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Could Our Oceans Face a Disaster?

The Northwest coast offers up strange and amazing natural wonders.

Article Imagephoto by Gary HayesOne of dozens of varieties of nudibranchs (new-duh-branks), brilliantly colored sea slugs that can be observed in Pacific Northwest tidepools. I'm constantly amazed by the remarkable natural wonders that can be discovered every day on the Northwest Coast. If you look closely, strange, colorful and fascinating creatures can be seen in the tidepools. Any visit to the beach can become an exciting opportunity for birdwatchers with the sighting of a Bald Eagle, pelicans plunging into the surf or dozens of varieties of shorebirds and seabirds that live or migrate along the coast. The sight of whale spouts offshore or sea lions basking in the sun is always a thrill. As we watch the on-going destruction of the waters off the Gulf Coast and the tragic devastation to marine life, can you imagine a similar disaster happening here? Along the Pacific Northwest Coast, our livelihoods and economies are uniquely intertwined with the natural environment. This has always been an eco-tourist destination with spectacular beaches, dramatic State Parks and hundreds of miles of offshore rocks that are all part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Our fishing, crabbing and oyster industries are world renowned. The health of our coastal waters is critical to support an amazing diversity of life, from the microscopic plankton in every handful of water that are the beginning of the food chain, to the 35-ton Gray Whales that migrate along the coast twice each year. For the people who live here and even those that just visit here, it's our responsibility to assure our oceans remain healthy to protect these amazing wonders and our way of life for the future. For information on Oregon's effort to establish marine reserves, visit: www.oregonocean.info. - by Gary Hayes

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