2024 - March 2025 - Summary of activities

While we have not been active in providing updates to "Catch the Latest", the Case Inlet Fisheries Task Force has been very active working towards supporting salmon enhancement in Case Inlet and supporting the NMHS in their program to help students build skills and seek careers in fisheries management.

Here are some of the areas we have been focused on:

North Mason High School

• The Task Force continues to partner with the North Mason High School and serves on the Advisory Board of their CTE (Career Tech Ed) program.

• The Natural Resources curriculum was launched at the High School this last fall and includes classes to prepare the teens for fishery management jobs in the area or helps them pursue further education opportunities.

• There are approximately 75 students enrolled in the program today.

• North Mason High School has received an education grant for their Natural Resources program and will fund our first temporary fish rearing pen at the Fair Harbor Marina.

• This will serve as an outdoor classroom for students interested in fisheries management.

• The smolts will be released from the Fair Harbor Marina and will return in several years.

Port of Grapeview and Port of Allyn Partnerships

• Both the Port of Allyn and the Port of Grapeview continue to support our activities.

• The Port of Grapeview has committed to funding some of our work in the fall of 2025.

Non Profit Status

• The Case Inlet Fisheries Task Force has applied for and received non-profit status from the IRS (501c3). This allows us to receive funding from various sources and allows for contributors to make their contributions tax free.

Grants

• We are pursuing additional grants from the State of Washington RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office) including No Child Left Inside and the Outdoor Learning Grant.

• If approved, these grants will ensure funding through 2027.

WDFW

• The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has committed to providing the Task Force (and NMHS) with 25,000 to 30,000 smolts for the temporary net pens in the early part of 2026. These fish will be released in May of 2026 to continue their natural migration.

• Students from North Mason High School, members of the Task Force and community volunteers will care for these fish.

Permitting

• We are continuing our work with NOAA, DNR and other regulatory groups to secure the required permitting and lease agreements necessary to host the temporary fish rearing net pens.

Tribal partnerships

• Throughout our journey, the Squaxin Island Tribe has continued to support and assist us when and wherever needed.

• We have also received support from the Nisqually Tribe for the work we are doing.

• Support from both of these Tribes goes a long way to ensure our work continues.

More to come - Stay Tuned!