Though we operate independently of one another, MBARI and the Monterey Bay Aquarium collaborate to support our shared ocean research and conservation goals.

MBARI is a private non-profit oceanographic research center that receives sustained support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Our mission is to advance marine science and technology to understand a changing ocean. Together with our education and conservation partner, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we seek to inspire a new generation of ocean explorers.

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MBARI is the Aquarium’s research and technology partner, and the Aquarium is MBARI’s education and conservation partner. Together, we work to educate the public about the ocean and share the knowledge and technology innovations gained from MBARI’s work with the global science and conservation community.

Our teams work together in many ways. Some examples include:

  • MBARI’s marine operations team is instrumental in bringing deep-sea animals to the Aquarium where they can be seen by the public, including species being displayed for the first time anywhere in the world. With custom modifications from our engineering team, MBARI’s vehicles make it easier for Aquarium staff to observe deep-sea animals, collect them, and bring them safely to shore. For example, MBARI and the Aquarium worked closely together on Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean / En lo Profundo: Explorando Nuestro Océano Desconocido—a new exhibition featuring deep-sea animals from Monterey Bay and beyond.
  • The Aquarium’s breakthroughs in caring for deep-sea animals are enabling new research at MBARI. For example, by studying the comb jellies cultured by the Aquarium, MBARI researchers were able to learn more about how these animals produce their brilliant bioluminescence—one of nature’s wonders and of value to the biomedical research community. 
  • MBARI’s mission is to advance marine science and technology to understand a changing ocean. The Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. MBARI science informs Aquarium conservation policy recommendations and together, we work to provide the best science, engineering, and outreach tools to the ocean conservation field. This includes producing videos with MBARI’s uniquely designed high-definition 4K camera and other content highlighting our deep-sea animal discoveries and technology innovations.