Scripps Institution of Oceanography

In the late 1940s, a group of scientists set out to solve a mystery about the decline of a sardine population. What started as a scientific expedition evolved into California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI)—the world’s longest-running integrated marine ecosystem monitoring program. From discovering the phenomenon of El Ni?o to uncovering the extent of DDT pollution in California waters to pioneering ocean research, CalCOFI has been instrumental in understanding and managing the California marine ecosystem for 75 years. CalCOFI has also established itself as a cornerstone of ocean science, evolving with cutting-edge tools like eDNA to monitor biodiversity and track climate change impacts. As we mark 75 years, we honor CalCOFI’s role in shaping sustainable fisheries, protecting marine life, and advancing our understanding of the ocean’s mysteries with long-term support from NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. "California's blue economy is set to explode in the coming decade,” said CalCOFI Director Brice Semmens, a marine biologist at Scripps Oceanography. “While CalCOFI's founders never envisioned massive wind farms off of our coast, the monitoring program they started holds the key to understanding and mitigating the ecosystem impacts of these developments. Put simply, CalCOFI's historical data are the lynchpin to a responsible and productive ocean economy. Now, more than ever, California needs the ocean ecosystem observations CalCOFI provides." Visit the link in the comments to learn more about CalCOFI’s legacy.

Introducing: The fall 2024 edition of UC San Diego Magazine! ?? The latest edition focuses on our changing planet. We showcase UC San Diego students, faculty and alumni working on practical solution-based answers to some of today’s most pressing issues – from the cars we drive and the technology we use to the use of #AI and more. Browse all stories: today.ucsd.edu/magazine #UCSanDiego #UCSD #UCSDAlumni

Blue Tech Week is officially underway! ?? ?? Spearheaded by TMA BlueTech?, the annual event hosts hundreds of international participants to collaborate and innovate on our toughest water and ocean challenges. On Thursday, Nov. 21, Scripps Oceanography will host the Ocean Resilience Summit at the Seaside Forum, featuring talks from Scripps researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers. This summit is an excellent opportunity to connect with other researchers and industry experts to explore new technologies and solutions for climate and ocean health. Register here: https://bit.ly/3OfRhZa

In Marketplace’s recent climate solutions podcast, “How We Survive,” host Kai Ryssdal rode with Director of the Scripps Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Mark Merrifield and marine technician Lucian Perry on one of their monthly truck surveys of the beach along the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. This research is part of how Scripps provides coastal-flooding warnings for the Navy base, which includes surveying the beaches with lidar, a remote-sensing technology that uses laser pulses to create 3D maps that measure sand and seaweed on the beach. Take a listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/3Z7c7Qx

?? Freeha Siddiqi is bringing her passion for ocean protection and conservation to Baku, Azerbaijan as part of the Scripps Oceanography delegation at COP29 Azerbaijan! As a student in the Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation program at Scripps, her research focuses on preserving marine carbon sinks—such as kelp forests, coral reefs, and mangroves—and studying their impact on ocean acidification and fisheries health. “I chose to study at Scripps because of its strong alignment with my research interests and career goals,” she said. “The MAS MBC program has provided me with a foundation in the sciences to complement my experience in project management, and I’ve had amazing opportunities.” Freeha is currently at the United Nations climate change conference #COP29, where she’s eager to learn more about how climate change disproportionately affects the Global South and explore industrialization opportunities for non-Annex countries. While on the ground, she’ll join the World Economic Forum for a partner session on blue carbon financing and gain insights into initiatives that harness ocean resources for climate change mitigation. “Attending COP is such a great opportunity and I’m so grateful to the MAS MBC directors for advocating for a delegate from our program, and to Scripps and Logitech for their support in making it happen!” When she’s not researching or being a leader at global conferences, Freeha serves as the president of The Surfrider Foundation chapter at Scripps, works with the Ocean Conservancy on equity and environmental justice in fisheries for a Scripps course, and is gearing up to work with CalCOFI on a stakeholder valuation of the California current for her capstone project.

