EXHIBITS
The CMLC emphasizes hands-on, interactive opportunities for discovery. Throughout, the center highlights the remarkable but often hidden diversity of ocean life off Oregon, from the coast to the deep sea. The center provides a rich experience for all ages and levels of interest, from young explorer to seasoned ocean enthusiast.
Large windows look out over Charleston’s active fishing harbor, providing views of fishing boats loading gear and unloading their catch, as well as of seals and sea lions. Spotting scopes allow for birdwatching, as well as views across the bay.
Exhibit galleries combine living displays, specimens, and interactive explorations. Aquaria and a tide-pool touch tank highlight coastal ecosystems, and an open-air gallery focuses on local fisheries. A deep-sea gallery includes underwater video of deep reefs and undersea vents, along with live animals and deep-sea specimens. In the marine mammal gallery, visitors walk under and around the skeletons of a variety of whales, seals, sea lions, and sea otters, and listen to and test their ability to imitate whale calls. Ongoing research is highlighted in the exploration gallery, where visitors also examine specimens with projecting scopes and microscopes. Additional exhibits focus on marine invertebrate larvae (the babies of the sea), and sea and shorebirds.