Exploring Ocean Memory in the Salish Sea – The First Research Cruise of the Ocean Memory Project

Eight members of the Ocean Memory Project left port on October 11 for the very first OMP research cruise aboard University of Washington’s RV Rachel Carson.  For the following 10 days, 4 scientists, 4 artists, and the crew, crisscrossed the Salish Sea from Seattle to Friday Harbor, and into Canadian Waters to Saanich Inlet and up to the mouth of the Frazier river.

The generous gift of shiptime aboard the University of Washington’s then newly commissioned research vessel Rachel Carson provided exceptional facilities and opportunities for us to explore the meaning of ocean memory at the land-ocean interface, where freshwater meets seawater and human activities strongly intersect with the ocean. 

A collaboration with Ocean Networks Canada enabled the cruise to enter Canadian waters and provided us with contacts to facilitate meeting First Nation members from around Saanich inlet. This connection and the ensuing discussions with these individuals who were invited to join OM participants on the vessel proved essential to the trip and to the goal of adding First Nation local knowledge to the information accessible to  the visiting researchers about the region.

We were exceptionally Fortunate to have on board in Saanich, Chief Rebecca Davis and Fisheries Director Nathan Paradis, from the Pauquachin Tribe, and Murray Sampson and Clarissa Peter from the Tsarlip and Cowichan Tribes, for two days after during our stay at Friday Harbor.

Following  the cruise, an exhibit took place at University of Washington’s School of Oceanography from Nov 17, 2021, to June 21, 2022.