Oregon’s Pacific coastline is not only breathtaking but also a vital ecosystem. Our coast is home to millions of seabirds, such as black oystercatchers, tufted puffins, pelicans and herons, and is a haven for thousands of marine mammals, including sea lions and seals. Beneath the waves is a vibrant underwater world. Picture lush kelp forests swaying with currents, a seafloor bustling with species like Dungeness crabs and octopus, and majestic gray whales migrating between coastal shallows and deep ocean waters.
This is the rich, thriving environment that Oregon’s ocean provides, and it’s crucial that we protect it. In 2025, Environment Oregon will be dedicated to safeguarding this unique marine habitats. Specifically at the legislative level, we’re fighting for eelgrass meadows and rocky habitats that line the coast.
Safeguarding Oregon’s underwater forests
Eelgrass is a vital underwater plant that thrives in estuaries and plays an essential role in maintaining the health of coastal ecosystems. It provides numerous benefits – from supporting marine biodiversity to acting as a natural defense against climate change. However, eelgrass meadows in Oregon are facing significant threats.
Oregon has seen a 24% loss of estuary habitat since 1870, and the loss of eelgrass is particularly severe in areas like Coos Bay and Yaquina Bay, where declines have been drastic in recent years. Excess nutrients from fertilizers, pollutants, and sedimentation have degraded eelgrass habitats. In addition, practices like dredging and certain aquaculture activities have further harmed these meadows.
A major challenge in eelgrass conservation is the lack of consistent monitoring – our estuaries are inventoried roughly every 10 years. Without sufficient data, it is difficult to assess how much eelgrass has been lost and what steps need to be taken to restore it.
That’s why Environment Oregon and our partners in the Oregon Ocean Alliance are supporting the Eelgrass Action Bill, which aims to tackle these challenges head-on by creating a framework for collaboration among state agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders. It will not only help identify knowledge gaps and policy barriers but also support initiatives for eelgrass restoration and conservation. By ensuring that the state has a clear understanding of the current status of eelgrass meadows, Oregon can take meaningful steps to protect and restore this critical habitat.
Bolstering our rocky habitat areas
Oregon’s rocky habitats are not only stunning landscapes but also vital ecosystems that support a diverse range of marine life that benefit coastal communities. These habitats, like the ones found at Haystack Rock and Coquille Point, are the home of nesting seabirds like puffins, common murres and pelicans, marine mammals like seals and sea lions, kelp forests, and a variety of fish and invertebrate species.
They also draw millions of visitors annually for activities like tidepooling, fishing, and hiking, helping to sustain Oregon. However with this level of traffic, these habitats are at risk from being overused and increasingly vulnerable to disturbances and the impacts of climate change, including rising ocean temperatures and more intense storms.
To address these challenges and protect these invaluable resources, Oregon has adopted the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy (RHMS), which provides a framework for balancing habitat protection with responsible use. The RHMS aims to preserve these critical habitats while allowing for sustainable recreational activities.
While the RHMS is an important initiative, current agency and community resources are not enough to fully implement the strategy. With a small investment and more management, we can ensure these unique habitats continue to thrive for generations to come. Environment Oregon and the Oregon Ocean Alliance are supporting legislation that would dedicate additional funds to the RHMS, so that our rocky habitat areas and the seals, puffins and crabs that call them home can be better protected.
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Ian works to protect our oceans and marine ecosystems. Ian lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys ultrarunning, hiking, and local breweries in his free time.
