News | Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute

Can the long-lost abalone make a comeback in California?

November 07, 2019

The California coast once teemed with millions of white abalone. Overfishing, warming oceans and predators devastated the species. Almost all are gone. Now scientists are trying to save this mysterious sea snail.

A new solution to California’s sea urchin problem: Ranch them and eat them

November 05, 2019

Purple sea urchins have laid waste to Northern California coastal zones in recent years, decimating the kelp forest and ruining the habitat of other sea creatures that depend on it.

Climate havoc wipes out coastal kelp as SF Bay’s native fish species die off

October 22, 2019

A climate-related catastrophe off the California coast has resulted in the death of 90% of the kelp from San Francisco to Oregon as an explosion of ravenous urchins devours everything in sight. And it’s happening at the same time native fish in San Francisco Bay are dying out, two studies released Monday documented.

Kelp Forest Declining Due To Climate Change, Warmer Water

October 22, 2019

Despite the unrivaled beauty of the California coast line, UC Davis scientists say that just below the surface, the famous Kelp Forest is in serious trouble. Don Ford reports for CBS News.

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California’s Crashing Kelp Forest: How Disease, Warming Waters and Ravenous Sea Urchins Combined to Kill the Kelp and Close the Red Abalone Fishery

October 21, 2019

First the sea stars wasted to nothing. Then the purple urchins took over, eating and eating until the bull kelp forests were gone. The red abalone starved. Their fishery closed. Red sea urchins starved. Their fishery collapsed. And the ocean kept warming...

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LAURELS: UC Davis Muir Institute Names New Fellows

October 16, 2019

The John Muir Institute of the Environment recently named its 2019 Muir Institute Fellows, an interdisciplinary mix of seven faculty and staff members engaged in the fight against climate change. Each receives $5,000 in research funding. Fellows inlcude several CMSI faculty.

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

October 01, 2019

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.

What's killing sea otters? Parasite strain from cats

August 22, 2019

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.

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

August 19, 2019

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.

Graduate Student Recognized as Future Leader in Fisheries

August 12, 2019

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.