When awarded the NOAA Hollings Scholarship, students spend a summer working on a topic related to the wide-ranging scientific expertise of NOAA, from fisheries to the atmosphere. For Michael Han, a SAFS undergrad in his junior year, he’ll be joining the NOAA Hurricane Hunters, based in Silver Spring, MD, to take data from notable past missions and present them in a visualized format on NOAA’s Science on a Sphere display.
A hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. When a storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predicts and tracks these storm systems, which occur roughly 12 times a year in the Atlantic basin. Labeled typhoons when located in the Northwest Pacific, both hurricanes and typhoons are the same weather phenomenon: a tropical cyclone.
The GOES-16 satellite (operated by NASA and NOAA) captured Hurricane Irma passing the eastern end of Cuba at 8am (ET) on September 8, 2017.
Located in NOAA’s HQ, the Science on a Sphere display is a room-sized globe which shows real time data to project a view of the Earth’s present and past conditions in an engaging way for educational purposes during presentations and tours of NOAA. Displaying big atmospheric events such as hurricanes, or day-to-day real-time information on ocean temperatures and cloud layers, these displays are also found in other museums and institutions.
Michael Han
Michael saw the Science on a Sphere display while visiting NOAA HQ in DC.
By flying directly into some of the world’s worst weather – such as hurricanes – NOAA pilots fly planes which act as high-flying meteorological stations, collecting data which help forecasters make more accurate predictions and gain a deeper understanding of the processes at play during a hurricane. “I chose this internship because it was the perfect intersection between aviation and science!” Michael shared. “Outside of SAFS, I attend flight school and this internship with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters gives me the opportunity to combine the love I have for flying and the natural world.”
Michael’s internship will involve visualizing a flight track of Hurricane Hunter missions onto the Science on a Sphere display using a tool called Tableau, in order to highlight the importance of these planes, the data they provide, and depict where the information behind hurricane predictions come from. By feeding data directly into the Science on Sphere display, this also serves an outreach purpose to increase awareness of the vital work of Hurricane Hunters.
Michael Han
Michael is currently attending flight school.
During his internship, Michael may also get to be on board one of the flights into a hurricane. “The data visualization is absolutely cool but what I’m most looking forward to is having the chance to fly,” Michael said. “Depending on weather conditions and logistics I may be able to ride along with the Hurricane Hunters and experience what it feels like to be inside of a hurricane or join some of the other aviation operations they conduct such as snowpack monitoring and marine mammal surveys.”
Learning at SAFS opens up a wide array of opportunities for undergraduates in their future careers, whatever direction that may take them. “I hope to join NOAA Corps one day so this internship will give me an inside look at how the operation is run and if it’s the right career choice for me,” Michael said. “Without SAFS, I never would have heard about this internship or been able to apply. The broad range of biology and science topics I was exposed to always encouraged me to be curious about the natural world – whether it be fish or hurricanes.”
Michael operates a plane as part of his flight school training.
The King County Department of Natural Resources, Water and Land Resources Division seeks a seasonal Environmental Aide to assist with environmental monitoring and applied studies that support salmon recovery efforts. This position is in the Watershed and Ecological Assessment Team within the Science and Technical Support Section. The position will primarily support an experimental study of juvenile salmon growth and diet, along with a study of juvenile salmon use of tributary streams. This position may also assist with fish sampling and aquatic habitat monitoring of salmon habitat restoration projects in local rivers and streams. Other duties may include fish exclusion for project construction and kokanee salmon conservation. This work will inform our salmon recovery actions in the future. Staff work independently and in teams with experienced fish ecologists. This role is primarily field-based but will also involve data entry and other office-based tasks. This position would be a good opportunity for a college student or recent graduate or someone interested in gaining experience in aquatic ecology.
Position Details
The position duration is approximately 6 months, starting February 17 and ending in August. King County will provide all necessary personal field gear (waders, safety equipment, etc.), a computer, and a vehicle to travel to field sampling locations.
