In 2012, the state of Oregon created five marine reserves and designated nine adjacent marine protected areas. It mandated an independent assessment of the program in 2023. The Trust helped coordinate and solicit $156,000 for the marine reserves assessment. In 2021, funds were awarded to Oregon State University lead researched Dr. Wilson White to complete the independent, peer reviewed assessment. The final report is due to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of the Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) by August 31, 2022 and to the Oregon Legislature by March 2023.

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The report includes an assessment of the social, economic, and environmental factors related the reserves and protected areas, recommendations for actions and legislative proposals related to the reserves and protected areas, and other scientifically-based information related to the reserves and protected areas that Oregon State University deems relevant, or material. The report is intended to:

• Determine If Oregon's marine reserves and associated marine protected areas were effectively designed and implemented to achieve the goals set forth in OPAC's 2008 Oregon Marine Reserve Policy Recommendations.

• Determine if the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife successfully executed the legislative mandates regarding marine reserve implementation.