2023 Lummi Island Reefnet Festival

08/10/2023

Don't miss out on your chance to win big at the upcoming Reefnet Festival! 🏝️ Purchase your raffle tickets now for a shot at fantastic prizes. All the juicy details about the raffle can be found right at The Islander. 🎟️ Hurry, the clock's ticking and the prizes are too good to resist! See you at the festival! 🌊

08/07/2023

🌊🐟🐋 Excited to invite you all to the Lummi Island Reefnet Festival on August 19th, 2023! 🗓️ Led by the Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods, we're on a mission to protect the beautiful Salish Sea and its precious wildlife. 🐟🌿 Join us in celebrating the preserved Salmon runs, the resident Orca population, and the stunning natural wonders that enrich our lives. 🌊💙 This event unites local artists and conservation experts, proudly partnering with Sustainable Connections for a zero waste commitment. Let's come together to cherish and safeguard the sea we call home! 🌎🐋

📷 credit: Jennifer H 😊

08/04/2023

🐠 The Reefnet Committee has been hard at work, bringing together plans for a successful festival for all to experience! 🎉 Join us on August 19th for a day of fun, live music featuring Sharon Katz, Soul*Drift, Sons of Rainier, and Hot Damn Scandal! 🎶

Indulge in delicious treats from Food Booths & the Beer Garden. Explore Arts and Crafts & Educational Booths to learn about our oceans' wonders. Don't miss the chance to grab some Reefnet Salmon for Sale! 🍻🎨🐟

And wait, there's more! 🚤 From 2-7 pm, take a thrilling Boat Ride out to the Reefnet Gears and immerse yourself in the beauty of the underwater world! 🌊🌴

07/30/2023

Who else is excited for boat rides again this year!? It’s the best way to see the reefnetting up close!

07/26/2023

Reefnet-caught salmon is renowned for its exceptional taste and quality.

This is because of the sustainable fishing practices, minimal stress on the fish, quick processing, natural diet, pristine ocean environment, inherent taste of the species, and the absence of bycatch. All of these factors contribute to the delectable flavor and high-quality characteristics that make this catch a true culinary delight.

Be sure to come out to this years Reefnet Festival to taste it yourself! Freshly caught and prepared by our resident conservation experts. Truly can't get better than this.

Sea you there :)

📸 Credit: Jennifer Henkens

07/22/2023

🎉 Exciting news! The Reefnet Festival is only 28 days away! 🌊 Don't miss this incredible event celebrating marine life and conservation. Click the link below to secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable experience! 🎟️

http://salishcenter.org/reefnet-festival/

07/21/2023

🌿🌊 Exciting News from Salish Center! 🌊🌿

The Salish Center has some fantastic news to share! Larry Mellum, the board president, is thrilled to announce the successful first harvest of sugar kelp from Lummi Island SeaGreens - the first licensed seaweed farm in Washington State. This remarkable venture was co-founded by Larry and Riley Starks earlier this year.

A delightful picture captures Larry celebrating the momentous occasion of their sugar kelp harvest.

The journey began with a vision for the future of the Salish Sea and the entire region. Strategically placing the seaweed farm over Riley's reefnet site allowed them to harvest the crop this spring while preparing to deploy the reefnet gear for the upcoming salmon season. This approach exemplifies their commitment to sustainability and thoughtful resource management.

In addition to his role at Salish Center, Larry Mellum is also the proud owner of Pike Place Chowder in Seattle. His dedication extends to the survival of the Southern Resident Orcas, and he actively promotes the use of sustainable fishing methods. Larry recognizes that it is a crucial starting point for safeguarding the marine ecosystem.

The team firmly believes that seaweed farming holds immense potential for creating future opportunities and benefits in the Salish Sea region. Their commitment to the environment and marine life is admirable, and they are excited to witness the positive impact of their efforts.

Larry Mellum and the entire team express their gratitude for the unwavering support received throughout this journey. Together, they aim to make a significant positive impact on the Salish Sea and beyond, working towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

07/18/2023

Why is Reefnetting so sustainable? 🐟🐟🐟

The real sustainable advantage with reefnetting lies in its lack of by-catch mortality. From the live well, unwanted species are simply released, unharmed, back into their environment, allowing for careful selective fishing on mixed stocks. The abundant species can be retained, while species that are endangered can be released. This gives us an extremely high success rate for releasing non-targeted species unharmed. The reward, in this case, is seeing them swim away and knowing that they will survive to complete their age-old cycle of returning to their spawning grounds to ensure their species’ future.

Experience this Time-Honored Tradition and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of reefnet fishing, a centuries-old practice that has been passed down through generations. Witness the skillful maneuvers of the fishers as they work together using traditional nets, displaying their deep connection to the sea and their respect for marine ecosystems.

Tickets to the Annual Reefnet Festival are limited, so secure your spot early to avoid disappointment. Whether you are an avid fisherman, a nature lover, or simply someone seeking an extraordinary adventure, this festival promises to be a highlight of your year.

Purchase your tickets here:
https://salishcenter.org/calendar/2023-reefnet-festival/

07/15/2023

Did you get a chance to chat with Riley Starks at the Saturday Market? He also happened to have some sweet Reefnet Festival shirts on him.

Riley Starks is the founder and Executive Director of the Salish Center for Sustainable Fishing Methods, is a visionary advocate for preserving the delicate ecosystem of the Salish Sea. His mission is to raise awareness about the fragility of the sea, promote sustainable fishing practices, and highlight the benefits of reefnet fishing.

With extensive experience in the fishing industry, Riley is a champion of responsible harvesting. Through the Salish Center, he educates the public, conducts research, and advocates for sustainable fishing methods. Riley's focus on reefnet fishing, a low-impact technique that minimizes bycatch and protects the marine ecosystem, sets an example for sustainability.

Riley collaborates with fishermen, environmental organizations, and policymakers to promote sustainable fishing regulations. His leadership inspires communities to embrace conservation and ensure a brighter future for the Salish Sea.

07/15/2023

Don’t miss this festival at the Salish Center on the beach! We’ll have live music, Reefnet caught Salmon, Paella, Pike Place Chowder, Beer and Wine Garden, Corn on the cob, Arts and Crafts for the kids, boat rides the the reefnet gears, booths and much more!

07/15/2023

https://youtu.be/lr5QkxMOOpc

Love this video by Robert Keller. It really captures the magic of reefnet fishing.

Channeling my inner Dal and Ed, six batteries and one scary complete loss of communication between the controller and the DJI Mini 2 later, I captured two di...