Hat Island West

Hat Island West Biodiversity Survey findings

Hat Island West is located in the Washington Salish Sea. Hat Island is adjacent to Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and managed by the WA State DNR. The primitive island has limited access due to its steep rocky shoreline and receives very little human use. The area experiences complex tidal currents due to its location adjacent to tidal flats and major channels and is 2.5 km NE of two active oil refineries.

Hat Island West is dominated by a mixture of consolidated bedrock (metamorphosed serpentinite) and boulders, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated bedrock and boulder fields. This moderately sloping site consists of extremely uneven terrain, containing many deep cracks, large boulders and folds. The primary coastal orientation of this site is west/southwest.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Hat Island West were established in 2009, and are conducted by Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve staff. Long-Term monitoring surveys currently target the following species: Chthamalus/Balanus (Acorn Barnacles), Fucus (Northern Rockweed), and Pisaster (Ochre Star). For more information see the Long-Term trends at this site.

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2024. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses one section that is approximately 20 meters (along shore) x 10 meters (seaward). For more information see the Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

For more information about Hat Island West, please contact Heath Bohlmann (hbohlmann@padillabay.gov).