Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2026

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2026

10:00am PDT

What's in the Water? Live Plankton Collection Demonstration

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

Swimming and floating silently through the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, microscopic plants called phytoplankton and animals called zooplankton form the basis of food chains leading up to orcas and to humans through salmon. As microscopic plants, phytoplankton use the nutrients in the water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to grow until they are, well, eaten by zooplankton. Different species of zooplankton can either stay small or can undergo a series of changes to become the larger animals we are more familiar with (including fish, mussels, crabs, worms, and barnacles to name just a few). Come and prepare samples of live freshly collected plankton and observe these beautiful organisms on our microscopes. Experts in plankton identification will be available to talk to you about what you see as you are looking at the samples!

Speakers

Lee Bebout

Lee worked as a microbial ecologist / geobiologist, spending lots of time near water, but is enjoying being out on the water even more in retirement. She enjoys looking at water and sediment samples under the microscope and always learning more about the Salish Sea. She also enjoys... Read More →

Brad Bebout

Brad and co-presenter Lee Bebout met while studying harmful algal blooms on the Neuse River in North Carolina. After short postdoctoral stays at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and at the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Lab, they both went... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

11:00am PDT

Shellfish Safety: To Dig or Not to Dig

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

Are you a shellfish eater, digger, shucker, or admirer? Have you ever wondered why shellfish are one of the safest proteins you can put on your plate? Washington is renowned for bivalve production and harvest opportunity, from geoduck to razor clams, but shellfish shouldn’t be harvested willy nilly anytime or any place. From marine toxins to bacteria, come learn about the work that goes into knowing where, when, and why you should, or shouldn’t, eat shellfish.

Speakers

Tracie Barry

Washington Department of Health

Tracie Barry is a lifelong clam digger and the Marine Biotoxin Specialist for the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), where she coordinates shellfish marine biotoxin surveillance testing. Prior to regulating marine toxins in shellfish, she studied marine microalgae and documented... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

12:00pm PDT

Shipwrecks and Derelict Crab Pots: Finding Lost Stuff on the Ocean Floor

Friday September 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

There are numerous historic ship and plane wrecks on the deep seafloor in the Pacific that resulted from accidents, wars, and purposeful disposals. Locating and surveying these wrecks benefits the understanding of our cultural heritage and provides reasons to resurrect their history and stories of heroism and tragedy. I and others have found wrecks thousands of feet below the surface by beginning with a review of available information on their sinking. This is followed by the use of various types of sonar and software to identify potential targets to investigate. Describing these techniques is the topic of this presentation.

Speakers

Christopher Kelley

Dr. Christopher Kelley retired from the University of Hawaii in 2018 after serving 18 years as the program biologist for the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) and as graduate research faculty for the Oceanography Department at the University of Hawaii. His responsibilities... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

1:00pm PDT

Protecting Vital Eelgrass Habitat through No Anchor Zones

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

The Jefferson County Marine Resource Committee is an advisory group to the Jeffco Commissioners. In addition it's members undertake projects, with financial support from the Northwest Straits Commission to maintain and improve the Jeffco marine ecology. The No Anchor Zones is one of our persistent projects, started in 2004. We have installed buoys, that ask boaters to moor outside nearshore areas, to protect Subaquatic Vegetation and shellfish beds in 3 areas in Jefferson County.

Speakers

Gordon King

Taylor Shellfish Inc

The Jefferson County Marine Resource Committee is an advisory group to the Jeffco Commissioners. In addition it's members undertake projects, with financial support from the Northwest Straits Commission to maintain and improve the Jeffco marine ecology. The No Anchor Zones is one... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

2:00pm PDT

Derelict Vessel Removal program

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Discuss the derelict and abandoned vessel program

Speakers

Jerry Farmer

WADNR DVRP

Jerry Farmer works for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a Natural Resource Specialist for the Derelict Vessel Removal Program; a position he has held since August 2012. Jerry honorably retired from the United States Coast Guard in June 2012 after serving... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

