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Argyle
Lagoon Marine Preserve
WAC
220-16-440(3): "Those University of Washington-owned
tidelands and all bedlands enclosed by the inner spit of Argyle
Lagoon on San Juan Island." Effective since 3/31/1990. Effective
since 3/31/1990.
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| CLICK
IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP
 
Geographic
Statistics
| Area
Type |
Acres |
Hectares |
| Intertidal |
1.31 |
0.53 |
| Subtidal |
12.96 |
5.25 |
| Total |
14.27 |
5.78 |
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Links
to other imagery about this site
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On-site
panorama, taken from the southernmost point inside the lagoon
| Recreational
Restrictions / Openings |
| Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Open |
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| Trout |
Open |
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| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Limited |
Fishing
only for herring is allowed. |
| Unclassified |
Open |
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| Commercial
Restrictions / Openings |
Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Open |
|
| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Limited |
Fishing
only for herring is allowed. |
| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Prominent
and unique features |
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Argyle Lagoon Marine Preserve is a small, intertidal bay
that is owned by the University of Washington and its
Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL). The lagoon connects
to North Bay, an extension of San Juan Channel through
a narrow channel that also serves a boat ramp. A fence
surrounds the lagoon and is well-signed as a University
of Washington Biological Reserve. Upland shores comprised
of sand with riparian vegetation give rise to an intertidal
flat made of mud. A tidal channel drains the mudflat into
the larger channel. A county park borders the southern
and western edges of the lagoon. |
| Description
of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site |
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A variety of invertebrates that are typical of mudflats
inhabit this small embayment. Flatfish and sculpins likely
use the bay as a settlement and nursery area. |
| Programs
in place to manage the site |
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WDFW manages the site as partially-protected marine reserve
for non-tribal citizens. WDFW regulations prohibit commercial
and recreational fishing for bottomfish and classified
shellfish. Although recreational and commercial fishing
can legally occur in the lagoon for the harvesting of
salmon, trout, and some forage fishes, the small and limited
habitat makes the occurrences of these harvesting activities
unlikely. WDFW regulations allow the taking of unclassified
fish and invertebrates by recreational fishers.
Most of the upland portions of the site is owned by
the University of Washington through its Friday Harbor
Laboratories (FHL), and this institution can be considered
as co-managers. The preserve was created at the request
of FHL as a place for researchers to study and access
marine organisms in a natural condition. The university
has posted many signs in the upland habitat declaring
it a biological preserve and has an agreement with WDFW
to provide shore-based signs declaring a restricted
fishing zone.
The enforcement of the harvest restrictions is primarily
relegated to the Enforcement Program of WDFW. Information
on the site boundaries and restrictions is found in
WDFW's Sport Fishing Pamphlet and formal regulations
are published at the State of Washington's Administrative
Code available on the state's web site. WDFW is developing
specific pamphlets describing its marine reserves and
each specific site.
WDWF scientists do not actively study the organisms
within the site, but students and researchers regularly
collect and examine organisms at the site. |
| Issues
of concern |
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The proximity of the lagoon to an active boat ramp increases
the chances that chronic oil and fuel spills may affect
the ecological integrity of the lagoon. The nearby park
may increase the chance of garbage being dumped into the
lagoon. Collection activities by FHL students and reserachers
may also a pose threat to the functioning of the preserve.
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| Performance
measures |
| Continued
existence of the natural features of the lagoon including
marine vegetation and inverebrates.
Continued
use of the site as a place for FHL students and researchers
to conduct research and access study organisms. |
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