Three leading marine science and policy institutions – Stanford University (through its Woods Institute for the Environment and Hopkins Marine Station), the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) – have joined forces to create the Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). With the support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, COS combines Stanford’s expertise in marine biology, oceanography, engineering, economics, law and policy, with the Aquarium’s unparalleled success at public education and outreach, and MBARI’s leadership in deep-sea technology, exploration and monitoring, as well as marine and coastal economics. Over time, COS also expects to bring on board other leading institutions around the Monterey Bay, adding further depth and breadth to its expertise.
In addition to developing new knowledge to solve ocean challenges, COS researchers and staff reach out to decision-makers from government, business, and the nonprofit sectors to translate the results of marine science and policy research into action. COS educates current and future leaders by offering enhanced graduate-level educational and research opportunities. COS works to highlight these issues in the media, and sponsors outreach programs to inform and empower action by the general public and local, state, national and international decision makers.