PACIFIC SHELLFISH INSTITUTE - Key Persons
Aimee Christy holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Environmental Science from The Evergreen State College. Aimee has over 15 years of experience in water quality analysis, wetland and estuarine studies, and invertebrate and algae surveys. Her interests include stormwater management and researching the impacts of land use change on water quality, particularly in shellfish growing areas. She is involved in PSI's research related to oyster mortality, cadmium concentrations in oysters, and harmful algal blooms. She also conducts phytoplankton analysis for species composition and abundance throughout the coast and Puget Sound, and public outreach and education related to pet waste and bacterial contamination.
Prior to her work with PSI, Aimee assisted development of a literature review on the impacts of urbanization on shellfish growing areas in Puget Sound. She also conducted aerial, boat and ground surveys to determine population and catch per unit effort estimates of recreational shellfish throughout Puget Sound for the Shellfish Management Program at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Prior to that, Aimee was employed by the University of Washington to conduct intertidal invertebrate and algae surveys along the Olympic National Park coastline.
PSI researcher, Andy Surhbier helps shellfish growers adapt to changing ocean conditions.
Betsy has served on the PSI Board of Directors since 2006. She is the Executive Director and founder of the Puget Sound Resortoration Fund, and was previously employed by the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority. She is a graduate of Stanford University, with a bachelor of arts, and a former member of the Bainbridge Island Harbor Commission and the Puget Sound Alliance Board of Directors. She has a longstanding interest in mollusks, as well as biogenic habitats in general and the services they provide in the marine ecosystem. Betsy grows oysters and clams in a shellfish garden on Bainbridge Island, where she lives, and she looks forward to eating, celebrating and restoring locally grown shellfish for many years to come. Ms. Peabody grew up in New Mexico, Colorado and Australia - where she first learned to swim and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.
Bill has served on the PSI Board of Directors since 1995 and formerly served as the board president. Bill brings over a quarter century of shellfish public policy and farming experience to PSI. He is currently the Manager of Public Affairs for the Taylor Shellfish Company and he is the owner and manager of Chuckanut Shellfish. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Fisheries, but he also completed a portion of his undergraduate study at the University of New Hampshire. Bill is originally from Massachusetts but currently splits his time between the communities of Shelton and Bow, Washington. He is extremely active in the community, serving on the Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Recovery Board, the NOAA Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, the Western Regional Aquaculture Center Industry Advisory Council and the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association Government Relations Committee. Bill also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Aquaculture Association and the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance, and is Chairman of the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission. He is an avid skier and backpacker and is passionate about clam farming. In addition to his interest in shellfish public policy, Bill is interested in the environmental effects of shellfish culture and human health issues associated with shellfish.
As Executive Director, Bobbi manages research studies and general operations of the Institute. Bobbi joined PSI in 2006 as a Research Biologist, contributing to applied research projects on the interactions of shellfish culture with the natural environment, organic pollutants, and disease and environmental stress. Her leadership role began with a multi-faceted project evaluating the benefits and costs of shellfish in Washington State, and a survey-based study of the economic contributions of the West Coast shellfish industry. In 2013 Bobbi transitioned to Executive Director, but continues to serve as a scientist for PSI's diverse portfolio of biological, oceanographic and social science research. Bobbi also specializes in evaluation of sustainable bivalve aquaculture production in near shore environments, and serves as an inspector for a 3rd party certification program.
Bobbi Hudson holds a B.S. and a M.S. in Environmental Science from The Evergreen State College. Her primary research interests include valuation of ecosystem services, social and ecological carrying capacity, and intertidal ecology. Bobbi serves on various state and regional working groups related to marine water quality and shellfish production, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Working Group on Ecological Carrying Capacity in Aquaculture (WGECCA). Prior to joining PSI, Bobbi served as a fisheries technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and performed shellfish and finfish work aboard commercial vessels in Puget Sound and SE Alaska. Bobbi also spent three years as a public information officer for the state of Washington. Bobbi can usually be found on or near the water, and splits her time between Olympia, WA, SE Alaska, and Vancouver Island, BC.
