New Faux Piling for our Piling Tank

One of our tanks in the aquarium represents how animals and algae can grow even on human-made substances, such as pilings under piers. While this is true, our current “piling” is made of wood and could be misinterpreted to represent creosote-treated wood pilings.

Creosote is a substance comprised of over 300 chemicals that are used to preserve the wood (read: protect it from decay, insects, etc.). There have been many efforts to remove and replace all creosote-treated wood from the water due to its terrible environmental effects. The preservative is toxic to organisms that ingest it or even live in its proximity.

 When the waves and salt water break down the wood, small pieces of debris containing the creosote can be ingested by the animals living around it. Additionally, the chemicals in creosote are even more likely to leach into the water when exposed to ultraviolet light (i.e. sunshine).

Many organizations, including the Washington Department of Natural Resources, have made large efforts to remove all creosote-treated wood from the ocean. The Puget Sound Partnership was launched in 2007 with the mission of cleaning up the Puget Sound by 2020. The PSP’s Action Plan includes creosote removal because of its adverse effects on the environment.

Here at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, the wood piling in our Aquarium is, of course, not treated with creosote. However, it is slowly starting to break down, and we would like to showcase a piling that is not harmful to the wildlife, has the appropriate pH, and supports the natural animal life that would occur in our Salish Sea.

Marley, AmeriCorps member, and Ali, PTMSC Aquarist,
with the new piling before it was lowered into the water. 

After a lot of research on the best method and recipe, we cooked up our own piling that we hope will fulfill our requirements! The cylinder is a mix of crushed oyster shells, concrete, and foam. We added the foam so that the faux piling would be a maneuverable weight, while still being negatively buoyant to sit on the bottom of the tank without floating.

 After curing for a couple of days, we tied it off the side of the pier to hang in the water. This will allow it to finish curing and maybe start growing some new small organisms before we place it into the tank. It will hopefully go into the tank in early spring!

If you see a wood piling or a piece of wood that you suspect may be treated with creosote, you can report it using the MyCoast Washington website or phone app! Check it out here.

Written by Marley Loomis, Americorps Aquarium Educator

Tiny Creatures with a Big Future

Abalone Project targets restoration of threatened population

2018 was a big year for some baby sea snails with personality. It marked the inception of the Abalone Project at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center.

Juvenile pinto abalone in the Conservation Lab nursery in the Aquarium. Staff photo.

With planning and coordinating support from the Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF), the goal of the larger pinto abalone recovery program involves *government agencies, businesses, nonprofits and citizens determined to restore pinto abalone to a population density that can be self-sustaining.

The start of the Abalone Project coincided perfectly with the unveiling of the new PTMSC Conservation Lab, both of which were funded by an ALEA grant from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Housed within the Aquarium, the lab was constructed while the facility was closed for the season and the Abalone Project is its first effort.

 

Juvenile abalone arrived in April 2018. From left, PTMSC Aquarist Ali Redman, volunteer Dana Africa, and Josh Bouma of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. Staff photo.

The broader purpose of the Conservation Lab -- completed in time for the annual Aquarium re-opening in April 2018 -- is to highlight efforts to conserve the Salish Sea, functioning both as a citizen science area and a public exhibit.

The main objective of the Abalone Project is to educate the public about the story of pinto abalone restoration. The project helps accomplish this by:

• Telling a story of positive action being taken to conserve our ecosystem;
• Describing to visitors the dangers of overharvesting and the reasons why abalone are endangered locally;
• Explaining the benefits of responsible fisheries management; and 
• Introducing visitors to this wonderful and often unfamiliar marine animal, a rather charismatic mollusk!

Volunteers prepare the Abalone Project for public display.

The first juvenile pinto abalone were transferred to the Conservation Lab on May 22. Aquarium visitors immediately notice the breeding tanks and, with the help of docents, soon realize the tanks are teeming with baby abalone. Many of these people would probably not have heard about efforts to save the pinto abalone without this new PTMSC exhibit.

The plan is for the current cohort of abalone to be released in Spring 2019. By that time, they will have grown to the size of a nickel or even a quarter.

