Marine resources meeting set for April 8

WSU Wahkiakum County Extension in partnership with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are hosting a potluck dinner and meeting at the Skamokawa Grange at 6 p.m., April 8, to explore formation of a Marine Resources Committee (MRC) in Wahkiakum County.

MRCs are county-based, volunteer committees that carry out local projects and activities and advise the county on issues pertaining to marine resources. MRCs are composed of representatives from the scientific community, local and tribal governments, local citizens, and economic, recreational and conservation interests. Through their activities and monthly meetings, MRCs coordinate diverse partners, support resourceful, action-oriented solutions, and provide a platform for education and outreach on local issues. MRCs promote effective regional collaboration and citizen involvement in marine resource protection, management, and restoration.

As directed by the Washington State Legislature, WDFW coordinates and supports MRCs in the five coastal counties through the Coastal MRC Program. WDFW provides grants to MRCs for MRC activities and projects, accounts for MRC activity and deliverables, ensures that MRC activity compliments regional priorities, and promotes coordination and strategic partnerships among MRCs, agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations and other local groups.

MRCs are based on the model of the Northwest Straits Initiative in the northern Puget Sound area. Since 1999, the Northwest Straits Initiative has brought together local, tribal, state, community, organizational, and citizen interests to protect and restore the marine environment. Since 2002, one of their major restoration efforts has been removal of derelict fishing gear in the Puget Sound. Currently, four vessels are working full time to remove nets throughout Puget Sound, employing 30 people in the region.

For more information or to RSVP, call the Extension office at 795-3278, or email Carrie Kennedy, county Extension educator, at cakennedy@wsu.edu.