Marine Reserves community teams want to hear from the public

NEWPORT, Ore. -- Local community teams working on three potential marine reserve sites for the Oregon Coast want a better idea of the biological, social and economic characteristics of their site and are asking for additional public input.

For each of the three proposed sites – Cape Falcon, Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua – the local community team has crafted a number of scenarios that describe different boundaries and levels of protection. The public can see the different scenarios and send comments to the community teams at www.oregonocean.info/marinereserves or to, 2040 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365, Attn: Cristen Don.  Comments will be accepted through Sept. 15.

According to Cristen Don, marine reserves staff for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the scenarios described on the website are not necessarily the final recommendations the teams will present to ODFW this fall. 

“Scientists and managers will analyze these scenarios and report to the community teams how well each one meets the twin goals of maximum ecological benefits and minimal social and economic impacts,” Don said. “This information, along with input from the public, will help each team develop their final site recommendation.”

The teams will be most interested in hearing how the areas are currently being used and enjoyed, how fishing, crabbing and other extractive uses may be affected by a marine reserve designation, and what species and habitats are present at each site.

At the direction of the 2009 Oregon State Legislature, ODFW has been evaluating the three potential marine reserve sites. A local community team was formed for each site to consider the biological, social and economic characteristics of their site, and to submit a marine reserve recommendation to ODFW this fall.

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