In 2014, Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) began operations at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center’s Kenneth K. Chew Center for Shellfish Research and Restoration, a new NOAA facility dedicated to research and production of native shellfish and other Pacific Northwest living marine resources in partnership with PSRF. Development of a conservation hatchery was identified as a high-level need in both phases of the Washington Shellfish Initiative as guided by the National Shellfish Initiative, and in the Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification‘s 2012 and 2017 recommendations (both found here). The facility, located at NOAA’s Manchester Research Station, is operated by PSRF through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with NOAA to collaboratively conduct and manage research and restoration activities. To learn more, download an overview of our work at the hatchery and an overview of our 2017-2019 biennial hatchery report to Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Our goal is to recover native species that have lost breeding populations, maintain genetic diversity, and research effects of changing seawater conditions.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Olympia oyster restoration
Olympia oyster seed produced at PSRF’s hatchery helps rebuild breeding populations in 19 priority locations in Puget Sound to support on-the-ground restoration efforts.
Pinto abalone rebuilding
PSRF, WDFW and partners have developed state-of-the-art techniques to raise pinto abalone at the hatchery. ~22,000 juveniles have been outplanted to date, in efforts to restore this vanishing species.
Restore bull kelp populations
PSRF is leading the development of bull kelp restoration methods and collaborating on a kelp recovery plan. Our kelp lab, established with NOAA, can propagate kelp for both restoration and mitigation.
Sugar kelp cultivation
With funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and the U.S. Navy, PSRF cultivates sugar kelp on spools at the hatchery, which are outplanted and harvested as a core element of research with partners on the ability of sugar kelp cultivation to improve seawater conditions or shelter sensitive species.
Sea cucumber seed production
PSRF and partners are developing hatchery technologies for giant red sea cucumbers that improve production reliability, hatchery efficiencies and fill critical knowledge gaps in the culture of these unique invertebrates. Stay tuned as the project proceeds and we share findings about our sea cucumber cultivation!
Cockle cultivation
In an effort to improving access to cockles for subsistence harvest, PSRF is working with the Suquamish Tribe to explore producing cockle seed at the hatchery. Click on the link below to read a great piece from Crosscut on our cockle work and stay tuned as we continue to share what we are learning!
RESEARCH PRIORITIES
- Culture genetically-diverse native oysters and abalone to preserve local populations.
- Expand the ability to restore native shellfish habitat in the Pacific Northwest.
- Understand impacts of ocean acidification on shellfish and other marine life.
- Advance the technology and practices of conservation aquaculture.
- Establish a center of excellence for shellfish research & restoration.
CAPABILITIES
- Continuous filtered seawater supply
- Temperature, pH controlled seawater
- Ocean acidification research
- Microalgae culture
- Dedicated kelp lab for propagation and research
- Floating dock w/Floating Upweller System (FLUPSY)
- Tideland shellfish nursery
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Support PSRF's Conservation Hatchery
At our Conservation Hatchery, PSRF cultures Olympia oysters, pinto abalone, sea cucumbers and native kelp species to advance restoration efforts throughout Puget Sound and provide a hub for research. The hatchery is invaluable to PSRF and our mission. Please consider a donation to help support the hatchery and PSRF's work.