Pacific Shellfish Institute

06/17/2026

It was a gorgeous day to collect plankton samples for SoundToxins with long-time volunteer, Jeanne Koenings, and Tumwater HS student, Lorenzo Larios.

Plankton cell counts combined with WDOH shellfish testing prove to be a highly effective way to better understand harmful algal blooms (HABs) and protect human health and the shellfish industry. Learn more at www.soundtoxins.org.

Today, the water was thick with Akashiwo sanguinea (5,500 cells/L), Noctiluca scintillans, and Tripos fusus. Dinophysis, the species responsible for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) and the current recreational shellfish harvest closure in Budd Inlet, is still common.

Come see what's in the water next Thursday (10:00-12:00) as we kick off the “What’s Blooming in Budd?” summer season at the Port Plaza dock! All are welcome!

06/16/2026

PSI recently retrieved our shell bags from a catch basin at Port of Olympia’s Marine Terminal! Might I say they were a bit stinky! 😊

Last April, over 200 pounds of oyster shell were placed into a catch basin to test their ability to naturally remove copper and zinc from stormwater runoff. Since that time, we collected stormwater samples during 2 storm events under both low-flow and high-flow conditions. Data is currently being analyzed and will help guide follow-up experiments this coming fall.

A HUGE shout out to the Port of Olympia staff for being flexible and “ready to go!” when the rain rolled in and their commitment to stormwater solutions. And a BIG thank you to the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment for supporting efforts to keep Budd Inlet clean and healthy!

06/09/2026

05/12/2026

Oyster Shell Testing with the Port of Olympia!

Two weeks ago, PSI loaded over 200 pounds of oyster shell into a catch basin at Port of Olympia’s Marine Terminal. PSI and the Port are working together to test the use of recycled oyster shell as a natural and environmentally friendly method to remove trace metals from stormwater before it flows into Budd Inlet.

On Wednesday - as the rain returns – PSI will collect stormwater samples upstream, within, and downstream of the shell-laden catch basin to evaluate changes in metal concentrations. Stay tuned for the results!

Thank you to the wonderful team at the Port of Olympia and the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment for supporting this exciting work!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day, Earthlings!!!

PSI is excited to celebrate the day in partnership with our friends at Olympia Surfrider Chapter. Come show your love for Budd Inlet by joining us at one of these fun events in downtown Olympia.

• Adopt-A-Drain (or 10!!) cleanup at PSI’s favorite Muppet-inspired locations; meet at the corner of Gonzo & Animal (East Bay Drive NE & Olympia Ave NE) from 1:00-2:00. Adopt-a-Drain MN

• “Hold On To Your Butt!” Cigarette Butt Cleanup; meet in front of Olympia City Hall from 5:30-6:30.

Thank you to Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment for supporting local efforts to protect Budd Inlet water quality!

03/18/2026

S***k and Span!

Last month PSI adopted 10 Muppet-inspired storm drains in downtown Olympia as part of the Adopt-A-Drain program (https://wa.adopt-a-drain.org). This week we got to work sweeping, scooping, weighing, and admiring our handy work! We crafted up the coolest datasheet (if you love data like we do!) and can’t wait for next month’s cleaning! Is that weird?

Contact us if you’d like to join us for April’s cleaning Mupp-extravaganza! Thank you to the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, Inspire Olympia, and Olympia Surfrider Chapter for your support and partnership.

03/13/2026

So much fun with MCD in Shelton School District this week!

03/13/2026

02/23/2026

Thank you to all the amazing folks that joined us at Three Magnets Brewing Co. for the Sip and Sci with PSI Mini-Conference! Our hearts are full!

We are so grateful to Three Mags for providing the perfect venue, Vics for donating delicious pizza, Thurston County Solid Waste for allowing us to pilot their "Borrow a Plate" kit (almost available to the public), and Calm Cove Oysters for surprising us with fresh-off-the-beach Olympia and Pacific oysters!!! What a special and memorable community gathering. Of course, none of this would be possible without support from Inspire Olympia. Thank you!

02/15/2026

Roses are red,
Oysters are briny.
Check out these larvae,
That are oh, so tiny!

Huge thanks to Clara Duncan at Aquatechnics for sending over what might be the most amazing valentines treat one has ever received - a stack of seed & larvae prepared slides. These incredible educational resources are a treasure that we will share with the South Sound community. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!