SMEA alumnus Ethan Lucas co-authored a new report with FishWise titled Establishing Guidance for FIP Product Verification. The report examines challenges in verifying seafood products that claim to originate from Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), including limited traceability, inconsistent definitions of participation, and reliance on self-reported data.
Drawing on research focused on Peru and Ecuador’s mahi-mahi fisheries, the report proposes two approaches to strengthen verification: a baseline procedure to confirm industry participation in FIPs and an advanced audit procedure that links products to documented harvest events. 

SMEA research scientist Aden Yincheong Ip and Professor Ryan Kelly have published a groundbreaking study in Scientific Reports exploring how airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used to monitor salmon populations. Their study demonstrates that DNA from Coho salmon can be detected in the air, even 10–12 feet from waterways, opening new possibilities for non-invasive aquatic species monitoring.
Last fall, the team placed air filters at multiple locations along Issaquah Creek near the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. 

Dear SMEA friends, 
Each academic year at SMEA brings new energy. This autumn, we were thrilled to welcome 34 new first-year students. As is always the case, they come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, ranging from aquatic and fishery sciences, biology, marine biology, other natural and physical sciences, chemical and biological engineering, to environmental studies, cinema and photography, ethnic studies, history, political science, sociology, and sustainable community development. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs hosted its biennial Community Reception on November 22 at the Silver Cloud Inn, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, partners, and supporters for an evening of connection and celebration. The evening began with conversation, reconnecting, and building new relationships across the SMEA community.
Midway through the Evening, guests gathered for a short program featuring remarks from Dan Hull, Chair of the SMEA Director’s Council, Steve Metruck, Executive Director of the Port of Seattle and SMEA Professor of Practice, and SMEA Director and Professor Nives Dolšak. 

Our faculty had a productive research year. Below is the list of our 2025 publications for your easy access. The underlined co-authors are our students. We hope you enjoy learning about our newest work. 
Ere Aceves Bueno:

Clemens J, Ruesink JL, Donoghue C, Griffin PJ, Aceves-Bueno E (2025) Environmental justice in ecosystem restoration frameworks. Restoration Ecology e70165.
Lawson JM, Jean S, Steinkruger A, Castellanos-Rico M, Goto GM, Cisneros-Mata MÁ, Aceves-Bueno E, Warham MM, Sachs AM, Gaines SD (2025) Substantial gains and little downside from farming of Totoaba macdonaldi. 

Bio:
Erick Dowell is a 2024 graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Originally from North Carolina, Erick earned his undergraduate degree in Biology and Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied deep-sea microbial communities.
After moving to Washington ten years ago, Erick spent much of his time on the water, captaining boats around the West Coast, leading outdoor education programs, including Washington State’s official tall ship, Lady Washington, and making optical filters essential for micro-electronic manufacturing and high-powered sensor equipment. 

Dr. Kanae Komaki (2018) wrote from Japan that she completed a course on AI and has developed a proposal for an AI-based policy tool that could be applied to the review of contractor monitoring reports to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). She presented her proposal to the 2nd ISA Expert Scoping Workshop held in Kobe, Japan, in preparation for the possible transition to the exploitation phase of deep-seabed mining in the Area beyond national jurisdiction. 

Margaret Jelsma & Diana Perry
Eager to explore her future in the marine and environmental fields, SMEA student Margaret Jelsma turned to the Alumni Mentorship Program for guidance. She was matched with Diana Perry, an alumna passionate about sharing the mentorship she once longed for. Despite living in different states, they regularly connect via Zoom and email, which has helped them grow a strong rapport founded in shared experiences and a mutual interest in supporting each other’s growth. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Speaker Series, “Building a Port for the Future.” Hosted in partnership with leaders from the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this year’s series will explore how ports shape economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental resilience across the region.
Running from January 15 through February 26, the series brings together senior executives, commissioners, environmental planners, SMEA alumni, and federal sector leadership for weekly conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing modern maritime systems. 

SMEA alumna Teagan Darmondy has been selected as part of the inaugural cohort of the Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Coastal Resilience Fellowship. The new fellowship provides a two-year educational and professional development opportunity for emerging leaders working to strengthen coastal resilience across Washington.
The WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship places fellows within partner host offices where they will help build capacity for coastal communities facing environmental and climate-related challenges.