Oregon Sea Grant

Commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., with vessel disasters and falls overboard accounting for the majority of fatalities. Yet, due to factors like comfort, mobility, and accessibility, many fishermen aren’t wearing lifejackets. The Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) is working to change that. By improving lifejacket design, increasing education, and enhancing access at Pacific Northwest ports, FLIPP is helping fishermen stay safe on the job without compromising comfort or efficiency. Safety shouldn’t be optional. Let’s support innovations that protect those who make their living on the water. #CommercialFishing #FLIPP #LifejacketsSaveLives Oregon Sea Grant is a proud supporter of this project. Learn more about FLIPP for Lifejackets: https://lnkd.in/gseNYcXv Video Credit: https://www.nh-cinema.com/ College of Health - Oregon State University ALASKA MARINE SAFETY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Fishing Partnership Support Services FISH Safety Foundation National Fisherman Fishermen's News Oregon State University OSU Extension and Engagement

"Don’t forget to pack your portable commode!" It is just as important as your PFD, lines, fenders, throw rope, and navigation lights. Remember that it’s the law to not put untreated sewage in any inland waterway or within three miles of the coast. Oregon has 59 free dump stations around the state. Find one at bit.ly/PumpoutNavApp. #pumpoutdontdumpout #recreationalboating #boatsafety #oregonseagrant #osmb #safeboating

?? Find Your Sustainability Oasis This Summer! ?? The Oregon Applied Sustainability Internship (OASIS) is a paid, 11-week program (June 16 – August 29, 2025) that places 3rd & 4th-year undergraduates and graduate students into Oregon businesses to tackle pollution prevention and sustainability challenges. ?? Gain hands-on experience in sustainability, engineering, environmental science, policy, and more ?? Work directly with businesses to drive real environmental impact ?? Applications open March 21 – April 16 @ 4 PM (PT) Ready to make a difference? Learn more and apply on the OASIS website! https://bit.ly/3DOTokV ?? #SustainabilityOasis #OASISInternship #SustainableFuture #GreenChemistry #STEM

This #FellowFriday, Meet Matthew Solberg, our Fisheries Workforce Development Fellow based in Astoria, Oregon! "Addressing workforce needs in commercial fishing is my task. Have you heard the term 'graying of the fleet'? It refers to the fact that many of our fishermen are aging out, and we need new recruits to bolster our fleets and keep our coastal towns thriving. Commercial fishermen feed our communities. I'm not just referring to delicious, sustainably harvested seafood. Our commercial fishing industry fuels Oregon's economy with industries, jobs, and income. Many fisheries, like our salmon, are also a huge part of our culture in the Pacific Northwest—from our Indigenous communities and fishing families to visiting outdoor enthusiasts. I am fully engaged in projects like this because it allows me to identify needs in my community and support my home state. Having worked abroad with ranchers to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, I enjoy bringing the community together to address complex environmental challenges. In Oregon, I collaborate with local schools to offer youth opportunities to receive ALASKA MARINE SAFETY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Drill Conductor (AMSEA DC) and Oregon State University Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training (FFAST). We are also running our first Fisheries Career Exploration event on April 11 here in Astoria. Did you know Astoria and Warrenton High School have fisheries programs with hatcheries at the school? We also have a wonderful new non-profit supporting our fishing community, called FishHer: Columbia Pacific Community Alliance, who we are partnering with to hold a Fishermen’s Appreciation Day on April 12th. I am interested in bridging special programs and stakeholders like these to support workforce needs. Through the support of Northwest Oregon Works, I am able to address barriers for new entrants to the workforce by providing commercial fishing gear to individuals trained in FFAST & DC. My hope is to offer youth in our coastal communities more opportunities to gain experience while supporting our fleets with a new generation of fishermen. I learned from AMSEA that being able to demonstrate first aid, CPR, and safety drills is crucial at sea. Our first step is exposing youth to the work and then getting them the appropriate training."

