(Airdate: May 11, 2022) Coastal Café for this week is a conversation between host Aaron Barnett and Dr. Ian Miller, Coastal Hazards Specialist for Washington Sea Grant. Dr. Miller gives some compelling updates on his work since we last spoke with him in February of 2019 – from shoreline changes and uses at the mouth of the Elwha River, Tsunami research to sea level rise tools and data for municipal planners.
(Airdate: April 27, 2022) This week on Coastal Café, host Aaron Barnett speaks with Dr. Lucas Hart, the Executive of the Northwest Straits Commission. Dr. Hart gives a detailed overview of the NW Straits Commission’s history, mission and current projects such Puget Sound bull kelp recovery, Olympia oyster restoration and derelict fishing gear removal.
(Airdate: April 13, 2022) Vanguards Keeping the Sound Clean and Safe. Puget Soundkeeper was the first grassroots organization to focus exclusively on protecting the marine environment of Puget Sound when it was founded in 1984. Other organizations have since joined the effort to protect and conserve the water quality of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea region, but Puget Soundkeeper continues to be a leader in this area. Host MaryAnn Wagner talks with Puget SoundKeeper staff Blair Englebrecht and Gillian Flippo on how they are working to keep the Sound clean and safe.
(Airdate: March 16, 2022) Yellow rope used for growing oysters in places like Willapa Bay often ends up as marine debris along Washington’s coastline. Host Aaron Barnett chats with Nicole Baker of Net Your Problem LLC who is in business to help solve the marine debris problem by collecting ropes, fishing nets and other plastics found on beaches for processing and eventually a new life as a raw material for new recycled plastics.
(Airdate: March 2, 2022) Coastal Cafe‘s guests this week are George Harris, the President of the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) and Jay Jenning, Vice President of Government Affairs. George and Jay spoke with host Aaron Barnett about upcoming life jacket legislation in Olympia, Southern Resident Killer Whale regulations, boat sales in the age of COVID-19 as well the 75th celebration of the NMTA’s creation.
(Airdate: February 16, 2022) Since 1956, The Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) has been the voice of Washington boaters in Olympia on topics ranging from taxes to the acquisition of places like Sucia Island State Park. This week’s Coastal Café with host Aaron Barnett is a conversation with Bob Wise, the current president of RBAW who shares with us some of RBAW’s activities regarding current legislation in Olympia potentially impacting the recreational boating community. In addition to policy and legislative highlights, Mr. Wise talks about the acquisition of Lake Bay Marina and Pier through the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy.
(Airdate: February 2, 2022) In 1970, the Southern Resident Killer Whale known as Tokitae (also named Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut and Lolita) was captured off the coast of Whidbey Island when she was four years old. She was shipped across the country and has lived in a tank at the Miami Seaquarium ever since. Coastal Café host Samantha Larson talks with Jay Julius, former Chairman and Councilman of Lummi Nation who is part of a campaign to bring the orca back to her home waters, and Bonnie Swift, a Seattle-based reporter who recently released the Audible podcast series called Tokitae. Over eight-episodes, Tokitae tells the story of the whale and also a much bigger history of the Coast Salish Indigenous peoples and ecosystem, and what’s at stake for all of us.
(Airdate: January 19, 2022) This week, host Aaron Barnett talks with Washington State’s Derelict Vessel Removal program manager Troy Wood with an update on achievements and future plans for the program, including a fiberglass vessel pilot recycling program right here at home in Jefferson County.
(Airdate: January 5, 2022) Since 1971, Washington Sea Grant, a little-known marine research gem based at the University of Washington, has been supporting our state’s marine environment and maritime economies, having spearheaded or supported cutting-edge marine research, outreach and education for over 50 years. Host MaryAnn Wagner talks with Washington Sea Grant’s director Russell Callender about the next 50 years of projects for Washington’s shorelines and waters.
(Airdate: December 22, 2021) ‘Tis the holiday season, a time when buying and wrapping gifts are a big part of our holiday traditions. Your Coastal Café host MaryAnn Wagner brings listeners something a little different with ideas on how we can be more ocean friendly during the holiday season. Sarah Kollar with the international non-profit organization Ocean Conservancy provides tips and ideas for upcycling materials to create ocean-friendly holiday décor and wrapped gift and tells us why it matters for ocean health.
