Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory

At the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, we recognize the deep abuses committed as a result of systemic racism, white privilege, and environmental injustice. We believe in taking concrete steps towards a more equitable and inclusive approach to address the problems facing our oceans and communities. Over the last few years, we have thoughtfully mapped out our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in our field of marine science. We proactively strive to bring the voices, intellect, and talents of people of all colors, backgrounds, and identities into our work to further science and conservation. Therefore, we commit to taking tangible actions to achieve our vision of a more diverse and inclusive organization. Our DEIJ action plan details these commitments and the steps we must take to achieve them. As an organization and as individuals, it is our responsibility to continually grow our understanding and efforts to help create a more just and equitable future. We are sharing our DEIJ action plan with you, our colleagues, partners, and friends, to hold ourselves accountable to this mission and to make it available as a resource for others striving towards a shared vision. The planet’s health relies on all of us working together for the benefit of all. 👥🌎 Check out the seven goals of our action plan below👇 Learn more about our commitments to DEIJ and view our action plan here: https://lnkd.in/g_GmcZdj We acknowledge that the University of California was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous peoples, including those on whose lands our offices at UC Santa Barbara are located, the villages and unceded lands of the Chumash people. We affirm the critical role of Indigenous peoples in our collective efforts to restore the health of the ocean and commit to elevating their voices and leadership in marine science and conservation.

Happy World Whale Day! 🐋 California’s coastal waters are a vital feeding ground for endangered blue, fin, and humpback whales. These rich ecosystems support incredible biodiversity, but they’re also home to some of the busiest shipping routes in the U.S. In places like the Santa Barbara Channel and near the San Francisco Bay, whales and ships share the same waters—putting these magnificent animals at risk of deadly collisions. 🛳️🌊 At the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, we're actively addressing this challenge through our innovative Whale Safe system. This technology-driven platform combines ocean sensors, predictive models, community science, and ship tracking data to provide mariners with real-time information on whale presence in critical shipping areas. By promoting adherence to Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones—designated areas where ships are encouraged to slow down—we aim to mitigate the risk of fatal collisions. 💙 To celebrate today, we’re looking back at the 2024 Whale Safe season—from whale sightings to vessel speed cooperation that helps protect these ocean giants. Check out our blog for the full recap: https://lnkd.in/g9PsT23S

🌍 Important Announcement! Galápagos Guardians is expanding! We are honored to welcome Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory as a new Guardian, reinforcing our mission to protect the Galápagos and prevent ocean-bound plastic. To create real impact, we must expand internationally. With Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory a California-based leader in sustainability, we are strengthening our global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems. This partnership marks a key step in scaling our solutions and driving meaningful change for the planet. 💙♻️ #GalapagosGuardians #Sustainability #OceanProtection #GlobalImpact

🌍 Important Announcement! Galápagos Guardians is expanding! We are honored to welcome Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory as a new Guardian, reinforcing our mission to protect the Galápagos and prevent ocean-bound plastic. To create real impact, we must expand internationally. With Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory a California-based leader in sustainability, we are strengthening our global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems. This partnership marks a key step in scaling our solutions and driving meaningful change for the planet. 💙♻️ #GalapagosGuardians #Sustainability #OceanProtection #GlobalImpact

