By Christopher Dunagan WASHINGTON, D.C. — Optimism, as related to a possible increase in funding for Puget Sound recovery, permeated discussions this week, when 80 officials from the region met with lawmakers in the nation’s capitol. “It’s the first time in several years that we’ve actually been in a position to direct more money to […]
May 14, 2019
Puget Sound ‘Day on the Hill’ kicks off in D.C.
Puget Sound Institute senior writer Christopher Dunagan is in Washington, D.C. covering this week’s “Puget Sound Day on the Hill” event. By Christopher Dunagan WASHINGTON, D.C. — About 80 leaders involved in restoring Puget Sound to ecological health have been gathering here in the nation’s Capitol since last night to meet with federal lawmakers and […]
May 9, 2019
Puget Sound groups prepare for ‘Day on the Hill’
Watch for reports from our senior writer Christopher Dunagan at this year’s Puget Sound Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C.. The May 14-16 event, originally organized by Rep.’s Derek Kilmer and Denny Heck of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus is a chance for local groups to meet with federal decision-makers to raise awareness of […]
April 26, 2019
Ghost nets still fishing in the deep waters of Puget Sound
Lost and abandoned fishing nets, which have killed millions of sea creatures in Puget Sound, still lurk in deeper, darker waters, where they continue to catch fish and crabs. But the quiet, unregulated killing has been quelled substantially since 2002, as divers have pulled up nearly 6,000 of these so-called “ghost nets.” The challenge for […]
April 16, 2019
The herring defenders
Herring numbers have been declining in Puget Sound since surveys for them began in the 1970s, but it is unclear what is causing those declines, even in the face of widespread fisheries closures. Less clear still is whether anything else can be done to stop or reverse them, and bring herring back. Our reporter Eric […]
April 16, 2019
Salish Sea toxics synthesis report
The Puget Sound Institute’s Andy James is the corresponding editor of a 2019 report on monitoring and research activities focused on toxic contaminants in the Salish Sea. The report from the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program covers a range of case studies including the occurrence of microplastics and pharmaceuticals in shellfish, PCBs in river otters and new findings […]
April 3, 2019
PSI is hiring for a new postdoc position
PSI is seeking a postdoctoral research scientist to focus on modeling the connections between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in Puget Sound. The full job announcement is available below. University of Washington Postdoctoral Research Scientist Modeling Terrestrial-Aquatic Linkages in Puget Sound The Puget Sound Institute, a University of Washington research center located in Tacoma (www.pugetsoundinstitute.org), is […]
March 29, 2019
Tracking the effectiveness of armor removal in Puget Sound
The removal of shoreline armoring has become a priority for the state’s Puget Sound recovery efforts. The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) is providing details on the effectiveness of armor-removal projects at 49 study sites. Summary In February 2019 the PSEMP Nearshore work group completed the compilation of armor-removal sites that have had restoration and […]
March 28, 2019
Video: Identifying sources of pollution in the Skagit Valley
A video produced by the University of Washington Center for Urban Waters shows how chemical tracers can identify sources of pollution affecting shellfish growers in Puget Sound’s Skagit Valley. Fecal coliform pollution is a widespread problem in Puget Sound, resulting in costly beach and shellfish bed closures whenever it is detected. Analytical techniques can now […]
March 22, 2019
Salmon expedition reports unexpected findings
By Christopher Dunagan After five weeks at sea, a team of 21 scientists from five countries returned Monday with some surprising findings about the mysterious lives of salmon in the Pacific Ocean, according to Laurie Weitkamp, a salmon biologist with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Newport, Ore. “It was quite an experience,” said Weitkamp, […]