Maggie Rapai, Author at Seattle Aquarium

Q & A with Annapoorani Lingeshwaran, winner of our first Youth Advocacy Award

Posted on November 12, 2026November 12, 2026 by Maggie Rapai

Annapoorani Lingeshwaran, a sophomore at Lakeside High School, is driven by the desire to reduce microplastics in water.

So driven, in fact, that she wrote an op-ed on the topic that was published by The Seattle Times. That led to her working closely with Representative Gerry Pollet to champion a Washington bill about microfiber filters in washing machines—a bill that you can support during the next legislative session!

Annapoorani was the recipient of our inaugural Youth Advocacy Award*. We celebrated her achievements—as well as those of Dr. Richard A. Feely, winner of our Sylvia Earle Medal, and Dr. Kathryn L. Sobocinski, winner of our Conservation Research Award—at our Ocean Conservation Honors event on November 5.

* What’s the Seattle Aquarium Youth Advocacy Award?

Launched in 2026 as part of our annual Ocean Conservation Honors event, the Youth Advocacy Award honors a young person in Washington state who is making waves in ocean conservation policy at the local, state or federal levels, and/or who are inspiring and empowering other youth to do so.

Learn more on our website.

Annapoorani kindly agreed to answer a few questions describing her path, experience and hopes for what will assuredly be a bright future. Get ready to be impressed!

A lab project in 8th grade sparked Annapoorani’s passion for reducing microplastics from water.

Q: What sparked your interest in/passion for reducing microplastics?

A: When I was in eighth grade, we did a lab where we collected two water samples from different sources, performed vacuum filtration and examined the filtration paper afterward using microscopes. I was shocked to see all these multicolored threads on mine, especially because my samples came from sources I drank from regularly. 

I remember exclaiming out loud, “I can’t believe I’m drinking this!” I think that was what made me excited about reducing microplastics, because I realized this was probably not great for my body, or anyone else’s.

Q: What directed you specifically to advocating for microplastics filters in washing machines?

A: The second part of that project was writing up an infographic of our results; one section of the infographic was supposed to be about methods to combat microplastics. I was surprised when I realized there was actually a fairly simple solution that already existed: microplastics filters. The more I read about it, the more I realized how effective these filters could be.

That was when I saw an opportunity: advocating against something general can be difficult—but when there’s a concrete, achievable solution, advocacy can become much more focused and likely to create tangible change.

Q: How did your op-ed in The Seattle Times come about? What was that process like?

A: As I was learning more about microplastics, I was surprised at how little most people knew about their source or the simple solutions that existed to combat them. Microfiber filters are an incredibly practical way to remove 90+% of fibers that shed from our clothing, yet before my science class project, I’d never heard of them.

This topic in particular felt ripe for an op-ed because of that actionability. A lot of environmental problems feel too big to solve; this one didn’t. It was somewhere I thought I could make a real impact by drawing attention to it.

I initially planned to write about filters for my high school’s paper, but after I was waitlisted that year, I was pushed to try and find a larger audience. I emailed the op-ed to The Seattle Times, knowing that if it was rejected, I would still be perfectly happy to guest-write the piece for the school paper. To my shock, they responded within the week, saying they wanted to publish it!

After a brief back-and-forth with some edits and questions they had about the piece, it was published to the Times. It was gratifying to hear from people at my school who learned about filters through the piece, and also to read the comments on the article debating my perspective. I think the op-ed did end up accomplishing what I wanted: bringing greater awareness to one of the simple solutions combating our microplastics problem.

Q: After the op-ed was published, you worked with Representative Pollet on the bill to require microplastics filter for washing machines. What was that like?

A: It was incredibly exciting and a huge learning opportunity. I’ve always been interested in politics, but actually getting to take part in the process of the legislative session gave me a front-row seat to things I’d only ever read about in the news.

Rep. Pollet invited me to one of his traveling town halls following the publication of the op-ed, and I was struck by how down-to-earth, friendly and willing to listen he was. I admit, I was nervous before the meeting, but he quickly made me comfortable—and we walked away that day with the idea for the bill.

Rep. Pollet helped us through the entire process of getting the bill introduced. He guided me through creating my first-ever fact sheets, my first testimony and more. I’m so grateful that he was willing to take on this idea and present it to the legislature!

“Looking ahead to the next legislative session, I’m excited to reintroduce the bill with a stronger backing that I have been developing in the interim between sessions. Right now, a lot of my energy is focused on community education, especially teaching students about microplastics. I hope to expand my reach by recruiting more people passionate about microplastics to host workshops in their own communities!”

Annapoorani Lingeshwaran

Q: What are your future aspirations?

A: I want to become a doctor! My microplastics advocacy has taught me a lot about how we can use science to actually solve problems that affect people. It’s also taught me the importance of being able to communicate scientific ideas clearly and propose actionable solutions. I feel like those skills will be highly applicable in medicine as I interact with and try to help patients.

