The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, a research component of OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is located off-campus. COMES' fisheries, aquaculture, and marine mammal research is based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, on the central Oregon coast. COMES' seafood science and surimi research is based at OSU's Seafood Research & Education Center in Astoria, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River.
Newport's researchers focus on marine fisheries management, resource dynamics, ecology, economics, genetics, marketing, and sustainability, as well as on aquaculture, cetacean conservation, and pinniped ecology. In Astoria, the focus is on seafood-related research, incorporating improved quality, seafood safety, and value-added products. The worldwide Surimi School is also headquartered here.
The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station – the first marine experiment station in the nation – came into existence following a lobbying effort by Oregon's fishermen for more applied research in fishing management and marketing. This idea, first broached in 1985, was adopted in 1989, when the Station – incorporating the previously established Astoria Laboratory – was officially established.Collaborate ~ Innovate ~ Communicate ~ Celebrating our first 25 years ~
Sustainable Fisheries = Sustainable Communities + Sustainable Seafood
We are Oregon's marine experiment station, focusing on sustainability of our marine resources and best use and safety of our seafood. Our collaborators include government agencies, the fishing and seafood industry, and local communities.