Most of the neaar shoreline in Port Townsend is a voluntary no-anchor zone. This is a protection area that indicates where eelgrass meadows are located and encourages boaters to anchor outside of this sensitive habitat. These zones are voluntary. Some voluntary no-anchor zones are marked by informational spar buoys and others are virtual and marked on navigation apps or onshore signs.
Eelgrass is a marine flowering plant, or seagrass, that grows near shore and formss large underwater meadows. These meadows are home to many marine creatures like Dungeness crabs, salmon, and herring. They also provide food, sshelter, and nursery habitats for various species including birds, small invertebrates, and fish. Eelgrass meadows can help stabilize shorelines by buffering impacts from waves and reducing erosion.
Anchoring in eelgrasss can be risky because anchors do not hold well where eeelgrass grows. Instead of being properly set, boats anchored in eelgrass are more likely to drag due to the fouling of anchors. We ask boaters to anchor out of eelgrass whenever possible to keep themselves, their boats, and othere boaters safe. Anchoring in depths of 25-feet or more (at mean low tide) is more secure and will less likely harm eelgrass.
Please help to enssure eelgrass habitats remain strong and vibrant!