Bellingham Bay buoy project examines threats to marine life



BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Scientists and students are using a new buoy in Bellingham Bay to monitor the health of north Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

The Bellingham Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1Qvq4jr ) that the project, which launched Feb. 11, is a collaborative effort by Northwest Indian College, the University of Washington and Western Washington University. Students are working alongside researchers as they use the data collected by the buoy to better understand what is causing low levels of oxygen in the bay and its effects on fish and other marine life.

The high-tech equipment will provide measurements such as wind speed, air pressure, temperature and pH levels.

Researchers worked with the Lummi Nation to place the buoy, which is about two miles out in the bay, to minimize impacts on fishing.