When it comes to ocean-dwelling show-offs, no one does it quite as well as whales.
Their twice-a-year migrations up and down the coast pack sight-seeing boats and lure visitors to prime viewing spots.
Now, the 15 species of sharks known to swim in Oregon’s coastal waters are about to get some love of their own Saturday, Oct. 14, when the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport hosts its first Sharktoberfest.
“We really wanted to get the word out about the cool stuff we do,” said Alexandra McInturf, a researcher in Oregon State University’s Hatfield-based Big Fish Lab. “We are hoping this grows into an annual event.”
The event, running from 3-7 p.m., will feature 14 Hatfield staff members stationed at tables to answer questions ranging from shark movements and behavior to physiology and reproductive habits.
There will also be an in-person dissection of a shark – likely the mako shark that washed up two weeks ago at Beverly Beach, McInturf said.
Among the staff joining the presentations will be Big Fish Lab director James Sulikowski, who was featured recently as part of the Discovery Channel’s popular Shark Week offerings, and who will anchor a question-and-answer session with guests.
In addition to crafts, food and beverages will be provided by both Pelican Brewing and OSU’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center.
Tickets are $25 each and are on sale now.
“Some folks asked if they don’t have to pay, but for us, this is a big-time fundraising event,” said McInturf, adding that some of the electronic shark-identification tags lab researchers use can cost upwards of $5,000 apiece. “All proceeds go to shark research.”
- Dana Tims, YachatsNews
