ROV crab pot removal

Jefferson MRC, removed 37 abandoned crab pots from Port Townsend Bay and Kilisut Harbor over four days in late May as a part of the MRC’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle) Derelict Crab Pot Removal Project.

The MRC partnered with Jason Morgan of the NW Straits Foundation, and Ben Griner, owner of Coastal Sensing & Surveying. Ben trained over 15 students and community members in marine technology. Using sonar and video camera, the ROV located crab pots and helped attach lift lines for removal.

“The ROV crab pot removal project provided a new perspective on how technology can be used in marine conservation work and how I might be able to apply these new skills in a future career,” said student participant Akeyla Behrenfeld, “It also gave us hands-on experience doing a meaningful project, something I know we all found inspiring and invaluable.”

With no pot owners identified, Jefferson County Search and Rescue recovered five salvageable pots to refurbish and sell next year, with proceeds supporting their operations. The remaining pots were recycled or discarded.

Learn more about Jefferson MRC’s Derelict Gear Removal.

Plastic Free Salish Sea

San Juan MRC, in partnership with community organizations, leads the ongoing Plastic Free Salish Sea initiative, an education and awareness campaign aimed at shifting behavior and reducing the culture of plastic use.

As part of this program, San Juan MRC’s Plastic Free Salish Sea partners teamed up with San Juan Island Yacht Club to host a two-day beach stewardship event at Stuart, Sucia, and Jones Island State Marine Parks.

More than 20 volunteers participated in the cleanup effort, collectively removing nearly 20 pounds of debris and litter, mostly small plastics and marine debris that can be especially harmful to wildlife.

Even in small amounts, this type of pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, making these cleanups an important part of protecting the Salish Sea.

Learn more about San Juan MRC and Plastic Free Salish Sea.

Learn more about San Juan MRC and Plastic Free Salish Sea.

Kayak monitoring season kicks off with training events

NW Straits Commission hosted MRC kayak volunteers at this year’s Kayak Kickoff, held at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Mount Vernon and at WSU Jefferson County Extension classroom in Port Hadlock. The events helped prepare volunteers for the kelp monitoring season which runs from June through September.

NW Straits Commission also organized on-the-water kayak safety trainings in partnership with Fidalgo Paddlesports. Courses were held at Bowman Bay on Fidalgo Island and at North Beach in Port Townsend. These sessions gave volunteers hands-on experience and essential safety skills for conducting kelp surveys.

Several MRCs ventured out in June to survey kelp beds. Volunteers observed a variety of marine wildlife during kelp surveys including forage fish, harbor seals, jellyfish, oyster catchers, and kelp crabs. More information on kelp trends will emerge as the data is processed this fall.

NW Straits extends a huge thank-you to all the kayak volunteers and best wishes for a fun and successful kelp monitoring season.

Visit the NW Straits kelp kayak monitoring site to learn more.