Numerous people have been involved in the Abalone Project, overseen and directed by Aquarist Ali Redman, Citizen Science Coordinator Betsy Carlson and Facilities Coordinator Phil Dinsmore. Over the winter, volunteers constructed the breeding tank frames and assisted with the building of the Conservation Lab.

PTMSC volunteers Sue Long (l) and Lee Merrill (r) examine the abalone tanks. 
Staff photo.

Once operational, additional volunteers assist with the twice-weekly tank cleaning, while others conduct monthly abalone counts and shell length measurements. All of the Aquarium docents, as well current and former AmeriCorps members, have played a vital role in interpreting the exhibit for visitors.

Because the Conservation Lab is essentially a satellite PSRF hatchery, the pinto abalone that are bred and raised the PTMSC Abalone Project represent a very small portion of the larger PSRF project. But the impact of the project cannot be under-estimated, because PTMSC has a unique ability to provide outreach and public education.

Recently, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed adding pinto abalone to the state’s endangered species list. The recent meetings are described here and in this news article published by the Port Townsend Leader on Nov. 20.

The PTMSC will continue working with the PSRF and will likely raise pinto abalone again next year, and hopefully in the years beyond.

 

Volunteer Dana Africa shows off the abalone young-'uns!

Stop by when the Aquarium re-opens over the holidays and meet the Pinto Kids!

*In addition to the PTMSC, other partners include: 

• Puget Sound Restoration Fund
• Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
• University of Washington, School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
• Western Washington University, Shannon Point Marine Center
• NOAA Mukilteo Research Station
• Baywater, Inc.
• SeaDoc Society
• Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
• Suquamish Tribe
• Elwha Tribe
• Northwest Straits Commission

Salish Food Web Fun!

Quilcene kids connect with ecosystem

We began our program with a beach walk to pick up trash.

The kids found a long piece of Kelp and decided to turn in into

a jump rope! Staff photo.

This week, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center hosted the Quilcene Elementary School through a program funded by the Discuren Foundation that allows students to receive a multi-day interactive science education program. This particular program was three days long, and we hosted a multitude of different classes. We covered topics from whales to invertebrates, and all the way to plastics in our environment.

Yet, one particular class stood out to me: Salish Sea food webs.

I love teaching kids about how vastly complex ecosystems are. Ecosystems are like a huge puzzle, with so many different and complicated parts, and this can make them a difficult concept grasp.

This is why I love the education tools we have here at the PTMSC. We created such a fun and simple way to understand these key concepts.

Salish Sea food webs began with some simple review of key concepts such as: What exactly is a model and how do scientist use them? As well as, how can we use them?

Diving right into the first activity, the kids got to create a food web linking the relationships between some of the animals right here in our aquarium.

AmeriCorps members, Michael Siddel and Mandi Johnson, discussing their findings after completing the food web. 

Staff photo.

In order to create this, the kids had cards with the picture of an animal they could find in our tanks. They needed to use information set around the room to find what animals they might predate on, and what might eat them.

Once this was figured out, the creature was placed on the board with energy flow arrows placed between the relationships the students had uncovered. This generated a food web of our aquarium – with a few additions like humans and sea gulls, too!

Generating a visualization like this shows how complicated the entire food web system is, especially considering we were only looking at such a small part.

Fortunately, this lead into a discussion of how some species play a much larger role than we would have thought. Take for example, the sunflower sea star.

Sunflower sea stars were shown to be important predators, which most kids found to be surprising. When we looked at what might happen to different populations if we took them out of the ecosystem, we were then able to discuss the current issue of Sea Star Wasting Disease.    

AmeriCorps member, Mandi Johnson, working with the kids to determine

where their animal belonged in the food web. Staff photo.

Afterwards, the class moved onto another activity. We played a game, with the students simulating a small ecosystem including plankton, herring, salmon, harbor seals and transient orcas. In this game, we demonstrated an ecosystem, with each species being able to ‘feed’ off the species they would naturally consume in the wild by collecting the contents of their stomach pouch. We continue this game until all of one species had been eaten, thus bringing our ecosystem to an end.

