Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.

Image above: 4/2/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a significant area.

Penn Cove site visits 4/2/2020:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

Asking questions about local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls:

Has anyone ever seen any news report asking questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Has any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization asked questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:

1 On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map

Image above: April 2nd, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

2 WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

3 The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.

March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea

“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”

School teachers,

Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?

More here:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish