Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is an advisory body to county government established in 1999 and comprised of many community volunteers who represent diverse interests and industries, with the common goal to protect and restore marine resources in the Puget Sound area through scientific monitoring, restoration projects, and community education.

About Us
Photo credit: Rich Yukubousky
MRC Meeting
: Camano County Offices - Conference Room 10
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Free Shoreline Workshop

If you own waterfront property, you may have questions about keeping your home safe in the face of sea level rise, maintaining critical habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife, or steps you can take to keep your piece of the beach healthy. In partnership with Sno-Isle Libraries, the Island County Marine Resources Committee and the Island County Shore Friendly Program are hosting subject matter experts to present about these topics and answer your questions. Advance registration is required. The workshop will be recorded and posted on this website at a later date.

Register!
Bull kelp monitoring photo by Don Engblom

MRC 2022 Annual Report

Read about some of what the Marine Resources Committee has been up to in the last year!

2021-2022 Annual Report
Atlantis Steam Robotics Club at the Coupeville Wharf

2021-2024 Strategic Plan

Please take a moment to read through our newly updated Strategic Plan. We dedicated time over the last year to define the values and vision of our committee. Along, with exploring where our energy is best spent to help protect our local marine resources.

Vision: To sustain and enhance a healthy, resilient marine environment where individuals are engaged and strive to support life for all inhabitants of Island County.

Values: The MRC values collaboration, inclusivity, and community-driven projects which are scientifically based, meaningful, and generate lasting results.

2021-2024 Strategic Plan
Photo: Jan Kocian

Check Out Our Eelgrass Storymap!

Back in 2007, a concerned resident noticed that the eelgrass beds near her home were disappearing. She decided to take action, and soon community scientists embarked on a ten-year research project to learn about the health and distribution of eelgrass beds in Island County, Washington.

This Storymap covers what eelgrass is and its role in our ecosystem, the research that this community science team conducted, the Island County Marine Resources Committee, and ways that you can help protect this critical habitat. It features stunning photography and relatable science in an immersive platform.

 

View the Eelgrass Storymap
Plastics on the Beach. Credit: Northwest Straits Commission

The Whole Family Can Make a Difference On Our Shorelines!

Join us in cleaning up our beaches and learning about the trash that we find on them. 

We've put together a fun activity that can be done with the whole family! Check out our Trash Clean-Up Graph, head to your nearest beach and see what trash you discover. Then graph your findings on the chart, properly dispose of the trash, and share your results with us!

Trash Clean-Up Graph.pdf
Photo: Hugh Shipman

The 2021 Needs Assessment Summary is Live!

As a result of months of hard work conducting interviews and synthesizing data, the 2021 MRC Needs Assessment Overview is available for distribution! This concise document will inform the MRC's decisions for years to come. Check it out here:

2021 Needs Assessment Overview

For more supporting documentation, visit the 2021 Needs Assessment Project page.