Exploring a decade of biodiversity monitoring in Oregon’s Marine Reserves

Two important goals of the Oregon Marine Reserves are the protection of key marine habitats and biodiversity, as well as serving as a scientific reference site on the Oregon Coast. Each of the five reserves is unique in its size, shape, habitats and historical fishing pressure, thus long-term monitoring is tailored to each site comprising a variety of research tools (e.g., Hook-and-line fishing, SCUBA surveys), as well as several collaborative projects with local institutions such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Oregon State University. Project Leader Dr. Moritz Schmid will provide an overview of the different ongoing studies and long-term datasets as well as dive deeper into a decade of biodiversity data ranging from sea stars to groundfish. Topics we will talk about include the effects of sea star wasting disease on our local sea star populations, as well as the prevalence and potential effects of low oxygen zones (i.e., hypoxia) in the reserves. Ultimately, we will explore some of the research and questions that lie ahead.

Dr. Moritz Schmid is the Research Project Leader for the Marine Reserves Program with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Moritz lead’s the Program’s ecological monitoring and research work. After receiving an M.Sc. in nature conservation and a PhD in oceanography, he settled on the Oregon Coast working at Oregon State University. Starting with his PhD and extending through his work at OSU, Moritz has been working at the intersection of ecology, computer science, and ocean technology, focusing on underwater camera systems and AI to better understand larval fish dynamics in the California Current. In his position at ODFW he is looking forward to bringing together his background in nature conservation and ecology, with his knowledge of the Oregon Coast’s oceanography to address the goals of the Marine Reserves Program.

MEETING LOCATION:

OSU Extension Lincoln County
1211 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365