Slide Stories A collection of perspectives and updates from our team highlighting the challenges and successes of fostering innovative solutions to ocean and coastal problems in today’s world.
A car parked near a flooded roadway. A large yellow sign in the foreground says "FLOODED"

OST Attends Global Sustainable Insurance Summit

Kiya and Heidi joined this influential gathering to explore solutions for closing insurance protection gaps and build resilient communities
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A man speaks to a room of people facing him at tables.

Exploring fisheries insurance for West Coast wild capture fisheries

OST brought together academics, fishing community members, managers, and insurance groups to explore fisheries insurance for the West Coast
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Afternoon sunlight on the roof and dome of the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento

Join Us for an Ocean Day Luncheon

A 2025 Ocean Day Luncheon with CSU COAST
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Pelicans flying over a rocky beach at sunset

2024 Annual Report

Sharing our impact in 2024
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The burned remnants of houses along a Malibu beach smolder gently after the fire

Ask an Expert: Ocean and Coastal Impacts from Wildfires

Join OST and expert panelists to discuss consequences of wildfires to ocean and coastal health
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Surfers on a the dark sand of a beach at high tide. Buildings and palm trees are visible on the cliffs above them.

National Ocean Science Trusts Launch West Coast Ocean Science Action Agenda

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A small crowd of people smile at the camera in a conference room. A TV with an image of kelp is visible behind them.

Symposium Evaluates Seaweed Farming’s Potential in California’s Blue Economy

OST and California Sea Grant convened cross-sectoral symposium on economic opportunities and barriers of seaweed farming
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The wharf at Monterey Bay; a fishing boat is visible in the foreground, and several warehouses line the dock.

Lesson from the National Working Waterfront Network

Senior Science Fellow Jill Harris reflects on changes, challenges, and strengths of working waterfront communities
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Photo of a sign saying "Dune Restoration Area" at Morro Bay. Morro Rock stands clearly against a blue sky behind the fence and low dunes

Discussing Nature-Based Solutions at the National Practice Forum

Science Officer Heidi Waite presents on building nature-positive insurance pilot projects and compiling answers to agency implementation questions
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Aerial photo looking down onto waves on a rocky coast

Workshop Summary: Examining mCDR in California

Proceedings and outcomes from a two-day mCDR workshop
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Humboldt's Eureka harbor with small boats docked. The sky in the background is overcast with a gold line at the bottom where the sun peeks through.

State Leaders Promote Access to Ocean Science

Update to OST legislation gives government agencies access to objective, trusted science advice and solutions
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Boats anchored offshore on a cloudy day

New Project Launch: Fisheries Insurance for Coastal Community Resilience

OST launches new project exploring fisheries insurance for the West Coast
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Photograph of a hand holding a tangle of reddish algal threads

Workshop Explores Farmed Seaweed Science Needs

The state of the science, information gaps, and other barriers to decision-making on farmed seaweed’s potential benefits to ocean ecosystems and the climate were discussed
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A small spit of land with houses visible juts out into the dark blue ocean.

New Co-advised Science Communication Fellow

OST is co-advising a science communication fellow to help fill knowledge gaps and break down silos around climate resilience, adaptation, and insurance
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Manhattan skyline and the East River at sunset

Talking Nature and Insurance at New York Climate Week

OST staff take on New York Climate Week to talk insurance and nature
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A young Latina woman wearing a white baseball cap and burgundy jacket crouches on the shoreline, looking at mussels.

Ocean Side Chats: Heidi Waite

Science Officer Heidi Waite talks about how academia can inform global science policy
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Touring California's Seaweed Farms with Policymakers

Experts showcase science-based advancements at seaweed farms in Monterey and Humboldt Bays for California decision-makers
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A close-up photo of sea foam on a white sand beach

Ask an Expert: Understanding Ocean Noise in California

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Photograph of a middle aged white woman in a green dress. She wears sunglasses and dances on a shady woodland path.

Ocean Side Chats: Lori Zook

Director of Administration and Finance Lori Zook discusses nonacademic career paths and behind-the-scenes of keeping a nonprofit running
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A low wave cresting towards a distant shore. A long line of whitecaps is visible, as are dunes along the horizon.

Welcome Dr. Brie Lindsey as Deputy Director

Announcing OST's new Deputy Director
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Crab pots and a small boat pulled up on a beach along the Alaskan coastline.