Work Schedule: The work schedule for the seasonal Environmental Aide (Short Term Temporary position) will typically be Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, 40 hours per week. You must be able to commit to working 40 hours a week during the entire period to be eligible for consideration though there will be flexibility for vacations. This is an overtime eligible position that is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Work outside of business hours may be required.
Work Location: This position will predominantly work remotely and at various field monitoring sites but may also attend meetings at the King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle WA 98104).
Hourly Rate: 23.88/hour
Primary Duties include:
Independently monitor and maintain fish enclosures containing juvenile salmon, including solo transportation, site visits, and working near/in streams and rivers.
Assist with collection of juvenile salmon and other fishes using dipnets, fyke nets, seines, and electrofishing approaches with guidance from senior staff.
Assist with measurement of physical habitat and environmental attributes in streams and rivers; and assist with collection of invertebrate samples in streams and rivers.
Record data in the field and enter data into databases and spreadsheets.
Handle juvenile salmon and collect physical measurements.
Tag juvenile salmon using elastomer tags or passive integrated transponder tags with guidance from senior staff.
Help coordinate field trips and site visits.
Interact with the public and answer questions about our studies.
Skills and Qualifications
Our Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:
Manages complexity – Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Decision Quality – Makes sound and timely decisions, even in the absence of complete information.
Collaborates – Builds partnerships and collaborates with others to meet shared objectives.
Situational Adaptability – Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
Action Oriented – Takes on new opportunities and tackles challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Required Skills:
Ability to work in the field, during all-weather conditions, hiking over rough and slippery terrain and ability to swim.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional long days and night work.
Ability to carry heavy monitoring equipment (up to 50lbs).
Attention to detail and ability to follow directions precisely and dependably.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take initiative and follow safety protocols.
Experience collecting biological or physical data in streams or rivers and demonstrated interest in applied environmental science.
Knowledge and interest in salmon ecology and salmon recovery.
Experience using Microsoft applications such as Excel, Access, Word, and Teams.
Must have a valid WA driver’s license.
Desired Skills:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in fish ecology, aquatic ecology, wildlife ecology, environmental science, environmental planning, or a closely related field.
Training and/or experience identifying Pacific Northwest freshwater fishes.
Training and/or experience with fish sampling and processing methods.
Training and/or experience using GPS devices for field data collection.
Experience operating large passenger vehicles, trailers, and watercrafts.
Training in swiftwater safety, first aid, and CPR. (this training can also be provided by King County)
Application and Selection Process
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications and skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
Resume
Brief Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
Please submit your resume, along with a brief cover letter of interest describing how you meet the job requirements and why you would be a great candidate for this position by January 6, 2025, to Perry Falcone at perry.falcone@kingcounty.gov.
For any questions, please contact the supervisor, Perry Falcone, at falcone@kingcounty.gov.
A University of Washington citizen science program — which trains coastal residents to search local beaches and document dead birds — has contributed to a new study, led by federal scientists, documenting the devastating effect of warming waters on common murres in Alaska.
Mark Scheuerell, a Professor at the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS), has been named as an ASLO 2024 Sustaining Fellow, part of a cohort recognized for their sustained excellence in their contributions to ASLO and the aquatic sciences. ASLO is the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.
ASLO Fellows are recognized for exceptional contributions to the benefit of the society and its publications, meetings, and other activities. Mark was selected in part for his continuous membership of 26 years, his participation as a speaker and session chair at 10 annual conferences, and his service on the editorial board of the journal Limnology and Oceanography: Letters since its inception in 2016. These experiences have helped shape Mark’s approach to mentoring and science communication, and he looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experiences with early career scientists in the aquatic sciences.
Many of us are familiar with anglerfishes, though we may not be aware that that’s what they are called, or that more than one type exists. Frequently depicted in popular culture with giant heads, large mouths, sharp teeth and a lightbulb appendage on top, this is indeed a real type of anglerfish that occupies the deep sea (think Finding Nemo), but it’s just one of more than 200 species of anglerfish.
