Highline Community College's Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is presenting a "Science on the Sound" speaker series beginning Feb. 7.

The semi-monthly seminar features experts discussing issues pertinent to Puget Sound and the region.

Seminar dates are Feb. 7 and 21 and March 7 and 21 from noon to 1 p.m. at the center, 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S. The seminars are free.

On Feb. 7, Caroline Hempstead will discuss sea otter recovery She specializes in marine mammals at the Seattle Aquarium.

On Feb. 21, the subject is Oceans and Human Health. _Usha Varanasi, director of Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, discusses the importance of healthy oceans to our personal health and the health of our societies.

On March 7, Seattle Aquarium naturalist Giovannina Souers talks about the Puget Sound octopus_. She will discuss the basics of octopus anatomy and behavior.

On March 21, writer and sailor Holly Hughes talks about Working the Sea, Writing the Sea_. Hughes will share her experiences of living and working on the sea, as well as her writing and poetry.