At the beginning of each trial, as a group we determined how many of each species the next trial would begin with. Thus, giving the kids a chance to realize what a balanced ecosystem means and what numbers are needed to achieve that balance.

We concluded with a discussion of "bug killer" toxins that were leached into the environment and what this means for each species. Explaining this concept of bio-accumulation helped us to relate the Story of Hope in our museum and what we can do at home to help create positive change.

Written by AmeriCorps Volunteer Program Educator Mandi Johnson

MLK Day Weed Pull

January 21
meet at Noon
PTMSC Museum 

Join PTMSC for our 7th annual MLK Day of Service! This year, we will be pulling invasive European Dune Grass from the beaches of Fort Worden.

Some tools will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own shovel and wear sturdy gloves!

Plan on meeting at the PTMSC Museum at noon on Jan. 21, 2019. Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP encouraged: Mandi Johnson, mjohnson@ptmsc.org, 360-385-5582 ext 116.

Admission by Donation During Winter Months

We have brought back our voluntary admission-by-donation policy for the 2018-19 winter season at its public facilities in Fort Worden State Park.

The admission-by-donation policy is effective immediately and ends March 28, 2019.

•          Winter schedule (Museum only): Friday – Sunday, 12–5 p.m., weekly.
•          Holiday schedule (Museum and Aquarium): 12–5 p.m., December 27-30.
•          Closed Christmas Day.

"This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our community and visitors alike, especially at this time of year," said PTMSC Executive Director Janine Boire. "Our admission pricing, while low, can still be a barrier for some of our visitors.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the Museum, which is open year-round, as well as the Aquarium, which is open during holidays (dates above). Of special interest is Eleanora, the juvenile giant Pacific octopus acquired in September.

"We tested the admission-by-donation policy earlier this year and it was well received," Boire said. “We want to serve people from all walks of life and we hope our guests will support our programs and contribute to our cause -- inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea -- by offering a donation instead of paying admission."

In recent years, the "pay-as-you-wish" policy has been tested by museums across the county. Researchers found that the greatest revenue came when consumers were informed that a percentage of what they paid went to a charitable cause.

To view year-round exhibit hours, visit https://ptmsc.org/left-menu/visit-us

Lecture: Big Oceans, Small Sensors, Large Knowledge

Sunday, January 13
3 pm
Professor Jan Newton, PhD
Senior Principal Oceanographer
Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington
The Fort Worden Chapel
Admission: $5
(students, teachers FREE)

Jan Newton has for many years been observing Puget Sound and coastal Washington. She is a passionate advocate for preserving and restoring this rich ecosystem, through both State and Federal programs. Hands-on, she has harnessed a raft of new technologies to make crucial observations, sustained over many years. These are needed to understand how our ‘home’ ocean is changing, and how its health can be restored. She is a biological oceanographer with the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington, currently studying ocean acidification in this region, and its connections to global climate change.

Jan serves as co-director of the recently established Washington Ocean Acidification Center, which operates from the College of the Environment, and is also Executive Director of the Northwest branch of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, a ‘mega-project’ that uses new technologies to observe the changing ocean and its human impacts. Newton is also an Affiliate Assistant Professor, teaching at University of Washington and its Friday Harbor Laboratories.

More info: https://environment.uw.edu/faculty/jan-newton/
http://www.apl.washington.edu/departments/eis/home.php

Contact: janewton@uw.edu

This is the fourth installment of The Future of Oceans lecture series.
This event is offered with generous support from the Darrow Family.
Assisted Listening Devices available

An Enchanting Lady stars in the Octopus Learning Project

Eleanora, a giant Pacific octopus, has taken up residency at the aquarium

Eleanora, a giant Pacific octopus, in repose in her tank at entrance of the Aquarium. Photo by Florian Graner.

Her name is Eleanora -- Nora for short -- and she is as mysterious as she is majestic, as elusive as she is enchanting. She’s a two-year-old (ish) giant Pacific octopus and, these days, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is lucky to host her.

Given to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center by Friday Harbor Labs, Nora is the subject of filmmaker Florian Graner’s "Octopus Learning Project." The goal of the collaborative effort between Graner and PTMSC Aquarist Ali Redman can be summed up in three words: observe and learn.