Working with specimens from the Burke Museum and NOAA, Elizabeth Miller, a former National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS), was captivated by the great diversity of shapes of anglers, which was at odds with how the species is often depicted. Inspired by the world-renowned anglerfish research that has taken place at SAFS and the Burke Museum under Curator Emeritus Ted Pietsch – who wrote the book on the diversity of anglerfishes – Elizabeth set out to build a family tree of anglerfishes and delve into the evolution of new shapes, such as body elongation.
Elizabeth Miller
From blobby to elongated: the shape diversity of anglerfishes.
In a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution in November 2024, Elizabeth (now a postdoctoral scholar at University of California, Irvine) worked with SAFS Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes, Luke Tornabene, and a multinational team including scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The University of Oklahoma, and Rice University, to combine genetic material that has been collected and stored from anglerfishes over many years by agencies such as NOAA and museums like the Burke. Much like humans build their family trees by sending in DNA and tracing their lineage online, anglerfish phylogeny is also based on genetic similarity, but over a much longer timescale. “Think millions of years instead of a few hundred,” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth Miller
Elizabeth Miller holds a footballfish that had washed up in Southern California.
The team then paired this family tree with measurements of body and skull shape to ask how the diversity of anglerfishes evolved over time. This is where specimen collections such as those housed in The UW Fish Collection are so important, because they preserve fish species as a snapshot in time to when they were collected from often very hard to reach places, such as the deep ocean. The measurements were taken from over 400 anglerfish specimens, with a quarter of these also CT scanned at Friday Harbor Labs (FHL). CT scans provide three-dimensional images of the skeleton and skull of preserved specimens without damaging them, an important tool for preserving very rare museum specimens. These images were used to quantify the shape of anglerfishes, which the team then used to infer how shape evolved using phylogenetic approaches.
What they learned was that the evolution of new shapes is very fast in deep-sea anglerfishes, especially in association with body elongation. “In evolutionary biology, we call a lineage like this an adaptive radiation, meaning a lineage that evolves a lot of different shapes associated with different ecological niches or ways of living,” Elizabeth said. “Adaptive radiations are well known on land and shallow water, but I had never heard of an adaptive radiation in the deep-sea. I was excited to see if anglerfish fit that mold.” Which they did. The researchers found that the deviation away from the archetypical globose shape is especially associated with rapid evolution.
Elizabeth Miller
A micro CT scan of a Burke Museum specimen. This is Lophodolos – or Whalehead dreamer – which appears in the elongation graphic above.
How exactly do they know this? This is where the family tree comes in handy. It showed that elongated anglers, such as the wolftrap angler, are closely related to “blobby” ones such as the footballfish. As they share a recent common ancestor, that means there was a short amount of time in between the blobby ancestor and that elongated shape they have today. “A high evolutionary rate implies a lot of change in a short amount of time,” Elizabeth said.
“This study is a great example of how new technology is allowing us to look at museum specimens in ways no one imagined when they were collected decades ago,” said Katherine Maslenikov, Ichthyology Collections Manager at UW. “Anglerfishes are rare and delicate so there has historically not been a lot of research into their anatomy. Genetics has allowed us to build powerful data sets that help us construct the family trees of organisms, but it is the museum specimens that then let us examine their anatomy to try to understand the ecology and behavior in evolutionary terms. Micro CT scanning allows for non-destructive imaging of the specimens, so we are now able to see the delicate skeletons of these rare species and be inspired to ask new questions.”
The name anglerfish applies to all members of the order Lophiiformes, which has five groups: frogfishes, batfishes, monkfishes, sea toads, and the bathypelagic anglers. Most picture the bathypelagic group when they hear the word anglerfish (suborder Ceratioidei). There are 350 species in Lophiiformes, with roughly half in the bathypelagic ceratioid lineage, the group that this paper is focused on.
