Local and state agencies need your help

By Stefanie Donahue

For the third straight year, local and state agencies are calling on the public to help count shellfish harvesters in Drayton Harbor.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the department of health are searching for volunteers to count the number of harvesters out during low tide on dozens of sampling dates, between now and September.

Surveys take about 20 minutes to complete, and require volunteers to monitor a length of the shell-fishing area and count how many people are gathering oysters, clams and mussels from the beach. Volunteers choose which days to participate and are encouraged to bring binoculars to avoid having to walk onto the sand flats.

Interested in lending a hand? Contact Austin Rose at arose@co.whatcom.wa.us or call 360/778-6286 for more information.