It should come as no suprise that there is already a call to expand Oregon's Marine Reserves - even before the first one has been established.
It's pretty clear there is a push to close the coast WITHOUT the first mention of results from the pilot reserves.
Pilot reserves were a huge victory for the "close fishing" crowd as they now have a toe hold and are simpy asking to expand them - no big deal
The Call To Expand Oregon’s Marine Reserves | Natural Oregon The Call To Expand Oregon’s Marine Reserves
Monday, November 2, 2009
By Dennis Newman
Cascade Head near Lincoln City. Photo by NOAA Commander Bruce Hillard.
Saying our coast ecology is under deep stress,
Environment Oregon is calling for a major expansion of the state’s system of marine reserves.
Marine reserves are sort of like state parks in the ocean. They’re areas where most major commercial activity, such as fishing and energy development are banned. But recreation activities, such as diving, boating and surfing, are allowed. So far, Oregon has set aside two areas off the coast as marine reserves and four other locations are being studied.
But Environment Oregon argues that much more needs to be done. It says establishing a larger system of marine reserves will help coastal areas recover faster from overfishing, climate change, and the impact of those summer “dead zones”. The group says that in other parts of the world, marine reserves have a proven record of increasing the population of marine plants, fish and animals.
Here’s a look at what Environment Oregon wants to see happen.
It says the legislature should move forward to establish marine reserves at the four areas still being studied. This includes Cape Falcon south of Cannon Beach, Cascade Head near Lincoln City, Cape Perpetua south of Yachats, and Cape Arago – Seven Devils near Coos Bay.
Then it suggests three other areas as future marine reserves. On that list is Three Arch Rocks, home to a colony of tufted puffins. Next is Orford Reef, where a large kelp forests provides habitat for the red sea urchin. Finally, it wants to include Mack Reef, home to a wide variety of marine species including almost a dozen types of seabirds.
Marine reserves have been a tough sell on the coast. Commercial fishermen are worried about being locked out of prime fishing grounds as more ocean territory is set aside for reserves, and offshore energy projects such as wave and tidal energy and offshore wind farms.
For more information see Environment Oregon’s report,
Oregon’s Marine Treasures: The Case For Conservation.
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