NEWPORT, Ore. – As part of its ongoing public process to consider establishing marine reserves along the coast, the Ocean Policy Advisory Council has invited the public to submit proposals for specific sites to be considered for further evaluation as potential marine reserves. The marine reserves would be areas within Oregon’s territorial sea, or adjacent rocky intertidal areas, protected from all extractive and development activities, including fishing, except as necessary for monitoring or research. The reserves would aid in the research and management of ocean habitats and marine plants and animals.

Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host two technical workshops to assist public groups with their marine reserve proposals. The purpose of these workshops is to provide groups an opportunity to discuss their draft proposals and receive feedback and assistance from state resource managers and others with local knowledge of the areas potentially being proposed.

State experts will be present to provide mapping and other technical assistance.

Marine reserves proposals are due Sept. 30. Proposal packets and additional information are available on the Oregon marine reserves website, www.oregonmarinereserves.net, and from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Sea Grant.

Dates, times, and locations of the technical workshops are:

• Monday, Sept.15, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. (later if necessary) – Charleston, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) Boathouse, 63466 Boat Basin Road.
• Thursday, Sept.18, 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. (later if necessary) – Pacific City, Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive.

For more information, please contact Jeff Feldner, Oregon Sea Grant Extension, (541) 574-6537 ext. 33, or Cristen Don, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, (541)867-4741.

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