Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative

Discovery Bay Olympia Oyster Relocation

Volunteers from the Jefferson MRC, Beach Watchers and WDFW relocated more than 5,000 oysters in an Olympia oyster "rescue mission" on June 25th, to move them out of harm's way prior to a major nearshore restoration project. The volunteers collected the old shells and rocks the oysters were attached to within the proposed construction zone, and placed them into tidal channels that would not be disturbed during the construction phase.

The project involves removing riprap and an old creosote railroad trestle as well as lowering the height of the railroad berm to allow tidal overwash into the adjacent lagoon, to enhance habitat for salmon and forage fish. Restoration work at the site is being led by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. Read more about the project on the Jefferson MRC web site.

Clallam MRC Internship Program Engages Community

The new Clallam MRC internship program is off to a great start. Emily Larson, outreach and education intern, and Sarah McDougald, marine debris intern, staffed an outreach table at the Feiro Marine Life Center in Port Angeles on July 4 with marine and tsunami debris information, Elwha dam removal updates and a kid's activity aimed at beach cleanup education. Tori Cantalow, the MRC's Olympia oyster restoration intern, gave a presentation entitled "Washington's Lost Oysters," which told the story of Olympia oysters and current restoration efforts in Sequim Bay by the MRC and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. The following day, volunteers gathered on Ediz Hook for a beach cleanup organized by Emily, where they filled garbage bags with copious amounts of firework debris and other garbage. The MRC has a fourth intern, Loretta Creasey, who is focused on oil spill prevention and response.

Photo: Beach cleanup crew on Ediz Hook

New Fact Sheet: Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest

Thank you to the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel for the new Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest fact sheet that summarizes our growing understanding of the causes and consequences of ocean acidification in Pacific Northwest marine waters.

Click here to view the fact sheet.
Citation: R. Feely, M. Chadsey, J. Newton, T. Klinger, B. Hales and J. Mathis (2014): Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest. West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel.