Thanks so much to all of the volunteers that participated in this year's Ocean Issues Forum in Florence, Oregon. The theme of this year's event was climate change and adaptation and great updates were given from many of the leading professionals from ocean sciences, management, industry and non-profit/NGOs. Take home message, climate change is happening, but by actively engaging in constructive dialogue as a community and taking actions as individuals, collectively we can best adapt and be better prepared for the changes that we will face.
Updates on the marine reserve process were given by Anna Pakenaham (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) and Al Pazar (Commercial Fisherman and community team leader), both giving enthusiastic support of the community team recommendations and process for the Cape Perpetua marine reserve and marking this as an important step for Oregon. Presentations on climate change by Darrin Sharp of Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, Coastal Changes by Bob Bailey of Department of Land Conservation and Development, Ocean Acidification by Burke Hales of OSU-COAS and sea level rise by Jonathon Allen, DOGAMI. Thanks to all of the volunteers that attended the event on behalf of the Siuslaw Chapter of Surfrider Foundation!
