GPS Coordinates: 44.6169399, -124.0423388
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REGIONS > CENTRAL OREGON COAST > NEWPORT AND VICINITY > YAQUINA RIVER
Yaquina Bay marks the end of the Yaquina River where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. The bay's total area is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km). The bay is surrounded by the town of Newport with the smaller community of Toledo laying further to the east on the Yaquina River. The bay is one of the busiest and most productive areas on the U.S. west coast for marine science, education, interpretation, fishing and aquaculture. A variety of prominent organizations and agencies have facilities along the bay's edge, including the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Fleet, U.S. Coast Guard Yaquina Bay Station, Marine Discovery Tours, Pacific Heritage Maritime Center and many more. |
Fishing For Life:
Even before it was a scientific center, this large 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, Yaquina Bay is 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: Building An Underwater Garden | Discovering Marine Discovery Tours |
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