May 1, 2019
With funding from the Clean Vessel Act program, 140 pumpout stations help divert sewage from coastal and inland waters in Washington.
Washington’s recreational boaters have diverted nearly 11 million gallons of sewage from coastal and inland waters by pumping out their boat holding tanks at more than 140 public pumpout stations last year. ...
April 23, 2019
How does shellfish aquaculture interact with Puget Sound’s marine life? A collaborative research partnership between Washington Sea Grant, The Nature Conservancy, NOAA, the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, and local shellfish growers hopes to find out.
Using mounted cameras, the researchers hope to identify the species and life stages of marine organisms that use aquaculture beds around Puget Sound. Read the article here.
Read More
March 26, 2019
Washington Sea Grant held viewing parties in Oak Harbor and Raymond in January to help local residents understand the effects of sea level rise
Sea level rise has major implications for coastal Washington. The recent projections released by Washington Sea Grant, WA Department of Ecology, UW Climate Impacts Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other partners predict approximately one foot of sea level rise by 2050, and up to two feet by 2100.
Bridget Trosin, Coastal Policy Specialist at ...
Read MoreMarch 19, 2019
On April 20, the Washington Coast Clean-up and 6th Annual River & Ocean Film Festival combine to explore and protect the Olympic Peninsula’s ecological wonders.
Each spring, hundreds of volunteers fan out along Washington’s outer coast and the Strait of Juan de Fuca for RainFest and the Washington Coast Clean-up. They scour more than 50 beaches for washed-up debris and other trash that can poison or choke marine organisms. It’s not only a good ...
Read MoreMarch 18, 2019
Update on Sea Grant Funding for Fiscal Year 2020 from the WSG Director
Dear Friends,
With vocal support from our many stakeholders, the National Sea Grant College Program was reinstated in the federal budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2019 was passed by Congress and signed by the President in February, which is encouraging news for Sea Grant and the many constituents who benefit from our work around the nation. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2019 provides ...
Read MoreFebruary 27, 2019
Introducing Otter Spotter, a map-based otter sighting website helping to improve data collection, engage the public, and encourage stewardship of a living landscape inhabited by otters and many other mammals – a project that meets the needs of people and wildlife.
February 25, 2019
Garfield High School Team Wins First Place at Statewide Orca Bowl Competition
The Junior Olympics of Marine Science in the Northwest
On Saturday, February 23, 2019, 20 teams of high school students from Seattle to Soap Lake descended upon the University of Washington (UW) Fishery Sciences Building for the 22nd annual Orca Bowl. The teams tested their knowledge of marine ...
In the 1990s, the endangered status of the short-tailed albatross catalyzed efforts to reduce the number of birds accidentally killed as bycatch in Alaska, home to the country’s biggest fisheries. Marine fisheries scientist Ed Melvin, at Washington Sea Grant at the University of Washington, and research associate Kim Dietrich, an independent contractor, were at the forefront of a collaborative research effort that led to Alaska’s longline fisheries adopting streamer lines in 2002, a technology that is towed behind vessels ...
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2019
Congratulations to Washington Sea Grant Assistant Director for Programs Kate Litle for her nomination for the 2019 University of Washington Distinguished Staff Award. Kate is responsible for WSG program planning and reporting; oversees WSG competitive processes, including research and program development grants; and coordinates integration of WSG program components. She is an essential part of WSG and deserves this nomination. Thank you Kate for all that you do!
January 10, 2019
Congratulations to Washington Sea Grant Marine Education Specialist Maile Sullivan for earning the 2018 Outstanding Informal Educator of the Year award! Maile has worked with the awarding group, the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators, for many years and is currently the co-director of the WA chapter. Great work Maile!
And a second congratulations to WSG Boating Specialist Aaron Barnett – he was recognized for outstanding environmental leadership by Northwest Yachting in their January issue. Barnett works closely with Washington State ...
Read MoreDecember 18, 2018
The ability to smell is critical for salmon. They depend on scent to avoid predators, sniff out prey and find their way home at the end of their lives when they return to the streams where they hatched to spawn and die.
New research from the University of Washington and NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center shows this powerful sense of smell might be in trouble as carbon emissions continue to be absorbed by our ocean. Ocean ...
Read MoreKing5 News covered the spread of invasive European green crab in a recent article.
“Since the first spotting in 2016, green crab have now been located at seven different sites. McDonald and others are worried that the crabs will get more challenging to remove if they’re able to make it to the south Sound, because the offspring in the area would likely stay in the area.”
Read more in the article.
Read MoreOctober 17, 2018
NOAA Sea Grant announced the award of $11 million in grants for 22 projects to further advance the development of a sustainable marine and coastal aquaculture industry in the U.S.
Washington Sea Grant is pleased to receive funding for one of the 22 projects titled: Consumer-focused strategies for understanding market acceptance of domestic finfish aquaculture
Although finfish aquaculture has advanced its methods and addressed many legitimate public concerns, throughout the US, and Washington State in particular, the ...
Read More