Range-wide Gray Whale Science Symposium

Coordinated by the Marine Mammal Commission and hosted by the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University

Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon

September 9-10, 2026

Overview

A public range-wide Gray Whale Science Symposium will take place on September 9–10, 2026, coordinated by the Marine Mammal Commission and hosted by the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University in Newport, Oregon. This two-day scientific meeting will focus on gray whale ecology and health across the Eastern North Pacific (ENP) and Arctic and will synthesize current research and observations to improve understanding of recent trends in health, feeding behavior, distribution, and population dynamics, and to identify priorities for future research, monitoring, and coordination.

Goals

The Symposium goals are to:

1) Review gray whale ecology and health status in the context of recent marine ecosystem variability in the ENP and Arctic;

2) Outline future priorities for gray whale ecology research and health surveillance and monitoring to help fill identified data gaps and address management objectives;

3) Enhance communication amongst scientists from Mexico, USA and Canada monitoring and conducting research on gray whale population status, health and ecology; and

4) Produce a workshop report summarizing presentations and recommendations for future directions.

Meeting Format

Day 1: Presentations and poster session
Invited oral presentations will provide a range-wide overview of gray whale status, trends, feeding ecology and health followed by an evening poster session highlighting additional research and observations. Day 1 oral presentations will be available both in person and remotely.

Day 2: Facilitated discussions and synthesis
Structured discussions will focus on key themes, knowledge gaps, and future priorities, with the goal of identifying areas for coordination and next steps.

Note: The Day 1 evening poster session and Day 2 discussions are in-person only.

Meeting Materials

Agenda coming soon.

Registration

Registration is open to all interested participants. Note: In-person space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

Those interested in participating in the poster session must attend in person. In the registration link please indicate your intent to present a poster and upload a short abstract by June 1. Poster guidelines will be shared after June 1.

Travel Logistics

Lodging:

Details coming soon.

Getting to Newport:

The closest airports are Portland (PDX) or Eugene (EUG), but there are no shuttles that go directly to/from those airports to Newport. There are public transit options with bus/shuttle changes in Corvallis, but we recommend renting a car and driving yourself. The road from the valley to the coast is a beautiful, rural route through the Coast Range on a mostly one-lane road with many winding curves. It is well-traveled and newly repaved.

See Travel to Hatfield for maps and directions to the Hatfield Marine Science Center, including parking information and local bus services.

The campus map below highlights the parking spaces in blue, yellow, and green (blue being closest parking to the Marine Studies Building, where the symposium will take place).

Other things to do in & around Newport:

Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium right next door to HMSC.
Watch for gray whales from Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area or enjoy a short hike, pictures at the iconic lighthouse, or walk along the cobble beach.
Learn about the history of fisheries at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center.
Hear, see, and smell the California sea lions at the Sea Lion Docks along the Historic Bayfront. (A free, fun activity!)
Go beachcombing at one of our iconic beaches: South Beach, Yaquina Bay State Park, Nye Beach, Agate Beach, Beverly Beach
Visit nearby coastal towns: Seal Rock, Yachats, Otter Rock, and Lincoln City.

For more information, contact Lauri Leach (lleach@mmc.gov) or Jackie Shaff (jshaff@mmc.gov)