Page 6 – Seattle Aquarium

The Spilhaus Projection: “The seven seas” become one ocean

Posted on July 20, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Have you ever noticed how a step to the left or a turn to the right changes your view entirely? Perhaps that’s what inspired South African-American geophysicist and oceanographer Dr. Athelstan F. Spilhaus to develop a seawater-focused map of Earth, centered on Antarctica. The Spilhaus Projection of 1942 provides a way for us to see the world ocean as it is: one big, contiguous body of seawater.

This timely “new” perspective is at the center of an exciting and thought-provoking installation at the Seattle Aquarium. Find it near our Life on the Edge habitat!

A Revolutionary Map Evolves

Decades after it was created, the Spilhaus Projection remains a vital tool. It’s been digitized and is now open-source data that can be used to map sea surface temperatures, cool and warm currents, hydrothermal ecosystems, ocean health indices, whale migration and more.

99 PERCENT OF EARTH’S LIVING ORGANISMS LIVE IN THE OCEAN

That’s quite a neighborhood! Earth’s one ocean hosts most living organisms in 71 percent of the planet’s living space. It’s home to the phytoplankton that produce 50–80% of the oxygen we breathe. It feeds its residents and people, affects weather and climate, and annually sequesters about a quarter of carbon dioxide resulting from human activities. And whatever happens on land—plastics pollution, wastewater runoff, acidification—drains into local waters and then ripples through the entire ocean.

ONE-PERCENTERS (US) STRIVING TO BE SEA-WORTHY NEIGHBORS

The Spilhaus Projection at the Seattle Aquarium maps what was once called “the Seven Seas*” as a single body of seawater, vast and unbroken. This mind-expanding perspective on the amazing life-support system of our blue planet shows the importance of restoring and protecting the ocean for the sake of all living things.

*Extra-credit fast facts: The phrase “Seven Seas” originated in ancient Greek literature and referred to the Aegean, Adriatic, Black, Caspian, Mediterranean and Red seas—with the Persian Gulf included as a “sea” as well. As trade routes expanded, it came to mean the Arctic, Indian, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific and Southern oceans. Which, of course, are all connected as Earth’s one ocean!

SHARED WATERS, SHARED CHALLENGES—AND SHARED SOLUTIONS!

The Seattle Aquarium’s mission, Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, begins at home in the Puget Sound region with educational programs, conservation research and policy advocacy. Our initiatives reach from the Salish Sea to the Coral Triangle.

When you visit the Aquarium, check the Spilhaus map to find the Coral Triangle, where we’re partnering to restore the Indo-Pacific leopard shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) population. This international collective, called ReShark, is one example of our species recovery program work.

Sturgeon, tufted puffins and dwarf cuttlefish: They’re just like us!

Posted on June 29, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Do you know someone who’s full of surprises—and just when you think you’ve got them figured out, they do something entirely unexpected? Our summer SEAlebrities are like that, too! They’re not always what they seem to be, so look closely. Some change colors, others are showy birds that swim like fish. Check them out on your next visit to the Seattle Aquarium!

White sturgeon: fish with an identity crisis?

One glance at their long bodies, pointy snouts and dorsal fins and you might ask, “Who let the sharks in?” Often mistaken for sharks, white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, are bottom-dwelling fish that live in the temperate waters of the Pacific Coast from Alaska to upper Baja California.

HOW ARE STURGEON JUST LIKE US?

They have what it takes to protect themselves.

Like sharks, sturgeon have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. They have smooth skin and a skeleton made of cartilaginous scutes, not bone. Reminiscent of scales, the rows of scutes protect the sturgeon’s vital internal organs. Unlike sharks (or us), sturgeon have no teeth. Smile!

They like to lay low and feel things out.

Sturgeon hover over sandy floors of the ocean and estuaries to forage for food with their barbels—long, whisker-like feelers above their mouths. They drag their barbels along the bottom, searching for shellfish, invertebrates (animals with no backbone) and small fish, then suck their prey into their mouths and swallow it whole.

Can you spot a sturgeon? Test your observation skills at our Underwater Dome habitat.

Tufted puffins: parrots of the sea

Tufted puffins, Fratercula cirrhata, spend summers in remote island colonies and winters on the open sea. These diving birds (alcids) seem to fly through water as easily as air. Yet their webbed feet are also used to burrow into cliffs or slopes where they will build nests safely hidden from predators and food-snatching gulls.

