Venture Undersea to Study the Jellyfish, Airs July 10, 2008
Posted Wed June 25, 2008
- Promotional Contact:
- Carol Howard
- 503-977-7751
There is growing interest in the scientific community about the elusive jellyfish. Early evidence shows that these creatures may have a significant impact in the ocean's food chain. OREGON FIELD GUIDE goes undersea to observe jellyfish and talks with scientists who are gathering data on them on Thursday, July 10 at 8:30pm (and Sunday, July 13 at 2:30am and 6:30pm) on the stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting. The OFG crew also looks at "squirt boats" and goes hiking in the remote Pueblo Mountains of southern Oregon.
Jellyfish -- Around Newport Harbor in Yaquina Bay, jellyfish -- particularly the Sea Nettle -- are found in large numbers. Sea Nettles, often referred to as the "vacuum cleaners of the ocean," kill their prey with toxins secreted from their tentacles. And there's growing concern they might be competing with fish for food. OFG visits with scientists who are trying to understand the role the jellyfish plays in the food web in order to understand and predict changes that might occur in this ecosystem.
Squirt Boats -- This highly specialized, extreme sport is done in a "squirt boat" that makes stretches of rivers that might be boring in other craft super exciting. Squirt boats resemble traditional kayaks but they've borrowed the aeronautics of an airplane wing to take their rider down below the water's surface in a wild ride on the currents.
Pueblo Hike -- The OFG crew joins some members of the Oregon Desert Trail Association for a grueling hike through the high desert of the Pueblo Mountains. It's one of the lesser-known but beautiful ranges in southern Oregon.
Video clips of the stories featured on FIELD GUIDE can be viewed online immediately following the broadcast at www.opb.org/programs/ofg/
About OREGON FIELD GUIDE
In its 19th season, OREGON FIELD GUIDE remains a valuable source of information about outdoor recreation, ecological issues, natural resources and travel destinations. OREGON FIELD GUIDE airs Thursday evenings at 8:30pm on the television stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting and repeats on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. In the Mountain Time zone of Eastern Oregon, the program airs at 9:30pm Thursdays, and at 7:30pm Sundays.
About OPB
OPB is the state's most far-reaching and accessible media resource, providing free access to programming for children and adults designed to give voice to community, connect Oregon and its neighbors and illuminate a wider world. Every week, over 1.5 million people tune in to or log on to OPB's Television, Radio and Internet delivered services. As the hub of operations for the state's Emergency Broadcast and Amber Alert services, OPB serves as the backbone for the distribution of critical information to broadcasters and homes throughout Oregon. OPB is one of the largest producers and presenters of national television programming through PBS, and is also a member station of NPR, Public Radio International (PRI), and American Public Media (APM). The OPB Web site is opb.org.
Last Modified Wed June 25 2008 15:30PM
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