SSAMN Stream

Bowhead whales are known to live really long. - maybe even around 200 years! But, what is less known is how long right whales can live for. Right whales and bowhead whales belong to the same family, Balaenidae, and are actually considered each other's closest relatives among living baleen whales. While rare, North Pacific right whales can be spotted off of Washington State waters. On this episode, Dr. Greg Breed, a professor at University of Alaska Fairbanks, talks with us about some amazing ...

In the northeast Pacific Ocean, there are three populations of resident (fish-eating) killer whales that share overlap in their ranges from California to Alaska (Southern Residents, Northern Residents, & Southern Alaska Residents). On this episode, Dr. Amy Van Cise, Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, shares with us about her fascinating research exploring how seasonality and foraging patterns may be influencing diet differences between SRKWs and SARKWs as well as amongst...

Avian Flu or the "Bird" Flu has been in the news a lot lately. What is it really? When did the first outbreak start in Washington State and what is the connection between Caspian Terns and harbor seals? Find out on this exciting episode as Dr. Katherine Haman, a wildlife veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) tells us all about Avian Flu and the impact it has on our local seabird populations and marine mammals.

Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) and Transient (Bigg's) killer whales roam the waters of the Salish Sea. Being sensitive to their environment, they serve as sentinels to the overall health of the ecosystem. On this episode, Kiah Lee, a graduate student at the University of Oslo, talks to us about research she did involving these two groups of killer whales and PAHs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are chemicals found in coal, oil, and gasoline which have known harmful impact...

Most North American Indigenous Peoples, have been described as “Hunter-Gatherers,” with the implication that they simply randomly harvested food sources – from salmon and clams to berries, and greens – available to them from the wild. Increasingly, it is recognized that First Peoples have developed sophisticated techniques and approaches to sustaining and enhancing their food resources and the habitats in which they are found. On this episode, Dr. Nancy Turner, Professor Emerita, at the Unive...

Oh, My! Loons & coastal water birds, salmon, pinnipeds, forage fish, intertidal critters, seaweed, & invasive species - The Loon Foundation in British Columbia certainly does a ton of monitoring and research. On this episode, get to know this organization and the amazing research they are doing here in the Salish Sea as I interview Jenn Blancard, Field Research Supervisor, about the important work they are doing in Pender Harbour. Pender Harbour is a harbor on British Columbia's Sunsh...

Invasive species are a large, and sometimes under-looked, problem in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. If unchecked, they can cause large-scale ecosystem and financial damage, such as European green crabs. But, how bad are aquatic invasive species here in the Salish Sea? What impacts are they having? Which species are on the "most wanted" list here in Washington State and why? Find out the answers to all these questions and more on this episode as Justin Bush, Aquatic Invas...