Community Engagement
WSG staff share their expertise with communities and individuals, enriching the public’s appreciation of Washington’s diverse marine ecosystems. WSG field staff organize, train, and coordinate volunteers in many projects that monitor and protect those habitats.
- Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams is involved in the following activities:
- monitoring shoreline ecosystem changes, including the spread of sea star wasting disease,
- watching for European green crabs and other invasive species,
- controlling the spread of nonnative crayfish in a local lake, and
- introducing children and adults to local ecosystems through beach walks, tideflat tours, touch tanks at community festivals and many other experiences.
- WSG’s Marine Fisheries Scientist, Ed Melvin, and colleagues have worked to reduce bycatch of the Short-tailed Albatross, an endangered species for which incidental takes potentially could cost fisheries hundreds of millions of dollars.
Online Library
- European green crab
A primer on how to protect coastal habitat from this invasive species - Marine zooplankton of Puget Sound identification card
Use this card to identify most zooplankton groups found in the Puget Sound region - Guide to Pacific Northwest aquatic invasive species
Learn about “least wanted” marine or freshwater invasive species threatening our region
Research Projects
Fish and Fisheries
- Restoring shorelines to improve fish habitat
- Tracking Sockeye genetics for better management
- Salmon recovery after Elwha dam removal
- Ocean acidification’s impact on salmon sense of smell
- Making seawalls more friendly for juvenile salmon
- How hypoxia effects food webs in the Hood Canal
Other Marine Life
- Ecosystem impacts of jellyfish in Puget Sound
- Salish Sea plankton and water chemistry
- Modeling the vulnerability of seabirds to oil spills
- Eelgrass and oysters as potential partners in a changing ocean
- New tool for monitoring green crab
- Measuring the extent of sea star wasting syndrome
- A better otter spotter
- Pacific Northwest glass sponge reefs
- Ecological functions of seagrass-vegetated flats
- Breeding ocean-acidification resistant oysters
In the News
- Acidic oceans mess with oysters passing on ‘memories’
Futurity, March 16, 2020 - Washington researchers tackle ocean acidification with new seaweed crops
KNKX, February 5, 2020 - ‘The blob,’ food supply squeeze to blame for largest seabird die-off
UW News, January 15, 2020 - Oysters, eelgrass and burrowing shrimp
Washington State Department of Agriculture Ag Briefs, November 8, 2019 - Harm to table: Turning an invasive crab into a delicacy
Scientific American, October 30, 2019 - Researchers take new look at longtime non-native snails in Padilla Bay
Go Skagit, September 29, 2019 - A hope for sea stars, healthy oceans
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, June 22, 2019 - How does shellfish aquaculture interact with Puget Sound marine life?
The Nature Conservancy, April 22, 2019 - Study finds reduction in seabird bycatch since 2002
Tillamook Headlight Herald, April 15, 2019 - Salmon face double whammy from toxic stormwater
WSU News, February 12, 2018 - Sea stars: Are they really making a comeback?
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, January 2, 2018