About
Coquille Point is a Marine Garden
Marine Gardens are designated to protect rocky habitat resources through public enjoyment, learning opportunities, and by maintaining ecological integrity. Closed to the take of marine invertebrates with exceptions for single mussels for bait and razor clams. Sport fishing is allowed, and commercial fishing is prohibited. No collection of marine aquatic vegetation except by scientific research permit from OPRD.
Features
Key Resources
The Coquille Point Marine Garden encompasses roughly 50 acres covering about 0.3 miles of shoreline around the Coquille Point headland. There are around 16.6 acres of intertidal habitat area and six acres of offshore rocks and islands within the boundary. The Marine Garden boundary includes the intertidal habitat between a line perpendicular to the shore from the 8th Street beach access point and a line perpendicular to shore from the Coquille Point beach access staircase. The largest sea stacks within the boundaries include Elephant Rock, Middle Coquille Rock, and North Coquille Rock.
Site Uses
Coquille Point is used by residents and visitors primarily for photography, beachcombing, picnicking, bird watching, observing pinnipeds, exercising dogs, playing on the beach, fishing, paddle boarding, climbing rocks, biking, jogging, flying kites, and strolling on the beach.
Access
There are two main public beach access points that frame the shoreline of the Coquille Point Marine Garden: Coquille Point parking lot managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the 8th Street wayside with a trail managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Management
Site Management
The offshore rocks and islands near Coquille Point are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and supports diverse populations of marine plants and animals, including over 14 species of breeding seabirds and shorebirds.
Regulations
No take of shellfish and other invertebrates with the exception of single mussels (for bait).
Ownership
- Submerged and intertidal lands: Department of State Lands
- Offshore rocks above Mean High Water (MHW): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Dry sands beach is a state recreation area under the jurisdiction of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Uplands area adjacent to the site: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
