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Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch, Executive Director Ellen K. Pikitch, Ph.D. is the founder of our organization and is the inaugural Endowed Professor of Ocean Conservation Science at our home institution, the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. Ellen is an award-winning scientist, conservationist, and communicator who is transforming the way the ocean is perceived and managed. Ellen’s contributions range from the local to the global levels and have resulted in basic science innovations, fisheries management improvements, and domestic and international policy change. Ellen is frequently called upon to provide her expertise at professional meetings, global scale fora on the oceans, and to decision-makers at the state, national, and global levels. Currently, Ellen’s areas of focus include marine protected areas and the use of eDNA technology for non-invasive assessment of fish and invertebrate communities. She is the scientific lead for the Ocean Sanctuary Alliance, a coalition of Member States that seeks to accelerate the creation of science-based MPAs. Ellen is a co-Principal Investigator on projects to assess marine protected areas in China , to improve the water quality and fish community through shellfish restoration in Shinnecock Bay , among others. She spent several years chairing the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force from 2008-2012 and led an effort to develop a consensus on Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management. Throughout the past few decades, Ellen has been a leading voice among scientists to communicate important research results and conservation perspectives to policymakers and the general public. ​ Ellen, a native New Yorker who has since traveled to more than 110 countries, has authored more than 200 scientific and popular articles and edited two books. View her faculty page here .

Elizabeth Salzman, Research Support Specialist Elizabeth Salzman has been a valued member of our IOCS team for several years and earned her M.S. degree under the direction of Ellen Pikitch. With a profound passion for marine life, particularly sharks, Libby has been a great fit for our field and lab operations. Elizabeth's journey with marine science began when she was little and got her first seining net. After high school, she began her work at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, where she spent five years engaged in marine education and outreach. Her academic background includes a B.A. in English from the Honors College at Stony Brook University, with a focus on writing, rhetoric, and Environmental Studies. As part of her undergraduate work, she participated in the Global Finprint Project by analyzing Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs) and documenting species in different locations. In August of 2020, Elizabeth graduated from the Marine Conservation and Policy M.A. program at SoMAS, where she used stable isotope analyses to research the diet of juvenile sand tiger sharks in Great South Bay. While in the program, she conducted field work at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, collecting samples and data from local shark species. ​ After her M.A., Elizabeth started her M.S. studies as a member of the IOCS team. She successfully defended her M.S. Thesis: “Bringing Elasmobranchs into Modeling and Management of Shinnecock Bay, New York Through eDNA Analysis,” in December of 2022. Libby has been an integral part of IOCS's scientific research team and currently leads our field and laboratory efforts. Her unique blend of skills and background in both research and science communication is a valuable asset to our team.

