OUR MISSON

at Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) is to explore and document the ocean in order to support its conservation and management.

We accomplish our mission by building and deploying our own ROV systems in deep ocean environments for various underwater applications supporting scientific research and education. Our work includes monitoring marine protected areas, national marine sanctuaries, deep-sea coral research, fisheries surveys, and gear recovery. 

Our Technology

ROBOTIC SURVEY FLEET

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ROV Beagle

Customized ROV used to gather marine habitat and biological information from a ship of opportunity.
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ROV Beagle

Customized ROV used to gather marine habitat and biological information from a ship of opportunity.
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ROV Hammerhead

A Phantom-class ROV customized to gather marine habitat and biological information.
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BATFish

Our Benthic Assessment TowFish - a hydrodynamic tow-sled that provides an economical broad-area visual surveys.
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ROV Mantis

A compact, mini ROV which excels at a range of inspection and scientific missions.

We use our remotely operated vehicles and research vessel to preform ocean experiments, exploratory missions and site characterizations. Learn more about our services.

Our Science

PROGRAM AREAS

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

MARE has been conducting baseline and long-term monitoring surveys of the mid-depth and deep subtidal portions of California’s marine protected areas since 2003. We are currently working with partners to conduct surveys along the entire state.

FISHERIES

MARE works with state and federal agencies, NGOs and academic partners to provide scientific information on Rockfish and other fisheries species, helping to inform the sustainable management of these important resources.

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EDUCATION

MARE’s hands-on, interactive learning lab activities allow students to gain experience in critical thinking, data collection, data interpretation, and the engineering design process.

DEEP-SEA CORALS AND SPONGES

Together with our research partners, MARE works to locate and document deep-sea corals off the coast of California. Data gathered is used to generate maps and incorporated into NOAA’s deep-sea data portal for scientific researchers.

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HAWAI’I 30 X 30

We are working with the state of Hawai’i to gather data to help inform the state’s comprehensive, long-term management plan to ensure sustainability and resilience in Hawai’i’s world-renowned nearshore waters.

NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES

MARE works with NOAA research partners to gather information about deep-water habitats within California’s National Marine Sanctuaries. Research priorities include monitoring deep-sea coral and sponge habitats.

At Sea

RECENT EXPEDITIONS

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Expedition to locate tar seeps and possible paleoestuaries submerged during the last glacial period among the Channel Islands.

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The fourth expedition in this series to collect coral samples supporting the restoration of mesophotic corals in the the Gulf of Mexico.

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Describing seafloor habitats from Oregon to CA in support of offshore wind energy infrastructure and to survey essential fish habitats (EFH).

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Benthic evaluation of four shell mounds formerly underneath 4H oil rigs off Santa Barbara.

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The third Gulf expedition to collect samples to understand the genetic distribution of corals across the Gulf of Mexico.

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Expedition to locate tar seeps and possible paleoestuaries submerged during the last glacial period among the Channel Islands.

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The fourth expedition in this series to collect coral samples supporting the restoration of mesophotic corals in the the Gulf of Mexico.

Interested in receiving information about our projects, ocean news, and upcoming events?