PTMSC Aquarist Ali Redman observes 'Nora.
Photo by Florian Graner.

Graner, who has devoted his life to studying and filming undersea creatures, explains that the octopus is quite a reserved animal in the wild, only leaving the safety of its habitat (such as rocks and reefs) to feed.

So in order to truly understand its behaviors, we need to be able to observe them in a non-threatening environment.

Several times a week, Graner visits ‘Nora at the aquarium to film her for a German documentary he is producing about the giant Pacific octopus.

You might be surprised to learn that octopuses are smart. Very smart. In fact, they rank among the most intelligent invertebrates in the world.

Nora certainly lives up to that claim. Redman often coaxes her out of hiding with a clam in a bottle.

“Animals are trained in steps,” she explains. “When they approximate a behavior, you reward them.” 

Nora took her time warming up to the food jar with the green lid.
Photo by Florian Graner. 

But Nora also has a mind of her own. For some reason, she did not initially like the food jar with the green lid that Redman introduced, pushing it away and even avoiding it altogether. But then one day her hesitance vanished and she pushed the lid off so she could grasp the frozen fish “popsicle” inside. 

Having mastered that, Redman introduces a plastic Mr. Potato Head toy in an effort to teach ‘Nora how to open its back “flap” to retrieve a treat. Again, ‘Nora did not disappoint, billowing her large mantle out to envelop her shellfish snack before casting off the shells in a show of gastronomic satisfaction.

It’s mind-boggling to see Nora change colors – one minute a deep red-orange color, the next slipping into her brownish green-gray tones as she camouflages herself against the rocks. And then there’s her “digesting” phase – a somewhat more alabaster color. She’s got the perfect “outfit” for every occasion.

Octopus have an amazing ability to blend into their surroundings.
Photo by Florian Graner.

Nora will eventually outgrow her tank and be released back into the wild to live out her life to the fullest. One day, she may well approach 50 pounds.

But in the meantime, we look forward to watching her grow and learn, as we learn and grow from the incredible gift of her presence.

PS -- Watch video below of Eleanora retrieving food from a glass tube!

December Survey for Protection Island Aquatic Reserve

On December 6th, I was fortunate enough to join the Protection Island Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee for their 24th monthly bird and mammal survey. Beginning in December 2016, the Citizen Stewardship Committee has conducted monthly, boat-based surveys for marine birds and mammals inhabiting Protection Island Aquatic Reserve. This Aquatic Reserve encompasses over 23,000 acres of state-owned aquatic lands that surround Protection Island, a National Wildlife Refuge that serves as an important nesting area for over 70 percent of the marine birds in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

A group of pigeon guillemots in winter plumage.
Photo by Betsy Carlson

These monthly surveys are conducted so that we can better understand the population trends, diversity, and behavioral patterns of the marine birds that utilize Protection Island Aquatic Reserve. As of this last survey, the Citizen Stewardship Committee has collected two years of data, which has led to some interesting findings. One thing they’ve learned is that some yellow-billed loons, which are more commonly found in Canada and Alaska, will spend their winters in the Aquatic Reserve. We were even lucky enough to spot a few of them!

A rare yellow-billed loon.
Photo by Bob Boekelheide

It couldn’t have been a better day to conduct the survey. The Sun shone brightly and provided some much needed warmth. There was a light breeze that rippled the otherwise calm ocean water. Visibility was seemingly limitless, as we weren’t able to count the number of mountains in sight on one hand. In addition to the rare yellow-billed loons, we were treated with a fantastic array of birds and mammals. Most of the birds we saw included common murres, pigeon guillemots, glaucous-winged gulls, and mew gulls. However, we also spotted harbor seals, harbor porpoises, surf scoters, white-winged scoters, buffleheads, red-breasted mergansers, ancient murrelets, and even the threatened marbled murrelet!

I’m grateful to the Protection Island Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee for letting me be a part of this valuable survey. I’m eager not only to visit the Aquatic Reserve again, but also to see what new things we can learn from this survey in the coming years!