HOW ARE TUFTED PUFFINS JUST LIKE US?

They dress for the season.

In summer, tufted puffins shed their dull winter feathers and bill coverings for a more colorful look. Legs and feet turn bright orange. An ornamental bill plate appears. Golden tufts accent a white “face mask.” That’s how they gain a mate—and the nickname “parrots of the sea.”

They search for love that lasts a lifetime.

Once they’re dressed to impress, courtship begins. Tufted puffins rub bills, strut and “skypoint” (pose with bills thrust upward, wings and tail raised). Couples then find a suitable spot for a home, dig a burrow, build a nest and take turns incubating their single egg. Bonded couples often form lifetime partnerships and return to the same area each year.

What are the tufted puffins wearing today? Check them out in our Birds & Shores habitat. (Phelps will be sporting an orange band on his right leg.)

Dwarf cuttlefish: now you see them, now you don't

Dwarf cuttlefish, Sepia bandensis, are native to coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. Cousins to squids, octopuses and nautiluses, these tiny cephalopods have keen brains, three hearts and excellent vision that’s essential for hunting. They are often called “chameleons of the sea” for their skill at quick-change camouflage.

HOW ARE DWARF CUTTLEFISH JUST LIKE US?

They know when to fade into the background—and when it’s time to be seen.

Their small size makes dwarf cuttlefish easy prey, but their ability to quickly change color, skin texture and pattern makes them harder to spot. Conversely, a hungry cuttlefish disguised as a rock will find it much easier to sneak up on their next meal. And sometimes, male cuttlefish display female colors to get past bigger, stronger suitors.

They like to go out for a stroll.

Dwarf cuttlefish have eight arms encircling their mouth. They often appear to “walk” along the ocean floor using two of their eight arms. When a tasty morsel appears, their arms open quickly and two feeding tentacles shoot out, grabbing the prey and pulling it toward the cuttlefish’s beak and mouth.

See Cuttle Puddle and the other dwarf cuttlefish in action in our Pacific Coral Reef habitat!

Just like us, all of our SEAlebrities need healthy habitats to thrive. The threats to their homes are largely manmade. Find out what you can do to preserve the marine environment they—and we—depend on. Visit our Act for the Ocean page to learn more.

Mighty mangroves are coming to the Ocean Pavilion

Posted on June 26, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

At the Seattle Aquarium, you’ve connected with fascinating SEAlebrities—sea otters, tufted puffins and dogfish, to name a few. But TREElebrities? Not so much. That will change when the Ocean Pavilion opens next summer. In a habitat called The Archipelago, you’ll discover live mangrove trees and the ecosystems mangroves support in the Coral Triangle.

Meet the Treelebrities

Mangroves live in the Coral Triangle and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. These highly adaptive trees thrive where most plants cannot—in hot, salty, muddy water. Mighty mangroves help protect animals, coastal communities and the planet. You could say that they’re ecosystem superheroes.

Colossal carbon sinks, drawn illustration of mangroves in a wetlands habitat, the roots of the mangrove trees extending into the water. Three monkeys sit in the branches of the mangrove trees while a stork wades through the water. — Too much carbon in the air is warming Earth. Mangroves fight this trend by storing carbon from the air in their wood and in soil held by their roots.

Heroic home-makers, drawn illustration of mangrove tree roots as seen from under the water. Different species of fish swim among the mangrove roots, which provide a safe habitat for fish and other animals. — Mangroves’ roots work like the bars of a crib to shelter young fishes. Above, branches make space for monkeys, birds and other land animals.

Coastal Crusaders, drawn illustration of a mangrove forest as seen from above, highlighting the unique habitats mangroves help create. — Nestled where land meets water, mangroves trap soil in their roots, creating new land. They also prevent erosion, filter pollutants and blunt big waves.

Economic Engines, drawn illustration of schools of fish swimming underwater through mangrove tree roots, the bottom of a small paddle boat visible on the surface of the water. — Mangroves provide medicines, timber, food and more, supporting livelihoods for people in coastal areas.

As mighty as they are, mangrove forests—like forests around the world—are shrinking due to human development and pollution. According to the United Nations, up to two thirds of coastal mangroves have been lost to date. As mangroves vanish, the species that rely on them—including us—have fewer defenses against climate change. By working together, we can change this story.

