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Island and Snohomish MRCs vote to support the Port Susan MSA Plan
At a joint meeting in Coupeville on December 6th, the two MRCs voted unanimously to support the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area Conservation Action Plan and take it to their elected officials for approval. The plan aims to achieve a healthy marine and estuarine ecosystem with thriving biodiversity and strong recreational and resource based industries. It is a non-regulatory conservation strategy developed over the past five years through careful work with scientists and stakeholders and a series of workshops and community meetings. In 2012, the project team will work with local partners to develop an implementation plan. The final plan will be posted to the Port Susan MSA project page.
What's New at Snohomish County MRC
Ribbon seal spotted near Marysville and Seattle
.jpg "Ribbon Seal in Marysville Photo by Gloria Hirashima")
Gloria Hirashima captured this picture of the seal at a dock in Marysville.
Click here to read the Everett Herald article from January 23, 2012 about this unusual visitor to Puget Sound. Ribbon seals are native to the Arctic and are identified by the white bands that stand out on the seal's dark coat.
Meet Bill Dewey, Shellfish Farmer
"This month, as part of NOAA’s Voices from the Waterfront series, Bill Dewey of Taylor Shellfish Farms in Shelton, Washington is featured. A biologist by training, Bill owns and runs his own clam farm in addition to his job at Taylor. Click on the video below to learn about the history of shellfish farming in the Pacific Northwest, the unique role aquaculture and the tidelands play in the local culture and economy, and the techniques used to farm oysters, clams, mussels, and geoducks."
Click here to view the 3 minute video.
Explore Washington State waters and beaches on the Washington State Coastal Atlas
To find a public beach, check for beach closures or explore interactive maps, visit Department of Ecology's Coastal Atlas.
Click here to learn more about other map resources.
