New modeling tool shows coastal flooding hazards in central Puget Sound
Created by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and supported by Washington Sea Grant (WSG), the Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) recently released flood hazard products for shorelines in King and Pierce Counties
From flooding to eroding shorelines, extreme storms increase the hazards faced by coastal communities.
New staff: WSG welcomes Stuart Thomas
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to welcome Stuart Thomas as a new aquaculture specialist!
Stuart brings more than 17 years of experience across aquaculture, fisheries, seafood science, and environmental restoration in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to WSG.
Sign up to receive the 2026 WSG calendar
It’s almost the new year, and our beautiful 2026 Washington Sea Grant calendar is here! If you would like to receive a calendar, please fill out this form: bit.ly/wsg-mailing-list
A favorite tradition at WSG, our calendar shares both the work of local artists and the ways in which WSG serves you.
Shake out! Don’t freak out! Reflections from a WSG fellow on the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Great ShakeOut Drill
By Madeleine Lucas, WSG Coastal Resilience Fellow
On October 16 at 10:16 a.m., Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe (SBIT) community members and staff participated in the Great ShakeOut Drill by practicing “Drop, Cover, and Hold” and walking their tsunami evacuation routes.
Read moreNew study outlines the site selection process for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community’s groundbreaking clam garden
In August 2022, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community laid the foundational rocks of what would become the first modern-day clam garden in the United States. This revival of an ancient Indigenous mariculture practice can boost clam production and species diversity, enhance food sovereignty, increase resilience, and also provide a cultural space for community knowledge sharing and connection.
Read moreFirst detection of highly invasive European green crab in Skagit Bay
A participant from the Molt Search program made the important discovery
La Conner, Wash. — In late September, the molt from a European green crab was found at Similk Beach, on the northern end of the Swinomish Tribal Reservation.
Read moreJoin WSG for king tide viewing parties in South Bend December 5 and Olympia December 9
King tides are the annual extreme-high tides that occur whenever the moon is closest to Earth. They are a dramatic feature of Washington winters – and a glimpse of what our future along Washington’s coasts may look like as sea levels rise.
Read moreThe Washington Fishermen’s Conference is a month away — register now for only $25!
Updated November 17, 2025
Westport — The first-ever Washington Fishermen’s Convention is coming to Westport this winter, aimed at unifying and celebrating the state’s diverse fishing industry while bringing new and prospective fishermen into the fold.
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.
First king tides of the season reach Washington shores this week
The first series of king tides, the highest high tides of the year, is set to reach Washington shores November 5-9. Residents and visitors to Washington’s coast are invited to capture these high water events in photos and upload them to the MyCoast website or phone app.
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