Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachi bachei) shows up fairly often during spring and summer on the beaches. Staff at Seaside Aquarium spotted them last week around Tillamook Bay, and this week they are in massive abundance in and around Yachats. Particularly at Neptune State Park on Thursday, there was a small invasion.This critter belongs to the phylum Ctenophora, which are distinctive by their ‘combs,’ or groups of cilia that they use for swimming.As small as they are, they’re actually the largest animal that swim by means of cilia. Adults can vary in size, from much smaller to around the size seen on the coast.The Sea Gooseberry has sticky branched tentacles which it uses to snag prey, moving them around in an upward spiral motion to catch their food.“They are considered a dominant predator feeding on copepods, larval fish, various types of eggs, and small crustaceans,” said Tiffany Boothe of the Seaside Aquarium.
She added the Sea Gooseberry is able to release up to 1,000 eggs per day. This can result in massive increases in population.If you're looking to find one, it may not be too hard to happen upon one right now. You'll just have to be in the right place at the right time. Seaside Aquarium didn't report seeing any this week in their usual areas of patrol, like Cannon Beach, Warrenton or Seaside. But they were plentiful just south of Yachats this week. They could be lurking on beaches anywhere on the Oregon coast.
Sea Gooseberries near Yachats on Thursday.Photos below are from Seaside Aquarium, showing the Gooseberry in its natural habitat.
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Jellyfish Jubilee Chef Mike Downing (Photo by Cindy Hanson)(Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium is preparing for its annual fundraiser Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The third annual Jellyfish Jubilee; A Celebration of Food and Wine will fill the Aquarium with the aromas, tastes and sounds of exceptional Northwest cuisine, wines, music and a silent auction benefiting the Aquarium’s exhibits and education programs. The all-inclusive event will also provide an opportunity to see the Aquarium’s new Swampland exhibit, which opened Memorial Day weekend, 2010. Participating restaurants include some of the region’s finest culinary establishments, including Bay 839, The Bay House, Chinook Winds, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, La Maison, Local Ocean Seafoods, Nana’s Irsih Pub, Quimby’s, Rogue Brewers on the Bay, Savory Café and Pizzeria, Starfish Grill and Tsunami Coffee & Chocolate Company. Wineries include Adelsheim Vineyard, Duck Pond Cellars, Edenvale Winery, Oak Knoll Winery and Sokol Blosser Winery. Chefs and vintners have been anticipating the opportunity to share their passion for extraordinary food and wine during this unique event surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Aquarium.
The aquarium's Swampland exhibit.The evening will also include live jazz from Perpetua, animal encounters, interpretive dive presentations and a silent auction.Highlights of the silent auction include a cruise donated by AAA Oregon-Idaho, a float plane flight for two around the Willamette Valley; three days of golf at The Oregon Golf Club, Pumpkin Ridge and Persimmon; an Oregon coast package that includes stay at a beach home, visits to the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Coast Aquarium; a Salishan package; two Romance and Culture Packages at Hotel Monaco with tickets to leading Portland arts and music companies; a cooking class for two from Lincoln City Culinary Center; four President Box seats at 2011 Bach festival from the University of Oregon; golf for four at Chambers Bay and the Home Course and overnight stay at Hotel Murano in Tacoma and many other items including coastal lodging, magnums of fine wine and restaurant packages.
More of the Swampland exhibit.Tickets for admission to the event are $100. Aquarium members qualify for a 10% discount. Lodging discounts will be offered by the Holiday Inn Express, The Whaler Motel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Tyee Lodge Bed and Breakfast and Ocean House Bed and Breakfast. Visitors wishing to take advantage of lodging discounts must mention they are attending the Jellyfish Jubilee.West Coast Bank is the presenting sponsor of the Jellyfish Jubilee for the third year. Major Sponsors are Wildlife Trading Company of New Mexico and Foam It Green.com. Sponsors include Animal Medical Care of Newport, Leopold Ketel & Partners, Marta and Ken Thrasher and Wilder Development. Media sponsors are Northwest Palate, Oregon Coast Magazine and All Classical FM.
Sharks may check you out while dining.The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational attraction dedicated to the highest quality aquatic and marine science programs for recreation and education so the public better understands, cherishes, and conserves the world’s natural marine and coastal resources. For more information, visit the Aquarium’s Web site at www.aquarium.org or call (541) 867-FISH.More About Newport Restaurants, Dining.....