Raising the next generation of endangered pinto abalone

A WSG-funded project informs future restoration efforts and resilience for pinto abalone populations in the Pacific Northwest.

June 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 ...

9
JUN

0

WSG News Blog

Steller sea lion scat and science communications

March 10, 2025

Reflecting on my Washington Sea Grant-supported research opportunity

By Maddie Gard, WSG Science Communications Fellow

Washington Sea Grant prioritizes three core functions: research, outreach, and education. By some quirk of fate, I’ve matched with opportunities in each of these focus areas as a student in Washington state universities. When I was an undergraduate, a formative research experience in marine mammal ecology strengthened my passion for science-informed conservation efforts and catalyzed my career direction.

At Western ...

10
MAR

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Opalescent Squid

June 25, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite animals native to the Pacific Northwest. To wrap up Cephalopod Week, today’s Cool Critter is the Opalescent Squid!

The opalescent or market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) is winter’s most colorful, family-friendly fishing! They are relatively small, ...

25
JUN

0

WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Giant Pacific Octopus

June 18, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite animals native to the Pacific Northwest. In honor of Cephalopod Week, today’s Cool Critter is the Giant Pacific Octopus!

The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus species, reaching lengths of up to 16 ...

18
JUN

0

WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Giant Pink Sea Star

June 8, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Giant Pink Sea Star!

The Giant Pink Sea Star (Pisaster brevispinus) is one of the largest and heaviest sea stars in the world, and is possibly the prettiest pink the Pacific. This sea star can dig, and then stretch its ...

8
JUN

0

WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Aquatic Caterpillar

May 28, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Aquatic Caterpillar!

The Aquatic Caterpillar (Petrophila), also known as the Petrophila Moth, are generally found attached to rocks in warmer rivers and streams. The silken scabs harbor the caterpillars and chrysalises that are ...

28
MAY

0

WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Tiger Beetle

May 21, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Tiger Beetle!

The Tiger Beetle (Cicindelinae) is brilliantly colored and get their name of ‘tiger’ from their fierce appearance with their protruding eyes and large mandibles. They are shoreline ...

21
MAY

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters: Cascades Frog

May 14, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Cascades Frog!

The Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae) is one of the five native frogs of the Salish Sea. The Cascades frog generally lives above 2,000 feet up in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains, sporting yellow underpants and eyes directed more ...

19
APR

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters

Cool Critters: Purple Shore Crab

April 17, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Purple Shore Crab!

The Purple Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus nudus) is a small (<2″), hairless crab common among larger rocks. When you pick up beach rocks, these crabs can often be seen scuttling quickly away. They prefer to be high on the ...

17
APR

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters

Cool Critters: Heermann’s Gull

April 17, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Heerrmann Gull!

Heermann’s Gulls (Larus heermanni) are named after early frontier naturalist Adolphus Heermann. They are probably the easiest gull to identify in North America due to their deep ...

16
APR

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters

April 15, 2021

Welcome to our new Cool Critters Series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest! Follow along each week to learn about a new Cool Critter! Information will be shared about the species, such as where they live, what they eat, and identifying characteristics!

Dungeness crab at Pysht. Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin. Read More

15
APR

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WSG News Blog

Cool Critters