 |
 |
Salmon Shark Washes Up on N. Oregon Coast |
|---|
Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
08/22/08
Secrets of the Season |
Salmon Shark Washes Up on N. Oregon Coast
 |
| The baby salmon shark that washed up near Seaside Friday had been picked at by scavenger birds (photo Seaside Aquarium). |
(Seaside, Oregon) - It's been a slow summer for oddball things washing up on the beach, unlike last summer’s unusual spate of baby sharks.
But one salmon shark carcass did land on the north Oregon coast Friday morning - the first in about a year, according to Seaside Aquarium. Normally, they get about two such carcasses each year, usually in the summer.
"A salmon shark washed ashore between Delray Beach and Sunset Beach today," said Tiffany Boothe, education specialist for the Seaside Aquarium. "The shark was just over two feet, which means that it was a pup - or baby. This is the first salmon shark we've seen this year. On average we see one or two of these pup/juveniles a year."
 |
| A salmon shark that washed up last year (photo Seaside Aquarium) |
Aquarium manager Keith Chandler said staff retrieved the body and put it in a freezer, just in case some agency or school would want it for scientific study.
The shark carcass appeared to already be rather hollowed out by predators. “The birds had been really working on it,” Chandler said.
Last year was a banner year - or at least a highly unusual one - where dozens of such baby sharks hit the north and central coast. Meanwhile, the California coast experienced a huge run on them as well. Just like those in Oregon, they were mostly pups.
 |
| Seaside Aquarium staff note the teeth and the visual similarities to a Great White |
A couple washed up still alive in the summer of ’07. Not all the sharks were salmon sharks.
Necropsies performed on the California sharks showed many of the specimens had a particular brain virus.
“Stanford
University and Long Marine Lab at UC Santa Cruz performed necropsies on
the sharks they collected,” Boothe said. “Their findings were
puzzling. All of the sharks had a brain infection caused by a bacterial
disease called encephalitis, though they don’t know the source of
the bacteria. They’re not sure if they caught it somehow or the
bacteria was already inherent in their systems.”
 |
| Del Ray Beach, near Seaside |
The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport dealt with last year’s mysterious run of dead sharks in the central coast area, while Seaside Aquarium dealt with those from the Washington border down to about Rockaway Beach. It is unknown how many were found in lower Tillamook County, such as in the areas of Pacific City, Oceanside and Garibaldi, and no data was available for anything south of Yachats down to the Oregon/California border.
“Last year we picked up and recovered eight salmon sharks,” Boothe said. “Along with the Astoria High School’s salmon biology class we preformed a necropsy on them and took various tissue samples for scientists involved in studying the behaviors of salmon sharks.”
 |
| One of last year's run of dead salmon sharks on the central coast (photo Hatfield Marine Science Center) |
Boothe said salmon sharks are related to Mako sharks and Great Whites, and they are presumed to be only fish-eaters. But there’s a chance they’re not. “There’s never been any documentation of them biting a human,” she said.
Neither has there ever been documentation of a live salmon shark being seen and then mistaken for a Great White. But that wouldn’t stop Chandler from fearing it in the water. “If I saw those dorsal fins coming, I’d get out and wouldn’t take any chances,” he said. “They do follow the salmon, so I imagine they can live fairly close to shore.”
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RELATED STORIES
Click here for video of Dec. storm aftermath
Oregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports
