What's Current in
Ocean and Beaches
On the water and on the sand, our research explores ocean health and evolution so we can better understand how to protect and preserve the largest area of Earth.
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Matt Perko
Sophia Lecuona Manos, right, is one of several student researchers who discovered a new crab egg predator in the lab of UCSB parasitologist Armand Kuris, left, holding a yellow rock crab.
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Neil Nathan
With an eye in the sky, researchers can track white sharks off the coast.
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Andrew Thurber
The structural complexity of a healthy coral reef provides habitat for a diversity of lifeforms.
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Ian Kellett
Student filmmakers (foreground, from left) Ryan Grant, Jade Ipina and Catherine Scanlon filming the sunset on Santa Cruz Island.
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Neil Ferdinand Nathan
Apex predators like this shortfin make have an outsized influence on their ecosystems. Unfortunately, they’re also the hardest hit by fishing.
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Renato Molina
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Dam via Adobe Stock
Damselfish like these yellowtail dascyllus have an outsized effect on reefs compared to their humble proportions.
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Harrison Tasoff
Transferable conservation credits could incentivize comprehensive protection the ocean’s diverse habitats and wildlife.
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Philip Hoeppli via iStock
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Explora_2005 via iStock
Legions of icebergs brought the Atlantic circulation to its knees during the last glacial period.
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Roy Caldwell
These territorial crustaceans use their tails as shields to defend against the explosive punches of their rivals.
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Sonia Fernandez
The CoastSnap cradle on the steps to East Campus Beach
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Charles Lester
The ocean is advancing on California, and we need to determine how we will respond.