— by Kelly Rose —
About 60 people attended the Kwiaht and Indian Island Marine Health Observatory annual report to the community on Nov 17th at the Orcas Center.
The meeting began with a brief update and volunteer appreciation from Marcia deChadenedes, San Juan Islands National Monument Manager with the Bureau of Land Management. “I’m here tonight to honor the amazing stewardship that you put into Indian Island.” She asked for the patience and continued involvement of the community and volunteers. “We are developing a management plan and it is going to take about 5 years, and we are about half a year into it. The most important thing Kwiaht does, in my mind, is build stewardship and understanding of this natural resource we love so much, so that we can learn to take care of it.”
Students from Orcas Elementary, Middle and High Schools presented science and research projects on marine plastic debris and related endocrine disrupters, the first phase of a rain garden installation in the school parking lot, and researching contaminants in clam populations in Fishing Bay. David Turnoy, who moderated the meeting, noted, “Through Kwiaht’s science apprenticeship programs, students have access to hands on science learning and mentorship that they wouldn’t get otherwise.” Kwiaht Director Russel Barsh added that in the program, “Students can learn professional research methods and help make a difference for better protection of our local environment. The programs emphasize science as a process of figuring things out, and students are often surprised that there’s still a great deal that we don’t know about the way earth ecosystems work.”
A reoccurring theme through the evening’s presentations was the effect of human activity and climate change on the Indian Island and Fishing Bay. Barsh explained that not only are seas getting warmer, but they serve as heat sink for the planet. And he estimates that visitors have increased by 50 percent in just the past few years, “On a sunny summer weekend, now over 200 people visit Indian Island within a 2-3 hour tidal window. And more people are wading or kayaking out to the island during high tides when volunteers aren’t present to help guide activities or account for those numbers.”
A decline in the eelgrass meadows may be the result of human trampling and increased turbidity in the water due to storm drain outflow. This outflow is also causing the beach to become increasingly silty, having a negative effect on some clam populations as well as the porcelain crab. Sea star and crab diversity and abundance are also declining significantly in the past few years. Barsh shared a story about one bright orange-red sunflower sea star that he and volunteers have watched grow into adulthood as each year it visits the same intertidal areas. He smiled, “We named her Bertha. It was a wonderful treat to see her year to year and to point her out to students and visitors.” But this last summer, Bertha was not to be found anywhere. “She’s just gone.” said Barsh.
But not everything is in decline, some clams and fish populations are shifting in terms of species abundance. Clam species preferring a rough sandy-pebbled beach seem to be replaced by species that prefer a muddy-silty substrate. The peak breeding season for the bay pipefish seems to have shifted due to temperature change. Some fish species are found less frequently, but shiner perch have dramatically increased in population during summer months. Barsh didn’t specify that these changes are particularly negative or positive, but they need to be monitored and discussed in any long-range plans for the island and bay.
Here is the good news: Surveys show significant habitat recovery where conservation measures have been implemented over the past few years. Native wildflowers, oak, and ground-nesting birds have re-established on top of the island since implementing the driftwood trail and stronger volunteer outreach to educate visitors as they walk out to the island. This points to the island’s ability to recover with the right stewardship and protection.
Barsh conveyed, “We’ve now reached a point with 7-8 years of data where we can say with some confidence what is driving what, and we can make some important decisions in how to take care of the island.” And as he said before the meeting, “the island is still diverse and resilient, and with sound stewardship it can continue to rebound and flourish for the education and enjoyment of islanders and visitors alike.”
