When shell-boring marine worms were first documented in Olympia oysters in 2020, they raised an important question for restoration: were these parasites always part of the Salish Sea ecosystem, or were they accidentally introduced with Pacific oysters a century ago? That mystery sent researchers on an investigation thousands of years into the past.
After nearly a decade of valuable guidance as a member of SeaDoc Society's Scientific Advisory Committee, we want to thank Jamie Donatuto for her service! Jamie has helped shape SeaDoc Society's science funding since 2017 in her capacity as community environmental health analyst for the Swinomish Tribe. SeaDoc Soiety has funded dozens of projects to the tune of many hundreds of thousands of dollars since Jamie joined the committee 9 years ago.
Can I tell you a story that changed my life?
We crested the hill on the west side of San Juan Island and watched as Haro Strait opened up before us. It was July 7th, 1987—my 18th birthday.
Next came the sound of blows echoing across the water, and there they were: nearly a hundred Southern Resident Killer Whales all within calling distance of each other! I would later learn that every member of J, K, and L Pods was in attendance that day. A true Superpod.
I stepped out of the car and started to cry.
SeaDoc Society is thrilled to welcome two new members to our Scientific Advisory Committee, which plays a vital role in our mission to fund and conduct impactful science here in the Salish Sea. Our newest members are Tim Ragen and Noelani Villa, both of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team.
A lifelong marine scientist and conservation leader, Tim Ragen has spent decades advancing the protection of ocean wildlife. Meanwhile Noelani Villa is blending science, culture and community to help shape a more resilient future for Tribal nations and coastal ecosystems. Learn more about Tim and Noelani below! Welcome to the team!
During a recent research dive, SeaDoc scientists Joe Gaydos and Cat Lo spotted a large Ghost Net strewn across the Salish Sea floor. Not only do these nets strangle and kill wildlife, but they’re also a danger to divers. Cat supported to Joe as he hooked a bright marker to the net, ensuring that he didn’t get entangled in the process. When the divers returned to the boat, Erika dropped a GPS point to mark the exact location and the team alerted our friends at the Northwest Straits Foundation.
Orcas Island’s Mariann and Ken Carrasco both had successful careers in biology and remain dedicated supporters of science-based solutions to protect the wildlife. SeaDoc Society is lucky to be one of the organizations they entrust with their energy and their dollars. We had the opportunity to ask some questions about their relationship with this ecosystem and their efforts to preserve it!
Many salmon populations in the Salish Sea are bolstered by releases of juvenile fish that are raised in hatcheries. Juvenile salmon are particularly social creatures, which means many wild salmon may school with (and be influenced by) these hatchery-released fish.
Researchers have long suspected that the seaward migration of hatchery fish might inspire wild salmon to migrate out to sea along with them at times when they might not have otherwise made the trek.
Rockfish populations have largely recovered on the West Coast, but populations in the inland waters of the Salish Sea are still endangered.
A new SeaDoc Society-funded study led by University of Washington’s School of Aquatic Fishery Sciences will use genetics and life history information to determine which Salish Sea rockfish species have connectivity with populations on the outer coast and which are isolated to our island waters. Knowing this information will help improve rockfish conservation and recovery plans.
Ed Gullekson is a major asset to the Salish Sea, not only as an advocate for the environment but also as a skilled diver and photographer. Ed has worked alongside SeaDoc Society on our annual REEF advanced-assessment dives, which are an important way to track the health of our marine ecosystems. We asked Ed a few questions about his love for this place and his work in support of its health.
“Well-aerated, well-sorted, medium-to coarse-grain...” might sound like a wine flavor profile, but it actually describes the type of sandy, sea floor habitat preferred by Pacific sand lance. Sand lance play a crucial role in the Salish Sea’s food web, providing nutrition for everything from seabirds to whales, salmon, and lingcod. It’s thought that one sand wave field in the San Juan Archipelago alone could be home to over 12 million sand lance, but we’re only beginning to learn about their habitat.
Like we covered in a post this summer, saving endangered Pinto abalone is hard in part because locating their habitat is time consuming and, as a result, expensive. It requires boats and dive crews in search of suitable locations, but a recent SeaDoc-funded project is looking for something more efficient.
Photojournalist Gemina Garland-Lewis has been following Dr. James Dimond of Western Washington University and his team this summer as they’ve explored a new method: bottling up water and testing it for the presence of abalone DNA to determine habitat. That would simplify things greatly!
