The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is looking to fill a vacant committee member position.
The MRC would like to recruit candidates across the county to increase geographic diversity. Particularly, we are seeking representation from Lopez or the outer islands. We are seeking candidates with a background in any of the following areas:
- Ports or marinas
- Commercial fishing
- Marine science
- Shoreline development and or planning
- Tourism
It is also important that individuals are keen to take an active role in:
- Learning about marine conservation
- Participating in science-based research
- Contributing to informed policy recommendations
The MRC is a voluntary citizen advisory group to County government, established in 1996, and is managed through the County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship’s Marine Resources Program. Its purpose is to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Salish Sea to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use.
The core activities of the Committee members include:
- Recommend actions to the San Juan County Council and San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship
- Get hands-on experience planning and implementing marine conservation projects, (e.g. eelgrass habitat protection monitoring, State of the Marine Stewardship Area Report, False Bay monitoring)
- Participating in education and outreach efforts to reduce impacts of boats on whales and other marine habitats, recreational crabber education, and impacts of plastic on the marine environment with the Plastic Free Salish Sea initiative
- Oil spill prevention and derelict vessel prevention efforts
Members will be appointed to fill a partial position currently open and will have the opportunity to remain for an additional two four-year terms if they wish. The commitment includes:
- Attending a monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month from 9:00 am – 12:00pm. Meetings are currently virtual, with a quarterly in-person meeting.
- Attending an annual retreat of one full day (normally takes the place of November or December meeting).
- Volunteering for a minimum of 10 hours a month including attending virtual meetings, developing and reviewing documents, and optional in-person fieldwork.
To apply, submit the application found here along with a cover letter explaining your interest in volunteering along with your resume to Sam Whitridge samw@sanjuancountywa.gov. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2024 or until filled.