Floodplains to foodwebs
WSG-funded researchers investigate estuary restoration through the eyes of juvenile salmon
By Mel Lemke, WSG Science Communications Fellow
Hatching from their eggs into the waters of the Stillaguamish River, Chinook salmon begin their lives as tiny freshwater fry.
Removing the barriers to salmon recovery
A new tool weighs the multifaceted factors involved in efforts to improve habitat
From the Summer 2025 Sea Star
By Brian McGreal, WSG Science Communications Fellow
In 2018, in a case brought forth by 21 Northwest Tribes, the Supreme Court ruled that Washington State has a duty to protect tribal treaty rights by preserving fish runs.
The Salmon and Climate Initiative brings a broader perspective to recovery efforts
From the Summer 2025 Sea Star
By Jess Davis, WSG Science Communications Fellow
Big actions often start with simple dreams. Nearly 40 years ago, many Washington state salmon fishermen began noticing declining stocks in salmon populations.
From drifters to drivers: How moon jellyfish are reshaping marine ecosystems
A WSG-funded project unravels how moon jellyfish are causing ecosystem-wide impacts in Puget Sound
Seattle, WA – Moon jellyfish blooms are a stunning sight to see, their white and translucent colors making them appear light and delicate.
Wesley Hull wins UW Graduate School Medal for work with Washington shellfish farmers
By Alison Lorenz, WSG Communications Project Coordinator
Dr. Wesley Hull has been awarded the University of Washington (UW) Graduate School Medal for his dissertation research, supported in part by Washington Sea Grant (WSG).
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
By Luciana Calle, WSG Science Communications Fellow
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.
New research reveals genetic insights key to eelgrass restoration efforts
A WSG-funded study shows that nature, not just nurture, explains whether eelgrass flowers
Native Washington eelgrass (Zostera marina) is in trouble. Due to declines in some areas of the Salish Sea and Pacific coast over the last 20 years, restoring eelgrass – and the crucial habitat and ecosystem services it provides – is a high priority for Washington state.
Researchers to map the genome of the invasive European green crab
With state funding, Washington Sea Grant will work with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to shed light on a highly invasive species
SEATTLE – Washington state will soon have another tool to support long-term management for one of the highest priority invasive species, European green crab, thanks to additional state funding dedicated to genetic research.
Steller sea lion scat and science communications
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.
Eyes on the Elwha: A Conversation with WSG Coastal Hazards Specialist, Ian Miller
By Maddie Gard, WSG Science Communications Fellow
When the Elwha River dams were breached in 2011, a century’s worth of accumulated sediment was released and transported downstream to the coastal zone.