Estuaries, an important part of the continental shelf, have been important centers for the economic development of man. They serve as an interface between the terrestrial and oceanic realm and are a part of the ocean that receives the most physical damage. Different agencies and political groups are vested with the responsibility of managing different aspects of the estuaries. One of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's designated functions is to protect the estuarine biota and its environment. The fifteen coastal port districts are usually more concerned with human use of the estuaries. While conducting their activities, these two groups tend to have conflicting view points. To improve and coordinate the interaction between the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pacific Northwest Port Districts, a series of workshops are planned for the early part of 1977. This paper is designed to aid the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in preparing for the workshops. Topics covered in this paper include a port by port description of commercial and recreational fishing activities (a survey done by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department), commercial shipping tonnages (as compiled by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers), port organizational structure (1976 Oregon Port Directory), and port planning activities including the degree of port planning (whether the port has a comprehensive development plan or plans a project as necessity dictates).