3:00pm PDT

Puffins: beloved Sentinels of Ocean Health

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Who doesn’t love Puffins? With their brightly colored parrot-bills, tuxedo plumage, and upright waddle-walk, these iconic seabirds are cherished around the world. Not only are plush toy Puffins found in gift shops everywhere, but their chubby images may also be found on national coins, banknotes and stamps in dozens of countries. Also known as “clowns of the sea”, public lore suggests they live a care-free life of little hobbits in their burrows on idyllic grassy offshore islands. However, the reality is that puffins are athletic, resilient, and voracious marine predators living in an extreme environment for birds. Agile and fast aerial flyers, they also “fly” under water to great depths in pursuit of schooling prey. In this presentation, you will find out why puffins are among the most successful seabird species breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, and how they thrive in remote ocean wildernesses. You will also learn about their “Achille’s heel” (greatest weakness), and what is currently the greatest threat to their survival.

Speakers

John Piatt

World Puffin Congress

John Piatt is a marine biologist who has studied seabirds and ocean ecosystems in the north Pacific and Atlantic oceans for the past few decades. During that time, John had a front row seat to witness the impact on puffins of overfishing their food supplies, bycatch in gillnets, the... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

4:00pm PDT

The Secret Lives of Harbor Porposies

Friday September 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Harbor porpoises are one of the most abundant marine mammal species in the Salish Sea, however there is much we don't know about this often elusive species. Pacific Mammal Research (PacMam) has spent over 10 years conducting behavioral and photo-identification research on harbor porpoises to learn more about their behavior, ecology, movement patterns and more. Did you know that individuals can remain resident to an area, that they sometimes eat salmon, or that they wake surf? Recently we have added the aerial perspective of a drone and are getting even greater insight into their foraging and social behavior. PacMam is one of the few organizations in the world conducting this type of long-term work on harbor porpoises, focusing on knowing the individuals. Come and dive into the secret lives of harbor porpoises in the Salish Sea, there is more to them than meets the eye!

Speakers

Cindy Elliser

Pacific Mammal Research

Dr. Cindy R. Elliser is a marine mammalogist with over 25 years research experience. She received her B.S, M.S. and PhD in Biological Sciences and Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Before moving to the Pacific Northwest she spent 10 years working with Dr... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

10:00am PDT

What's in the Water? Live Plankton Collection Demonstration

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

Swimming and floating silently through the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, microscopic plants called phytoplankton and animals called zooplankton form the basis of food chains leading up to orcas and to humans through salmon. As microscopic plants, phytoplankton use the nutrients in the water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to grow until they are, well, eaten by zooplankton. Different species of zooplankton can either stay small or can undergo a series of changes to become the larger animals we are more familiar with (including fish, mussels, crabs, worms, and barnacles to name just a few). Come and prepare samples of live freshly collected plankton and observe these beautiful organisms on our microscopes. Experts in plankton identification will be available to talk to you about what you see as you are looking at the samples!

Speakers

Lee Bebout

Lee worked as a microbial ecologist / geobiologist, spending lots of time near water, but is enjoying being out on the water even more in retirement. She enjoys looking at water and sediment samples under the microscope and always learning more about the Salish Sea. She also enjoys... Read More →

Brad Bebout

Brad and co-presenter Lee Bebout met while studying harmful algal blooms on the Neuse River in North Carolina. After short postdoctoral stays at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and at the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Lab, they both went... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

11:00am PDT

Diving Into Kelp; the Forests of the Salish Sea

Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

The southern Salish Sea is rich with kelp, hosting a diversity of species that form magnificent forests along our shorelines. In and amongst these forests, you can find seals and sea lions, orcas, salmon, rockfish, forage fish, crabs, snails, nudibranchs, and countless other species. Since time immemorial, kelp forests in the Salish Sea have provided cultural, ecological, and economic value to human communities. But our kelp forests are declining, with some areas of Puget Sound experiencing near total losses. Thankfully, there are collaborative efforts underway to conserve and restore these vital ecosystems. In this talk, we’ll introduce you to Salish Sea kelp forests, the changes that we’re observing, the efforts underway to save and restore the forests, and how you can get involved.

