A short distance from the Newport s Yaquina Bay bridge, real jetties reach out toward the open ocean to break the waves. This exhibit shows the abundance of sea life at the base of these jetties. Foremost on display is the coho and Chinook salmon, which pass through the coastal jetties twice during their lifetimes. Interpretive signs detail the tremendous journey in front of them, whether they're headed out to sea as fingerlings or up the river as adults to spawn. Sturgeon, which also spend part of their lives in fresh water and part in salt water, share the spotlight with the salmon.
White sturgeon are the largest fish in the exhibit.
Their ancient look and rows of bony plates under their skin will serve as a reminder of their distant past. At the Jetty exhibit are sea anemones, gumboot chitons and various sea stars that thrive on the rocks. Dungeness crabs crawl among the sandy bottoms scavenging for food and several kinds of perch school in the water above. A careful inspection of the bottom reveal cabezon and buffalo sculpin, using their protective, spotted coloration to hide.