Mile 216 Report
Newport, Nye Beach south
December 9, 2023
Sea lion corpse, seven dead birds, the rubber fishing lures, much fishing rope, decomposed jellies, and copious amounts of marine and land debris were all notable observations.
Report Details
Sea lion corpse, seven dead birds, the rubber fishing lures, much fishing rope, decomposed jellies, and copious amounts of marine and land debris were all notable observations. Virtually every type of common trash was noted, including bags, utensils, wrappers, hard plastic, wires, and styrofoam.
Conditions
Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 4.1 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 43. Number of dogs: 13. Walking or running: 14. Sitting: 6. Tidepooling: 3. Surfing: 2. Fishing: 1. Other Activities: Most people on the beach focused on just walking or running, or walking dogs. Few recreational or fun activities were being practiced due to the cold weather, and the high waves, along with the wind blowing at a fair rate. Dogs were common on the beach, much more so than the last time I was there.. No cars on beach like last time, no harmful human activities observed happening.
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: The beach had much litter on it, and especially concerning were the rubber fishing lures scattered throughout the high tide line area (I collected a total of 9 of them). Ironically speaking, I lost a lure exactly like that during a fishing trip a year back, so maybe these lures should be phased out as a threat to biodiversity and sea life?.Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Notable Wildlife
A few live gulls (number not estimated) and plovers observed towards the south end of Nye Beach.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 7. All dead birds found were murres with the exception of a single kittiwake, which was the first bird to be found. No leg bands were noticed.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. A single dead sea lion, probably a Steller sea lion bull, was observed, in rapid decomposition, with thousands of slimy maggots on it.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
A few dead jellyfish were seen, they were likely moon jellies. Some organic matter in a state of advanced decomposition was seen too; I tentatively identified it as a concentration of velella jellies.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. The amount of trash astonished me; while most of it was recently-deposited land trash, some marine debris in the form of styrofoam and fishing hooks were noticed, usually next to abandoned fishing lines/ropes.
New Development
Steps down the bluffs and housing along them were not new developments; they had been in place for several years.
Man-made Modifications
No beach modifications caused by humans were noted.
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Cracks in the bluffs and their retreat have been going on for some time.
Report Images
Andy Warrick
CoastWatcher
All Mile 216 Reports
Mile 216
Newport, Nye Beach south
Very few people on the beach due to blustery conditions.
Julie Parker
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Newport, Nye Beach south
Eight total lures were seen, all of them glittery with an orangish hue.
Andy Warrick
Mile 216
Newport, Nye Beach south
Sea lion corpse, seven dead birds, the rubber fishing lures, much fishing rope, decomposed jellies, and copious amounts of marine and land debris were all notable observations.
Andy Warrick
Mile 216
Newport, Nye Beach south
Took photos of all dead birds, as well as live birds/jellyfish, and some trash and sky
Warrick
Mile 216
Newport, Nye Beach south
Just a usual day on the beach, nothing noticible as far as errousoin.
NHS Leadership