SOBA Public Library

“Anchor out for eelgrass and salmon”. This slogan is part of an innovative locally-driven Voluntary No-Anchor Zone approach to protect eelgrass beds in Puget Sound. Eelgrass meadows provide critical habitat and ecosystem services. Two of the greatest direct negative impacts to eelgrass beds in Puget Sound are from recreational vessel anchors and propellers. Cumulative impacts from propellers and anchors cause lasting damage to eelgrass by removing blades and tearing rhizoidal mats. As a result of these impacts, eelgrass becomes more susceptible to other stressors. All of these impacts combined lead to depletion of eelgrass habitat, limiting its ability to provide ecological services. Work in the Northwest Straits region of Washington to encourage best recreational boater practices around eelgrass includes establishing Voluntary No-Anchor Zones to protect existing habitat and promote habitat recovery and resilience by preventing reoccurring physical damage from vessel anchors to eelgrass beds.