Photo credit--Rolf Sklar
Photo credit--NOAA
Photo credit--Tim Lindenbaum
Photo credit: Pam
Miller
Conservation Leaders Network
PO Box 46
Wedderburn OR 97491
541.247.8079
541.247.9521 (fax)
info@conservationleaders.org
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Marine Reserves Oregon's Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) continues to make halting progress toward the establishment of a network of marine reserves in Oregon's Territorial Sea (from the shore to 3 mil es out). The Governor recently requested that OPAC limit the number of reserves to fewer than 10. Work has been halted at the request of the Governor until he has an opportunity to hear from his Chief of Staff, who made a three day road trip along the coast to hear first-hand what coastal residents had to say about the process.However, a series of “listening and learning” forums in eight communities up and down the Oregon Coast is still on schedule to gather a wide range of interests and viewpoints to explore the issue of marine reserves. Organized by Oregon Sea Grant, the Oregon State University-based marine research and outreach program, the forums are intended to engage coastal communities and ocean users, share scientific and local knowledge, and show people how they can continue to be involved in the process of nominating potential sites for marine reserves. Forums will be moderated by Ginny Goblirsch, a long-time Sea Grant Extension Agent with both professional and personal background in the fishing community. Goblirsch, who lives in Newport, was brought out of retirement to coordinate the outreach effort. Scientific background on marine reserves will be presented by Dr. Patty Burke, Marine Resources Manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Dr. Selina Heppell, a faculty researcher with the OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Participants will hear “what and why” background about marine reserves, receive copies of material OPAC intends to use to make its recommendations, and meet others with whom they may continue working on the issue after the forums. Tri-State Ocean Health Agreement (CA, OR, WA) The Governors of California, Oregon and Washington released a West Coast Agreement on Ocean Health on September 18, 2006. This joint initiative launches a coordinated West coast ocean and coastal collaboration to address critical ocean and coastal protection and management issues facing all three states. The Governors' write:
To read the entire Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health, click here. The urgent need for marine reserves is demonstrated by numerous marine species which have declined precipitously in recent years, including marine mammals, birds, and commercially exploited fish and crab stocks. Nine species of West Coast groundfish populations are below 25% of their historical level resulting in a significant groundfish fishery closure. These reserves--by protecting habitat--boost the abundance, size and reproduction of the marine inhabitants, allow for the recovery of depleted populations of fished species that live in the reserves, permit the movement of animals from reserves to surrounding fished waters, provide ecosystem services and places to provide baseline information and provide insurance against environmental or management uncertainty. As Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Oregon State University, a nationally-recognized expert on ocean issues, states, “One specific tool stands out as effective, long-lasting and useful in helping to achieve better protection for ocean ecosystems and wildlife: marine reserves.” The Conservation Leaders Network has been advocating for marine reserves in Oregon since 2002. In August of 2002, the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) adopted a recommendation to the Governor supporting a linked system of marine reserves in Oregon. In December, Governor Kitzhaber endorsed their recommendation and directed them to begin a two-phase process to implement the recommendation. In 2003, legislation passed which changed the membership of OPAC. Controversy over potential members, many of whom were now required to be approved by the Senate, stalled any action for some time. The reconstituted OPAC began June 2005. Governor Kulongoski provided the new OPAC with clear direction to move forward on marine reserves. Finally, in June 2006, OPAC created a marine reserves working group to develop a work plan to do so. If you are interested in following OPAC's progress (or lack of it), go to: http://egov.oregon.gov/LCD/OPAC/index.shtml. There is a wealth of information demonstrating the benefits of marine reserves. From the beautiful and thought-provoking movie "Common Ground," to the the Bush Administration's U. S. Commission on Oceans Report "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century." A new study released in Science reveals "a striking downward trend in the diversity of fish in the open ocean. Teasing apart the effects of climate change and fishing over the past 50 years, the authors show a clear link to overfishing and highlight a surprising global pattern of open ocean hotspots. Protecting these open ocean hotspots in marine reserves or marine parks is crucial." Go to www.newswise.com/articles/view/513469/ to read the article. Dr. Mark Hixon, Oregon State University, has suggested the following approach for identifying and protecting important ecological areas:
Habitat protection objectives may include:
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