Explore beneath the surface of the ocean in the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve, located off the central Oregon coast. See underwater video footage taken with ODFW’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Swim along with schools of fish, find an octopus hiding in a rocky crevice, and see white plumose sea anemones swaying in the current.
This project is designed to capture the lived experience of commercial and charter fishers who are directly impacted by marine reserves. We were particularly interested in the economic, social, and cultural impacts of the marine reserves, including whether or not fishers were shifting their efforts to other species or locations following reserve implementation. Read More
Results from our intertidal surveys indicate that while Ochre Sea Star densities declined during the sea star wasting outbreak, they are rebounding … Read More
The management plan for the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve is now available. The Plan outlines the state’s marine reserve mandates and describes management, outreach, and engagement strategies developed for the site. These strategies were developed with help and input from local community members and other interested Oregonians. Read More
Though our spring hook-and-line surveys were cancelled, our ecological team has been busy analyzing data from previous sampling years. These graphs summarize the average biomass of fish throughout the years of sampling at Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua, which were established as marine reserves in 2014. Read More
Beyond the research conducted by the ODFW Marine Reserves Program, the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and surrounding area is attracting additional human dimensions research. One example is the recently released report from a two-year, year round, visitor survey conducted at shoreside locations along the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. Read More
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
A draft of the Cape Perpetua Management Plan is currently out for public comment. The Plan outlines the state’s marine reserve mandates and describes the management strategies that have been developed for the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. Comments are due by February 28th. Read More
Check out these highlights from the ODFW Marine Reserves Program and Oregon’s five marine reserve sites from 2019. Explore underwater, see scientists and fishermen in action, find snapshots from the air and from community events. From hook-and-line surveys to underwater SCUBA excursions, it’s been a busy year.
Urchins devouring kelp off the southern Oregon coast was the top News post on our website this year. Take a look at a few of the other top stories from 2019. Read More