New paper: Adapting for Climate-Ready Fisheries

A new paper, in partnership with UC Davis, highlights how fisheries have already deployed adaptability strategies to address climate change impacts.
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Sunset over a rocky beach; a figure is visible in the surf, and the clouds and waves are golden and lavender with late afternoon sun

OST Welcomes New Board Leadership

Dr. Gary Griggs and Dr. Alexis Jackson will serve as the new Board of Trustees Chair and Vice Chair
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Blue hour overlooking a sandy beach and cliffs along California Central Coast

Adopted: 2024 California Sea Level Rise Guidance

California officially adopts the 2024 statewide guidance on future sea level rise
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A bucket full of Pacific Red Sea Urchins

New report: Workshop on red urchin fishery resilience

New workshop report on the socio-economic impacts of fishery collapse and potential future resilience strategies
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Photograph of a presentation during the May 2024 Fisheries Disaster symposium. Peoples backs are visible as they face the presenter. A large screen can be seen at the far end of the room.

Symposium on Fishery Disasters Under Climate Change

Experts gathered to discuss ways to support West Coast fisheries and communities in a climate change-driven world
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Photograph of a person in a red jacket standing with their back to the camera. A driftwood log is visible next to them, and the sea recedes into fog in behind them.

Insurance Symposium for Wigi (Humboldt Bay)

A recent symposium sheds light on innovative climate adaptation solutions
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Photograph of golden kelp flowing under blue water.

Expert Briefing: Accelerating Kelp Forest Recovery in California

Join us to hear updates on state investments, actions and ongoing research efforts
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Photograph of Noyo Harbor small fishing boats. The water and sky are both clear and still, and the trees in the background are dark.

Workshop on Red Urchin Fishery Resilience

A recent workshop explored the socio-economic impacts of fishery collapse and resilience strategies
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Photograph of an old steamboat in New Orleans at golden hour.

A Week at the 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting

OST attended Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) to track recent work across several of our project priorities and connect with our ocean science community.
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Two blonde women sit behind a desk, looking at something on the desk.

Ocean Side Chats: Lauren Linsmayer

Senior Science Office Dr. Lauren Linsmayer talks about the necessity of cutting-edge science and community engagement in the legislative process
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An elevated view of the San Pedro waterfront at sunrise.

Touring Ocean-based Carbon Removal with the California Legislature

Policymakers join OST for an educational tour of ocean-based methods to remove legacy carbon from the atmosphere
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Photograph of Bean Hollow State Beach at sunset; waves crash against rocks, and a small cliff is visible in the background.

Expert Briefing: Science for Ocean-Climate Action

Accelerating Knowledge & Innovation in California for Implementation of the White House Ocean-Climate Action Plan
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Photograph of the Central California coastline, looking north towards green hills. The wide beach and low whitecaps are tinted gold by the afternoon sun.

Ocean Science Trust Reauthorized as OPC Science Advisor

OST receives Council reauthorization to continue its role as OPC Science Advisor and Secretariat to the OPC Science Advisory Team
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Six people smile at the camera, standing in front of a mostly-hidden banner of seaweed and a white pavilion wall.

A Dive into Seaweed Farming

A panel at the California Seaweed Festival explored the growing interest in seaweed farming and provided insights from practitioners and authorities
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A photograph of eight panelists smiling at the camera. The lower edge of a projector screen is visible behind them.

Cultivating Restorative Aquaculture in California

A special session at the recent Western Society of Naturalists meeting considered the science and management restorative aquaculture in California
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A white man in a plaid shirt points up with both hands. Behind him is a deep blue tank, with a whale shark and pilot fish swimming past just beyond the glass.

Ocean Science Chats: Anthony Rogers

Director of Strategic Initiatives Anthony Rogers discusses his journey to OST and the development of his reputation as “That Fisheries Guy”
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Ocean Side Chats: Kiya Bibby

Senior Science Office Kiya Bibby discusses her journey to OST and behind-the-scenes of horizon-scanning project development
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Photograph of Elkhorn Slough wetlands on a clear day. The blue sky reflects off the water, and low hills are visible in the background.

Coalescing a Blue Carbon Brain Trust

A recent workshop advanced conversations about blue carbon science and policy in California
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Photograph of the late afternoon beach in Humboldt Bay. The sky is reflected on the wet sand, and dense trees are visible in the background. People dot the beach with their dogs, surfboards, and toys.

Policy Clinic Examines Insurance and Coastal Resilience

UC Davis graduate researchers team up with the CA Dept of Insurance and OST
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A photo overlooking the remaining gray infrastructure from the closed abalone farm. The gray of the Pacific Ocean is visible in the background, with a mountain peeking out below the fog to the left of the viewer.

