Ocean Articles

Marine research in marine reserves.

Public Feedback on Ocean Science Invited

Marine research in marine reserves is crucial. The Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) was established in 2013 with the mission of promoting high-quality research and monitoring of Oregon's ocean and coastal resources to inform policy and management decisions. OOST goal is to strategically fund ocean research...Read more
Offshore wind turbines.\Photo courtesy of Stanford University.

Decision Awaited on Offshore Wind Energy Sites

Offshore wind turbines.\Photo courtesy of NOAA. Latest development: The deadline for public comment on the Wind Energy Areas within which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is past. Now we await the agency's response to feedback. On Aug. 15, BOEM announced the dimensions of two draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Oregon and opened a 60-day...Read more
Surf and Sun Virtual Walk and Run flyer.

Surf & Sun Virtual Walk & Run

We’re excited to announce the results of Oregon Shores’ first-ever Surf & Sun Virtual Walk & Run! We're thrilled to share the success of our inaugural Surf & Sun Virtual Walk & Run to raise awareness and funds for our work protecting coastal ecosystems and communities. The event saw over 20 dedicated individuals registering and collectively walking, running, or hiking 92 miles on...Read more
Coos Bay's North Spit

Legislation Threatening Estuaries Becomes Law

Coos Bay's North Spit, where the proposed container port would be located.\Photo by Alex Derr. News flash: HB 3382, despite strong opposition from Oregon Shores and the entire conservation community, was passed by the Oregon Legislature and sent to Gov. Kotek for her signature. The version passed had been amended to somewhat limit the damage it would do, but it...Read more

Rocky Habitat Proposals Achieve Final Approval

The view from Blacklock Point.\Photo by Alex Derr. The state's Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) approved special protective designations for six key rocky shore habitat sites, a goal long sought by Oregon Shores and many other conservation and community groups. At its April 21 meeting, LCDC accepted the recommendations of the Ocean Policy...Read more
Site of Facebook disaster, where a communications cable crossed the seabed.

Hearing on Communications Sites

Site of Facebook disaster, where a communications cable crossing the seabed came onshore.\Photo by Ron Bourke. The Department of State Lands (DSL) is accepting public comment on rulemaking that would establish distinct administrative rules for communication site facility leases. The proposed...Read more

South Coast Colleagues Seek a Treasurer

Bandon shoreline.\Photo by Steve Garrett. Bandon’s Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA), a group with which CoastWatch collaborates (and has adopted a CoastWatch mile), is seeking a volunteer who shares their conservation commitment to serve as treasurer on their board. Responsibilities include establishing the yearly budget, supervision of the bookkeeper to...Read more

Public Invited to Help Guide Beach Monitoring Program

Short Sand Beach in northern Tillamook County, one of the beaches proposed for monitoring.\Photo courtesy of ODFW. The Oregon Health Authority’s Beach Monitoring Program is the public’s means of learning whether the waters washing our beaches is polluted. All too often, the water quality testing provided by this program demonstrates that it is. As the program...Read more

Oregon Shores Joins Defense of Endangered Species Act

Western Snowy Plovers at South Beach.\Photo by Molly Sultany. Oregon Shores joined 45 other ocean conservation groups recently in protesting an attempt by the Trump administration to cripple the Endangered Species Act, with new definitions of “habitat” which would severely limited the law’s effectiveness. To see our joint comment,...Read more

State Adopts Plan to Address Ocean Acidification

Oregon's ocean off Netarts, Cape Lookout in the background.\Photo by Dale Harmer. Mandated by the 2017 Oregon Legislature, the state developed a plan to address the growing problem of ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH). The Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH), a body composed of scientists and agency leaders, with...Read more