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Did you know about 9% of Island County’s shoreline has associated bull kelp? Have you wondered what volunteers are doing to monitor bull kelp? Want to see some of the amazing marine life found within kelp beds? You're in luck!
Island MRC recently updated their web page on bull kelp monitoring with new information, videos, and the report on the 2019 monitoring season. Learn more about the project and the importance of bull kelp in the Salish Sea ecosystem. Click here to check it out!
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Herring using bull kelp beds in Island County. Video: Linda Rhodes
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Become a Salish Sea Steward!
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 If you love Skagit County bays and beaches, science, and learning about the Salish Sea, AND you want to make a difference protecting and restoring these wonders, the Salish Sea Stewards program may be for you! Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 program.
The Salish Sea Stewards Program offers 40 hours of free citizen science training. In return, participants pledge to commit 40 hours of volunteer service in one year.
Learn from local experts, meet new friends, and learn about the different volunteer opportunities to help make a difference in Skagit County. Training starts March 10, and classes are held Tuesday afternoons. Space is limited - apply before March 1! Learn more about the program at www.skagitmrc.org, or click the button below to apply.
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MRC volunteers talk forage fish
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 Snowy days and wind may drive many people indoors for the season, but not so for forage fish sampling volunteers, including Chris Brown from the Whatcom MRC and Pete Haase from Skagit MRC. They recently went up to Rockport to provide a short talk and demonstration about forage fish at the Bald Eagle Festival held at the Skagit River Interpretive Center at Howard Miller Steelhead Park.
Theirs was one of several talks, walks and demonstrations held during December and January and they appreciated sharing their project with a fun, energetic and inquisitive crowd. Pete was encouraged to find that the group was very enthused to hear about successful soft-shore armoring!
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Member spotlight: Tim Cochnauer, Clallam MRC
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 “For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed the water and wide array of activities that the water provides,” says Tim Cochnauer, one of Clallam MRC’s newest members. “My first love is fishing (catch and release), but I am an avid boater, a certified SCUBA participant, a snorkeler, and a general all-around observer.”
Tim arrived in Clallam County from Idaho in 2015 but has been involved in aquatic science for over 50 years, with a 3-year stint with the U.S. Army. Now retired, he worked with a myriad of state, federal and tribal agencies involved with anadromous fisheries during his career, and as an adjunct instructor at the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College teaching a variety of biology-related courses.
Years ago, a mentor in his undergraduate program emphasized the need to give back to the local community, and Tim took that advice to heart. Back in Idaho he worked with grade school and college students and presented first aid and safety classes for the American Red Cross. Once in Washington, he sought an organization that would fit his education, experience and interests. As a biologist he’s eager to get involved in field projects, and is excited to learn about a new set of biological resources. “It’s an entirely new classroom for me,” says Tim. Many thanks, Tim, for being part of this important work for the Salish Sea!
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The new year brings new terms for incoming members of the local MRCs. Welcome to a new cohort of MRC volunteers on Snohomish MRC, including Mike Sadler, Kip Killebrew (Stillaguamish Tribe), Sarah Maxwell (UW Bothell), Natasha Coumou (Tulalip Tribes), Julie Schlenger, and Tim Ellis (WSU Snohomish County Beach Watchers). In Whatcom, we're happy to greet incoming volunteers Mike MacKay, Paul Troutman, Andrew Gamble, Heather Spore, and Jackie Bourgault.
Interested in joining an MRC? Click here to apply for a position with Clallam MRC. Island MRC is also seeking to fill a seat. Click here to apply.
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The Northwest Straits Commission maintains an online resource library of reports and materials from the Marine Resources Committees.
Here's a few recently uploaded to the library:
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A message from the Northwest Straits Foundation
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Forage fish eggs found in Bowman Bay!
The Northwest Straits Foundation has some great news to report: there is evidence of forage fish spawning at our Bowman Bay restoration site! Following a restoration project we completed in 2015, we've been working with our volunteers to plant vegetation and monitor the area for forage fish.
Since 2013, volunteers have contributed over 1,980 hours to monitoring Bowman Bay, including forage fish use and large woody debris accumulations on the beach, to better understand the effects of shoreline restoration and document whether we are achieving our goals.
The return of forage fish such as surf smelt is vital, as they are an important source of food for seabirds, salmon, and marine mammals. Surf smelt spawning at Bowman Bay was last documented by the WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife in 2003, but samples recently collected by volunteers show that surf smelt have returned to spawn on the beach.
Thank you to all our project partners for their support with this restoration effort. The Skagit MRC, Washington State Parks, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and Salish Sea Stewards have all played integral roles in this new development.
Read more about the project here: Surf smelt eggs a sign of success at restored Bowman Bay beach - Skagit Valley Herald, January 18, 2020
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