About OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center: The center is a research and teaching facility located in Newport, Ore., on the Yaquina Bay estuary, about one mile from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. It plays an integral role in programs of marine and estuarine research and instruction, as a laboratory serving resident scientists, as a base for far-ranging oceanographic studies and as a classroom for students. In addition to Oregon State researchers and students, its campus includes research activities and facilities from five different state and federal agencies.
NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers have developed a new satellite tag that allows them to better track whales’ behavior, including previously unobservable feeding events during dives.
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Sperm whales in the Pacific Ocean make distinct vocalizations that help them identify whales in different clans, a new study from a team including an Oregon State University researcher found.
These vocalizations, called “identity codas,” are unique sequences of Morse code-like clicking sounds that function as symbolic markers of different social groups and are indicative of whale culture, researchers say.
NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center will host a virtual Marine Science Day Saturday, April 9, that will include a live shark dissection and a talk about a rare whale sighting off the coast of Oregon.
The annual free event, a showcase of the diverse marine research occurring at Hatfield, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. virtually for the second year. The theme for this year’s Science Day is “Local Science, Global Impacts,” and the event will include animal interactions and research talks.
NEWPORT, Ore. – A comprehensive new map and report tracking whale migrations around the globe highlights where they go in the high seas and the cumulative impacts the animals face from industrial fishing, ship strikes, pollution, habitat loss and climate change.
NEWPORT, Ore. – It’s widely understood that animals such as salmon, butterflies and birds have an innate magnetic sense, allowing them to use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation to places such as feeding and breeding grounds.
But scientists have struggled to determine exactly how the underlying sensory mechanism for magnetic perception actually works.
NEWPORT, Ore. – Scarlett is known for the large scar on her back. Equal bears the mark of a boat propeller injury. Roller Skate’s fluke was damaged due to entanglement with fishing gear. Solé has a favorite foraging ground she returns to each year.
NEWPORT, Ore. – An exhibit of works featuring the traditional Japanese folk art style of gyotaku, or fish rubbing, is now on display in the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center.
NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute has been awarded a $2 million grant to collect data about distribution and density of marine mammals and seabirds that will be used to inform decisions about offshore wind energy development.
NEWPORT, Ore. – A new study of the genetic profiles of wild and hatchery coho salmon demonstrates important distinctions in how the two types of fish form mating pairs.
These findings by Oregon State University researchers provide new insight into subtle differences between wild and hatchery fish that could lead to changes in how hatchery fish are mated to promote the success of hatchery fish and conserve and protect wild fish.
NEWPORT, Ore. – The population of white sharks that call the Central California coast their primary home is holding steady at about 300 animals and shows some signs of growth, a new long-term study of the species has shown.
Between 2011 and 2018, researchers were able to identify hundreds of individual adult and subadult white sharks, which are not fully mature but are old enough to prey on marine mammals. They used that information to develop estimates of the sharks’ abundance.
