Congressional visits connect partners and marine recovery projects
This summer, MRCs came together to connect with Tribal nations and other regional partners to share information about marine recovery projects with elected offices.
In Skagit County, Congressman Rick Larsen visited Shannon Point Marine Center, Fidalgo Bay, and Kiket Lagoon. In Jefferson County, Representative Tharinger and staff from Senator Murray’s and Representative Randall’s offices joined tours of Marrowstone Marine Field Station, the Port Townsend Ship Canal, Point Hudson, and North Beach. Collectively, these visits featured pinto abalone culture systems that support recovery activities, wild kelp beds being monitored and stewarded through multi-faceted partnerships, and Olympia oyster restoration that continues to advance thanks to broad collaboration.
Key highlights included the over 95,000 pinto abalone outplanted across 62 sites, over 700 acres of kelp monitored, and over 140 acres of Olympia oysters restored to date.
Together, these visits highlight how MRCs and partners are sharing information, aligning priorities, and advancing efforts in coordinated marine recovery throughout the Northwest Straits region.
We are thankful to all the hosting partners that made these visits happen:
Puget Sound Restoration Fund, NW Straits Commission, Clallam, Jefferson, and Skagit MRCs, Samish Indian Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Shannon Point Marine Center, Reef Check Foundation, and USGS Western Fisheries Research Center
In Skagit County, federal dollars are helping to restore bull kelp, native shellfish | Cascadia Daily News - July 31
U.S. Rep. Larsen tours Olympia oyster restoration beds off Kiket Island | Skagit Valley Herald - July 28