How is a deadly land fungus began killing marine mammals in the Salish Sea? In the early 2000s, a fungus infected hundreds of animals and people in British Columbia and Washington State. Scientists found that the disease also killed porpoises and dolphins in the Salish Sea – perhaps affecting cetaceans even earlier than people.
Southern Resident Killer Whales are severely endangered and human actions have fueled this decline. At what point does such degradation cross the legal threshold into destruction, introducing our own legal obligation to respond in accordance with the Endangered Species Act?
From depleted salmon populations to increased vessel disturbance and contaminated waters, a recent SeaDoc-funded paper suggests we may have already crossed that threshold into illegal destruction.
We recently funded a project that will study smelt habitat, which is being encroached upon by development. The project uses underwater cages to measure pollution exposure, which you can read about in our June blog post.
Photojournalist Gemina Garland-Lewis is shadowing the team in the field. Here are photos from a recent excursion.
The ocean and the rainforests are the lungs of our planet and without the oceans, we lose everything.
I am involved with and support several key wildlife and nature groups throughout the world. My philosophy is to only support groups who can make a positive difference on the ground, such as groups who move the needle in a positive direction for their specifically targeted goals. The SeaDoc Society does just that, they are such wonderful, smart people, doing great work, and are making a tangible difference.
How do you conduct research on tiny, elusive fish that live hundreds of feet below the surface, burrow under the sandy seafloor, and are only half the size of a dollar bill? Like any challenge in marine biology, when there’s a will, there’s a wave.
In 2018, SeaDoc and Ocean Gate worked together to bring a submersible to the San Juan Islands for researchers needing such a platform for their work. A team of scientists from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, University of Washington, Moss Landing Laboratories, and Tombolo Mapping Laboratory was awarded sub time to study a very important forage fish.
Is a newly discovered shell-boring worm a threat to Olympia oysters—a species of concern and the only oyster species in the Salish Sea?
Dr. Chelsea Wood and her team at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences aims to answer that question. If so, this will be crucial information to modify the current restoration plan for Olympia Oysters (Ostrea lurida).
Our dive team has been out surveying for young of the year #rockfish this week with colleagues at Paua Marine Research. While did find the baby rockfish we set out for, we had another exciting finding!
We saw five different large sunflower sea stars. SeaDoc and colleagues have published several papers showing how these “world’s largest” sea stars have been decimated by sea star wasting disease and we’ve worked with numerous organizations to help get them listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
It’s easy when you live in the Salish Sea to feel like you’re sort of perpetually camping. Water surrounds you, trees line up on the horizon, the air is fresh, etc. etc. etc. But you also have a phone in your pocket and bills to pay and new series to binge on Netflix. Sure it’s beautiful outside, but those are the trappings of regular nine-to-five type stuff. The forays into nature are carved out and fleeting.
We’re excited to introduce you to Tara Craig and Brenna Normann—two fairly new supporters of SeaDoc Society who immediately jumped on board as engaged monthly donors. Their employer matches each monthly donation, meaning their support is not only sustained but also doubled! Does your employer offer to match your charitable giving? Ask them or search for your employer here!
Our team spends a lot of time out on the water, especially this time of year. We always prioritize safety, and we have a great crew with varying degrees of responsibility, but those skills need tending, and we spent a full week in June doing just that with our friends at the UC Davis Boat and Dive Safety Program.
We’ve shared some photos below and some thoughts from our staff. Thanks to the team down at the Bodega Marine Lab for a great week!
Our Explore the Salish Sea Curriculum is being deployed throughout the region, and recently one classroom put together their own documentary based on what they learned. Check it out!
Last week marked the release of the highly anticipated State of the Salish Sea Report, authored by Kathryn L. Sobocinski of Western Washington University. SeaDoc Society Science Director Joe Gaydos has served on the advisory committee for the project since 2016.
Joe’s involvement began when Bert Webber, who led the charge to name the Salish Sea, and Ginny Broadhurst of the Salish Sea Institute, invited him onto the 8-person committee.
This spring, author, naturalist and educator David B. Williams published his latest book, Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of the Puget Sound.”
Our Science Director played a role in the scientific review of the book, which he called “a beautiful narrative that is not only entertaining but informative and will transform our understanding of the region.”
The book is an appealing way for newcomers and old timers alike to connect or reconnect with the place that they live.