Chris joined the PSI Board of Directors in 2018. Chris works on a range of shellfish management challenges as Puget Sound Shellfish Policy Coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Prior to joining WDFW, he worked in shellfish management for the Skokomish Tribe from 2013-2017, especially enjoying work in intertidal harvest management. Originally from Boston where he grew up lobstering, Chris headed to Oregon State University for his M.S. in marine resource management after collecting a B.S. in the same field from the University of Rhode Island. His professional interests relate to aquaculture science and policy, native species and habitat restoration, and marine-based recreation. He has enjoyed living abroad and free time is spent chasing waves and mountains, and travelling.
Dan Cheney specializes in aquaculture production systems, water quality analysis, environmental impact analysis and coastal resource management and inventories. He received a B.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii. Dan served as PSI's Executive Director from 1995 until late 2009, and remains as a retired senior scientist. He was the principal investigator and/or team partner for a wide range of research studies to examine the environmental interactions of shellfish production practices, assess methods to control Vibrio bacteria contamination and reduce the public health risk of raw shellfish, assess heavy metal concentrations in west coast shellfish and determine human health risks, and assist in modeling the shellfish contamination risks associated with stormwater, wildlife, and human interactions
Dan was also owner of BioAquatics International LLC (BAI) until 2019 and supported this company's fisheries and aquaculture; coastal permitting; economic, environmental and biological assessment and natural resources practice. Dan's consulting work involved field and laboratory studies, including diving and video surveys, investigative reviews and analyses, and descriptive reporting for clients in Washington State, and elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada, central and western Pacific islands, southeast Asia, Central America and the Middle-East. Dan has recently increasingly engaged in manuscript, project and proposal reviews for a number of international publications and research funders (USEPA, Sea Grant, Chilean government).
Dr. Steve Booth specializes in integrated pest management. Steve received a Ph.D. in Entomology from Oregon State University, a M.S. in Biology from Western Washington University, and a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Iowa. Steve's Ph.D. program and a similar post-doctoral position in British Columbia involved the development and implementation of pest management programs that selectively targeted pests on pears, but allowed for the immigration and development of indigenous arthropod natural enemies. Prior to joining PSI, Steve worked for Washington State University, at the Vancouver Research Unit, examining the potential of microbial agents to suppress insect pests on small fruit. This work included the development of methods to isolate, formulate and produce entomopathogenic fungi.
Steve is currently involved in research to examine physical, chemical, and biological control options for burrowing shrimp on commercial oyster beds in southwest Washington State. This is a unique problem involving application of a pesticide against an indigenous pest in an estuary. Steve is also involved in similar research into potential impacts and control tactics for Japanese eelgrass (Z. japonica), which is listed as a class C noxious weed in Washington and is being actively eradicated in California. Steve is also the primary author on the recently released 'Illustrated Guide to Bivalve Pests in Washington and Oregon.'
Elizabeth (Liz) is the Shellfish Program Manager for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's Natural Resources Department and is actively involved in management of treaty shellfish resources, as well as shellfish research, restoration, and aquaculture. She joined the PSI Board of Directors in 2020. Liz received her PhD in biological oceanography from University of Washington after earning her bachelor's degree in marine ecology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to joining Jamestown, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Juneau Fisheries Division investigating the ecology of harmful algal blooms and toxin dynamics in shellfish. There she helped train Alaska Native communities in phytoplankton and shellfish biotoxin monitoring as part of Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research. Liz also serves as the Vice-Chair of the National Shellfish Association - Pacific Coast Section. She is lives in Port Townsend, WA and spends her free time on the water or in the mountains with her husband and canine companions.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Earth System Science
Erin Martin is a professor of Earth System Science in the Graduate Program on the Environment at the Evergreen State College, where she has been working with masters students for almost 10 years. Erin is a biogeochemist, studying carbon cycling in rivers ranging from the Amazon to the Mekong, and more recently on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. She has measured carbonate chemistry parameters in aquatic systems, gas exchange fluxes of carbon between the atmosphere and river surfaces, as well as the organic composition of sediment found in rivers. At Evergreen, Erin serves as the thesis reader for masters students working on a diversity of ecological topics in both freshwater and marine settings, and teaches all of the core courses in the Masters of Environmental Science program. She studied biology at Carleton College, whereas her MS and PhD were awarded in chemical oceanography at the University of Washington. She loves hiking, spending time on the beach with her three kids, experimenting in the garden, and baking (especially perfecting chocolate chip cookie and brownie recipes).
