Our Work – Ocean Science Trust

Our Work

Our initiatives span a broad range of ocean and coastal issues. Our proven process and expertise allow us to tackle the issues that challenge California.

Gerick Bergsma, 2010, Marine Photobank

Our Approach

Learn

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

learn

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

learn

We actively foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization, with our partners and in the work we do. We aim to apply a broad set of perspectives, experience and knowledge in finding efficient and equitable solutions to climate change and its impacts on the ocean and coast. Learn more here.

Collaborate

learn

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.

Share

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.

Adapt

learn

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.

Our Core Functions

Supporting Graduate Education

We work with science institutions to support inclusive science-policy graduate education

Supporting Graduate Education

We work with science institutions to support inclusive science-policy graduate education

Developing Science Solutions

We bring people and resources together to develop science solutions

Developing Science Solutions

We bring people and resources together to develop science solutions

Delivering Science Advice

We deliver pragmatic science advice to inform state policy decisions

Delivering Science Advice

We deliver pragmatic science advice to inform state policy decisions

Legislative Science Services

We provide scientific advice to lawmakers in the California Legislature

Legislative Science Services

We provide scientific advice to lawmakers in the California Legislature

Our Projects

Science Diplomacy on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR)

Pink clouds against a blue and gold sunrise sky, with dark waves and a concrete and iron walkway angling through the foreground

Trusted Science Communication on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Bubbles rise erratically towards the rippling surface of water. Particulates are visible below the surface, and faint clouds smudge the sky above.

Supporting State Partners on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Building Disaster Resilience in California’s Fisheries

Fisheries Insurance for Coastal Community Resilience

Fishing floats decorated with various markings hang from the eaves of a building

Toward More Sustainable Fishery Disaster Relief

Sunlight filters through golden kelp as shafts of white light.

Exploring Science-Based Pathways for Advancing Multi-Benefit Seaweed Farming in California

Photograph of a small fishing boat on calm waters. A low headland is visible in the distance, and two small figures sit on the back of the boat.

Social and Economic Resilience of California's North Coast Red Sea Urchin Fishery

Boats moored in the San Francisco Marina

Managing for Adaptive Capacity in Climate-Ready Fisheries

California Halibut Stock Assessment Scientific Peer Review

A fishing pier and small boat on a foggy ocean

Catalyzing Steps Towards Climate-Ready Fishing Communities in California

Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Peer Review

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

Unlocking the Potential of Insurance for Coastal Resilience

Coastal grasses and people are scattered in the foreground on a beach; in the distance, houses perch atop short cliffs above the water.

Insurance for Coastal Resilience

Delivering Science Advice to Policymakers

A distant line of offshore wind turbines on a blue and cloudless day

Developing Policy Frameworks for Adaptive Management of Offshore Wind

Close up of a distressed tire tread

Exploring Solutions to Tire Wear Pollution

A growing strand of golden kelp against dark water

Developing Science Considerations for Coastal and Marine Restoration

An offshore wind farm on a sunny and calm day

The Potential Environmental Impacts of Floating Offshore Wind in California

Advancing 30 x 30 in California Coastal Waters

Photograph of a large oil and gas rig off the coast of Santa Barbara. The Coastal Range is visible in the background above the waves.

Seafloor Mounds Peer Review

Waves crash dramatically against a breakwater. A town is visible in the background, nestled into the low hills by the beach.

Updating California's Sea Level Rise Guidance

Sea otters floating amidst the kelp in Elkhorn Slough. One faces the camera with its paws raised.

Assessing the Human Dimensions of Sea Otter Reintroduction

Photo of two silhouetted people walking along a beach in the morning, with the sun shining brightly into the camera. Their footprints are clearly visible on the sand of the beach.

Taking Action for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in California’s Ocean Sciences

Gloved hands holding small colorful plastic pieces

Assessing the Risk of Microplastic Pollution in California

Other Projects

A distant line of offshore wind turbines on a blue and cloudless day

Developing Policy Frameworks for Adaptive Management of Offshore Wind

Photograph of a scarred humpback whale's tail breaching a stormy blue sea

Whale Vulnerability to Ship Strikes Along the California Coast

An offshore wind farm on a sunny and calm day

The Potential Environmental Impacts of Floating Offshore Wind in California

Bubbles rise erratically towards the rippling surface of water. Particulates are visible below the surface, and faint clouds smudge the sky above.

Supporting State Partners on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Coastal grasses and people are scattered in the foreground on a beach; in the distance, houses perch atop short cliffs above the water.

Insurance for Coastal Resilience

Kelp rises up into a bright blue sea. Other fronds are visible in the background, as are several small fish.

The Science, Economics, and Policy Landscape for Seaweed Farming in California

Aerial photo of Morro Rock and the parking lot for Morro Bay surrounded by fog

Toward More Equitable Nature-based Coastal Adaptation in California

Photograph of a coastline and grass at sunset

Coastal Community Vulnerability & Adaptive Capacity to Ocean Acidification

Rocky tide pools reflect the gray sky above

Supporting Action on Ocean Acidification

Dark patches of kelp stand out against the teal of the Big Sur coast. Highway 101 is visible on the clifftops

MPAs and Climate Resilience Science Synthesis and Data Needs