Sharks and More Sharks: N. Oregon Coast Talk Delves Into Regional Research

Published 10/23/2026 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) - Friends of Haystack Rock will launch its 2026-27 season of Oregon coast-themed nature talks on Friday, November 6, with a presentation exploring shark research both off the Oregon coast and around the world.

The talk, titled "Big Fish, Big Questions: How the Big Fish Lab Studies Sharks in Our Backyard and Beyond," will begin at 5 p.m. at Pelican Brewing, 1371 S. Hemlock St. in Cannon Beach.

Presenter Maddie English, a doctoral student with Oregon State University's Big Fish Lab, will discuss how researchers use technologies such as satellite tags, acoustic telemetry, drones and underwater ultrasound equipment to study shark behavior, movement, ecology and physiology. The presentation will provide an overview of the lab's shark research before focusing on English's work with salmon sharks off Oregon and basking sharks in Ireland.

English earned a master's degree in fisheries science from OSU in 2025, where her research examined microplastic contamination in salmon sharks. Her current work combines acoustic and satellite tagging, drone observations and tissue sampling to better understand how basking sharks use their habitat and respond to environmental changes.

Friends of Haystack Rock is partnering with Pelican Brewing to host the fall and winter lecture series, which highlights coastal ecology and the natural world of the Oregon Coast. The organization works to promote the preservation and protection of intertidal life and seabirds at Haystack Rock through partnerships with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program and other community organizations.

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The event is open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. Friday, November 6, at Pelican Brewing in Cannon Beach.

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