HomeMy WebLinkAboutShellfish Week �P�oN CpU�r�
18.54
MASON COUNTY SHELLFISH WEEK PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS people in Mason County have been gathering and building culture around shellfish re-
sources for thousands of years; and
WHEREAS shellfish are a cultural cornerstone in Mason County providing opportunities for ceremo-
nial and subsistence harvest for Native American tribes,providing shellfish tourism opportunities and
enhancing the quality of life for County residents; and
WHEREAS cultivation of oysters and other shellfish in Mason County has been celebrated for over
30 years through the County's largest festival, Oysterfest and now the Hama Hama Oyster Rama; and
WHEREAS shellfish are integral to healthy marine ecosystems by stabilizing marine sediments and
shorelines, improving water quality and clarity through bio-filtration and providing structural habitat
for other nearshore and marine organisms; and
WHEREAS 25,390 acres of tidelands in Mason County are classified by the Washington State De-
partment of Health as shellfish growing areas,ranking 6th in the Washington state;and
WHEREAS economic analysis by the Pacific Shellfish institute conservatively estimates aquaculture
employs 370 people in Mason County earning$10.6 million in wages while $4,988 is spent in wages,
supplies,capital and other expenditures per acre of shellfish farmed ; and
WHEREAS shorelines in the South Sound and Hood Canal are exceptionally productive for aquacul-
ture,producing 12.2 million pounds of clams, oysters and muscles worth $64.5 million, 52%of total
shellfish production in Washington state;and
WHEREAS healthy shellfish resources strengthen and sustain resilient communities through sustaina-
ble employment and locally grown seafood for the future;and
WHEREAS Washington State Governor,Jay Inslee proclaimed April 15-21, 2018 as Washington
Shellfish Week;
NOW THEREFORE the Mason County Board of County Commissioners join Washington State in
honoring shellfish and the aquaculture industry in Mason County and do hereby proclaim April 15-21,
2018 as Mason County Shellfish Week and urge County residents to celebrate the mighty mollusk and
its significant impact on our County. Special Shellfish Week events are listed on the events page at
www.explorehoodcanal.com
Randy eatherlin Kevin utty Tem rex
Chair Commissio er Commissioner