All Articles
Shore Friendly: A developmental evaluation
Shoreline modification is pervasive in the Puget Sound region and the use of physical structures to curtail erosion, known as armoring, degrades ecosystems and reduces salmonid forage opportunities. Shore Friendly, a program of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, supports waterfront stewardship on private lands through technical assistance and financial incentive programs that promote
Northern right whale dolphins in the Salish Sea
Overview
The northern right whale dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis) is one of the most unusual marine mammals of the North Pacific Ocean. It is the only dolphin species in the Northern Hemisphere with no hint of a dorsal fin, and it is very slender and streamlined, making it appear almost eel-like. Northern right whale dolphins are found only in cool temperate waters of the North Pacific and are
Tire companies race to replace deadly tire chemical
A chemical found in tires is leading to the deaths of untold numbers of coho salmon in Puget Sound every year. Chemical companies are searching for an alternative but say the unique chemistry and function of 6PPD are major challenges. This article is part one of a three-part series.
State and federal governments address 6PPD problem
Formal legal processes are underway in Washington and California to seek alternatives to the highly toxic chemical in tires. We continue with part two of our three-part series on efforts to find a replacement for 6PPD.
Players in the race for 6PPD alternatives
With a worldwide market valuation somewhere around $1 billion a year for the single chemical 6PPD, tire companies and their chemical suppliers are working overtime to find a safe and effective replacement for the tire additive. The financial stakes are enormous, since virtually every tire on the market today contains 6PPD.
“The environmental concerns surrounding 6PPD have spurred significant R&D
A spatial assessment of risks and threats to eelgrass and canopy kelp in Puget Sound
A 2026 report assesses region-wide cumulative risks for eelgrass and kelp in Puget Sound, identifying hotspots of concern, the relative threats, and projected future risks across eight marine subregions.
Distribution of risk to marine vegetation in Puget Sound workshop video
Researchers at the Puget Sound Institute and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife present the first comprehensive risk assessment of threats to eelgrass and canopy kelp in Puget Sound.
Sounds of rhinoceros auklets and chick
Audio recordings of rhinoceros auklets on Protection Island.
Pacific Whale Watch Association 2025 Sightings and Sentinel Actions
The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is a community of ecotourism professionals with a shared commitment to education, conservation, and responsible wildlife viewing in Washington state and British Columbia. The 2025 PWWA annual report summarizes wildlife sightings and sentinel actions logged by members throughout the year. Sentinel actions are protective measures taken by professional whale
Nature assessment describes both peril and promise, as humans relate to the natural world
The past, present and future of natural conditions in the United States are described in a new report, which has traveled a bumpy road to its current draft form, now out for public review and comment.
“The Nature Record,” originally titled the “National Nature Assessment,” was launched in 2022 as a government project — the first of its kind. The effort involved more than 160 leading scientists from