"Marine Refuges offer Haven for Puget Sound Fish" — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:
http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/science/
current/marine_sanctuary.html

Surfrider Foundation’s "2002 State of the Beach Report" - What state is your beach in? The State of the Beach report applies that critical "surfer's eye" to the conditions of our nation's beaches. For three years we have been collecting information in the areas of beach access, surf zone water quality, beach erosion, beach nourishment, shoreline structures, and surfing areas to get an understanding of the condition of our nation's beaches. 2002 State of the Beach Report

"Scientific Consensus Statement on Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Areas"
This statement, signed by 150 of the world's leading marine scientists, is the culmination of several years' study by an international group of marine scientists, and declares that "marine reserves are a highly effective but under-appreciated and under-utilized tool" for improving the overall health of the oceans. http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/fmt/doc?/frames.html

"Marine Reserves in Oregon: Analysis of Industry Perceptions and Strategies for Improved Communications" by Laura Anderson; prepared for Environmental Defense Fund This paper examines ways in which fishers and their specialized knowledge of local resources could contribute to various efforts to establish marine reserves off Oregon's coast. It also outlines many of the commonly-held beliefs among fishers about marine reserves, and uses these beliefs to draw conclusions about the need for better communication between scientists, fishers, environmentalists, and government officials. http://www.audubonportland.org/pdf/anderson.pdf

"Ocean Zoning: A Scoping Paper for the Marine Fish Conservation Network" By Rod Fujita - Environmental Defense Fund. The paper emphasizes that zoning can be effective for separating incompatible uses spatially.  Ocean Zoning paper

"Comments of the Marine Fish Conservation Network on the Principles for Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management" By Rod Fujita - Environmental Defense Fund. The comments discuss the potential improvements to fishery management through marine reserves and a precautionary approach. Ecosystem Management Paper

The Gulf of Maine Marine Protected Areas Project: The Gulf of Maine Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Project is an international effort to consider a coordinated approach to the establishment of MPAs. These pages will act as a central clearinghouse for information related to the project. It will allow project participants and interested parties to access, review and respond to reports during various stages of development. http://www.gulfofmaine.org/library/mpas/mpa.htm

"Marine Protected Areas: Tools for Sustaining Ocean Ecosystem" Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources. http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072867/html/ 

"Marine Protected Areas of Washington, Oregon and California" Compiled by Al J. Didier, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. This comprehensive document begins to identify some of the protected areas and sites of special designation that could affect the marine environment off the states of Washington, Oregon and California http://www.psmfc.org/publications/marine_prot_areas.pdf

The State of California's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/science1.html. This site has decent background, goals, and science sections.

Surfrider Foundation articles on marine protected areas in our national bimonthly publication MAKING WAVES: Part I, Part II, and Part III

"Beach Sand at the Base of the Food Chain" By Peter Etnoyer, Chad Nelsen, and Kevin Ranker — Surfrider Foundation. Marine conservation efforts tend to stop at the water's edge while the beach forms the basis of recreational pastime and bears the brunt of development pressure. This paper explores the trophic linkages and ecological importance of the beach.

Toxics in the Puget Sound Food Web report -- The Puget Sound food web is contaminated with persistent, bioaccumulative toxic (PBTs) that are threatening the health of its inhabitants. This report reviews the problems in depth.

State of the Sound report -- People For Puget Sound is celebrating 10 years of working to protect and restore the Sound and Straits. This report reviews the "State of the Sound" in 2001 -- what has changed, for better or worse, since 1991?