(Left to Right) Bob Boekelheide, Michael Siddel, Steve Grace.
Photo by Betsy Carlson

Written by Michael Siddel, AmeriCorps Citizen Science Educator

We Love Our Aquarium Creatures! (Part 2)

Fun Facts About Marine Life At The Aquarium

This is Part 2 of a two-part series, To read Part 1, go here.

Children learn about the marine food web on the dock outside the
Port Townsend Marine Science Center Aquarium. Staff photo.

Kelp Forest
Kelp forests are large collections of kelps -- large brown algae seaweeds -- growing vertically from rocky substrates at depths of 20 to 210 feet. 

Giant kelp forest, photo by NOAA National Ocean Service.

Found in cool, temperate marine waters, these diverse and dynamic communities are comparable to coral reefs and rainforests. Beneath the surface, kelp forests provide a protected habitat by slowing wave action and currents so animals can rest or hide.

At least 26 species of kelp live in the Salish Sea. 

Among the most distinctive kelps is the canopy-forming giant kelp, with buoyant bulbs and blades that can be seen floating on the water’s surface. This plant, which grows up to 10 inches per day, can be as much as 100 feet tall, anchoring itself to a rocky surface with a holdfast measuring over 12 inches across. Found in intertidal to subtidal zones, it prefers semi-exposed habitats and rough-and-tumble, high-current areas.

China rockfish in PTMSC tank. Staff photo.

Northern kelp crab. Photo by Bobbee Davidson.

Northern kelp crab, sea urchins and abalone feed on the kelps. Rockfish – over-harvested for years – can thrive in its blades.

Feather duster worm, common on pilings. Staff photo.

Living in the kelp forest tank at the main entrance to the aquarium is the newest arrival, Eleanora, a giant Pacific octopus. ‘Nora is the subject of The Octopus Learning Project, which will be described in a later blog posting. In the meantime, here's a wonderful article on PTLeader.com.

Pilings
Pilings, piers, and docks are found everywhere along developed coastlines. In many areas they dominate natural habitats, yet marine animals have found ways to make these artificial structures their homes. 

A river otter finds food and refuge under the PTMSC dock.
Photo by Florian Graner.

Schooling fish, such as shiner perch and young walleye pollock, shelter in the shadows. Anemones, limpets, barnacles, mussels and plumose anemones attach to the hard surfaces. Spaghetti worms and burrowing sea cucumbers tuck into crevices.

Many wood pilings contain creosote, a toxic chemical cocktail of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenol and creosols. Throughout the Salish Sea there are efforts to replace old piers, docks, and pilings with environmentally friendly structures.

Tidal Flats 
Water slows as it enters the bays, inlets and estuaries of the Salish Sea, depositing fine sediments -- mudflats and sand beds -- that cover the gently sloping seafloor.

Sole and flounder seek out worms and crustaceans, while they, in turn, are a common food of the river otters within Fort Worden – which are sometimes visible on the aquarium dock. These fish can be viewed in aquarium’s tidal flats tide pool, along with sand dollars (closely related to sea urchins), which have very short spines and tube feet and feed on plankton and detritus.

Historically, the Salish Sea’s estuarine mudflats were once dominated by the only oyster native to the Pacific Northwest: the Olympia. Pacific oysters, native to Asia, have now replaced them as the most harvested species. However, with renewed commercial interest and habitat restoration efforts, Olympia oysters are making a comeback.

Conservation Lab

The newly built conservation lab -- constructed with funding from an Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account grant from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the support of many volunteers -- showcases citizen science projects, special programs and exhibits in a demonstration area. 

The Conservation Lab, completed in 2018, reveals
microscopic life to inquisitive minds! Staff photo.

The lab is home to the current Pinto Abalone Project. Pinto abalone are marine snails once found in abundance in the Salish Sea. Over-harvested for decades, their population is now too small and spread out to successfully reproduce. The PTMSC has partnered with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund to raise pinto abalone to help determine the best way to reintroduce these remarkable creatures into the wild to ensure their recovery. A future blog posting will describe this project in more detail. 

This is Part 2 of a two-part series, To read Part 1, go here.