Visionary in Marine Sciences
Ocean health and coastal sustainability are critical national and international issues, and marine scientists at UC Santa Cruz are leaders in addressing these challenges. UCSC has long been on the forefront of marine science research and education. With state-of-the-art facilities and internationally recognized faculty and researchers, the campus's Institute of Marine Sciences supports scientists in a wide range of disciplines. Their investigations range from microscopic plankton to massive blue whales, from the depths of the seafloor to the coastline, and from frigid polar waters to tropical coral reefs. This diversity reflects the many ways in which the oceans affect the global environment and the lives of people, in California and around the world. Through partnerships with state and federal agencies, environmental policy groups, and other organizations studying marine and coastal issues, UCSC has become a major hub for research, training, and outreach activities in marine science and conservation.
Latest news
-
Can a drone weigh an elephant seal?
Undergrad’s innovative research may lead to new methods of weighing seals, expanding our understanding of the mammals and the oceans
-
New genus of marine organisms named in honor of ocean scientist Jon Zehr
A newly described genus of marine microorganisms has been named in honor of Professor of Ocean Sciences Jonathan Zehr.
-
Coral study traces excess nitrogen to Maui wastewater treatment facility
Nutrient pollution has been blamed for algal blooms and degradation of coral reefs along Maui's west coast.
-
Biologist Daniel Costa appointed director of the Institute of Marine Sciences
Daniel Costa, distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, has been appointed to serve as the next director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, beginning in July 2019.
-
Review of noise impacts on marine mammals yields new policy recommendations
After a comprehensive review of current knowledge, a panel of scientists has published new recommendations regarding marine mammal noise exposure.
-
Seymour Center honors alumnus John Laird with Global Oceans Award
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center will honor Laird at the Global Oceans Gala on Saturday, March 23.
-
Grad student Sara Gonzalez wins policy award from Ecological Society of America
Sara Gonzalez, a Ph.D. student in ecology and evolutionary biology, is among the recipients of the Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Awards from the Ecological Society of America.
-
Study of brine discharge from desalination plant finds good news and bad news
Brine discharged from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant raises offshore salinity levels more than permitted, but researchers found no direct local impacts on sea life.
-
Why beaked whales return to Navy sonar range despite frequent disturbance
A new study using underwater robots reveals dense patches of deep-sea squid attract beaked whales to a Navy sonar test range off Southern California.
-
Upper-ocean warming is changing the global wave climate, making waves stronger
The energy in ocean waves has been increasing as a consequence of climate change, according to a new study.
