Heceta Bank is the largest rocky reef feature off the Oregon coast. This unique underwater formation includes highly complex rock and boulder outcrops, separated by small valley-like features, and a steep slope that quickly drops thousands of feet beyond the shallower continental shelf. The bank extends the continental shelf off Oregon out to roughly 40 miles at its widest point west of Florence and Yachats. It spans a vast area of about 150 square miles. Fueled by cold, nutrient rich upwelling, Heceta Banks is renowned as one of the most productive ocean habitats in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Other nearby banks and reefs like Perpetua Bank, Stonewall Bank and Daisy Bank (aka Nelson Island) add to the rich diversity and importance of this region, and together are referred to as the “Heceta Bank Complex.”
Ecologically, the Heceta Bank Complex is a vital habitat for a diverse array of marine life. Its nutrient-rich waters support thriving populations of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, and seabirds.
Heceta Bank includes the core designated “biologically Important feeding area” for Humpback Whales and is part of the overall Critical Habitat for the Central American Distinct Population Segment (DPS) for this species. Heceta Bank Complex is also included as part of the Leatherback Turtle Critical Area designated by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Heceta Bank is designated as a globally significant Important Bird Area by National Audubon and Bird Conservation International supporting hundreds of thousands of seabirds that come across the Pacific Ocean to feed in its productive waters. Seafloor habitats at the Heceta Bank complex support a wide diversity of fish and megafaunal invertebrates.
These include slow growing cold water corals and sponges that add to the diversity and habitat complexity of this vibrant seafloor ecosystem.
Parts of Heceta Bank, Perpetua Bank, Stonewall and Daisy Banks are designated ‘Essential Fish Habitat conservation areas’ by the National Marine Fisheries Service and protected year-round from groundfish and pink shrimp bottom trawling. However, there are no fully protected marine reserves in the federal ocean waters off Oregon (3 – 200 nautical miles) unlike in neighboring California and Washington. Multiple threats to the biodiversity of Heceta Bank Complex still exist ranging from continued concerns about fishing pressure and climate change impacts.
