What Northwest Straits Commission does

Northwest Straits Commission is a private nonprofit organization established in 1999 and headquartered in Mount Vernon, Washington, operating as a regional coordinating body for marine conservation across the Northwest Straits region. The Commission supports seven county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) covering Clallam, Jefferson, Island, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties through funding distribution, technical support, training, and regional coordination. Its work spans six programmatic areas: the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan (a 65-action framework co-led with NOAA Fisheries), kayak-based floating kelp monitoring, a forage fish citizen science program, Olympia oyster restoration, invasive European green crab removal, and the "Anchor Out of Eelgrass" public education campaign.

The Commission's core technology is SoundIQ, an ArcGIS-based interactive geospatial mapping platform (originally launched in 2012 and redesigned in 2025) that visualizes and distributes spatial data on nearshore species and habitats across the seven-county region. The platform won the 2023 ArcGIS International Storyteller of the Year award. Other technical assets include standardized kayak-based bull kelp survey protocols (developed 2014) and forage fish survey training programs that have onboarded over 100 citizen science volunteers since 2014. The organization operates with approximately 13 staff and is led by Director Lucas Hart, with program specialists managing kelp, oyster, and invasive species workstreams.

The Commission's revenue model is exclusively grant-funded; it charges no fees and operates as a 501c3-type nonprofit. Funding flows from federal appropriations under the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (reauthorized by H.R. 2860 in the U.S. House in June 2026 with bipartisan 374-49 support), congressional directed spending administered through NOAA, and state agency partnerships with WDFW, DNR, and the Department of Ecology. Tribal nations (Swinomish, Nooksack, Lummi, Samish, Jamestown S'Klallam, Port Gamble S'Klallam) provide in-kind support and collaborative partnership. The customer base is governmental and tribal; the seven MRCs are the primary delivery channel for conservation outcomes at the local level.

Name

Northwest Straits Commission

Legal name

Northwest Straits Commission

Website

https://nwstraits.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Northwest Straits Commission is a nonprofit regional coordinating body that supports seven county Marine Resources Committees in Washington State through funding, training, and coordination for marine habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and citizen science.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine & Coastal Remediation (Shoreline/Port Spill Cleanup) (IMAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Citizen science
• Invasive species removal
• Marine resources coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Sequim

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Appropriations: The Commission receives federal funding through the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2860) in June 2026 with bipartisan support. Funding is administered through NOAA.
2. Congressional Directed Spending: Funding provided through congressionally directed spending funds administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for vessel turn-in events and marine conservation projects.
3. State Agency Partnerships: Funding and support from Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington Department of Ecology, and other state agencies for specific projects like derelict vessel removal and European green crab trapping.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Northwest Straits Commission conducts regional marine conservation projects and supports the work of seven Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) across Clallam, Jefferson, Island, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties through funding, technical support, training, and regional coordination. Its work spans habitat restoration (Olympia oysters, bull kelp, eelgrass), invasive species removal (European green crabs, derelict vessels and crab pots), forage fish protection, and the SoundIQ interactive geospatial mapping platform for sharing nearshore species and habitat data.

Product overview

Northwest Straits Commission operates as a portfolio of environmental conservation programs rather than a traditional software products company. Its primary digital offering is SoundIQ, an interactive ArcGIS-based mapping platform for exploring nearshore species and habitat data. The Commission's work centers on six major programmatic areas: the Kelp Plan (a research and management framework), kelp monitoring via kayak-based surveys, forage fish protection, Olympia oyster restoration, European green crab removal, and eelgrass protection through the Anchor Out campaign. These programs combine field science, citizen volunteer engagement, and regional coordination to protect and restore Puget Sound and Salish Sea marine ecosystems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SoundIQ: Interactive map-based tool that lets users discover, explore, and download spatial data for nearshore species and habitats in the Northwest Straits region.
• SoundIQ

