Oregon Coast's Marine Reserves, Feb. 22

Marine Reserves clears House
On a 57-2 vote, the Oregon House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 1510 that establishes three additional Marine Reserves off the Coast to go with two approved earlier.  The three new Marine Reserves reportedly represent about 4-percent of the state's territorial sea.  Nearly 5-percent would be placed in less-restricted "marine protected areas."  Joining Marine Reserves established earlier at Redfish Rocks (Port Orford) and Otter Rock (north of Newport) are Cape Perpetua (south of Yachats), Cascade Head (north of Lincoln City) and Cape Falcon (Cannon Beach).  SB 1510 now goes to the Governor for his signature.  Coastal legislators reportedly agreed with the new Marine Reserves allegedly concerned that conservation groups would go for a statewide ballot measure seeking a far greater area in the Pacific Ocean set aside as no fishing zones.