Erin Satterthwaite, a sustainability researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, will be the featured presenter in April for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s (SBMM) Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series.
Satterthwaite’s talk, Beneath Pacific Tides: Tales from Over 75 Years of Ocean Observations in California, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at SBMM, 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190, Santa Barbara.
A California Sea Grant Extension specialist, Satterthwaite serves as the coordinator for California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), working at the intersection of marine science, policy, and stakeholder engagement.
Her research focuses on marine biodiversity, ecosystem oceanography, sustainable offshore ocean industries, and knowledge co-production. She collaborates with state, national, and international partners to support informed decision-making for ocean sustainability.
“California’s ocean is home to one of the most biologically diverse and productive marine ecosystems in the world, providing vital environmental, economic, and cultural resources,” SBMM said. “However, increasing human activity and climate-related changes are affecting ocean health, threatening marine biodiversity, and altering the services these ecosystems provide.
“Understanding and monitoring these changes over time is critical to ensuring a sustainable future for California’s coasts and marine life.”
An integral tool in this effort is CalCOFI, the longest-running integrated marine ecosystem observation program in the world. Established in 1949 in response to the collapse of the once-thriving Pacific Sardine fishery, CalCOFI has provided some seven decades of continuous, comprehensive data on the ocean’s physical, chemical, and biological conditions, SBMM said.
“CalCOFI is our eyes and ears under the water,” said Satterthwaite said. “It provides us with essential information to make informed decisions that ensure thriving coasts and ocean ecosystems.”
Satterthwaite’s presentation will present the history of CalCOFI, highlight key discoveries, and showcase how long-term ocean observations have shaped the understanding of California’s dynamic marine ecosystems.
From tracking shifting fish populations to monitoring climate-driven changes in ocean chemistry, CalCOFI continues to play a pivotal role in protecting the region’s marine resources.
“Our oceans are changing rapidly, and CalCOFI is an essential tool in helping us understand these shifts,” said Jason Statucki, SBMM education coordinator. “This program has provided decades of insight into marine conservation and sustainable fisheries, and we are thrilled to bring Dr. Satterthwaite to SBMM to share this invaluable knowledge with our community.”
The SBMM event includes a pre-lecture reception for SBMM members, 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Tickets are free for SBMM Navigators Circle members, $10 for all other SBMM members, and $20 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at sbmm.org, or call 805-456-8750.