who also advanced innovation, equity and continuous improvement in the work they do every day,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson wrote in the call for nominations. Kate embodies all of these qualities, and more.
Since joining ...
Read MoreJuly 14, 2025
Seattle, WA – Moon jellyfish blooms are a stunning sight to see, their white and translucent colors making them appear light and delicate. However, these jellyfish are hidden predators lurking for their next meal. A research paper published in Marine Ecology Progress Series found that moon jellyfish (Aurelia labiata) ...
Read MoreJuly 1, 2025
WSG is excited to welcome Ava Vaughan as the Community-Engaged Intern! In her role, Ava will work with community engagement specialist Sanpisa Sritrairat, coastal hazards specialist Ian Miller, and partners at Washington Emergency Management Division to support coastal hazard mitigation planning and social vulnerability assessments.
Ava is currently pursuing a ...
Read MoreJune 24, 2025
For twenty-seven years, Robyn Ricks has shaped how the outside world sees Washington Sea Grant. As the program’s creative director, Robyn has brought her visual branding and graphic design skills to produce materials from websites to the Sea Star print magazine to formal presentations. She brings an element of magic to everything she touches, turning even the most bureaucratic of documents into something beautiful.
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June 20, 2025
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to welcome two new staff this summer: Jubilee Cho is the new graphic designer, and Kaitlyn Kowaleski is a new postdoctoral scholar.
In Jubilee’s role, she works across several creative mediums in print, web, digital and experiential to promote WSG communications, outreach and campaigns.
Jubilee earned her double degree from ...
Read MoreJune 16, 2025
By Alison Lorenz, WSG Communications Project Coordinator
Dr. Wesley Hull has been awarded the University of Washington (UW) Graduate School Medal for his dissertation research, supported in part by Washington Sea Grant (WSG).
The Graduate School Medal recognizes a doctoral candidate whose academic expertise and social awareness are integrated in a way that demonstrates an exemplary commitment to the University and its larger community. Hull, who recently completed his doctorate in biology at UW, worked with shellfish farmers, coastal ...
Read MoreJune 9, 2025
Seattle, WA – You may know abalone by its shimmery shell, but the pinto abalone, Washington’s only native abalone species, is now better known for its sharp decline. Between 1992 and 2017, pinto abalone populations in Washington plummeted by 97%. Despite over a decade of restoration efforts, recovery has been slow—and new research suggests climate change ...
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June 2, 2025
Are you one of the millions of Washington residents living on or near the Salish Sea? Join the Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz on June 20 to contribute to the largest single-day dataset of crab molts collected in our state.
Molts are the old shells that crabs shed when they grow. Collecting and recording these molts provides valuable data on which species of crab are present in an area, including invasive European green crab ...
Read MoreMay 22, 2025
With the boating season officially underway, it’s time for Washington boaters to brush up on their knowledge for leaving a healthy wake for all to enjoy. This includes being able to safely and effectively dispose of sewage from a boat’s holding tank.
With more options for pumping out — including more mobile pumpout boats — properly disposing of onboard waste is easier than ever.
As recreational boating continues to become more popular in the state, Washington State Parks’ Clean Vessel ...
Read MoreMay 20, 2025
By Alison Lorenz, WSG Communications Project Coordinator
“Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” The student called a distress signal, indicating their boat had an emergency. Fortunately, there was no real danger at Washington Sea Grant (WSG)’s South Bend office. Students were practicing mayday calls as part of WSG’s Skills and Drills training, a new course designed to equip aspiring commercial fishermen with the skills they need to succeed.
Washington state supports a vibrant ...
Read MoreMay 15, 2025
Mel Lemke is a self-proclaimed creepy-crawly-enthusiast who loves the deep sea. Hailing from the mountains of Colorado, Mel has always had an awe and appreciation for the complexity of marine systems, leading her to complete her B.S. in marine biology from the University of Oregon in 2021. During her undergraduate education, she ...
Read MoreMay 14, 2025
By Luciana Calle, WSG Science Communications Fellow
On a sunny Wednesday morning, Aaron Barnett and Bridget Trosin, who manage the Clean Marina Washington Program, walked on the deck of Boat Street Marina, admiring one of the many marinas helping to protect Washington’s waters and marine life. In this marina, small black ducks swam between parked boats while geese sunbathed on the warm wooden panels of the deck, carefully preening their backs with their ...
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