ocean storytelling

Sequoias of the Sea tells the story of the environmental, cultural and economic destruction impacting a coastal town that lost its kelp forest. The film takes a deep dive into the lives of fishermen, tribes, scientists, and a community working to restore a habitat devastated by a warming climate.

Marine Applied Research and Exploration's (MARE) uses Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to monitor and document the seafloor. These tools allow researchers to access areas of the ocean that are too deep for divers. The ROV Beagle can dive to depths of 1,000 meters, to document the deep sea.

Kelp! is a collaborative exhibition with the 836M gallery, Erol Foundation, and the Above/Below project. Featuring six months of programming centered around bull kelp, the foundational species of California’s coastal marine ecology, this exhibition aims to bring art and science together to inspire wonder, activate visitors’ curiosity about bull kelp, catalyze action to protect our forests of the sea. The artwork will guide us into the science and policy issues surrounding kelp forest restoration efforts and aims to grow a culture of ocean stewardship among the public.

Marine Applied Research and Exploration's (MARE) accomplishes their mission by building and deploying our own ROV systems in deep ocean environments for various underwater applications supporting scientific research and education. When California implemented a network of 124 Marine Protected Areas in 2003, MARE started working in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to conduct ROV surveys of deep-water habitats within MPAs, by using 'blue tech' to monitor and document these protections over time.

Blue Ocean Gear's Smart Buoy System helps fishermen, scientists and managers track and monitor their valuable gear and equipment when it is in the ocean. It is currently used by the leaders of the world's most challenging fisheries, from Alaskan King Crab to American Lobster to Nova Scotia Longline and the emerging Deep-set Swordfish fishery in Southern California. Blue Ocean Gear works closely with fishermen, scientists and NGOs working to support sustainable fisheries.

Sea cucumbers are an important component of the sub-tidal zone, feeding on benthic waste and recycling nutrients, they are the “earth worms” of the seafloor. Similar to other sea cucumber fisheries around the world, demand is increasing in California. Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) joined forces in a unique partnership with California Department of Fish & Wildlife, the National Park Service, and fishermen to understand more about these critters.