At the Ocean Pavilion, you’ll witness the role mangroves play in Coral Triangle ecosystems and learn how we can work together to protect wild populations.

Watch our team welcome mangroves and bluespotted rays

Our dedicated animal care team knows all about fish. Now that mangroves have arrived at our offsite Animal Care Center, the team is learning the joys of botany. Why? Because mangroves create the conditions many animals—including bluespotted rays—depend on.

In episodes 4 and 5 of Animal Care Stories, watch our team begin to build a shared habitat for mangroves and their “roommates”—bluespotted rays.

Which southern resident orca are you most like? Take our quiz to find out!

Posted on June 8, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Finding empathy in “barnacle moments”

Posted on May 30, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Fulfilling our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment often starts with facilitating stronger bonds between animals and people. As it turns out, a very human emotion may be the key to better connections.

When we humans notice animals and learn about their needs, we begin to care about the quality of their lives. That feeling comes from empathy—the ability and capacity to understand the experiences of other beings. It’s a skill everyone can learn, and research shows empathy inspires us to take better care of animals.

SHARING THE CARING

Did you know that the Seattle Aquarium conducts empathy workshops for educators and members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)? At these popular workshops, attendees learn the importance of empathy in creating guest experiences that can change the lives of animals and people.

ALL HANDS ON DECO!

The Seattle Aquarium then founded Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes (DECO), a biannual conference where professionals from zoos, aquariums, nature centers and museums brainstorm ideas, share information and elevate best practices.

The first DECO conference was wide-ranging, thought-provoking, collaborative and chock-full of ideas. Last fall’s DECO conference turned to putting theories into action. Six working groups were formed to develop and test innovative ways to weave empathic thinking into everything zoos and aquariums do.

FROM QUESTIONS TO ANSWERS, ACTIONS TO RESULTS

Today, these groups are in the process of identifying what to investigate. For example, do experiences with touchable biofacts (such as bones, teeth, pelts and fur) stir empathy? What inspires guests to feel kinship with arthropods and invertebrates (creatures with no backbone)? What are the best ways to engage all our neighbor communities in exploring animals at Seattle Aquarium? How can we better communicate the value of empathy and conservation action?

The working group on imaginative play is already observing how the Seattle Aquarium’s new Caring Cove figures in a child’s perspective-taking and exploring narratives that strengthen a connection with animals.

Perspective-taking in Caring Cove begins with asking questions: ‘What does my animal need? How can I provide for those needs?’ and ‘How does this care help my animal and its wellbeing?'

Nicole Starr Killebrew, interpretation coordinator

Another working group is focused on ways to help guests care for less-charismatic creatures. People are accustomed to reading other people’s faces. What would spark guests’ curiosity about “animals without faces”? After all, barnacles, sea cucumbers, jellies and anemones need love too.

Once, we thought information was enough to move people to act, but they need to feel something, too. Now we understand that, while there’s a lot to share about animals and the natural world, there’s so much to learn. The work to foster empathy for wildlife and inspire conservation among our audiences now comes from a place of humility, empathy and learning from the people and communities we serve.

Sarah Brenkert, principal evaluator

DISCOVER YOUR “BARNACLE MOMENT” AT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM!

How do people get hooked on marine life? Often it’s the moment something they thought was a rock or crusty growth turned out to be a living animal. That’s a “barnacle moment”—and a big step toward empathy.

Describing her own such moment, Interpretation Training Coordinator Cari Garand says, “It was seeing the amazing barnacle at the beach! I was fascinated to learn they live upside down in a home they built, doing headstands while eating with their legs. The complexity of a seemingly simple creature catapulted me into a lifetime of marine education and conservation.”

For more information about empathy workshops, visit our webpage. Or stay in the current with our Empathy Café web chats. And plan a visit to the Aquarium soon!

Welcoming a new cohort of Empathy Fellows

Posted on May 18, 2023August 26, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Launched in 2020, the Aquarium’s Empathy Fellowship program is designed to create pathways into careers in aquariums, zoos and the conservation field for communities of color and other marginalized communities that bear the brunt of environmental harm and historically haven’t reaped the benefits of the solutions proposed.

Throughout their one-year terms, individuals hired for these full-time, paid, fully benefited positions have opportunities to learn about local marine life and conservation efforts, develop personal and professional goals, and become effective educators, facilitators and advocates for marine conservation, empathy and their communities.

