In honor of the 50th anniversary of Washington Sea Grant, we’re digging through our photo archive to share moments from our program’s history.

Senator Warren G. Magnuson, rumored to be pictured here advocating for the establishment of Washington Sea Grant (c. 1970 in Olympia), was a long term supporter of WSG and NOAA, and passionate advocate for environmental issues.

Legislation that Magnuson and his staff championed include the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 was enacted to reduce overfishing by working with coastal fisheries to properly manage and conserve marine fish populations, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which was influential in preserving pinniped and cetacean populations.