Justin Cox
Meet Our 3 New Board Members: Scott White, Barb ...

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.

Justin Cox
A Non-Invasive Tool For Collecting Killer Whale ...

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. 

A Non-Invasive Tool For Collecting Killer Whale Breath Samples
Justin Cox
Meet SeaDoc's Newest Science Advisors, Caitlin ...

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! 

Justin Cox
SeaDoc Announces More than $200,000 in New ...

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:

SeaDoc Announces More than $200,000 in New Funded Research
Justin Cox
Joe Gaydos Elected to Washington State Academy ...

The Washington State Academy of Sciences has elected 36 new members in recognition of their outstanding record of scientific and technical achievement. Among the select group in this year’s slate is SeaDoc Society Science Director Joe Gaydos!

Joe Gaydos Elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences

lizzy ashley

Citizen Divers Aid Understanding of Fish in the Salish Sea

Citizen Divers Aid Understanding of Fish in the Salish Sea

Hundreds of fish species live in the Salish Sea, and many face a number of threats. Monitoring the health of these fish populations is crucial. But with nearly 5,000 miles of coastline and more than 400 islands, it’s no small task.

Historically, monitoring fish populations has included fishery catch data, active trawl surveys, underwater video, satellite imagery, hydroacoustics and more. But citizen scientists are increasingly playing crucial roles, according to a study authored by SeaDoc Society Research Assistant Elizabeth Ashley, who is currently attending veterinary school at UC Davis.

We’re Part of the Top Veterinary School in the World

We’re Part of the Top Veterinary School in the World

We’re thrilled to share that once again the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has been named the top veterinary school in the world!

While SeaDoc Society is a self-sustaining program on Orcas Island whose scientific and educational work is focused entirely on improving the health of the Salish Sea, we are proud to be a program of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, a center of excellence at UC Davis’ incredible veterinary school. This week’s #1 ranking comes from the highly reputable Quacquarelli Symonds, but Davis is also number one with U.S. News and World Reports and several other world rankings. It’s the best of the best, and we’re lucky to have such brilliant people on our side.

Heavy Metals in Harbor Seals of the San Juan Islands

Heavy Metals in Harbor Seals of the San Juan Islands

Toxins of concern in the Salish Sea include persistent organic pollutants (like PCBs), hydrocarbons (from fuel), pharmaceutical compounds, and trace elements (including heavy metals).

Some elements (like copper, selenium, and calcium) are necessary for life at lower concentrations but can be toxic at higher levels. Other elements considered non-essential (like lead and mercury) also can be toxic to aquatic organisms at elevated concentrations. Monitoring trace element exposure in marine organisms is essential to assess potential risks to wildlife and humans.