Speakers

Gray McKenna

Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Gray McKenna (they/them) is a marine ecologist, freediver, artist, and former tallship sailor. Gray has spent the last 6 years working on kelp forest research and recovery in Washington. As a scientist with Nearshore Habitat Program at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

12:00pm PDT

Bringing Back the "Oly" Collaboratively Restoring the Native Olympia Oyster

Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

The west coast's only native oyster, the Olympia oyster, once formed large beds of millions of oysters in the Salish Sea. These populations crashed due to habitat loss, overharvest and water quality issues and are largely absent from their historic range. Today, these oysters are being back by tribes, non-profits, state agencies and Marine Resource Committees working together. I'll speak to our experience and success using several strategies to restore native oyster beds on the northeast Olympic Peninsula and in the larger Salish Sea.

Speakers

Neil Harrington

Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe

Neil Harrington is an Environmental Biologist with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. In his fourteen years with the Tribe his work has focused on harmful algal blooms, shellfish safety, native Olympia oyster restoration, invasive European green crabs, and outreach and education. Previous... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

1:00pm PDT

Tsunamis in Washington: It Keeps Happening

Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Three thousand years of tsunamis—hidden in the mud. Buried sand layers at Discovery Bay reveal when these waves struck, how big they were, and clues to where they came from. Understanding this history helps us prepare for the next tsunami in Washington.

Speakers

Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney

Washington Sea Grant

Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney spends an unusual amount of time digging in mud and getting excited about sand in places it definitely shouldn’t be. She reads layers of sediment the way others read novels—except the plot involves catastrophic waves, coastal chaos, and the occasional... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

2:00pm PDT

Science at the Leading Edge of the European Green Crab Invasion

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

The early detection of European green crab in Washington has provided extremely rare opportunities that are not often available in the management of biological invasions. In addition to offering the best chance for effectively slowing the spread and impact of a worldwide invasive species, tracking the leading edge of green crab expansion has also presented a broad horizon for high-impact scientific research questions that can directly inform management action. This talk will highlight some of the Crab Team collaborations over the last decade that have illuminated the process of the invasion, potential impacts, and even potentially offer opportunities for new technological intervention strategies.

Speakers

Emily Grason

Washington Sea Grant

Emily Grason is a marine ecologist and Principal Arm Waver at Washington Sea Grant, in Seattle, WA. Since 2014, she has led Crab Team, a comprehensive program focused on supporting statewide efforts to manage the invasion of European green crab, one of the world’s most damaging... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

3:00pm PDT

Exploring Life in Puget Sound's Hidden Depths

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Much of Puget Sound lies beyond the shallow waters we see from shore. Beneath the surface is a largely hidden world of complex reefs, soft sediments, and the fish and invertebrates that live there. This talk offers a look into these deeper waters through underwater video from remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys and insights from WDFW's long-term monitoring efforts. With a focus on fish populations, it highlights species that are rarely seen, shares stories of population decline and ongoing recovery efforts, and explores what they can tell us about the health of Puget Sound’s deepest ecosystems.

Speakers

Kathryn Meyer

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Kathryn Meyer is a senior research scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she leads the Puget Sound Groundfish Program. Her work focuses on studying the marine fish communities of Puget Sound using tools like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

4:00pm PDT

Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea

Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

A century ago, humpback whales were nearly lost from the Salish Sea forever. Fortunately, decades of protection have resulted in a "humpback comeback", with hundreds of humpbacks now visiting the region each year. We'll take a deep dive into humpback whale behavior, diet, culture, and more. We'll also discuss how you can contribute as a community scientist, and ensure humpbacks never disappear from the Salish Sea again.

Speakers

Erin Gless

Pacific Whale Watch Association

Erin Gless is the executive director for the Pacific Whale Watch Association, a community of ecotourism professionals dedicated to education, conservation, and responsible wildlife viewing in British Columbia and Washington state. She holds a BS in Biology with Marine Emphasis from... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

10:00am PDT

What's in the Water? Live Plankton Collection Demonstration

Sunday September 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

Swimming and floating silently through the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, microscopic plants called phytoplankton and animals called zooplankton form the basis of food chains leading up to orcas and to humans through salmon. As microscopic plants, phytoplankton use the nutrients in the water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to grow until they are, well, eaten by zooplankton. Different species of zooplankton can either stay small or can undergo a series of changes to become the larger animals we are more familiar with (including fish, mussels, crabs, worms, and barnacles to name just a few). Come and prepare samples of live freshly collected plankton and observe these beautiful organisms on our microscopes. Experts in plankton identification will be available to talk to you about what you see as you are looking at the samples!

