Salem-News.com Oregon Coast articles Page 12

Open House October to Spotlight New Animal Residents at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Visitors will be treated to behind the scene glimpses of exhibits with new animals

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium is inviting visitors behind the scenes throughout the month of October during special interpretive glimpses of daily featured exhibits. "Open House October" will offer visitors a chance to see how Aquarium animals are cared for, how the life support systems work and areas normally off limits to the public.

"The Aquarium has acquired three new animals recently and one more is arriving soon," said Cindy Hanson, Aquarium Public Relations Manager. "We'd like to take this opportunity to spotlight a different animal each week and let everyone know about our new residents." Areas open to public view will be listed on a schedule at the Visitor Services area near the Aquarium lobby. All activities are included with regular Aquarium admission.

Oregon`s Date with Destiny

Geologists studying Oregon's coast continue to find evidence that our history has been one of periodic upheaval, intermingled with and somewhat obscured by fluctuations in sea level due to climate.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The legendary landscape of the Pacific Northwest beckons today much as it did centuries ago when lone mountain men returned with tales of a western world that stirred the imagination.

Every year thousands of tourists flock to see wonders such as the volcanic symmetry of Crater Lake, or the inexorable renewal of Mt. St. Helens.

Umpqua River Lighthouse not required for safe navigation

Specific plans for the disposition of the lighthouse will be made at a later time. There are currently no plans to remove the historic Fresnel lens from the lighthouse

(Seattle, WA) - The U. S. Coast Guard is releasing a Waterways Analysis and Management System report on the Umpqua River in Oregon which states that the Umpqua River Lighthouse is not required for safe navigation. This determination opens the door for the U.S. Coast Guard to begin the process to discontinue the Umpqua River Light as a federal aid to navigation.

The review included multiple surveys from local waterway users, as well as consultation with commercial towing companies, the Port of Umpqua, and other local entities. The majority of respondents indicated the Umpqua River Light is a secondary, or backup aid to navigation.

Sport anglers asked to help shape 2011 halibut season

For those unable to attend the public meeting, comments can also be provided through Friday, Oct. 8, via phone or e-mail

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - Sport anglers who target Pacific halibut have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the 2011 halibut season in person, by phone or by email.

"The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted three proposed changes for anglers to provide input," said Lynn Mattes, halibut project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Health advisory issued for water contact at Seaside Beach

Higher than normal bacteria levels found at Clatsop County beach

(SEASIDE, Ore.) - A public health advisory was issued Tuesday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Seaside Beach in Clatsop County.

Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources such as animal waste from seabirds, pets and livestock, storm water runoff, sewer overflows and failing septic systems.

Search suspended for missing boater near Waldport

The search was called off Friday due to reduced visibility

(Astoria, Oregon) - The Coast Guard and local authorities have suspended the search for a boater who went missing Friday after his 14-foot boat capsized approximately one mile offshore near Waldport, Ore.

The search was suspended at 1:20 p.m. Saturday after the Coast Guard and local authorities searched for the boater throughout Friday night and Saturday.

Oregon Bottom Fishing Update

Normally, fishing for bottomfish would be allowed at all depths after Oct. 1.

(Newport, Oregon) - Bottom fishing remains open inside the 20-fathom line amid concerns over yelloweye rockfish. Beyond 20 fathoms (as defined in regulation), bottom fishing is closed to minimize catch-and-release mortality of yelloweye rockfish.

Fishery managers brought bottom fishing inside 20 fathoms on July 23 when the yelloweye catches began to approach the federally-mandated cap. Anglers occasionally catch, but cannot keep, yelloweye rockfish while fishing for other species. NOAA Fisheries considers yelloweye, along with canary rockfish, as overfished and counts a certain percentage of those caught and released as mortality.

Coast Guard medevacs passenger from cruise ship

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - Aviation Survival Technician 2nd Class Obrien Starr-Hollow, Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Shawn McCann and Health Service Technician 1st Class Russell Whitman of Air Station Astoria, Ore., tend to a 69-year-old man medically evacuated from the cruise ship Bolendam with head and back injuries Sept. 24, 2010.

The man was taken to Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore., for treatment.

Coast Guard Cutter Maple Patrols Oregon Coast

Commissioned Oct. 19, 2001, Cutter Maple is operated by seven officers and a crew of 46 men and women.

(ASTORIA) - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple, a 225-foot Juniper-Class buoy tender homeported in Sitka, Alaska, have spent the last three weeks along the West Coast repairing and replacing buoys vital to safe navigation and the flow of commerce.

Maple is now near the Oregon coast in the area normally patrolled by the Coast Guard Cutter Fir, homeported in Astoria, Ore.

Missing 5-Year-Old Found Safe on Oregon Coast

The boy, Isaak Benjamin Glenn from Veneta, is safe.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - Isaak Glenn was found safe at approximately 1:10 pm, by two men driving on a dirt road near Big Creek north of the campground.