EWC Environmental Series "Sharks of Washington"

The Edmonds Waterfront Center is honored to welcome Lisa Hillier, a veteran research scientist and senior biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), as the featured speaker in Annie Crawley’s Environmental Speaker Series. The event takes place Thursday, February 5, 2026, with doors opening at 6:00 PM and the presentation beginning at 6:30 PM.

Washington’s coastal waters and the greater Salish Sea are home to a surprisingly diverse community of sharks—keystone predators that help maintain the structure, balance, and resilience of marine ecosystems. Yet these species remain largely unseen, misunderstood, and under-studied. Hillier’s presentation, Sharks of Washington, will illuminate the shark populations that inhabit our region and highlight WDFW’s efforts to monitor, research, and manage these species amid shifting environmental conditions.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Hillier will share emerging scientific findings related to two shark species that have recently expanded their range into the deeper waters of South Puget Sound. These range shifts offer important insight into ocean warming, habitat changes, and evolving ecological dynamics. Through a combination of fieldwork stories, management perspectives, and the latest research, she will guide the audience into the hidden world of sharks and their critical role in the health of Washington’s marine ecosystems.

This presentation invites attendees to look beyond the myths and fear that often surround sharks and instead appreciate their significance—and vulnerability—in a rapidly changing ocean.

About Lisa Hillier

Lisa Hillier has served with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for more than 20 years, contributing to the management of groundfish, shellfish, and forage fish species. She represents Washington on the Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team within the Pacific Fishery Management Council and serves on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska Plan Teams.

In addition to her extensive policy and management expertise, Hillier is an active field researcher. She conducts SCUBA, ROV, trawl, and hook-and-line surveys and currently leads multiple shark research initiatives in collaboration with universities and management agencies across both the West and East coasts. Her work spans data collection, species assessments, and ecological studies aimed at understanding and protecting shark populations throughout Washington waters.

About Annie Crawley

Award winning filmmaker, underwater photographer, author, speakers and educator Annie Crawley—“Ocean Annie”—has built her life around inspiring people to fall in love with the ocean. After learning to scuba dive, she discovered her calling, documenting the underwater world. She has since traveled the globe creating multi-media stories that highlight both the wonder and fragility of marine ecosystems. Annie is the creator of Dive Into Your Imagination and leads Our Ocean and You, a campaign focused on ocean literacy and environmental action. Her new documentary, The Island of the Shark Guardians of Malpelo, follows conservation efforts to protect endangered sharks. Annie believes we protect what we love—and works every day to help communities the importance of living at one with our environment, especially our ocean. Learn more at www.AnnieCrawley.com and www.IslandoftheShark.com

Subtitles and Closed Captioning will be provided for our guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. The EWC also offers Assistive Listening devices available to check out or connect with your smart phone.

Reserve your seat online ~ walk-ins are welcome the night of the event based on available seating.

ONLINE TICKET SALES END AT 4pm ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

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