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Bookkeeper
Evie joined PSI in September 2020, where she monitors the contract balances for all of PSI's various projects, supports administrative tasks, and assists PSI field and lab work. Evie also serves as PSI's bookkeeper, maintaining finacial records and coordinating all payments and invoicing for the organization and its numerous grants and contracts.
Evie earned a BA in Biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland with a focus in marine sciences. Evie also studied music and teaches private viola lessons in the Olympia community.
When it is low tide, Evie can be found working on her family's shellfish farm in Totten Inlet harvesting Manila clams, Olympia oysters and Pacific Oysters.
Job Titles:
- Marine Scientist With the Quinault Indian Nation
Joe is a marine scientist with the Quinault Indian Nation, Department of Natural Resource. Joe also serves on the Board of the Grays Harbor County Marine Resources Committee. Joe has managed many of the tribe's fisheries including salmon, groundfish and shellfish. Joe works with all of the Washington coastal tribes on marine science issues including; benthic habitat characterization, harmful algal blooms and toxin analysis, improving fisheries assessments off the Washington coast, improving management of coastal crab fisheries and assessments of intertidal coastal habitat. Joe was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to represent U.S. Tribes on the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee in 2009 and still holds that position.
Jonathan (Joth) has been actively involved in shellfish research and culture activities for the last 30 years on both coasts of the U.S. and internationally. He has served on the PSI Board of Directors since 1995. Joth is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Hybreed, focusing on broodstock genetics and sustainable culture methods. He is also owner and operator of Baywater Inc., a small family clam and oyster farm on Hood Canal where he spends weekends and off-time communing with shellfish. He received his bachelor of arts from Colby College, a master's in environmental studies from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in fisheries science from the University of Washington - where he is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Joth is active in environmental affairs and research, and works closely with PSI on a number of research projects focused on environmental effects of shellfish culture. He also works closely with University of Washington researchers on similar issues and assists restoration ecology projects for native oysters and pinto abalone with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. He is a member of the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and is active locally in environmental issues affecting Bainbridge Island, where he lives.
Job Titles:
- Natural Resource Economist
- Resource Economist
Trina holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics and an M.M.A. in Marine Policy, both from the University of Washington, Seattle. She has worked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Battelle Memorial Institute, and most recently at Northern Economics Inc. as a research scientist and environmental economist. She also served on the Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel and Southern Killer Whale Recovery Task Force for the State of Washington. Katharine was formerly president of the board of Salish Seas Expedition (a boat based experiential program that provides marine science education to middle and high school students) and on the science advisory board of the SeaDoc Society on Orcas Island, Washington. Katharine currently serves on the board of directors of the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, Washington and The Schoodic Institute (the science and education arm of Acadia National Park) in Winter Harbor, Maine.
Katharine's most recent work includes economic contribution analysis and ecosystem service valuations of shellfish aquaculture, assessments of the benefits of coastal ocean observing systems and impacts of climate variability and ocean acidification on coastal activities, benefit/cost analysis of marine resource uses, stakeholder involvement and stakeholder choice experiments, the role of the human dimension in marine ecosystem restoration, and the development of indicators of human wellbeing. Currently Katharine is working on aquaculture policy development for the State of Maine and on economic issues associated with Washington State shellfish aquaculture. Katharine has authored two guides on the use of environmental valuation in coastal management and policy decision making and contributed to numerous journals and conferences. In her spare time, Katharine enjoys sailing, gardening, painting, and traveling with her family and friends.
Kathleen is a second generation owner and operator of Nisbet Oyster Company and Goosepoint Oyster Incorporated. In 1975, David and Maureene Nisbet began farming a mere 10 acres of tideland in the southwest corner of Washington known as Willapa Bay. Selling totes of iced oysters out of the back of a single pickup truck, the Nisbet Oyster Co., Inc. quickly captivated the taste buds if not the hearts of local seafood connoisseurs from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR and beyond. Today, daughter Kathleen helps guide the day-to-day operations at Goose Point, which is now a much larger operation.
