New rules approved today by the Fish and Wildlife Commission will ban fishing and hunting at Oregon’s first two Marine Reserves. The rules will take effect July 30, 2011 for the Otter Rock reserve near Newport and the Redfish Rocks reserve near Port Orford.
Marine reserves are sort of like state parks in the ocean. They’re designed to protect marine life and make the areas available for scientific research. While banning activities like fishing and hunting, people will still be able to enjoy other kinds of recreation that don’t involve removing marine life. Crabbers will be allowed in to remove crab pots that have drifted into the areas.
And that’s what makes them so controversial.
The reserves at Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks are small, only a couple of acres in size. But the fishing industry is concerned about losing access to areas off the coast. The state is looking at creating more marine reserves at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape Perpetua and Cape Arago. Fishermen may also lose access to parts of the ocean for wave energy projects and offshore wind farms.
Supporters say closing off Marine Reserves will help fish and wildlife in nearby areas rebound, so eventually they say, fishermen will be better off.
