Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association: Margaret Barrette — Read The Dirt Read The Dirt

Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association: Margaret Barrette

Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association: Margaret Barrette    In August, 2010 Margaret Pilaro Barrette joined the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA) as the Executive Director. She brings to the position experiences in both local and state government - working primarily on aquatic resources issues, community planning and public involvement. Barrette received both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. This field of study, of coastal and marine emphasis, combines the disciplines of physical science, political science, economics, geography, and natural resources management. While in Rhode Island, Barrette worked as a municipal planner and dealt with storm and wastewater issues as they related to a city-wide effort to restore the local Quahog (mercanaria mercanaria) fishery and also led the harbor management planning process. For the 12 years prior to joining PCSGA, Barrette was at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources as a planner in the Aquatic Resources Division as well as five years in the Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands. Some of her projected included: Columbia River Estuary Management Plan, the development of both the Aquatic Reserves and Conservation Leasing Programs for state-owned aquatic lands, Sustainable Recreation, Forest Land Planning, and managing the agency’s public involvement and constituent relations activities. Founded in 1930, the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA) represents growers in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. Our members grow a wide variety of healthy, sustainable shellfish including oysters, clams, mussels, scallops and geoduck. PCSGA works on behalf of its members on a broad-spectrum of issues, including environmental protection, shellfish safety, regulations, technology and marketing. The standards for farming practices are founded on the PCSGA’s Environmental Code of Practice, which are based on all the relevant science available on the benefits and efforts of shellfish farming. To learn more about PCSGA, please visit www.pcsga.org.