Returning to the Reserves: Tom Calvanese & Redfish Rocks

Tom Calvanese’s sense of place for Redfish Rocks started during his time as a commercial urchin diver. Despite the area now being off limits to urchin harvest and fishing, he never left the waters that became the reserve. Join us as we talk with this urchin diver – turned fisheries scientist – turned research field station manager and explore his knowledge, how he came to know these waters, and his continued connections with this place. Read More

Black Oystercatcher Study With Help From Volunteers

While the Black Oystercatcher has a conspicuous presence on our coast, little demographic information has been collected on this seabird in recent years. Portland Audubon, research partners, and volunteers conducted a statewide survey to get an updated population estimate and learn more about their distribution at marine reserve sites and along the coast. Findings from this study have recently been published. Read More

2019 Fish On! Hook and Line Newsletter

Another successful year of hook and line surveys is completed, which means another edition of our annual FishOn! Hook and Line Newsletter. This past year we caught and sampled 1,250 fish representing 18 different species at Redfish and Cape Falcon. Check out the FishOn! Newsletter to see more highlights and data from our surveys in 2019. Read More

A Prickly Problem with Sea Urchins

Beneath the waves, once towering kelp beds are collapsing from an unprecedented perfect storm that has been brewing below the surface. First, a massive epidemic wiped out sea stars, then a marine heatwave and El Niño, and now an explosion of sea urchins. Read More

Banking on Baby Fish and Big Data

Cabezon are a popular fish in both the recreational and commercial fisheries here in Oregon. This means that their populations have to be tracked carefully in order to ensure catches are maintained at sustainable levels. If fish were like a bank account, the money flowing in and out must be kept in balance. Read More