Development of a San Juan County
Marine Stewardship Area
The Marine Stewardship Area is designed to
protect the unique and valuable marine resources of the islands while
allowing sustainable use of marine resources to
continue forever.
Without establishing any new regulations, the
Marine Stewardship Area highlights the numerous protections, both
voluntary and regulatory, that exist to protect and restore the San Juan County marine
ecosystem.
Further development of the Stewardship Area is happening through a
public process; please look for opportunities to
participate. Your
opinions on stewardship matter.
Marine Preserves
Regulation: closed to all shellfish and
bottomfish activities (except crabbing in Parks Bay ). See marine area 7 rules for exact locations.
National Wildlife
Refuges
Regulation:
83
locations are closed to the public. Stay 200 yards away from all
marine mammals and birds.
Bottomfish
Recovery Zones
Guideline:
no bottom fishing within 1/4 mile offshore to protect and restore regional fishing;
8 locations.
Whalewatch
Exclusion Zones
Guideline:
remain 1/4 mile offshore (1/2 mile in Lime Kiln area) when whales are present.
Regulation: Be Whale Wise! Do not disturb any marine mammals
anywhere.
Sensitive Eelgrass
Areas
Eelgrass provides critical habitat for juvenile fish. Please avoid disturbing sediments and vegetation in less than 30' of water.
Download this map with area guidelines or the Marine Stewardship Area draft map workbook that shows these areas in more detail.
