Environmental Speaker Series Presents: Shellfish Aquaculture in the Salish Sea

Ocean acidification harms oyster larvae. Comparison of day-old oyster larvae: left with healthy shell, right with stunted growth.

Event Details

When:

-

Location:

Online: Zoom

In-Person at WWU:
Academic West 204

Price:

Free

Brought to you by:

College of the Environment, Salish Sea Institute, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni

Description

Mr. Dewey will present on shellfish aquaculture in the Salish Sea, with a focus on Samish Bay, where Taylor Shellfish Farms grows oysters, manila clams and geoduck as well as his personal manila and geoduck clam farm (Chuckanut Shellfish). The talk will include descriptions of the methods used to produce seed (juvenile shellfish) for the farms at the hatcheries and nurseries, various farming methods and efforts to mechanize the labor intensive processes. Mr. Dewey will also discuss challenges shellfish farmers face including ocean acidification and climate change, invasive European green crab, water quality, Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs), vibrio bacteria and regulations. 

The Environmental Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30pm in Academic Instructional Center West, room 204. Join us at WWU or online on Zoom!

Featuring:

An older man with short gray hair wearing a dark jacket with a logo, in an outdoor setting.

Bill Dewey, Speaker

Bill Dewey has worked as a shellfish farmer in Washington State since 1981 after obtaining his degree in shellfish biology from the University of Washington. He is Director of Public Affairs for Taylor Shellfish Farms, the largest producer of farmed shellfish in the United States and he has owned and operated his own shellfish farm in Samish Bay for 25 years.

Mr. Dewey works on environmental, human health, aquaculture and regulatory policy issues at the local, state and federal levels. He serves on local and national boards and committees including the National Aquaculture Association and the Pacific Shellfish Institute and currently serves on the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) advising on Washington state’s response to ocean acidification. He was recognized by the National Shellfisheries Association and NOAA for his service in promoting research, understanding and cooperation among shellfisheries scientists, culturists, managers, producers and regulators and implementing policies that protect marine resources.

Questions and Accommodations

  • Your point of contact for this event is The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Call (360) 650-3353 or email Alumni@wwu.edu.
  • Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering.
  • There will be auto-captions for the Zoom webinar.

Visitor Parking at WWU on Weekdays

  • Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: limited paid parking is available at the south C lots and north 6V and 7G lots.
  • Purchase your permit at the lot pay stations or use the Parkmobile app.
  • More parking details for campus visitors are available online.
     

Parking at WWU on Weekdays for Visitors with Disabilities

  • Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: both a WWU permit and state disability placard are needed.
  • Purchase your permit at the pay stations in lot C or 6V or use the Parkmobile app (use Zone 1200). This allows parking in any disability space. If these are full, you can use a non-reserved space nearby.
  • More parking details for campus visitors with disabilities are available online.

The views expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect those of Western Washington University.