The Hatfield Marine Science Center has a 40 year history of research, education, and outreach. Originally established as a marine laboratory for Oregon State University, it has grown to encompass a large group of partners on its 49 acre site on Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon. Within OSU, HMSC includes researchers, students, or faculty from five colleges and more than ten departments, and serves as home to several University programs. Our onsite partners include a variety of agency activities involved in research and management of the marine environment, and we work closely with the local communities, including the fishing industry. Our Visitor Center is a key site for public education.

The range of HMSC's programs are reflected in our mission statement:

The Hatfield Marine Science Center is Oregon State University's campus for research, education, and outreach in marine and coastal sciences. Through its partnerships, HMSC improves scientific understanding of marine systems, coastal processes and resources, and applies this knowledge to social, economic, and environmental issues.

The HMSC brings OSU's diverse marine science programs together for effective collaboration and higher national and international visibility. The Center plays an integral role in marine and estuarine research and instruction, as a unique laboratory facility serving resident scientists and graduate students, and as a base for oceanographic research. With a combined budget in excess of $37M, the HMSC also plays an important economic role on the Oregon Coast.

I hope that you will find this web site a useful guide to the activities of the Center, and feel free to contact us if we can provide further information.