In the News

The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science welcomed acclaimed photographer Felix Kunze and his team, Magnus Karlsson and Sequoyah Wildwyn-Dechter, to Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus during our 2024 Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot expedition . Felix recently highlighted our project on his website and showcased some of his incredible photography. IOCS’s Dr Ellen Pikitch and Christine Santora, featured by photographer Felix Kunze. Our project in the Shinnecock Bay Hope S

From Stony Brook News , January 22nd, 2026 Coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea,” face immense pressures from climate change as well as destructive fishing, harmful tourism, coastal development, unsustainable land use, oil spills and other threats that often require regional solutions that span national borders. Addressing these threats is also key to ensuring that coral reefs are as resilient as possible against the accelerating impacts from climate change. Faculty memb

As we close out 2025, we are grateful to have had a year marked by groundbreaking research, meaningful partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to marine conservation. From pioneering eDNA technology to working with Indigenous partners and international experts, here's a look at what we accomplished. Advancing the use of eDNA as a low-impact way of assessing biodiversity This year marked our sixth consecutive year of eDNA sampling in Shinnecock Bay, building an impressive d

We are thrilled to announce a ten year commitment that supports IOCS's vision for the future: Pioneering new technology, undertaking policy-relevant science, and enhancing key partnerships. IOCS is grateful to this anonymous donor for providing a foundational grant for us to build on this vision! December 11, 2025 The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IOCS) at the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received a $1.6 million gift to establish a research fun

October 13, 2025 Original story from Stony Brook News When the Chesapeake Bay was officially named a Mission Blue Hope Spot in June, Stony Brook University’s Ellen Pikitch saw it as proof that “hope begets hope.” Pikitch, a professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) and executive director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IOCS), played a key role in expanding the Hope Spot concept from Long Island’s Shinnecock Bay , designated in 202

September 25, 2025 Story from Stony Brook News Researchers at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) are shedding new light on how marine protected areas (MPAs) can secure long-term funding to support conservation efforts worldwide. From left, several of the paper’s co-authors: Christine Santora, Maria Jose Gonzalez, Maria Grima, Joris van Pul, John Bohorquez, Ellen Pikitch, Amilcar Guzman Valladares, Monica Gamboa and Katy de la Garza. A

September 23, 2025 Original story from Stony Brook News His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, was awarded the Stony Brook Council University Medal at Stony Brook Southampton in recognition of his efforts on behalf of climate action, faith-based environmentalism and helping foster interfaith dialogue. The September 20 event, “ Oceans of Hope: The Green Patriarch Recognizes Stony Brook Southampton’s Marine Sciences

In September 2024, we conducted an ambitous eDNA expedition to assess biodiversity in Shinnecock Bay using environmentally friendly and...

IOCS's Dr. John Bohorquez leads speaks on coral reef resilience at UNOC3. Three minute overview of the NY Climate Change's participation...

On June 2nd, 2025, IOCS visited The Explorers Club  for its annual World Ocean Week and officially returned Flag #132 , which accompanied...

See our full list of higlights here , and more about our two week field expedition using autonomous technology here .

Dr. John Bohorquez has had a busy 2024, taking on several new projects with the United Nations, NGOs, and with Stony Brook!   After...

Ellen K. Pikitch, a long-time professor in the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), was recently...

https://tbrnewsmedia.com/sbus-ellen-pikitch-joins-all-star-team-to-develop-golden-rules-of-fisheries-sustainability/ By Daniel Dunaief...

The t eam of scientists worked for years to devise and reach consensus on 11 Golden Rules for truly social-ecological fisheries. Read the...

September 2024 was one of our most exciting field seasons ever! We have been using eDNA technology for five years, but every single water...

It's essential to stay on the cutting edge of new scientific approaches, in order to apply best practices and devise efficient and...

In April 2024, Ellen Pikitch was honored to receive the third Freudenthal Research Award given by the New York State Marine Education...