Marine Debris Monitoring Survey

Cape Cove.\Photo by Bonnie Moreland.

A monthly marine debris survey has begun at Cape Cove, just south of Cape Perpetua.  To participate, meet at Cape Perpetua Visitor Center (2400 Hwy 101, about three miles south of Yachats) in the parking lot at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, to start the survey—the group will walk down to the beach from there.  Sturdy shoes are recommended, as there is a steep path to the beach.  Equipment and instruction will be provided. 

CoastWatch, which leads marine debris monitoring for the Oregon coast as part of the state’s Marine Debris Action Plan, is collaborating with the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve Collaborative at this site.

Volunteers are always needed, and visitors are also welcome to join in to learn about the marine debris monitoring process, perhaps to carry the knowledge to another area to start up a new monitoring team.

These surveys, conducted according to a NOAA protocol, are citizen science efforts that make a contribution to scientific studies of the origins and impacts of such debris by helping to provide baseline data.  They also help to clean up the stretches of shoreline where they occur.

For more information about marine debris monitoring, contact Fawn Custer, CoastWatch volunteer coordinator, at (541) 270-0027.