Championing an Ocean Legacy Today
by Meryl Redisch
Oregon’s
vast array of ecosystems contributes to the diversity of birds that spend some
part of their life here. Nearly 500
avian species breed, nest, migrate through, or remain in Oregon as year round residents. This amazing
wealth of wildlife enriches our lives in countless ways.
One of the most productive places for birds is the low flat islands of the Columbia River estuary and Oregon’s rugged coast. As part of the California Current system, Oregon’s rocky shorelines, islands, and sea stacks provide superior nesting habitat for millions of seabirds. Studies show that about 1.3 million seabirds, representing 15 species, rely on these habitats for nesting and breeding purposes. This figure corresponds to nearly half of the seabirds breeding along the west coast of the conterminous United States and includes: two species of storm petrels, three species of cormorants and gulls, one tern species and six species of alcids. This last family includes the popular Tufted Puffin, Common Murre and Marbled Murrelet. Of these three birds, Common Murres dominate the Oregon seabird community, nesting in very dense colonies atop rocky islands and are easily seen by the casual visitor and the most avid birder.
Additionally, millions more marine birds, such as
albatrosses, shearwaters, loons, grebes and gulls, count on Oregon’s rich
coastal waters for sustenance as they migrate from the southern hemisphere to
the arctic and back again. These resident and migratory birds rely heavily upon
Oregon’s
marine waters for food, especially forage fish such as herring and smelt, which
make up a large part of their year round diet.
To ensure that these seabirds as well as other marine-based wildlife and the underwater habitats upon which they depend are more fully protected from current stresses that will probably get worse, Portland Audubon, with partners in the conservation, science and business communities, is endorsing a protections proposal that identifies 9 sites for Oregon’s first ever network of Marine Reserves. Since our inception in 1903, Portland Audubon has advocated for wildlife policies that are based upon the best available science. This conservation issue is no exception. Scientific studies from Oregon and around the world show that keeping some areas completely off limits to extractive activities can bring dramatic changes in the size, diversity and abundance of marine life living within. The table and accompanying data reveal some of the benefits related to these studies:
What Scientists Have Observed
BIOMASS = 446% higher
The total combined weight of marine animals and plants in given area was on average almost five times higher in marine reserves than outside of them. Severely overfished species sometimes increased their biomass by 1,0000 percent inside marine reserves.
DIVERSITY =21%more
The number of different species to be found in a given area increased an average of 21 percent inside reserves.
DENSITY=166%increase
The total number of plants or animals in a given area increased an average oaf 166 percent inside reserves.
BODY SIZE=28% bigger
Animals in reserves were an average of 28 percent bigger.
BIGGER FISH=MORE
YOUNG
Fishes and invertebrates grow larger inside reserves where they have a
better chance to reach prime reproductive age. For example, a 23-inch
vermillion rockfish produces 17 times more young than a 14-inch rockfish
(figure right.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Bigger, more abundant and more diverse marine life is one benefit of the healthy ecosystems made possible by marine reserves. Marine reserves also work on a more subtle level; a healthy marine ecosystem is likely to be more resilient, able to withstand human and environmental induced shocks ranging from climate change to pollution to fishing.
Biological systems are dynamic, regardless of what they
contain and where they are located. Ecosystem disruptions from global factors
such as climate change, is still not fully known. But, researchers have
documented increasing ocean water acidity off Oregon’s coast, a factor that may corrode
the shells of many marine creatures. This new information and more, is a result
of on-going research that scientists from around the globe are continuously pursuing
and refining. But, just because we don’t have all of the answers at our
fingertips, shouldn’t mean that we don’t take a proactive approach in the meantime.
For example, we already know some things that are occurring in our marine environment:
- Past overfishing and degraded habitat have resulted in dramatic declines in fish populations like rockfish, smelt and salmon, forcing federal managers to respond with abrupt, large scale fishery closures.
- Bottom trawling off Oregon’s coast is damaging important marine habitat and the underwater ecosystems it supports.
- The sea whip, a soft, vertically growing coral that provides habitat to a wide range of sea life off our coast has declined sharply in areas where trawling has occurred.
- Up to 70% of Oregon’s estuaries and tidal wetland have been lost due to diking, dredging, draining and in- filling.
Around the world and across this country, marine reserves have proven to be a highly effective conservation tool. In;
California: Kelp forests thrive inside marine reserves off the Anacapa Island Since 1978, scientists have found lobsters are six times more abundant inside the reserves. These crustaceans keep the urchin population in check resulting in a healthier kelp forest.
Florida: In three years, three species of commercially valuable fishes increased in abundance and size inside reserves located in Florida’s Dry Tortuas. When scientists measure fish populations before and after creation of the reserve, they found;
Washington: The Edmonds Underwater Park became a boon for the local economy and one of the best-known dive sites in the NorthWest. Established in 1970, this Park receives about 25,000 scuba divers each year, contributing tourist dollars to the local economy.
Portland Audubon members value the seemingly infinite places around this great state that support birds of all types. We understand the importance of having landscaped –based management practices that protects birds and their habitats so that future generations can see the common and special birds we enjoy. Today, like a century ago, hundreds of thousands of Common murres, nest on Oregon’s rocky islands for all to enjoy. These birds served as a visible centerpiece in the fight to establish Three Arch Rocks as Oregon’s first Wildlife Refuge. This was the kind of legacy that our chapter championed 100 years ago. Today, we can champion another conservation legacy by standing together and demanding that Oregon’s precious marine environment is preserved for future generations.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Portland Audubon is hosting the screening of COMMON GROUND II on Tuesday, October 14th at 7 PM. We will showcase the conservation proposal that has been submitted to Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for their review and recommendation. These sites, based upon months of science and economic research and data gathering are those that the Portland Audubon and the Conservation Community identifies as worthy of protection for their habitat values and wildlife and seabird populations.
Representatives from OCEANA and GREENFIRE PRODUCTIONS will be present to discuss the proposal and production. Even if you can’t attend this screening, your help is needed. Proposals http://www.audubonportland.org/issues/statewide/ocean/action. Or contact: Annie at
