The SeaDoc Board is instrumental to our mission here in the Salish Sea. Scott, Barb, and Jeff bring unique expertise, passion, and dedication to our team and we’re so excited to have them! View the whole board here and learn more about Scott, Barb and Jeff below.
Drones can be powerful tools in gathering important health data about wildlife, including marine species like the Salish Sea’s endangered killer whales. Scientists have already established the benefits of collecting breath samples to monitor orca health, but we wanted to scientifically understand if it is less invasive than previous sampling methods–namely the use of a long pole with a petri dish extended from a nearby boat toward the whale’s blowhole.
A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Marine Mammal Science, led by SeaDoc Society Research Assistant Catherine Lo, answered that question by analyzing more than 1,000 drone-collected killer whale breath samples.
This summer, our brilliant Scientific Advisory Committee gathered in Seattle to assess and ultimately determine funding for five new critical research projects here in the Salish Sea. You can read about those here.
Our Science Advisors are a vital part of our mission, and we’re excited to introduce two exciting new additions. They are Caitlin Magel of Puget Sound Institute and Phil Bloch of Confluence Environmental Company. We asked them a few questions so you can get to know them a bit better.
Welcome Caitlin and Phil!
We're excited to announce that SeaDoc Society will fund five new scientific research projects aimed at improving the longterm health of the Salish Sea. Each project was carefully reviewed and selected by our Scientific Advisory Committee and funded through your donations from people like you.
We look forward to sharing more about each of these as fieldwork ramps up, but here is a brief look at the newly funded projects:
How did you start your day? Was it by looking at a massive #bluefin tuna that washed up on the beach near your home? That’s how we did! That’s right, we woke up to find this beautiful bluefin tuna dead on Crescent Beach in Eastsound—right here on Orcas Island.
It’s easy when you live in the Salish Sea to feel like you’re sort of perpetually camping. Water surrounds you, trees line up on the horizon, the air is fresh, etc. etc. etc. But you also have a phone in your pocket and bills to pay and new series to binge on Netflix. Sure it’s beautiful outside, but those are the trappings of regular nine-to-five type stuff. The forays into nature are carved out and fleeting.
By Bob Friel
Local luminaries together with boldfaced names from the worlds of science, business, entertainment, education, politics, and even space exploration met beside the glittering waters of Orcas Island’s West Sound this July to show their support for the Salish Sea and SeaDoc’s work to preserve and protect it.
Now in its 9th year, the SeaDoc Wine and Sea Auction has become the Northwest’s must-do of the summer. This year, nearly 200 donors and volunteers gathered in a fabulous setting at Family Tides Farm to enjoy amazing seafood, live music, games, great conversation, and an ocean of superb wines. Under the big tent, the auction was fast, furious, and a lot of fun. By the time the dust settled and paddles were put away, we’d raised more funds than ever to continue our work!
SeaDoc couldn't conduct science that is helping to heal the sea we all love without the support of private investors. Thank you for making a difference.
Be sure not to miss Wine and Sea 2017! Put Saturday July 8, 2017 on your calendar now!
By Joe Thoron
Talk about mixed feelings! After almost a decade of hanging around the SeaDoc offices, first as a consultant and then as an employee, I'm moving on to a job opportunity too interesting to pass up (a startup still in stealth mode).
I first met Joe Gaydos because our daughters were in preschool together. When he told me about SeaDoc, and that it was trying to save marine wildlife and the marine environment not only by doing great science but also by making sure the results got into the hands of decision-makers, I was hooked.
It wasn't long before I was helping Joe write a piece about SeaDoc's traveling harbor seal skeleton. Then I was fixing up the website. Then helping to write and send the newsletter. The more work I did with Joe, Jean, and SeaDoc's amazing board members and supporters, the more I loved it. So it was a natural step to join the staff about 5 years ago.
As I roll out of here, I want to give a big shout out of appreciation to everyone here in the office and at UC Davis. And I especially want to say thanks to all of the great donors and supporters I've had a the privilege to get to know over the past decade. SeaDoc attracts some of the warmest and most generous & thoughtful people I've ever met. It's been a great adventure!