“As to why rapid evolution over a quick time frame happens in the deep sea? It is hard to know, but we have some hypotheses,” Elizabeth added. “Anglerfish don’t really swim – they just float and wait for prey to come to them, drawn by their lures. This means the body can take on different forms and not negatively impact the fish, such as a blobby shape increasing drag in the water.” Some elongated shapes may have evolved as an increased surface area in a dark environment enhances sensation. “But all of these are just hypotheses right now – fruit for future research!” Elizabeth said.
Foxes are migrating northward, frogs are climbing higher into the mountains, and walruses are hauling out closer to shore. Across the globe, species are shifting their ranges in response to environmental changes driven by climate change. However, seabirds face distinct challenges in adapting to these shifts. Unlike many species, seabirds rely on both suitable terrestrial and marine habitats for survival. While they can follow their prey as it moves northward in the ocean, successful reproduction depends on finding quality terrestrial breeding grounds that overlap with these changing marine environments.
The California Channel Islands may serve as a critical climate refuge for seabirds. Situated at the convergence of the cool, nutrient-rich California Current and the warmer, more tropical Southern California Countercurrent, the archipelago offers a uniquely diverse oceanographic environment. This position supports a diverse mix of northern and southern breeding seabirds found nowhere else in the world. Channel Islands National Park, which spans four of the islands, provides an added layer of protection for these vulnerable species. At least 16 seabird species currently breed on the islands, and the park is estimated to provide habitat for 99% of the breeding seabirds in Southern California.
Brown Booby chick on Sutil Island. (Credit: David Pereksta)
Adult Brown Booby with chick on Sutil Island. (Credit: Jim Howard)
Amelia DuVall, a PhD candidate at the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) and a member of the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, is a scientist in the world of seabirds. In September 2024, she and her colleagues published a paper in Western North American Naturalist reporting on the breeding range expansion of two pantropical seabird species—the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) and the Blue-footed Booby (S. nebouxii). Previously, the northernmost breeding locations for both species were in Mexico. Brown Boobies are found in tropical oceans across the globe, and Blue-footed Boobies along the west coast of the Americas from Peru to Baja California, Mexico. However, both now breed at Sutil Island, a small rocky island off Santa Barbara Island in Channel Islands National Park, marking the first confirmed breeding records for Sula species in the continental United States.
David Pereksta
Adult Brown Booby in flight near Sutil Island.
Sutil Island is a steep small (13-acre) island that is closed to the public and rarely accessed by researchers. Due to limited access, researchers have tracked the gradual arrival of boobies by observing the island from a boat with binoculars, from nearby Santa Barbara Island, or through aerial photographs taken by helicopter. Brown Boobies were first observed on Sutil Island in October 2013, with breeding confirmed four years later, in October 2017. The number of nest sites attended by adults or containing chicks grew from four in 2017 to 31 in 2022, and the total number of birds at the colony increased to 164 by September 2021. Blue-footed Boobies were first sighted in August 2018, with breeding confirmed two years later when a hybrid Brown Booby/Blue-footed Booby chick was documented.
The northern portion of Brown Booby (BRBO) and Blue-footed Booby (BFBO) breeding ranges within the eastern Pacific Ocean, with the previous northernmost breeding locations of both species denoted with stars. Inset includes detail of the new breeding colony at Sutil Island, off Santa Barbara Island in the California Channel Islands, USA.
So, what’s driving the northward range expansion of these seabird species? A key factor is rising sea surface temperatures. Warmer waters affect the physiological and ecological tolerances of seabird prey, causing shifts in prey distribution toward cooler northern waters. In essence, as the fish move, the seabirds follow. The 2014-2016 marine heatwave was particularly significant, as it triggered a northward shift in the distribution of larval Pacific sardines and anchovies, with the highest concentrations of larval fish in the northern California Current observed in 2015 and 2016—levels not seen since the 1990s. The collapse of the sardine fishery between 2009-2013 in the northern Gulf of California—the likely source population for these seabirds—may also have contributed to the expansion of their breeding range. As climate change progresses, the northward shift of these crucial prey species is expected to continue over the next century, with sightings of Sula species becoming more frequent as far north as Washington State.
