Resource Library
Our library contains a collection of materials from projects and meetings brought to you by the Northwest Straits Commission and the seven Marine Resources Committees. Please contact Commission staff if you are unable to find what you are looking for online.
Enter keywords to search below. Results will include resources that contain any, but not necessarily all, of the keywords.
Technical Workshop on Nearshore Restoration in the Central Strait of Juan de Fuca
This workshop report focuses on the nearshore restoration that will result from the removals of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, thought to be the most significant restoration project of its kind in the nation.
By: Triangle Associates Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Clallam County
Length: 141
Native Oyster Experimental Studies in Fidalgo Bay
Native Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida) were once an abundant and heavily sought after shellfish in the Puget Sound, but over harvesting lead to a dramatic decline in the species over the last 130 years. In an attempt to restore the stocks of native oysters in Fidalgo Bay, cultch shells with attached native oyster seeds were distributed in the bay and their success of failure was used to provide scientific guidance for further expansion of these efforts.
By: Russel Barsh, Rose Castilleja, Sarah Johnson, Hollie Hatch, Marco Hatch, Lisa Horton
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Northwest Straits, Skagit County
Length: 13
Forage Fish Shade Restoration Pilot Project
This pilot project's purpose is to restore native plant species to known spawning grounds for surf smelt and other forage fish, where vegetation had been compromised by human activity. A strengthened riparian buffer will provide shaded areas, allowing for cooler water temperatures in spawning grounds. In addition, it will help to increase shoreline soil stability, as well as benefit the overall health of the near shore environment.
By: San Juan County
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: San Juan County
Length: 5
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative- Five Year Evaluation Report
This is a evaluation report of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiatives first five years of operation, submitted to Senator Patty Murray and Governor Gary Locke. The intent of the report is to satisfy Congressional requirements for a review of the Initiative's first five years, and to continue to receive federal authorization and support.
By: William D. Ruckelshaus, Alyn. C. Duxbury, James W. Good, Daniel Huppert, DeWitt John, Steven S. Rumrill, Ann Seiter, Edward P. Weber
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Puget Sound, Puget Sound - MESA
Length: 55
Rockfish and Lingcod Habitat
This is a habitat distribution map of rockfish and lingcod in the San Juan Islands.
By: WDFW, University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories, Don George
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: San Juan County
Length: 1
Best Science and Management for Rockfish and Lingcod in San Juan County
In 2003, the San Juan County MRC worked with the People for the Puget Sound to identify the best available science and the best management options for rockfish and lingcod. Information comprehensively gathered and shared include: life history of the species, factors affecting population growth, physical oceanography of the region, and understanding types of exposure to contaminations in the marine environment.
By: Mike Sato & Dr. Tina Wyllie Echeverria
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: San Juan County
Length: 92
The Incredible Egg Hunt: Finding Forage Fish Spawning Habitats of the Northwest Straits, WA
This is an informational poster about forage fish in nearshore waters in the San Juan Islands. It presents the methods and results of forage fish spawning habitat assessments.
By: Gary Wood
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Island County, Northwest Straits
Length: 1
Olympia Oyster Restoration in Fidalgo Bay
This is an informative poster about the restoration process of the Olympia Oyster in Fidalgo Bay. It includes the history of the shellfish, means of re-introduction, methods of studying it, and other insightful information about the process.
By: Jeanne Robinette, Russel Barsh, Paul Dinnel, Ivar Dolph, Katie Henoch
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Skagit County
Length: 2
Spartina Survey and Removal - Final Report. 2004 Action Grant
This report presents the progress and results for attempting to eradicate the invasive, salt tolerant weed, Spartina anglica, in Skagit County in 2004. Several control methods are perpetually being used to treat the invasive plant, including manual and mechanical labor, as well as the use of herbicide.
By: Keeley O'Connell
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Skagit County
Length: 4
A Sound Investment: The Northwest Straits Initiative
This is a report summarizing the 5 years that the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative has been in place. It reflects on past accomplishments, on-going projects and work, and future goals and plans.
By: Ginny Broadhurst, Andrea Copping, Tom Cowan, Duane Fagergren, Kathy Fletcher, Sasha Horst
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Northwest Straits
Length: 36
Derelict Fishing Gear Indentification and Retrieval Project Port Susan
Abandoned and lost fishing poses safety hazards, creates economic loss, and most commonly, causes detrimental environmental issues in marine waters. To combat this ongoing problem, the Stillaguamish Tribe contracted with Natural Resources Consultants to manage the derelict fishing gear problem in Port Susan, at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River. This report presents the methodology and results of this project.
