Octopress Online
November 2022

Phacellophora camtschatica (fried egg jelly)

Photo by PTMSC Volunteer Wendy Feltham

Deep Sea Mining
is coming:

What you need to know about this potentially huge new industry

Presented by
Dr. Christopher Kelley
Ocean biologist, retired

Sunday,
November 13
3 p.m.

Fort Worden Chapel

Shop Locally and Support Salish Sea Conservation

Gear, books, unique gifts by local artists

10% off
all merchandise*

(PTMSC Members get 15% off!)

More information about the gray whale CRC-1524 can be found at:  

ptmsc.org/graywhale

Thursday,
Friday, & Saturday 
November 3, 4, & 5

1 - 3:30 p.m.

FLAGSHIP LANDING

When our resident giant Pacific octopus (GPO), Sylvia, joined our collection in June 2020, he was a planktonic paralarva no bigger than a dime. Over two years later, Sylvia weighs more than 20 pounds and is still growing. GPOs live around 3-4 years and weigh 44-66 pounds when fully mature.  

In the wild, GPOs are found from the rocky intertidal to the quiet depths, with many found in kelp forests. While Syvlia’s kelp forest is admittedly smaller than nature, it forms the base of the husbandry and enrichment program that keeps his physical and psychological needs met. As he matures, how we care for him adjusts to his changing needs. New and more challenging puzzle feeders, enhanced training, frequent meals, and a little extra attention are all components to providing the best possible experience for visitors and Syvia himself. 

When mature, octopuses reproduce then pass into their final life stage, senescence. To promote animal welfare, we aim to release octopuses as they reach maturity and before they enter senescence. Many visitors wonder how we determine when that is. Although age and weight can be general indicators, there are many additional physiological and behavioral  indicators such as appetite, physical condition, and changes in behavior patterns. So when will we release Sylvia? We don’t know yet, but we are watching carefully to find out. Until then, Sylvia continues to grow to maturity while showing visitors just how amazing and precious our marine environment and its inhabitants are.  

Are you ready to start recycling your plastic bottle caps and can connectors? PT Potential is now open for collections!

Swing by their next drop-off event with your clean plastic items and learn how they plan to recycle them!  Join us in mitigating our pollution and working towards a more local, circular economy.

Don't have plastic collected? Swing by anyway, we'd love to chat plastics!

Check the current schedule for Pop-Up Drop-Off and Community Shred Down events!

Inspire students, visitors, and the whole community to explore, experience, connect with, and take action to protect and steward the unique ecosystems of the Salish Sea.

PTMSC is seeking two Marine Stewardship Educator AmeriCorps Members to join our team dedicated to conserving the Salish Sea. These are full-time, 8 ½ month positions starting December 16, 2022,  ending August 31. These stipend-supported positions are sponsored by the Washington Service Corps AmeriCorps program. These positions are contingent upon funding.

AmeriCorps members will be recruited and interviewed in October & November, 2022. Primary activities shift seasonally, with an emphasis on school programs in the winter/spring and exhibit interpretation and day camps in the summer. 

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2022

We hope you will visit us at both of our locations (Fort Worden and 1001 Water Street).
As always, it’s a good idea to check the website for current hours, unanticipated closures or schedule changes due to the weather or Covid restrictions.

Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

AT FORT WORDEN STATE PARK

Through November 6, The Aquarium, Museum & Gift Shop are open 
Saturday & Sunday, 12 - 5 p.m.

Please note a Change
to our Winter hours:

Beginning Saturday, Nov.12, both buildings will be open 12- 4 p.m., closing a little early due to all that darkness in the park.

The Aquarium is staying open on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, then closing to public visitors until the spring warm-up. 

In the meantime, the Museum will be open through the winter on an "Admission by Donation" basis beginning in January, 2023.

AT FLAGSHIP LANDING BUILDING
1001 Water St., downtown Port Townsend

The Visitor Center & Store are open
Friday, Saturday & Sunday,
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.