News | Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute & Bodega Marine Laboratory

Discovering Curiosity: The Tug of the Tides with Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute Director Richard Grosberg

As director of CMSI, Richard Grosberg works with researchers to understand our coastal and marine systems. Together, they educate the public and engage policymakers to sustain and restore the coastal environment in California and beyond.

Evolution and Adaptation

What's killing sea otters? Parasite strain from cats

Many wild southern sea otters in California are infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, yet the infection is fatal for only a fraction of sea otters, which has long puzzled the scientific community. A new study identifies the parasite's specific strains that are killing southern sea otters, tracing them back to a bobcat and feral domestic cats from nearby watersheds.

Wildlife Health

Mussels get cooked in the waters of Northern California during July heatwave

Recent heatwaves across America and Europe have resulted in sweltering conditions and even several deaths. But it’s also taking a toll on other ecosystems such as sea life. CGTN’s Mark Niu reports.

Climate Change

Graduate Student Recognized as Future Leader in Fisheries

Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF) is pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Paul R. Lewis Internship award. Paul R. Lewis, himself, presented the award to intern, Eliza Oldach in Stonington at the MCCF headquarters.

Science and Society

Where to fish? In times of uncertainty, experienced fishing boat captains may fare better

When making choices, people tend to go with what they know, or try something new. We make these trade-offs every day. Does one strategy have an advantage over another? Scientists decided to research this question by looking at fishing boat captains, who face this choice again and again when deciding where to fish.

Science and Society

The Paleo Climate of California

Corals are a recent addition to this body of prophecy. Scientists now know that deep-sea corals off the coast of California live for hundreds of years—and they record a ring for every year of their growth, just like a redwood. What their growth rings tell us about past ocean conditions can also illuminate our planet's future.

Climate Change

Climate change could shrink oyster habitat in California

Ocean acidification is bad news for shellfish, as it makes it harder for them to form their calcium-based shells. But climate change could also have multiple other impacts that make California bays less hospitable to shelled organisms like oysters, which are a key part of the food web.

New Director of Training Activities for Sustainable Oceans

Pernille Sporon Boving started 7/29/19 as the new Director of Training Activities for the Sustainable Oceans NRT. We are very excited to have her onboard. She has been employed in the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology Department and is the Director for Programming and Engagement for The Polar Forum at UC Davis.

Science and Society

Sensory impacts of global climate change lays groundwork for further investigation of communication pathways in ocean

Climate change affects not only the growth and survival of marine animals, but also their senses. A new study synthesizes the results of sensory change studies -- revealing both broad patterns and intriguing outliers -- and provides a conceptual framework to help guide future research in this emerging field.

Marine Ecology

It Pays to Explore in Times of Uncertainty

When making choices, people tend either to go with what they know or try something new. We experience this trade-off every day, whether choosing a route to work or buying breakfast cereal. But does one strategy have an advantage over another? Researchers decided to examine this question by looking at fishing boat captains, who face this choice again and again when deciding where to fish.

UC Davis News, read more

Science and Society