Last week, the best big wave surfers in the world descended upon Lincoln City to charge some solid surf at Nelscott Reef for the Dive N' Surf Oregon Pro. Few probably realized that they were actually surfing within the recently established marine protected area (MPA) that just took effect in January.
Nelscott Reef photo: Mcinnis
Check out some of the great photos and contest write up at Surfline.
It's pretty cool knowing that this area will be protected from future ocean development, and that compatible uses such as surfing will continue to be encouraged. Read more about surfing & MPA's in this great blog post by Surfrider Ocean Program Manager Pete Stauffer, "Putting the Stoke in Conservation". With all of these surfers and the contest support crew traveling in from around the world, the Central Coast and the State of Oregon likely got a decent shot in the arm in the form of trip related expenditures. Learn more about Surfonomics and the economic contributions associated with ocean recreation along the Oregon Coast in a previous study we worked on titled "Non- Consumptive Recreation in Oregon".
Finally, as previously mentioned, the Nelscott Reef is part of the Cascade Head southern MPA, and directly adjacent to the fully protected marine reserve. After years of planning, designation, and much community input, this area went into effect on January 1st of this year. Learn more about the boundaries of the reserve and allowances within the MPA's by going here.