Each year, UW students embark on the SAFS-NOAA Marine Mammal Laboratory internship program, spending a month or so working on projects related to marine mammals such as whale, seals, sea lions and porpoises. Project topics include marine mammal behavior, population dynamics, life history, migration patterns, distribution, and trends in abundance, with research taking place with the Marine Mammal Laboratory, a division of the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC). This year during June to August, two students – Kenna Daily (ESRM) and Sofia Denkovski (Marine Biology) – split their time working on two Alaska pinniped projects: remote camera imagery and food habits.
Under the mentorship of Molly McCormley from AFSC, they helped assess the efficacy of NOAA’s machine learning model for detecting Steller sea lions in digital images. They manually reviewed over 21,000 images of Steller sea lions rookery sites in the Aleutian Islands, marking locations of branded sea lion individuals which will be compared to observations found by the machine learning model.
NOAA
Screenshot of the PhotoCount program used by Kenna and Sofia to review remote camera images for marked Steller sea lions. Known individuals are marked with a letter or symbol (indicates where they were born) and a unique number. In this example, Steller sea lion ~176 (behavior = Unknown) was identified in an image taken 26 May 2018 on Attu Island, Alaska.
While being mentored by Katie Luxa, also from AFSC, Kenna and Sofia processed ~300 frozen Steller sea lion and northern fur seal diet samples (i.e., scats and spews). The fish otoliths, bones, and squid beaks they recovered from samples are now ready to be identified by Marine Mammal Lab staff. They also helped prep northern fur seal vibrissae for stable isotope analysis and inventoried over 1,600 cephalopod specimens in the Lab’s food habits reference collection.
NOAA
Photo of fish bones in a metal sieve. This was part of a very large spew (regurgitation) sample from a Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) that was processed by Sofia. There were several different species present; the large V-shaped bone in the middle is a lower jaw from a wolffish (family Anarhichadidae).
In addition to their research tasks, Kenna and Sofia used this unique opportunity to connect with other MML and Alaska Fisheries Science Center researchers, setting up one-on-one meetings to learn more about their study animals and research projects. Their mentors reported that Kenna and Sofia did a fantastic job. They were enthusiastic, their work was impeccable, and they asked excellent questions, with both students being invited to stay on as part-time (<4 hrs/week) lab volunteers.
50 years ago in 1974, Judge George Boldt made a ruling in the case of U.S. v. Washington State, which upheld Tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights. This upheld the Tribe’s entitlement to half the harvestable number of salmon returning to or passing through the Tribes’ usual and accustomed fishing places, and established the Tribes as co-managers of the salmon resource with the state. It also required the state to take actions to sustain the resources, mentioned directly in the ruling: “The most fundamental prerequisite to exercising the right to take fish is the existence of fish to be taken.” This became known as the Boldt Decision.
50 years later on November 21, 2024, the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) hosted this year’s annual Bevan Seminar as a special one-day symposium reflecting on Tribal fisheries, their co-management since this landmark decision, and what the the next 50 years will look like for Washington fisheries. Centering on Tribal voices, the symposium heard from Tribal leaders, elders, scientists, artists and lawyers, through a series of panels and Q&A discussions.
Many of us working or studying at the University of Washington hadn’t heard about the Boldt Decision until recently. As someone relatively new to both UW and to Washington, this was certainly true for me. When sitting through the symposium, I wondered how many others might be unaware of this ruling, why it came about, and its impact on two core parts of Washington: salmon and the Tribes.
Niamh Owen-McLaughlin
Director of SAFS, Tim Essington, gives his opening address.
Beginning the event with a prayer from Phil Hamilton from the Muckleshoot Tribe and an opening address from SAFS Director, Tim Essington, members of the audience heard about the stories and people behind the Boldt Decision. Discussions covered why salmon are so important to Washington Tribes – culturally, spiritually, economically – and accounts of the struggles to uphold Treaty-reserved fishing rights. The 200 or so members of the audience were also reminded by Chairman Jaison Elkins from the Muckleshoot Tribe that: “If you want to be a good fisherman, you need to be a good biologist. Our Tribes have always believed in science and observations to protect our salmon.”