Speakers

Lee Bebout

Lee worked as a microbial ecologist / geobiologist, spending lots of time near water, but is enjoying being out on the water even more in retirement. She enjoys looking at water and sediment samples under the microscope and always learning more about the Salish Sea. She also enjoys... Read More →

Brad Bebout

Brad and co-presenter Lee Bebout met while studying harmful algal blooms on the Neuse River in North Carolina. After short postdoctoral stays at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and at the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Lab, they both went... Read More →

Sunday September 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

11:00am PDT

Salish Sea Beaches- Our Glacial Legacy

Sunday September 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Marine Science Stage

Most of the sand and pebble you see on the beaches of the Salish Sea traveled hundreds of miles on the underside of massive glaciers before coming to rest beneath your feet. Come travel back to the ice age to learn how the glaciers shaped our landscape, leaving behind massive piles of sediment. Fast forward to today and hear how that glacial legacy built our coastline. We'll explore bluff erosion as a source of beach sediment, why some beaches are eroding and others growing, and hopefully you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the feel of warm sand under your feet knowing how it got there.

Speakers

Jon Waggoner

Jefferson County MRC

Jon is a coastal engineer that has devoted his career to shoreline restoration and conservation throughout the Salish Sea since 2006. Coming out of Western Washington University with his head full of freshwater ecology he found himself working for a small coastal restoration firm... Read More →

Sunday September 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Marine Science Stage

12:00pm PDT

Pacific Salmon 101: Lifecycle, Habitats, Threats, Significance

Sunday September 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Pacific Salmon 101 provides a comprehensive introduction to the biology, ecology, and importance of Pacific salmon, while highlighting the work of the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. It explores salmon as a keystone species, emphasizing their ecological role in nutrient cycling, cultural significance to Indigenous communities, and economic value across the Pacific Northwest. The presentation walks through salmon life history, from egg to spawning adult, explaining their unique anadromous lifecycle and the diversity among the five Pacific salmon species. It also outlines the critical habitat conditions salmon need to survive, known as the “5 C’s” (clean, clear, connected, cold, and complex), and examines major threats including habitat loss, pollution, dams, logging, and climate change. Ultimately, the presentation underscores both the challenges facing salmon and the ongoing restoration efforts that offer hope for their recovery, inspiring individuals and communities to take an active role in protecting and restoring these vital ecosystems.

Speakers

Sarah Doyle

North Olympic Salmon Coalition

Sarah Doyle is the Executive Director of the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, where she has spent the past 17 years leading community-based efforts to restore salmon habitat and strengthen watershed health across Washington’s North Olympic Peninsula. She is known for building strong... Read More →

Sunday September 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

1:00pm PDT

More Ocean is Good Right? A Primer on Sea Level Rise for Maritime Washington

Sunday September 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

This presentation will cover the evidence for observed sea level change in Washington State over the last 100 years, the impact it has had on coastal Washington, and what is possible in the future. There will be an emphasis on how sea level rise impacts may play out in particular on maritime uses in coastal Washington, and the planning that is currently happening to try to ensure a thriving future.

Speakers

Ian Miller

Washington Sea Grant

A skilled science communicator and media spokesperson as well as a trained scientist, Dr. Ian Miller is Washington Sea Grant’s coastal hazards specialist, working out of Peninsula College in Port Angeles. Ian works with coastal communities and public agencies in Washington State to strengthen their ability to plan for and manage coastal hazards, including tsunamis, chronic erosion, coastal flooding and other hazards associated with climate change. He brings a suite... Read More →

Sunday September 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage

2:00pm PDT

Whale Neighbors of the Salish Sea

Sunday September 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Marine Science Stage

Sunday September 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marine Science Stage