We thank Annapoorani for taking time from her busy schedule of school, homework, crossword puzzle design and tae kwon do practice to answer our questions, and congratulate her on being the first-ever recipient of our Youth Advocacy Award!

Interested in following the bill’s progress during the next legislative session? Sign up for our ocean action alerts on our website’s Act for the Ocean page. And remember: When you visit the Seattle Aquarium, you’re supporting all of our work—including our policy advocacy.

Sixgill shark research collaboration: end-of-season recap

Posted on October 30, 2026November 4, 2026 by Maggie Rapai

Last May, we announced our exciting research collaboration focused on sixgill sharks—an ancient, elusive species that has been around since before the dinosaurs, but about which little is known because individuals tend to live deep in the ocean.

Not always creatures of the deep

Amazingly, sixgills are seen periodically in the waters of Puget Sound—and this year, they were spotted by divers in high numbers—providing a rare and fortuitous opportunity to study and learn more about them. Together with collaborators including the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, scientists conducted research at three Puget Sound sites from May through September.

The goal of the project, says Director of Animal Health Dr. Caitlin Hadfield, “…Is to better understand this population—their behavior, feeding, physiology and more—to help shape their management needs.” She adds, “This is a long-term goal because of how little is currently known about them.”

(Read our full story for more details and background.)

An exciting season in the field—or, rather, on the water

With the research season concluded, Research Scientist Dr. Dani Escontrela shared highlights of what the team did and accomplished. “The sixgill fieldwork season was a tremendous success—we’re grateful to our collaborators and everyone who helped along the way,” she says.

Over 15 field expeditions—five each at sites in Elliott Bay, near Bainbridge Island and off Redondo Beach—the team briefly brought 20 sixgill sharks and six spiny dogfish to the surface to collect data. Of the sixgill sharks sampled, the average size was 7.6 feet (232cm), with the smallest individual at 5.8 feet (178cm) and the largest at 9.1 feet (277cm). Team members worked quickly to collect samples on all the sixgills and two of the dogfish, including blood, muscle, fin and cloacal* swabs. They also conducted assessments for parasites, took various measurements and documented the animals with photographs.

During the brief time the animals were on the surface, the team deployed external Floy tags on all individuals to help answer questions about their movement if they’re sighted by divers or incidentally caught by other people (this is a good place to note that it’s illegal to fish for, retain or remove sixgill sharks from the water). They also tagged some animals with acoustic tags, which provide data on movement and habitat use.

Speaking of tags: As part of this project, the team also launched a sixgill sightings report form for divers, which applies to both tagged and non-tagged animals. So far, we’ve received reports on 22 individual sharks—one of whom had been tagged by our research team and has been spotted four separate times!

* What’s a cloaca? It’s an opening, present in birds, reptiles, amphibians and some fish, used for waste elimination, urination and reproduction. Gentle swabs of this area can provide species–level identification of their prey at shorter time scales than other sampling methods.

“Conducting shark research is a dream come true, and as a lover of the deep ocean, I find working with deep-water, otherwise elusive species a huge bonus. Even though I knew sixgills were in the Sound, I still couldn’t believe it when we brought our first individual to the surface! Everything about them was thrilling to see in person—especially their huge, teal eyes.

This was such an exciting year for learning and refining our methods, developing partnerships with collaborators to answer new questions, and teaching the community about a shark species found in our own backyard. I can’t wait for the years to come and to analyze all the data we’re collecting!”

— Seattle Aquarium Research Scientist Dr. Dani Escontrela

One of the world's largest shark species, swimming directly below the aquarium?

It’s true! The team’s Elliott Bay research site was actually below the Aquarium’s Pier 59. And this summer wasn’t the first time we’ve studied sixgills there: In the wake of increased local sightings in the early 2000s, we actively studied the species—but, after sightings declined, that work concluded in 2015. (Check out this video to learn more!)

With sixgills now present in our local waters, the team set to work below Pier 59. They completed five dives to set bait below the surface between May and September; each dive was paired with time-lapse GoPro footage. We also partnered with MarineSitu to deploy their adaptable monitoring platform (AMP) below the pier to capture continuous video footage.

Nothing to see here—just a sixgill shark underneath Pier 59! Video courtesy of MarineSitu.

That’s how many pieces of bait were used to attract sharks over the summer—composed mostly of fish heads left over from preparing food for animals at the Seattle Aquarium and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, which otherwise would have gone to waste.

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Thank yous and next steps

This project wouldn’t have been possible without collaboration from the partners mentioned above, as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Science and Math Institute in Tacoma, Seattle Central College, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Seattle University, Stanford University and the recreational diver community.

“For the rest of this year, we will be dedicating our efforts to processing the samples we collected, preparing for our next field season, continuing to develop our partner relationships, and starting to analyze the data we collected this year,” says Dani.

We’ll continue to share updates on this exciting work as it progresses!

All research activities are authorized and follow guidelines in WDFW Scientific Collections permit number ESCONTRELA 26-131a.

