Cooperative Aquaculture Agreements between Private Tideland Owners and the Native Tribes in Puget Sound

Brief History of Private Tidelands 1855: Point no Point treaty signed; Tribes given fishing and hunting rights in “usual and accustomed areas” in exchange for land. 1889: Washington State begins selling tidelands to private owners. This continues until 1969, when between 60 and 80 percent of tidelands were privately owned.

1974: Boldt Decision (US v Washington): Tribes right to fish in their U&A is affirmed for salmon and groundfish. Did not address shellfish. 1994: Rafeedie Decision: Extended the ruling of Judge Boldt to include NATURALLY OCCURRING shellfish both in public waterways and on private and public tidelands.

Rafeedie decision brought up the issue of shellfish growers, and the missed opportunity of tribes in harvesting the original natural stock. 2007: Shellfish Growers Settlement allowed growers who had evidence of cultivation prior to Rafeedie exclusive rights to pre-existing farmed tidelands. The tribes, in exchange, received funds for tideland purchase and enhancement.

Reestablishing tribal clam harvests Suquamish Tribe did a qualitative shellfish population study throughout its exclusive (non-overlapping) U&A in the late 1990’s. Determined that the area that best combined shellfish density, historical significance was in Dyes Inlet.

Dyes Inlet

Dyes Inlet Study Cooperated with County Health, State DOH, US Navy Dye release and drogue studies done to model impacts of storm water and sewage spills to area Study changed classification in North Dyes from unclassified to conditional.

Drogue and Current Meter Study

Open Areas in N. Dyes Inlet

Dyes Inlet Manila Clam Harvest Approx. 180 private properties Three year rotational harvest of tribe’s 50% of shellfish. Average of 95% recovery in 3 years of manila clams. Actively harvested since 2004 by individual tribal members Hand forks only, individual quotas, 40-70 tribal members per harvest. Most often lower income tribal members participate.

50-80 Shellfish Biomass Surveys per year

Monthly fecal coliform monitoring with DOH

Lease Program Began leasing properties for harvest and enhancement in 2005 Property owner signs a 10 year, 3 harvest contract. Paid by stumpage fee after each harvest. Grant Funded- tribal members still have full income opportunity. Mostly used by lowest-income individuals. 1-3 properties (0.5-1 acre) planted annually with plans for expansion.

Future Plans Expansion to other areas: Concentration in Dyes inlet leaves harvest vulnerable to CSO events Tideland Purchase and Enhancement: Working with realtors to find new areas within U&A to purchase and plant.

Questions?

Thanks to: Suquamish Tribal Fisheries Suquamish Museum US Navy, Washington DOH, Kitsap County Health District, WDFW, NWIFC Kitsap County Assessor’s office NOAA