During the the rainfall, our two WILDCOAST trash booms in Tijuana severed their purpose—capturing trash that would have ended up in the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and in the Tijuana River Mouth State Marine Conservation Area. The trash boom in El Pato Canyon is a confiscated fishing net from the Gulf of California that was used to illegally harvest endangered totoaba-a major threat to the nearly extinct vaquita porpoise. The waste tires are more than likely courtesy of California which exports millions of used tires to Baja California each year that end up clogging our open spaces back in San Diego County after rain washes them downstream. Thanks Ma del Rosario Norzagaray Roman and Fay Crevoshay- Engelmayer for your successful efforts to cost-effectively and quickly design, build and manage these trash retention devices. Our supporters such as Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, Azulita Project, Open Water, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Culligan International, and Pure Project have had a big impact on this innovative effort to keep trash out of our oceans and estuaries. ———— Durante las lluvias, nuestras dos barreras de basura de WILDCOAST en Tijuana cumplieron su propósito: capturar desechos que, de otro modo, habrían terminado en la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina del Río Tijuana y en el Área de Conservación Marina Estatal de la Desembocadura del Río Tijuana. La barrera de basura en el Cañón El Pato es una red de pesca confiscada del Golfo de California que se utilizaba ilegalmente para capturar totoaba, una grave amenaza para la vaquita marina, que está al borde de la extinción. Los neumáticos de desecho probablemente provienen de California, que exporta millones de llantas usadas a Baja California cada año, muchas de las cuales terminan obstruyendo nuestros espacios abiertos en el condado de San Diego después de ser arrastradas río abajo por la lluvia. Gracias a Ma del Rosario Norzagaray Roman y Fay Crevoshay-Engelmayer por sus exitosos esfuerzos para diseñar, construir y gestionar de manera rápida y rentable estos dispositivos de retención de basura. Nuestros aliados, como el Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, la NOAA: Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica, Culligan International y Pure Project, han tenido un gran impacto en este esfuerzo innovador para mantener la basura fuera de nuestros océanos y estuarios.

Thank you Marc Benioff for elevating the importance of the #Ocean on the main stage at Davos (World Economic Forum)! 🌊🙌 Key actions to help our Ocean: 🔥 Slow ocean warming 🪸Address coral bleaching 🎣 Stop overfishing 🗺️ Get to 30X30 with Marine Protected Areas 🌊 Ratify the UN High Seas Treaty ♻️ Pass robust UN Plastic Pollution Treaty #WEF2025

🌍 Davos 2025 is happening now! 🌍 At the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, the world’s most influential leaders in business and government gather to discuss critical issues shaping our future–from economic growth to artificial intelligence. 👥 But there is more at stake than just economic and technological advancements. If we are to heal our oceans, fight climate change, and protect our planet for future generations, we must have strong, ambitious, science-informed leadership from the private sector. We all have a role to play in responsibly and mindfully stewarding our communities and environment. 🌊 Follow along with World Economic Forum to see how these important conversations unfold. 🗣️ #WEF2025

Our 2024, "Wrapped" 🎁 Thank you for being a part of our journey in making waves in Ocean science, using science, technology, and collaboration to create a healthier Ocean for all. 🌊 Stay connected in 2025 by following us here, on LinkedIn, sharing the word with your friends, and subscribing to our newsletter (https://lnkd.in/gtytPVm9) 👥

WE'RE HIRING A SPATIAL DATA SCIENTIST! 🗺️ 📊 The Associate Specialist in Spatial Data Scientist will lead analyses supporting proposals to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas. 📊 Use your skills to analyze spatial marine data, collaborate globally, and contribute to cutting-edge ocean solutions. 🛠️ ❗ Apply by TOMORROW (1/8) at 11:59 PM for full consideration at https://lnkd.in/gUbCNxTR

Whales at Risk: Mapping Ship Strike Hotspots 🐋🛳️ A groundbreaking study published in Science Magazine reveals the global threat of ship collisions to whales, mapping the overlap between ships and four large whale species: blue, fin, humpback, and sperm whales. 🗺️ This study, led by Anna Nisi (University of Washington) in collaboration with the Benioff Ocean Science Lab and researchers worldwide, reveals patterns in ship-strike risks, gaps in protections, and solutions to save our ocean’s giants. 🌎 Some of the key findings: 🚢 Shipping overlaps with over 90% of whale habitats. 🐋 Only 7% of high-risk areas have measures to protect whales. 🌊 Expanding protections to just 2.6% more of the ocean could safeguard all high-risk collision hotspots. 🔗 Read more in Science Magazine https://lnkd.in/dFK7nS7Y