News & Updates

Orca Recovery Day - Dash the Distance, Walk for Whales

Join the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee for Orca Recovery Day, a regional day of action dedicated to protecting and restoring habitat for Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) and the Salish Sea ecosystem.

This year, we’re marking the day with a fun and educational community event — Dash the Distance: Walk for Whales! Starting in 2025, new state boating regulations will require vessels to stay 1,000 yards (about half a mile) away from SRKW. That’s a tough distance to picture — so we’re bringing it to life! Participants will walk or run the same distance that boaters must now give whales on the water.

The event is free and family-friendly, with opportunities to learn about local orca recovery efforts, safe boating practices, and simple actions you can take to protect our marine neighbors. Whether you dash, stroll, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps spread awareness and build a culture of stewardship across the islands.

Date: Saturday, October 18
Location: Jackson Beach on San Juan Island
Time: 10am - Registration
10:30am  Walk/Run Begins
11:00am - Celebration and tabling with local orca research and educational organizations
Questions: email mrc@sanjuancountywa.gov 

Together, we can give whales the space they need to thrive.

MRC Youth Position - Apply Now

The MRC has recently added up to two youth positions to join the committee.  Hearing the voices of young people about sustainable resource use and protection for marine species and habitats is a perspective the MRC has been missing. Are you passionate about marine and nearshore conservation? Do you know a young leader who has an interest in marine science? Learn more about the youth position and how to apply today! 

Happy Plastic Free July!

Here’s some ideas:

Refuse plastic waste, start by asking, “Do I really need this?”

Reuse and repurpose what you can

Make a plastic-free swap

San Juan County MRC 2024 Annual Report

The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee is proud to share our 2024 Annual Report. Last year, we continued our work to protect and restore marine habitats through vessel surveys, eelgrass protection, derelict vessel prevention, and marine debris removal. We also expanded engagement and strengthened regional partnerships through the Northwest Straits Initiative.

Thank you to our volunteers, partners, and community for supporting healthy marine ecosystems in the San Juan Islands!

Join the MRC at Friday Harbor Labs Open House

Come out to Friday Harbor Labs Open House this weekend to learn more about marine science in your own backyard! Visit the Labs, watch scuba diving demonstrations and see creatures up close at the touch tank. The MRC will be there sharing our work and passing out Whale Warning Flags.  

Mark Your Calenders for the Spring Great Islands Cleanup

The Spring Great Islands Cleanup is just aroudn the corner. Save the dates for this bi-annual event happening on April 12 on Lopez and April 26 on Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan. Come on out and show the Earth some love by helping pick up litter and debris from your favorite beach or roadway. Celebrations to follow cleanup efforts. Join your community in thinking globally and acting locally for protecting marine waters. All are welcome to participate, the more the merrier!

For more details and islands specific information visit www.plasticfreesalishsea.org 

New Year, New Regulations for Boaters

New distance regulations take effect for Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). Starting January 1, 2025, new rules in Washington State waters require boaters to stay at least 1,000 yards/meters away on all sides from Southern Resident Killer Whales. In Canadian waters, the distance regulation remains 400 yards/meters away from all killer whales.

Boaters are also required to:

• Slow down to less than 7 knots within ½ mile of any killer whales.
• Disengage engines if whales approach within 400 yards.

Identifying whale species while underway can be challenging. To protect endangered SRKW, it’s best to treat all orcas as Southern Residents and maintain a safe distance.

Always follow the Be Whale Wise guidelines to help safeguard these iconic marine mammals. Pay attention to Whale Warning Flags or get yours today! Let's do our part to protect the remaining members of this incredible species and give all whales space. 

MRC Membership Recruitment

The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is looking to fill a vacant committee member position. Particularly, we are seeking representation from Lopez or the outer islands.

The MRC is made up of representatives from San Juan County, Tribal governments, the Port of Friday Harbor, commercial and recreational fishing, the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs, environmental organizations, local businesses, and residents who bring a diversity of perspectives and expertise to the San Juan MRC.

