Oregon State University will celebrate World Oceans Day on Monday, June 8 with a special online “Science Pub” featuring marine videos, a panel of experts, trivia, music, art and a children’s book reading focusing on Heceta Bank, 35 miles west of Yachats.
The event is free, but requires registration.
Heceta Bank is a biologically diverse and fishing hotspot about 35 miles off Cape Perpetua. Oregon State scientists have conducted research on the bank for more than 60 years to understand how ocean processes set the stage for Oregon’s fisheries and coastal ecosystem.
The science pub will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday and can be viewed for free by anyone. The event will be broadcast on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Registration for the event is required and can be completed at https://beav.es/4bi. Details about how to access the talk will be sent via email.
World Oceans Day began as a global grassroots movement for ocean conservation and was formally recognized by the United Nations in 2008. This year’s theme is “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean” and is expected to encompass more than 2,000 events in 150 countries.
The OSU Science Pub will feature a screening of a half-hour documentary about Heceta Bank, a short film, Sense of Place, by Oregon State Productions and a performance of “Currents,” composed by Dana Reason of the OSU Music Department. Participants can test their ocean knowledge in a trivia quiz and ask questions to a group that includes scientists, a filmmaker and an Oregon State student. The evening will end with a special children’s book reading.