A monthly newsletter of ocean science, marine conservation and climate news.
For over ten years, the Coast Range Association has worked to build relationships and support partnerships that further the conservation and protection goals for Oregon’s nearshore ocean environment. Through this newsletter, Oregon Coast Ocean News, we share the important stories that impact our communities and inspire us to deepen our connections to Oregon’s Coast.
How will Climate Change impact our rural coastal communities? How does the Oregon Marine Reserve network allow us to learn more about what makes for a resilient nearshore environment? We ask that you please share these stories and join our partners as they seek to answer these game changing questions of our time.
Jim Carlson is CRA’s coastal field staff. He works closely with the strong coalition of organizations and agencies that work to protect Oregon’s coast and the nearshore marine reserve system. He can answer your questions and direct you in the right direction regarding coastal issues. Reach Jim at 503-801-5538, or
jim@coastrange.org.
January Ocean News Highlights
Ocean Issues News
ocean warming, sea level rise, acidification, and other Oregon Coast news
The Oregonian, 1.24.20
Between 2006 and 2008, the Whiskey Creek Hatchery on Netarts Bay saw massive oyster larvae die-offs and shellfish in some other spots along the West Coast have experienced similar problems. But up until now, ocean acidification has not posed threats to Oregon’s most commercially valuable shellfish: the Dungeness crab. That may no longer be the case.
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
An updated draft of Oregon’s Rocky Habitat Management Strategy is now available. Members of the public, including individuals, organizations, and governments, are invited to view the draft and submit comments for a 30-day period from February 1 – March 1, 2020. Read the strategy
here. All written comments can be submitted via email to:
TSPComments@state.or.us
The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor, is seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Council in four open positions.
- Oregon Coastal Indian Tribal Representative
- Coastal Conservation Organization Representative
- Public-at-large Representative
OPAC, working with staff at the DLCD and the Oregon ODFW, is seeking qualified applicants to fill the Conservation Organization seat to represent conservation interests on the newly created Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH Council).
Announcement
OPB, 1.24.20
The Jordan Cove Energy Project has abruptly withdrawn its application for a key permit from the state of Oregon. In a letter dated Jan. 23, the project told the Oregon Department of State Lands that the company was withdrawing the application effective Friday. No reason was given, but earlier this week, the department had denied Jordan Cove’s request for a fifth deadline extension for the application. It’s not immediately clear what the withdrawal means for the Jordan Cove project.
Climate Liability News, 12.11.19
The 20 largest fossil fuel companies are responsible for more than one-fifth of the increase in ocean acidification between 1880 and 2015, according to newly released research. Several companies facing climate liability suits in the U.S.—including Chevron, Exxon, BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips and Total—are among the companies most responsible, according to the data. The peer-reviewed research was released in the scientific journal Environmental Research Letters on Wednesday.
The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management, 1.21.20
It’s no secret that news about the ocean is pretty disheartening these days. So, as we get started with 2020, we here at The Skimmer want to highlight a new report that looks at ocean potential. The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy recently released “
The Ocean as a Solution for Climate Change: Five Opportunities for Action”, which quantifies contributions that ocean-based mitigation strategies can make in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, while also delivering other ecosystem services.
NOAA Research News, 1.23.20
A new NOAA-funded study has documented for the first time that ocean acidification along the US Pacific Northwest coast is impacting the shells and sensory organs of some young Dungeness crab, a prized crustacean that supports the most valuable fishery on the West Coast.
Inside Climate News, 1.15.20
A new study unravels the mystery of what caused so many of these normally resilient seabirds to starve amid an ocean heat wave fueled in part by global warming.
Science Magazine, 12.18.19
Waters off the coast of California are acidifying at a much faster rate than in the rest of the world, the Los Angeles Times reports. Researchers analyzed about 2000 fossilized shells from a tiny marine creature called foraminifera, and were able to reconstruct the ocean pH for the past 100 years or so.
