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Colvos Passage
Marine Preserve
WAC
220-16-730: "'Colvos Passage Marine Preserve Area' is defined
as those waters and bedlands of Colvos Passage enclosed by a line
starting at extreme low water on the west shore at 47° 20.87' N,
thence due east 300 feet, thence southwesterly paralleling the shore
for 500 feet, thence due west to the extreme low water line, thence
northeasterly along the extreme low water line to the point of origin."
Effective since 5/1/2000.
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IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP
 
Geographic
Statistics
| Area
Type |
Acres |
Hectares |
| Intertidal |
None |
None |
| Subtidal |
3.26 |
1.32 |
| Total |
3.26 |
1.32 |
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Links
to other imagery about this site
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This
is the picnic area and access to the preserve, facing
NE.
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A
closeup of the interpretive sign.
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A
view of the beach from the SE corner of the preserve,
looking NW.
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A
view from the access point on the beach of the preserve,
facing SE.
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| Recreational
Restrictions / Openings |
| Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Limited |
Salmon
fishing only by trolling is allowed. |
| Trout |
Closed |
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| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Commercial
Restrictions / Openings |
Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Closed |
|
| Bottomfish |
Closed |
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| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Prominent
and unique features |
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The Colvos Passage Marine Preserve, also known as Sunrise
Beach, is centered on a small patch of rocky habitat in
the central basin of Puget Sound. Rocky habitats are relatively
scarce in this portion of the basin and the site provides
the habitat for a thriving community of rockfishes and
other fish and invertebrate species that depend upon rocky
habitats. The rocky outcropping originates offshore in
25 feet of water (mllw) with boulders arising from sand
substrates. The boulders give rise to fractured bedrock
that slopes to a depth of 40 feet. There are several grottos
formed by the complex bedrock seabed. Below the wall,
boulders and bedrock ridges occur in smaller patches and
slope down to depths of 70 feet. The rocky habitat is
surrounded by sand in the nearshore and sand, gravel,
pebble, and cobble. The crown and faces of the rocky habitat
are covered with bladed kelps such as Laminaria saccharina
and foliose red algae. Inshore of the rocky habitat sand,
pebble, and cobble substrates occur on the slope to the
shoreline. There are sparse patches of eelgrass (Zostera
marina) and patches of bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana).
The shoreline
adjacent to the reserve is in private ownership and
houses and fortified shorelines dominate the low-bank
bluff. A county park is located just north of the reserve
and provides beach access for shore-based recreational
divers. |
| Description
of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site |
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Wolfeels (Anarrichthys ocellatus) are abundant
in this reserve as are copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
and brown rockfish (S. auriculatus). Striped seaperches
(Embiotoca lateralis) and pile perch (Rhacochilus
vacca) are also common at Colvos Passage Marine Preserve.
Other fishes that occur here include buffalo sculpin (Enophrys
bison), painted greenling (Oxylebius pictus),
sailfin sculpin (Nautichthys oculofasciatus), and
longfin sculpin (Jordania zanope).
The high
currents in Colvos Passage provide for a rich invertebrate
community that is dominated by encrusting organisms
such as giant barnacles (Balanus nubulis) and
tubeworms. Where consolidated sedimentary rocks occur,
rough piddock clams (Zirphaea pilsbryi) are common
and where sandy substrates dominate, geoduck clams (Panopea
generosa) can be observed. Other invertebrates are
very common including giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus
dofleini), red rock crab (Cancer productus),
and red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus).
Masses of green sea urchins (Stronglylocentrotus
droebachiensis) are often observed within the reserve,
especially on the northern portion of the rocky habitat.
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| 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 recreational
fishing and harvesting at the Colvos Passage Marine Preserve.
Most forms of recreational and all forms of commercial
fishing are not allowed. Recreational fishers are allowed
to troll for salmon through the preserve. The taking of
all other species of fishes and all invertebrates is prohibited
by WDFW regulations.
The site was proposed by a group of recreational divers.
Signage has been placed at the entrance to the adjacent
county park that identifies the role of the marine preserve.
The enforcement of the harvest restrictions is 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 each of its marine reserves.
WDWF scientists include Colvos Passage Marine Preserve
in their marine reserve monitoring efforts. The site
is visited several times per year when the scientists
perform a census of the fish living on the two southern
rocky habitats. During these surveys, all fish are identified,
counted, and measured. The areas of the rocky habitats
have been measured so fish densities can be assessed
and compared to previous surveys or other areas. WDFW
has also conducted a special study on the wolfeels that
inhabit the reserve. |
| Issues
of concern |
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The Colvos Passage Marine Preserve is also known as Sunrise
Beach. This site is a high-use site by recreational divers
who access the site from both the shore and from boats.
Anchoring at the site could potentially cause habitat
damage in the shallow portions of the site. Divers also
have become accustomed to feeding the wolfeels at the
site and this has unknown consequences to the wolfeel
colony.
The allowance of salmon trolling may result in the unintentional
catch of rockfish and lingcod inhabiting the preserve.
The impacts on the sustainability of the fish populations
at the reserve are unknown.
Property owners are generally not supportive of the
reserve primarily because shore-based divers often transit
or trespass upon the beach that is the private property
of the land owners. The presence of moorings for property
owner's boats and the allowance of trolling in the reserve
present potential safety conflicts with divers who swim
offshore to submerge and surface above the habitat.
Derelict gill nets are present at the site but are not
in a condition to be dangerous to divers or marine life
at the site. The nearby activity of commercial salmon
fisheries may make the marine resources at this site
vulnerable to new derelict fishing gear. |
| Performance
measures |
| The
number of divers who visit the site.
Acceptance
by upland owners and local fishers.
The
continued presence of a diverse fish community.
Increasing
or sustained abundances of copper rockfish.
Increasing
and sustained large individual sizes of copper rockfish.
The
persistence of wolfeel and giant Pacific octopus. |
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