?? Big news! A five-year, $40 million award from the US Army Corps of Engineers will support the Scripps Oceanography-led Coastal Data Information Program. This funding will support critical research and data collection to better understand our coastal ecosystems. “This new award marks the largest in CDIP’s history, and we are grateful to USACE for their support and opportunity to continue our research collaboration,” said Eric Terrill, a Scripps oceanographer and co-principal investigator of CDIP. For nearly 50 years, CDIP has provided near real-time wave and sea-surface temperature observations, models and forecasts. This publicly accessible data is instrumental in understanding coastal storm risk management, coastal flood forecasting, commercial port traffic and more. Learn more about the funding and how it will support CDIP. ??

?? Just when you thought the oarfish hype had died down … Look what decided to make another appearance! ?? Last week, another oarfish washed up on Grandview Beach in Encinitas and was spotted by Scripps Oceanography PhD candidate Alison Laferriere. This cool creature is a bit smaller than the one recovered in La Jolla this August, measuring roughly 9 to 10 feet long. Ben Frable, manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection, jumped into action and contacted the NOAA Fisheries team to recover the specimen and transport it to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. “We took samples and froze the specimen awaiting further study and final preservation in the Marine Vertebrate Collection,” Frable said. “Like with the previous oarfish, this specimen and the samples taken from it will be able to tell us much about the biology, anatomy, genomics and life history of oarfishes.” So, why has a second oarfish – a rare specimen to see – washed up on California’s shores this year? “It may have to do with changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off our coast,” Frable said. “Many researchers have suggested this as to why deep-water fish strand on beaches. Sometimes it may be linked to broader shifts such as the El Ni?o and La Ni?a cycle but this is not always the case. There was a weak El Ni?o earlier this year. This wash-up coincided with the recent red tide and Santa Ana winds last week but many variables could lead to these strandings.” ?? Members of the public interested in supporting the research and discoveries of the Scripps oceanographic collections can do so here: https://bit.ly/3Cr8H2k Swipe to see more photos captured by Laferriere, who is studying oceanography at Scripps.

?? Coming to you live from Baku, Azerbaijan! A delegation of students, faculty, and leadership from UC San Diego is representing our planet and advocating for climate science and policy at COP29 Azerbaijan. For the third year in a row, Scripps Oceanography has teamed up with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and several international partners to bring the ocean to the forefront of the international climate change conference with the return of the Ocean Pavilion. Located in the Blue Zone, the Ocean Pavilion serves as the central hub for conference delegates to exchange ideas on addressing the climate crisis by leveraging ocean science and solutions. Throughout the two-week conference, the pavilion will feature 60 presentations, keynote addresses, and in-depth discussions that elaborate on a set of conference themes, including Ocean Solutions and Innovation, Blue Economy and Finance, and Ocean Justice and Equity. Travel for the Scripps Oceanography student delegation is generously supported by?Logitech. If you’re attending COP29, be sure to stop by the Ocean Pavilion located in Zone H in the hall of delegations (Area E) adjacent to the main plenary area. View the Ocean Pavilion schedule here: https://bit.ly/4g1TBPt

?? Calling all startup enthusiasts and Blue Economy champions! Scripps Oceanography is seeking an Innovation Program Coordinator to support the development and implementation of innovation programs that promote entrepreneurship and innovation among students, faculty, and staff. This position works with a dynamic team to design and implement programs that foster innovation and entrepreneurship, such as startup competitions, seminars, workshops, conferences, competitions, and accelerator programs. Don't miss this opportunity to join our team and contribute to the advancement of innovation and entrepreneurship at Scripps Oceanography! Apply by Nov. 15: https://bit.ly/4emOuaY

?? Get ready for COP29 Azerbaijan – the international climate change conference kicks off next week and 19 members of the UC San Diego community are heading to Baku to represent the University of California delegation! The delegation attending will be involved in a variety of panel discussions and events throughout the conference, providing delegates with valuable skills and insights to help address some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges. Meet the delegation of students, faculty and staff from Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). ??