Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory

At the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, we recognize the deep abuses committed as a result of systemic racism, white privilege, and environmental injustice. We believe in taking concrete steps towards a more equitable and inclusive approach to address the problems facing our oceans and communities. Over the last few years, we have thoughtfully mapped out our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in our field of marine science. We proactively strive to bring the voices, intellect, and talents of people of all colors, backgrounds, and identities into our work to further science and conservation. Therefore, we commit to taking tangible actions to achieve our vision of a more diverse and inclusive organization. Our DEIJ action plan details these commitments and the steps we must take to achieve them. As an organization and as individuals, it is our responsibility to continually grow our understanding and efforts to help create a more just and equitable future. We are sharing our DEIJ action plan with you, our colleagues, partners, and friends, to hold ourselves accountable to this mission and to make it available as a resource for others striving towards a shared vision. The planet’s health relies on all of us working together for the benefit of all. ???? Check out the seven goals of our action plan below?? Learn more about our commitments to DEIJ and view our action plan here: https://lnkd.in/g_GmcZdj We acknowledge that the University of California was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous peoples, including those on whose lands our offices at UC Santa Barbara are located, the villages and unceded lands of the Chumash people. We affirm the critical role of Indigenous peoples in our collective efforts to restore the health of the ocean and commit to elevating their voices and leadership in marine science and conservation.

Reminder that applications are due by tomorrow (3/15) by 5 PM (Pacific Time). ? Don't miss this funding opportunity for your research! Apply at https://lnkd.in/gfDUZV7A

We are SO thrilled to see members of the #CleanCurrentsCoalition partnering to tackle hotspots of ocean-bound plastic, together! ?? ?? Great work Marea Verde Panama and The Ocean Cleanup! We're excited for the success of the Seven Basins Project. ??

Are you a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara whose research advances applied environmental science???? If YES, then you’re eligible to apply to our Benioff Scholars Program! We’re offering $6,000 grants to fund ten graduate students’ research in advancing science that has direct application for environmental problem solving. This includes research in the natural sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, engineering, law, medicine or a related field that has promise to provide near-term solutions for solving pressing threats to environmental health. ?? Applications and a letter of recommendation from the graduate student's advisor must be submitted by 5 pm PT on March 15th to be considered. Please read the application instructions before submitting your application. Application Instructions: https://lnkd.in/gm-EM2Hy? Application Form: https://lnkd.in/gfDUZV7A

Results are in for the (10th annual) VSR Season of Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies! Highlights of the environmental impact of the 2024 Season (and what happens when?*743 vessels* travel a total of 425,981 nautical miles at "whale-safer" reduced speeds of 10 knots or less): ?? ?50.1% lower strike mortality risk to #whales; ?? Underwater #noise reduced by 38% (or 4.1 decibels); ?? 1,405 tons of (smog-forming) NOx emissions avoided, the equivalent of taking 900,000 cars off the road for a year; and ?? 49,945 metric tons of regional greenhouse gas #emissions avoided (27% reductions from baseline). *Thank you* to our participating #shipping lines for their leadership in helping to protect endangered whales and coastal #airquality,?and to our program ambassadors who ship with these lines and help grow awareness around supply chain opportunities to protect #biodiversity and coastal communities. ?? ?https://lnkd.in/dfczT5bg Season information, including links to full research reports: https://lnkd.in/gQ_265Kc ?? 2024 Sapphire Lines: CMA CGM; Connaught Shipmanagement HK; COSCO SHIPPING (North America) Inc. Shipping; The CSL Group Inc. Americas; Hong Kong Top Honor Shipping; ISM Ship Management Ltd; A.P. Moller - Maersk; Marathon Petroleum; MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company; NYK Line; Ocean Network Express North America; OOCL; Overseas Shipholding Group; Pilion Navigation; ConocoPhillips - Polar Tankers; Starbulk SA; STX Marine Service; Swire Shipping; Teo Shipping Corporation; Tomini Transports LLC; Toyofuji; Wallenius Wilhelmsen; and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. ?? ? ?? 2024?Gold lines: Campbell Shipping Company; d’Amico Shipping Group; Dockendale Ship Management FZCO; Empire Bulker Ltd.; EVERGREEN LINE; Hapag-Lloyd AG; HMC Shipmanagement Co Ltd; Hyundai Glovis; "K" line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd); Mol ACE; Pacific Basin Shipping Limited; Raffles Shipmanagement Services; Scorpio Group; Temm Maritime Co Ltd; Unisea Shipping Ltd; Venture Shipping Ltd; Veritas Shipmanagement Ltd.; and WAN HAI. Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Bay Area Air District Monterey Bay Air Resources District San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District California Marine Sanctuary Foundation Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory Scripps Institution of Oceanography Point Blue Conservation Science Starcrest Consulting Group, LLC ( ?? credit: Adam Ernster Wildlife)

