Team History
In 2009, the State of Oregon designated the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area as one of two pilot sites of its new marine reserves program.
The proposal was developed through a community-based process in Port Orford, Oregon that engaged fishermen, scientists, and other stakeholders in determining the location, boundaries, and draft rules of the reserve and marine protected area.
As part of House Bill 3013, the Oregon Legislature mandated that the management plan for Redfish Rocks be developed in collaboration with a local community team. Thus our team got its start.
The Redfish Rocks Community Team was formally established by charter in February, 2010 and shortly thereafter received formal recognition from the state. The Team includes a diverse set of members representing the City of Port Orford, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, port, local business, recreation, conservation, watershed council, and science. During this time, the Team worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to develop specific elements of site management plans, and ecological and human dimension monitoring plans.
On January 1st, 2012, Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve and associated Redfish Rocks Marine Protected Area were fully implemented; the new rules and regulations took effect.
Today the RRCT continues to support the goals of Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve through community engagement in three main areas:
- Collaborative Research
- Citizen Science
- Outreach and Education