Our Work - Implementation Strategies
As the Shellfish Strategic Initiative, our role in Puget Sound recovery is to put in place strategies that accelerate progress towards restoring and protecting harvestable shellfish beds. We do this by leading and supporting the strategic actions of the Shellfish Beds Implementation Strategy which focus on preventing and reducing pathogen pollution.
Shellfish Beds Implementation Strategy
The goal of our work is a healthy population supported by a healthy Puget Sound that is not threatened by changes in the ecosystem. Ensuring clean water for traditional, subsistence, and recreational shellfish harvest provides a suite of human wellbeing and economic benefits.
Learning how to dig for clams. Photo Credit: Shannon Haywood
Taking Action
But we can’t do this work alone. We work with our partners to act to achieve our shared goals for Puget Sound recovery. We use EPA Geographic Funds to support strategies and grants to carry out priority recovery work across Puget Sound.
Photo Credit: WA Department of Agriculture
About Us
From wastewater management, pollution identification and correction program support, agricultural best management practices, marine water and shoreline monitoring, policy and addressing climate change, we are a committed team at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) bringing together a diverse range of knowledge and expertise- all working together towards the shared goal of protecting public health and a healthy Puget Sound.
Our program coordinates with partners at Washington State Departments of Agriculture and Ecology and is supported by the Shellfish Strategic Initiative Advisory Team (SIAT). The SIAT has advised the SIL since 2016, lending their expertise and advice on which projects and programs to fund, important shellfish recovery questions to address, and input on the Shellfish Beds Implementation Strategy, our roadmap to addressing harvestable shellfish bed recovery.
There is nothing more “Puget Sound” to me than camping at Doeswallips State Park, looking for starfish and critters under rocks at low tide, hoping to catch glimpse of transient Orca’s if we’re lucky, and digging fresh clams for dinner with my family. I do this work because it’s important and necessary for protecting local food, livelihoods, traditions and the overall water quality of Puget Sound, to make it safe for us know, and into the future.
Audrey Coyne// Shellfish Strategic Initiative Lead - DOH
As a kid, I loved spending summers at Guillemot Cove in Hood Canal, playing in the estuary, snorkeling with crabs, otters, salmon, seals, and moon snails, and eating fresh oysters and clams. I am excited to help our applicants including state agencies, local governments, municipalities, and tribes do good work to protect and restore shellfish growing areas.
Laura Heinse// Shellfish Strategic Initiative Contract Manager- DOH