Heceta Bank is making waves in the Willamette Valley

Nestled about 30 miles off central Oregon is one of the most biodiverse regions on our entire Pacific coast – it’s called Heceta Bank. It’s the home of dozens of species of fish including rockfish and salmon and every year, thousands of seabirds from across the world migrate to Oregon’s shores to feast on all our ocean offers. Below the waves, pods of gray and humpback whales frequent this place as they migrate up and down our coast.

On April 30th, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) put the spotlight on Heceta Bank and brought the wonders beneath the waves to the big screen by showing a film that highlights what makes Heceta Bank special. Scores of Oregonians attended the event that was co-hosted by Environment Oregon and Oregon State University. It was the first time the film was shown in the Willamette Valley to such a large crowd which asked engaging questions ranging from wildlife that frequent the area to potential threats from overfishing and possible future conservation efforts.

The attendance and overall enthusiasm of the viewers made it clear that folks are really excited about Heceta Bank and all it has to offer, and that awareness about this wondrous ocean ecosystem is growing.