By: Natural Resource Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Island County, Snohomish County
Length: 32
2003 Bottomfish Recovery Zone Fishing Pressure Assessment
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 8 Bottom fish Recovery Zones (BRZ's), established in San Juan County in 1996. This was carried out by comparing fishing effort in voluntary no-bottom fishing areas with efforts in the nearby BRZs.
By: Brandon Davis
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: San Juan County
Length: 11
Clallam County Nearshore Mapping and Restoration: Derelict Gear Removal
This report presents the results of derelict gear identification and removal in targeted areas in Clallam County. Derelict gear presents several causes for concern in the Puget Sound: increased mortality for marine life, hazards to marine navigation, and safety hazards for commercial and recreational diving
By: Natural Resource Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Clallam County
Length: 49
Whatcom MRC Marine Creosote Piling Remediation Project
Approximately 100 tons of rogue creosote-treated wood was removed from the shores of Whatcom County between February 2002 and July 2003. This report provides detailed information on the specific reaches of Whatcom County shorelines where creosote wood was removed or inventoried.
By: Whatcom MRC & City of Bellingham
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 13
Nearshore Habitat Mapping of the Central and Western Strait of Juan de Fuca 2: FInal Report
This report provides the findings of mapping 43 miles of forage fish habitat along the central and western Strait of Juan de Fuca, from August 2002 through June 2003. The findings demonstrated forage fish spawning along the Strait beaches are highly variable, as previously observed. Excitingly, for the first time, forage fish were documented spawning in the lower rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.
By: WDFW: Anne J. Shaffer
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Clallam County
Length: 22
Marine Life in Whatcom County: Fish Series
This fact sheet provides information about Lingcod, a species of fish found in Whatcom County, including a description, distribution, economic value, reproduction, ecology and current status.
By: Whatcom MRC
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 2
Derelict Gear Inventory in Skagit County Waters
Lost and abandoned fishing equipment is a perpetual problem in the waters of the Puget Sound, as this derelict gear poses threats to wildlife, habitat, and hazards to humans. In 2002, the Northwest Straits Commission began a regional effort to locate, identify, and remove derelict fishing gear from the Northwest Straits region of the Puget Sound. In this report, the Skagit County MRC outlined an plan to continue efforts to assist with combating this problem.
By: Michelle L. McConnell and Jim Ramaglia
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Skagit County
Length: 34
Derelict Gear Inventory in Skagit County Waters: Phase I Final Report
This report presents the Skagit County MRCs work combating the perpetual problem of identifying and removing derelict fishing gear from marine waters. Following the Northwest Straits Commissions lead, Skagit MRC is working towards removing derelict gear in targeted areas, as well as increasing public outreach efforts to reduce the amount of gear lost and abandoned in the future.
By: Mchelle L. McConnell & Jim Ramaglia
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Skagit County
Length: 34
Snohomish County Marine Shore Inventory
This final report describes the Snohomish County Marine Shore Inventory Project, in which shoreline cover types were inventoried, data was integrated into the county’s GIS and a preliminary analysis of possible candidate sites for protection and restoration activities was conducted.
By: Snohomish MRC
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 6
Whatcom County Marine Zoning Map
This map shows generalized features of marine resources in Whatcom County marine waters.
By: Whatcom County GIS
Published:
Benchmark:
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 1
Citizen Based Marine Restortation and Protection in Action
This is a progress report from the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative for 2003. It focuses on importance of utilizing volunteers to help the NW Straits Marine Conservation Initiative achieve their goals.
By: David G. Gordon
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Northwest Straits
Length: 14
Samish Island Rapid Shoreline Inventory
This report presents the findings of a Rapid Shoreline Inventory (RSI) on select marine shorelines of Samish Island during the summer of 2002. The RSI is designed to gather information about the relationships between shoreline land use and indicators of beach health, information that can then be used to determine areas best fit for conservation and restoration actions.
By: Phil Bloch, Tom Dean, Jacques White, People For the Puget Sound
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Skagit County
Length: 159
Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Guidelines
This document provides the guidelines for the environmentally acceptable removal and disposal of derelict fishing gear from the waters of Washington State. There are many environmental, safety, and economical benefits for removing derelict gear from the marine environment, making it an important endeavor for preserving and protecting the waters of Washington State.
By: Northwest Straits Commission, WDFW, U.S. Coast Guard
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Puget Sound
Length: 36
The Removal of 12 Tons Derelict Fishing Gear
Twelve tons of lost and abandoned fishing gear was removed from the Puget Sound off of Whatcom and Skagit County shorelines. The removal process was executed by the Northwest Straits Commission.
By: Tom Cowan
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Skagit County, Whatcom County
Length: 2
Substrate Map of Rocky Reef Recovery Phase I & II
This is a substrate map of the Rocky Reef Bottomfish Recovery Phase I & II projects in Skagit County
By: Skagit MRC
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Skagit County
Length: 1