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September 16, 2009
Marine reserves will provide long-term benefits
Lori Hollingsworth And Ron Brean
Oregon's ongoing effort to protect its ocean resources have taken a major step forward.
This summer, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a landmark bill, HB 3013, to implement two marine reserves
and evaluate four specific areas for possible reserves, a sign of our state's commitment to safeguarding
and enhancing the health and productivity of our coastal waters. HB 3013 reflected widespread support
for long-term marine stewardship. It received a unanimous vote in the Oregon House and a 23-3
majority in the Senate.
In Yachats and Lincoln City, the ocean is an integral part of our way of life, and we see marine reserves
as an investment in our future. Both of our communities passed resolutions in support of marine
reserves because we recognize their value for our economy and culture. A healthy ocean means a
strong tourism industry, unique recreational opportunities and sustainable fisheries.
Oregon's new plan will establish marine reserves at Otter Rock near Depoe Bay and Redfish Rocks
near Port Orford. It also lays the groundwork for a set of individual community groups with balanced and
diverse membership to evaluate marine reserves proposed for Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape
Perpetua and Cape Arago. As coastal community members, we both look forward to participating in the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife community group discussions.
This is an opportunity to bring science, industry and local interests together to create an ocean
protection plan that works for everyone. With input from the community and a shared commitment to
good stewardship, we can ensure an abundant future along the coast. And the time to act is now.
Ocean management faces numerous challenges, including climate change, pollution and other human
impacts. While there is no single cure to what ails the ocean, marine reserves are an essential part of to
the solution — they're proven to help restore marine life.
Studies show that fully protected marine reserves act as fish nurseries, allowing fish and other animals
to more than double their population size and grow 30 percent larger than those outside protected
areas. They can help rebuild depleted fish stocks, giving much-needed help to struggling fleets.
Marine conservation is a smart investment for Oregon. The National Ocean Economic Report released
on June 8 found the ocean economy contributed $138 billion to the GDP in 2004, with 75 percent of the
jobs (and half the revenue) coming from tourism and recreation.
Like investing in education and social services, preserving our ocean is simply the right thing to do.
What legacy do we want to leave for our children? We all want to be able to look back and think that our
actions had a positive impact on the planet. That requires vision (even in tough times) and a
commitment to set resources aside for future use. For all of us here on the coast where the ocean plays
such an important role in our heritage, it's a cultural and economic imperative.
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We applaud The Coastal Caucus and Gov. Kulongoski for their leadership in Oregon's ongoing effort to
create a balanced, common sense plan for ocean protection that includes all Oregonians. By working
together now to create a network of marine reserves and protected areas, Oregon can prudently invest
in a stable, healthy ocean for future generations.
Lori Hollingsworth is the mayor of Lincoln City. She can be reached at llhollingsworth@charter.net.Ron
Brean is the mayor of Yachats. He can be reached at rbrean@peak.org.
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