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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 members at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) have joined a worldwide, multidisciplinary cohort of coral experts to publish findings that demonstrate there is reason for hope. Coral reefs provide habitats for 25 percent of all marine life. Critical to global biodiversity, they are essential for food supply, culture and recreation, as well as coastal protection from hurricanes for communities around the world, and they even contain a vast array of bioactive chemical compounds that could be critical to medical advances. But half of the world’s coral reefs have been lost in the last 50 years, and scientists fear that warming seas from climate change will decimate 70 to 90 percent of what remains by the end of this century. While climate change is the greatest single threat to coral reefs worldwide and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical for their well-being, this alone will not ensure their survival. “Coral reefs are often discussed as victims of climate change, but our findings show they are also systems with real capacity for resilience if we address other pressures we can control with more local action,” said Karine Kleinhaus, senior author of the study and research associate professor at SoMAS. “Climate action remains essential, but it must be paired with coordinated regional solutions that reduce local stressors and strengthen reef systems where they still have the ability to persist.” The research highlights that some coral reefs, such as those in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, have demonstrated remarkable resilience to extreme heat, but face other, more local threats such as pollution and coastal development that undermine their resilience. By addressing these types of more local or regional threats elsewhere, the authors argue, reefs around the world can be given a meaningful chance to resist or adapt to warming seas driven by climate change. To that end, the research team assessed and identified potential pathways to strengthen coral reef resilience, with a focus on regional solutions that can help support coral reef resilience and address the many threats to coral reefs that transcend international boundaries. The work emphasized the Red Sea and the Caribbean Sea as two contrasting regions from which to compare approaches. By drawing experts from universities, governance institutions and NGOs from six different countries to Stony Brook University for a workshop, the research team outlined pathways for strengthening resilience in these two parts of the world using a “systems mapping approach” that considered environmental, social, economic and political factors simultaneously. In addition to making recommendations for the Caribbean and the Red Sea, the group also identified six levers for coral reef conservation globally, then adapted these pathways into a cohesive, interlinked framework that serves as an actionable roadmap that engages global, regional and local players to be enacted alongside ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The six levers included: Conservation finance: A lack of financial resources remains one of the most stubborn barriers to ocean conservation worldwide. Global knowledge management: Knowledge resources, ranging from global scientific expertise to local indigenous knowledge, can be pooled and shared at the global level to share lessons learned from around the globe. Regional political coordination: Countries need to work together to drive regional solutions forward, funneling knowledge from local to global levels, and coordinating the dissemination of global resources for more local implementation. Area-based conservation: Effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can mitigate threats like overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and other threats undermining coral reef resilience, and the need for regional networks of MPAs is becoming clearer. Ecosystem restoration: An emerging area of conservation that has the potential to support other efforts, like area-based management, while teaching us about the mechanisms behind what makes coral reefs resilient to climate change. Strengthening stakeholder capacity and engagement: Actions to enable or empower local actors to lead or contribute to conservation efforts, including through education, peer-to-peer learning, access to funding and tools and other forms of support. Right: Professor John Bohorquez. Credit: New York Climate Exchange “Amid global geopolitical headwinds for climate action, 2025 was nonetheless a remarkable year for momentum around ocean health,” said lead author John Bohorquez, adjunct assistant professor at SoMAS and founding director of the Blue Economy Solutions Lab. “Publishing this research in npj Ocean Sustainability came at a pivotal moment for coral reefs — not as an endpoint, but as a bridge to the urgent work ahead in 2026. Coral reefs do not stop at political boundaries, and neither can the solutions to save them. Protecting these ecosystems requires transboundary collaboration that connects science, policy and on-the-ground action. Only by working across borders, disciplines and levels of government can we strengthen reef resilience and safeguard the communities that depend on them.” By situating long-recognized principles within the context of the latest science and current international policy environment, the Stony Brook-led cohort proposes how efforts can be advanced through concrete strategies that address today’s challenges. Additionally, addressing the global coral reef crisis requires diverse, multidisciplinary teams that reflect the regions and communities affected. These findings came from authors from various disciplines, institutions and geographies, integrating their regional knowledge, perspectives and expertise into the analysis and recommendations to support coral reefs around the globe. While coral reefs are in a state of emergency, coordinating global leadership with regional and local action can approach the outcomes the coral reef conservation community has long aspired to achieve. This initiative received funding from the National Science Foundation. The original paper, which is open access, can be found here .