Products and services

• SoundIQ An interactive, map-based tool that allows users to discover, explore, and download spatial data for nearshore species and habitats such as kelp and eelgrass beds across the Northwest Straits region.
• Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan A collaborative research and management framework providing a blueprint for coordinated action to conserve and recover Puget Sound kelp forests, containing 65 actions for kelp restoration and protection.
• Floating Kelp Kayak-Based Monitoring A citizen science monitoring program where MRC volunteers conduct kayak-based surveys of floating bull kelp beds one to four times yearly between June and September across six counties using a standardized survey protocol.
• Forage Fish Program A monitoring and protection program focused on Pacific herring, sand lance, surf smelt, and other forage fish critical to marine food webs, including citizen science volunteer training and beach spawning surveys across seven counties.
• Olympia Oyster Restoration A restoration initiative across Clallam, Jefferson, Skagit, and Whatcom counties working to restore self-sustaining native Olympia oyster populations throughout their historic range in Puget Sound, with over two million oyster seeds planted to date.
• European Green Crab Removal Program A coordinated trapping effort to remove invasive European green crabs from Drayton Harbor and Samish Bay, working with WDFW, Sea Grant, Washington Conservation Corps, and local volunteers to reduce the invasive species population.
• Anchor Out of Eelgrass Campaign A public education campaign encouraging boaters to anchor at least 25 feet of water depth at low tide to protect eelgrass habitats that salmon and other marine wildlife depend on.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on European green crab trapping program, forage fish monitoring, Olympia oyster restoration, and herring spawn reporting. WDFW provides scientific expertise and coordinates statewide invasive species response.
• Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Washington's 2.6 million acres of aquatic lands and the Derelict Vessel Removal Program. DNR has removed over 1,000 abandoned vessels since 2002. Co-host of vessel turn-in events and partner on kelp monitoring.
• Port of BellinghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCountywide municipal corporation that co-hosted the Whatcom County Vessel Turn-In Event. Provided venue at Landings at Colony Wharf for vessel deconstruction and recycling.
• Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Olympia oyster restoration providing juvenile oysters (spat on shell) for restoration sites. Collaborates on native oyster recovery and bull kelp restoration programs.
• Washington Conservation Corps (WCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide service program hosting a six-person crew since 2022 focused on trapping and removing invasive European green crabs from Samish Bay in Skagit County.
• Washington Sea Grant Crab TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch team that discovered signs of European green crab in Drayton Harbor in 2019, leading to establishment of removal trapping program. Provides technical expertise on green crab identification and monitoring.
• Padilla Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Partner in forage fish monitoring and hosts the SoundIQ GIS specialist. Board member affiliation with Dr. Paul Dinnel.
• Northwest Straits Foundation (NWSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization providing additional support for MRC projects. Recently completed ROV training for crab pot removal operations and partners on shoreline restoration projects.
• NOAA FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan development. Provides funding for MRC conferences and regional coordination.
• Science Advisory CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific experts that provide guidance and support for kelp monitoring and other Commission projects.
• Clallam, Jefferson, Skagit, and Whatcom County MRCscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour of the seven county MRCs that have conducted Olympia oyster restoration, collectively planting over 2 million oyster seeds and monitoring population growth.
• Nooksack Indian TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally recognized tribe of about 2,000 members providing in-kind support and partnership for the Whatcom County Vessel Turn-In Event.
• Lummi NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-governing nation with over 5,000 members providing in-kind support and partnership for Whatcom County Vessel Turn-In Event.
• Whatcom Working Waterfront CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember-based organization promoting economic benefits of working waterfront, providing support for vessel turn-in events.
• Swinomish Indian Tribal CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner providing salmon for MRC conference and collaborative presence in marine conservation efforts.
• Samish Indian NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner providing staff support for Kids on the Beach program and collaborative on forage fish monitoring.
• Jamestown S'Klallam TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of NW Straits Commission meetings at their Community Center. Co-sponsor of the Kelp Plan and partner in kelp conservation efforts.
• Port Gamble S'Klallam TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in House Bill 1631 adopting bull kelp forests as Washington's state marine forests, and in the Kelp Plan development.
• Seattle AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Kelp Quest citizen science project for kelp identification and the Kelp Plan development.
• Reef Check FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCUBA volunteer kelp monitoring program partner for the Kelp Plan.
• Vashon Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in kayak kelp monitoring and collaborated with Skagit MRC on bull kelp surveys.
• Washington State Department of EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on vessel turn-in events and marine conservation. Provided in-kind support for Whatcom County event.
• U.S. Representative Rick LarsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead sponsor of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2860) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Washington): Global conservation organization with active Puget Sound and coastal Washington programs. Comparable in marine habitat restoration and grant-funded nonprofit model, but operates as a broadly diversified incumbent rather than a regionally-focused marine commission.
• Marine Conservation Institute: National nonprofit focused on securing marine protected areas and ocean health. Comparable in marine conservation mission and policy advocacy, though broader in geographic scope and lacking the Commission's localized citizen-science execution.
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: National nonprofit supporting the National Marine Sanctuary system, including Pacific marine sanctuaries. Comparable in mission (marine conservation and habitat protection) and federal funding model, though at a much broader scale.

Direct peers

• Puget Sound Restoration Fund: A regional nonprofit focused on native shellfish, kelp, and nearshore habitat restoration across Puget Sound. Highly comparable as they co-deliver the Olympia oyster restoration program with the Commission and operate in the same Salish Sea conservation ecosystem.
• Padilla Bay Foundation: Operates the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and partners with the Commission on forage fish monitoring and hosts the SoundIQ GIS specialist. Comparable as a regional marine/coastal conservation organization in the Northwest Straits ecosystem.
• Washington Sea Grant Crab Team: University- and state-coordinated citizen science program tracking and trapping European green crabs in Washington waters. Directly comparable as a partner in the Commission's invasive species program and shares the volunteer-driven marine conservation model.
• SeaDoc Society: A marine conservation science and restoration program focused on the Salish Sea. Directly comparable in geographic scope, mission (healthy marine ecosystems), and integration of science with on-the-water restoration.
• Northwest Straits Foundation: Sister organization that complements the Commission's work with additional MRC project support, including ROV derelict crab pot removal. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and operational model.

Emerging players

• Reef Check Foundation: Global volunteer SCUBA-based kelp and reef monitoring program; a partner on the Kelp Plan. Comparable as a citizen-science-driven marine ecosystem monitoring organization, though operating at a different geographic scale.

Regional players

• Coastal Watershed Institute: Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on nearshore and estuarine habitat stewardship. Comparable in mission and Pacific Northwest coastal focus, though operating primarily in Washington and Oregon outer-coast geographies rather than the Salish Sea.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user862642
• Facebookfacebook.com/NWStraits
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northwest-straits-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/nwstraits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Straits Commission