Author Archives: Violet Stowers

Day 8: Eelgrass en Masse

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Blog Credits: Aoife, Ripley, Wesley, Violet

Our morning began as any good morning should–with eelgrass! We met up with local ecologist Sage Enright, who works with the San Juan Islands Conservation District to restore a rapidly declining population of eelgrass. We surveyed the beach at Friday Harbor Labs, recording the number of cockle shells carrying eelgrass seeds that were attached by scientists. These shells act as “planters”, burrowing into the sand and dispersing the seeds among the sediment.

Salish Sea Students surveying their transects for cockles with eelgrass seeds (taken by Wesley).
Owen holding a large red rock crab molt (taken by Kashi).

For a short break in-between surveys, we were able to explore the beach and tide pools. It was interesting to observe how the organisms at Deadman’s Bay and the beach at Friday Harbor Labs compared. Oysters and large crabs were abundant at the beach today, something we hadn’t seen at Deadman’s.

Two students surveying algae coverage through their quadrat (taken by Alice).

We ended our busy morning with a lunch break at Turn Point County Park. Luckily for us, Sage joined us to teach more about the structure and uses of eelgrass, which is vitally important to both the ecosystem and Coast Salish Peoples.

Cynthia, Kashi, Maxine, and Kate using their dip stick to collect a sample of water from the marina (taken by Aoife).

Each month, scientists conduct water testing on behalf of the Port of Friday Harbor to ensure the safety of the community. This month, we got the privilege to assist in the collection and processing of seawater samples from selected locations around the marina. These water samples are used to check for overabundance of a harmful bacteria, fecal coliform. We took our samples back to the lab to prepare them for incubation, where we can record the bacterial concentration.

Fun plumose anemones hanging onto the dock at the marina (taken by Violet).
Wesley, Owen, Ripley and Una concentrating and dyeing the bacteria from water samples taken on the marina (taken by Ani).

Today was an exciting blur of hands-on field and lab work. We’re excited to get back out there tomorrow and assist another scientist with their research. Tonight, we are having dinner with Dr. Richard Strathmann, a professor at the University of Washington who also focuses on embryology at Friday Harbor Labs.