We recently welcomed the program’s third cohort: Lauren Canto, Maddy Laoprasert, Joey Ruggiero-Diehl and Cave T.

“When I came across this fellowship, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions: diversity, equity and inclusion, and marine science.”

As a child growing up in Seattle, Lauren Canto spent hours on the beach looking at tide pools, captivated by the plants and animals within. Her passion for conservation continued throughout college and she graduated with a B.S. in ecology and conservation biology, with a minor in wildlife resources, in 2022.

“During my time at university, I struggled with my identity and had to work hard to find a place where I fit in,” she comments. “I ended up joining the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Club and the UNITY multicultural executive board, where I dove deeper into my passion for social justice and had the privilege to learn from others’ perspectives.” She continues, “Throughout this fellowship, I’m hoping to create a welcoming space for all people and inspire others from diverse backgrounds to become change-makers in this field!”

“What excites me most about this fellowship is the opportunity to meaningfully connect with diverse communities by sharing space and striving for mutual understanding.”

A childhood spent exploring the mountains, forests and prairies of Colorado sparked Maddy Laoprasert’s love for the environment. Meanwhile, growing up in a Thai household within a predominantly white area, she—along with and her family—often faced prejudice and marginalization. These experiences continue to motivate her to advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for herself and others in her communities.

“The Empathy Fellowship combines several of my passions: environmental conservation, informal education, community-building and social justice—through an empathy lens,” she notes, adding, “I’m grateful that the fellowship allows us to center and amplify our own communities’ voices within this field.”

“I want to learn about the ways in which I can uplift and empower the local LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans people.”

Joey Ruggiero-Diehl previously worked with the Aquarium as a marine science instructor and was inspired to apply for the Empathy Fellowship program because of the opportunity to apply their degree in secondary science education and incorporate their passion for social justice.

“I believe that social equity and environmental justice are in many ways one and the same,” Joey comments. “The fellowship will allow me to combine these passions by developing programming that incorporates empathy, cultural responsiveness and social-emotional learning.” They add, “It will also give me an opportunity to work with my own community. I hope I can engage my community by encouraging curiosity about marine science and the connections we have with the natural world.”

“I’m thrilled to merge my many passions—including conservation, education, community-building, and gender and racial justice in my position as an empathy fellow.”

Cave T. grew up in the Pacific Northwest and became interested in marine conservation and education through experiencing firsthand the disproportionate impacts of environmental issues in their communities.

“I have a non-traditional background, opting out of pursuing higher education,” they comment. “I believe there is much knowledge and wisdom to gain from the world around us.” Cave’s many interests include music, cooking, creating art and organizing within their community. “Without their love and support, I wouldn’t be here,” they say. “La lucha sigue!”

(English: “The struggle continues!”)

If you’re interested in learning more, visit our Empathy Fellowship program page.

Giant wrymouths, whitespotted boxfish and river otters: They’re just like us!

Posted on May 7, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

The Seattle Aquarium’s latest SEAlebrities are an interesting bunch. Some hide right before our eyes; others stand out in flashy colors. Then there are those that just love to play! Sounds like some people you know, right? Let’s meet them.

Giant wrymouths: mysterious and reclusive

There are four recognized species in the wrymouth family. At over 5½ feet in length, Cryptacanthodes giganteus is the largest. (Regular wrymouths grow to around 3 feet, dwarf wrymouths to 1 foot.) With their long, narrow bodies, giant wrymouths are easily mistaken for eels. The big clue? Pectoral fins, which are characteristic of fish and not eels.

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They like a safe, cozy home.

Giant wrymouths build their homes in the northeast Pacific Ocean, from the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska to Humboldt Bay in California. They burrow into the soft ocean floor with just their heads peeking out—hiding in plain sight from hungry seals and sea lions.

They love snacks.

It is thought that giant wrymouths live most of their lives in the sand. Only tasty treats like crustaceans and invertebrates—or a special delivery by feeding pole, as shown in the photo taken at the Aquarium—can coax them out of their cozy burrows.

Meet Belle, a giant wrymouth in our care. Look for Belle in our Puget Sound Fish habitat on your next visit to the Aquarium!

Whitespotted boxfish: what a body!

Whitespotted boxfish, Ostracion meleagris, are found throughout the Pacific and Indian oceans, where they make their homes in reef ecosystems. Although small, growing to less than 10 inches, their busy patterns and vibrant colors attract a lot of attention. Luckily, they have two sneaky ways of remaining safe from predators.

