News
Will a cleaner San Francisco Bay be a more toxic one?
San Francisco Bay enthusiasts are pleased that the waters of San Francisco Bay are becoming cleaner and clearer, but researchers are worried that this might invite a new problem – blooms of toxic phytoplankton. Although these microscopic, toxin-producing algae are already found in the Bay, with clearer waters permitting more light to reach these photosynthetic algae, it’s feared that the Bay could turn into a toxic soup of both freshwater and marine harmful algae, potentially impacting shellfish and even the marine mammals that are finally starting to re-populate the Bay.
Estuary and Ocean Science Center drums up ‘hope for the Bay’
Annual Discovery Day draws more than 1,000 visitors as center unveils a new collaboration
EOS Center Research included in CDFW Awards of $48.5 Million for Ecosystem and Watershed Restoration, Protection and Scientific Study Projects
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the selection of 38 projects to receive funding for multi-benefit ecosystem restoration and protection projects under its Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 grant programs.
Among the awards is one to EOS Center researchers Drs. Richard Dugdale and Frances Wilkerson: Enhancing predictive capability for phytoplankton response to natural and operational induced variability of phytoplankton blooming in the Delta. ($784,970 to San Francisco State University)
Oysters to defend San Francisco Bay from sea level rise? Marin research shows promising results
As sea levels continue to rise, Marin and state researchers are set to begin a second phase of tests on how San Francisco Bay and the wildlife within it can come to the defense. While oysters and sea grasses may not immediately stand out as defenders against sea level rise, a five-year test run using oyster reefs and eelgrass beds in the waters off of San Rafael has shown promising results.
Congratulations EOS talks winners!
Congratulations to our 2019 EOS talks winners! First place Daniel Yim, second place Kelly Santos and third place Byron Riggins.
The Estuary and Ocean Science talks (EOS talks) are a communication stage for our graduate students to share their passion for protecting the estuary and the ocean. Our early career research scientists give a 5 minute talk in front of a panel of community members who act as judges. The three finalists share their talks with the general public during our annual Discovery Day open house.
New Hope Spot in San Francisco Bay Highlights Need for Comprehensive Ocean Conservation Action
With 8 million people living in its watershed San Francisco Bay is the most urbanized estuary in the U.S. and development has taken a toll on its local marine life. But on April 28, the Bay will become the newest Mission Blue Hope Spot, injecting new life into conservation efforts.
Read the story and hear from Mission Blue founder Sylvia Earle HERE.
Explaining California’s sudden humpback entanglement surge
Every year, humpback whales make their annual trek from tropical calving grounds to feed in the cold, nutrient-rich waters off the coast of California. Historically, they arrived to feast in June just as the Dungeness crab fishery was closing and gear was being pulled in for the season. But in 2012, they arrived a few weeks earlier than normal. In 2014, they were a month early. By 2015, the humpbacks arrived in April, a full two months earlier than the norm.
SCB Announces 2019 Board of Governors Election Results
Ellen Hines of San Francisco State University has been elected to the Society for Conservation Biology’s Board of Governors as Officer for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Dr. Hines has been a longtime SCB volunteer and most recently acted as a representative in the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee and was formerly the Marine Section president. A member since 1994, she is excited to openly represent and contribute the important priorities and goals of EID within conservation at the Board of Governors level.
Widening Gyre of Ocean Challenges
Last year, researches working with SF State’s Estuary and Ocean Science Center installed an array of instruments to track underwater parameters. John Largier, a UC Davis professor of oceanography, says he expects clear trends and patterns indicative of warming and acidifying waters to become apparent in the data in about a decade. With nations making painfully slow progress in reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases, Largier thinks local efforts to boost the resiliency of the Bay ecosystem could be especially powerful.
California Sea Grant announces new faculty awards
Impact of the San Francisco Bay Plume in the California north central coast. Principle Investigator: Piero Mazzini, San Francisco State University
As water from San Francisco Bay moves out into the ocean, it brings with it nutrients—as well as pollution. This project proposes to build a detailed model to better understand the dynamics of this water flow, providing key information for policy makers and resource managers.