Oregon lawmakers could name new marine reserves

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s state Legislature is on track to add three no-fishing marine reserves off the coast.

The Oregonian (http://bit.ly/ABRL2D ) says that would amount to 38-square-miles of ocean wilderness despite continued concerns from fishing groups.

Coastal legislators from both parties have signed off on Senate Bill 1510, partly out of concerns that ocean conservation groups might otherwise push a statewide ballot measure to cover more of Oregon’s biologically rich territorial sea.

The committee unanimously voted in favor of sending the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.

The bill calls for authorizing reserves and less-restrictive marine protected areas at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua.

Reserves allow research and boating, but prohibit fishing, crabbing, pipelines and industrial activity.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com