Our food systems in the Puget Sound are heavily dependent on conventional agricultural and seafood operations. If not properly managed, these have the potential to introduce significant pollution into our watersheds and reduce the resilience of the region’s marine ecosystems. 

Nutrient and chemical management becomes more challenging as farmers experience climate impacts. Runoff from food operations can return to waterways laced with excess nitrogen from fertilizers, pathogens and a myriad of toxins from pesticides and herbicides. Poorly managed seafood operations can threaten critical native species through overharvesting, introduction of non-native species, and diseases from overcrowded farming operations.   

In contrast, better food production practices mimic and enrich natural ecosystems. Sustainable seafood operations, for example, ensure that seafood species are efficiently harvested within the capacity of the ecosystem and that native species populations can thrive. Regenerative agriculture practices eliminate inputs from chemicals and fossil-fuel derived fertilizers. Nature-based pest management replaces chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

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