What is an MRC?

Marine Resources Committees (MRC) are aimed at engaging citizens to set priorities and design projects of local importance to help protect and restore the marine environment. Locally established Marine Resources Committees exist in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Jefferson and Clallam counties. The MRC is made up of members that represent a broad spectrum of interests covering businesses, recreational interests, tribes, the conservation community, the local ports, science, and education. The committee is a citizen based approach to propose and implement research, scientific surveys, and restoration projects, to name a few. They have the ability to engage a broad range of citizens in marine stewardship to accomplish research and restoration projects that reflect local priorities contributing to broader marine conservation goals.

Marine Resources Committees are an advisory body on marine issues. They bring together many interests to work cooperatively and effectively, contribute to the scientific understanding of the marine ecosystem, spread innovative ideas regionally, and mobilize citizen support for marine conservation. As a result, they implement practical, on-the-ground projects that benefit the local ecosystem and economy with a "bottoms up" approach. These projects often generate money and resources from state agencies and other entities.