Economic Workshop

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, WCMAC.

Join Cascade Economics for an in-depth discussion about the Washington Coast draft economic report. Input from the workshop may assist in guiding the final draft of the report.
 
What:

  • Economic Profile of the Coast
  • Economic Profile of Washington Coast Tribes
  • Recreation and Tourism
  • Commercial Fishing on the Washington Coast
  • Recreational Fishing
  • Social Impact Analysis
  • Ecosystem Services
  • Aquaculture on the Washington Coast

Why:
Cascade Economics drafted an economic analysis to enable a deeper understanding of the elements of the ocean economy and assist in the development of Washington’s Marine Spatial Plan.

Who:
Cascade Economics, local government officials, Washington Sea Grant, Washington State Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources, and coastal community members that are interested in the project.

When:
June 1 at the Grays Harbor City Hall at 2:30pm.
 

For more infomation, view the presentation, read the project detailed recommendations or the full Scope of Work
 
 

Social Indicators Workshop & Marine Resources Committee Meeting

Posted by & filed under MRC, Reports, Washington Sea Grant.

Join the North Coast Marine Resources Committee meeting for a presentation from and discussion hosted by Washington Sea Grant’s social scientist, Melissa Poe.

Human Well-Being
 
What:

  • Learn about the human well-being assessment project methods.
  • Discuss the draft conceptual model results for the northern coastal counties, which were built from an analysis of 2012-2013 stakeholder workshop notes.
  • Provide input on the suite of indicators that show the well-being on human conditions in coastal communities that rely on Washington’s waters.
  • Ask Washington Sea Grant about the project.

Why:
The workshop provides an opportunity for coastal communities to identify social indicator data gaps and provide input to a very important project.

Who:
Washington Sea Grant, the North Coast Marine Resources Committee, local government officials, and coastal community members that are interested in the project.

When/Where:

 
 

Final Report Released: Washington Ocean and Coastal Recreation Study

Posted by & filed under Reports.

​The Surfrider Foundation, in partnership with Point 97 and the state of Washington, recently completed a study on the non-consumptive recreational uses along Washington’s coast. Results show that survey respondents spent an average of $117.14 per coastal visit on things such as food, lodging, transportation, and shopping.

Each year, recreation brings $481 million dollars to Washington’s economy in trip related expenditures and Washington residents make an estimated 4.1 million trips to the coast each year. The study estimates that nearly 2.46 million trips to the coast every year are primarily for recreation.

The most popular activities include going to the beach, enjoying the scenery, viewing wildlife, taking photographs, and hiking or biking.

most popular recreational activities
 
The study shows the extensive geographic use and activity of recreation along the Washington coast and demonstrates the significant economic and social benefits that tourism bring to coastal communities.

 

For more information:

Tourism: Exploring Washington’s Baseline Conditions

Posted by & filed under Events, Reports, Washington Sea Grant.

Join the Surfrider Foundations’ Washington Policy Manager, Gus Gates, for a presentation of the results of the Surfrider and Point 97 project to collect a baseline characterization of coastal and ocean recreational use patterns.

What:

  • Learn about the coastal and ocean recreational activities along the Washington coast.
  • Discuss where speciic activities typically take place.
  • View maps of hotspots for activities and expenditures.
  • Ask Washington Sea Grant about the project.

Why:
The study is intended to provide high-quality spatial and economic information to inform the state’s marine spatial planning process and other relevant decision-making.

Who:
Washington Sea Grant, the Surfrider Foundation, the Long Beach Visitor Bureau, local government officials, and coastal community members that are interested in the project.

When/Where:

 
For more information, read the news post or Scope of Work.
 
 

Q&A: How does the adaptive management strategy work?

Posted by & filed under Questions and Answers.

Q:


How does the adaptive management strategy work?

A:

The marine spatial plan uses the best currently available data to make recommendations and guidelines. However, as new data and information about the marine environment and specific project proposals are available, these will need to be considered in marine planning decisions. Significant changes to information could prompt the state to revise and update the plan. The adaptive management strategy created in the plan will provide an ongoing process for considering new information and making adjustments to the plan, as needed (see RCW 43.372.040.6a).

 
 

Q&A: Why is there a significant focus on marine renewable energy?

Posted by & filed under Questions and Answers.

Q:


Why is there a significant focus on marine renewable energy?

Open Hydro Wave Technology
 

A:

Several years ago, developers interested in pursuing marine renewable energy began seeking permits and licenses for this activity for various areas in Washington’s marine waters and elsewhere in the nation. Stakeholders, agencies and others were concerned that there wasn’t process in place to guide this new use away from areas already highly used by other ocean uses or away from sensitive areas before a permit was issued. While many of these projects ultimately fell through, interest in this new use remains.

