At the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA), we’re proud of our students who engage with their communities, share their knowledge, and contribute to environmental stewardship across the region.
On October 4, first-year Master of Marine Affairs student James Bray volunteered with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) at Shelton Oysterfest, helping connect community members with local salmon conservation efforts. 

Meet Eve Byers, a Master of Marine Affairs student at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA), whose thesis research examines crab communities in local estuarine oyster beds.
Evangeline Byers came to SMEA with an interest in continuing her undergraduate research while remaining connected to academia. The Master of Marine Affairs program offered an opportunity to explore the intersection of policy and science while gaining insight into a range of potential career paths, including opportunities with local environmental organizations. 

Coastal ecosystems like mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and wetlands play an important role in storing carbon, supporting wildlife, and sustaining coastal communities. So why are these ecosystems still disappearing despite growing scientific knowledge and investment in conservation?
SMEA Affiliate Instructor Joe Ryan is exploring this question through research on the “Blue Carbon Paradox,” working alongside SMEA master’s students Tessa Marks and Will Burnham. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs is excited to welcome the incoming SMEA Class of 2028 to the University of Washington!
This new cohort brings together students with a wide range of interests, experiences, and perspectives, united by a shared interest in addressing the complex challenges facing our oceans and environment.
As they begin their time at SMEA, students will have opportunities to learn across disciplines, engage with the marine and environmental policy community, and build connections with peers, faculty, alumni, and practitioners. 

SMEA students Walker Hobson and Jane Holiday are featured in a recent New York Times article exploring the challenges posed by invasive green crabs and their impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Their research, conducted in partnership with Washington Sea Grant, contributes to a growing understanding of invasive species and the complex environmental challenges facing coastal communities. Through this work, they are helping advance important conversations about marine ecosystems, conservation, and the future of our oceans. 

On July 28, SMEA students Eve Byers, Paul Messier, and Katie Raab joined recent SMEA graduate Sawyer Jenkins for a field sampling trip to an Olympia oyster bed in Padilla Bay near Edison, Washington.
The trip was part of the sample collection process for Eve’s thesis project, which examines larval crab composition in Olympia oyster beds. The research requires getting out into the field to collect samples to better understand the organisms living within these important coastal habitats. 

The School of Marine & Environmental Affairs is proud to congratulate master’s student Tessa Marks on receiving a Fulbright Research Grant to Honduras.
Marks, a student in Marine & Environmental Affairs and International Studies, will conduct research on mangrove forests in the Bay Islands of Honduras, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Working with the Bay Islands Conservation Association on the island of Roatán, she will explore how ecological conditions, governance structures, and community priorities influence mangrove protection and restoration efforts. 

The Coastal Fisheries & Communities Lab at SMEA published a new paper in the journal Aquaculture, which is available to read and download at this link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044848626006447?via%3Dihub. The paper documents the Gulf of Alaska mariculture industry at a pivotal moment in its development, as told through the perspectives of people whose knowledge, advocacy, and deep commitment have built new opportunities for their communities from the ground up. 

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs celebrated the Class of 2026, honoring 29 students who earned their Master of Marine Affairs (MMA) degrees. These graduates now join an esteemed community of nearly 1,000 alumni and world-class policymakers dedicated to building a resilient future in marine and environmental affairs.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from SMEA Director Dr. 

The 2026 capstone and thesis projects at SMEA showcased a diverse range of interdisciplinary research addressing important environmental and social issues. Capstone partnered with communities and organizations to address real-world environmental challenges, including tribal perspectives on offshore wind development, fish barrier removal coordination with the South Whidbey Basin, and the continuation of Chief Leschi School’s food forest. Thesis students conducted independent research on topics ranging from critical mineral sourcing, forced labor in fisheries, and vessel strike reduction.