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 dataset that documents biodiversity across fish, invertebrates, and elasmobranchs. In addition to continuing manually collected samples, we began experimenting with new technology. In a first-of-its-kind field deployment, we led a  bay-wide eDNA expedition  using semi-autonomous sampling technology. This innovative approach represents a significant advancement in non-invasive biodiversity assessment, and with new funding, we are currently procuring the equipment for long-term use and expansion into ocean waters. Our vision? To demonstrate that destructive bottom trawl surveys can be replaced with methods that protect marine habitats and deliver robust scientific data. We also deployed a  Sofar oceanographic buoy  in western Shinnecock Bay, providing real-time environmental data to support the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program. This collaboration with Sofar and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners exemplifies how technology companies can support conservation efforts. Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot: A Beacon of Possibility The Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot continued to gain recognition, from using eDNA as a non-destructive survey method to establishing Indigenous leadership. In 2025, we proudly returned  Flag #132 to The Explorers Club during World Oceans Week, along with members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. The flag, awarded to us for our eDNA expedition, signifies a mission of new discovery with global implications. We also continued to co-lead the first  Indigenous Advisory Council  for a Hope Spot, working alongside Shinnecock Nation citizens to establish Indigenous-led priorities and community events. This partnership honors traditional ecological knowledge while charting a path forward for collaborative conservation. One of the year's most meaningful moments came when His All-Holiness Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church,  highlighted the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot during his visit to Stony Brook University in September , lauding our conservation work in his public remarks. Our Hope Spot work is rippling outward: we helped inspire the newly established Chesapeake Bay Hope Spot and were selected for inclusion in an upcoming documentary on Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue Hope Spots. The University of Michigan's Ross School MBA students even chose Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot as a learning site, where we led an engaging field tour for those students. Empowering the Next Generation Our IOCS students achieved remarkable milestones this year. PhD student Natalia Benejam joined the special Chesapeake Bay scientific expedition, "Hope for the Chesapeake: Another 100 Hours Beneath the Bay" in May. This expedition revisited a landmark 1954 National Geographic journey—this time incorporating eDNA sampling to compare biodiversity across seven decades. PhD student Yifan Zhang presented "Modeling Shinnecock Bay Restoration: Hard Clam Aquaculture and Ecosystem Impacts" at the annual American Fisheries Society meeting, and his continuing work will demonstrate the broader power of ecosystem restoration. Sharing Our Vision Executive Director Dr. Ellen Pikitch delivered a Stony Brook Southampton Lecture entitled  "What Lies Beneath: Unveiling Changing Biodiversity in New York's First Hope Spot,"  synthesizing over a decade of fisheries research in Shinnecock Bay and highlighting the Institute's commitment to environmentally friendly, cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Pikitch was also selected as the  keynote speaker  for Stony Brook University's Investiture Ceremony for the 2025 cohort of Endowed Professors—a testament to Dr. Pikitch’s academic and fundraising leadership. Our research continues to be published in the peer-reviewed literature, including work on transboundary coral reef conservation and marine protected area finance in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Pikitch also wrote a book chapter for "Letters from the Edge: Stories of curiosity, bravery and discovery." Looking Ahead to 2026 As we enter the new year, we remain committed to refining the scientific case for non-invasive eDNA biodiversity assessments and expanding autonomous sampling capabilities. We'll continue growing partnerships, deepening community engagement, and amplifying indigenous participation for the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot. Thank you to everyone who supported IOCS in 2025—our partners, donors, students, and collaborators. Together, we're proving that innovative science and inclusive conservation can chart a course toward healthier oceans. Here's to making waves in 2026!

