"> Last month, PSI staff writer Eric Wagner joined hundreds of scientists from 51 countries to talk about the health of the world’s seabirds. Throughout the conference, the climate crisis loomed large but there were signs of hope in the sheer numbers of dedicated scientists working on seabird protection. By Eric Wagner Seabirds are declining all […]
October 12, 2026
"> Southern resident orca population increases by two; no adult deaths reported in latest census
The southern resident killer whales — those fish-eating orcas that were once tied closely to Puget Sound — have managed to stay somewhat intact, with no deaths among the adult population for more than two years. As I reported this summer, four new calves were reported during the recent census year, ending in July, but […]
October 12, 2026
"> Intergenerational Dialogues Workshop
When: Wednesday, October 28 • 12:30 PM – 3 PM Where: University of Tacoma, Milgard Hall, Rm 110 Tacoma, WA Who should attend: All current UW students are welcome The Pacific Northwest has a rich history of people finding lasting environmental solutions across deep differences. This workshop is about learning from that history firsthand and […]
September 29, 2026
"> Sewage treatment permits being revised to address nitrogen, low-oxygen problems
Regulatory efforts to confront low-oxygen problems in Puget Sound have turned toward sewage treatment plants, as the Washington Department of Ecology proceeds to reissue operational permits, some ahead of the normal five-year schedule. Excess nitrogen has been found to contribute to low-oxygen problems in Puget Sound, and computer models have identified locations where reducing nitrogen […]
August 20, 2026
"> September 10 workshop: Impact of oxygen and temperature on Puget Sound marine life
UW Puget Sound Institute is excited to continue the Science of Puget Sound Water Quality workshop series, which explores emerging science and insights to help protect water quality in Puget Sound. Join us for a workshop on how warming waters and low oxygen may impact habitat for Dungeness crabs, English sole, and Chinook salmon. Since […]
July 27, 2026
"> Annual census could show an increase of two killer whales among southern residents
Pending one final check, it appears that this year’s census of the endangered southern resident killer whale population will show a positive increase of two orcas — an annual increase equaled only four times in the past 20 years. The Center for Whale Research, which conducts the annual census, needs one more encounter with a […]
July 6, 2026
"> Around the Sound: Scientists hold workshop to discuss threat of avian influenza
By Eric Wagner A few weeks ago, biologists with the Australian Antarctic Program published a study on bioRxiv, a preprint service that allows scientists to share their work before it has been peer-reviewed. The study was titled, “Mass mortality of southern elephant seals during multi-species outbreak of HPAI H5N1 on sub-Antarctic Heard Island.” In it, the […]
June 26, 2026
"> How Puget Sound became a proving ground for environmental social science
Environmental social science is the study of how people and ecosystems shape each other. Often seen as useful but rarely as essential, it has long played a supporting role in ecosystem recovery. A new introduction to a special issue of Coastal Management, written by Sara Jo Breslow and thirteen co-authors, argues that this position is […]
June 23, 2026
"> June 30 roundtable explores hatchery effects on trait variation in Pacific salmon
The Salish Sea Science Roundtable online speaker series continues on Tuesday, June 30 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Enhancement of Pacific salmon stocks through the use of hatchery production is one approach to support vulnerable stocks and harvest. Integrated hatcheries support these goals by adding artificial spawning habitat to natural habitats, which produces elevated egg-to-release survival […]
May 15, 2026
"> Seabirds, science, and a packed house
Thanks to all who attended Seabirds Live! on May 13th at the University of Washington Tacoma. We are grateful to Eric Wagner, Peter Hodum, and Jeff Rice for such a memorable evening — and to our sponsors: University of Washington Tacoma, University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Press, and King’s Books in Tacoma. The event featured […]