Category: Ecology

Sea Stars: Tigers of the Tidepools

A few years ago Oregon’s intertidal zone was stacked with sea stars. Their brilliant bodies splashing red, orange, and purple color across rock surfaces when the tide receded. Now, fewer tidepools are brightened by these critters since the outbreak of sea star wasting syndrome occurred along the West Coast.

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Reports from the Field

In collaboration with the Oregon Coast Aquarium we held our annual re-fresher training course for our volunteer scientific SCUBA divers. This year we will be conducting SCUBA surveys at the Cascade Head Marine Reserve.   We have selected our two local fishing vessels to help with this year’s hook-and-line surveys. The surveys will be conducted Read More

Strange Creatures Cast Ashore: Velella Velella

In winter and spring, Oregon’s beaches can turn a vivid hue of purplish blue thanks to the invertebrate Velella velella. Also known as “By-the-Wind Sailor,” they are a living blue boat at the mercy of the winds. Storms blow these odd creatures with melodious names ashore, stranding them in uncountable numbers. Read More

Strange Creatures Cast Ashore: Salps

Perhaps you’ve seen one of these gelatinous creatures washed up onto one of Oregon’s beaches. Though they resemble jellyfish without tentacles, they belong to a group of animals known as tunicates, commonly called sea squirts. Guest author Stephen Grace shares this story and some of his photos with us. Read More