A key part of our mission is to protect habitats found on Oregon’s Central Coast.

About Marine Reserves

Key habitats include nearshore marine resources. In 2012, Oregon completed the planning and designation of five marine reserves along the coast. Located within three nautical miles of shore, the reserves are dedicated to conservation and research. Removal of marine life is prohibited. So is development.

Four of the reserves – Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, and Cape Perpetua – are within our service area (Tillamook and Lincoln counties). The fifth, Redfish Rocks, is on the southern Oregon coast.

All five locations were chosen by local communities, working with state officials. Each is ecologically significant. The marine reserves offer a vital opportunity to understand the ecological, economic, and community roles our nearshore ocean resources play and how to best maintain them.

What we are doing

We are providing educational opportunities for our community to learn about the marine reserves and their impacts:

*Painting by Jill Perry Townsend featured in our Reserve Inspiration art exhibit*

Our Reserve Inspiration Exhibition celebrated and brought awareness to the Oregon Marine Reserves through art! Since debuting at Lincoln City’s Chessman Gallery in 2021, the exhibition has been shown at the Newport Visual Arts Center, Coos Art Museum, and Cannon Beach Gallery where it concluded in June 2024. Five Lincoln City artists formed the group’s core, with local artists added at each reserve location.

What’s next?

A review of the first ten years of Oregon’s marine reserve system, conducted recently, reveals that the system garners broad support from Oregonians. Marine reserves have provided opportunities to research topics Oregonians care about which include changing ocean conditions, ocean acidification and hypoxia, endangered species, and sea-star wasting syndrome.

*Governer Kotek signing HB 4132, photo courtesy of Ian Giancarlo of Environment America*

New efforts to increase the state’s investment in the Oregon Marine Reserves Program follow the signing ceremony for House Bill 4132, a bi-partisan bill sponsored by Oregon’s Coastal and Environmental Caucuses. SCBA members showed our support for marine reserves by attending the signing ceremony. HB 4132 provides the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with funding to implement adaptive management* and social monitoring programs to more effectively assess the effects of marine reserves on local communities.

Visit the Oregon Marine Reserves homepage to learn more, including the in-depth Synthesis Report.

Get involved!

This spring and summer we plan to table at farmers’ markets in Tillamook and Lincoln counties to share information about the marine reserves. If you would like to spend a couple of hours helping out, you would be most welcome.

We also invite you to take information about the marine reserves to your church or civic group.

Contact us if you would like to volunteer!