If you are interested in joining this citizens advisory council, please read on about how to become a member. 

The State of the San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the Marine Stewardship Area. The assessment allowed the Marine Resources Committee (MRC), the San Juan County Marine Program, and partners to provide a list of recommendations needed for continued collective progress towards restoration and protection of our marine habitats and species, so that we may successfully foster a healthy and vibrant marine environment for generations to come.

In 2004, the San Juan County Council designated the county as a Marine Stewardship Area with protections for the unique and valuable resources of the islands. After designation in 2004, the MRC undertook extensive planning efforts to produce the 2007 Marine Stewardship Area Plan (MSA). In the years since, many changes have happened to marine resource health and use that are not reflected in the 2007 plan. Building upon previous work, the MRC has evaluated the current conditions, threats & stressors, and crafted recommendations to help protect and restore the San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area.

Turn In Event Results Are Here!

Back in April, the MRC was instrumental in partnering with the Northwest Straits Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, the Port of Friday Harbor and Environmental Stewardship staff for a successful turn in event. Take a closer look at what we were able to accomplish in San Juan County. In total, 14 boats were accepted into the program resulting in 49.45 tons of vessel debris, 97% of which was recycled.

Senator Murray, Rep. Larsen Reintroduce Legislation to Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

On June 18, 2024, Senator Patty Murray and Representative Rick Larsen reintroduced legislation to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Initiative. Reauthorization will recognize the Initiative as a federal program and acknowledge the importance of locally-driven marine conservation. To reach the milestone of bill introduction is a testament to the fantastic work of Marine Resources Committees, the Northwest Straits Commission and Foundation, volunteers, and the numerous Tribes, agencies, NGOs, and industry partners who engage with us in our mission to protect and restore the marine resources of the Northwest Straits.   

Pulling Pilings, Preventing Pollution

Last Fall the San Juan MRC was instrumental in helping remove the derelict remains of a pier at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. In total, 132 creosote soaked pilings were removed from the nearshore area helping improve water quality, increase habitat for forage fish and make the shoreline more aesthetically pleasing.  This removal project is just one of many restoration efforts impacting the health of the Salish Sea and greater Puget Sound area. Read more about how the Puget Sound Partnership's Nearshore Credits Program supports projects like the restoration at Jackson Beach. 

Read the 2023 Annual Report

MRC members have been hard at work protecting the Salish Sea. Read about the highlights from the past year and see what is new with the San Juan MRC!

FREE Vessel Turn-in Event

Derelict Gear Removal in San Juan County

Caring for the waters of the Salish Sea includes removing garbage and debris that can trap or entangle birds, mammals and other sea life. Locating and removing fishing gear, old nets and lost crab pots helps eliminate these threats from the environment and begins to restore degraded marine habitat. 

Our partners at the NW Straits Foundation are working hard to identify and remove derelict fishing gear throughout the Salish Sea. Check out this report about their latest foray removing crab pots off Lopez Island. 

Read the Report

Southern Resident Orca Community Coffee Roundtable

Take part in Orca Recovery Day on October 14, 2023 from 9:00am - 11:00am showcasing the interconnected efforts to recover the endangered Southern Resident Orca. 

Join Representative Debra Lekanoff, San Juan County, and the MRC as they celebrate Orca Recovery Day with scientists and policy experts working at the local, state, and federal levels to share our collective recovery efforts for the endangered Southern Resident Orca.

This event will be held at the San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor however we are also able to offer a virtual option for attendees who are not able to make it in person.

Fall Great Islands Cleanup 2023

Join us for the Fall 2023 Great Islands Clean-up!

Saturday, September 30^th

Help keep our roads and beaches litter-free during this biannual, all-islands community event!

Activities will be happening on Orcas, Lopez, Shaw and San Juan Island. Learn how you can get involved and check out the Plastic Free Salish Sea Initiative. 

Check out Currents: The MRC Blog

Have you heard that the San Juan County MRC has started a new blog? This is a place to read and share about stories happening in these marine waters. Up first is the tale of our new logo crafted by Jason LeClair, of the Lummi Nation. 

