Washington Sea Grant Awards $2 Million for Coastal Research Projects

Washington Sea Grant is contributing nearly $2 million to fund seven new marine‑research projects in 2026. The selected initiatives focus on issues important to Puget Sound and Washington’s Pacific coast, ranging from the ecology of Dungeness crab to the spawning patterns of herring and the seasonal migration of Pacific halibut. One project will develop an assay for early detection of domoic acid, a toxin that can affect shellfish and seafood safety.

The funding program emphasizes partnership building, inclusive research practices, and climate‑change resilience. Projects are led by investigators from the University of Washington and the Makah Tribe, among others, and aim to improve environmental literacy, support resilient coastal economies, and sustain healthy coastal ecosystems.