Monitoring and the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area Plan
Presentation Abstract
20 years ago, the work of citizens coming together to actively steward the marine environment in San Juan County resulted in the formation of the first Marine Resources Committee(MRC), and ultimately the Northwest Straits Commission. A model for collaborative resource management, the San Juan MRC continues to be on the forefront of stewarding the ecosystem. Managing the ecosystem of our county according to the input, collaboration and direction of the citizenry utilizing a well-written plan, 6 strategies for implementation of the plan, and a standing advisory committee of citizens who are appointed by County Council to guide legislative actions is the goal. Our County Council adopted the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area plan in 2007. At community meetings held throughout the Islands, locals chose six protection strategies from the plan they felt were most important. One of these strategies unites the rest: Foster a stewardship ethic in residents and visitors.
The unique marine ecosystem draws visitors from all over the world and is key to the islands’ economy and quality of life. Here, too, researchers from around the world conduct studies and learn about the biotic and abiotic factors that govern these seas. Monitoring studies provide data that can inform our management activities, and suggest direction and refinement of restoration and protection activities. Citizens are involved in all phases of this work. Recently, the REEF Volunteer Survey Project has contributed significantly using SCUBA divers from around the region.
In our talk for the panel, Marta Branch and Janna Nichols will review the collaborative history of the San Juan MRC, the creation of the Voluntary Marine Stewardship Area and plan, and explore the recent contributions of Sea Doc sponsored REEF dive surveyors to the management effort.
Session Title
Tools and Strategies for Growing Citizen Science
Conference Track
Engagement
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Marine ecosystem health--Washington (State)--San Juan County; Marine resources conservation--Washington (State)--San Juan County; Ecosystem management--Washington (State)--San Juan County
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); San Juan County (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Monitoring and the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area Plan
2016SSEC
20 years ago, the work of citizens coming together to actively steward the marine environment in San Juan County resulted in the formation of the first Marine Resources Committee(MRC), and ultimately the Northwest Straits Commission. A model for collaborative resource management, the San Juan MRC continues to be on the forefront of stewarding the ecosystem. Managing the ecosystem of our county according to the input, collaboration and direction of the citizenry utilizing a well-written plan, 6 strategies for implementation of the plan, and a standing advisory committee of citizens who are appointed by County Council to guide legislative actions is the goal. Our County Council adopted the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area plan in 2007. At community meetings held throughout the Islands, locals chose six protection strategies from the plan they felt were most important. One of these strategies unites the rest: Foster a stewardship ethic in residents and visitors.
The unique marine ecosystem draws visitors from all over the world and is key to the islands’ economy and quality of life. Here, too, researchers from around the world conduct studies and learn about the biotic and abiotic factors that govern these seas. Monitoring studies provide data that can inform our management activities, and suggest direction and refinement of restoration and protection activities. Citizens are involved in all phases of this work. Recently, the REEF Volunteer Survey Project has contributed significantly using SCUBA divers from around the region.
In our talk for the panel, Marta Branch and Janna Nichols will review the collaborative history of the San Juan MRC, the creation of the Voluntary Marine Stewardship Area and plan, and explore the recent contributions of Sea Doc sponsored REEF dive surveyors to the management effort.
Comments
http://www.sjcmrc.org/Marine-Stewardship-Area/MSA-Overview.aspx
http://www.sjcmrc.org/uploads/pdf/MSA%20plan%2002-Jul-2007%20Final.pdf
http://www.sjcmrc.org/uploads/images/Six%20Strategies.JPG