Coastal Café

(Airdate: February 12, 2023) In this episode of Coastal Cafe, host Ashli Blow takes us into our underwater forests to explore Washington’s emerging seaweed farms. We hear from several voices including Washington Sea Grant Carbon Specialist Meg Chadsey, Pacific Sea Farms Co-Founder Mike Spranger, S’Klallam Vice Tribal Chair Loni Grinnell-Greninger, Lee-Ann Ennis of the Vital Kelp Restoration Project, and Vashon Island Kelp Forest Owner Mike Kollins. Together, we learn about the economics and environmental benefits of kelp and seaweed as well as the limitations.  

(Airdate: October 26, 2022) Did you know the University of Washington operates a large research ship that travels as far as the South Pacific and Alaska for scientific research? This episode of Coastal Café is a conversation with Robert Kamphaus, the director of marine operations for the University of Washington, operators of  the research vessels Thomas G. Thompson and Rachel Carson. Detailing their missions, capabilities and contributions to oceanography’s knowledge base Mr. Kamphaus takes us on board for a “tour.”

(Airdate: August 31, 2022) EarthLab is a an institute at the University of Washington’s College of the Environment – a small but mighty program that seeks out innovative, just and equitable solutions to environmental challenges. Earthlab is breaking new ground, bringing university research into applicable, real-world situations and finding solutions. Host MaryAnn Wagner talks with EarthLab’s Executive Director Ben Packard to learn how they address these environmental challenges by building relationships between the University and public, private and nonprofit sectors.

(Airdate: August 17, 2022) Join host Aaron Barnett for a very informative talk with Washington State Ferries Director of Marine Operations Steve Nevey. Steve shares some of the challenges faced with staffing and scheduling during the height of pandemic and the current uptick in COVID-19 cases among ferry crew. Steve is also gracious enough to describe what it takes to get a job on the ferries as well.

(Airdate: August 3, 2022) This week’s Coastal Café is an update on Washington’s Abandoned and Derelict Removal Program from program manager Troy Wood. Troy discusses with host Aaron Barnett how the increase in funding from the boat sales excise tax will help increase the rate of derelict vessel removal, the Vessel Turn-In Program, some of the more interesting finds in his work as well as other interesting details on derelict vessel removal.

(Airdate: July 20, 2022) In the Pacific Northwest live the Southern Resident Orca Whales, an endangered population that have lived in these waters for millennia. The Whale Museum on San Juan Island in Washington State opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild and is dedicated to promoting stewardship of the whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through a robust program of education and research. MaryAnn Wagner talks with Executive Director Jenny Atkinson about steps the Whale Museum is taking to protect these charismatic creatures.

(Airdate: July 6, 2022) Join us for an in-depth conversation between host Aaron Barnett and Washington State Boating Law Administrator Rob Sendak. Rob brings updates on regulations and programs that affect recreational boating activities in Washington. From a new partnership with the Seattle Mariners, required automatic kills witches, programs for kids and a new floating restroom in South Puget Sound this conversation should be useful for those folks who boat in Washington.

Coastal Café host Aaron Barnett chats with the head of Washington Dept. of Ecology’s Oils Spill and Preparedness division, Carlos Clements. Carlos describes how Washington is prepared to respond in the event of a catastrophic oil spill as well as prevention measures to avoid such an event.

(Airdate: June 8, 2022) Race to Alaska’s Race Boss Daniel Evans joins the discussion with host Aaron Barnett on Coastal Café to talk about the upcoming Race to Alaska. Listen in and get details and anecdotes from this year’s and previous races as well as the other races put on by the Northwest Maritime Center such as 70/48 and Washington 360.

(Airdate: May 25, 2022) The promise of adventure in Alaska has captivated people for generations — a phenomenon with which Joe Upton is very familiar. Upton is a fisherman and writer who has penned books such as Alaska Blues and Journeys Through the Inside Passage. Host Samantha Larson talks with him about how he found fishing and tales from fishing in Alaska, including Bristol Bay.