Heceta Head Coastal Conference

2007 SUMMARY OF CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

“Oregon’s Ocean: Resources and Opportunities ”

Workshop

By consensus, round-table discussion groups prepared short statements on the Panel issues. Here follows a representative sampling:

Groundfish Trawling

The groundfish trawl fleet is in denial about the impacts on marine species and habitats. Observer coverage should be 100% at all times, with harsh penalties for violations of regulations.

Important concerns: Habitat destruction-further research concerning before and after trawling, and the effect on the foodweb. Bycatch-make incentives for gear modification; Monitoring-increase random observer visits; Data-establish reliable, consistent, and viable data collection methods.

Wave Energy

Thorough exploration of costs and benefits should be made before implementation, including participation by all stakeholders. Any revenue generated should be shared directly with the state and counties.

All jetties should be considered for use; offshore locations need more study; incorporate wind/solar potential; concept of artificial reefs should be explored.

Oregon is meeting the issue of energy alternative needs head on.doing it in a proud Oregon tradition of leadership and stakeholder involvement.

We support expediting the wave energy permits, and suggest that applied research, like the seafloor mapping project, be completed concurrently with the permitting process.

Marine Reserves

The purposes and goals of each reserve (i.e., test hypotheses) should be developed, utilizing science, community involvement; baseline monitoring, and results analysis.

Ocean Policy

Oregon must have consistency in making policy in order coordinate all potential uses; this means not changing policy direction so frequently, e.g., referring to wave energy as a "threat," then an "opportunity."

A process to clearly define and address (old and new) issues is needed. (More publicity on OPAC? Ed.)

Coastal policy has not been translated by the science community in such a way to obtain adequate funding.

Map the ocean floor, then within a year, locate best areas for wave energy, sanctuaries, and reserves.

Marine protected areas and marine reserves should be placed before wave energy sites are designated.

We must slow down, take time to address the issues through science, careful methodology, and stakeholder participation. To meet the "25 by 2025" goal, we must recognize the tradeoffs.

Entities must work together will all partners.socioeconomic effects of all projects must be considered collectively.there needs to be a balance among all users and uses.the potential siting of marine reserves and wave energy facilities in the same location must be considered.off limit designated areas must not be permanent but rather the process should be evaluative and flexible over time.

Videotaping

The Keynote Address on Aquaculture and the afternoon panel on Wave Energy will be televised on Channel 10 - Florence beginning November 3. A DVD covering approximately three hours of the program is available from Campbell Productions (541-997-8653) at $15 plus $3 handling.

Acknowledgements

We thank these people and organizations for their support of our mission:

Grants: Western Lane Community Foundation - $300
Lane County Tourism - $1175

Supporters:

Port of Siuslaw
Oregon Int'l Port of Coos Bay
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
City of Depoe Bay
Lane County Commission
Surfrider Foundation
Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Lea Patten & Dick David: Joint Oceans Commission Initiative
Treasury Services: Shari Brown of Davis, McCullough & Holloway, LLC.

The Heceta Head Coastal Conference, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to inform and educate the public of the need to ensure healthy, productive, and resilient marine ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast. Visit us at: www.HecetaHeadConference.org.

Heceta Head Coastal Conference, Inc.
P. O. Box 1811
Florence, OR 97439

Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Heceta Head Coastal Conference: October 25, 2008

Back to 2007 Program