Forage Fish Forage fish underpin many marine ecosystems around the world, serving as a primary food source for larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. They eat plankton and, as prey, serve as a conduit passing energy to larger animals. Examples of forage fish include sardines, anchovies, herring, sand lance, and Atlantic menhaden (locally known in the U.S. mid-Atlantic as “bunker”). Other species of ‘forage fish’ are not actually fish at all, but provide a similar function as food for other marine life, like krill in Antarctica. Because forage fish feed dolphins, whales, shorebirds, tunas, etc., they in turn support healthy wildlife and fishing opportunities in our oceans and estuaries. They sustain the whales we delight in seeing, the seabird colonies we enjoy viewing, and the wild fish that provide food and recreation. ​ Forage fish populations fluctuate naturally and environmental conditions can affect their numbers. Collapses in forage fish populations are more likely when fishing doesn’t ease during times when populations are naturally lower. Collapses have occurred throughout history, including the most famous example, Pacific sardine off the California coast during the 1950’s. Such collapses mean that there are much less fish to catch, and much less fish for the wild animals who depend on them. A reduction in available prey– either through fishing, a natural “low population phase,” or both– can have a detrimental impact on predator populations. For these animals, especially seabirds, increased competition for food, longer foraging distances, and decreases in reproduction can all result from a lack of forage fish. It is this concern that prompted the initiation of a task force to study how the consumption needs of predators could be taken into account when setting catch limits for forage fish. Atlantic Menhaden Atlantic menhaden, locally known as bunker, have been called “the most important fish in the sea .” These fish are known to have been used by Native Americans as fertilizer, and since then have been harvested in vast numbers for various kinds of commercial use. In recent years, there has been increasing concern surrounding the method and volume of the menhaden fishery (which is operated by one company, Omega Protein, on the East Coast of the U.S.). Since around 2012, harvest quotas for menhaden have been in place, and in 2015, the management body responsible for the coastwide management of menhaden, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, began considering the use of ecological-based reference points (ERPs) – a key recommendation of the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force. Instead of simply setting quotas based on the status of the menhaden population alone, ERPs would consider the needs of predators such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and spiny dogfish. IOCS advocated for this approach, and our Executive Director, Dr. Ellen Pikitch, spearheaded a scientist's letter in 2017 urging the ASMFC to adopt ecosystem-based options for menhaden. One of the options on the table was a “rule of thumb” option directly based on the Task Force’s work. The Commission, however, deemed the options were not species-specific enough at the time. After three additional years of scientific analysis by an expert working group working within the ASMFC, the Commission voted in August 2020 to move ahead with using ecosystem-based harvest rules, a milestone and model for future fishery management decisions. IOCS is proud to have contributed to the science leading to this landmark decision! Other Links Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force

John Bohorquez, Ph.D. Candidate Dr. John Bohorquez earned his Ph.D. with IOCS and is involved with many of our projects including Global Marine Protected Areas, Evaluating MPAs in China , and the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program . Johnny’s primary focus, however, is the finance and economics of marine protected areas (MPAs). Johnny works closely with MPAs in Latin America and the Caribbean where he is conducting a series of case studies on MPAs for his dissertation. ​ Outside of Stony Brook University and IOCS, John works for The Ocean Foundation and is a Technical Specialist with the Conservation Finance Alliance, with whom he has collaborated on several research projects pertaining to conservation finance. Recent outputs include a whitepaper report, “Conservation Finance: A Framework.” Prior to arriving at IOCS and Stony Brook University, John worked in finance, most recently as an Acquisitions Analyst at Urban American Management LLC, a New York-based private equity firm that invests in commercial real estate and energy retrofits. Before then, he was an analyst at EMAX LLC, a financial consulting firm specializing in real estate and renewable energy developments with the federal government. John's experience in energy and sustainability also extends to Latin America with Fusion LatAm LLC, based in Bogotá, Colombia. ​ John holds a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College, where he also minored in Earth and Oceanographic Sciences. Johnny often writes about both personal and professional perspectives here. You can usually find him wearing a pair of soccer cleats, ski boots, or rock climbing shoes.

Yifan Zhang, Ph.D. Student We are thrilled to welcome Ph.D. student Yifan to our IOCS and ShiRP team. Yifan's journey in marine and aquatic ecosystem conservation is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences growing up near a river, collecting stones and netting fish with his grandfather. He pursued his passion and flourished during his undergraduate studies at the University of Nottingham in Ningbo, China, where in 2019 he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with honors. His commitment to ecology led him to actively participate in the NottinGreen Club, significantly contributing to carbon emission reduction initiatives on campus, and volunteering with the NGO Let Birds Fly to protect bird populations. Yifan further honed his expertise at the University of Michigan, obtaining an M.S. in Conservation Biology in 2021. His research there explored spatiotemporal distributions of zooplankton community biomass in relation to phytoplankton biomass, nutrient availability, and temperature in Lake Michigan. Yifan joined Ohio State University in July 2021 and participated in innovative research initiatives with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. His work sought to explore habitat use, prey-resource use, and trophic interactions among a stocked predator, Blue Catfish, and other fish predators (Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Saugeye) in Ohio reservoirs using net collections, fisheries acoustics, YSI sonde profiling, diet analyses, and biomarker analyses (stable isotopes, fatty acids). Yifan's excitement to join IOCS and ShiRP stems from his desire to apply ecological theory to real-world conservation efforts. He looks forward to utilizing his expertise in ecosystem modeling to unravel the intricate connections between marine fisheries, environmental restoration policies, and climate change.

