Our Work – Ocean Science Trust

Our Approach

Learn

We are researchers, but not in the way that people imagine. When we embark on a project it’s important for us to understand the institutions involved, different ways of looking at the issue, the range of relevant science. We use tools such as interviews, focus groups, and literature reviews to develop this knowledge.

Translate

The communities we work with speak different languages. We help those communities understand highly technical concepts from the scientific, policy, and management realms. This requires trust, scientific knowledge, and effective communication.

Frame

We actively shape projects so that participants can see a role for themselves and engage constructively. This is not just about translation, but about how the problem is defined; what matters and what doesn’t, and how things are connected.

Collaborate

The process is as valuable as the product. Collaboration means building new relationships, and sharing credit for our collective work. Through collaboration our projects are far more valuable to the state of California and our many partners, and we emerge stronger and better prepared for future work.

We’re not just communicating science but sharing it: building relationships and buy-in, so that others feel empowered to use and share science that can inform difficult problems. OceanSpaces is the online community tracking the health of California’s oceans by sharing a common body of scientific knowledge.

Adapt

We learn lessons, and apply them. Our approach to ecosystem monitoring is based on community priorities and lessons learned across the state. Our technical review process is tailored for each topic. We are constantly adjusting and learning to better our work on behalf of our oceans.

Success Stories

Our Projects

Current Projects

A fishing pier and small boat on a foggy ocean

We are convening an advisory body that will provide scientific guidance to the Ocean Protection Council to inform continued actions on ocean acidification and hypoxia in California and along the West Coast.

We built upon scientific peer review best practices and provided guidance to the State to ensure rigorous science informs California fisheries management.

We partnered with the Ocean Protection Council to update statewide guidance on planning for, and adapting to, higher sea levels.

Seagrass and Kelp as an Ocean Acidification Management Tool in California

We convened a working group of the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team to coalesce current knowledge and provide technical guidance for future investment and management.

Climate Change and California Fisheries

We led a working group to explore impacts of climate change on fish stocks and associated fishing communities in California

We led a working group to explore harmful algal blooms (HABs) and toxins in the marine environment, and their impact to fisheries along the coast of California.

More than 75 collaborating organizations and institutions are working with us across the state to take a snapshot of ecological conditions and human uses in our coastal oceans.

Long-Term Marine Protected Area Monitoring

We are piloting an innovative, sustainable monitoring program that takes the pulse of ocean ecosystems, evaluates management actions and informs future decisions across jurisdictions and mandates.

OceanSpaces: Convening an Online Community

Building a shared body of scientific knowledge as the basis for our collective participation in the decisions that will shape the future of our oceans.

Data Management

We developed a long-term data management plan for California's MPA monitoring that leverages deep expertise and capacity in the State.

Oil Seeps Scientific Review

We undertook a scientific review that will inform California State Lands Commission's marine oil and gas lease decision-making.

Climate Change Adaptation Planning

We are working with agency partners and scientific experts to update and implement state guidance that supports climate change adaptation and builds resilience.

With funding from NOAA, we are partnering with scientists, engineers, and managers to support local communities as they grapple with the links between sea-rise and coastal flooding.

Measuring Human Use of Ocean Resources

MPA Watch, an innovative citizen science network in California, is measuring human use of coastal and ocean resources. We’re working with them to improve their scientific methods and help them partner with scientists and natural resource managers who can use their data.

Our Approach

Success Stories

Driving action on ocean acidification

Driving action on ocean acidification

Making citizen science matter

Making citizen science matter

Helping California adapt

Helping California adapt

Our Projects

Catalyzing Steps Towards Climate-Ready Fishing Communities in California

Understanding Ocean Acidification Impacts to California’s Living Marine Resources

Helping the State visualize what’s at stake as oceans acidify

California’s Ocean Acidification Action Plan

We partnered with the Ocean Protection Council to develop a plan to reduce impacts from Ocean Acidification.

Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Task Force

We are convening an advisory body that will provide scientific guidance to the Ocean Protection Council to inform continued actions on ocean acidification and hypoxia in California and along the West Coast.

Assessing Climate Impacts on California’s Coast

Providing a scientific basis to advance the State’s adaptation plans for California’s coasts and oceans

Peer Review and California Fisheries Management

We built upon scientific peer review best practices and provided guidance to the State to ensure rigorous science informs California fisheries management.

Peer Review

Developing successful scientific and technical review processes to advance science in marine and coastal decision-making

Providing Science Advice

We provide science advice to California so our state can make better informed decisions for our coast and ocean.

Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Peer Review

Scientific Guidance for Once-Through Cooling Mitigation Funds

A Working Group of the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team

Herring Fishery Management Plan Peer Review

Ensuring the best use of available information in fisheries management

Ecological Risk Assessment as a Prioritization Tool to Support California Fisheries Management

Piloting risk-based decision frameworks on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Updating California’s Sea-Level Rise Guidance

We partnered with the Ocean Protection Council to update statewide guidance on planning for, and adapting to, higher sea levels.

Seagrass and Kelp as an Ocean Acidification Management Tool in California

We convened a working group of the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team to coalesce current knowledge and provide technical guidance for future investment and management.

Climate Change and California Fisheries

We led a working group to explore impacts of climate change on fish stocks and associated fishing communities in California

Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia

Building on our work as conveners of the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel.

Harmful Algal Blooms and California Fisheries

We led a working group to explore harmful algal blooms (HABs) and toxins in the marine environment, and their impact to fisheries along the coast of California.

Supporting Ocean Health

We are bringing scientific and management communities together in pursuit of a shared vision of ocean health.

Baseline Marine Protected Area Monitoring

More than 75 collaborating organizations and institutions are working with us across the state to take a snapshot of ecological conditions and human uses in our coastal oceans.

Long-Term Marine Protected Area Monitoring

We are piloting an innovative, sustainable monitoring program that takes the pulse of ocean ecosystems, evaluates management actions and informs future decisions across jurisdictions and mandates.

OceanSpaces: Convening an Online Community

Building a shared body of scientific knowledge as the basis for our collective participation in the decisions that will shape the future of our oceans.

Data Management

We developed a long-term data management plan for California's MPA monitoring that leverages deep expertise and capacity in the State.

Oil Seeps Scientific Review

We undertook a scientific review that will inform California State Lands Commission's marine oil and gas lease decision-making.

Climate Change Adaptation Planning

We are working with agency partners and scientific experts to update and implement state guidance that supports climate change adaptation and builds resilience.

Supporting Sustainable Fisheries Management

Review of California Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan

Sea-Level Rise and Floodplain Management

With funding from NOAA, we are partnering with scientists, engineers, and managers to support local communities as they grapple with the links between sea-rise and coastal flooding.

Measuring Human Use of Ocean Resources

MPA Watch, an innovative citizen science network in California, is measuring human use of coastal and ocean resources. We’re working with them to improve their scientific methods and help them partner with scientists and natural resource managers who can use their data.

Reviewing Sediment Management Guidelines

Convening a trusted, independent review on behalf of the State to promote scientific rigor and accuracy in sediment management.

Oil and Gas Platform Decommissioning Study

Completed in June 2010, the oil and gas platform decommissioning study was Ocean Science Trust’s first major step into complex project management.

California Ocean Science Trust