The Astorian, 1.6.20
Researchers say the tides are a preview of the rising sea levels caused by climate change that, under current projections, could eventually submerge much of the coast. Armed with cameras and cellphones, citizen scientists in Oregon have documented these tides each winter for nearly a decade as part of the Oregon King Tides Project coordinated by the Oregon Coastal Management Program and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition.
Oregon Marine Reserve News
From the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Marine Reserve Program. To signup for their newsletter visit their website.
Photo: ODFW Marine Reserves Program
Public Comment: Cape Perpetua Management Plan, 1.17.20
A draft of the Cape Perpetua Management Plan is currently out for public comment. The Plan outlines the state’s marine reserve mandates and describes the management strategies that have been developed for the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. Comments are due by February 28th.
Read More
Photo: ODFW Marine Reserves Program
2019 Fish On! Hook and Line Newsletter, 1.17.20
Another successful year of hook and line surveys is completed, which means another edition of ODFW’s annual FishOn! Hook and Line Newsletter. This past year they caught and sampled 1,250 fish representing 18 different species at Redfish Rocks and Cape Falcon. Check out the FishOn! Newsletter to see more highlights and data.
Read More
2019 Highlights, 12.17.19
A Marine Reserves Program highlights from 2019 include studying microplastics in fish, new scientific research publications, $93,490 in vessel contracts, and more.
Read More
Photo: ODFW Marine Reserves Program
Video: 2019 Year in Review, 12.17.19
ODFW Marine Reserves Program takes a look back at 2019. Check out this video for highlights from hook-and-line surveys, underwater video research, SCUBA divers in action, juvenile fish research, and more at Oregon’s marine reserve sites.
Read More
Upcoming Coast Events & Activities
Cape Perpetua Events
February 6 | Cape Cove Beach Cleanup at Cape Perpetua
3:30 PM – 5 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Facebook
February 8 | Cascadia: Ready or Not
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
February 22 | Corvids on the Coast
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
February 29 | Saving Big Creek, Saving the Silverspot Butterfly
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
March 5 | Cape Cove Beach Cleanup at Cape Perpetua
3:30 PM – 5 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Facebook
March 7 | Girl in Water Photography
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
March 14 | Fivemile-Bell Landscape Restoration Project
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
March 21 | Climate Change: Hoax or Apocalypse?
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
March 28 | Experiencing Gray Whales
11 AM – 12 PM
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Cape Perpetua Speakers Series
Facebook
Cape Falcon Events
February 19 | Oregon’s Black Oystercatchers
6 PM – 7:30 PM
Seaside Public Library
Facebook
April 23 | Cape Falcon Marine Reserve: There’s More Beneath the Surface
4 PM – 5 PM
Cannon Beach History Center and Museum
Facebook
Oregon King Tides Series #3 | Photo Project
February 8-10, 2020
Facebook
Come snap photos of the king tides – the highest high tides of the winter! Pick, Snap, and Share! Help visualize what sea level rise might look like along the Oregon coast in the future. Post your photos here!
Remember that the time of day of the king tides is based on your location on the coast. Check the exact time for your area at – https://www.oregonkingtides.net/when/ or look up your nearest tide station.
Surfrider Foundation Oregon Chapters
February 12 | Climatology in the PNW & Sustainable V-Day Workshop
7 PM – 9 PM
evo (Portland)
Facebook
Midcoast Watersheds Council
February 6 | Pacific Northwest Tidal Wetlands and Their Part to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change
6:30 PM
Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
Website
February 7 | Bummer Creek Restoration Work Party
10 AM – 2 PM
Alsea
Website
North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection
February 6 | Dr. Gundersen presentation on Pesticides and Environmental Justice: Impacts on Community Health
3 PM – 5 PM
St. Mary by the Sea
Speaking Truth to Power Educational Event
Website
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Thank you for taking the time to read CRA’s monthly newsletter Ocean News. We appreciate all of our marine and coastal partners who work hard conserving Oregon’s coastal beauty and resources. This newsletter’s goal is to amplify their voices and great work.
