Hopkins Marine Station

Analysis of ocean plastic pollution and whale foraging behavior tracked with noninvasive tags shows whales are ingesting tiny specks of plastic in far bigger quantities than previously thought, and nearly all of it comes from the animals they eat – not the water they gulp.

A Stanford librarian brings decades of ocean observations to today’s scientists with advanced tools and a dedication to information accessibility.

A beacon of ocean research for over 100 years, Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove has a storied history. This fall, it enters a new chapter of ocean research, education, and impact when it becomes part of the new Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

A biologist’s biologist, Baxter was a continual presence in Stanford’s marine sciences and on the Monterey Peninsula for 60 years.

A five-week course tests the mental and physical limitations of six up-and-coming scientific divers as they learn about the ecology and conservation of kelp forest communities through subtidal techniques.

Researchers compiled the largest set of biologging data revealing how 38 species of sharks, rays, and skates move vertically in oceans around the world.

Improved facilities and equipment at the Monterey Bay station will open the door for researchers to study more of the Pacific’s diverse species, gain a deeper understanding of fundamental biology, and develop new biotechnologies.

Key marine species can serve as bioindicators to measure how much plastic exists in different ocean regions.

Stanford ecologists have conducted one of the most detailed and comprehensive analyses of plastic ingestion by marine fish and shown that the rate of consumption is increasing. The work also reveals emerging trends about why certain species are at higher risk.

With innovative tools and access to some of the most whale-friendly waters in the world, Stanford researchers aim to demystify the lives, biology and behavior of the largest creatures on Earth.