Developed to integrate fundamental oceanographic concepts with basic research, this book presents information about the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon. Characterizations and descriptions of the marine environment from the coastline to approximately 200 miles offshore are provided for the interested public. Chapter topics include: (1) marine ecology (identifying the life forms and trophic structure of Oregon's marine habitats); (2) geology (examining the current research performed on the ocean bottom and exploring the economic resources of the offshore environment); (3) oceanography (explaining weather and circulation patterns of the earth's atmosphere and oceans and their influences on oceanic productivity); (4) plankton (providing descriptions and examples of photoplankton and zooplankton); (5) nekton (identifying the more important species of swimming marine life found off Oregon); (6) benthos, or ocean floor, (highlighting the general characteristics of benthic organisms, their diversity, habital preference, feeding and life cycles); and (7) marine birds and mammals (discussing in detail birds which breed along the coast and mammals which are found along the coast or in the waters off Oregon). References are included, and additional resources are provided in the appendix. (ML)