This Topic: Eelgrass review

[Nancy Bartlett]

Gerry,

Thanks for letting me know that there is a group reviewing the eelgrass beds. There's nothing like mapping out exactly what's happening on the ground.

Can you tell me, and others interested, about this group? I've been seeking information from the UW, Beach Watchers, Shore Stewards, Padilla Bay, West Washington U and the Friends of the San Juans. All groups that have done a lot of research about eelgrass. But none of these groups has mentioned that there is anyone local to Holmes Harbor interested in eelgrass other than myself and those who have aired their concerns on this forum.

It would behoove all of us to work together and share information. I look forward to giving anyone interested the data I'm collecting in hopes we can come together to plan a way to address the threats to this important species.

In early September I'll be attending a presentation about eelgrass at the UW's Friday Harbor research lab. I'll share what I learn here. I'm also preparing a blog to round up all the documents and links to sources of information I find. When that is ready I'll post the link here.

Nancy

[Gerry Rawlings]

Nancy:

The Friends of Holmes Harbor is right on top of this eel grass situation and is the one who arranged the survey of our harbor. Jim Short, Lou Malzone and myself were along for the tour using Jim's boat.

Tom and Debbie, I believe were their names, had previous maps of the eel grass beds and took GPS readings as we progressed around the harbor. Interesting to note that more study needs to be done, because no one knows the "why" the eel grass comes and goes. Obviously, all the junk that we are putting into the harbor is not doing it any good, but although it's gone in some areas - like from Lou and Martha's South past our place to about mid-point in front of Nichols Bros. - the beds are healthy in front of Jim Short's, although about 20 feet further out than they had been previously.

Greg Hein told me that the eel grass used to come and go all the time over at Langley, when Barney had the marina over there. That same situation is what some of the old timers say about Westcot Bay.

I'm sure we'll be hearing more about the "what's happening", but more people have got to be checking it out, more analysis has got to be done, and we absolutely have to stop dumping so much "stuff" into the harbor.

Gerry

[Nancy Bartlett]

Thanks Gerry. I'll contact Jim and Lou.