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. This means bad news for kelp.

07.30.19

ROV Highlights from ODFW

Underwater video collected by ODFW’s ROV helped in the initial documentation of hypoxia (low oxygen) off the central Oregon coast in 2002. More recently, the ROV has been used to show the impacts on marine communities post Sea Star Wasting disease. The ROV is also one of the core tools used to monitor Oregon’s reserves.

07.30.19

Oceanographic Sensors at Cascade Head

Watch as ODFW sets out oceanographic sensors at Cascade Head. These sensors collect data on temperature, salinity, and oxygen every hour of the day and are left in the water for several months. This helps us understand the oceanographic conditions at the marine reserve, such as when a hypoxia (low oxygen) event has occurred.

02.13.19

2018 Highlights

Check out these highlights from our at-sea explorations and activities in 2018. You’ll find clips from the ODFW Marine Reserves Program’s oceanographic, ROV, hook-and-line, SCUBA, and rocky intertidal monitoring surveys. Plus snapshots from outreach and community events.

07.06.18

Research Tools and Surveys

Check out some of the research tools and surveys carried out by ODFW as part of our long-term monitoring of Oregon’s marine reserves. Highlights include footage from our SCUBA, video lander, ROV, and longline surveys. You’ll take a dip under the surface to see the animals and plants that call these nearshore waters home.

01.23.18

2017 Highlights

From strange creatures washing up on beaches and hypoxia (low oxygen), to jellyfish blooms, research collaborations with fishermen, and advancements in underwater video research tools – Oregon’s marine reserves were teeming with discoveries this year.

10.18.17

Rise of the Jellyfish

Like nettle plants on land, Pacific sea nettles can leave a similar sting. Recently, ODFW habitat researchers ran into swarms of them while doing acoustic surveys south of the Cascade Head Marine Reserve. Check out the video.

06.22.17

Strange Creatures Cast Ashore: Pyrosomes

In past years pyrosomes were rare finds on Oregon beaches. But in the winter of 2016 – 2017 they became as common as kelp in driftlines and in the spring they washed up in astounding numbers, awing beachcombers and spurring scientists to study why these creatures were appearing in unprecedented swarms.

01.11.17

2016 Highlights

From underwater video research, to social science surveys, bird studies, and collaborations with fishermen. Here’s a look back at the ODFW Marine Reserves Program’s top stories from 2016. And, check out our infographic highlighting some of the Program’s accomplishments in 2016.

08.04.16

Marine Reserves Tide Pools

Tide pools provide habitat for many species. Dive beneath the surface of tide pools at Otter Rock Marine Reserve and Cascade Head Marine Reserve.

Oregon Marine Reserves

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