Supporters of the derelict net-free Puget Sound commemorates its milestone on August 13.
The Puget Sound is a region in a coastal area of the Pacific Northwest, Washington, where more than 5,600 derelict fishing nets from its shallow subtidal waters were removed. The result is restoring over 800 acres of marine habitat and saving thousands of marine animals. This milestone was celebrated on August 13 with the local residents and officials.
Interim Director of the Northwest Straits Foundation, Joan Drinkwin stated that they envisioned to eliminate harm from derelict fishing gear in Puget Sound over a decade ago and removing the nets and restores the marine habitat today is part of their mission.
"Marine mammals like porpoises, diving birds, and fish can now swim and dive in Puget Sound without the risk of being entangled in these dangerous derelict nets," Drinkwin said in a statement.
The Northwest Straits Foundation is the non-profit partner of the Northwest Straits Initiative, a collaborative model for marine conservation with a vision of diverse communities working together to restore a thriving marine ecosystem in the Northwest Straits of the Salish Sea.
Meanwhile, Washington State Representative Norma Smith joined the others in celebrating this accomplishment and acknowledged the initiative of the Northwest Straits Initiative and stated
"I join so many others in expressing gratitude for their bipartisan and lasting leadership that has made a generational difference," said Smith.
She added Senator Murray and Congressman Metcalf has molded a vision to face the challenges concerning the Puget Sound by working hand in hand.
"It [removing 5,600 derelict fishing nets] demonstrates how much we can accomplish when we work together across the aisle and across the Sound," Smith cited.
Divers have pulled 1,339 nets and 653 crab pots from marine waters in Whatcom County that caused harm in marine life, the Bellingham Herald reported last May 2015.
The report added a total of 102,212 animals has been found dead or entangled in the abandoned gear.
