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Ocean Matters

Group 43

How science can improve our lives
and livelihoods


DISCOVER WHY THE
OCEAN MATTERS TO YOU

DISCOVER WHY THE
OCEAN MATTERS TO YOU

The ocean matters—in every sense

No matter where we live, our lives and livelihoods are connected to the ocean.

Find your common connection through ocean science! 

FOOD SECURITY

How much of the world’s food could be supplied by fish, shellfish, and seaweed farming by 2050?

ANSWER:

Under optimistic projections, the ocean could supply 67% of the 500 million metric tons of food that the FAO estimates we'll need by 2050, or 6x more than it does today.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

If the ocean were a country, how big is its economy, ranked by economic output?

ANSWER:

According to the OECD, the global ocean economy is the 5th-largest in the world! Ocean-based industries and activities are valued at $2.5 trillion annually.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

At what minimum sea surface temperature can a hurricane form?

ANSWER:

When sea surface temperatures reach 26.5°C (80°F), there is enough water vapor to “fuel” a hurricane. Scientists use real-time temperature data from Argo floats from the surface to 2000m (~6500 ft) to estimate storm intensity.

HUMAN-OCEAN
CONNECTION

What percentage of the global seafloor has been mapped with high-res sonar, revealing potential threats and resources?

ANSWER:

Only about 25% of the seafloor has been mapped, which makes it harder to detect undersea cables, submarines, or hazards—posing risks to both national security and international infrastructure.

WELLNESS

What are some benefits of spending time around the ocean?

ANSWER:

Being near the ocean is great for physical and mental well-being. The negative ions released by ocean waves–along with sensory cues, fresh air, and physical activity–reduce stress levels and release feel-good hormones, which improve mood and increase creativity.

FOOD SECURITY

How much of the world’s food could be supplied by fish, shellfish, and seaweed farming by 2050?

ANSWER:

The ocean could supply 67% of the world’s food by 2050, or 6x more than it does today.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

If the ocean were a country, how big is its economy, ranked by economic output?

ANSWER:

According to the OECD, the global ocean economy is the 5th-largest in the world!

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

At what minimum sea surface temperature can a hurricane form?

ANSWER:

At 26.5°C (80°F), there’s enough evaporation to fuel a hurricane. Scientists estimate storm intensity based on real-time data from Argo floats.

HUMAN-OCEAN
CONNECTION

What percentage of the global seafloor has been mapped with high-res sonar, revealing potential threats and resources?

ANSWER:

Only 25% of the seafloor has been mapped, potentially hiding undersea cables, submarines, and hazards.

WELLNESS

What are some benefits of spending time around the ocean?

ANSWER:

Being near the ocean reduces stress and releases hormones that improve mood & increase creativity.

New possibilities
powered by ocean science

At Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, our research is fueling solutions that sustain lives, protect communities, and power innovation for a thriving future.

Fueling the Blue Economy

A healthy ocean provides us with pleasure, food, and transportation —all of which mean jobs in the growing Blue Economy.

From marine robotics to seaweed and shellfish aquaculture, our research drives innovation—and helps ensure safe, reliable, and sustainably managed ocean resources.

Feeding the Future

The ocean is an essential part of the Earth’s water cycle, the source of life-giving precipitation for drinking water and crops. It also provides billions of people around the world with a healthy source of protein.

To meet the demands of a hungry, thirsty world, our research enables sustainable fisheries management and increased yields for shellfish and kelp farms. Deeper understanding of the ocean-climate connection supports more accurate predictions of today’s weather––and tomorrow’s climate.

Disaster Preparedness

Our technology and expertise improve the accuracy of storm forecasts and tsunami warnings, giving affected communities time to prepare and saving countless lives.

But we’re not just there when disaster strikes. Our long-term studies and satellite-driven models help predict where storms, earthquakes, sea level rise, and permafrost and wetland loss will endanger critical infrastructure, from New England to Alaska. 

Protecting Human Health

Harmful algal blooms can endanger human and marine animal health, with serious consequences for commercial fisheries, subsistence diets, and tourism.

Our monitoring programs help communities from Alaska to the Caribbean prepare for red tide, sargassum, and toxic algae––safeguarding public health and jobs that rely on pristine seafood and beaches.

Securing the Coasts

Oceanographic research is paramount to the nation's security.

WHOI-led innovations in acoustic technology––paired with persistent offshore monitoring and deep understanding of ocean dynamics––provide our military with battlefield awareness, navigational prowess, and stealth communications in the deep sea and even under ice. Our research also helps defend our nation’s strategic assets– from storm surge mitigation to antifouling paints that extend fleet longevity.

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Ocean heroes shaping our future

Behind every breakthrough, there’s a team of scientists and technicians dedicated to finding solutions in the ocean. Meet a few of WHOI’s ocean heroes!

Caroline Ummenhofer

Day job: Physical oceanographer
Superpower: Tackling extreme weather and drought
Booster: Impacts for farmers & fisheries
Gadgets: Advanced computer models, historical ship logs, satellite data

Mindy Richlen

Day job: Senior Research Specialist
Superpower: Finding microscopic toxic algae, engaging with communities to prevent harmful algal bloom impacts
Gadgets: Fluorescence microscope, thermal cycler for amplifying DNA

Bryan McCormack

Day job: Coastal processes specialist
Superpower:Helping property owners mitigate impacts of flooding & erosion 
Gadgets: Real-time Kinematic GPS, soil probe, Homeowner’s Handbook

Josh Reitsma

Day job: WHOI SeaGrant aquaculture specialist
Superpower: Water quality testing, sniffing out shellfish disease & pests
Gadgets: Multiparameter sonde, digital calipers, shucking knife

Emily Lau

Day job: REMUS software engineer
Superpower: Resurrecting older-model robots with cutting-edge brains
Sidekick: Franco
Gadgets: Oscilloscope, digital multimeter, Linux laptop

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Become an ocean hero!

Help sustain the ocean science that sustains our lives and livelihoods.

When you give or become a member, you power discovery, fuel solutions, and help protect our planet for generations to come.

Join us in creating a brighter future—for the ocean and for ourselves!

GIVE TO WHAT MATTERS
Up to the challenge? Make your gift before midnight on June 8th to triple its impact, up to $100,000, thanks to the generous support of WHOI Corporation Chair, Jamie and Kathy Clark.