Shellfish Treaty Rights FAQ
Why do tribal members get to come onto private property and harvest shellfish? Washington state is one of the few states in the nation where tidelands are privately owned. Most…
Upper Skagit Tribe returns to Whidbey Island for clam dig
Both the Skagit Valley Herald and the Whidbey News-Times reported on the Upper Skagit Tribe’s return to a traditional clam-digging site at NAS Whidbey Island. Security protocols since Sept. 11, 2001 have prevented the tribe from holding its annual community clam dig on the naval base.
Swinomish release results of shellfish study
The Seattle Times and Skagit Valley Herald (subscription required) reported on the results of the Swinomish Tribe’s study on toxics in their traditional shellfishing areas.
Seattle Times:
The study, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found enough of the so-called “bioaccumulative toxics” — chemicals that remain in the body for long periods of time — for many tribal members to worry because they eat about 20 times more shellfish than average Americans.
“We have a saying in Indian country that when the tide is out the table is set,” said Brian Cladoosby, chairman of the Swinomish Tribal Community.
“Right now we are coming into the springtime, and our tribal members are hitting the beaches weekly. And for this study to show that our tribal members have to limit their intake is very sad.”