Harbor seals are the most commonly seen marine mammals in the Salish Sea and can be found throughout the region at all times of the year. They have been intensively studied here, and a new in-depth profile from Jacqlynn Zier and Joe Gaydos provides an overview of their local ecology and behavior. This is a must-read […]
June 12, 2014
New York Times features PSI’s forensic stormwater research
A June 12th article in The New York Times features a collaboration between the Puget Sound Institute and the City of Tacoma to curb stormwater pollution. PSI’s Director Joel Baker describes how “the forensic work of the scientists and the city have changed the ability to enforce antipollution laws.” Scientists at PSI and the Center for Urban Waters have been working closely […]
June 10, 2014
BirdNote features auklet recordings
Several Rhinoceros Auklet recordings from the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound are featured on the national radio show BirdNote this month. PSI’s Jeff Rice recorded the sounds during a trip to Protection Island with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The island is home to one of the largest nesting colonies of rhinoceros auklets in […]
May 29, 2014
PSI researchers collaborate with sewage-sniffing dog
A story in the May 29th Skagit Valley Herald features a study by PSI researchers to see if dogs can sniff out chemical contaminants in sewage. Dogs can tell the difference between human waste and that of other animals, and PSI researchers want to know if they can also identify the presence of human-created chemicals such as […]
May 29, 2014
PSP Science Panel launches speaker series June 3-4
The Puget Sound Science Panel meets June 3-4 at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Immediately following the June 3rd meeting, Tim Essington and Jan Newton will present talks on forage fish conservation and ocean acidification as part of the panel’s new speaker series. Where: Viking Union 552 at Western Washington University in Bellingham. When: Tuesday, […]
May 22, 2014
Study sees potential risk from increased shipping traffic in Puget Sound
A new study by the Puget Sound Partnership shows that three proposed maritime terminal developments in the Salish Sea could increase the risk of oil spills from vessel accidents. The proposed projects include: Gateway Pacific bulk carrier terminal at Cherry Point, Wash, the Trans Mountain/Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion in Vancouver, B.C., and the coal, grain […]
May 7, 2014
Gathering the stories of SSEC14
Now that the chairs and tables are stacked and the organizing committee has long since cued the music, the work of the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference is just starting for us. Over the next year, the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound will be reporting some of the stories, highlights and important takeaways from the conference. Even […]
May 6, 2014
EPA Administrator honors Billy Frank, Jr.’s courageous environmental leadership
The EPA offered the following statement from administrator Gina McCarthy regarding the passing today of Billy Frank Jr. Release Date: 05/05/2014 Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov Billy Frank, Jr. was an historic and heroic leader of his generation. With his passing, America has lost one of its greatest voices for justice. Billy […]
May 5, 2014
Remembering Billy Frank Jr.
The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission announced the death this morning of its founder and chairman Billy Frank Jr., an iconic champion of tribal fishing rights and a leading advocate for salmon and the environment. The commission was closed for the day, and the news of Frank’s death at 83 has resonated throughout the Pacific Northwest. “Billy Frank […]
May 1, 2014
New approaches to ecosystem synthesis
Is technology changing the way we think about ecosystem information? We will host a two-part session on new approaches to ecosystem synthesis tomorrow morning (May 2nd) at the conference.