Marine Reserves Protect Future

During the next few months, Oregonians will have the chance to weigh in on the idea of marine reserves off our coast. Whether or not you believe our near-shore waters are in need of protection, one thing is clear: we are pursuing fewer and fewer fish every year. It’s a pattern that has been repeated all over the world until fisheries are put on the brink of total disaster. Implementing marine reserves now will protect our ocean resources for future generations.

Current Management Practices Aren’t Cutting It
For too many years, state and federal managers overseeing ocean stocks have waited until serious problems develop before closing fisheries. When dealing with commercially valuable species, there’s a lot of pressure to keep fisheries open and limits liberal. Within recent memory (2002), our reactive approach to fisheries management caused a near collapse of groundfish stocks, closing 10,000 square miles of coastal waters off the west coast to commercial fishing. This closure was the largest in United States history.

Why Marine Reserves?
Of the 12 species of ocean shelf and slope rockfish that have been assessed by federal fisheries managers, 7 have been declared overfished or below their target. This means that stocks are below 25% of their historical abundance. This is a red flag folks. Marine reserves protect crucial habitat, not only from overfishing, but degrading activities such as ocean dumping and dredging. Some areas must be left undisturbed as “sanctuaries” that can be studied and provide refuges. As an example, we wouldn’t let anglers fish the headwaters of our streams where salmon and steelhead spawn. Also, to protect the large female rockfish (which produce the most and heartiest offspring), marine reserves are key. Inside marine reserves, size, abundance and diversity of fish increase dramatically. Marine reserves can help “reseed” surrounding waters and act as a buffer against uncertain ocean conditions.

It’s Not Easy Being A Rockfish
Rockfish are extremely long-lived and are slow to mature. Many species of rockfish can take a decade or more before they start to produce offspring. Considering how slowly they grow, overfishing can have a serious impact. Data has shown that the average size of black rockfish has declined 30% during just the past five years.

Much Is Still To Be Decided
There are many aspects still to be decided regarding marine reserves, including how large will the reserves be, where will they be located, and how they will be funded and what goals are desired. These are serious questions, ones on which your opinion is needed.

All over the world (including our east coast), marine reserves were initially met with skepticism. But once put in place, critics and proponents alike discovered that benefits of marine reserves outweigh any short-term inconvenience. We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make will impact future generations. Let’s leave something for them.

Upcoming Events to Learn More
Siuslaw Watershed Council Community Forum: “Ridgetops to Reefs” March 26th, 6:30pm, Florence Events Center

Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) Marine Reserve Working Group Meeting Thursday, March 27th 8:30 to 4:30, public comment @ 12:30. Best Western Agate Beach Inn, Newport

General OPAC meeting, Friday March 28th, 8 to 5 pm. Public Comment at 1pm. Best Western Agate Beach Inn, Newport

Written comments are also appreciated



See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)