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They protect their core valuables.

The whitespotted boxfish wields some invisible survival tools. Their body is built on a frame made of thickened and fused scale plates—a kind of armor—that protects their internal organs and gives them their characteristic shape. If a predator gets too close, the whitespotted boxfish turns on the slime, secreting poisonous mucus to repel or kill them.

They dress to impress potential mates.

Female whitespotted boxfish are tastefully dressed in black with allover white spots. Males have the same spotted back, but their sides are adorned with flashy colors—vivid blue with bright yellow bands and spots, the fish version of a custom-made, multi-hued suit. After all, it’s showtime.

Look for our two SEAlebrity whitespotted boxfish, Polka and Dot, at the Seattle Aquarium in the Pacific Coral Reef habitat!

River otters: work hard, play hard, nap when needed.

Where there’s ample water, land and fish, chances are you’ll find North American river otters. Lontra canadensis thrive in both marine and freshwater habitats, frolicking in coastal estuaries, marshes and streams, as well as inland swamps, lowland marshes and small lakes. Although they can be shy with people, you might be surprised by what we have in common with these gregarious animals.

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They like a good nap.

If you don’t see the river otters in our care at play, they’re probably napping in their den. Can you spot them? Depending on the time of year and where they live, river otters may be diurnal (more active during the daylight and less at night); nocturnal (more active at night and less during the day); or crepuscular—meaning most active at twilight! Regardless of when they keep busy, after hours of hunting, playing, building their dens and planning escape routes, a quick snooze is just the ticket.

Fun is having buddies to play with.

Otters like to socialize and when they get together it’s all about fun! Watching them speed through the water, slide down riverbanks and wrestle each other is very entertaining but this is not just play. The otters are learning and practicing survival skills that also build bonds among the group.

Don’t miss our SEAlebrity duo, Molalla and Ahanu, in the Aquarium’s river otter habitat!

The biggest threat to marine animals? Us.

You can make a difference for giant wrymouths, whitespotted boxfish and river otters. For them, there’s no hiding from trawling nets, diminishing habitats, climate change and plastic pollution. Whether or not they’re on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species™, human-caused impacts are a threat to their survival. Every animal in the ocean needs a healthy habitat to thrive—just like you do. Visit our Act for the Ocean page to learn what you can do to help preserve the health of our marine environment.

Protecting ocean health: Report from the 2023 state legislative session

Posted on April 28, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

The Seattle Aquarium spent the 2023 state legislative session working hard to advance science-based policies to protect our marine environment. We’ve been signing in “pro” on key environmental bills, delivering testimony, sharing opportunities to take action with the Washington community and collaborating with legislators and partners across the state—and many of you joined us in speaking up! Please enjoy as we look back at highlights from this session and share a preview of future efforts.

Session highlights

Reducing plastic pollution

We worked closely with our partners in the Plastic Free Washington coalition on HB 1085, which will make tangible reductions in three sources of unnecessary plastic waste—single-use water bottles, mini hotel toiletries and plastic foam-filled docks and floats. The bill:

Requires that new buildings with water fountains also contain bottle-filling stations (making it easier to use reusable water bottles!).
Phases out small plastic containers, wrappers and packaging for personal care products in hotels and other lodging establishments.
Bans soft, film-wrapped polystyrene foam dock floats to reduce pollution in the environment.

Protecting salmon and nearshore habitat

With the passage of SB 5104, the Washington Department of Ecology will conduct a survey of marine shorelines on a regular two-year cycle using new technology to capture geo-referenced oblique aerial and 360-degree, on-the-water imagery. The information collected during these surveys will fill data gaps about marine shoreline conditions to enable strategic, targeted recovery actions to benefit salmon, orcas and the marine food web. We worked closely with partners and testified in support of this bill.

We’re grateful to the state legislature for including $14 million in funding for the Duckabush River Estuary Restoration Project in the budget this year. Going forward, we’ll continue to support efforts to secure the additional state and federal funding needed to restore this vital estuary, which is prime habitat for threatened summer chum and Chinook salmon.

Recovering southern resident orcas

We were part of the group of NGOs leading efforts to pass SB 5371, which will implement the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (WDFW’s) recommendation to create a 1,000-yard buffer from small vessels around the critically endangered southern resident orcas to help them forage more successfully and feed their young. The requirement takes effect in 2025, but you can help protect endangered orcas today by taking the voluntary pledge to keep 1,000 yards away from the southern residents at givethemspace.org.

