Climate change, habitat loss and pollution threaten the rocky reef and kelp forest habitat along Oregon’s coast. In addition, population growth and development are hastening the depletion of certain species, including forage and groundfish. Our Ocean, a statewide organization with over 250,000 endorsers and organized by Pew, was founded in 2007.
Our Ocean is working to ensure the continued protection of sensitive ecosystems both now and for future generations by establishing an ecologically significant system of marine protected areas and reserves along Oregon's coastline. Marine reserves and protected areas will protect some of the most iconic yet fragile habitats and breeding grounds for indigenous species such as pacific herring, yellow eye rockfish, canary rockfish, marbled murrelet, Steller sea lions and northern elephant seals that thrive in Oregon's waters.