San Juan MRC helps to raise awareness for new regulations to protect SRKW
As of January 1, 2025, new distance regulations went into effect to help protect endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) in Washington State waters. Recreational boaters are now required to stay 1,000 yards away from SRKW to ensure the whales have more space to forage and travel, which is essential for their recovery.
San Juan MRC continues to raise awareness about the new distance regulations and promote the Whale Warning Flag as a tool to help change boating behavior when whales are spotted. With the boating season approaching, the MRC stresses the need to spread the message about the new rules and to remain vigilant about marine mammal presence while on the water.
“The new increased regulations will allow more space for whales to forage and trawl, essential to their recovery. This work has been years in the making,” noted Christina Koons, San Juan MRC member.
Boaters are reminded that it can be difficult to distinguish between orca ecotypes, the MRC encourages anyone who spots orcas to assume they are endangered SRKW and maintain the 1,000-yard distance. Protecting these iconic whales requires collective action, and every boater can play a crucial role in their conservation. Learn more about the work of the San Juan MRC on SRKW.
The Northwest Straits Commission is a regional coordinating body comprised of people who care about the marine areas where they live, and who work together to protect and restore marine resources.
The Northwest Straits Commission carries out regional conservation projects and supports the work of seven Marine Resources Committees through funding, technical support, training and regional coordination.
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More About Us and the Northwest Straits Region »February 2025 NW Straits Commission Meeting
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New Chair of the Science Advisory Committee and gubernatorial appointee
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Emily Grason as a gubernatorial appointee to the NW Straits Commission and the new chair of the Science Advisory Committee.
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Jefferson MRC winter rain garden work party
Jefferson MRC has established 19 rain gardens over the years, and this past year they have been returning to those gardens to take care of some essential maintenance to ensure the gardens continue to fulfill their purpose of filtering runoff before the water reaches local bays and shorelines.
“Our effort shows that we care about ameliorating human impacts on NW Straits watersheds, which include our neighborhoods,” noted Tim Cross, Jefferson MRC member.
On a chilly day in mid-January, six participants (five MRC volunteers and one Master Gardener volunteer) headed out to a garden in Quilcene, where they cut and pulled weeds, bundled them, and took them away for disposal. Winter maintenance helps get the rain gardens ready for spring rain.
“We couldn’t do a lot due to the ground being frozen, but we did manage to get the blackberries out and fixed the ditch where water is supposed to flow into the rain garden from the street,” Sarah Fisken, Jefferson MRC member, pointed out.
Learn more about Jefferson MRC Rain Gardens.
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WDFW’s Puget Sound Mussel Watch StoryMap
The WA State Mussel Watch program, coordinated by the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) team, engages community science volunteers to monitor the level of contaminants in Puget Sound mussels. Mussels serve as an indicator species that can help scientists assess the health of the nearshore environment.
Several MRCs, including Whatcom, San Juan, Clallam, and Skagit MRCs provide volunteer support for the program. Additionally, Jefferson, Snohomish, Whatcom, San Juan MRCS sponsor mussel monitoring sites.
WDFW recently shared a StoryMap on Biomonitoring of Contaminants in the Puget Sound Nearshore. They are inviting feedback and suggestions for future versions at this survey link.
Member Spotlight: Tim Cochnauer
Clallam MRC“For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed the water and wide array of activities that the water provides,” says Tim Cochnauer, Clallam MRC member. “My first love is fishing (catch and release), but I am an avid boater, a certified SCUBA participant, a snorkeler, and a general all-around observer.”
Continue Reading »Upcoming Events
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Feb 28
February 2025 NW Straits Commission Meeting
Friday
February 28
10 AM-12 PMThis meeting will be virtual over Zoom: Zoom Link
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Apr 03
NW Straits Commission Retreat
Thursday-Friday
April 03-April 04Retreat open to NW Straits Commissioners, NW Straits Commission staff, and MRC staff. Please contact Caitlyn Blair (blair@nwstraits.org) for more information.
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Apr 25
April 2025 NW Straits Commission Meeting
Friday
April 25
10 AM-12 PMThis meeting will be virtual over Zoom: Zoom Link