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Research Policies

On this page you will find:

• Restrictions on Exotic Species
• Collecting Organisms
• SCUBA Diving
• Isotopes
• Animal Care Review information
• UW equal opportunity statement

Restrictions On Exotic Species

Most imports of marine species into Washington State for research are illegal without a permit from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Permits, if granted, will require strict quarantine, with no contact with the FHL sea water system. Click here to download a PDF file that explains the permit sytem in more detail.

 

FHL's Policies Regarding Collecting Organisms

When collecting, please minimize damage to organisms and populations, obey laws on collecting, use animals efficiently, keep them alive and healthy whenever possible, and return survivors to the site of collection.

1. Please minimize damage while collecting and use organisms efficiently.
   • Return rocks that have been turned over to their original position.
   • Refill holes dug in sand or mud. Do not leave holes and mounds.
   • Avoid damage from trampling as far as possible.
2. Collecting could reduce abundance of useful animals that have long adult life, low recruitment, or highly restricted distributions. Examples are:
   • Pisaster ochraceus (purple seastar)
   • Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (purple sea urchin)
   • Cryptochiton stelleri (giant chiton)
   • Mytilus californianus (California mussel)
   • Pollicipes polymerus (goose neck barnacle)
   • several kinds of large sea anemones

   It is unknown whether some local populations can sustain heavy collection. Examples are Kaburakia excelsa (giant flatworm), Calliostoma ligatum (snail often used for developmental studies), Tubularia spp. (hydroid often used for developmental studies), Phoronis vancouverenis (clumps of phoronid worms)

3. Some field research is destroyed by collecting. Check for study sites before collecting. (Consult with Dave Duggins, Craig Staude, or Richard Strathmann about sites often used for collecting and sites of ecological research and let them know if you have sensitive field sites that need protecting.)
4. As far as possible, keep animals alive and healthy and return them to the collecting site. In returning animals, avoid "genetic pollution" from transfers of plants and animals with low natural dispersal.
5. Do not collect in the marine biological preserves, National or State parks or at privately owned tidelands without permission in advance. Do not collect food in any of these areas. Please note: many intertidal areas are privately owned in Washington state. (See Dave Duggins, Craig Staude, or Richard Strathmann for information on permission and public access.)
6. Collecting marine plants or animals for food requires a state fishing license. Licenses are sold in town. Observe limits and do not fish in the Marine Preserves (e.g., you must be 500 yards or 3/4 of the distance towards Brown Island from the FHL shoreline.)
7. Collecting marine plants and animals in the San Juan Islands for research is by permission of the FHL Director. Collecting elsewhere in Washington (or transferring certain animals within San Juan County) requires a state permit. Click here for a PDF file that explains the permit system in more detail.
8. Imports of marine organisms from out of state and some transfers from Puget Sound and coastal bays within state require a state permit in advance. These imports usually require quarantine for research. (See Richard Strathmann for information or contact the Shellfish Division of Washington State Fish and Wildlife (2001, RRS).

 

SCUBA Diving

Researchers intending to SCUBA dive or snorkel must contact Dr. David Duggins at the time of their application.

 

Isotopes

Researchers who require isotopes must contact Dr. David Duggins when applying for facilities.

 

Animal Care Review

Researchers intending to work with fishes or other vertebrates are required to submit a project protocol to the Animal Care Committee of the University of Washington. Contact Dr. Craig Staude (staude@u.washington.edu) at the time of your application. Please note that Animal Care Protocols require at least two months for processing. General procedures for working with fish or other vertebrates are outlined in our Animal Care Standard Operating Procedures.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity in education regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Friday Harbor Laboratories at fhlfac@u.washington.edu.