We’re also celebrating that the operating budget includes ongoing funding for the Quiet Sound program, which will help reduce underwater noise and other impacts from large commercial vessels on endangered southern resident orcas.

Restoring biodiversity

We’re grateful to the state legislature for including $23 million in funding this biennium for WDFW’s Recovering Washington’s Biodiversity project. Senior Ocean Policy Manager Nora Nickum advocated for this funding with partners at a lobby day in Olympia. In meetings with senators and representatives, Nora highlighted pinto abalone recovery as one of the priorities that would be supported by this funding.

Advancing climate action

The Seattle Aquarium supported bills to address climate change, including HB 1181, which requires local governments to incorporate climate resilience into comprehensive plans. We’re also taking action in our own operations under our regenerative plan.

Cultural access

After three long years, cultural access legislation finally passed in Olympia. We supported and advocated for HB 1575, which would provide local governments with additional tools to support cultural access programs—many of which were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill allows cities or counties to implement a cultural access program by a public vote of the people or a vote from the majority of their city or county councils.

This new bill will help the Seattle Aquarium expand on the work we do already with our Connections program and help enhance our public partnerships and education programs to help broaden our reach within communities throughout the state.

Capital budget request

We are thrilled to have received $3 million in the capital budget for the Ocean Pavilion. This expansion of the Seattle Aquarium, located in the heart of Seattle’s new waterfront park, will provide a pedestrian connection to Pike Place Market, revitalize our neighborhood and place conservation at the center of our city. The Ocean Pavilion is scheduled to open in June 2024.

The road ahead

While we were able to make strides on several ocean health priorities, there’s still work to do. The Seattle Aquarium will continue to work with our partners toward producer-responsibility legislation for packaging (like this year’s WRAP Act).

In the next legislative session, we’ll also continue working to pass measures to report embodied carbon emissions in infrastructure projects (Buy Clean and Buy Fair) and to enable small businesses to repair electronics, which will help limit the need for new materials that may be sourced through harmful practices like seabed mining (Fair Repair Act).

In the meantime, we’ll continue to advocate for national policy priorities—including reducing plastic pollution and waste, and recovering biodiversity. Visit our Policy and Act for the Ocean webpages for the latest news and action opportunities.

Thank you!

Thank you to Rep. Berry, Rep. Lekanoff, Sen. Lovelett, Rep. Mena, Sen. Rolfes and Sen. Salomon for their leadership on these important pieces of legislation.

We also want to send a huge thank you to everyone who took part in our action alerts and spoke up for ocean health! If you didn’t receive action alerts, please consider joining our policy email list.

AI goes below the surface: Using technology to make a difference for local kelp

Posted on April 19, 2023June 17, 2024 by Emma Leiser

This story is part of our Nerdy Science Series—how we’re using research and technology in service of a healthy ocean.

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Xbox and the Seattle Aquarium joined together for a live Earth Day celebration, including a demonstration of our remotely operated vehicle, Nereo!

Kelp forests are critical for ecosystem health. They provide food and habitat for marine species of all kinds, including endangered salmon and southern resident orcas. They also sequester carbon, mitigating the effects of ocean acidification. (Watch The Kelp Highway to learn more about the importance of kelp forests in the Salish Sea.)

Bull kelp forms the “trees” in these underwater forests. It attaches to hard surfaces on the seafloor and grows with incredible speed: up to 2 feet per day, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet in a single season.

But that’s if it’s growing. Once abundant throughout the Salish Sea, kelp forests have declined drastically over the past several decades, with a reported 60% overall loss of bull kelp in our local waters since 1980, and up to 95% in some areas.

What’s puzzling researchers, though, is that kelp forests continue to thrive in parts of the Salish Sea, including sections of Elliott Bay along Seattle’s urban waterfront (and directly below the Aquarium’s pier).

Partnering with the Port of Seattle to Learn More

Now the Seattle Aquarium is partnering with the Port of Seattle to study kelp forests in Elliott Bay using a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, which we’ve fondly named ROV Nereo—short for Nereocystis luetkeana, the scientific name for bull kelp.