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 fund that will further the institute’s excellence through innovative and environmentally responsible aquatic research.  Founded in 2003 with a clear mission to advance ocean conservation through science, the IOCS is a vital contributor to the university’s mission of leveraging innovative research and education to create a better future for the global community.  “We are so grateful for this generous support of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science,” said Dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Paul Shepson. “The IOCS is doing transformative research to help save our oceans and ecosystems, and this gift will enable them to continue their critical work.” Part of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, the IOCS prioritizes applied research, focusing on questions that can inform and enhance ocean restoration, conservation and protection efforts. By addressing scientific gaps, the IOCS aims to remove barriers to effective conservation actions. “The idea of saving the ocean through science is the principle upon which the institute was founded,” said Ellen Pikitch, PhD, endowed professor of ocean conservation science and executive director of the IOCS. “We not only do the science, we communicate it, and we communicate it at many levels, including the global level.” A Decade of Support The newly established Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IOCS) Research Fund is a 10-year grant that will fund research and equipment for biodiversity monitoring via environmental DNA (eDNA), a technology that detects traces of genetic material organisms leave in water. It will also support the creation of more marine protected areas (MPAs), which typically prohibit fishing and other extractive activities to protect marine life. One of the IOCS’s notable contributions to ocean conservation science was coordinating the 10 by 20 project, which aimed to protect 10 percent of the ocean by 2020. Through advocacy and communication efforts, the IOCS played a key role in increasing the protected areas from about 2 percent in 2014 to over 8 percent by 2019. This accomplishment highlighted the importance of MPAs and their benefits for conservation and fisheries management. “MPAs are important not only for conserving important marine areas but also because of the spillover effect,” Pikitch said. “If you protect an area of the ocean, that protection may increase the overall amount of fish that you can take from the ocean outside the protected areas.” The fund will also support the development of Data Explorer 2.0, a cutting-edge, autonomous oceanographic research vessel. This innovative vessel will integrate various technologies and sensors to collect eDNA data. “Our Data Explorer is an incredibly powerful and noninvasive tool that collects water samples to identify species without ever disturbing them,” Pikitch said. “This new version will be more environmentally responsible in the sense that it is solar-powered and has silent operation, so there is no noise disturbance.” Pikitch and her team hope to have this next-generation vessel operational by next summer. A Beacon of Hope The IOCS’s research has had numerous groundbreaking studies and discoveries. One example is the documentation of natal homing in sharks, which led to the establishment of shark sanctuaries and MPAs to protect these vulnerable species. Another example was a major study on forage fish, highlighting their critical role in marine ecosystems and providing recommendations for forage fish management that changed policies around the globe.  Closer to home, a remarkable accomplishment was the restoration of Long Island’s Shinnecock Bay through the establishment of clam sanctuaries and other conservation efforts that transformed the bay into a beacon of hope for degraded ecosystems. In 2022, Shinnecock Bay was designated a “Global Hope Spot” by Mission Blue, an organization that supports the protection of oceans worldwide. “There are only about 150 of these Hope Spots all around the globe,” said Pikitch. “This puts Shinnecock Bay in the same league as iconic places such as the Galapagos Islands.” This example has inspired similar regional and global initiatives. This past summer, the IOCS played a key role in expanding the Hope Spot concept to the Chesapeake Bay .  A Shared Vision The IOCS Research Fund was established as an extension of the donor’s deep commitment to environmentally responsible science and interest in Pikitch’s eDNA work. “They believed in our vision and saw the potential of our research to make a difference,” said Pikitch. “Their support has been transformative — allowing us to plan for the next 10 years and expand the scope of what’s possible.” This flexible funding empowers IOCS to pursue bold new directions, deepen its scientific inquiry and amplify its impact on ocean conservation. By harnessing innovative technologies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and engaging in global policy dialogue, the IOCS is tackling the urgent challenges facing our oceans and helping shape a more sustainable future. -Christine McGrath

