Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System

🎉 We are celebrating Ocean Data Day this week, and what better way than to join our experts from across the West Coast TOMORROW for NOAA's West Watch webinar!

🌟 Register for the June 23rd 11AM PST Webinar: bit.ly/WestWatch 🌟

🌈 This monthly series brings together ocean and atmosphere observing experts from across the region to highlight ongoing and emerging oceanic and atmospheric conditions, impacts, and data trends.

🌊 These combined monthly expert reports help us better understand region-wide patterns and allow coastal managers to prepare for any impacts affecting coastal safety, research or our economy.

⭐ Featured presenters include SCCOOS Director Clarissa Anderson, Ph.D., Central & Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) Director Henry Ruhl, Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) Director Jan Newton, and Western Regional Climate Center Climatologist Dan McEvoy.

🙌 Join us to learn about conditions across the west including the approaching El Niño, the state of Harmful Algal Blooms along the West Coast, drought/precipitation status, and much more!

Keep an eye on our page for more Ocean Data Day information and future West Watch webinars!



Scripps Institution of Oceanography
MBARI
University of Washington
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
NOAA Coastal Ocean Science
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System

🎥 This week SCCOOS was honored to attend a special screening of the award-winning documentary Out of Plain Sight at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

🌏 From LA Times and investigative journalist Rosanna Xia, the film depicts the historical and ongoing environmental crisis of DDT pollution in Southern California and its far-reaching consequences for animal and human life. This topic is of special interest to SCCOOS, as our organization helps coordinate the federally-funded research that is investigating this issue.

💙 As we learn in the film, there is still much to learn to understand the scope of pollution and impact of DDT, "the original forever chemical". SCCOOS is proud to play a part in helping to aid in the investigation.

🌟 Don't miss the chance to see this incredible film: https://www.outofplainsight.com/ and keep an eye on our page as we develop a public-facing database to showcase the findings from ongoing DDT research projects.

Join us in celebrating Ocean Data Day next Thursday, July 25th!

Next Thursday, June 25th, we will celebrate Ocean Data Day!

Ocean Data Day highlights the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data systems that support blue economy communities, industries, research, and public safety every day.

Learn more about Ocean Data Day and how you can participate:
https://ioosassociation.org/OceanDataDay.

🕊️ The Spring 2026 California Seabird Report is now available!

🌊 Seabirds aren't just pretty to look at, their diversity, habitat ranges, and numbers are actually a critical indicator of changes in the coastal ocean environment!

Why monitor seabirds? Three important reasons:
1️⃣ Unlike ocean fish and mammals, seabirds are typically less exploited by humans (e.g., fishing and poaching) and so their numbers better reflect environmental impacts rather than direct human pressure.
2️⃣ Seabird populations rely on both atmospheric and oceanic conditions, which give us a better understanding of the interactions between these systems.
3️⃣ Unlike creatures that dwell below the surface, seabirds can be observed from shore and by boat, allowing for less-costly and more routine surveys.

⛴️ The report, led by SCCOOS Scientist William Sydeman at Farallon Institute, is a result of data collected during the Spring 2026 CalCOFI/CCE-LTER cruise and represents a collaboration between SCCOOS, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), Farallon Institute, and the California Current Ecosystem - Long-term Ecological Research (CCE-LTER) group.

🐣 By monitoring seabird populations over the last 40 years, SCCOOS is a proud partner in the continuation of long-term observations that leverage animal indicators to inform our ocean science community.

🔗 Read more in the full report available on our website: https://sccoos.org/seabirds/

🛟 Beach-goers and boaters rely on data to help keep them safe in the ocean.

⛵ SCCOOS infrastructure and data products like High-Frequency Radar and Wave Buoys are critical for determining safe conditions for coastal recreation and industry.

🚁 High-Frequency Radar gives us the ability to track where and how quickly coastal ocean water is moving. This information is essential for many important community services, including: assessing and mitigating impacts of impaired water quality (e.g., monitoring pollution sources or Harmful Algal Blooms), tracking oil spills, and assisting in search and rescue efforts.

🌊 Wave Buoys provide wave and water heights, critical information not just for surfers (and for use in popular websites like Surfline), but also for designing coastal infrastructure, predicting and responding to coastal changes (e.g., sea level rise, cliff erosion), and assessing safe operating conditions for small ships to large vessels (e.g., oil tankers, shipping barges, port and ferry operations).

🔗 Access the CalOOS data portal to view conditions near you: https://data.caloos.org/

🌊 SCCOOS celebrated 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 and 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 by hosting the Pathogen Forecast Model Workshop at Scripps Institution of Oceanography to help refine and improve this important data asset.

🦠 The Pathogen Forecast Model predicts sewage levels at the ocean surface in the San Diego/Tijuana border region, representing a critical tool in our region to help keep beach-goers, boaters, and coastal workers safe from harmful levels of bacteria and viruses.

📊 This tool shows users a 3-day forecast of sewage levels in Southern California's coastal ocean waters, allowing for informed decision-making regarding when and where to enter the water. The Pathogen Forecast Model is a powerful resource in helping our community to plan for safer beach and boating operations.

🏄 Check out the model to help safely plan your next beach day: https://pfmweb.ucsd.edu/

Partners & Funders:
Tijuana Estuary (Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
UC San Diego
San Diego State University
University of San Diego
California Sea Grant
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)

📅 Join us this Thursday (5/14) at 6:30 PM for a free public event at the San Diego Natural History Museum!

🌎 The event will introduce The Nature Record: a national, evidence-based examination of how nature is changing in the United States and what those changes mean for our health, homes, communities, and economy. Come learn about the data used in this assessment, enjoy a public Q&A session, and provide community input to help shape the future of nature monitoring.

🌟 SCCOOS Director Clarissa Anderson, Ph.D., who helped contribute to The Nature Record, will be presenting at the Q&A portion -- come ask her any questions related to the assessment of our coastal ocean!

🔗 RSVP: Bit.ly/48qc6eS

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Important information on recent CA shellfish advisories 👇

Fun & family friendly event at the Port of San Diego. Free parking, a shuttle, and face painting!

https://www.portofsandiego.org/experiences/parks-recreation/day-park

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1666196305115183&id=100051744884249&mibextid=wwXIfr