| Oregon's Ocean |
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Oregonians treasure their majestic Pacific coast. The ocean creates a sense of place, provides food, supports the economy of coastal communities, and provides an economic portal to the rest of the world. Oregon's estuaries and near-shore reefs are nurseries for abundant marine life.
Residents and visitors enjoy public beaches, scenic headlands, and a productive marine environment, thanks to the visionary leadership of Oregonians like Governors Oswald West and Bob Straub, as well as countless committed citizens who made decisions with the future in mind.
Oregon has made a fundamental commitment to the stewardship of its marine resources. Within three miles of shore (the Territorial Sea), Oregon is responsible for protecting and conserving these ocean resources. Beyond these state waters, state government asserts a strong interest in preserving the health and uses of the ocean. Oregon was the first state to create an ocean management program. Two recent national studies of the marine environment have shown, however, that profound problems, afflict the global ocean. Oregon and other coastal states must step up efforts to protect their marine legacy from overuse, pollution, habitat loss, and effects of climate change.
Four key issues face Oregon’s Ocean:
- Oregon's economy and way of life depend on careful stewardship and thoughtful action.
- That stewardship will depend on working with our West Coast neighbors to develop a regional conservation strategy.
- Oregon needs information to understand how the ocean environment is changing.
- As new uses of marine resources including alternative energy generation emerge, Oregon must channel economic development in ways that preserve the ocean systems.
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