Coastal and Ocean Research

California’s marine resources are central to the state’s economy, environment and cultural identity. The CSU is preparing future marine science leaders, operating a statewide network of marine labs and conducting policy-relevant research on issues of critical importance.

The CSU’s network of research centers and institutes—including research laboratories, oceangoing vessels and scientific diving programs—provides essential marine research infrastructure and workforce training. They support hands-on education, applied research and community outreach. A sampling of these facilities includes:

• The Center for Coastal Marine Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is an interdisciplinary hub that promotes hands-on education through extensive fieldwork and laboratory research. About 1,500 students engage every year in researching coastal habitats such as kelp forests, intertidal zones and estuarine systems.
• The Marine Science Research program (formerly known as the Institute for Applied Marine Ecology) at Cal State Monterey Bay bridges cutting-edge ecological science and real-world coastal management by partnering student researchers directly with government and nongovernmental organization stakeholders to inform policy and conservation efforts.
• The Humboldt Marine & Coastal Sciences Institute is a collaborative, interdisciplinary initiative that unites 22 faculty across eight academic departments at Cal Poly Humboldt to promote marine and coastal research, education and outreach.
• The Moss Landing Marine Laboratories administered by San José State, is a premier marine science consortium serving northern and central CSUs, offering graduate-level marine science research and hands-on training in marine ecology, oceanography and marine geology.

MULTICAMPUS COLLABORATION: COAST

The CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) is vital to the advancement of marine and coastal science across the CSU campuses. Since its establishment in 2008, COAST has built a collaborative framework that supports basic, applied and interdisciplinary research into some of California’s most pressing issues: sea-level rise, habitat loss, marine pollution, and sustainable fisheries. By connecting scientists systemwide and securing millions of dollars to support solution-oriented research, COAST elevates CSU science, showcases its broad impacts and benefits and is recognized as a trusted resource in the stewardship of California’s ocean and coastal resources.