2017

Annual Report

Highlights of our research and technology developments

Photo by Erik Trauschke

Making an impact

MBARI worked around the world in 2017

Applying technology and expertise to global collaborations

Explore Map

View from the Masthead

President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Scholin reflects on the profound long-term effects of the core values set forth by Founder David Packard.

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Exploration and discovery

Thirty years of insights to life in the midwater

MBARI's ongoing investment in ROVs and access to the sea has led to advances in the understanding of the animals and communities in the ocean's midwater.

Exploration and discovery

Thirty years of insights to life in the midwater

Coordinated Canyon Experiment

Finding the sweet spot of deep-sea sediment flows

Multi-institutional study contributes to the understanding of deep-sea canyons and refines methods to study them.

Coordinated Canyon Experiment

Finding the sweet spot of deep-sea sediment flows

Brain-eating amoebae?

Deep-sea research tools may detect pathogens in Yellowstone

Environmental Sample Processor proves helpful in testing for amoebae that may cause brain damage in humans.

Brain-eating amoebae?

Deep-sea research tools may detect pathogens in Yellowstone

Icebergs and asteroids

Engineers test deep-sea vehicles to explore extreme environments

MBARI engineers complete successful expedition to map the submerged portions of icebergs in Greenland using a new autonomous underwater vehicle.

Icebergs and asteroids

Engineers test deep-sea vehicles to explore extreme environments

Providing a persistent presence

The challenge of observing a changing Southern Ocean

MBARI sensors on profiling floats record variations in ocean chemistry related to climate change.

Providing a persistent presence

The challenge of observing a changing Southern Ocean

Monterey Bay field experiment

Fleet of robotic vehicles offers glimpse into future oceanography

Complex experiment shows autonomous vehicles can track multiple areas of interest and observe them simultaneously.

Monterey Bay field experiment

Fleet of robotic vehicles offers glimpse into future oceanography

Discovering Osedax

Uncovering a world of bone-eating worms on the seafloor

Chance discovery of dead whale at the bottom of Monterey Bay leads to a 15-year study of new genus of deep-sea worms.

Discovering Osedax

Uncovering a world of bone-eating worms on the seafloor

Advancing technology

Building tools to learn about the many faces of ocean change

Instruments developed at MBARI prove invaluable to learning about what a changing ocean means for life on Earth.

Advancing technology

Building tools to learn about the many faces of ocean change

On the Horizon

Collaborative efforts enable MBARI to extend its reach whether in the geographic sense or by applying complementary skills and technology to a pressing ocean science question. The coming year will include several such collaborative projects.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

New seafloor observatory system will enhance efforts to visually and accurately assess the rockfish fishery.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

Acoustics and imagery

Scientists use the complementary tools of acoustic sensing and optical imaging to observe biological phenomena in the ocean.

Acoustics and imagery

Teaming with Schmidt Ocean Institute

In 2018, three programs will be able to conduct operations not generally within reach of MBARI vessels by working with the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Teaming with Schmidt Ocean Institute

Addressing ocean conservation

The Aquarium MBARI Incubator Initiative is an entrepreneurial venture for developing joint research projects for the Aquarium and MBARI.

Addressing ocean conservation

Weird and Wonderful

The discoveries of the interesting, the weird, and the wonderful in the deep sea seem to be endless. This year we take a look at some wonderful finds as our research teams worked around the world in 2017.

Rare sighting

A blob sculpin tends its eggs deep in the Beaufort Sea of Canada.

Rare sighting

Three new species

Three new species of parasol-shaped carnivorous sponges found in Gulf of California.

Three new species

Captured on video

An unusual mud volcano, emanating bursts of gas, is caught on video during a research expedition off the coast of Taiwan.

Captured on video

New field guide

Scientists from MBARI and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary catalog marine life on Sur Ridge with a new field guide.

New field guide

2017 Award Recipients

Peter Brewer

Award for International Scientific Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Kelly Benoit-Bird

Medwin Prize in Acoustical Oceanography, Acoustical Society of America

Francisco Chavez

International Recognition Award, Mexican Carbon Program, National Ocean Partnership Program Excellence in Partnering Award

Bill Kirkwood

Service Award, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers/Oceanic Engineering Society

Monique Messié

Marie Curie Fellowship