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Oregon is currently engaged in a variety of ocean planning and management activities that will affect the future of our ocean ecosystem and economy. This website will help you learn about these activities and about opportunities to be involved. Be sure to check the calendar of Upcoming Ocean Events, the Latest Additions of publications and announcements, and the list of Most Popular articles and information about Oregon’s ocean.
Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami created much devastation in Japan and resulted in about 1.5 million tons of debris washing into the ocean. To deal with the threat to our beaches and safety, the State of Oregon created the Oregon Tsunami Debris Task Force charged with incident preparedness and response, public safety, cleanup, and public outreach to address the marine debris affecting Oregon's coastline. The task force includes representatives of State Police, Parks, Environmental Quality, Fish and Wildlife, Public Health, Transportation and the Marine Board, as well as local and tribal governments, state legislators, community organizations, and federal agencies.
Stewardship of Oregon’s Ocean Environment
The Oregon coast and Pacific Ocean are of fundamental importance to Oregonians. The ocean shore and nearshore ocean waters comprise an important ecological zone with a wide range of habitats on land and at sea for many species of plants and animals that are specifically adapted to this unique environment. Commercial and recreational fisheries, transportation and navigation, and recreation are all ocean uses upon which coastal communities rely for their livelihoods and way of life.
The State of Oregon is committed to the long-term integrity of marine ecosystems and the sustainable use of ocean resources. Since 1977, Oregon has had a strong policy of protecting renewable ocean resources and, since 1991, the state has had a robust program to ensure the long-term sustainable use of ocean resources. Oregon has jurisdiction over the three nautical mile-wide Territorial Sea but has stewardship interests across the entire continental margin.National Ocean Council "Listening Session" in Portland on July 1st, NOC Blog, May 26, 2011
NOC Blog
Posted by Andy Lipsky on May 26, 2011 at 3:06 PM EDT
Experts from the National Ocean Council’s 27 Federal agencies and offices have been busy drafting strategic action plans to achieve nine national priority objectives that address some of the most pressing challenges facing our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. Having already received your initial comments before we got started, we’d now like to hear from you again—this time with your thoughts on the strategic action plan outlines we’ve developed. That’s why we’re hosting a dozen Regional Listening Sessions at this still-early stage of the drafting process. The strategic action plan outlines will be released in early June for a 30-day public comment period during which you will have the chance to chime in at one of the 12 Regional Listening Sessions or via the Web through a public comment portal.
Portland, OR, Portland State University
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Energy, environmental, recreational and tribal interests voice opinions on National Ocean Policy
Thursday, July 07, 2011, 4:33 PM
Brandon Blakeley, The Oregonian
With increasing toxins in fish, depletion of resources, polluted waters and coastal development, the state of the ocean demands attention. That was central to a listening session put on by the National Ocean Council at Portland State University last Friday.
The Obama Administration last year instructed the council to implement the first-ever national ocean policy. Council representatives fielded comments and questions from those interested in the future of our oceans as part of the effort to foster greater understanding and cooperation between local, regional and national groups.
Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and principal member of the NOC, introduced the session. She said the national ocean policy would recognize, expand and enhance efforts Oregon has already started, such as marine reserves. The Portland visit was the last of 12 across the country, which gathered local opinions on the new policy draft.