Institute for Ocean Conservation Science

04/01/2026

Amazing sighting of a Narwhal in San Francisco Bay! Could this be the start of a comeback?

A rare narwhal sighting in the San Francisco Bay Area drew groups of onlookers on Wednesday morning. Over a hundred years ago, the toothed marine mammal largely inhabited this area as well as all along California’s northern coast. However, the decline of their main food source, driven by overfishing, led the species to migrate to more suitable habitats near Canada. The narwhal’s appearance in the Bay Area reflects improved conditions that could support its comeback.

03/25/2026

It's here! 🕐 Today is Stony Brook University's annual Giving Day. All donations directly support our mission and our graduate students, and are greatly appreciated!

For one day, our community will once again come together to make an extraordinary impact!

03/24/2026

Tomorrow, March 25, 2026 is Stony Brook University's annual Giving Day!

On Giving Day, all donations support specific Stony Brook University programs, scholarships, and research, etc.

Consider supporting IOCS's mission, and our graduate students, who will be the next generation of scientists, conservation leaders, and difference makers.

Every gift, big or small, has a lasting impact.

The below 🔗 is IOCS's individual Giving Day page 👇

For one day, our community will once again come together to make an extraordinary impact!

03/24/2026

🤝🌎🌊

A powerful moment for Shinnecock Bay—and a glimpse of what’s possible when community, science, and stewardship align.

Recently recognized by the Suffolk County Legislature with an official Proclamation, the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot reflects a deeply collaborative effort to restore both ecosystem health and community resilience.

Led by Mission Blue Hope Spot Champion Dr. Ellen Pikitch, and in partnership with the Shinnecock Nation, Stony Brook University, and others, this work is helping turn decades of decline into measurable recovery.

Rooted in Indigenous stewardship and advanced by innovative science, restoration efforts are improving water quality, rebuilding shellfish populations, and renewing the bay’s natural balance.

Experience the story through Felix Kunze’s powerful photo essay: https://www.felixkunze.com/projects/shinnecock

📸: Felix Kunze
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Felix Kunze Photographer

02/25/2026

We are so grateful to the talented Felix Kunze and his team, who captured our work through incredible photography.

Felix, known for his portraits, accompanied us into the field for an The Explorers Club expedition where we used both cutting edge technology and indigenous wisdom to assess biodiversity in the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot.

When he isn’t shooting more glamorous subjects for outlets like Vogue, Felix dedicates his time photographing scientists, environmentalists, and explorers all around the world.

From the Stony Brook Southampton wetlab to the marshes of Shinnecock Bay, Felix tells our story through captivating visuals. See his story here: https://www.felixkunze.com/projects/shinnecock

The Explorers Club Mission Blue School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program Open Ocean Robotics McLane Research Labs.

07/24/2025

Interested in resilience? IOCS research affiliate Dr. John Bohorquez recently led a multi authored "Blueprint for Coral Conservation through International Cooperation" which was highlighted during a panel at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

Dr. Bohorquez traveled to Nice as part of the New York Climate Exchange delegation and spoke during a session sponsored by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

Read more and access the blueprint 👇
https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/sbu-new-york-climate-exchange-make-waves-at-un-ocean-conference/

06/06/2025

This week, IOCS visited The Explorers Club for its annual and officially returned Flag #132, which accompanied us on an autonomous eDNA expedition in in September 2024.

Dr. Ellen Pikitch and Sunshine Gumbs of the Shinnecock Nation were speakers at Monday's "Big Ideas" session that featured Mission Blue Hope Spots and highlighted our recent expedition work in the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot, in Long Island, New York.

Read more about our official flag expedition here: https://www.oceanconservationscience.org/explorers-club-flag

Ellen Pikitch Mission Blue Christine Santora Regan Sunshine Gumbs
Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

04/15/2025

We are here at the kickoff of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission— these discussions will begin to lay the groundwork for how biodiversity is managed on the high seas. The BBNJ Agreement, sometimes referred to as the “High Seas Treaty” was adopted last year and will come into force when 60 countries ratify. The PrepCom is an important forum foe countries to share viewpoints and work toward consensus on important ocean issues. 

03/26/2025

It’s here! has officially begun 👏
Help us with your support:

https://sbugiving.com/GD25IOCS

Your generous donation on Stony Brook University's annual Giving Day will help IOCS continue our mission of "Saving the Ocean Through Science." Read more about our work on our Giving Day page 👇

School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Ellen Pikitch

12/20/2024

What a year🏅! It was a great one for our team at IOCS -- new science, new partnerships, new staff, and a few prestigious awards. We are looking forward to even more exciting opportunities in 2025. Thank you for your support ☺️
Read more about our most recent work here:
https://www.oceanconservationscience.org/achievements
https://www.oceanconservationscience.org/blog