Agriculture in the Ocean

An upcoming project seeks to catalyze sustainable aquaculture for a range of different species, but sustainable commercial aquaculture is not its only goal.
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The viewer looks down a bridge, most of which is hidden underwater. Waves wash across the road and trees loom against a gray sky on the opposite side of the flood.

Insurance Can Be Sexy

Senior Science Officer Kiya Bibby reflects on a recent science-policy convening of insurance and nature experts and shares a new report
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Aerial view of the La Jolla Children's Pool, with white-capped waves crashing against the dark gray stone of a seawall. The dark brown shapes of sea lions dot the protected beach.

Webinar: Opportunities for Reducing Coastal Risk with Nature and Insurance in California

Join OST and partners for a discussion on building resilience with nature and insurance
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Photograph of a young white woman wearing a wetsuit. She stands on a beach with gray clouds in the background.

Ocean Side Chat: Monica LeFlore

Science Officer Monica LeFlore discusses the her path to the nexus of science and policy and the joy of connection in boundary spanning.
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1997 view of the Southern California Bight from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

Ask an Expert: Briefing on the Sea Grant DDT+ Research Needs Assessment

Join OST and expert panelists to discuss the Sea Grant DDT+ Research Needs Assessment
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A low wave cresting towards a distant shore. A long line of whitecaps is visible, as are dunes along the horizon.

2022 Highlights: A Landmark Year for OST

Our top highlights, initiatives, and future directions for the OST Team
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Photograph of a presenter speaking to a room of people at the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Symposium

Reflections from the OA Alliance West Coast Ocean Change Symposium

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Photograph of the California Capitol Building from in front. The sky in the background is pale in predawn and there are trees to either side of the cupola.

State Leaders Update Founding Ocean Science Trust Legislation

Reaffirming our commitment to accelerate science-based action
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Cliffs and a beach on a clear day along the Mendocino coast. Dark patches of kelp are visible in the turquoise water.

Join the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team

Join an interdisciplinary team of scientists working with state leaders to address pressing ocean and coastal challenges. Learn more here.
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A school of closely-packed sardines swim past, bathed in bright blue light

Climate-Based Flexible Fisheries Management

Researching case studies, management plans, and conducting stakeholder engagement as an OST intern.
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Aerial photograph of a whale surrounded by deep water. A small spray refracts the light above it into a faint rainbow.

Ocean and Social Science

Exploring ocean policy and crafting the Indigenous Peoples and Territories Acknowledgement statement
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Photograph of two sea otters floating among the kelp in bright blue waters

New Report: The Social Science of Sea Otter Reintroductions

Perspectives and recommendations to advance considerations of sea otter reintroduction
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An aerial photograph of Cardiff Beach in Encinitas. A river flows out under a bridge, while a wide sandy beach curls under it and waves break beyond.

Where Nature-Based Coastal Adaptation and Equity Meet

OST staff Kiya and Hayley share reflections on the development of a new report
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A path leads between tall grasses towards the ocean. The sky is blue and mostly cloudless. Footprints are visible in the sandy path.

New Report on Taking Action for DEI in California's Ocean Sciences

Proceedings and Recommendations from our Roundtable Series
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Photograph of muted gray-green waves crashing on a beach

In Memoriam of Dr. Kenneth Coale

Remembering Dr. Kenneth Coale, one of OST's founding board members
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Photograph of a young Black man smiling at the camera. He stands on a hillside overlooking a beach and further hills.

Ocean Side Chats: Dom Kone

Senior Science Officer Dominique Kone discusses the peculiarities of being an expert generalist and its necessity in a boundary spanning organization
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2020 Aerial Of The Newly Completed, Freshly Colonizing Marsh Restoration Site Hester Marsh, Elkhorn Slough – Photo By J Haskins

Ask an Expert: An OST Briefing on Equitable Living Shorelines

Join OST and expert panelists as they discuss improving social equity outcomes within nature-based coastal adaptation in California.
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A young white man with dirty-blond hair leans into a large tank illuminated by a red light.

Ocean Side Chats: Kevin Travis

Science Officer Kevin Travis talks about transferable skills for a career in science policy
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Gold-colored seaweed fronds waving against a bright blue background

New Project Launch: Seaweed Farming in California

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An aerial view of the Sacramento Capitol Building at sunrise

A Year of Providing Science Advice to Lawmakers

What we've learned from a year of bringing science advice to the Legislature
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Photograph of a young woman making the OK gesture while SCUBA diving

Ocean Side Chats: Melissa Abderrahim

Science Officer Melissa Abderrahim talks about bringing DEI to the core of the science-policy nexus
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