The intent of the course is to provide a scientific context for developing an understanding of the issue of salmon in Puget Sound - ranging from the physical structure of the Puget Sound Basin, Basin hydrology and oceanography, Puget Sound salmonid life histories, habitat needs and production histories, salmonid ESA listing criteria, Puget Sound chinook and chum stock assessments and ESA recommendations, and past institutional responses to salmonid ESA listings. In that salmon issues should not be studied in isolation, other important environmental issues in the Sound (e.g. changes in hydrology and sedimentation, changes in marine fish and shellfish populations and resources, wetland dynamics and restorations) will be discussed.

The course will be offered as a 400 level undergraduate graded course in the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences (Fish 497U) as well as by UW Extension for the greater Puget Sound community. Students taking the course for credit will do term projects on various aspects of the issue of interest to them, and will make both written and oral presentations of their results.

For further information contact the instructor below or UW Extension (206-543-2320).