Hello Tweeters:

The following excerpt is from a story in today's Seattle Times:

"State Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members are recommending that two
protected marine areas be established in Washington's inland waters - Octopus
Hole on Hood Canal and Orchard Rocks at the south end of Bainbridge Island.
The areas would be closed to the harvest of any marine life, including salmon,
by anyone.
The sites were among 13 - from Neah Bay to south Puget Sound - discussed at
public hearings before the Fish and Wildlife Commission in December."

The story indicates that the suggested sites, and several others were
developed by divers and "supported by the Washington Scuba Alliance". There
had been an earlier discussion on Tweeters as to whether birders could suggest
protected birding areas to F&W. I think this story indicates that an
organized effort can produce results.

The full Times story can be found at:

http://www.seattletimes.com/extra/browse/html98/wild_010898.html

Jim Brewster
Kent Washington