Katie Houle holds a M.S. in Biology from Humboldt State University and a B.S. in Environmental Science from McGill University. She studies the nearshore environment focusing on the interaction of shellfish aquaculture with the surrounding ecosystem. She specializes in invertebrate biology, intertidal ecology, water quality and remote sensing. She conducts field and lab research, data analysis and project management for a variety of ongoing studies with PSI. She is currently leading PSI's efforts with the Regional Eelgrass/Oyster Consortium, working with collaborating scientists to assess native eelgrass community response to shellfish culture practices in WA, OR and CA. She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group and co-leads annual light trap monitoring for larval Dungeness crab in South Puget Sound with collaborating biologists. Katie holds certificates in GIS and Remote Sensing from Eastern Washington University and a current Remote Pilot License to operate drones. She collects high resolution drone imagery of shellfish farms and surrounding habitat to assist with sustainable production and management needs.
Prior to joining PSI, Katie studied marine invertebrate communities in coastal estuaries and rocky intertidal ecosystems in Northern California with Humboldt State University, CA Sea Grant, UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab and Acadia National Park. She also enjoyed teaching K-8 students at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in coastal Oregon and The Ecology School in Saco, Maine.
Laura is WA's Aquaculture Coordinator at the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). She joined PSI Board of Directors in 2022. Laura began working at WSDA as policy staff in the Director's Office. Prior to working for WSDA, Laura was the legislative director for the Washington State Grange. Her background includes working in government affairs with a private lobbying firm in Washington State. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors with her family.
Job Titles:
- Outreach & Education Manager
Mary Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from San Diego University and a M.S. in Marine Ecology & Fisheries Biology from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. Mary Elizabeth has over 8 years of experience in Marine Science Education and Outreach. Her interests include education for underserved communities and exposing students to careers in Marine Science.
Prior to working at PSI, Mary Elizabeth worked at the Ocean Institute where she was employed as the Adopt a Class Manager, environmental educator, aquarist, and deckhand aboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point. She has also lived in Australia where she performed environmental outreach and collected fish census data on the Great Barrier Reef for Queensland's Eyes on the Reef program.
Job Titles:
- Owner and Chief Scientist of AquaTechnics
Ralph is the owner and Chief Scientist of AquaTechnics, an environmental consulting company specializing in shellfish and fish health management and assessment. Ralph has serv ed on the PSI Board of Directors since 2006. He received his Ph.D. in veterinary medicine from Cornell University, and both a master of ecology and a bachelor of fisheries biology from the University of California at Davis. Currently, Ralph's research interests revolve around animal health management in both aquaculture and natural aquatic environments. He is an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington, and a member of numerous shellfish related organizations and committees. He is also a valued review editor for The Journal of Shellfish Research, Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, and The Journal of Fish Diseases. Prior to establishing AquaTechnics, Ralph worked at Battelle Marine Sciences Laboratory. He currently lives in Sequim, Washington.
Shannon holds a B.S. in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master's in Environmental Policy and Management, with Fish and Wildlife Management concentration from American Military University. Her deep-seated love of saltwater and the life it supports, motivated her to make a change- shifting from past work in clinical laboratory research to a focus on the marine environment. She is especially interested in monitoring and management of marine organisms, and conservation of Puget Sound as a vibrant and robust ecosystem.
In her quest to learn, she has dedicated the last few years to participating in forage fish and Pigeon Guillemot surveys, as well as larval Dungeness crab monitoring in the South Sound. She has also dabbled as a seasonal Science Technician, contributing to eelgrass and clam studies at PSI and held the roles of science intern, communications lead, and board member at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center. At PSI, she plans to continue balancing opportunities to work on shellfish and eelgrass interaction studies in the field and lab (get her hands dirty!), as well as lend assistance with literature reviews, updates, and report writing.
In addition to her position at PSI, Shannon currently serves as the Pigeon Guillemot Breeding Survey Coordinator for the Salish Sea Guillemot Network, where she coordinates regional efforts to gather data on this beloved Puget Sound indicator species. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside and on the water, walking, hiking, traveling, and capturing wildlife through the lens of her camera.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager of the Squaxin Island Tribe
Tyler is the Operations Manager of the Squaxin Island Tribe's shellfish farm, Island Enterprises located in Shelton, Totten Inlet. Tyler joined the PSI Board of Directors in 2018.