Until now, no one knew what caused the sea star wasting disease which wiped out populations along the West Coast starting in 2013. But an international research effort including scientists from the University of Washington has finally revealed the cause: a strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida.

A new story in the Seattle Times shows just how alive the Seattle waterfront is, if you know where to look. From baby salmon to bull kelp, the renovations at the waterfront include a seawall where the public can look down at the fish-friendly seawall. The UW Wetland Ecosystem Team has been instrumental in this work, with continued monitoring of the site.

We’re living in a digital age, where the ability to find information (or even at times misinformation) is instant wherever you are in the world. This comes at the same time we’re at a critical juncture for climate research, where studying our changing world is more important now than ever. For SAFS graduate student, Amirah Casey, she knows that communication is vital to make impactful changes, and so applying for the PNW Climate Ambassadors program was a no-brainer.

Seeking to understand the impacts of environmental stressors on Pacific oysters is the driving force behind a years-long research project involving scientists from the University of Washington and NOAA, and in collaboration with the oyster industry. Critical in aquaculture, Pacific oysters are the dominant oyster species grown on the US West Coast, with the industry in the Pacific Northwest alone valued at over $270 million a year.

A new video features how genetic metabarcoding is being used by the UW Whale And Dolphin Ecology Lab, led by Amy Van Cise, to understand and conserve southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea.

Each year, polar bears cycle through periods of intense feasting and prolonged fasting. For reproductive females, seasonal bulking is crucial – it fuels the winter denning and fasting period when they give birth. And when they emerge in spring, it gives biologists a chance to assess populations. A new study led by Sarah Teman explores whether A1c could reveal if a polar bear had recently denned, which – combined with the absence of cubs – may signal reproductive failure.

Building community among the different student groups at SAFS and Marine Biology—undergraduates, graduates and postdocs—the SAFS Undergrad Community Building Event was held was held for the fourth year running. Taking place on 13 May, undergraduates were invited to walk around and speak to grads and postdocs about different topics including grad school, what life looks like after graduation, and finding your way in science.

What brought a group of high schoolers to SAFS to teach a lesson on Pacific salmon and chemicals? It all started with an interest in ecology in 9th grade biology class, and a quest to find a relevant, local topic that they could base a research project on. Since then, Iris Zhang, Ivy Wei and Sylvia Mei from Redmond High School worked with Amirah Casey to research the topic, and developed a SEAS lesson centered on the effects of 6PPD-quinone on salmon.

Returning for another successful year on Saturday 17 May, the UW Aquatic Sciences Open House had more than 1,000 attendees, with children of all ages plus their families. Organized by Students Explore Aquatic Sciences (SEAS), the event showcases the breadth of aquatic science taking place at the University of Washington and in the Puget Sound region with partner organizations.

During low tide at Padilla Bay on a bright day in early May, you could find a class of UW undergraduates exploring the largest contiguous seagrass ecosystem in the lower 48. Why? To collect data to assess the habitat value of seagrass.