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There are five marine reserves located on Oregon’s coast: Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, Cape Perpetua, and Redfish Rocks. The longest established are Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks, both of which were designated as official marine reserves in 2012.
2022 marks ten years of research and discovery within the marine reserves; these protected areas act as a tool to help protect, sustain, or restore the nearshore marine ecosystem, its habitats, and species. Management and scientific monitoring of the sites is overseen by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW); the reserves are part of the continued effort to move towards the management of marine waters using an ecosystem-based approach.
The Oregon Marine Reserves Program strives to provide the public with knowledge on Oregon’s marine environments and the ecological threats they face. Through continuous research and monitoring, the Oregon Marine Reserves Program documents long term and ongoing changes in habitat characteristics, fish and invertebrate populations, biodiversity, and more. The data collected within the reserves contributes to informed, strategic conservation planning, promoting the overall health of Oregon’s marine ecosystems.
The marine reserves are also open to the public, providing visitors with pristine views into Oregon’s nearshore habitats. From phenomenal tidepooling experiences to premium birding opportunities, the reserves are areas where people can truly connect with the Oregon coast. Plan your next marine reserve adventure at oregonmarinereserves.com, where you can access activity guides, visitor center information, and more.
The seafloor in this area is dominated by sand, providing ideal habitat for species that prefer soft bottoms, such as crabs, and isolated rocky reefs offer shelter to rockfish, lingcod, kelp greenling, and buffalo sculpins. Located just offshore from Oswald West State Park, visitors have plentiful opportunities to surf, explore nearby beaches, traverse hiking trails atop the cape, and view wildlife along the rocky intertidal habitats. Learn more here.
Stretching between the Cascade Head headland and Lincoln City, this marine reserve is surrounded by three Marine Protected Areas, and is part of the Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve. Cascade Head includes complex rocky reef habitats, including the Siletz Reef, which provides a home to a variety of groundfish, invertebrates, and seaweeds. Visitors can trek hiking trails with views overlooking the site, or take to the shores for a closer view. Bring your binoculars—you won’t regret it. Learn more.
2022 marks the Otter Rock Marine Reserve’s 10th year! While this reserve is a mere 1.2 sq. miles, over the past decade its shallow waters and rocky landscapes have provided visitors with incredible tidepooling and seal viewing experiences, and researchers with vital opportunities to track and understand changes in Oregon’s nearshore environment. You otter check it out.
The Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve spans 14.3 sq. miles and boasts some of the most diverse rocky intertidal habitats in the Pacific Northwest. Located between Yachats and Florence, the area surrounding the reserve includes an old growth coastal rainforest; birders are drawn to this area, where Oregon’s highest concentration of marbled murrelets can be found. Cape Perpetua acts as a hotspot of biodiversity, and while it was officially established in 2014, scientific monitoring has taken place in this reserve for decades. Learn more.
The Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve is Oregon’s southernmost reserve, located just south of the town of Port Orford–an area with such incredible sights and biodiversity that locations, such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, have modeled exhibits that mimic its species and landscapes. Alongside Otter Rock, Redfish Rocks is entering its 10th year as an official Marine Reserve. Scenic rocky islands and nearby Humbug Mountain lie near the reserve, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy sand, land, and sea alike. Learn more.
For a comprehensive report covering the history, findings, and future of the Oregon Marine Reserves, view the Marine Reserves Program Synthesis Report.
Navigate through data ODFW has collected over the last ten years across Oregon’s marine reserves and their comparison areas via the data dashboard.
Access ecological monitor plans, outreach materials, infographics, posters, and more here.
