2011 Annual Report
The Northwest Straits Initiative's 2011 Annual Report is now available online. Learn about the local and regional work of the Initiative, including work on forage fish protection, shoreline habitat restoration and eelgrass protection. Projects and people of the local Marine Resources Committees are highlighted.
2011 was a landmark year for the Northwest Straits Initiative. Widely-recognized as a model for engaging diverse interests and strong community involvement, the organization carried out more than 30 restoration, research, and outreach projects despite reduced budgets.
Click here to view the report online.
What's New
North Olympic Tsunami Debris Symposium
As we anticipate the arrival of debris pulled out to sea in the 2011 Japanese tsunami, many questions and concerns have arisen about everything from derelict “ghost” ships to what to do with items encountered while beachcombing.
In an effort to encourage dialog between citizens and agencies about how to effectively deal with tsunami debris, Clallam Marine Resources Committee is partnering with Surfrider Foundation and NOAA, hosting a Tsunami Debris workshop series and planning session led by renowned oceanographer, Curt Ebbesmeyer, to share information and science about tsunami marine debris. Presentations and workshops will take place May 21-23 in Port Angeles and Sequim. Click here for more information.
San Juan Marine Managers’ Workshop
The 2012 Marine Managers’ Workshop held on March 26-27 in San Juan County was a huge success with 75 participants - including several from Canada - fascinating presentations, and ample opportunity for networking and collaborating. The focus areas of this year’s workshop were Oil Spill Prevention and Readiness and Salmon Recovery Research and Planning in the Shoreline Built Environment. Participants left with an increased understanding and awareness of the frequency of oil spills in the San Juans, the extensive resources and response strategies in place, and suggestions for engagement for the San Juan marine management community.
Little Fish, Big Impact
On April 11, Northwest Straits Commissioner Joe Gaydos and staff member Caroline Gibson were among twenty participants from Washington, Oregon, and California in a meeting on forage fish protection in the California Current Ecosystem. Central to discussions was the extraordinary importance of forage fishes regionally and worldwide, as demonstrated in the new report from a national task force that included leading researchers at the University of Washington. Several organizations represented at the meeting are engaged in fisheries policy and management efforts to ensure that herring and other species which are commercially harvested, as well as sand lance and others that are not, will be adequately protected in order to sustain healthy marine ecosystems and coastal economies. It was noted that surveys and monitoring by the MRCs and project partners are engaging local citizens and generating information that is critical to forage fish habitat restoration and protection efforts.
Click here to watch an impressive video produced by the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force summarizing the recommendations from their report.
Ocean Acidification Seminar
On March 22 the Northwest Straits Initiative hosted seminar on Ocean Acidification. Brad Warren of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and Dr. Terrie Klinger from the UW School of Marine Affairs talked about the science of ocean acidification and the implications for fisheries in Washington. Click here to read more on ocean acidification.
New Report Available
Check out the newest addition to the PSNERP Technical Report series, Strategies for Nearshore Protection and Restoration in Puget Sound. Paul Cereghino, the primary author, says “The Strategy Report integrates change analysis and estimated process degradation, under a simple restoration and protection planning model. This model offers a simple framework for the management of Puget Sound nearshore ecosystems.”
This report has important implications to our shared interest in Puget Sound recovery. Please take a moment to download and read the report.
Like us on Facebook
For frequent updates on what we're doing, the work of the Marine Resources Committees, and other timely information about Puget Sound and marine issues, "like" our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NWStraits.
Welcome, New Members
This month we welcome three new members to the Snohomish MRC: Bob Hillman from the City of Everett Parks Department, representing local government; Susan Tarpley, a Ranger/Naturalist from the City of Edmonds Discovery Programs, representing environmental interests; and Paul Schlenger from Anchor QEA, representing science/environmental interests. Thanks to all of you for contributing your time and expertise!
Also in Snohomish County, the MRC welcomes a new student coordinator, Audrey Kuklok, to the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area project team. Audrey has an undergraduate degree in Marine Science and is in her second year at the UW School of Marine Affairs. She has great experience working on collaborative projects.
Clallam MRC welcomed a returning member last month. Brad Collins of the City of Port Angeles is a former member of the MRC who is now returning to represent the City. Welcome back, Brad!
Northwest Straits Commission
The next meeting of the Northwest Straits Commission will be a brief business meeting on April 27 at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend. Click here to view a draft agenda. For more information about past meetings click here.
Newsletter
Click here to see the current edition of the Northwest Straits Initiative's monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve our monthly newsletter click here.