Ghosts of the Ahhhhquarium! Staff share their spookiest stories

Posted on October 27, 2026October 27, 2026 by Maggie Rapai

When you visit the Seattle Aquarium, you’re more likely to hear screaming from sea otter Mishka demanding food (again) than the wailing of unhappy spirits. However, this time of year, we can’t help but feel a chill in the air. Whether that’s from the incoming Big Dark or something stranger is up to you.

THE POLTERGEIST OF PIER 59

Pier 59 has been around for over 100 years. It was originally a fishing warehouse before its current life as the site of some of our most popular habitats, including Window on Washington Waters and Life on the Edge.

It makes sense that such an old building might have some spirits hanging around their former haunts. And apparently, they don’t like neckwear.

I was taking the Pier 59 elevator down to the first floor. The second I stepped out, I heard a ‘CRACK!’ I looked down and saw the badge and charms on my lanyard had snapped off and fallen to the floor. It happened so fast it was almost like they were yanked off my neck, and it was so loud that guests were looking in my direction. (I later tried dropping the charms from the same height when there were no guests around, and the sound was not nearly as loud.) I mentioned what happened to a coworker, who told me that her lanyard had randomly snapped off her neck at the top of the stairs earlier that same day! Lanyard wearers beware: There’s a lanyard-despising ghost hanging out around the Café stairwell.

Emma Dortsch — group experience representative

OFF-SITE SPIRITS

One of the most hopping spots for potential haunts is our off-site Animal Care Center. Located a few miles from the Aquarium’s campus, the center provides extra space for animal care and conservation projects, including our species recovery work.

It also may house the spirit of a playful ghost.

Here at our Animal Care Center, I have had many late nights, often alone. On a routine round, I noticed a little boy running around the systems of our new arrivals. This little boy kept showing up every evening. We often see him peeking out from our smaller systems and you can also see him from the water quality area. I am not the only one on our team who has seen this spirit, and he often makes an appearance in the evenings.

Amber Ginther — Acquisitions, Conservation and Quarantine supervisor

He is a very non-threatening presence. I would see him darting across a specific area in the corner of my eye. He just ran back and forth with his arms behind his back, very playfully like a kid. He's wearing old-timey clothes, kind of like a train conductor. I'm a scientist who does not believe in ghosts and cannot make sense of it, but I accept that. He's just my little Animal Care Center nighttime buddy.

Hannah Mewhirter — Water Quality manager

The Animal Care Center is something of a hot spot for potential ghostly activity. Staff members have reported seeing another ghost near the pinto abalone habitat, seeing unexplained figures and hearing disembodied voices.

I was working at the Animal Care Center with two other female team members. It was toward the end of the day, and we knew the three of us were the only ones in the building. We heard a man's voice say a few words in a row. Some of us were separated at the time, but we gathered to confirm we all heard it. Then the voice spoke again. It sounded like it was in the building because it was not the muffled sound of someone yelling through a wall. That building has solid concrete walls, so sound does not penetrate through and there is so much ambient pump noise you cannot normally hear external sounds.

Charmaine von Kriegenbergh — associate curator of Tropical Fish & Invertebrates

SWEET RELIEF

Nighttime on the piers can feel a little haunting, even if what seems scary in the moment ends up having an easy explanation. Staff who used to work on the Relief team, which looks out for Aquarium animals overnight, shared some of their close encounters.

During my rounds when I walked through the Family Activity Center, I would often be startled by Chiidax the fur seal watching me through the window, his eyes reflecting the red light of the flashlight I used. Very spooky!

Carly Lee — marine science interpreter

Nighttime at the Aquarium is already very dark and spooky with the pump sounds and movement of water through the buildings. I was doing rounds in the old Pacific Coral Reef tunnel on Pier 59 using just a flashlight. I came around a corner and swear I felt a presence. As I made my way through the tunnel, I screamed and jumped about 3 feet in the air. It was just a scarecrow and a pile of hay. I didn't realize the Events team had decorated the entire pier with fall harvest decor. It sure gave me a startle and an immediate laugh. The real Aquarium spirits probably got a kick out of it.

Bri Ankenman — senior aquarist of Temperate Fish & Invertebrates

If you’re brave enough to visit the Aquarium on Halloween you’ll find no tricks, just treats, including candy and other prizes, an x-ray scavenger hunt, giant pumpkin art, underwater pumpkin carving and more.

For adults 21+, the Halloween fun starts a few days early. Join us at After Hours Premier: Halloween on the evening of October 29 for a costume contest, ghost stories, fortune tellers, special animal talks, food and drinks and more.

While we can’t guarantee a ghostly encounter when you visit the Aquarium, we can say for sure you’ll meet lovable marine wildlife like sharks, rays, fishes, birds, seals and maybe a screaming sea otter or two.

Not always creatures of the deep

An exciting season in the field—or, rather, on the water

One of the world's largest shark species, swimming directly below the aquarium?

Thank yous and next steps

THE POLTERGEIST OF PIER 59​

OFF-SITE SPIRITS

SWEET RELIEF

Consent Preferences

THE POLTERGEIST OF PIER 59