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 2022, to the Chesapeake. “The Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot showed that restoration and collaboration can make a measurable difference,” she said. “The success there inspired others to try to replicate that hope somewhere new.” Hope Spots, founded by renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle and her organization Mission Blue, recognize areas around the globe that are critical to the ocean’s health. Each Hope Spot is championed by individuals or organizations who lead efforts to protect and restore those ecosystems. For the Chesapeake Bay, the new champions are The Explorers Club and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “The Chesapeake Bay and Shinnecock Bay share many similarities,” Pikitch said. “They’re both estuarine systems that open to the Atlantic, they’ve both suffered from pollution and habitat loss, and they both rely on oysters and clams that once thrived but have declined over time.” Pikitch’s leadership in the Shinnecock Bay restoration and her partnership with the Shinnecock Nation served as a model for the Chesapeake Bay. “When we started with Shinnecock Bay, the water quality was poor, harmful algal blooms were frequent, and the ecosystem was in decline,” she said. “Through science, restoration efforts, collaboration, and community involvement, we turned things around. We showed that it’s possible to make change, and not just hope for change.” The Chesapeake Bay presents challenges on a much larger scale. “It’s enormous, involving several states and many different tribes, communities, and stakeholders,” Pikitch said. “But that also means it has incredible potential to unite people around a shared goal.” Pikitch helped lay the groundwork for the new designation as part of a committee The Explorers Club convened that spent two years building support for the Chesapeake Bay proposal. “We had weekly Zoom calls with scientists, policy makers, tribal representatives, and local organizations,” she said. “By the end, we had about 25 letters of support from a wide range of groups, including the National Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, and Indigenous leaders. It was a huge effort.” That Indigenous engagement was essential. “Mission Blue made it clear from the beginning that having support from the Indigenous communities of the region was critical,” Pikitch said. “We worked closely with the Rappahannock Tribe and the Indigenous Conservation Council of the Chesapeake Bay, which represents several tribes in the Chesapeake region.” The Shinnecock Nation’s earlier collaboration with Pikitch’s team helped inspire the Rappahannock to join. “They wanted to understand why the Shinnecock decided to work with us,” she said. “Once they saw how the partnership had evolved and the respect we had for Indigenous knowledge, they agreed to be part of it too.” Much of Pikitch’s current research centers on environmental DNA (eDNA), a technology that detects traces of genetic material organisms leave in water. “It’s an incredibly powerful and noninvasive tool,” she said. “By collecting water samples, we can identify species that are present without ever disturbing them. It’s also aligned with the Indigenous principle of ‘least harm,’ which is one of the reasons this work resonates so strongly with our tribal partners.” Her team’s eDNA work in Shinnecock Bay has already transformed how scientists monitor marine biodiversity. “In more than a decade of traditional sampling, we identified four species of sharks, skates, and rays,” Pikitch said. “With just one year of eDNA sampling, we found twelve. That shows how much life we were missing using older methods.” The Chesapeake Bay expedition that helped support the Hope Spot application built directly on those methods. Co-led by Stony Brook alumnus Stephen Tomasetti (PhD ‘22), now an assistant professor and director of the Paul. S. Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the research combined underwater surveys with eDNA sampling. “The Chesapeake Bay Hope Spot really captures what my lab is all about: connecting science and community to make coastal systems more resilient,” said Tomasetti. “Whether it’s oyster reefs or seagrass meadows, every restoration success reminds us that hope is something we build together.” One of Pikitch’s doctoral students, Natalia Benejam, participated in the fieldwork with Tomasetti. “It’s really come full circle,” Pikitch said. “Stephen learned restoration techniques here at Stony Brook and is now leading them at Chesapeake Bay. That’s the kind of ripple effect we hope to create.”  The announcement of the Chesapeake Bay’s new status took place at The Explorers Club in New York during World Oceans Week, where Rappahannock Chief Anne Richardson offered a blessing. “It was a wonderful moment of unity,” Pikitch said. “People from all these different communities came together to celebrate what this designation means.” The new Hope Spot represents expansion of the work that began in Shinnecock Bay for Pikitch. “What we’ve done in Shinnecock Bay serves as a blueprint,” she said. “Now we’re sharing that knowledge, our technology, our partnerships, and our experience, with a region that affects millions of people and thousands of species.” “This also shows that our work at Stony Brook has reached far beyond Long Island,” said Pikitch. “What started here has sparked hope in one of the most important estuaries in the world. That’s something we can all be proud of.” “The Hope Spot framework creates space for optimism,” she said. “It recognizes that while our oceans are under stress, they are also resilient if we act in time. The Chesapeake Bay is a living example of that potential.” — Beth Squire

