Outdoors
Notebook: Olympia oysters slowly returning

By Mark Yuasa
Seattle Times staff reporter

Eric Sparkman, shellfish biologist for the Skokomish Tribe, displays Olympia oysters that are growing on several Pacific oyster shells.

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Slowly but surely, native Olympia oysters are making a resurgence in lower Hood Canal after being nearly wiped out two centuries ago.

The once-abundant oysters — Western Washington's only native oyster — are nearly flourishing at a couple sites within the Skokomish River estuary.

In 2002, the Skokomish Tribe planted Olympia oysters in plots throughout the Skokomish River estuary in hopes of revitalizing the tasty, small-sized native oysters.

"We're seeing good survival and good growth of Olympia oysters at some of our sites where we have reintroduced the species," said Eric Sparkman, a Skokomish Tribe shellfish biologist. "Our main goal is to bring back the Olympia population to the point where they are successfully reproducing and repopulating the area. And while we are seeing some success, that overall goal will still take some time."

The Olympia oyster nearly vanished in Puget Sound in the mid-1800s, as demand throughout the West Coast for the tasty shellfish was great.

To keep up with the demand for oysters, the ever-growing industry began importing larger Pacific oysters, which quickly took over cultivated beds once home to Olympia oysters.

As the Puget Sound region grew, development and industries like pulp and paper mills contributed greatly to the decline of the Olympia oyster populations.

While the recovery is far from complete, the tribe is optimistic that further work can help bring back an Olympia oyster population to support tribal and non-tribal harvests. Harvesting Olympia oysters is currently prohibited.

The parent oysters for the Skokomish Tribe's project were collected from beaches along Hood Canal and spawned at a state shellfish laboratory in 2002.

"Going in, we knew Olympia oysters could survive in the area because they're native to this region," Sparkman said. "But we weren't sure if they could repopulate the area. It's looking good though. Not every oyster lived, but a number of them did, and some of them appear to be reproducing."
 
State Fish and Wildlife commissioner leaving

R. P. "Van" Van Gytenbeek, State Fish and Wildlife commissioner, has accepted a position as chief executive officer of the Federation of Fly Fishers, based in Bozeman, Mont.

Van Gytenbeek, a Seattle resident, will serve on the commission until fall, when he moves to Bozeman. His six-year term on the commission was scheduled to expire in December.

"The federation has gained an energetic champion for fly fishing and the commission, and Washington citizens have benefited from Van's perspective on key issues," said Will Roehl, state Fish and Wildlife commission chairman.

A retired artillery captain with 30 years of private-sector management experience, Van Gytenbeek is a past FFF president and has served as executive director of Trout Unlimited.

More recently he worked as the development and marketing director for the Seadoc Society.

He formerly published "Fly Fishing in Salt Waters" magazine in Seattle and has authored two books on trout and streamside conservation. He also has held board positions in a various recreational organizations, including the American Museum of Fly Fishing, the American League of Anglers and the Trout and Salmon Foundation.

NOTES

• TrailsFest 2004 is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend.

The event, with the Washington Trails Association as host, features a full program of outdoor activities, including introductory lessons in canoeing and kayaking.

Children are welcome and encouraged to partake of the paddle sports, though they will need a parent or legal guardian to sign release forms for them to check out a boat.

There will be guided hikes and lessons in plant and wildflower identification, a llama on a trail hike, a mountain bike skills-building course to ride and wagon rides. More than 50 outdoors organizations, public agencies and outdoor companies will have booths set up during the event.

The event is free, though some program items have a modest fee. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.trailsfest.org.

• The YMCA offers a youth scuba diving program 8 a.m.-1 p.m. from July 19-23, at Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA Pool, 1700 23rd Ave. in Seattle. Cost is $150 for youth ages 10-13. All equipment is provided. Details: 206-322-6969.

• The Renton Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting is at 7 p.m. on July 14 at the Kennydale Memorial Hall, 2424 N.E. 27th St. in Renton. Guest speaker Clint Muns, president of the state board of Puget Sound Anglers, will talk about fishing in Hood Canal and give an update on recent legislative and regulatory developments. Details: 206-931-8262.

• The Jake Field Days Event, sponsored by the Lake Washington Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 24 at Renton Fish & Game Club, 17500 144th Avenue in Renton. Kids can learn about archery, target shooting, pond fishing, BB-gun shoot, trap shooting, turkey calling and firearms safety. Free barbecue for everyone and free T-shirts for youths under 17. Event is limited to 50 youths, and parents are welcome. Details: 425-985-7626 or 425-478-3860 or lakewashnwtf.tripod.com.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is offering a four-day Adventure Salmon Day Camp July 12-15 for youths in fourth and fifth grade on Hood Canal. Cost is $125, including food, transportation and supplies. Activities include snorkeling, underwater photography, canoeing and campfire gatherings. Details: 360-275-3575 or www.hcseg.com.

• The BoatU.S. Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program is a nationwide program that provides simple ways for parents to borrow properly sized children's life jackets. Local participants include Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle and the Squalicum Yacht Club in Bellingham. Details: www.boatus.com/foundation.

• Hunters can learn about firearm safety and other outdoor activities Friday through Sunday at Camp Singing Wind, 388 Salmon Creek Road off State Route 505.

The sessions offer comprehensive hunter safety training that fulfills state hunter education certification requirements for those born in 1972 or later.

The training, which is geared toward youth but open to all ages, will be led by state-certified instructors. To complete certification, each participant must pass a written examination and an outdoor field course that simulates hunting conditions.

Sessions are 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Besides safety education, guest speakers will share tips on deer and elk hunting and outdoor survival. Shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders and archery equipment will be provided for participants to handle and fire.

Parents must accompany students 12 years old and under, and parents of students under 18 must attend the introductory session on Friday and sign a release form. The combined cost for all three sessions is $20, which includes camp fees, ammunition and two lunches for each student.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Details: 360-785-4578 or 360-425-3890.

• The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Olympia free summer lecture is 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Topic is medicinal mushrooms with mycologist author Paul Stamets. Details: 360-753-9467 or nisqually.fws.gov.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com