Kelp forests are known to be one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Photo: Florian Graner
The MRC’s purpose is to investigate, research, and identify local marine resources, and marine resource and habitat issues; recommend remedial actions to Island County agencies and authorities; carry out such recommendations where so approved; and build local awareness of the issues and broad-based community support for the remedies.
View our 2021 Annual ReportAbout Us
In the video below, learn about Island County's unique nearshore ecosystem, the work of the MRC, and the role we all play in protecting and preserving this area that we love.
We are volunteers from a cross-section of disciplines working to protect and restore marine life, habitat and water quality along our county's 200+ miles of shoreline. We do this through research, restoration and education, and by promoting an ethic of stewardship. We identify problems and opportunities, and recommend remedial actions to local leaders. In addition we build community awareness of nearshore marine issues and support for the remedies.
Our members represent a wide variety of interests, including recreational fishing, agriculture, boating, science, the environment, local government, ports, tribes, higher education, and resource management.
We are one of seven MRCs in the counties of northern Puget Sound created in 1998 when Congress authorized the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (see page 8 of the legislation). This initiative resulted from the 1998 Murray-Metcalf Northwest Straits Citizens Advisory Commission Report. The MRCs were created to provide local, broad-based, bottom-up input to the Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC). The NWSC works to improve the overall health of the Northwest Straits ecosystem by developing and proposing scientifically-sound recommendations to decision-makers and by providing scientific, technical and financial help to the MRCs.
MRC Terms of Appointment
From Island County Resolution C-93-14: Resolution to Amend Operations and Procedures Section Resolution #C-63-01 for the Island County Marine Resources Committee:
"There shall be a total of 13 voting members of the Marine Resources Committee. The members of the MRC may petition the Island County Board of Commissioners to have more seats to better ensure adequate representation to achieve the work plan of the MRC. Within the 13 members, there shall be an attempt to have equal representation from all three commissioner districts. The MRC shall elect a Chairperson and such other officers and committee heads as needed. Any number of ex-officio members may be designated by the MRC as technical advisors. The Chair of the Board of Island County Commissioners or his/her designee shall be an ex-oficio member of the MRC.
Membership shall be appointed by the Board of Island County Commissioners as three-year appointments and be staggered so that one-third of the members appointments expire each year. Committee members may be re-appointed but shall serve no longer than three terms consecutively. Appointments shall run from January 1 to December 31 three years later."
