[ODFW-News] Meetings to develop nearshore management strategy

[Odfw News]

For immediate release Wednesday, April 20, 2005
 
Meetings to develop nearshore management strategy 

NEWPORT - Two meetings set for the coming weeks will allow members of
the public to participate in the second phase of conservation and
management planning for Oregon's nearshore marine resources.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Resources Program
wants interested members of the public to participate in developing
Oregon's Nearshore Marine Resource Management Strategy. This strategy is
not intended to be regulatory, but to be a comprehensive, large-scale
look at the nearshore environment and resources and to prioritize the
species and habitats in need of management attention. The goal is to
provide a proactive and sustainable approach to marine species and
habitat management in Oregon.

Meetings next week in Newport and Gold Beach will focus on further
developing ideas suggested by the public during previous meetings. They
will look at non-regulatory conservation actions ODFW and interested
partners-private citizens, industry groups, conservation organizations,
tribes, other government agencies, or others-can take to contribute to
the long-term health of the marine environment, fish and wildlife.  

Meeting times and dates include: 

* Newport, April 25 at 6 p.m. at the Embarcadero Resort Hotel & Marina,
1000 SE Blvd, Newport
* Gold Beach, April 26 at 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gold Beach Resort
Conference Center, 29232 Ellensburg on Highway 101, Gold Beach

During earlier discussions, held in late March and early April, Marine
Resources Program managers and biologists drew on the expertise,
experience and insights of people who work, play and have an interest in
Oregon's coast, from the high-tide line out to three nautical miles.
They learned what Oregonians see as significant issues facing our
state's marine resources, now and in the future. 

 "We had great turnout at the first series of public meetings," said
Maggie Sommer, Marine Resources Program assistant manager. "People with
diverse connections to Oregon's ocean-some with generations of local
fishing experience in their families, beachcombers, business owners,
scuba divers, students, and many others-discussed their concerns and
priorities for nearshore marine resources."

Many of those attending the meetings offered examples of what is working
to keep marine fish, wildlife, and habitats healthy, here in Oregon, she
said. "People may disagree on how our ocean and coastal resources should
be used and protected, but everyone shares a vision of healthy marine
fish and wildlife supporting a diversity of sustainable uses long into
the future," Sommer said.

Additional meetings in mid-summer will provide an opportunity for public
review of and comment on the Nearshore Strategy draft document.
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