Marine systems include the open Pacific Ocean, vast inland waterways such as Puget Sound and Georgia Basin, and many large and small bays, sheltered inlets, and nesting cliffs and islands. Marine mammals, fish, seabirds, shorebirds, and many species of waterfowl rely on the habitat provided by these marine areas for all or part of their lifecycles.

Threats and challenges

Many marine areas are administered by government agencies and not threatened by direct habitat loss. Others, particularly shoreline areas, are vulnerable to permitted but relentless development activities that threaten their value as habitat.

Marine areas, regardless of ownership, are subject to habitat degradation through increased marine traffic, pollution, and sometimes-destructive methods of harvesting wildlife and fish resources.

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