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OUR OCEAN. OUR PLANET. OUR FUTURE.®

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.

RECENT NEWS

LATEST ON INSTAGRAM
The first North Atlantic right whale of the season has been spotted! 🐋 🥹 The calf seen with its mother, Juno, off Cane Island in South Carolina recently was no more than four days old at the time. Calving season for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale starts in mid-November and continues through mid-April. Seven more adult females have been sighted from North Carolina to Georgia this month, all with potential to become mothers over the winter.

📸: @CMAquarium, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by United States Army Corps of Engineers. #NorthAtlanticRightWhale #CriticallyEndangered #CalvingSeason #OceanofHope #WHOI
War is making it harder for Arctic scientists to collect important #climate data. Just ask #MIT_WHOI joint program student Emma Bullock (@e.jaq12), who studies mercury in Arctic groundwater. In an op-ed for Oceanus magazine, she explains how the Russia-Ukraine conflict has created gaps in climate #research– at a time when we need it most.⁠
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📲 Find out how climate data is another casualty of war at the link in bio.
📣 This week, several #WHOI climate scientists and #MIT_WHOI joint program students are heading to @cop28uaeofficial in #Dubai to participate in panel discussions and call for #science-based, #ocean-focused #climate #solutions.⁠
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🌊 With 34 other global marine science and philanthropy organizations, WHOI is hosting an #OceanPavilion inside the @un conference’s official meeting area, or #BlueZone. The Ocean Pavilion creates a collaborative space for leaders in ocean science, engineering, policy and philanthropy to highlight the ocean’s critical role in climate solutions.⁠
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📲 Learn more about how we're making waves at #COP28 at the link in bio!⁠
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The world’s largest iceberg is on the move for the first time in 30 years. The mineral dust it leaves behind as it melts can have a profound impact on ocean life.⁠
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#WHOI scientist Catherine Walker explains to @BBC what makes these icebergs so life-giving. Read the article at #linkinbio

OUR WORK

WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.

Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.

We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.

Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.

WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.

KNOW YOUR OCEAN

The ocean covers more than 2/3 of Earth's surface and is a fundamental reason why life exists on Earth-but yet many know so little about it. Dive in to learn more about our ocean planet.

EXPLORE WITH US

For nearly a century, WHOI has been one of the best known and most trusted names in ocean science and exploration. Become a part of the research that shapes our understanding of the ocean, our planet, and life on Earth.