Ocean Protection

Tidepool - tammi miller

The Oregon Coast

The Oregon coast is one of the wildest and most unique places in our state, offering exceptional opportunities for viewing fish and wildlife habitat. It hosts vast underwater kelp forests, similar to old growth forests, which teem with wildlife. Learn more.

The Challenge

The Oregon coast and these important underwater habitats are in danger from global warming, oil spills, coastal development and overfishing. As with Oregon’s land-based habitat, we need to manage our marine habitat in a manner that sustains and restores this great legacy.

Latest Developments

On Jan. 24, 2013, the Land Conservation and Development Commission approved a Territorial Sea Plan for Oregon. It designates important habitat for seafaring birds and other wildlife while identifying four areas off the coast as suitable for future renewable energy development. Learn more.

On Feb. 22, 2012, the Oregon Legislature approved a Kitzhaber-backed bill that adds 38 square miles of marine reserves in Oregon's biologically rich territorial sea. Oregon is now home to five marine reserves: Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, Cape Perpetua and Redfish Rocks. More about Senate Bill 1510.

Marine Reserve and Protected Areas

Marine reserves are areas in the ocean that fully protect fish, wildlife and their habitats from destruction within their borders.  Marine protected areas are places in the ocean set aside to either fully (through a marine reserve) or partially protect fish, wildlife and their habitats within their borders.  A continuum of protection of fish, wildlife and their habitats can exist within a designated area that has both levels of protection. Benefits of marine reserves:

• Marine reserves provide insurance. Reserves offer protection for our ocean resources, or resilience, from human-caused impacts.
  

• Marine reserves provide places where fish can feed breed and thrive.

• Marine reserves provide a living and dynamic laboratory for research and education by providing a benchmark to assess the effects of fishing, oil drilling and other human induced impacts.

The Scientific Community and Marine Reserves

Scientists have studied the performance of more than 120 marine reserves of many different sizes in a variety of temperate and tropical habitats. A comprehensive review of marine reserves reveal that most week-regulated marine reserves result in relatively large, rapid and long-lasting increases in population size, number of species and reproductive output of marine animals and plants. The review found that the average biomass or weight of all animals and plants studied. is more than four times large in reserves than in unprotected areas.

What We Are Doing

• We helped to establish Our Ocean, an alliance of  organizations working together to promote ecosystem-based management in the Pacific Ocean off of Oregon's coast.
• We are actively contributing to the work of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council that is charged with the responsibility of assessing sanctuary and marine reserve proposals.
• We are bringing together scientists, fishermen and members of Our Ocean to work collaboratively on strategies to protect biodiversity, achieve sustainable fisheries, and promote healthy coastal economies.
• We manage Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary, located on the coast near Yachats, Ore.

Get Involved

Contact Paul Engelmeyer, by email at pengelmeyer@peak.org or by phone at 541-547-4227.