Following California’s Lead, Oregon Urges Creation of Ocean Wilderness Areas
by
Forbes Darby
Alexandria, VA—Anglers in Oregon are concerned over a recent recommendation by the Governor’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) to create a network of marine wilderness areas in the state’s coastal waters. Similar proposals in California that ban all recreational fishing have drawn the ire of angler’s over their large size, choice of location and lack of involvement in the process. While, Oregon officials have pledged not to make the same mistakes, anglers remain cautious.
OPAC did not make any recommendations on how large or where to place the reserved areas and insisted that anglers, environmentalists, scientists and coastal communities be heard prior to such decisions being made. Stakeholders and concerned citizens will be able to offer input in designing and reviewing the goal setting, framework, along with the ecological, social and economic effects.
Tempering that welcome news is the reality that there is an active and vocal contingent urging large areas to be closed to the public. "When people start something new, our instincts are to go slow and start small," said Oregon State University scientist, Heather Leslie. "The challenge to OPAC is thinking big and bold enough."
Many of the same environmental groups that were instrumental in California’s aggressive proposed designations are already actively at work lobbying Oregon decision-makers. Already, an amendment to limit the total area of the reserves to 3.5 percent of Oregon’s waters was voted down by OPAC.
The Freedom To Fish campaign has created an online petition urging Governor Kitzhaber to proceed with caution and common-sense as he considers the future of sport fishing in Oregon. To sign the petition, write the Governor a letter or learn more about Freedom To Fish, visit www.FreedomToFish.org.
