Salish Sea Currents magazine

Salish Sea Currents is an online magazine founded in 2014 focusing on the science of ecosystem recovery. Browse individual stories below or visit the Salish Sea Currents magazine homepage to see them organized by topical series.

We regularly compile stories into printed yearbooks intended as special reports for Puget Sound policymakers. These are also available for viewing as PDFs:

 

 

Related Articles

An adult and juvenile harbor seal hauled out on a dock on a sunny day.

Congress debates lethal removal of seals and sea lions in Puget Sound

A proposed amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act has renewed a debate over the merits of killing seals and sea lions to protect salmon. Proponents say it will help some endangered salmon populations while opponents say the legislation is misguided and likely to be counterproductive.
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English sole camouflaged against sandy seafloor, both eyes visible on its upward-facing side

Case studies provide new details on impacts of low oxygen on Puget Sound species

A new report from the Puget Sound Institute and the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences examines a species-level approach to oxygen risks in Puget Sound. Case studies of Dungeness crabs, English sole, and Chinook salmon provide new details on when and where individual species may be most vulnerable. Funding for this article is provided in part by King County.
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An adult and a juvenile killer whale swimming next to each other

Annual census could show an increase of two killer whales among southern residents

The news of two new southern resident orca calves this year marks the 50th anniversary of whale counts from the Center for Whale Research.
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A killer whale swimming in nearshore water with yellow digital acoustic recording tag visible near its dorsal fin and rocky coastline with homes behind.

Orcas by night: A rare look at the nighttime activities of endangered killer whales

Killer whales are active both day and night, but most scientific research focuses on their daytime activities. A recent study looked at a small group of endangered southern residents to find out how often they hunt after the sun goes down. Ocean noise tends to decrease at night, potentially making it easier for the whales to catch salmon, but could they take advantage?
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Closeup of a weather-cracked tire tread against a green background.

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.
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A single salmon swimming underwater with brown kelp against a blue background.

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.
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