In 2025, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reorganized the Marine Reserves Program and the Marine Habitat Project under joint leadership with the creation of the Nearshore Ecology Program. This restructuring brings together ODFW efforts focused on marine conservation and habitat research.
The Nearshore Ecology Program is pleased to share its 2025 Year in Review, highlighting the work of the Marine Reserves and Marine Habitat teams.
To dive deeper into the stories showcased in the 2025 Year in Review, join us at the inaugural Nearshore Ecology Program Meeting on March 16th from 1 - 5pm (followed by a networking reception). The meeting will be held in the Carmen Phillips auditorium in the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365 (with a remote viewing option). Participants can expect to learn about the new ODFW Nearshore Ecology Program, 2025 highlights from the Marine Reserves & Marine Habitat teams, and research, conservation, and stewardship efforts in Oregon’s marine reserves & beyond. Please register here.
 2025 Fish On! Hook-and-Line Newsletter
Following another successful year of hook-and-line surveys, the latest edition of the Fish On! Hook-and-Line Volunteer Newsletter is out now! This past year we caught and sampled 1,906 fish, representing 23 different species – including a variety of rockfishes, greenlings, and sculpins – at Redfish Rocks and Cape Falcon. Check out the Fish On! Newsletter to see survey highlights, photos, and more of the science and data our volunteers, fishing captains, and crews helped us collect in 2025.
In 2026, we’ll be conducting our hook-and-line surveys at Cape Perpetua and Cascade Head. Want to join us on a hook-and-line survey? Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more and sign up!
 Photo: Transiting to Cape Falcon Marine Reserve for a hook-and-line survey in 2025.
ODFW currently has two opportunities for vessel contracts to assist with this year’s hook-and-line surveys at Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua.
Applications, with additional information and instructions:
 Photo: Research buoys and SMURFs (standardized monitoring unit for the recruitment of fishes) from the 2025 field season.
The Marine Reserves Ecological Team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming spring field season. Tentative survey plans for 2026 include:
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Hook-and-Line: Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua
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SCUBA: Cape Falcon and Redfish Rocks
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Oceanography: Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, Redfish Rocks
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Intertidal: Otter Rock and Cascade Head
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SMURF: Otter Rock
Stay tuned for details on this research and other collaborations in future newsletters!
 Photo: The ODFW Marine Reserves team led a hook-and-line survey demo activity at the Marine Reserves Takeover of the Portland Aquarium.
Communications, Outreach, & Events Updates
We wrapped 2025 with 36 outreach events and activities that reached over 2,100 people! 2026 is off to a great start with over 250 people reached across 9 outreach events including the Cape Perpetua Collaborative's Land Sea Symposium, the Saltwater Sportfishing Show, and the Siletz Family Math and Science Night. Check out our events calendar to stay up to date on future events from the ODFW Marine Reserves team and community partners including:
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Nearshore Ecology Program Annual Meeting
When: Monday, March 16th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm (followed by a networking reception)
Where: 2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport (remote viewing option available)
What: Learn about the new ODFW Nearshore Ecology Program, 2025 highlights from the Marine Reserves & Marine Habitat teams, and research, conservation, and stewardship efforts in Oregon’s marine reserves & beyond. More information here.
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Marine Science Day
When: Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport
What: Join us at Marine Science Day to learn more about the Nearshore Ecology Program’s work with fun, hands-on activities including an activity inspired by the Marine Reserve team's sea star surveys in Otter Rock and Cascade Head Marine Reserves.
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Cape Perpetua Collaborative (CPC) Fireside Night
When: Saturday, April 25 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Overleaf Lodge, 280 Overleaf Lodge Ln, Yachats, OR
What: CPC's Art+Science+Community series funded by ODFW Marine is back for another year of awesome events! Join us for a cozy evening around the fire to share songs and stories inspired by Cape Perpetua. More Information Here.
Staff Updates
 Photo: Welcome Dr. Ashley Lowe Mackenzie, Marine Resource Economist, to the team!
Welcome Dr. Ashley Lowe Mackenzie to the team! As the Marine Resource Economist, Ashley leads the economic analysis for the Marine Reserves team. She has a background in environmental economics focused on integrating nature’s benefits into decision-making to support effective management strategies. Her research has focused on how our changing world, from shifts in climate to evolving policies, impacts our overall well-being. By applying ecosystem service valuation frameworks, Ashley works to ensure that the benefits of our marine resources are meaningfully reflected in Oregon’s decision-making. She earned her BS in Economics from Portland State University and her PhD in Applied Economics from Oregon State University. When she isn’t crunching nature by the numbers on a computer, you can find her crunching miles out on a trail.
 Photo: Amanda Gannon, Sea Grant Natural Resources Policy Fellow and Adaptive Management Coordinator, at the State of the Coast Conference.
At the end of February, our program said goodbye to Amanda Gannon. Amanda joined us in November 2024 as a Sea Grant Natural Resource Policy Fellow and served as the Adaptive Management Coordinator for the Marine Reserves team. She advanced our understanding of the adaptive management planning process and how it can be applied to the context of the Oregon coast and marine reserves. Her organization, positive attitude, and policy aptitude will be missed! We wish her all the best in her new role with the California Coastal Commission.
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