Squishy but Deadly

If you have ever been swimming or boating around the Puget Sound you may have seen one of these along the way. The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish is the largest jellyfish species in the world. Though they are large, their sting is relatively mild for us humans; However, the fish that get caught by their tentacles are not as lucky. Furthermore, their tentacles have been measured in at 120 feet long! That makes them very hard to evade. Most Lion’s Mane Jellyfish prefer to float alone unless there is a storm or other disturbance that brings them together. Interestingly, these jellyfish tend to thrive in environments where there is large amounts of human activity. This is because we often do not fish for them, and their large predators tend to stay away from areas where. Humans are present. 

For more information on Lion’s Mane Jellyfish visit: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/jellyfish/lions-mane-jellyfish

Sea Star Wasting Disease

One of the most talked about issues in the Puget Sound, and along all of the West Coast, is the phenomenon of sea star wasting disease. The current die off of sea stars was first recorded in 2013, and by the end of 2014 an estimated 80% of purple sea stars had died along the Oregon coast and into Washington. The actual cause of the disease is still largely speculation; However, the two likely causes are a sea star related densovirus and/or the warming ocean temperatures around the globe. Sea star wasting disease takes hold of it’s host and moves rapidly. The disease begins by causing lesions and tissue decay of the sea star’s ectoderm. This eventually leads the arms separating from the main body of the sea star. This process can takes only a few days to occur, meaning that the number of sea stars rapidly decrease when exposed to it.

It should be noted that similar die offs have occurred in the past. Though none of them were as lethal as this one has been, This shows that there is potential for the sea stars to make a rapid comeback. Furthermore, In the past few years there has been a notable amount of juvenile sea stars appearing which is a good sign for the future.

For more information about sea star wasting disease you can visit these links:

• https://marine.ucsc.edu/data-products/sea-star-wasting/

• https://www.oregonocean.info/index.php/sea-star-wasting-disease

Our Neighbor to the North

Interesting Fact:

President Bill Clinton held the first official Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on Blake Island.

Now a beautiful state park, Blake Island originally was home to a campsite for the Suquamish Tribe. Furthermore, it is believed to be the birthplace of Chief Sealth, for whom the city of Seattle is named. The island was not recorded by European settlers until 1792, and it was not officially named until 1841 after an officer in the United States Exploring Expedition. Eventually, it was renamed Trimble Island after a millionaire who bought the island in 1917. That millionaire, William Trimble, built his estate there and lived with his family until 1929 when the family moved back to Seattle following the death of his wife. Interestingly, the Trimble family allowed a campfire girls camp to use the island starting in 1920. The name of that camp was Camp Sealth, which now resides on Vashon! The island was eventually purchased by Washington State in 1959 and was turned into the state park that we know today.

For more information about the island visit: https://www.historylink.org/File/5491