Marine Stewardship Areas
Benefits to the people of Island County
Saratoga Passage and Admiralty Inlet
Marine Stewardship Areas
Better fishing.
We lost a big piece of our heritage when salmon fishing collapsed. We've since
learned a great deal about why, and what the public can do to help turn things
around.
Keep nearshore management local and voluntary.
More federal and state regulations aren't needed. What's needed is greater
public awareness and appreciation of the issues, and voluntary behavior change.
Best defense = a good offense.
We can help avoid outside regulation by showing leadership with a pro-active
alternative -- a highly visible campaign for public awareness, education and
behavior change.
To take no action would invite interference.
The federal government nearly imposed a National Marine Sanctuary designation
on the entire Northwest Straits in the 1990s. The Northwest Straits Commission
(NWSC) was a last-ditch effort to find a citizen-based, bottom-up alternative.
Education is preferable to regulation.
Education engages the public in understanding and becoming enthusiastic about
participating in solutions. Regulation is expensive, burdensome and hard to
enforce.
When voluntary action succeeds, everyone wins.
Success will mean more salmon, better recreational fishing, healthier beaches,
higher property-values, better quality-of-life.
Economic payback.
Stewardship areas will focus attention on the individual character and special
values of county waters. Tourism, restaurants, B&B's, motels and other
businesses are likely to benefit, as has happened in other regions that have
established similar recognition.
Fulfills the MRC's mission.
The NWSC has tasked the Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) of all seven northern
Puget Sound counties to engage in significant public outreach and education,
and to record changes in behavior. Our MRC's mission is: Science, Education,
Stewardship.
Fulfills Island County Resolution C-59-1999.
"…The Board of Commissioners desires to establish a Marine Resources
Committee to protect the local marine environment through education, research
and voluntary action…" "The MRC will address local marine issues,
recommend remedial actions to local authorities and build awareness of the
issues and support for the remedies…"