Quinault Marine Resources Program
The Quinault Marine Resources Program is responsible for the coastal habitats and marine ecosystems of the Quinault Indian Nation, including coastal wetlands, shellfish beds, and salmon-bearing streams, which are all as diverse as the fisheries they support. But these coastal ecosystems face many challenges from development, erosion, fish passage barriers, and pollution.
Changes to coastal regions from climate impacts such as sea level rise and erosion can lead to loss of coastal wetlands and other habitats impacting the wide array of coastal wildlife that depend on those places such as fish, birds, shellfish and other wildlife. Some of those changes that effect coastal habitat include:
- Storm Intensity
- Wildlife and Plants
- Ocean Acidification
- Sea Temperature Rise
- Marine Invasive Species
- Sea Level Rise
- Marine Debris
Quinault Marine Resources Program Ecosystems
Coastal ecosystems are especially vulnerable to a host of invasive species due to non-local ship traffic, associated ballast water from these ships, and other pathways. The increase of invasive species risks due to climate change includes a variety of factors.
An ecosystem is defined by the physical space and the ecology, including plants and animals that live in that space. Different land ecosystems include forested mountains, grassy plains and dry deserts; marine ecosystems are just as diverse. In the waters of the Pacific Ocean, marine ecosystems range from the open ocean that is dominated by basin-wide forces, the coastal ocean that is influenced by seasonal upwelling events, and estuaries and bays that have both salt and freshwater flowing through them.
Current and future ecological, economic, and social objectives identified through the planning process are addressed to reduce environmental impacts, align management decisions, facilitate compatible uses and reduce conflicts among users, among others.
Quinault Marine Resources Program Fights Marine Debris
The Quinault Marine Resources Program also is involved with clearing marine debris. Marine debris can be anything made by humans which ends up abandoned in the marine surroundings. Marine debris may be intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly discarded into the marine environment.
The Nature Conservancy, the Quinault Marine Resources Program, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program have partnered to remove derelict crab pots from tribal waters off the Quinault coast and to develop a sustainable reporting and annual recovery program for lost pots as part of the fight against marine debris.
All of the projects of the Quinault Marine Resources Program are benefiting salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and forage fish. They are also improving conditions for the shellfish, shorebirds, and marine mammals that are dependent on healthy, functioning habitat.
Fisheries Senior Scientist, Larry Gilbertson » 360.276.8215 x7261
Habitat Management Scientist, Bill Armstrong » 360.276.8215 x7240
Marine Resources Scientist, Joe Schumacker » 360.276.8215 x7327
Shellfish/Marine Fish Biologist II, Scott Mazzone » 360.276.8215 x7576
Shoreline Habitat Biologist, Ronald Coleman » 360.276.8215 x7213
Additional Quinault Marine Resources Program Resources:
Quinault Environmental Protection Department
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