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 recent study published in Marine Policy emphasizes the critical role of practitioner perspectives in shaping sustainable financing strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The paper, “A Roundtable on Marine Protected Area Finance: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean on Four Keys to Success for Improving Financial Sustainability,” grew out of a practitioner-focused session at the 5th International Marine Protected Area Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver in 2023. John Bohorquez, a research associate in SoMAS, and Christine Santora, assistant director for policy and outreach at the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IACAS), led the session alongside co-authors Ellen Pikitch, endowed professor of Ocean Conservation Science in SoMAS, and former graduate student Maria Grima. The session brought together MPA managers from Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica, as well as funders and consultants from around the world, many of whom were contributing to academic literature for the first time. “We believe these lessons are globally relevant, not just for Latin America and the Caribbean, and they highlight how practitioner-led knowledge can shape broader conservation finance strategies,” Bohorquez said. MPAs are among the most effective tools for promoting ocean health. They can help degraded ecosystems recover and preserve healthy ones, while also increasing resilience to climate change. Yet, their potential and the success of global MPA commitments depend on reliable financial resources to support management, of which two-thirds or more are believed to lack. It is believed that of two-thirds or more of these commitments are lacking. Without sufficient funding, even legally protected areas risk becoming “paper parks,” designated in name only and lacking meaningful conservation impact. The new study identifies and elaborates on four keys to improving financial sustainability: diversifying income and innovating financing mechanisms, strengthening internal financial capacity, leveraging partnerships across sectors and aligning policies to remove barriers. These recommendations are drawn from case studies and peer-to-peer exchanges, offering globally relevant lessons beyond Latin America and the Caribbean. Traditional funding sources such as government budgets and philanthropic grants often fall short, and many MPA managers lack the financial expertise to develop innovative solutions, underscoring the importance of these peer-to-peer exchanges with knowledgeable colleagues. In Belize, a community-based group improved the financial stability of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary by establishing revenue-generating initiatives including eco-tourism services, water-quality monitoring and equipment leasing. Coordinating with neighboring MPAs, even across borders with Mexico, helped stretch limited resources even further. Honduras offers another example. When COVID-19 decimated tourism revenue, a marine park developed a water-testing service for hotels and restaurants, creating a more predictable and long-term funding stream. Costa Rica has pioneered national-level strategies through the Forever Costa Rica initiative, which secured millions in funding to expand MPA coverage. A dedicated “Blue Fund” now helps to support management of these MPAs, illustrating how bold commitments and innovative partnerships can yield durable financial solutions. “These examples show that local innovations can yield lessons with global relevance,” Bohorquez said. “From diversifying income streams to working across political boundaries and adapting traditional funding models, these efforts demonstrate how MPAs can achieve sustainable financing for a variety of contexts from local to national levels.” The importance of financial sustainability has never been greater. Only 10 percent of the world’s oceans are protected, and most MPAs lack sufficient resources to meet their objectives. Governments have committed to safeguarding 30 percent of oceans by 2030, heightening the need for reliable funding. Recent global efforts, including the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework and the first-ever Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco, have highlighted finance as a cornerstone of ocean health. Bohorquez has participated in several of these discussions, including the UN Ocean Conference, sharing insights from his research. The research team hopes that sharing these insights will encourage broader adoption of sustainable financing practices and promote knowledge exchange across disciplines and geographies. — Beth Squire

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 Mission ,” was sponsored by Kokolakis Contracting and held at the Avram Theater. The University Medal is the highest form of recognition awarded by Stony Brook, reserved for individuals who have had a significant and lasting impact on the university and community. His All-Holiness is known globally as the “Green Patriarch” because of his steadfast support of the environment. Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith pointed to his dedication to elevating debate on the impact of climate change, especially on marginalized communities; the moral implications of that pressing challenge; his history of speaking about the significance of climate change and the ethics of action and inaction; and the need to address inequities in the pursuit of environmental justice. “It is for these reasons that we are so honored to celebrate him today with the university’s highest honor, the Stony Brook Council University Medal, in recognition of his tireless efforts, taking the lead among all religious leaders in his concern for the environment,” she said. Goldsmith also noted Stony Brook’s own commitment to sustainability and research, particularly through the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, where faculty and staff have played a critical role in pressing conservation efforts, like those of the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program. “Stony Brook shares the commitment of His All-Holiness in taking steps toward creating a more sustainable world and encouraging dialogue and action among our peers,” Goldsmith said. “As president of Stony Brook, I’m so proud of the work that we’ve accomplished and I am committed to continuing to support our Southampton Campus and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences on these globally significant initiatives, and the people and work that they inspire.” Goldsmith and Stony Brook Council Chair Kevin Law then presented His All-Holiness with the medal before an audience at the Avram Theater that included elected officials, area residents, members of the Stony Brook Foundation and Stony Brook Council, and tribal leaders from the Shinnecock Nation. “The oceans, the rivers and streams now need our help,” His All-Holiness said after receiving the medal. “Here at Stony Brook, you are making most significant contributions to the healing of our waters that they so desperately need. We are honored by your bestowal of the University Medal to our humble person as a sign of the solidarity we share in the protection of the environment.” The day’s events included a boat tour of the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot led by professors Ellen Pikitch and Christopher Gobler of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS).  Shinnecock Bay was named a Hope Spot in 2022 by Mission Blue, an international organization that supports the protection of oceans worldwide. The distinction is the result of a decade of restorative and scientific work led by Pikitch, Gobler and Bradley Peterson of SoMAS. Hope Spots are pristine, iconic ocean regions, which places Shinnecock Bay in a league with internationally recognized locations such as the Galapagos Islands, the Sargasso Sea and the Ross Sea in Antarctica. The bay is the first Hope Spot in New York State. “In honoring a global leader whose work has illuminated the sacred responsibility we all share to care for our environment, it is fitting that we also acknowledge the original stewards of this land, the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” said Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. “The Shinnecock have long been leaders in caring for the land and waters of this region, and their collaboration with Stony Brook University researchers that led to the designation of Shinnecock Bay as a Mission Blue Hope Spot is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together.” His All-Holiness has been recognized by the United Nations and the John Templeton Foundation. He was awarded the $1 million Templeton Prize for his efforts at the intersection of faith and science, and his visit to Stony Brook Southampton was timed with the Orthodox Church’s Day of the Environment on September 1 and the awarding of the 2025 Templeton Prize.

In September 2024, we conducted an ambitous eDNA expedition to assess biodiversity in Shinnecock Bay using environmentally friendly and semi-autonomous technology. The expedition used cutting edge robotic devices from Open Ocean Robotics and McLane Laboratories, and we were honored to carry Explorers Club Flag #132 . The Southampton Press article also covers how we are partnering with citizens of the Shinnecock Nation to integrate indigenous voices into research, and how the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot's Indigenous Advisory Council is contributing to scientific progress and community building. Web Version: Collaboration, Reclamation and Hope: The Story of a Scientific Triumph on Shinnecock Bay ​ When Shinnecock Bay was designated as a “Hope Spot” in 2022 by Mission Blue — a global organization dedicated to creating public awareness and support for marine environments — it was a big moment for members of the Shinnecock Nation. The bay, which Mission Blue called “a hidden gem of biodiversity,” earned the designation for showing progress and promise in recovering from outside forces that had led to water quality degradation over the years, and becoming a marine environment notable for nurturing a large number of marine species. That progress did not happen overnight. It was the result of many years of hard work and efforts by several different people and groups, who worked collaboratively to achieve the common goal of restoring the marine environment, which is sacred to the people of the Shinnecock Nation. One of the best examples of that collective effort was a project that took place in September of last year, under the guidance of the Indigenous Advisory Council and scientists from Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. For two weeks in September 2024, scientists with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, led by Dr. Ellen Pikitch, worked together with several members of the nation, who came together in the newly formed Indigenous Advisory Council, most notably Dr. Kelsey Leonard and Sunshine Gumbs, to conduct a groundbreaking research expedition, outfitting an all-electric, self-righting, solar-powered uncrewed surface vessel called the Data Xplorer (made by Open Ocean Robotics), with an eDNA sampler — the RoSCI, made by McLane Research Laboratories — that has the capability to collect more than 24 samples per outing, and can go out on the bay both day and night to collect that data. The project was an expansion of IOCS’s 12-year biodiversity study in Shinnecock