News
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California can’t afford to weaken ocean protections in a warming world
Center for Ocean Solutions Co-Director Fiorenza Micheli and Stanford Oceans Postdoctoral Scholar Nur Arafeh Dalmau advocate for expanding and strengthening marine protected areas in California to restore kelp forests and fish populations increasingly impacted by climate change.
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Small-scale fisheries stakeholders convene in Kenya to discuss sustainable fisheries, food security and biodiversity
Research scholar Nicole Franz moderates 3rd PROBLUE Global Engagement Forum (PGEF) on Small-Scale Fisheries, Food Security and Biodiversity in the Ocean, organized jointly by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and World Bank's PROBLUE program.
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Reeling in labor abuse: Building tools to improve accountability in the fishing industry
Labor abuses remain a persistent challenge in parts of the global fishing industry, particularly for migrant workers who can spend months or even years at sea far from support networks and oversight. Stanford's Center for Ocean Solutions and Center for Human Rights and International Justice partnered with fishers, industry, government, and civil society to build a digital platform that creates greater accountability.
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Conference explores pathways to sustainable, responsible use of AI
At a recent conference about the promises and risks of AI, Center for Ocean Solutions Co-director Jim Leape emphasized AI's exciting potential to transform large quantities of data into action for ocean conservation.
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Workshop explores the future of seafood
Researchers and practitioners gathered on the Stanford campus to discuss the latest research on incorporating fisheries and aquaculture into food system policies and planning.
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Marine resource conflicts in Africa revolve mostly around access
A new study led by Managing Director Elizabeth Selig calls for more participatory, transparent governance after finding that the majority of 1000+ ocean conflicts in Africa stemmed from disputes over access to space and resources.
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Disputes over Africa’s ocean resources: Here’s what could help avoid them
The first step is to document where conflicts are occurring, who is involved, and the nature of the disputes.
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Researchers detect patterns in conflicts that shape ocean prosperity
Disputed access to ocean areas and resources, such as ports or fisheries, are the primary types of conflicts occurring across coastal countries in Africa, highlighting the need for equitable intervention strategies as more industries expand into the ocean.
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Before the tipping point
“Through Synchro we are testing and deploying multiple technologies capable of collecting samples and data that are low-cost, while also maintaining the quality of traditional approaches,” says Collin Closek, a marine scientist at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions.
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Welcoming the 2026 Blue Food Futures Fellows
The Blue Food Futures Program, co-led by the Center for Ocean Solutions, will host two early-career researchers dedicated to elevating the role of blue foods in global food systems transformation.
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Spotlight: Finding shared research narratives
Viewing research as a story with main characters and a core plot inspires Elizabeth Selig in her work as Managing Director of the Center for Ocean Solutions.
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Twinning exchange completed in Saint Lucia
Research Manager Eric Hartge and Stanford PhD Candidate Catherine Lee Hing were part of a team that completed a recent "Twinning Exchange" between the regions of Micronesia and the Caribbean to compare notes on marine spatial planning and community-based ocean governance.
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How Africa can lead the way on sustainable blue food production
Co-director Jim Leape argues that Africa has untapped potential to use blue foods to meet sustainable development challenges and to expand production through aquaculture.
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Woods Wrapped 2025
Close out the year with a look back at the strides the Woods Institute community, including the Center for Ocean Solutions, has made toward better understanding and supporting life on Earth.
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New research reveals how climate change is transforming Pacific fisheries and aquaculture
A regional assessment co-edited by a Center for Ocean Solutions scholar combines insights from 50 scientists and highlights impacts to food security, livelihoods, and economies.
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Stanford research and expertise help establish first-of-its-kind marine protected area
“Facilitating a space wherein communities can shape policies and decisions about their land, ocean, values, practices, and livelihood should be the norm,” said Josheena Naggea.
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How can blue foods support national climate goals?
A new series of briefs supports decision-makers developing national climate strategies in Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam.
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Palauan scientists join Okeanos expedition to map marine life using eDNA technology
PICRC Chief Researcher Ikelau Otto and researcher Maikani Mereng Andres joined scientists Collin Closek and Jeanine Brantschen from the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions on the expedition, which is part of a continuing research collaboration that began in 2021.
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Impact awards recognize value of gender-sensitive research
Colette Wabnitz’s work highlights an overlooked reality, where millions of women support global fisheries but remain invisible in official statistics and decision-making.
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Governing for transformation towards sustainable small-scale fisheries
Research Scholar Nicole Franz joins the In Common podcast to discuss her new book on human-centered management of fisheries in a complex world.
