Guiding Whatcom County, using up-to-date information and scientific expertise, to revitalize and preserve Whatcom County marine resources for future generations.
About Us
The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is one of seven citizen-based committees in the Northwest Straits region to address marine issues. The MRCs’ purpose is to guide local communities, using up-to-date information and scientific expertise, to achieve the important goals of resource conservation and habitat protection within the Northwest Straits. The mission of the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee is revitalizing and preserving Whatcom County marine resources for future generations
There are five citizen-based marine interest groups represented in the Whatcom County MRC. These include:
- Conservation and Environmental Interest,
- Economic Interest,
- Recreational Interest,
- Relevant Scientific Expertise, and
- Citizen At-Large
In addition, the MRC has representation from elected officials, local tribes, and local government staff.
Established by Congress in 1998, the Northwest Straits Initiative includes the 13-member Northwest Straits Commission and Marine Resources Committees in Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. The Initiative provides a “bottom-up”, local approach to protecting and restoring local marine resources with active citizen involvement.
