EXPERIENCE > YOUTH ACTIVITIES > FISHING
Long before it was a scientific center, Yaquina Bay was an important fishing area for the local Native Americans. During low tide, the native people would trudge into the estuary and extract oysters from the mud. In January 1852, when a schooner called Juliet was stranded on the sandy beach nearby, the Indians shared these sweet-tasting shellfish with the crew and passengers.
After two months — and with no sign of rescue — the Juliet’s survivors hiked over the Coast Range Mountains to the Willamette Valley. They told tales of the oysters to settlers there and within two years Yaquina Bay had a thriving aquaculture industry which continues to this day. The oysters were considered a delicacy during the nineteenth century and were served in some of the best restaurants in the world. Unfortunately, over-harvesting caused the native oyster to quickly vanish. Today, aquaculturists raise a variety of introduced species.
Aside from oysters, Newport is also famous for its large fishing fleet and working bay-front where visitors can buy the day’s catch right off the boat. Of particular importance to the local economy are Oregon pink shrimp, rockfish and dungeness crab.
Related Features: Secrets of Shipwrecks | Yaquina River
Long before it was a scientific center, Yaquina Bay was an important fishing area for the local Native Americans. During low tide, the native people would trudge into the estuary and extract oysters from the mud. In January 1852, when a schooner called Juliet was stranded on the sandy beach nearby, the Indians shared these sweet-tasting shellfish with the crew and passengers.
After two months — and with no sign of rescue — the Juliet’s survivors hiked over the Coast Range Mountains to the Willamette Valley. They told tales of the oysters to settlers there and within two years Yaquina Bay had a thriving aquaculture industry which continues to this day. The oysters were considered a delicacy during the nineteenth century and were served in some of the best restaurants in the world. Unfortunately, over-harvesting caused the native oyster to quickly vanish. Today, aquaculturists raise a variety of introduced species.
Aside from oysters, Newport is also famous for its large fishing fleet and working bay-front where visitors can buy the day’s catch right off the boat. Of particular importance to the local economy are Oregon pink shrimp, rockfish and dungeness crab.
Related Features: Secrets of Shipwrecks | Yaquina River