The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies

Second ‘Blob’ Appears to be Subsiding – For Now

This summer the North Pacific was hit with the second marine heatwave of the decade. Mirroring the first so-called “Blob” of 2014, scientists measured ocean temperatures as more than five degrees above normal, across millions of square miles stretching from Alaska to California. 

Understanding Ocean Changes and Climate Just Got Harder

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation and North Pacific Gyre Oscillation are not as effective at helping us predict regional environmental and ecological change as in the past. 

Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Endangered Beluga Whales

Scientists partnered with tech industry experts to develop the first machine learning application for acoustic monitoring of Alaskan beluga whales. 

Audio: AI is Helping Protect Endangered Species

Among its duties, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitors the populations and health of ocean species, including whales and various seals in the polar regions. 

Return of Whales to South Georgia

By Janet R. Aguilar
A team led by British Antarctic Survey has just returned from the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, as the last of three expeditions to investigate the recovery of whales a century after they were heavily exploited. 

Feared Return of ‘The Blob’ Fizzles as Storms Churn, Chill Pacific Ocean

By Lynda V. Mapes, Seattle Times
It looked big. It looked bad. But the marine heat wave that threatened much of the West Coast in the fall of 2019 has mostly dissipated, at least at the surface. 

First Long Term Acoustic Study Tunes Into Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Foraging Ecology

Year-round monitoring provides new insight on an endangered whale population to strengthen management strategies for its recovery. 

WA State Climatologist to Speak at Libraries, February 25-27

Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond will talk about the impacts that warming oceans and environmental degradation have on dwindling Northwest salmon populations at 3 p.m., at the Grand Coulee Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 

Introducing the JISAO Magazine!

We are pleased to share the first edition of JISAO Magazine with you. This publication is intended to summarize our year’s activities and to highlight recent research efforts. 

‘Historic Flooding’ and Landslides Strike Western Washington

By KUOW Staff

Rain across Western Washington is causing the region’s rivers, creeks, and roadways to significantly flood, as well as landslides.