One of the strong messages emerging from the event was the need to protect salmon, in the face of many threats including climate change, and for a whole host of reasons including subsistence, economic development, cultural practices, and conservation. Scott Schuyler from the Upper Skagit Tribe told us that: “When our ancestors signed the Treaty, they sacrificed everything to reserve this right to fish in perpetuity. What it means, is when the fish are gone, it’s diminished the right and value of the Treaty.” As pointed out by Mary Neil, a member of the Lummi Nation and attorney for the Muckleshoot Tribe, and whose decision to attend law school was partly because of the Boldt Decision, the fight isn’t just for fishing rights and the ability to fish, “but to protect our way of life.”
An important reason for SAFS hosting this event was to help educate those in our programs, and in the wider community both internally and externally to UW (me included), about what exactly the Boldt Decision was, and its lasting impact on Tribal fisheries in Washington. The first panel of the day did just this as it focused on the challenges, successes, and opportunities for co-management. A strong message heard during this panel was the way Tribes have taken a hearts and mind approach to co-management: “Telling the State what’s in our heart but telling them in a way in which the State understands – technically”.
Niamh Owen-McLaughlin
The event heard unique insights into the challenges, successes and future of co-management of fisheries in Washington.
Another recurring theme, and a challenge faced by Tribes, was the need to re-educate co-managers on their treaty rights, especially as new people come in with changes in local, state, and federal government every few years. This highlighted how the younger generation of scientists coming out of institutions such as the fisheries program at UW, have a key role in learning from Tribes and being a part of that ongoing re-education when working in future careers in public, private and government sectors. “It shouldn’t just be Tribal people reminding the government of the law of the land, it should be everyone”, said Maia Bellon from Cascadia Law Group.
The second panel discussed sustaining Tribal fisheries for the next 50 years. Apart from acknowledging the mass of sustainability challenges – particularly for salmon which require intact ecosystems from the land to the sea – we were also reminded that it is the joint responsibility of everyone to ensure the sustainability of fisheries. This responsibility doesn’t fall solely at the hands of the Tribes.
Finishing up the panel session part of the day was a discussion of Tribal fisheries’ cultural resiliency and food sovereignty during a time of climate change. A central takeaway was the need for Tribes to be sitting at management tables with equal status by being present in management schemes and policy strategy discussions, at every step of the way.
To end the day, SAFS PhD student, Nicole Doran, who helped organize the event, led a Q&A discussion about dos and don’ts for respectful research collaboration with Tribes, with participation from Vanessa Castle (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Ridges to Riffles) and Ashley Nicole Lewis (Quinault Nation, Bad Ash Outdoors). Starting from a place of trust-building and relationship-building is essential and should precede any collaborative work with Tribes. Traditional ecological knowledge is not something that should be co-opted by non-Indigenous scientists because it removes that knowledge from the communities and from places where that knowledge was developed.
Niamh Owen-McLaughlin
Nicole Doran (SAFS PhD student), Vanessa Castle (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Ridges to Riffles) and Ashley Nicole Lewis (Quinault Nation, Bad Ash Outdoors), conduct a Q&A session on dos and don’ts for respectful research collaboration with Tribes.
“We also talked a lot about consent – it’s really important to establish clear boundaries with collaborators, especially over data ownership, the intentions behind a collaboration, and the objectives of the project. ‘No means no’ definitely applies here, and if you are not sure what a collaborator’s boundaries are, it is always important to ask,” Nicole shared. “Putting in the work before starting the work” was another strong message coming through the Q&A session. Before reaching out to a Tribe, familiarize yourself with the Tribe you are interested in working with, find out who would be the best person to connect with, and really take the time to examine what your own intentions are.