Our Story Our Vision Our History Current Work Vision Our Vision Our Vision Science with an impact. Saving the ocean through science has always been the guiding vision of our Executive Director, Dr. Ellen Pikitch . For the last 18 years, our teams of scientists, staff, and students have gone to work each day striving to achieve that mission. We have a rich history of leading projects at the intersection of science and policy, both in our backyard and around the globe. We’ve used cutting edge research to track and understand marine life, from nearby Shinnecock Bay, NY to the atolls of Belize and the waters of the Caspian Sea. Our work has led to better management of species including sturgeon, sharks, and forage fish. We've advised world leaders at the United Nations on how to conserve their precious ocean resources through marine protected areas. What drives us? We know that smart policy and management decisions depend on good information and strong science. We design and conduct research that can be used to better manage our oceans. Our work contributes to moving the field of marine science forward and is actively published in peer-reviewed journals. We are committed to informing and engaging on policy decisions at the global, national, and local levels. We strive to enhance ocean health in ways that have measurable impact. Despite the many human-driven pressures the ocean faces, we maintain our sense of wonder and curiosity for the mysteries the seas hold. We understand that there is a difference between using the ocean and using it up. We keep this concept front of mind as we conduct our work. The ocean has a lot more to teach us. And we have a lot more work to do to save it. Through our role as scientists with policy and communications experience, we at IOCS will continue to fight for the oceans by providing a solid foundation for science-based conservation. Support / Connect / Donate History Our History Unique in being established as an academically-based institute with a mission to advance ocean conservation, the Institute was founded in 2003, originally as the Pew Institute for Ocean Science at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. After five years, we moved to Stony Brook University, and have been housed within the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences ever since. Since our inception, IOCS scientists and staff have produced an impressive record of peer-reviewed publications and accomplishments. Our most outstanding achievements have been when our science makes a difference: for instance, when a country uses our data to help design expanded protected areas, when our analyses lead to stronger legal protections for an endangered species, or when our work becomes highly cited among peers and professionals. Over the years, IOCS has proudly and gratefully employed and collaborated with many scientists, graduate students, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and other key groups to make a difference for the future of our oceans. Current Work Focal areas of IOCS currently include marine protected areas, fisheries science and monitoring, the management of forage fish, and policy issues on the local, state, national and international levels. See the Projects tab for detailed information on current and recent efforts. We are especially proud to educate and mentor graduate students at SoMAS, who will become the next generation of ocean science leaders at universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and in their communities. Our leadership, staff, and students are always looking for new opportunities to connect and partner with interdisciplinary organizations. We know the scale it will take to solve environmental challenges, and we believe we can do more together than we can on our own. Current Work

