Beneath the Surface: Otter Rock Marine Reserve

Dive beneath the surface at Otter Rock Marine Reserve and get a glimpse of rockfish, a harbor seal, an octopus and more. Located off of Oregon’s central coast, Otter Rock Marine Reserve is the smallest of the five reserves. This scientific training ground provides local researchers with the perfect spot to try out new approaches.

anemones below the surface off of Oregon

03.30.16

Website Gives Glimpse Below Surface

Ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of Oregon’s ocean? Our new Oregon Marine Reserves website provides a rare glimpse below the surface of Oregon’s ocean waters and a behind-the-scenes peek at scientists in action. Read More

02.16.16

Tidepools, Rocky Reefs and Marine Reserves

See how the tidepools, underwater rocky reefs, and creatures that call these places home in Oregon’s marine reserves are all connected. Get tips on tidepool etiquette and help protect these special places.

02.13.16

Juvenile Fish Surveys

Underwater video of scientists collecting juvenile fish samples in Oregon’s marine reserve sites, to study juvenile fish recruitment. The study is led by scientists from Oregon State University, in collaboration with the ODFW Marine Reserves Program.

10.21.15

Sea Stars Observed after Massive Epidemic

In 2014, the Pacific Coast of North America was hit by a mysterious epidemic that wiped out millions of sea stars, marking the largest marine animal disease event in recorded history. Looming questions researchers are trying to answer include … Read More

09.09.15

New Ecological Monitoring Plan

Check out ODFW’s newly released Ecological Monitoring Plan. Learn about how long-term monitoring is helping us learn more about marine reserve protections and about Oregon’s nearshore ocean. Read More

Scientists conducting rocky intertidal monitoring

07.28.15

On the Rocks

In the field last week, scientists from UCSC and ODFW set up sampling plots to monitor rocky intertidal habitats at the Otter Rock and Cascade Head marine reserves. Read More

07.07.15

Sea Star Wasting Syndrome

Sea star wasting syndrome is a mysterious disease that has had a large effect on many sea star species along the west coast of the United States. This disease causes lesions and decaying of the sea star body, ultimately resulting in death. Read more to hear research the Marine Reserves program is doing to better understand disease. Read More

05.20.15

SMURFs Help Us Learn About Larval Fish

What is a SMURF? We are not talking about the cartoon characters. Rather, SMURF stands for: Standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes. Learn more about how we sample juvenile fish. Read More

03.09.15

Scientific Divers to Survey Otter Rock Marine Reserve

Volunteer scientific divers are practicing their survey skills in Otter Rock Marine Reserve this week. Scientific divers play a integral role in conducting ecological research in Oregon’s Marine Reserves. We use diver based underwater visual census methods to identify and count macroalgal, invertebrate, and fish communities. Read More