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
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Mathematical biologist Marc Mangel elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.
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Nature-based solutions can prevent $50 billion in Gulf Coast flood damages
Researchers found that restoration of marshes and oyster reefs are among the most cost-effective solutions for flood risk reduction on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
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Marine researchers say recent sea star wasting disease epidemic defies prediction
Some sea star communities on the west coast could recover, but marine scientists still can’t pinpoint the environmental factors behind the unprecedented disease outbreak.
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Four kinds of algal toxins found in San Francisco Bay shellfish
Researchers monitoring San Francisco Bay for algal toxins have found a surprising array of different toxins in the water and in mussels collected from the bay.
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Tracking data reveal the secret lives of marine animals
Seals, whales, sharks, turtles, seabirds, and other marine vertebrates show similar patterns of movement in marine environments.
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Innovative restoration of coral reefs helps protect Caribbean islands
Study shows direct link between healthy coral reefs and shoreline stability and field-tests an innovative risk-reduction solution that combines engineering with reef restoration.
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Polar bears finding it harder to catch enough seals to meet energy demands
As climate change alters their environment a growing number of polar bears are unable to catch enough fat-rich prey to meet their energy needs.
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Heart monitors on wild narwhals reveal alarming responses to stress
As sea ice melts, new findings add to concerns about the effects of ocean noise and increased human activity on deep-diving Arctic whales.
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Science comes alive with 'A Seal Named Patches'
A new children’s book by a pair of alumni scientists is making a splash.
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Video tags reveal surprising details of blue whale feeding behavior
Like most vertebrates, blue whales tend to be 'right-handed,' but they roll to the left when attacking from below to feed on patches of krill near the surface.
