Montlake Blvd E above 520 isn’t where you might typically see a protest in Seattle but a “Save our Science” demonstration there Wednesday morning caught the city’s attention.

Workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are raising alarms over looming job cuts they say threaten critical scientific research, fisheries sustainability, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Speaking anonymously out of fear for their jobs, employees at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Alaska Fisheries Science Center are calling attention to the far-reaching consequences of federal funding and staffing reductions.

“Many of us work at NOAA, right here, and a lot of our co-workers are being threatened with their jobs,” one worker said. These employees emphasize their role as public servants, working not just in Washington, D.C., but in communities across the country.

A stock assessment scientist explained the importance of their work: “We set annual catch limits for fisheries on the West Coast and in Alaska to make sure that we can keep catching fish sustainably.” This focus on sustainability is critical to maintaining healthy fish populations and supporting the commercial fishing industry.

Nick Tolimieri, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 8A, represents workers at NOAA’s Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Science Centers. He warns that funding and staffing cuts jeopardize their ability to deliver essential research required by laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Endangered Species Act.

“The key thing to think about is the reason we have an independent civil service—so that your political leaders can’t lie to you,” Tolimieri said. Agencies like NOAA provide unbiased scientific data that inform policymakers, rather than serving political agendas.

Tolimieri cautioned that political interference in federal agencies undermines the integrity of essential services. “You want that apolitical information so that you know what’s really happening. If you politicize that, then you simply don’t know what’s going on,” he said.

Another scientist participating in a protest against what they believe are illegal layoffs of probationary employees described the cuts as “indiscriminate.”

“It’s anybody who’s new, and it’s going to really paralyze science,” the scientist said. They argued that cutting staff without considering their roles will harm essential research, including efforts to maintain one of the world’s largest fisheries in Alaska.

Each summer, scientists conduct surveys to track fish populations and collect environmental data. Without this work, “we could have more fisheries collapses, potentially, if we don’t know what’s happening,” the scientist explained. Their research also helps monitor climate conditions in the region, providing critical data for understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Despite their commitment to NOAA’s mission, the scientist described feeling “scared, angry, pissed off” due to what they see as political targeting of federal workers. They argued that recent cuts are not about efficiency but rather “gutting the federal government for parts so that billionaires and their allies can take it.”

A fisheries scientist studying the largest commercial fishery in the world highlighted the importance of their work in ensuring sustainability. If their job disappeared, “nobody would know how many fish are out there, and that means they don’t know how many they can safely catch,” the scientist said.

Their work supports the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which prevents overfishing and ensures sustainable practices. The scientist emphasized that the federal government’s role in fisheries research eliminates bias: “We know that we’re doing the best available science. We have a combination of resources, education, and experience.”

Without this work, the commercial fishing industry—from large corporations to tribal communities—would be at risk.

Another NOAA scientist, who monitors fisheries to ensure sustainability, expressed concern over the potential loss of their position due to federal cuts. “I’m the main breadwinner in our family. I have a three-year-old at home,” they said.

The scientist emphasized that efforts to improve government efficiency should be done thoughtfully, not just through layoffs. “We would love to do more. We would love to be a part of improving efficiency as the experts doing the work,” they said.

Ray Hilborn, a professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, underscored the cultural and economic importance of fisheries science in the Northwest. He expressed concern about the potential effects of funding cuts.

“We don’t know yet what the full impact will be. The concern right now is all these layoffs, but then there’s also the freezing of federal funds,” Hilborn said.

Hilborn hopes Congress and the judiciary will intervene to restore stability. “I’m hoping that Congress and the judiciary will stop the coup, fundamentally, and return to the rule of law,” he said.

In response to the ongoing threats to their jobs and the critical work they perform, NOAA workers and their supporters held the protests near the Northwest Fisheries Science Center above the Montlake Cut. Organizers said the effort highlights the importance of preserving federal science and protecting the livelihoods of workers and coastal communities.

As federal workers at NOAA continue to sound the alarm, they remain committed to their mission of protecting marine ecosystems and supporting coastal communities. However, they warn that without adequate funding and staffing, the future of sustainable fisheries—and the communities that depend on them—hangs in the balance.

“It helps make sure that our grandkids and their grandkids are going to be able to eat fresh fish from the ocean,” one scientist said. “We’re here to serve the public, and we need the resources to do that.”

CORRECTION: CHS incorrectly identified the group representing the NOAA northwest workers. It is IFPTE Local 8A, not the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 12.

$5 A MONTH TO HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE THIS SPRING
🌈🐣🌼🌷🌱🌳🌾🍀🍃🦔🐇🐝🐑🌞🌻 
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.

Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for $5 a month -- or choose your level of support 👍