Elevating eelgrass protection in the San Juan Islands

In 2021 San Juan County's Marine Program hosted a series of virtual workshops that brought together partners engaged in eelgrass conservation, research, and recovery in San Juan County, forming EPIC, the Eelgrass Protection Initiative Consortium. This work was achieved with the support of Pew Charitable Trusts and was championed by the late Caroline Gibson, to whom we have dedicated this work. 

Check out the final report and also the blog post from Pew with quotes from key players in eelgrass conservation and research, including the NWSC. 

Pew blog post: 

In San Juan Islands, Coalition Works to Reverse Eelgrass Declines

2021 Annual Report Published

Learn about what the MRC accomplished in 2021 by taking a read through our Annual report.

Be sure to get your whale warning flag!

Adopt a Beach!

The Plastic Free Salish Sea Initiative has launched the latest community effort for the Salish Sea. 

MRC 2020 Annual Report Published

The 2020 Annual report for the San Juan MRC is now available. Learn about the MRC, the projects, and accomplishments of the past year, and what the MRC has planned for the future.

Salish Sea Science Symposium: Implications of Noise from Navy Aircraft for the Salish Sea and Olympic Region

The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University co-hosted a science symposium on March 16,  on navy jet noise and the impacts to humans and wildlife in the region. Lauren Kuehne and Rob Williams presented from recently published scientific research and an engaging panel discussion with audience Q&A followed.

The Plastic Free Salish Sea Initiative is Launched!

The San Juan County MRC and partners are thrilled to see the official launch of the Plastic Free Salish Sea Initiative. We invite you to check out our community-based resources website to learn more about how you can do your part to reduce your reliance on plastic. We have easy to use toolkits, an events page for information on things to get involved in, and a dedicated resources page with links and infographics for you to access and use. 

Do you have your whale warning flag?

If you would like a flag for your boat email us at mrc@sanjuanco.com

In 2018 we launched the Whale Warning Flag pilot study and associated education and outreach campaign aimed at shifting boater behavior around whales. Check out the results of our pilot study and what we learned in our final report.

Plastic Free Salish Sea brings you: How to Reduce Your Waste Impact During COVID-19 Times

In 2018 members of the Marine Resources Committee, Friends of the San Juans, San Juan County Solid Waste, the Lopez Solid Waste District and the Orcas Exchange came together to build an education and awareness building campaign aimed at changing citizen behavior and the cultures of plastic use in San Juan County and throughout the wider Salish Sea region. This group has continued to grow and expand their ideas and efforts. But, the global pandemic that we now find ourselves in has found the group being called upon to provide guidance on newly emerging issues related to plastics and waste.

Check out the PFSS Initiatives' easy to follow tips to REFUSE, REDUCE and REUSE in the age of COVID-19.

False Bay: A Biological Preserve & Island Gem

False Bay is a Biological Preserve managed by the University of Washington. It is a gem on San Juan Island and we are lucky to be able to enjoy it, especially during these long days where our “normal” daily rhythms have been abruptly changed by COVID-19. But while we wander the shoreline, or stroll out over the long expanse of tidelands at low tide we must remember that this special place is a protected place. What is a Biological Preserve you may wonder?  Preserves are established to help “protect and conserve fragile or unique habitats, species, and culturally historic sites, and to enhance fisheries abundance and biodiversity". False Bay is a place of important scientific research for the benefit of all of the Salish Sea, it provides important habitat to migrating seabirds, to eelgrass, forage fish and other vitally important species to the ecosystem of our waters.

Help us protect False Bay and its little residents, our neighbors with whom we co-habitat this island by following these four simple principles.

New Storyboard! San Juan County Southern Resident Killer Whale Stewardship Efforts

We are excited to share our new storyboard on our efforts towards Southern Resident killer whale stewardship over the past 20 years. Walk through the history and learn about the key actions of the County and the MRC. 

This storyboard was made possible through funding from the Northwest Straits Foundation. It is also a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all previous and current MRC members in San Juan County.