Bay, which has used various fisheries monitoring techniques including hand-collected eDNA samples for the past five years. Leonard was a co-principal investigator (lead researcher) with Pikitch on the project. The project earned special recognition from the Explorers Club, carrying the club’s Flag No. 132 during the duration of the project. Flying an Explorers Club flag is considered a high honor, because of the tradition associated with the club and its flags. A flag expedition must be approved via application and must further the cause of exploration and field science. Only a small percentage of expeditions are approved for carrying a flag into the field. Flag No. 132 has been flown on expeditions since the 1940s, and been at both poles and on other ocean explorations around the world. While the eDNA biodiversity sampling expedition was completed a year ago, the team led by Pikitch and Leonard has been hard at work since then assessing and analyzing the data it collected. Pikitch is preparing to author a paper sharing the findings. Shinnecock Bay is tucked away in a small and unassuming corner of the globe, but its impact locally is huge, especially from the perspective of the Shinnecock people. During the tribe’s annual Powwow, held every Labor Day weekend, a booth was set up to share the work that has been done and spread the word about Shinnecock Bay’s designation as a Hope Spot. Visitors to the booth were invited to write down, on illustrated postcards, what their own personal hopes for Shinnecock Bay were. The answers reflect the centrality that body of water has to many people: “Preserve all marine life” “Clean water for all” “Become plentiful again” “May it return to the natural state of the Indigenous people” “Shinnecock secures the right to govern the whole bay” Those were just a few of the messages people took time to write down. The scientists and tribal members who have devoted so much of their time and energy to the bay are on the same page, and a lot has come together in recent years to help get them there. The emergent technology of using environmental DNA in aquatic environments to study and assess the biodiversity of a given water body has been a big component of the research being conducted in the bay. Pikitch explained why taking water samples and analyzing the eDNA is such an exciting technology. “In addition to being able to detect the entire size spectrum, it’s also noninvasive nondestructive, because you’re not touching anything, you’re not disturbing the bottom,” Pikitch said of the eDNA water sample method. Pikitch met Leonard about five years ago, when Leonard attended a talk she was giving about the benefits of eDNA sampling. They did not meet that day, but Leonard reached out to Pikitch and they started talking and ultimately collaborating on the Hope Spot designation, the USV vessel and eDNA sampling, and earning the Explorers Club flag. Pikitch said that the strengthening of the bond between her and the other research scientists at Stony Brook and members of the tribe, including the Indigenous Advisory Council, has greatly benefited the project overall. Leonard and Pikitch may have connected by chance, but they seemed fated to work together. Leonard said they have a shared interest in “understanding marine biodiversity for overall conservation and continuity of a really special part of our planet that we call Shinnecock Bay.” Both of their scientific portfolios have been exploring what eDNA capacity looks like, Leonard added. The use of eDNA has appealed to Leonard, in part, because it is aligned with the Indigenous value system of taking the least invasive and destructive approach to scientific research, and prioritizing a low carbon footprint. “So eDNA has been very accessible, approachable and intriguing for Indigenous scientists and communities who want to better address biodiversity loss,” Leonard said. The work is also deeply personal for Leonard, because of her Shinnecock heritage, and the tribe’s special relationship with the bay. “It’s often a question of, are we named for the bay or is the bay named for us?” she said. “And where does one end and another begin? We’re inherently interconnected and interdependent. Having a healthy bay means having a healthy nation.” It’s why the creation of the advisory council has been so important, Leonard said. “The council for the Hope Spot, they represent that multifaceted meaning behind why it’s important to protect the bay,” she said. “We have folks who are scientists, language-keepers, artists, kelp farmers, educators. We have folks who are part of our government staff and environmental department. So I think that tapestry of advisors also solidifies the importance of what Shinnecock Bay means to us and how to protect it. It’s not categorized as a natural resource; it’s a living being that is inherent in everything we are and will be.” Pikitch, Leonard, Gumbs and another Stony Brook scientist were the facilitators of expedition last year and were guided by advice from the members of the advisory council. Gumbs had the opportunity to learn how to use computer technology to set the course and pilot USV, and was at the site almost every day, sometimes as early as 6 a.m. She works as an ethnobotany project manager for the nation, and has been working with Leonard on indicators of climate change impact. She said she was thrilled to play a vital role in the expedition last year. “When I was asked to be part of this project, of course I was more than willing,” she said. “Anything for the protection of our waters and our land, I’m always all for. That’s why I do this work.” Pikitch