CoastWatch Port Orford Training

Collecting marine debris at Port Orford.

The Redfish Rocks Community Team is hosting a training for CoastWatch’s marine debris survey on Tuesday, March 29, beginning at 4 p.m. Meet at Battle Rock Visitor Center (520 Jefferson St.) in Port Orford. Anyone interested in learning about the survey is welcome.

CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Jesse Jones is holding a series of marine debris trainings on the south coast March 28-April 2 (see separate listing for the remainder of the tour).

CoastWatch organizes marine debris monitoring at selected sites to develop scientifically useful data about the amounts and types of debris reaching Oregon’s shore. Volunteers are essential to these marine debris-monitoring efforts. Participants employ a “protocol” developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to gather data on types and amounts of marine debris. Monitoring sites are approximately 100 meters (325 feet) long. No prior experience is necessary; CoastWatch offers free training in use of the NOAA protocol, recently updated in 2021. Groups of at least two are needed--this is an excellent activity for families or groups.

CoastWatchers can conduct a survey on their adopted miles, or joining with other marine debris survey volunteers on another mile. To be connected to another CoastWatch volunteer or group conducting a survey, contact Jesse at jesse@oregonshores.org.

Preferred sites are areas with less human traffic and where it is less likely that litter will be picked up between monitoring sessions. Surveys must be conducted regularly on a monthly basis.