Hatfield Marine Science Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hatfield Marine Science Center
Campus on Yaquina Bay
General information
Location	Lincoln County, Oregon
Country	United States
Coordinates	44°37′09″N 124°02′44″W / 44.61917°N 124.04556°W / 44.61917; -124.04556
Opened	1965

The Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) is a cool place in Newport, Oregon, where scientists study the ocean. It's right next to Yaquina Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Oregon State University runs HMSC, working with many government groups. It's named after Mark Hatfield, who used to be a U.S. Senator from Oregon. The center is quite big, covering about 49 acres!

History of the Center

The Hatfield Marine Science Center first opened its doors in 1965. Before HMSC, there was a place called the Yaquina Bay Fisheries Laboratory. It started in 1939 on the other side of Yaquina Bay.

A new building, the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building, was finished in 2020. This building has new offices, labs, a large auditorium, and a cafe. It's also designed to be a safe spot for over 900 people during a tsunami. It can even handle a very strong earthquake!

Who Works at HMSC?

More than 300 people work at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. These include professors, students, and researchers from Oregon State University. Staff from different government groups also work here.

Some of these groups are the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also has staff at HMSC. They study things like fisheries and the ocean's environment.

Visit the Science Center

The Newmas submarine outside the HMSC Visitor Center

The Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center is a special part of HMSC for the public. It teaches people about ocean animals, marine research, and the coast. You can visit the center all year round. They ask for a donation to enter.

Inside, you can see live ocean animals, like a huge Giant Pacific octopus. You can even watch the octopus from home using the HMSC OctoCam! Other exhibits teach about weather, tsunamis, fishing, and tiny sea creatures. Outside, you can see the Newmas, a small submarine built for two people.

Learning at HMSC

Students who are in college and those studying for advanced degrees come to HMSC to learn. The new Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building might soon host about 500 college students all year. This means even more young people can study the ocean here!

Ocean Research Teams

An OSU marine technician prepares a surface mooring

HMSC is home to many research groups that work together. These groups include scientists from Oregon State University and other organizations.

• The Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies (CIMRS) studies fish, ocean ecosystems, and climate. They also look at oceanography and technology.
• The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) helps Oregon's fishing and seafood industries. It's the biggest of 12 similar research stations in Oregon.
• The Marine Mammal Institute (MMI) focuses on marine mammals. They study how these animals live, their genes, and their health.
• The Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) explores ways to get energy from ocean waves and tides. It's a team effort with the University of Washington.
• The Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) collects data about the ocean. This helps scientists understand what's happening in places like Yaquina Bay.

Research Ships

R/V Oceanus at dock in San Francisco

Oregon State University has two research ships that sail from a port next to the center. Also, the NOAA Marine Operations Center-Pacific (MOC-P) is right next to HMSC. This is where two NOAA research ships, the NOAAS Bell M. Shimada and the NOAAS Rainier, are based. HMSC staff often use these ships for their research.

Current Research Vessels

• R/V Taani – This ship is 199 feet long and was finished in 2023.
• R/V Oceanus – This ship is 177 feet long.
• R/V Elakha – This ship is 54 feet long.

R/V Yaquina at sea

Past Research Vessels

Some ships that used to be part of the fleet include:

• R/V Acona
• R/V Cayuse – 80 feet long
• R/V Wecoma – 184.5 feet long
• R/V Yaquina – 180 feet long

People at HMSC

HMSC researchers talk to an albacore fisherman in Newport

Many talented people have worked and studied at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Directors of HMSC

• Bob Cowen (2013 – Present)
• George Boehlert (2002 – 2012)
• Lavern Weber (1977 – 2002)
• John Byrne (1972 – 1977)

Notable Alumni

• Rick Spinrad became the head of NOAA in 2021.

See Also

• Oregon Coast Aquarium, another fun place to visit in Newport, Oregon.
• Sea Lion Caves, a nearby attraction where you can see sea lions.
• Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, another marine science center in Oregon.