shared some of the early findings from last September’s project, which took many months to analyze and assess. She said the idea that the eDNA sampling would detect more species than bottom trawling certainly bore out. It showed that there was DNA evidence of 12 species of sharks in Shinnecock Bay, when previous bottom trawling missions had only shown four species. There’s also an abundance of tropical fish species living in the bay at certain times of year. They tend to die out once the water cools down, after being carried up north by currents. The work done last September also showed that many species are reproducing and thriving in the new habitats that have been created in the bay, thanks to work that has been done in the field of habitat restoration by many scientists over the past few years. Because of the success of the mission, the work can now continue. Pikitch said that, for last year’s project, there was only enough funding to rent the necessary equipment — the USV and the eDNA sampler. But because the project attracted a lot of attention and was a success, they were invited to submit for more funding, and were successful, earning enough to fund the purchase of the necessary equipment, which will allow them to continue doing the work for several years. It’s the kind of research that will provide crucial data and information about how water quality improvements are translating to fish and species populations, and what the ongoing effects of climate change are. The added element of flying the Explorers Club flag was a valuable part of the experience as well. Leonard admitted that, at first, there was some apprehension around the idea of applying for the Explorers Club flag. The overarching idea of exploration and expeditions, and the bearing of flags naturally summons up the imagery of colonialism and exploitation. But Leonard explained that it was ultimately an enriching experience, because it gave tribal members involved in the project an opportunity to “re-story,” a concept spoken about at length by Jeff Corntassel, a member of the Cherokee tribe, who talks about how predominant colonial narratives can be reshaped through an Indigenous lens. “I’ve seen this as a way to re-story and reclaim the narrative of exploration,” Leonard said. “It’s not something that has to be done to us; we can be explorers and lead and co-lead these types of expeditions that cut through our waters and homelands and be the beneficiaries of the science.” Challenging the trauma of the past, and finding a way, in the field of environmental science, to be hopeful about the future both feel radical in many ways. But it’s part of what has made the collaborative efforts that led to last year’s expedition, and the future of that work, so exciting. “Science should be joyful at the end of the day,” Leonard said. “And that’s something we’ve taken away from this process. We’re really excited for where this will go.”

IOCS's Dr. John Bohorquez leads speaks on coral reef resilience at UNOC3. Three minute overview of the NY Climate Change's participation in UNOC3 in Nice, France Dr. John Bohorquez traveled to #UNOC3 in early June as part of the New York Climate Change delegation. John led a kickoff event on June 9 to showcase research at Stony Brook University on coral reef resilience and conservation, focusing on how regional approaches can be used to protect reefs from threats that undermine resilience, such as harmful fishing, coastal development and pollution. Alongside the event, Dr. Bohorquez led a multiauthored Blueprint for Coral Conservation through International Cooperation . "It's always an honor to represent SBU—one of the flagship institutions of New York's state university system, and home to the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), where I first walked through the doors as a Ph.D. student a decade ago. And it's especially meaningful at a moment when science and finance—two fields I work to bridge—are gaining overdue visibility in global ocean dialogues." 📖 Read more from Stony Brook University here: https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/sbu-new-york-climate-exchange-make-waves-at-un-ocean-conference

On June 2nd, 2025, IOCS visited The Explorers Club  for its annual World Ocean Week and officially returned Flag #132 , which accompanied us on an autonomous eDNA expedition in Shinnecock Bay in September 2024. Dr. Ellen Pikitch and Sunshine Gumbs of the Shinnecock Nation were speakers at Monday's "Big Ideas" session that featured Mission Blue  Hope Spots and highlighted our recent expedition work in the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot, in Long Island, New York. Read more about our official flag expedition here :

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

It's essential to stay on the cutting edge of new scientific approaches, in order to apply best practices and devise efficient and comprehensive ways of analyzing data. In June 2024, IOCS sponosored Dr. Liz Suter, an Assistant Professor at Molloy University, to attend the conference to listen, learn, and network. At the conference, the White House released a National Aquatic Environmental eDNA Strategy for the United States . While Liz has kept some of her teaching duties at Molloy University, IOCS has temporarily funded her to work part-time with our research group on eDNA approaches in Shinnecock Bay as part of a joint partnership. Liz's field and laboratory experience, along with her strong quantitiative and bioinformatic skill set and publication record, make her a perfect partner for IOCS. Stay tuned for more updates on Liz's work with us!