MBARI

10/07/2026

That moment when you spot a deep-sea cutie 😍⁠
⁠
Deep-sea hatchetfishes in the family Sternoptychidae cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean—they have light-producing organs in rows along their bellies. Known as counterillumination, this adaptation allows the fish to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and effectively hides the animal from predators that may be lurking below. Each species has a unique pattern of lights, and individuals can adapt their lights to whatever color is filtering down from the light above. ⁠
⁠
These minuscule midwater fishes (about the size of a quarter) use their tubular eyes to search for prey in the water column. While their eyes can focus near or far, they are specifically pointed upward to scan for tiny crustaceans and zooplankton in the waters above. Their mouths are pointed in the same direction, making it easy to grab their next meal once it’s been spotted.

10/05/2026

Perspectives on deep-sea biodiversity 🌊

Today, October 5, MBARI welcomes Lisa Levin, Distinguished Professor Emerita at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, for the latest David Packard Distinguished Lecture.

Inaugurated in 2000, the lecture series brings leading ocean researchers to MBARI to share new developments in marine science and technology and connect with our staff and research community.

Levin’s talk, Perspectives on Deep Continental Margin Biodiversity: Past, Present, and Pending, will explore how our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity has evolved over recent decades, with a focus on continental margin ecosystems, including oxygen minimum zones and methane seeps.

As environmental and human pressures on the deep sea have grown, new technologies and societal needs have shaped the questions researchers ask. Today, there is a growing need for science to inform governance. Levin will examine pending policy decisions about the deep sea and opportunities for science to help shape future outcomes.

Register for the Zoom link on our website and join us this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. (PST):

Lisa Levin Distinguished professor emerita at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego This talk will consider how our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity has shifted over recent decades, from a benthic ecologist’s perspective. It will focus on continen...

10/03/2026

Landed in the best place 🌊💫🛹⁠
⁠
The ocean covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface and plays a vital role in the health of our planet. The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth, home to an astonishing array of life.⁠
⁠
From a fish with a transparent head to an adorable octopus with webbed arms, MBARI researchers have encountered captivating animals throughout more than three decades of deep-sea research. Each species has their own story to tell, written in the extraordinary adaptations that help them thrive in frigid cold, inky darkness, and crushing pressure.⁠
⁠
The deep sea is full of animals that challenge our expectations, expand our understanding of life, and remind us how much there is still to discover. We love sharing these remarkable residents with you and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the ocean and the incredible life it sustains.

10/01/2026

Ocean research meets innovation at OCEANS 2026 Monterey 🌊

Last week, MBARI researchers participated in the OCEANS 2026 conference, sharing their latest research and technology with peers from around the world.

Hosted by the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, the conference brought together researchers, engineers, and other maritime professionals to foster essential collaboration between industry, government, and academia to advance solutions for our blue planet.

Current and former MBARI staff, including members of MBARI’s CoMPAS Lab, played a pivotal role in organizing this conference. More than 20 MBARI team members presented posters, several led by early-career researchers. MBARI President and CEO Antje Boetius delivered a plenary on MBARI’s engineering program and future strategies for ocean technology, following a plenary by former MBARI President and CEO Marcia McNutt on the evolution of autonomous underwater vehicles.

MBARI’s FathomNet and Synchro collaborations also hosted town halls, while the SciComm Team led a storytelling workshop to help engineers communicate their work.

OCEANS 2026 Monterey celebrated Monterey Bay as a hub for ocean research, highlighting MBARI as a global leader in marine science and engineering.

Learn more:

Last week, MBARI researchers participated in the OCEANS 2026 Monterey conference, sharing their latest research and technology with peers from around the world. Hosted by the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society and co-organized by several MBARI staff, this conference brought together more than 1,100 ma...