Shellfish Growers Gearing Up to Clean the Sound in 18th Biannual Beach Clean-Up

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Submitted by Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association

beach clean upOn Friday, March 27, crews from local shellfish farms, the Nisqually and Squaxin Tribes, the Department of Natural Resources, the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, the Pacific Shellfish Institute, and the Nisqually Reach Nature Center will gather to collect debris that washed up onto beaches this winter. The effort is hosted and organized by the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA).

Environmental stewardship is a core value of PCSGA because shellfish farms rely on healthy marine ecosystems for their livelihoods. Without good water quality, shellfish cannot properly grow or be harvested. The beach cleanup reflects that value of environmental stewardship.

beach clean upBeach cleanups are a long-standing tradition for the South Puget Sound’s shellfish community. Friday’s event marks the 18th biannual cleanup. It is an opportunity to clean up debris that gets pulled to high places on beaches or away from shellfish farms, where farm crews do not work or walk. Aquaculture gear from the shellfish industry typically comprises a small amount of the debris collected, much of which is sent back to farms to be recycled or reused.

Over 100 miles of beach and several inlets will be covered, including Eld, Totten, Hammersley, Case and Carr. Crews will also be on Squaxin, Harstine, McNeil, Anderson, and Ketron Islands and in Oakland Bay.

Contact PCSGA at 360-754-2744 if you know of an area that needs attention or if you don’t want people accessing your beach. Throughout the year, you can also contact PCSGA’s marine debris hotline at 360-489-0141.

Support for this event and the marine debris hotline comes from funds raised through SLURP – PCSGA’s annual shellfish, beer and wine festival which is held every spring in Olympia. Proceeds raised at SLURP are also used to help fund other beach cleanups throughout the state. SLURP 2015 will be on May 3.  Event tickets can be purchased here.

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