Submitted by Kwiaht.

Kwiaht’s 2024 annual update on ecosystem health and change at Indian Island and the surrounding eelgrass meadows and beaches is now available for free download from Kwiaht’s website at: http://www.kwiaht.org/documents/Indian_Island_annual_report_2024.pdf.

Most of the trends that Kwiaht reported in 2023 have continued, such as declines in species diversity of fishes, sea stars, rearing crabs and clams. Two unusual developments this year were a sharp decline in eelgrass density following a decade of relatively stable conditions, and a spike in the abundance of Shiner Perch, which tolerate shallow, warm waters. Stormier winters, warming summer seas and heavy recreational foot traffic are all implicated in the changing Indian Island ecosystem.

Learn more by downloading and reading the full 2024 report in the form of an illustrated, easy-to-follow slideshow.

Take a deeper dive into Indian Island science at next year’s “Tides of March” event in Eastsound on March 15. Look for announcements in social media, or get on Kwiaht’s Indian Island email list by sending a message to info@kwiaht.org.