Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group (MSFEG) is proud to be part of The Citizen Action Training School (CATS), a civic engagement and watershed and marine ecology program that trains future community leaders to support Puget Sound recovery efforts locally and regionally. The program undertakes tangible projects that address the needs identified by the action plan of the Puget Sound Partnership, who along with the Nooksack Fisheries Enhancement Group initiated CATS. Currently, six regional fisheries enhancement groups, including MSFEG, have implemented a CATS program.
Recently, Seattle CATS’ participants—representing an array of occupations, ages and interests—received training from experts from the University of Washington, King County, the Tulalip and Duwamish tribes, as well as government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Twenty-nine students received a 12-week, 50-hour training session (a mixture of evening classes, hands-on skills workshops and field trips) and participants committed to at least 50 hours of planning and executing a service project. To date, these passionate citizen-advocates have implemented nearly 20 projects, which are making a real difference in local watershed recovery efforts. Highlights include:
•Forage Fish Surveys: Three participants—Vera, Christina and Gail—are piloting a year-long survey of forage fish spawning using a brand new protocol in Carkeek Park, working closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
•Working with Students: Valerie, in Edmonds, is helping students explore the importance of near-shore habitats to salmon. Recently, her class testified in front of the City Council advocating for stronger protections under the Shoreline Management Act.
•Virtual Field Trip: Laura J. is creating technology that allows students to see what a diver is seeing in Puget Sound, along with the ability ask questions in real time.