About
Cape Foulweather Complex is a Marine Conservation Area
Marine Conservation Areas are sites with the goal of conserving the natural ecosystem by prohibiting the take of some or all invertebrates, and site restrictions vary by site. Cape Foulweather is designated as such to educate, monitor, and apply ecosystem-based management to conserve the ecological structure of the rocky habitat species facing effects of changing climate. There are no changes to the existing statewide harvest regulations for fish, invertebrates, or plants, except subtidal kelp harvest is now closed*.
Features
Key Resources
The Cape Foulweather Complex Marine Conservation Area (MCA) is on the central Oregon coast 12 miles north of Newport and 1.5 miles south of Depoe Bay. The Cape Foulweather Complex MCA encompasses 598.5 acres with 1.9 miles of shoreline, shoreline, inclusive of basalt cliffs, intertidal habitats, and submerged reefs.
Within the Marine Conservation Area (MCA) boundary, there are 31 islands and offshore rocks that together total one acre. Due to the steep terrain, there is limited intertidal habitat. There are 587 acres of subtidal habitat within the MCA, most of it dominated by rocky substrate. The maximum depth is 72 feet. The seaward boundary of the MCA is inclusive of hard substrates, which provide habitat for canopied kelp forests.
Map
Site Uses
Visitors and residents enjoy vast ocean views, whale watching and other wildlife viewing and short trails along Otter Crest Drive and at the Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint. Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint and Rodea Point offer dramatic views. Offshore, both personal and charter recreational fishing vessels commonly target groundfish found next to and within subtidal rocky habitats, especially where kelp forests abound. Both residents and visitors fish from shore. Kayak fishing is also becoming increasingly popular.
Access
There is no direct public access to the intertidal at the Cape Foulweather Complex Marine Conservation Area. Access to scenic viewpoints of the site are along the Otter Crest Loop.
Management
Site Management
The government agencies with jurisdiction within or nearby Cape Foulweather Complex Marine Conservation Area are the Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Lincoln County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owns and manages land above the MCA. A key access point is via unimproved trails that traverse BLM land.
Regulations
No special restrictions, follow statewide ODFW harvest rules.
