Swimming In Puget Sound? Here's What Lives Beneath The Water

SEATTLE, WA - Puget Sound is not known for its beaches. Most are rocky with big pieces of timber everywhere, and the water is usually prohibitively cold. But it's going to be so hot this week, you might be considering a quick dip in the placid sound.

Before you go, take note of a few of the hazards you might encounter. Patch spoke to state Fish and Wildlife senior fish biologist Bob Pacunski about what's lurking in and around the water. Not only does Pacunski know his fish, he been swimming in Puget Sound for decades. Here's what he says:

Jellyfish

Might as well get this out of the way first: jellyfish are probably the biggest hazard you'll encounter. The fried egg jellyfish (click to see why it's named that) can have tentacles up to 20 feet long, and they sting. Pacunski warns swimmers to be aware of your surroundings in the water. Be careful if there are a lot of jellyfish washed up on the beach. (There are some very small jellyfish species that don't sting, so don't worry about them.)

Tentacles

This is an overall category that includes everything from long kelp strands to errant fishing line. There are a lot of things in the sound you can get snagged on. They may not be deadly on their own, but you might freak out if you feel something (even just seaweed) tickle your leg. It's never good to panic when you're swimming. To avoid seaweed and other flotsam, Pacunski advises you stick to more popular, sandy beaches - Alki, Golden Gardens, Brackett's Landing in Edmonds.

Weird Fish

There are a few types of fish that might scare you, and some that have sharp or poisonous fins. Nothing deadly, however. Some types of fish that you might see close to shore include: lingcod (pictured above); rat fish; cabezon and other sculpin; dogfish, a species of shark; and lots of small herring, anchovies, and even baby salmon. The sculpin are probably the most likely sight, Pucanski says. They stick to the ocean floor, so it's possible one might dart away from you if you step nearby.

Sharks

The biggest shark in Puget Sound is the sixgill. These sharks average about 16 feet in length and have plenty of teeth, but they don't go after humans because they live at great depths. There's also the salmon shark, a scary-looking but rare local shark that enters the sound only when salmon are running. They aren't know to go after humans, anyway ("Nobody is going to see them out swimming," Pacunski said). Dogfish sharks probably won't bite you, but a spine in front of the dorsal fin contains is poisonous.

Other Hazards

Puget Sound's temperature is no joke. It ranges from 52 to 54 degrees, and temperature shock can cause drowning. Pucanski recommends a flotation device, even if you're a strong swimmer. Watch out for glass and sharp shellfish shells along beaches. And if you find yourself far offshore, watch for boaters - they might not always see your head sticking out of the water.

"Just use common sense," Pucanski said of swimming in the sound. "Take a mask, look around, and see what's underwater."

Image courtesy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration