Dwindling fish runs topic of Port Townsend lecture

PORT TOWNSEND — Salmon smolt and juvenile steelhead survival will be the subject of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s lecture Sunday afternoon.

“Sharing the Sound — Salmon, Steelhead and Settlement” will take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Fort Worden Chapel, 200 Battery Way. It costs $5 for general admission; students and teachers enter free.

Jill B. Rolland, director of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center in Seattle, will speak about the trend of dwindling runs of salmon and steelhead in the Puget Sound.

For decades, scientists and concerned citizens have called for improving salmon-spawning and -rearing habitats in an attempt to reverse that trend. However, these improvements have not been sufficient to produce the recovery that might have been expected, according to a press release.

Increasingly, scientists are learning that other anthropogenic changes to the Puget Sound ecosystem, ranging from sky glow to ubiquitous pathogens, are likely having a greater impact on salmon and steelhead recovery than previously realized.

Prior to joining the USGS, Rolland worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture animal and plant health inspection service for 10 years. While at the USDA, she initially served as the aquatic animal health program manager and later as the director of aquaculture, swine, equine and poultry health programs.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries from the University of Washington and master’s and doctoral degrees in fish health from the University of Bergen in Norway.

Her research focuses on transmission, hosts and reservoirs for the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus.

This is the second installment of “The Future of Oceans” lecture series.

For more information, contact the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at info@ptmsc.org or 360-385-5582.

More in News

Lisa Bridge of Sequim is given a tour by Cithlali Chavez of Fred Hutch Cancer Center inside the giant inflatable colon discussing colon health on Wednesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center’s health and wellness fair. Representatives from Olympic Medical Center, Jamestown Family Health Clinic, North Olympic Healthcare, Clallam County Health and Human Services, Elwha Klallam Tribe and Peninsula Behavior Health were present to answer questions. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Health and wellness fair

Lisa Bridge of Sequim is given a tour by Cithlali Chavez of… Continue reading

Budget projects $6M loss for OMC

Expenses continue to outpace revenues

Port Angeles implements annual business license fee

Those with gross revenue over $25,000 to pay $190

Commissioners discuss addition of south county deputy

Budget modifications may support position

Forks to conduct city budget hearings

The Forks City Council will conduct budget workshops during special… Continue reading

Restrictions lifted on Fairview water system

Clallam County Public Utility District #1 has lifted water restrictions… Continue reading

Election results remain unchanged

Election results continued to hold from initial returns following additional ballot counts… Continue reading

Mike Chapman.
Chapman leads Kelbon for district Senate seat

Mike Chapman was leading the 24th Legislative District state Senate… Continue reading

Steve Tharinger.
Tharinger leads Roberts for state House position

Incumbent Steve Tharinger outpaced Terry Roberts in a race for… Continue reading

Three state ballot initiatives rejected

Fourth measure passing with narrow margin

Two-lane bypass to open on Saturday

Construction crews will open a two-lane bypass for U.S. Highway… Continue reading

Heather Dudley-Nollette.
Dudley-Nollette wins Jefferson County seat

Heather Dudley-Nollette defeated fellow Democrat Ben Thomas for the… Continue reading