Dump stations may feel intimidating but they are really easy to use! Lift the lid, turn on the machine, and slowly pour from your bucket or commode. The key is to make sure it is draining as fast as you are pouring. Pouring too fast can result in overflow. Paying extra attention while pouring will save you from a messy situation! Oregon has 59 free dump stations around the state. Find one at bit.ly/PumpoutNavApp. #pumpoutdontdumpout #recreationalboating #boatsafety #oregonseagrant #osmb #safeboating

Happy #FellowFriday everyone! This week we hear from Amanda Gannnon, a postgraduate Natural Resource Policy Fellow working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Reserves team on coastal adaptive management. The State of Oregon has five no-take Marine Reserves along its coast that are dedicated to conservation and scientific research: Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, Cape Perpetua, and Redfish Rocks. Fishing, harvesting, and ocean development are prohibited within the reserves. Setting aside these areas of the ocean gives scientists an opportunity to study and learn how we can best maintain our coastal ecosystems for generations to come. Adaptive management is one strategy to better prepare for and respond to a rapidly changing environment by continuously monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting management practices. Learn more about the Marine Reserves on their website:?https://lnkd.in/gqrcwFwb! Don't forget, if you are are passionate about marine science and want to become a fellow, you can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dRZ6dR77

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Welcome back to #FellowFriday, meet Madison Bargas! “I’m a second-year master’s student in the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Department at Oregon State University. My master’s thesis focuses on the spatial effects on growth and maturity of black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) in the California Current and Gulf of Alaska. Growing up in California, I have always had a passion for marine life, and going to school and working in Alaska solidified my passion for working in fishing communities and contributing to research that informs sustainable management practices. My thesis is a highly collaborative effort that combines scientific research and community engagement. As I am studying across such a broad range, we must work with local fishers and scientists to obtain a robust sample size. In Oregon, we work with the Oregon Coast Anglers and Oregon South Coast Fishermen, in Winchester Bay and Brookings, respectively. These groups have donated countless fish to my project and continue to contribute to my understanding of rockfish ecology and the needs and concerns of local communities relying on this resource. Something I love about my project is getting to work with fishers who have been utilizing nearshore resources for years. Getting to know them has greatly enhanced my project and has made me more passionate about continuing work in coastal communities. I would love to continue connecting in coastal communities, please feel free to reach out if interested!”

Welcome back to #FellowFriday where we hear from students and recent grads gaining hands-on experience in marine science and policy! "My name is Morgan Oberman. I am a current 3L law student at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland. I earned my Bachelor of Science in marine biology with a minor in Japanese Language from the University of Hawai?i at Mānoa. I am currently the Legislative Fellow for the Oregon Coastal Caucus. The Coastal Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of representatives and senators of Oregon’s Coastal legislative districts. As the Legislative Fellow, I provide direct staff support to the chair of the Coastal Caucus. The Legislative Fellow additionally assists the Coastal Caucus through a variety of work, including organizing weekly caucus meetings and researching relevant marine and coastal issues. I pursued a legal degree and this fellowship because I want to assist in turning good science into effective binding policy. I am excited to learn more about Oregon’s legislative process and get involved in the creation of marine and coastal policy through my work assisting the Oregon Coastal Caucus."

The 28th Annual FisherPoets Gathering takes place in Astoria, OR this weekend! Gather in pubs, restaurants and galleries to hear the authentic, creative voices of deckhands and skippers, cannery workers and shipwrights! Be sure to attend "Women in Fishing Careers"?at Cambium Gallery?on Feb 22 from 2:00pm to 3:15pm. This workshop is for young people interested in learning more about careers in fishing and upcoming local training opportunities. Hear stories from the sea from experienced women in fishing and learn how they found success, then learn a fun fishing skill! Featured speakers include: Emily Waddington, Tele Aadsen, and Maggie Parish. This workshop is organized by Oregon Sea Grant and OSU Extension and Engagement, which prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities and materials. To learn more about the FisherPoets Gathering: https://lnkd.in/gX8JM_ii