Looking Ahead

Heron Photo

The Northwest Straits Initiative is a unique, bottom-up approach to solving important issues that have a direct impact on marine ecosystems, economies, and cultures. The Initiative harnesses the collaborative expertise of county Marine Resources Committees (MRCs), the Northwest Straits Initiative boards, dedicated staff, and valued partners.

“The Northwest Straits Initiative provides a framework for local people to prioritize and lead marine and shoreline conservation in a way that supports what is important to their community; as well as a regional network for collaboration and learning that drives positive impacts from the bottom up.” – Lucas Hart, Northwest Straits Commission Director

URGENT NEEDS

The Northwest Straits region of Puget Sound faces pressure from population growth, habitat loss, and other changing environmental conditions that have an impact on commercial and recreational resources. The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative seeks permanent reauthorization with an annual appropriation to continue its critical marine restoration and conservation work in support of:

  • Local decision-making and the science that informs it Community-based marine resource stewardship
  • Coastal resilience that helps protect shoreline property, infrastructure and habitat
  • Iconic and culturally important species recovery, such as the Southern Resident Killer Whale and Chinook salmon
  • Restoration of forage fish habitat
  • Invasive species mitigation

Reauthorization would renew recognition of the Northwest Straits Initiative as a federal program in U.S. statute

Reauthorization will recognize the Initiative as a federal program and acknowledge the importance of locally driven marine conservation. To reach the milestone of bill introduction is a testament to the fantastic work of Marine Resources Committees, the Northwest Straits Commission and Foundation, volunteers, and the numerous Tribes, agencies, NGOs, and industry partners who engage with us in our mission to protect and restore the marine resources of the Northwest Straits.  

DID YOU KNOW? 

The Northwest Straits region covers 60% of Puget Sound, an Estuary of National Significance, that:

regional map
  • Honors Tribal treaty rights
  • Produces the majority of Washington State’s aquaculture economic output estimated at over $150 million
  • Supports a $72 million shellfish aquaculture industry
  • Contributes to the 16,000 jobs in Washington State’s commercial and recreational fishing industries

    The region includes Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom Counties and their adjoining inland marine waters.

THE INITIATIVE LEVERAGES FEDERAL INVESTMENTS

  • Supporting local decision-making and community-based sustainable management of marine resources through thousands and thousands of local volunteer hours that contribute directly to tackling issues such as shoreline erosion, water quality, oil spill response,, and numerous other emerging marine resource topics.

  • Combating invasive species by aggressively trapping and removing European green crab in North Puget Sound to protect economically and culturally important native species.

  • Removing and preventing derelict vessels and marine debris to reduce boater navigation hazards and toxics that can impact marine economies.

  • Recovering iconic species including Southern Resident Killer Whale, threatened Chinook salmon and rockfish by convening state, Tribal, federal, local, academic, and private partners to initiate conservation actions.

  • Recovering critical forage fish populations by restoring nearshore habitat.

  • Building more resilient communities and coastlines to address our changing conditions by engaging local community members in monitoring beach conditions and inspiring the research of numerous students at the University of Washington and other institutions. These opportunities train future leaders in the value of collaborative research in the service of science and society.

History of the Initiative

IN THE NEWS

Congress funds the Northwest Straits Initiative to protect and restore marine ecosystems on November 13, 1998
Historylink.org essay by Adam Sowards - November 15, 2023

RESOURCES

 

Heron photo: Barry Troutman