Research of this kind has typically been undertaken with scientific scuba divers doing surveys below the surface or via satellite imagery captured from far above. Both methods have their drawbacks: while divers can observe many species along the seafloor, they’re limited by the amount of gas they can carry on their backs and, ultimately, can’t cover much ground. Satellites, of course, can cover much larger areas—but aren’t able to capture kelp that hasn’t reached the water’s surface, or other species that live below it.

Enter the ROV. The compact ROV, that is. Historically, these machines have been large, bulky and expensive, and deployed from large vessels to explore deep water, which isn’t what’s needed to study kelp forests in relatively shallow depths.

ROV Nereo from Blue Robotics is small, relatively inexpensive, customizable and maneuverable—all critically important features when navigating long ropes of kelp and floating fronds. With cameras facing forward and downward, lights and sensor equipment, it can capture images of more species over a larger area than a scientific diver. ROV Nereo is easy to deploy and pilot, and equipped with sonar—so it will stay at a consistent altitude above seafloor—as well as GPS to track real-time positioning. All that, and it’s operated with an Xbox controller! You can learn more about the ROV and see video taken along the seafloor on the ROV development GitHub.

Kelp Conservation Meets Artificial Intelligence

Since the summer of 2022, led by the Aquarium’s Research Scientist Dr. Zachary Randell, we’ve been using ROV Nereo for benthic, or seafloor, surveys at eight sites in Elliott Bay. And here’s where things get even more futuristic: we’re harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret the still images and video being captured by ROV Nereo’s cameras. Open-source AI algorithms can be “taught” to review images and identify what’s in them at a speed that simply wouldn’t be possible for a human being, or even a team of humans.

Using ROV Nereo and AI, we can learn about kelp abundance and distribution—in other words, the number of kelp plants and where they are—in Elliott Bay; see surfaces it’s growing, or not growing, on; and discover which animal species are present, competing with kelp, eating it or simply living within it.

With this information in hand, we’ll better understand why bull kelp is growing in some places but not others, and learn what conditions are needed for healthy, abundant kelp forests. That knowledge can help inform habitat restoration efforts underway throughout the region by our partners at the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and others. The ultimate goal? To reverse declines of local kelp forests, in Elliott Bay and throughout Washington waters, and develop solutions to rebuild the essential habitat that they provide.

Expanding Work

We were recently thrilled to learn that Dr. Randell and team have been awarded a grant by the Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead with funds originally from the Environmental Protection Agency to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources. This research, scheduled to begin later this year, will expand their work on bull kelp conservation and restoration. The team also received notice that they’d won a Sustainable Century Award in the category of “Environmental Innovation” from the Port of Seattle in April.

Superpod: A new book for kids who love whales!

Posted on April 3, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Join us for a book event on Sunday, April 16, 2023, to ask Nora some questions of your own and get a signed copy!

You can also pick up a copy at our gift shop the next time you visit us at the Aquarium, or order it from the Aquarium gift shop online or your local independent bookstore.

There’s a new book for kids ages 8–12+ about the amazing southern resident orcas, and it’s written by Nora Nickum, who leads our ocean policy program! Superpod: Saving the Endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest comes out April 11 from Chicago Review Press.

We asked Nora what she discovered about these iconic whales in the process of writing the book, what you’ll find in its pages, and what the Seattle Aquarium is doing to help these orcas recover.

You’ve been working on orca recovery for a long time. What’s something new you learned while doing the research for this book?

I learned that orcas are born tail-first! Their tails are floppy to start with. Getting the tail out first means it can harden in the cool water so the baby orca can use it right away to swim up to the surface for a breath of air.

I also had fun talking with Dr. Bob Otis about why orcas breach (jump out of the water). It turns out it’s still something of a mystery, but there are enough clues from his years of research that I was able to guess what was happening the time I saw an up-close breach from shore at Lime Kiln Point State Park.

Did you get to go on some fun field trips while you were writing Superpod?

Yes! I interviewed a lot of dedicated people who are working to help the orcas, and they do their work in amazing places, so I tagged along whenever possible. I went out on a boat with Dr. Deborah Giles and Eba, the scat-sniffing dog, from Wild Orca as they collected scat samples from transient orcas (see Eba in action in this video from the Seattle Aquarium!).

I also visited scientists working in a lighthouse, stopped by the Whale Trail site at Alki Beach, and went to a few spots along the Cedar River where Seattle Aquarium volunteer naturalists helped me catch glimpses of spawning Chinook salmon. I highly recommend that readers check out Whale Trail sites in the region and participate in the Cedar River Salmon Journey this fall!

