Algae bloom shuts down tribal and non-tribal crab fishery
An algae bloom that has exploded since its beginnings earlier this year when it caused domoic acid levels to spike in razor clams, has closed Dungeness crab harvest for Quinault…
Paralytic shellfish alert on coast may be beginning of more in the future
“When we get these high levels of biotoxin in mussels, we’re also concerned about its ability to persist in some of these bays and inlets where sampling may not be occurring,” said Schumacker. “For Quinault, it will be an ongoing health issue as well as a cultural issue when it affects harvest of these important species.”
Coastal Tribes Help Protect Public Health
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Protecting the health of Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) tribal members and others is the main priority of harmful algal bloom specialist Jonnette Bastian-James.
Like other coastal tribes, QIN is helping to determine when harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur on the coast and how quickly they affect shellfish eaten regularly by Indian and non-Indian harvesters throughout the region.
James, a QIN tribal member, takes seawater samples year-round on five beaches from Ocean Shores north to Kalaloch where razor clams are harvested. Beginning in the spring, when levels of toxins harmful to humans can begin to rise, she increases sampling to twice a week at the beaches.
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Early Dungeness crab landings good
The Peninsula Daily News published a story about coastal tribes’ Dungeness crab hauls:
Despite spotty soft shell crab conditions early in the season, coastal tribal crab fishermen are cautiously optimistic after landing 1.7 million pounds of crab prior to the Dec. 2 storm.
Paddling to the Potlatch
The Skagit Valley Herald quotes Billy Frank in a story about the canoe journey and potlatch at Lummi Nation:
Monday marked the beginning of a weeklong potlatch — an ancient tribal gathering that includes singing, dancing and inter-tribal treaty talks for dozens of coastal tribes from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska.
Nice profile on Stan Jones (Tulalip Tribes) in the Seattle Times
Especially this part that focusses on Jones' efforts to revive their First Salmon Ceremony and habitat restoration: The tribal chairman also is credited with helping to revive Tulalip ceremonies and…