Research Update: May 9, 2003

Greetings from the Marine Ecosystem Health Program (MEHP [now the SeaDoc Society]). As you’ll recall, in our last update we highlighted results of a project funded by the MEHP in 2002 on causes of developmental abnormalities in Cherry Point herring. Conducting and funding research is just one of the ways the MEHP works to ensure the health of marine wildlife and their Pacific Northwest inland waters ecosystem. We also ensure that science is shared and utilized by managers and conservationists to advance effective stewardship of our living marine resources. For example:

• Last November the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published an outstanding article entitled “Our Troubled Sound.” Throughout the article is evidence of the MEHP working behind-the-scenes to connect science with management and policy. We’re enclosing a copy of this article which highlights where and how the MEHP is helping to make a difference – we hope you enjoy reading this exceptional Seattle Post-Intelligencer piece again.
• The MEHP co-sponsored the region’s largest marine science conference, the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference held in Vancouver, British Columbia from March 31 – April 3, 2003. The conference brought together 800 scientists, resource managers, conservationists, educators and concerned citizens from the US and Canada. A number of the papers presented at the conference were the result of science supported by the MEHP, and we presented a paper calling for a transboundary ecosystem-based approach to addressing the needs of threatened and endangered species. Joe and Erik Karlsen, a regional planning specialist in British Columbia, jointly presented the conference’s Closing Comments with a talk entitled “Securing a Sustainable Future.”

Other important news from the MEHP: join us in welcoming Peter Van Gytenbeek, who has joined our team to serve as the MEHP’s development officer. Van lives in Seattle, was most recently the publisher and editor-in-chief of Flyfishing in Saltwater magazine, was the Executive Director and then a Trustee of Trout Unlimited for many years, and is currently one of Washington State’s Fish and Wildlife Commissioners. Van is a passionate supporter of our mission, and is dedicated to helping the MEHP grow to continue to ensure the health of the Pacific Northwest inland waters wildlife and the ecosystem upon which they depend. We look forward to introducing him to you at our earliest opportunity.
We’ll continue to keep you posted on MEHP activities and progress. Don’t forget to check out the MEHP’s website periodically, as it is frequently updated (http://mehp.vetmed.ucdavis.edu). As always, we are truly grateful for your interest in and support of the MEHP. As a member of the community of individuals resolved to improve our stewardship of the inland waters marine ecosystem, your support is key to the success of our program.

Sincerely,

Kirsten V.K. Gilardi, DVM, Dipl. ACZM
Program Coordinator

Joseph K. Gaydos, VMD, PhD
Staff Scientist