There are some cool photos in Superpod—exuberant breaches, a transient orca flinging a seal pelt, and amazingly close encounters with shore-based whale-watchers. How did you gather all those pictures, and do you have a favorite?

I do love those! Some of my other favorite photos were taken by scientists from the air, showing orcas playing together and chasing salmon underwater. Those aerial photos are like a window into a fascinating and usually unseen social life beneath the waves.

I was so lucky to find scientists and talented photographers who were willing to share their images (one was Danielle Carter, who worked for the Seattle Aquarium for many years), and to be able to use public images from the Washington state archives and NOAA. It was important to list the NMFS permit numbers associated with many of the photos—researchers get permits that allow them to get a little closer than other boaters can, and to take photos while they’re there.

You lead policy work for the Seattle Aquarium. How can policy advocacy help the orcas? And what can readers do?

There are so many things we can each do to help restore the Salish Sea and protect the orcas, like choosing sustainable seafood, following Be Whale Wise guidelines and giving the orcas as much space as possible when boating, and picking up litter at the beach. But policy change is also important because it can make large-scale improvements happen faster. We’ve been advocating for state and federal funding to restore salmon habitat; policies to protect kelp and nearshore ecosystems that support forage fish and salmon; changes in boating regulations to quiet the waters so orcas can communicate and forage more successfully; and measures to reduce toxic pollution. Readers—and Aquarium guests—can join us in raising our voices for these kinds of policies and find lots of other action ideas in the book.

A Revolutionary Map Evolves

99 PERCENT OF EARTH’S LIVING ORGANISMS LIVE IN THE OCEAN

ONE-PERCENTERS (US) STRIVING TO BE SEA-WORTHY NEIGHBORS

SHARED WATERS, SHARED CHALLENGES—AND SHARED SOLUTIONS!

White sturgeon: fish with an identity crisis?

HOW ARE STURGEON JUST LIKE US?

They have what it takes to protect themselves.

They like to lay low and feel things out.

Tufted puffins: parrots of the sea

HOW ARE TUFTED PUFFINS JUST LIKE US?

They dress for the season.

They search for love that lasts a lifetime.

Dwarf cuttlefish: now you see them, now you don't

HOW ARE DWARF CUTTLEFISH JUST LIKE US?

They know when to fade into the background—and when it’s time to be seen.

They like to go out for a stroll.

Meet the Treelebrities

Watch our team welcome mangroves and bluespotted rays

SHARING THE CARING

ALL HANDS ON DECO!

FROM QUESTIONS TO ANSWERS, ACTIONS TO RESULTS

DISCOVER YOUR “BARNACLE MOMENT” AT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM!

“When I came across this fellowship, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions: diversity, equity and inclusion, and marine science.”

“What excites me most about this fellowship is the opportunity to meaningfully connect with diverse communities by sharing space and striving for mutual understanding.”

“I want to learn about the ways in which I can uplift and empower the local LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans people.”

“I’m thrilled to merge my many passions—including conservation, education, community-building, and gender and racial justice in my position as an empathy fellow.”

If you’re interested in learning more, visit our Empathy Fellowship program page.

Giant wrymouths: mysterious and reclusive

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They like a safe, cozy home.

They love snacks.

Whitespotted boxfish: what a body!

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They protect their core valuables.

They dress to impress potential mates.

River otters: work hard, play hard, nap when needed.

Here are two ways they’re just like us!

They like a good nap.

Fun is having buddies to play with.

The biggest threat to marine animals? Us.

Session highlights

Reducing plastic pollution

Protecting salmon and nearshore habitat

Recovering southern resident orcas

Restoring biodiversity

Advancing climate action

Cultural access

Capital budget request

The road ahead

Thank you!

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Xbox and the Seattle Aquarium joined together for a live Earth Day celebration, including a demonstration of our remotely operated vehicle, Nereo!

Partnering with the Port of Seattle to Learn More

Kelp Conservation Meets Artificial Intelligence

Expanding Work

Join us for a book event on Sunday, April 16, 2023, to ask Nora some questions of your own and get a signed copy!

You can also pick up a copy at our gift shop the next time you visit us at the Aquarium, or order it from the Aquarium gift shop online or your local independent bookstore.

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