About

Aerial oblique view of Fogarty Creek marine garden viewed from the west

Fogarty Creek is a designated Marine Conservation Area

Marine Conservation Area regulatory restrictions vary by site. Fogarty Creek is designated as such to educate, monitor, and apply ecosystem-based management to conserve the full diversity of species and ecological structure of the rocky habitat species facing effects of changing climate. No take of shellfish and other invertebrates in the intertidal or subtidal zones. No take of fish from a boat. 

Features

Key Resources

Rich and diverse intertidal habitat (primarily to the south of the accessible areas adjacent to the park) and a harbor seal haulout area.

Site Uses

Typical recreational uses include picnicking, beachcombing, bird watching, and tidepooling.  For the part of Fogarty Creek that is a research reserve, collection of intertidal shellfish and invertebrates is limited (see current ODFW fishing regulations for a list of species and exact boundaries), except by scientific permit.

Access

Primary public access is via Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, which is a day-use fee ($3/day) park located just north of Depoe Bay, in Lincoln County, Oregon.

Management

Site Management

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) manages Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area (SRA) and the ocean shore recreation area.  Fogarty Creek SRA is part of OPRD Area 1 and is in the Beverley Beach management unit. 

Fogarty Creek was designated as a Marine Conservation Area in 2024. The original site proposal can be found here: Fogarty Creek Marine Conservation Area Site Proposal, 2020.

Regulations

No take of shellfish and other invertebrates in the intertidal or subtidal zone. No take of fish from boat.

Ownership

  • Submerged and intertidal lands: Department of State Lands;
  • Beach: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD);
  • Offshore rocks above MHW: the US Fish and Wildlife Service;
  • The upland is partially in private ownership (to the north and south) with OPRD owning Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area in the middle.