Ocean Policy Advisory Council Debates Oregon Marine Reserves
Editor's Note-
When marine reserves come out, we think of them as no brainers. Of course this place should be protected. But the criteria of a selected marine reserve usually is a comprimise between conservation science and socioeconomic and cultural trends. This article offers some insight into this.
The Port of Umpqua offices were packed last week when the Ocean Policy Advisory Council met to consider evaluation criteria for 20 proposed marine reserve areas off the coast.
The idea of closing areas to fishing or other extractive activity while diving, swimming or other activity still may be allowed did not sit well with many folks in the audience. Most of them said they’d had little or no input with the groups proposing the closed areas — something the council made clear would have to happen for any of the areas to be seriously considered.
There still is a two-year evaluation process that will take place, said Ed Bowles, fish division director for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the governor’s representative on the council. Any sites that pass OPAC scrutiny, and are forwarded to the governor for further consideration and to the legislature for funding consideration, must go through even more study between now and 2011.
“It’s not designation,” Bowles said.
That didn’t mollify many members of the audience. Some of them, primarily sport and commercial fishermen, left the meeting early in disgust.
Still, nearly 60 people stayed throughout the afternoon to speak during public testimony. OPAC Chairman Scott McMullen had to remind members of the public — and council members — to keep the debate professional and courteous. Fishermen said they had little input on proposed areas, especially those proposed by Our Ocean. Other reserves, such as those proposed by Port Orford and Depoe Bay community groups, were able to have much greater community input, including suggestions and ideas from the fishing industry.
