Yesterday, we had a 7 hour meeting to discuss armoring.  Marine Biologists from all over Puget Sound came to meet at the State Capital in Olympia in order to figure out areas of dike removal.  Expanding certain areas of Puget Sound by removing dikes would help increase the wildlife habitat and most likely the number of species.  According to Marine Biologists, the more species, the better. 

Before I left Washington, I went to a salmon trail to watch them spawn.  The salmon return back to their home after 5-6 years of being out at sea to spawn.  After they are done spawning, they die.  There were hundreds of dead fish in the creek.  You wouldn’t even have to see it to believe it; you could smell it from anywhere.  Take a look at the photos from Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail.

November 13, 2008

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Finally a day of field work.  Doug took me to Seahurst Beach, which has been a restoration project over the last 5 years.  He brought his camera to take photo points in order to track the progress.  Before the restoration began, the beach was surrounded by retaining walls because engineers thought it would prevent erosion.  If you look at my pictures, it is clear to see that the retaining walls didn’t do their job.  Compare the natural retaining wall made of logs that slowly floated to shore with the manmade cement barrier, it’s clear to see which one prevented land erosion.  The sediment transfer in this particular area only could reach 9 miles, when it’s supposed to reach 250 miles.  The manmade retaining walls prevent the natural flow of sediment and that’s not good.

Every drop of rain will end up in Puget Sound.  Many neighborhoods detract water flow unnaturally to prevent flooding of their homes.  Sure that may sound like a great idea for homeowners, but is it a great idea for the marine life?  The steep runoffs that are created make it very difficult for salmon to spawn.  Salmon to a meandering stream, otherwise it’s nearly impossible for them to make it back to where they were born. 

After exploring Seahurst Beach, we went to see a marsh in Edmonds.  Surprisingly, this marsh survived next to an oil refinery.  Now that the oil refinery no longer exists, the city is trying to replace it with an enournous parking lot for the ferry.  People for Puget Sound are trying to reserve that area for the fishery.  It’s a long process, but as of now, it looks like the parking lot will be constructed.

November 12, 2008

I attended the yearly conference that People for Puget Sound hosts.  The Marine Biologist that I am working with this week, Doug Myers was presenting ways to restore Puget Sound.  He encouraged people to contribute to the restoration project in order for the natural beauty to remain.  Many Marine Biologists work on restoration projects, but that’s not the only reason they chose their career.  Other reasons may include understanding the economical effects of developing near shores and just the plain curiosity of how the ecosystem works. 

Towards the end of the day, I experienced a very common activity in Seattle.  I was invited by one of the reporters to meet in a coffee shop to read poetry.  Alright I’m kidding, but that is a common place for people to meet before work, after work, and probably during work. 

November 11, 2008

It was another long day as a Marine Biologist.  I woke up at 5:30AM in order to catch the train with Doug Myers and head to his Seattle office.  People for Puget Sound is the organization that I chose to work with this week and they have office locations in Olympia and Seattle. 

Seattle had a larger downtown than I thought.  It reminded me of San Francisco because of the hilly streets near the shore with gloomy weather.  I ran by the first Starbucks only because I don’t drink coffee.  If I did, the original Starbucks would be a landmark. 

We had several organizational meetings this afternoon.  The first meeting was to inform several employees that filling the open position will be a closed opportunity.  People for Puget Sound rely mostly on its funding through donations and grants.  This organization has contributed to Puget Sound’s restoration since the early 90’s and they always find a way to pull through.

The next meeting was very rare; only once a decade.  All the Board Members met to revise an Action Agenda for a grant on Puget Sound’s next project.  A decade’s worth of scientific studies has gone in to this proposal, so it was a critical meeting.  What a great way for me to experience the operational side of Marine Biology.

November 10, 2008

Can you believe when I drove across the Washington state border that it started to rain?  It has rained all day and I probably won’t see the sun like most say.  I arrived in Olympia, Washington where I will mostly work this week.  I had to find breakfast before my work day started, but couldn’t find anything besides a grocery store.  Guess what was the first drink I had in the State of Washington?  That’s right; coffee from Starbucks.  I didn’t mean to have coffee, it’s just that they were giving free samples and I was really thirsty.  I must have been really thirsty because I hate coffee. 

After a long drive from Boise, I finally made it to my 11th job; Marine Biologist.  I had another crash course Monday, but this was much different.  I wasn’t alone this time.  Biology students from Pierce College joined me on my first day.  Daniel Hall from the Nausqually Nature Center demonstrated to the class what his career entails.  We went onshore with a net a sampled species during a high tide.  He samples multiple times in all types of conditions to see if the ecosystem has changed.  We pulled all sorts of fish out of Puget Sound and measured them for our records.  This is an ongoing process to pinpoint any drastic changes; none thus far.