Marine Areas of Consensus and Opportunity In 2019 the paper “Gaps in protection of important ocean areas: a spatial meta-analysis of ten global mapping initiatives” was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, co-authored by Dr. Natasha Gownaris (IOCS alum); Dr. Ellen Pikitch , Christine Santora , and John Davis (Octo) . The need for such a study arose during the 2016 Rome Conference on Marine Protected Areas where attending diplomats explicitly called for the scientific community to “Map and describe areas where MPAs are especially needed and prioritize protection of vulnerable species and habitats...giving the highest consideration to both biodiversity distribution and ecosystem functioning.” The Italian Ministry of the Environment recognized the importance of this work and provided financial support for the study. Study Methods and Results Our study was the first to synthesize ten internationally recognized maps depicting global marine priority areas. These areas were identified by the United Nations agencies or nongovernmental organizations as being important for their biodiversity, threatened or vulnerable species, or relatively natural state. One of the strengths of this mapping exercise was to join together and display information from ten disparate sources. Importantly, our study made clear where the various maps “agreed,” and showed that throughout the ocean, there are areas identified as important by multiple science-based efforts. Further, we conducted a gap analysis. In this step, we overlapped protected area coverage onto the results map-- showing where global priority areas overlap with current protected areas. The analysis revealed areas of marine importance that could be good candidates for new MPAs and provides some guidance for individual countries seeking to achieve conservation targets by protecting areas of high value. Key Takeaways of the Study Over 55% of the ocean was identified as important by at least one mapping effort. Nearly 60% is within a national jurisdiction and the other 40% is in the high seas. Over 14% of the ocean was identified as important by between 2-4 of the studies included in the analysis; nearly 90% of this area was unprotected as of the date of publication. The largest important yet unprotected areas were located in the Caribbean Sea, Madagascar and the southern tip of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Coral Triangle. 75% of all exclusive economic zones protect less than 10% of their identified priority areas. The Galapagos Islands and surrounding region stood out as the part of the ocean with the greatest level of consensus of importance among the initiatives examined. Subsequently, in 2022, Ecuador implemented the expansion of the protected area around the Galapagos by 60,000 square kilometers, half of which will be fully protected to safeguard wildlife and migratory areas. Our Results Map is Online! IOCS’s Maria Grima , our in-house GIS expert, converted the static study results into an online platform for detailed viewing. See below, or view in a new window here . ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gaps in protection of important ocean areas: a spatial meta-analysis of ten global mapping initiatives Read the Publication Press Coverage ​ Stony Brook University News "New Study Reveals Important yet Unprotected Global Ocean Areas "(Oct 2019) ​ ​ Tech2 News "One of a kind study provides roadmap for protected oceans in keeping with UN Goal "(Oct 2019) ​ ​ United Press International "New study finds most important marine areas aren't protected " (Oct 2019) ​ ​ Phys.org "New study reveals important yet unprotected global ocean areas " (Oct 2019) ​ ​ TBR News Media "SBU’s Ellen Pikitch reveals ways countries can meet ocean saving target "(Nov 2019) ​ ​ ​​​ Ellen Pikitch , left, with Christine Santora , right, conducting fieldwork. Photo by Peter Thompson, 2015. Stony Brook Statesman​ "New marine map study provides guidance on where to place marine protected areas "(Nov 2019) ​ ​ WSHU | Public Radio​ "By Mapping Oceans, Scientists Identify Areas Most In Need Of Protection "(Nov 2019) ​ Hakai Magazine​​​ "Where Should the World Focus Its Ocean Conservation Efforts?" (Dec 2019) ​ Gallery IMG_1850 IMG_3088 IMG_1999 IMG_1850 1/5

Dr. Sara Cernadas-Martin Dr. Sara Cernadas-Martin has had a long relationship with IOCS and until recently was our Senior Post-Doctoral Associate. Sara is an interdisciplinary scientist with knowledge spanning the fields of marine biology, molecular genetics, and conservation ecology. She supervised and managed the fisheries-related research of the ShiRP Project , and worked with Dr. Pikitch to establish our new environmental DNA (eDNA) program to track species richness in Long Island estuaries. ​ Some of her students have been so inspired by Sara that many have joined our organization as volunteers or interns! Sara's incredible dedication to teaching and student support has been recognized by the Nuria Protopopescu Memorial Teaching Award, a competitive award granted to those who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and creativity in lesson plans and student engagement. ​ ​Sara first joined us in 2012 when she became a Ph.D. Student in the Pikitch Lab within IOCS. Her research focused on the ecological characterization of summer flounder in Shinnecock Bay. Specifically, she studied their trophic dynamics, habitat distribution and preference, migration patterns, and otolith microchemistry. Before graduating in 2019, she was recognized as a Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellow for her strong commitment to inclusivity and community development. Sara holds an M.S. degree in Marine and Atmospheric Science from SBU and a Licentiate in Biology from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) in Spain.