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Japanese Eelgrass Management on Commercial Clam Beds in Willapa Bay

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Japanese Eelgrass Management on Commercial Clam Beds in Willapa Bay Japanese Eelgrass Management on Commercial Clam Beds in Willapa Bay David Beugli Eelgrass in Willapa Bay We have two common species of eelgrass in Willapa Bay • The non-native Japanese or dwarf eelgrass; Zostera japonica • The native Pacific eelgrass; Zostera marina What is Japanese Eelgrass? • Zostera japonica is a marine flowering plant that is native to the Northwestern Pacific. • Introduced to the West Coast of North America • Perennial plant that can spread by seed or rhizomes Zostera japonica typically occupies tidelands with an elevation of 0’ to -5’ MLLW Zostera marina can be found both intertidal and subtidal with an elevation preference of -1’ to -15’ MLLW Eelgrass Distribution in Willapa Bay Why do we want to control Zostera japonica? The Good • Facilitates native eelgrass l • Stabilized sediments • Creates habitat for some fish and invertebrates • Forage source for some species of waterfowl • May aid in carbon sequestration Why do we want to control Zostera japonica? The Bad • Modifies habitat for benthic invertebrates which can result l in changes to prey availability for shorebirds/fish/crabs • Facilitates invasive species such as Polychaeta's, snails. • Ecosystem engineer- sediment accretion prevents tidal drainage, increase water temperatures • Destroys commercial shellfish beds Management of Zostera japonica? California: Listed as a both an invasive and noxious weed – small population is controlledl by hand Oregon: Not listed and is ignored by land managers Washington: Listed it a Class C noxious weed. This has led to the creation of a NPDES permit NPDES Permit • 2014 NPDES Permit Issued by Ecology • General Permit any licensed clam farmer can apply • Specifically for the use of Imazamox on commercial clam beds in Willapa Bay only What is Imazamox? • Herbicide registered by the EPA for aquatic uses • Categorized as a reduced risk herbicide, meaning its not considered a human health risk • Only toxic to plants, rapidly absorbed, degrades quickly, little risk of off site movement • Little risk to non-target plants • Example of clam grounds treated for japonica • 3 months after treatment you can see the bare tidelands • Control requires direct contact on drained tidelands Treatments are highly precise Research Site • Permit allows for treatments to occur within Willapa Bay on sites that have permit coverage • Treatments may only occur between April 15 – June 30 • Buffers of 30’ are required for the native Zostera marina Willapa Bay • ~ 77,000 surface acres • ~ 45,000 intertidal acres Privately owned tidelands • ~9000 acres actively farmed • ~6000 acres considered for clam cultivation Currently ~1,200 acres of commercial clam beds are covered under NPDES permits This is: 1.6% of the total area of Willapa Bay (77,000 acres) 4.6% of the tidelands that could contain eelgrass (26,000 acres) 20% of the 6,000 acres designated for clam culture in Willapa Bay Total Acres of Japonica Treatment 315 294 311 102 86 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Take Away • Everyone needs to be informed and understand what is actually going on • Scale and scope are important, small number of acres, in Willapa Bay, and only on commercial clam grounds • Safeguards are in place for the native Zostera marina Call to Action! • The NPDES permits are up for another 5 year renewal • Ecology has opened a new public comment period (Sep 18 – Nov 4) • Now is the time to help inform your friends, educate them about the facts, and get the message out! David Beugli Ph. (360) 642-3755 [email protected] www.WGHOGA.net.
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