Changing Seas

Adored by many for its cuddly appearance, the threatened southern sea otter is a voracious predator that needs to eat the equivalent of 25% of its body weight a day to survive. Once nearly hunted to extinction, this endearing marine weasel has made a slow comeback on California’s central coast, demonstrating its role as an ecosystem engineer in the process.

Dedicated scientists, land restorationists, and volunteers are drawing upon the ancient wisdom of the Hawaiian people to revive Maui’s cherished ecosystems. Even amidst profound loss in the wake of recent wildfires, these resilient islanders are committed to reconnecting waterways from mauka to makai—from the mountains to the ocean—to heal their island home.

Archaeologists and conservators along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast meticulously uncover and document an ancient Roman ship. Submerged in sediment for nearly 2000 years, the preserved wooden hull and recovered artifacts offer invaluable insights into the region's maritime history and cultural heritage.

Despite its designation as globally “endangered,” relatively little is known about the whitespotted eagle ray’s ecology and life history. Now Florida scientists are combining cutting-edge technology with creative approaches to gain deeper insight into the movement and diet of this elegant fish – allowing them to experience the world from a ray’s point of view for the first time.

As the shipwreck capital of the world, Bermuda is known for its treacherous reefs. But these unique corals may also offer clues to heightened resilience in the face of a changing climate. Local Bermudians and international scientists race to protect these islands and reefs they call home.

At the northernmost year-round research station in the world, scientists brave frigid temperatures and perpetual night to solve an ocean mystery. The team is trying to figure out how some of the tiniest animals survive at a time of year when their main food source is not available.

Seashells, with their beautiful shapes and colors, have inspired humans since the dawn of time. Equally fascinating are the animals which make them, and their unique place in the web of life. Researchers and citizen scientists continue to make new discoveries, while a cutting-edge digital project makes vast research collections easily accessible online.

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a diverse array of top predators like lemon sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. In a unique collaboration, local fishers leverage their generational knowledge to help marine scientists and fisheries managers keep shark populations healthy for all.

Florida’s iconic sea cows are dying in record numbers. Years of declining seagrass beds have eliminated one of the gentle giants’ primary food sources. Now wildlife managers have taken the unprecedented step of feeding the animals, while scientists are in a race against time to restore the lost seagrass.

How does the body size and overall health of humpback whales change across their migratory cycle? A team of researchers studying the animals, which spend part of the year feeding in Alaska and a few months fasting while in their Hawaiian breeding grounds, is making remarkable discoveries.

The kelp forests of the Puget Sound have long played an essential role in the local ecosystem as a habitat and food source. Today, this foundational species is in decline, but resource managers, scientists, tribal citizens, and advocates are working together to solve the mysteries of conserving and restoring kelp forests.

The humpback whale population that migrates between Hawaiʻi and Alaska is considered a conservation success story. When sightings of the animals suddenly dropped, people became concerned. Scientists in both locations are trying to understand what happened to the whales and why.

Tarpon and snook are two of Florida’s most iconic game fish. Both species rely on mangrove creeks and ponds when they are juveniles. With half of the state’s mangroves lost to development, scientists employ creative solutions to restore and reconnect some of these important habitats to secure the future of the fisheries.

The deep-sea submersible Alvin has brought explorers to extraordinary places for more than 50 years. Now, as Alvin is poised to continue its revolutionary scientific work, a new set of upgrades will take it deeper than ever before. A coproduction with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Along scenic coastlines in the South, waves of mesmerizing green and golden grass stretch to the horizon. This is the salt marsh - a part liquid, part solid landscape that is teeming with life. How do scientists study the salt marsh? And how resilient is it to climate change?

Shore-based, catch and release shark fishing is a popular past time in Florida. But is it having a negative impact on sensitive shark populations? Scientists have teamed up with anglers to study the survival rates of the fish and conduct outreach on best practices.

American Samoa is home to some of the largest corals on record. Reefs in this remote island paradise are thriving, while corals elsewhere are in serious decline. Scientists study what makes these corals more resilient than others in the wake of local and global stressors.

Along Peru’s barren coastline seabirds reign. Among them is the adorable Humboldt penguin, which builds its nests in the guano of other birds. Scientists monitor local penguin populations and study the animals’ interactions with fisheries.

Ten years after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster, scientists are still studying its devastating impacts on the Gulf of Mexico. Now they are using lessons learned to prepare for the next big spill.

Blue holes scattered throughout the Gulf of Mexico inspire a team of exploration scientists and divers who set out to uncover the mysteries of what makes them ecological oases.