CIFTF and NMHS Advisory Group

March 2026

On Wednesday, March 11th, Task Force members Brad Pomroy and Art Whitson attended the North Mason High School Advisory Board meeting. The Case Inlet Fisheries Task Force has been involved in the North Mason High School Career and Tech Ed (CTE) program by assisting with the Aquaculture program being offered at the school.

The Aquaculture program is in its second year and current participants will complete the program when they graduate in 2026/27. The program prepares students to either work in the aquaculture field immediately after graduation or prepares them to pursue a secondary degree in a related field.

In addition to participating on the Advisory Board, Task Force members have been in the classroom and on field outings to help teach students the critical skills they will need to work in this field.

Working with the Marina owners and the students, the Case Inlet Fisheries Task force will install a temporary net pen (called a Delayed Release Enclosure) at the Fair Harbor Marina at the end of this year. We will care for and release 15,000 Coho smolts at the marina. These fish will return to Case Inlet in roughly three years. The field work planned at the marina is critical for the students to gain the experience they need in order to complete their program.

North Mason High School has purchased the first enclosure (see pics below) and it will be ready for assembly and installation at the Fair Harbor marina later this year.