Port Orford Ocean Resource Team -- Fishing Smarter, Not Harder

Port Orford Stewardship Area Launch

Since 2001, the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT) has provided information and support services to the community by engaging fishermen, scientists and elected officials in efforts to sustain local fisheries. Our location on this open stretch of rocky coast, and hydraulic launch system for fishing boats, clearly distinguishes this port from any other on the West Coast. Boats are day trippers, using selective fishing gears and methods. We are committed to maintaining a port that remains a commercial fishing base.

This Stewardship Plan is a result of interest expressed by the fishing community of Port Orford, Oregon, in developing a Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) system that maintains the biological integrity of local marine resources and supports sustainable fisheries. Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT) has partnered with Pacific Marine Conservation Council (PMCC), Golden Marine Consulting (GMC), Surfrider Foundation, Ecotrust and a diverse array of marine scientists, local fishermen, community leaders, and marine resource managers, to inform the process of establishing a Community Stewardship Area and local CBFM system. The historic fishing grounds of the Port Orford fleet are the basis for the boundaries of the Community Stewardship area.

The Port Orford Stewardship Area:

The area encompasses the watershed and minds the established county lines, staying within Curry County. The lines extend on the North through the Bandon High Spot, and on the South through the Canyon. It stretches out to the 125 longitude line to the west.

The purpose of launching the Stewardship Area was to elicit recognition for efforts to protect this ecologically diverse environment, and to: 1) provide information about POORT's work, 2) highlight other projects in the area, and 3) develop a productive network for communications among us. Everyone who works within the proposed boundaries of the Stewardship Area, fishing, conducting research, or otherwise, was welcome to attend. Obviously there is much to be gained by exchanging information and ideas about this remarkable region of the coast.

The celebration began on the evening of June 17th with a Poster Social for out-of-town and other invited guests. Hard Rain Cafe catered the event, beer was donated by Rogue Brewery in Newport, OR, and wine and salmon was donated by POORT Fisherman's Board President Aaron Longton.

The main event was June 18th and included presentations on POORT's work and nine local terrestrial, ocean, and fisheries projects.

Click on the links below to pull up the pdf of the documents.

Materials From Launch