Interactive Research Map

The research and education facilities of the Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory (LML) provide a state-of-the-art home for interdisciplinary research and teaching on marine life, coastal conservation, climate change impacts and other marine and coastal science issues. The close proximity of the marine lab to the main UCSC campus permits ease of integration of instructional and research activities between the sites.

The Fisheries Ecology Division studies California demersal and anadromous fishes, their fisheries, and their habitats. Results of this research are used by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to manage fisheries and by NOAA Fisheries to manage threatened and endangered species and their habitats.  Our scientists focus on causes of variability in abundance and health of fish populations, ecological relations in marine communities, and the economics of exploiting and protecting natural resources.

The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is dedicated to educating people about the role scientific research plays in the understanding and conservation of the world's oceans.  The Center is a community-supported marine science education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

We conduct multidisciplinary scientific research in the coastal and offshore areas of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and other US Pacific Islands; and in other waterways of the United States.

Island Conservation began as an idea shared by University of California, Santa Cruz professors Don Croll and Bernie Tershy after witnessing the impacts of invasive species on islands in Mexico first-hand while conducting their seabird research. These humble beginnings grew into a network of conservationists in 1994 and became an international non-profit organization in 1997. Today, Island Conservation is on the front lines of preventing extinctions and working to expand the boundaries of island conservation efforts worldwide.

The OSPR Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center (MWVCRC) was constructed in 1997 as the primary care facility for sea otters affected by oil spills or other marine pollution events. In addition to maintaining the facility and protocols for oil spill response, MWVCRC staff and collaborators conduct research on southern sea otters and other marine wildlife.

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) administers the Master of Science in marine science program for a consortium of California State Universities in northern and central California, and is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in both education and research. San José State University oversees MLML. An outfitted marine operations department, active research diving program and state of the art equipment allow for cutting edge research in a wide variety of disciplines including: marine ecology; the biology of marine plants, invertebrates, fishes, turtles, birds and mammals; oceanography and marine geology; chemistry and biogeochemistry.

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education. The Reserve is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The 1700-acre Reserve is a hub of activity and hosts programs that promote education, research, and conservation in Elkhorn Slough.

The mission of MBARI is to achieve and maintain a position as a world center for advanced research and education in ocean science and technology, and to do so through the development of better instruments, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean. MBARI emphasizes the peer relationship between engineers and scientists as a basic principle of its operation. All of the activities of MBARI must be characterized by excellence, innovation, and vision.
****MBARI Founder David Packard

Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station has been a leader in marine science since 1892. Currently part of the biology department, in fall 2022, Hopkins will become part of Stanford's new school focused on climate and sustainability. Under the supervision of 10 faculty members, the station is home to undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and researchers studying disciplines ranging from molecular biology and whole-organism physiology to population biology, ecology, and conservation. Throughout our local laboratories and global field sites, at scales ranging from DNA organization to ecosystems, research at Hopkins continues to address key questions in marine biology.

Our exhibits are just one part of what we do. Our scientists are rebuilding sea otter populations, transforming fisheries and aquaculture around the world, and working to protect California's ocean. Our policy experts are moving the needle on legislation to address climate change and end plastic pollution. Our Seafood Watch team is shifting the global marketplace to make seafood more sustainable.

The Naval Postgraduate School is a defense-focused graduate university offering master's and doctoral degrees in fields of study core to Naval-unique needs, the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD civilians and international partners.

In California, TNC has a team of scientists, technologists and conservation practitioners testing new, collaborative ways to protect ocean resources and coastal communities. We are demonstrating what innovative ocean management can look like—not only in California, but around the world.

The Environmental Research Division has staff at all three laboratory locations: La Jolla, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. This distribution of staff allows for increased interactions with other divisions and with many California universities and stakeholder groups concerned with ocean science and management.  Through research, product delivery and data serving, the Environmental Research Division focuses on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on U.S. managed fisheries and protected species.

The Marine Meteorology Division, located in Monterey, California (NRL-MRY), is part of NRL's Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate, which contains six divisions performing broadly based scientific research and advanced technology development in the fields of marine geosciences, acoustics, oceanography, marine meteorology, remote sensing, and space science.

The Navy's Operational Numerical Weather Prediction Center, providing weather and ocean prediction products in support of Fleet Safety and Warfighting Effectiveness.  Operates the Nation's only global NWP model meeting DoD cyber security standards.  Possesses world-class expertise in meteorology, oceanography, climatology, computer science, and military operations.

The NWS engages in various types of collaborative and applied research and development activities within the agency, as well as in coordination with NOAA line offices and the research community with the goal of incorporating innovation and research into operations. This enables the agency to improve on operational atmospheric, ocean, land, sea ice, hydrologic, and other components of environmental prediction models, operational guidance and decision support tools, improved radar and satellite products, and social science integration. It also identifies new techniques in response to and in support of evolving demands of hazardous weather affecting our nation.

MBNMS was established for the purpose of resource protection, research, education and public use.

The Sanctuary Research Program assesses change in species and habitats, and participates in regional research to better understand the Sanctuary ecosystem. This information is used to support ecosystem management decisions as well as education programs.  Comprehensive, long-term monitoring is a fundamental element of resource management and protection. The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Research Program monitors ecosystem resources through SIMoN, the Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network.

Students in the Department of Marine Science apply a wide range of technologies to studying marine ecosystems. Through applied learning and research, students gain the skills necessary to develop a sustainable balance between the unique environmental, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities in the Monterey Bay region. Through lab and field experience, students apply techniques of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and presentation that provide them with the skills needed to monitor and analyze marine science problems.

Serving the California coastline from border to border, the  Marine Region mission is To protect, maintain, enhance, and restore California's marine ecosystems for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public through good science and effective communication.

The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions catalyzes research, innovation and action to improve the health of the oceans for the people who depend on them most.  We work with researchers at Stanford and other universities to advance understanding of ocean challenges and to help create new solutions. Our core team of researchers and fellows partner with other research institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses and governments, as well as established and emerging leaders in the data revolution to deliver impact in the water.

Our mission at the Center for the Blue Economy is to promote ocean-based sustainability solutions through leadership in economic research, education, and policy analysis.  Our research focuses on two areas—helping organizations understand how to measure the size and changing nature of economic relationships with the oceans and coasts in order to guide choices and monitor progress, and the economics of climate change adaptation in coastal regions.

Assessing water quality and the impacts of pollutants is increasingly important to our understanding and management of healthy ecosystems. Our research addresses questions about sources of agricultural and urban pollution, effects of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, and identification of toxic constituents. We also conduct research to analyze the effectiveness of management practices designed to reduce polluted runoff.