In the News

Congratulations to our PhD student Natalia Benejam on successfully passing her dissertation proposal defense and advancing to candidacy! Natalia defended her proposal, titled “Ecology of Tropical Larval Drifting Fish in Shinnecock Bay”, in June 2026. Her research focuses on the diversity and distribution of tropical larval drifting fish in Shinnecock Bay and the various ecological niches they inhabit. Many tropical fish are pelagic spawners, and their larvae can be transporte

Congratulations to our PhD student Yifan Zhang on successfully passing his dissertation proposal defense and advancing to candidacy! Yifan defended his proposal, titled “Restoration, Warming, and Ecosystem Resilience: Modeling Food-Web Dynamics in a Recovering Coastal Lagoon,” in July. His research examines how shellfish and seagrass restoration has reshaped the food web of Shinnecock Bay and whether these restoration benefits can persist under expected future climate change.

June 10, 2026 Left: sand tiger shark (photo: Chris Paparo); Center: smooth dogfish (photo: Chris Paparo); Right: clearnose skate (photo: Elizabeth Sciorelli). IOCS recently led a new environmental DNA (eDNA) study in Shinnecock Bay focusing on species of elasmobranchs, a group of cartilaginous fishes that includes sharks, skates, and rays. Using an elasmobranch-targeted eDNA methodology, the study found 12 shark, skate, and ray species in just two years—three times the numbe

July 15, 2026 Dr. Ellen Pikitch discusses forage fish and the findings of the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force in a recent article published in Sentient, by Gaea Cabico. Article re-posted here: People usually associate livestock feed with soy and grains like wheat and corn. But farmers also feed pigs and chickens fishmeal, a protein-rich powder made from small wild fish such as anchovies and sardines, and fish-processing scraps like internal organs and trimmings. Each year, hun

June 23, 2026 Newswise — This week an international meeting at the United Nations will feature global scientists looking to find answers about successful marine ecosystem restoration worldwide. The event features discourse among marine science, environmental and climate experts, at the Oceans and Laws of the Sea conference. Marine restoration is essential the health of the oceans, its creatures, the fishing industry, and the environment, which is now subject to more extreme c

From TBR Newsmedia by Daniel Dunaief - May 15, 2026 They’re not exactly the Montagues and Capulets from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but they could work more efficiently and effectively together towards similar goals. The worlds of marine conservation and fisheries management have taken different approaches to the work they do, with fisheries managers typically focused on preserving the numbers and sustainability of fish species harvested for food. People focused on biodiv

We were so honored to be recognized by the Suffolk County Legislature last week during its meeting on March 10, 2026. Legislator Ann Welker presented us with an official Proclamation that celebrates the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot. The Proclamation recognizes our partners who helped make it a reality, including the Shinnecock Nation, Mission Blue, and The Explorers Club. The Proclamation also highlights the work of Stony Brook University’s Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program and

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...