BOTTOMFISH RECOVERY PROGRAM (BFRP)

Voluntary "No Take" Zones

A brief history of the program

In March 1996, the San Juan County Board of Commissioners, responding to public concern, identified a series of marine resource related problems, and appointed the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) to look into possible solutions. The MRC is made up of scientists, politicians, fishers, business owners, and the public at large. The MRC published a list of priority issues in a series of newsletters with bottomfish recovery identified as a top priority.

In order to understand the problem, the MRC took testimony from scientists, resource managers, government specialists, and others. We learned that in some areas complete protection of marine resources has allowed populations to rebound, sometimes to a spectacular degree. A successful example of this technique is the Edmond's Underwater Preserve, which in 25 years has changed from an underwater desert to a destination diving site, where divers go to see big fish. Locally in San Juan County, 5 years of protection in Shady Cove has allowed individual bottomfish to increase in size, as well as increasing the size of some bottomfish populations. There are many other examples of the success of marine protected areas.

The MRC then scheduled a series of public meetings at each of the major islands in San Juan County. In June 1997, on the basis of public input, the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution establishing 8 sites for protection and recovery. These sites, called Bottomfish Recovery Zones, are:

Point Lawrence, Orcas Island
Bell Island, off Orcas Island
Charles Island, off Lopez Island
Pile Point, San Juan Island
Deadman Bay, San Juan Island
Kellett Bluff, San Juan Island
Gull Rock, Off Orcas Island
Bare Island, off Waldron Island

Click on the name above to see photographs of the areas and read more information about each individual site. Or visit the whole map of the 8 "No-Take" zones.

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How does it work?

Bottomfish Recovery Zones are "no-take" areas in which fish can grow to maturity and reproduce. It is important to note that this program depends on voluntary participation. This program will succeed only through the goodwill of fishers who realize the value of allowing spawners to survive in the protected areas. Not only will the offspring of these fish repopulate protected areas, but research in Canada and elsewhere has shown that protected areas have created an increase in fish populations, as "overflow" takes place into adjoining areas open for fishing.

How can you help ?

Respect the Bottomfish Recovery Zones. The fish you save today will help ensure that we have bottomfish in the future. Help support our program! We are all volunteers, trying to do something about resource problems in our county. Your dollar or other donation will help us to continue. By the way, in a lot of ways, we are cutting new ground. If you want more information, or would like to know how you can get something like this going in your community, contact us.

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San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
Bottomfish Recovery Program

Contact: planning@co.san-juan.wa.us

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Disclaimer:

Neither San Juan County nor any agency, officer, or employee of San Juan County warranty the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information in the Public Access System and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity who relies on any information obtained from the system, does so at his or her own risk.

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