Washington Shellfish Initiative
The Washington Shellfish Initiative is an agreement among federal and state governments, tribes and the shellfish industry to restore and expand Washington’s shellfish resources to promote clean-water industries and create family-wage jobs.
On Dec. 9, 2011, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire presented the initiative. NOAA announced a $200,000 grant to help the state restore the native Olympia oyster (see the announcement here.) The state departments of Health and Ecology will also award $1 million to help local health carry out programs to identify, inspect and fix failing septic systems to keep pollution out of sensitive habitat areas.
A white paper discusses the importance of the initiative to the aquaculture industry, for tourism and for state residents. A one-page overview of the white paper is also being prepared as is the press release on the announcement. Below are links (go to top of links) to the participating agencies.
The Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda, the blueprint for action to restore and protect Puget Sound, has a goal for a net increase of 10,800 harvestable shellfish acres by 2020. The initiative fits in the Action Agenda’s priorities for the Sound.
To learn more:
NOAA
- National Shellfish Initiative
- NOAA Northwest Region Aquaculture information
- NOAA National Aquaculture Information
Puget Sound Partnership
- Puget Sound Vital Signs, shellfish beds
Washington State Department of Ecology
- Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee
- 2009 Legislative report
- 2008 Legislative report
- 2007 Legislative report
- Ecology updates shoreline master program rules, including geoduck aquaculture rule (overall rule page)
- Aquaculture rule press release
- Ecology’s Our Living Shorelines portal page
- Washington Sea Grant geoduck research page
- Ecology’s Frequently Asked Questions about Ocean Acidification
Washington Sea Grant
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Shellfish and aquatic leasing
- Shellfish program
- Geoduck Aquaculture
- Commercial Razor Clam fishery permitting
- State and Tribal sharing of shellfish
- Aquaculture Forum Overview
- Aquatic Lands Habitat Conservation plan
Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Fishing and Shellfish rules page
- Shellfish Fisheries Management
- Recreational harvest shellfish (with map)
Washington State Department of Health
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
- Shellfish
- Commercial growers settlement
- Shellfish FAQ
The Nature Conservancy
- What’s the most imperiled marine habitat on Earth? Coral reefs? Mangroves? Nope – a recent Nature Conservancy study finds that shellfish reefs have declined dramatically worldwide.
- A closer look at oysters in Washington.
- If shellfish are in so much trouble is it OK to eat them? Yes, and here’s why…
Pacific Shellfish Growers Association
- Meet Bill Dewey shellfish farmer
- Willapa Bay oyster industry documentary by Keith Cox
- Farming the Tidelands and other videos
(If news media would like high-definition versions, please contact the Association).
Photographs
Click image to enlarge.
In The News
- Initiative to boost shellfish farms in Wash. (Seattle PI)