Marine Weave

For decades, tires hanging beneath the docks at the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Labs (FHL) have been used to observe, sample, and study marine life. While effective as biofouling habitats, these aging tires can release 6PPD-quinone, a chemical known to be toxic to Pacific Northwest salmon. Marine Weave was developed as a safe, sustainable alternative that preserves the educational and ecological benefits of the existing system. Constructed entirely from biodegradable natural fibers and terracotta, the structures provide habitat for marine organisms while supporting long-term observation, sampling, and student research. As new structures are weaved by students and added over time, they can compare older and newer deployments to observe how biofouling communities develop and change, gradually replacing the tires beneath the docks.

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