Sites Redfish Rocks
Redfish Rocks Pilot Marine Reserve
The Redfish Rocks marine reserve, which includes an adjacent marine protected area, is one of two pilot reserves established in 2009. The site is located south of Port Orford, in Curry County, and the marine reserve portion encompasses approximately 2.6 square miles of nearshore waters. The associated marine protected area, which extends westward toward the territorial sea boundary, covers approximately 5 additional square miles.
Why a Marine Protected Area?
A marine protected area is, in general, intended to be less restrictive than a marine reserve by allowing for certain uses that a reserve would prohibit. The Redfish Rocks marine protected area is adjacent to the marine reserve, and has similar research goals and habitat protections. What distinguishes the Redfish Rocks marine protected area is that people may participate in authorized salmon and crab fisheries and wildlife hunts in the protected area, unlike in the marine reserve where all extractive activities are prohibited. The fishery allowances provide for extended protection of bottom dwelling fish species, especially those that live in deeper water than the reserve or migrate to deeper water as part of their life history, while helping to lessen potential economic and social losses to ocean users and ocean-dependent communities.
Community Team
The Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT), a community-initiated nonprofit organization based in Port Orford, proposed the Redfish Rocks site to OPAC during the 2008 proposal process. Because the proposal was one of the most developed in terms of community collaboration and baseline information, the area is moving forward as a pilot reserve. The recently-formed Redfish Rocks Community Team is working with POORT and staff from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop management and monitoring plans for the site.
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Biological Monitoring and Research
Oregon’s marine reserves were designed for and will serve as tool to conserve marine habitats and biodiversity. Redfish Rocks Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Area will protect & conserve local (on site) biodiversity in order to have an example site of an area not influenced by extractive use. The site is composed of dynamic rocky reef, four large emergent rocks and sandy sea-floor. Several important nearshore groundfish species mainly caught in the live fish fishery are abundant at this site. This site will provide a framework for scientific research in which responses of a marine reserve can be measured from which effectiveness can be determined. ODFW scientists in coordination with the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve Community Team will be conducting baseline studies at this site in summer of 2010.
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Socioeconomic Monitoring and Research
The Redfish Rocks pilot marine reserve and marine protected area (MPA) were proposed by the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT). In collaboration with the local fishing fleet and other community members the Redfish Rocks site was determined to be the best choice for meeting the goals of ecologically significant while avoiding significant adverse social and economic impact on ocean users and nearby coastal communities. Historically the site has been moderately used by the commercial limited entry nearshore fishery and for some extraction of abalone, urchin, and recreational groundfish. The site was designed with a MPA, which allows for crabbing and salmon trolling, in order to reduce the economic impact to the fishing fleet while still providing for an ecologically significant site.
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Management Plan
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will work with community teams, Oregon State Police, and other relevant state agencies to write management plans for the Pilot Marine Reserve Sites. ODFW will provide opportunity for public review and input on draft management plans. A summary of these plans will be included in a report to the State Legislature by November of 2010.
Management plans will include:
1. Site specific goals
2. Biological and social/economic monitoring plans
3. Outreach and education strategies
4. Compliance and enforcement plans
