Indicator and Target Data
2020 Target: 10,800 more acres of harvestable shellfish beds
The 2020 target for shellfish beds is to have a net increase of 10,800 acres of harvestable shellfish beds, of which 7,000 acres must be from beds presently classified as prohibited. Achieving this goal will allow more commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting opportunities. In addition, it will document improved marine water quality and shoreline conditions in Puget Sound.
More information about the graph
In the graph above, the green and red bars represent the annual upgraded and downgraded acres, respectively, while the black line represents the net increase in harvestable acres of commercial and recreational shellfish beds in Puget Sound toward the 2020 goal of 10,800. Net increase is the upgraded acres in existing shellfish growing areas (or the restoration of unclassified acreage) to allow harvest, minus any downgrades in classification that prevent harvest. Downgrades of the shellfish beds are generally caused by fecal bacteria or other pollutants in the water that makes the shellfish unsafe to eat.
Importance to Puget Sound Recovery
Shellfish Beds are a multi-million dollar part of the Puget Sound economy
The waters of Puget Sound provide the environment for producing some of the most bountiful and flavorful shellfish harvests to be found anywhere. Many people enjoy walking the beaches at low tide to dig for oysters or geoduck, the huge clams that can weigh as much as two pounds. Shellfish also are an important business in the state: Washington is the nation's leading producer of farmed oysters, clams and other bivalves with several million dollars in annual sales.
19% of classified shellfish beds are closed
Around Puget Sound, there are an estimated 190,000 acres of classified commercial and recreational shellfish beds. According to the State Department of Health, about 36,000 acres – approximately 19 percent – are closed due to pollution sources.
The pollution is from a variety of sources, but mostly from fecal bacteria from humans, livestock and pets that gets into the water and threatens the areas where oysters, clams and other bivalve shellfish grow.
What You Can Do
- Manage manure: Collect, cover and compost. If you keep livestock, follow manure management practices. Your local Conservation District can provide you free technical assistance and will work with property owners to develop a waste management plan.
- Inspect and maintain your on-site sewage system – see see Septic System Care at Puget Sound Starts Here.
- Pick up dog poop and put it in the trash
- Use porta potties when near rivers.
- Plant and maintain native vegetation around your property. For more information on native plants, visit Dept. of Ecology's website or the Washington Native Plant Society.
- Enjoy eating Puget Sound shellfish safely by consulting Washington Department of Health or local shellfish advisories.
What Our Partners Are Doing
- Permittees Washington State Department of Transportaiton (WSDOT), municipalities, industries and project proponents) are working to implement their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits.
- Stormwater Outreach Regional Municipalities (STORM), Puget Sound Starts Here (PSSH) and others educate Puget Sound residents about a number of topics related to stormwater runoff and management.
- DNR's Aquaculture Leasing Program generates revenue that supports the local economy, pays for management and restoration of state aquatic lands, and provides nationally recognized abundant shellfish.
- Through their Wildstock Geoduck Fishery, DNR manages the submerged aquatic lands in which the wild geoduck grow and offers right for private businesses to harvest specific quantities from site-specific areas.
- The directors of the Washington State Departments of Agriculture and Ecology and the Conservation Commission have initiated a process to more efficiently and effectively address water quality on agricultural lands
- Local and state agencies along with area property owners and other stakeholders are working to identify and correct water pollution issues in Samish Bay.
- The Washington State Department of Health is assuring that pollution identification and correction projects are started in all shellfish harvesting areas with threathened water quality.
- Programs to find and fix failing on-site sewage systems are underway in 19 Marine Recovery Areas within 9 Puget Sound counties.
- Over $2-million in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funds will be distributed to counties and tribes to develop sustainable pollution identification and correction programs.
If you would like to let us know what your organization is doing, send us an email at vitalsigns@psp.wa.gov
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