In 2010, the Washington State Legislature recognized the need to provide a more predictable and proactive way of addressing marine renewable energy and its potential conflicts by passing a state law that enabled the creation of marine spatial plans in Washington’s waters. While marine spatial plans can address other conflicts, Washington’s state law includes specific requirements to address marine renewable energy. Specifically, the law requires marine spatial plans in Washington to include:

“A framework for coordinating state agency and local government review of proposed renewable energy development uses…” (RCW 43.372.040f)

“A series of maps that, at a minimum, summarize available data on… appropriate locations with high potential for renewable energy production with minimal potential for conflicts with other existing uses or sensitive environments.” (RCW 43.372.040c)

For more information, see Washington’s state law, the marine renewable energy sector analysis, the marine renewable energy map series, or the National Ocean Policy.

Ecological Indicator Results Presentation

Posted by & filed under Events, Reports, Washington Sea Grant.

Join Washington Sea Grant and NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center for a presentation on Washington’s ecological indicators. Fisheries research biologist, Kelly Andrews, will present on the methodology and development of ecological indicators.
NOAA IEA
What:

  • Ecological indicators provide a way to monitor the overall health of an ecosystem
  • The results of the project were a compilation of information from scientists and resource managers with expertise and interest in Washington’s coastal waters and estuaries.
  • Provide input on the suite of indicators that show the health of the ecosystem which make up Washington’s unique waters.
  • Ask Washington Sea Grant about the project.

Why:
The presentation provides detailed information about the models and suite of indicators that provide a way to monitor the overall health of Washington’s ecosystems.

 
Who:
This is a free event for all members of the public to attend. The event is hosted by Washington Sea Grant, the Northwest Fishereis Science Center, the Grays Harbor Coalition of Infrastructure, and Citizens for a Clean Harbor.

When/Where:
April 23 at the Furford Gathering Center in Aberdeen at 6pm.
 
More information about Washington’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment and the project Scope of Work.
 
 

Learn How Marine Spatial Planning Works

Posted by & filed under Events, MRC, Washington Sea Grant.

Our ocean is a busy place. Many users, from beach dwellers to shellfish growers, fishermen to shipping operators, share the marine waters and public access. Marine spatial planning balances these interests and anticipates potential new uses while protecting sustainable practices and preserving healthy ecosystems.

Photo by Rachel Aronson
 
Join Washington Sea Grant and the state’s natural resources agencies to learn more about marine spatial planning in your marine waters. This opportunity provides an open setting to learn about how the planning process brings science and the public together and can be used to gather information about the conflicts and competition over space. Participants can also find out what Sea Grant does to educate coastal communities and facilitate the sharing of information across Washington’s coastal and marine stakeholders. Admission is free.

When: Monday, April 20, 2015
3–6 p.m.

Where: Rotary Log Pavilion
1401 Sargent Bld.
Aberdeen, WA 98520

Social Indicators Workshops & Marine Resources Committee Meetings

Posted by & filed under MRC, Reports, Washington Sea Grant.

Join the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee meeting for a presentation from and discussion hosted by Washington Sea Grant’s social scientist, Melissa Poe.

When/Where:
April 14 at the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee Meeting at 3:30pm.

What:

  • Learn about the human well-being assessment project methods.
  • Discuss the draft conceptual model results for Grays Harbor County, which were built from an analysis of 2012-2013 stakeholder workshop notes.
  • Provide input on the suite of indicators that show the well-being on human conditions in coastal communities that rely on Washington’s waters.
  • Ask Washington Sea Grant about the project.

Why:
The workshop provides an opportunity for coastal communities to identify social indicator data gaps and provide input to a very important project.

 
Who:
Washington Sea Grant, the Grays Harbor County, local government officials, and coastal community members that are interested in the project.

If you are more interested in the suite of indicators that were developed for the North coast, join the North Coast Marine Resources Committee Meeting on May 19 at 4pm.
 
 

Social Indicators Workshops & Marine Resources Committee Meetings

Posted by & filed under Events, MRC, Washington Sea Grant.

Join the coastal Marine Resources Committees for a presentation from and discussion hosted by Washington Sea Grant’s social scientist, Melissa Poe.

What:

  • Learn about the human well-being assessment project methods.
  • Discuss the draft conceptual model results, which were built from an analysis of 2012-2013 stakeholder workshop notes.
  • Provide input on the suite of indicators that show the well-being on human conditions in coastal communities that rely on Washington’s waters.
  • Ask Washington Sea Grant about the project.

Why:
The workshop provides an opportunity for coastal communities to identify social indicator data gaps and provide feedback on the results of a very important project.

Human Well-Being
 
Who:
Washington Sea Grant, the Pacific County, Grays Harbor County, and North Coast Marine Resources Committees, local government officials, and coastal community members that are interested in the project.

When/Where: