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The notable Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl departed for San Francisco from the Port of Seattle on Monday, signaling the conclusion of One Ocean Week Seattle and yet another stop on the vessel’s year-long journey aimed at fostering a sustainable future at sea.

The vessel, constructed in 1914, features three grand masts and originates from Bergen, Norway. During the initial One Ocean Week Seattle, arranged by Washington Maritime Blue, it berthed at Pier 66 to invite attendees and the public to board for exploration and education.

The week’s activities attracted numerous individuals to Seattle to converse about marine ecosystems, the seafood sector, shipping, renewable energy, and more. Scholars from the University of Washington collaborated with policymakers, educators, and industry representatives to delineate and tackle priorities in stewardship and oceanic science.

Sue Moore, an affiliate professor at UW and research scientist at the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, participated as a panelist in the “Coast to Coast Collaboration in Research” aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl on Friday morning.

Moore brought her specialization as a marine mammal ecologist to help initiate the Distributed Biological Observatory in the Pacific Arctic back in 2010, giving rise to an international effort to form a network of observatories in the Arctic to monitor ecosystem health amid the region’s physical transformations.

The panel, part of a series presented by Arctic Frontiers, provided an opportunity to discuss common objectives as diminishing ice permits increased traffic in the Arctic.

“It was a significant chance for international cooperation and public involvement concerning the rapid ecosystem shifts in Arctic and local waters,” Moore stated.

Brian Polagye, a professor of mechanical engineering at UW, aided in leading a “behind the scenes” laboratory tour hosted by the Pacific Marine Energy Center, which collaborates researchers from UW, Oregon State University, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

During the tour, researchers illustrated marine energy monitoring initiatives at the Harris Hydraulics Lab, including videos and sonar capturing interactions between marine organisms and tidal energy turbines, sensors for detecting underwater collisions, and systems to monitor noise produced by devices that harness energy from waves and currents.

“These instruments assist us in identifying and minimizing environmental impacts associated with extracting energy from waves, tides, and rivers,” Polagye remarked.

Jason Toft, a principal research scientist of aquatic and fishery sciences at UW, partook in a panel discussion where he presented his research on habitat within Elliott Bay, which borders downtown Seattle. Toft’s lab investigates the effects of shoreline development on habitat quality for juvenile salmon.

“Even though the shorelines of Elliott Bay have undergone significant alterations, restoration initiatives have shown positive outcomes,” he stated. “The panel allowed us to emphasize the necessity of preserving a healthy shoreline along a prominent urban working waterfront.”

Despite the high level of human activity along the edges of Elliott Bay, these waters support vital species such as kelp, orcas, and salmon. Maintaining functionality without compromising habitat is challenging, necessitating input from diverse stakeholders and creative solutions.

Ian Miller, a coastal hazards specialist at Washington Sea Grant, provided insights on observed and anticipated sea level rise during a Friday workshop that gathered coastal managers and tribes from around the Puget Sound region.

“The chance to meet face-to-face with so many individuals who attended the workshop was invaluable,” he remarked.

To connect with a UW expert in ocean or environmental science, reach out to Gillian Dohrn at UW News via [email protected].

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