The Olympic Natural Resources Center visually characterized the viewshed along the Washington Coast relative to off-shore energy structures that could be placed there in the future. The ONRC produced maps that illustrate how far away from the coast a 10 meter tall structure and a 90 meter tall structure would have to be in order to disappear from view over the horizon at various heights along the coast.
Scope of Work
Coastal Viewshed Map
Final Report

Surfrider Foundation launched two internet surveys for coastal and ocean recreation users to document the intensity of specific recreational activities along the Washington coast.
Scope of Work
Read the full report
Read the executive summary
Link to more information

The Northwest Indian Fish Commission (NWIFC) collaborated with the state to create data layers and shape files of the four Coastal Treaty Tribe’s traditional fishing and cultural areas along the outer coast, including marine and intertidal fishing areas and other culturally significant locations. The NWIFC also worked with the state to create data layers and shape files for the four Coastal Treaty Tribes’ commercial catch from 1980-2011.
Scope of Work
View the summary report.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) developed comprehensive GIS maps of coastal commercial fishing activities including creating data layers that represent fishing locations areas of importance for recreational fisheries. They also mapped forage fish distribution based on nearly 500 beach spawning surveys.
More details about WDFW and forage fish

The University of Washington Program on the Environment updated and assessed the current status of the coastal marine-based economy including the challenges to sustainability and looking at strategies for the future through collaboration with stakeholders and business leaders. Findings are available to the public through the project website.

The University of Washington’s Olympic Natural Resources Center created data on commercial, private, tribal and public shellfish growing areas including GIS data layers for beneficial uses, and GIS data for invasive species and shoreline designations. They also integrated existing seafloor mapping and shellfish area data to make recommendations for future seafloor mapping activities.
Scope of Work
View the summary report.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratories developed a marine renewable energy suitability data layer that compiled information on energy resource potential including wave, tidal and offshore wind. They created maps using economic, physical, and infrastructure factors to determine the most suitable areas for up to 8 renewable energy device types.
Scope of Work
View the summary report.
Explore the data.

Industrial Economics produced profiles of five major sectors of the state’s marine economy: aquaculture, fishing (commercial and recreational), marine renewable energy, recreation and tourism, and shipping. The profiles are intended to synthesize information about past, current, and future trends from publications and reports, and to incorporate perspectives and insights from industry experts to highlight critical issues affecting each sector.
Scope of Work
Aquaculture report;
Commercial and recreational fishing;
Marine renewable energy report;
Recreation and tourism report;
Shipping report.

Cascade Economics performed 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. Much of the initial work involved working with the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council and the Science Advisory Panel to develop and refine the scope of the economic analysis. They included a public initial scoping workshop and a draft review workshop. A follow-up guide to the economic analysis provides further detail regarding the input data, analysis methods, and results of the 2015 report.
Read the final report