As stewards of our local intertidal zone and the Salish Sea, we are often the bridge that connects Island County residents to the science of the sea. Many of you have volunteered at local events and festivals that included our local fauna friends (displayed in the picture above). As science interpreters and educators, we need our ambassadors (marine invertebrates) to cement ideas into the minds of those who do not frequent the beach. But did you know that we must follow the Washington State Fish and Wildlife stringent rules and regulations on the collection, display, release, and occasionally euthanizing of display creatures?
I have created a quick bullet point to follow before you embark on collecting adventures.
- Those who can legally collect marine invertebrates under our SWS permit (held under the name of our Executive Director as the responsible agent) are:
| Camano Island | Whidbey Island |
| Mikaela Montanari | Kelly Zupich |
| Dave Brubaker | Sammye Kempbell |
| Elaine Chan | Charlie Seablom |
| Paulette Brunner | Janet Hall |
| Trent Lowe | PaulBen McElwain |
| Karen Brooks | Jeanie McElwain |
- If you would like to assist with collecting animals for an SWS event, one of these individuals legally must be present!
- The current scientific permit must be physically in your possession when collecting marine invertebrates. A digital copy will suffice. (Click here for permit)
- Collection sites include Coupeville, Camano Island State Park, and Indian Island Beach Camano Island.
- Invertebrates cannot leave their collection site and displayed at another beach site without a transportation permit (we do not have).
- If we collect sea stars and transport them away from the beach they must be euthanized and disposed of in an upland trash container.
- Invertebrates were not immediately returned to their collection site must be euthanized (exceeding 8 hours, unless we have a transportation permit).
- All marine invertebrate collections must be reported to your island coordinators for reporting purposes.
If you have any questions please email: Mikaela Montanari