? Benioff Scholars Program ? Last summer, our Benioff Scholars were out in the field, driving innovative solutions for a healthier ocean and environment. Their work and research was supported and funded by the Benioff Scholars Program. Swipe to see some of our scholars (Sadie Cwikiel, Hannah Lyford, and Julianna Renzi) in action! ?? ?? We’re thrilled to announce that applications for our Benioff Scholars Program 2025 are now open! Current or incoming graduate students at UC Santa Barbara are welcome to apply. Selected scholars will receive a $6000 grant to support research in applied environmental science, which includes research in any field that has promise to provide near-term solutions for solving pressing threats to environmental health. ? Apply at: tinyurl.com/benioffapply25 Instructions: https://lnkd.in/gm-EM2Hy #BenioffScholars #ResearchGrant #EnvironmentalScience #AppliedEnvironmentalScience #UCSB

?? Applications for our Benioff Scholars in Applied Environmental Science program are now live ?? We're offering $6,000 grants to ten current or incoming UC Santa Barbara graduate (Masters/ PhD) students to fund research that advances applied environmental science. ?? Applied environmental science includes research in the natural sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, engineering, law, medicine or a related field that has promise to provide near-term solutions for solving pressing threats to environmental health. ?? Applications and a letter of recommendation from the graduate student's advisor must be submitted by 5 pm PT on March 15th to be considered. Please read the application instructions before submitting your application. Application Instructions: https://lnkd.in/gm-EM2Hy Application Form: https://lnkd.in/gfDUZV7A For more information or questions, please contact [email protected].

Happy World Whale Day! ?? California’s coastal waters are a vital feeding ground for endangered blue, fin, and humpback whales. These rich ecosystems support incredible biodiversity, but they’re also home to some of the busiest shipping routes in the U.S. In places like the Santa Barbara Channel and near the San Francisco Bay, whales and ships share the same waters—putting these magnificent animals at risk of deadly collisions. ????? At the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, we're actively addressing this challenge through our innovative Whale Safe system. This technology-driven platform combines ocean sensors, predictive models, community science, and ship tracking data to provide mariners with real-time information on whale presence in critical shipping areas. By promoting adherence to Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones—designated areas where ships are encouraged to slow down—we aim to mitigate the risk of fatal collisions. ?? To celebrate today, we’re looking back at the 2024 Whale Safe season—from whale sightings to vessel speed cooperation that helps protect these ocean giants. Check out our blog for the full recap: https://lnkd.in/g9PsT23S

?? Important Announcement! Galápagos Guardians is expanding! We are honored to welcome Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory as a new Guardian, reinforcing our mission to protect the Galápagos and prevent ocean-bound plastic. To create real impact, we must expand internationally. With Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory a California-based leader in sustainability, we are strengthening our global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems. This partnership marks a key step in scaling our solutions and driving meaningful change for the planet. ???? #GalapagosGuardians #Sustainability #OceanProtection #GlobalImpact

?? Important Announcement! Galápagos Guardians is expanding! We are honored to welcome Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory as a new Guardian, reinforcing our mission to protect the Galápagos and prevent ocean-bound plastic. To create real impact, we must expand internationally. With Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory a California-based leader in sustainability, we are strengthening our global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems. This partnership marks a key step in scaling our solutions and driving meaningful change for the planet. ???? #GalapagosGuardians #Sustainability #OceanProtection #GlobalImpact