“During this event, the UW community was incredibly fortunate to hear – and learn from – leaders and elders from different Washington Tribes,” Tim Essington said in his closing address. “The success of this symposium will be judged by what happens next – how we work to teach our graduate and undergraduate students about Tribal treaty rights, and how we meaningfully engage in our shared responsibility to protect our aquatic ecosystems.”
We would like to extend a special thank you to all of the panelists who joined us and made this event possible, and who took the time to provide their unique insights into the challenges, successes and future of co-management of fisheries in Washington:
Every November, UW recognizes Native American History Month, celebrating the traditions, cultures, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. For more information and resources, click here.
YMCA Camp Dudley in Naches, WA, is hiring naturalists for their spring season. The program serves fifth and sixth graders from Yakima Valley and surrounding areas, who come to Camp Dudley for one to four days to participate in hands-on science classes (with other disciplines woven in), outdoor recreation activities, and community building experiences. This is a great job for people who love natural and environmental sciences, being outdoors, and working with kids.
Naturalists at YMCA Camp Dudley Outdoor School will:
Create magical outdoor experiences for 5th and 6th graders
Facilitate hands-on learning stations that deepen students’ care for the natural world and their communities
Lead outdoor adventure activities (hiking, canoeing, archery, low ropes, rock climbing, ziplining, etc.)
Cramer Fish Sciences is currently looking to hire Seasonal Biological Technicians, along with a Lead Seasonal Senior Biological Technician to assist with a project taking place in the Eugene, OR area. These positions offer a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fisheries research and contribute to meaningful conservation projects. Individuals with a background in biology/ecology/natural resources and a passion for fish conservation are encouraged to apply! Detailed job descriptions are available on their website.
Seasonal Biological Technician
Focus & Location: Support juvenile Chinook assessments across the Willamette Valley
Field Work: This position provides entry-level field support by assisting Biologists in juvenile Chinook assessments across the Willamette Valley. Fieldwork will be conducted in three-person teams lead by a Senior Biological Technician, typically 5 days per week, for 8 hours per day. Occasional camping may be required. Field technicians will be supervised by the Fish Ecology Lab in Portland, OR.
Project Details: Candidates will be assigned to specific projects upon hire, with potential opportunities to contribute to other Willamette Valley projects throughout the season as needs and priorities evolve.
Quartzville Juvenile Chinook Surveys: Conduct surveys from anticipated duration of late January to November 2025 at Quartzville Creek
Green Peter and Lookout Point Reservoir Distribution Surveys: Alternate weekly between Green Peter Reservoir and Lookout Point Reservoir from anticipated duration of February to November 2025.
Bulk PIT Tagging and Fish Releases: Support tagging and releases from anticipated duration of February to June 2025 (with a strong possibility of extension). Alternate between Marion Forks Hatchery, Minto Fish Hatchery near Detroit, OR, and the Willamette River Hatchery near Oakridge, OR.
Approximate Employment Dates: Mid-January to November 2025.
Pay Rate: $20-$22/hour depending on experience.
Lead Seasonal Biological Technician
Focus & Location: To support juvenile Chinook salmon population assessments on Quartzville Creek
Field Work: This position will lead a team of biological technicians in juvenile Chinook assessments on Quartzville Creek (located in East Linn County, 30 minutes from Sweet Home). Field work will be conducted in three-person teams typically 5 days per week, for 8 hours per day. Occasional camping may be required. Field technicians will be supervised by the Fish Ecology Lab in Portland, OR.
Approximate Employment Dates: Mid-January to November 2025.
Pay Rate: $24-$25/hour depending on experience
About Cramer Fish Sciences
We are a fisheries research consulting firm serving throughout the Pacific States and Idaho. We are a growing, employee-owned company whose mission is to rigorously apply scientific methods to afford our clients innovative, scientifically robust solutions to address a variety of fisheries and environmental challenges. Our team achieves this through effective and unbiased data collection, insightful analysis and interpretation, and clear communications and publication of results in scientific journals.
