Our Location
The Southwest Fisheries Science Center is headquartered in La Jolla, California, and has science laboratories located in Santa Cruz and Monterey, California. We also have field stations in Granite Canyon and Arcata, California, and two field camps on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Mission
Our mission is to generate and communicate the scientific information necessary for the conservation and management of the region’s marine life.
What We Do
Established in 1964 to study the sardine and tuna fisheries of the U.S. West Coast, we provide scientific information to support fisheries management and conserve protected species in the California Current, throughout the Pacific Ocean, and in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica.
Our scientists conduct marine biological, economic and oceanographic research, observations, and monitoring of living marine resources and their environment. We also conduct research on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and on fishery and conservation socio-economics. We work with numerous partners and our NOAA Fisheries counterparts—the Northwest, Pacific Islands and Alaska Fisheries Science Centers and the West Coast Regional Office—provide sound science for national and international management decisions.
Celebrate with us! Southwest Fisheries Science Center's: Hispanic Heritage Month StoryMap, Pride Month StoryMap, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month StoryMap and Women's History Month StoryMap.
Our Science Divisions
Ecosystem Science Division
The Ecosystem Science Division collects ecosystem observations that characterize the physical environment and organisms living therein, synthesizes ecosystem information, applies models, and collaborates broadly to provide scientific evidence that sustains fisheries, conserves protected resources, and builds resilience to change. Programs include: Antarctic Marine Living Resources, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations, Climate and Ecosystems, Offshore Wind & Trinidad Head Line, and Science Operations and Support. New web pages coming soon!
Fisheries Ecology Division
The Fisheries Ecology Division focuses on demersal and anadromous fish of the California Current and inland waters. We conduct stock assessments for the management of groundfish and salmon fisheries and provide scientific information to support the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
Fisheries Resources Division
The Fisheries Resources Division conducts research on valuable coastal pelagic and highly migratory marine species in the eastern Pacific Ocean. We focus on the ecology, ecosystems, and fisheries of sardine, anchovy, mackerels, abalones, tunas, and sharks in support of domestic and international fisheries management.
Marine Mammal and Turtle Division
The Marine Mammal and Turtle Division conducts research on the conservation and recovery of marine mammals and turtles in all oceans of the world, with a special focus on the eastern Pacific.
Our Leadership and Support Divisions
Office of the Science Director
The Director’s Office provides overall leadership, coordination, and communication for the Center's science programs.
Operations and Management Division
The Operations and Management Division provides administrative and operational services including financial and acquisitions management, human resources, facilities management and safety and environmental compliance in support of the Center’s staff and research mission.
Information Technology and Data Services
The Information Technology and Data Services Division supports the Center and broader ocean science community with two main functions. The Information Technology Services program is responsible for ensuring the seamless integration and operation of our technology infrastructure, encompassing both on-premises systems and cloud-based resources in support of the science mission. Through research, product delivery and data serving, the Environmental Research Data Services program provides access to science-based data, products and services.
Our Leadership
Kristen Koch
Director
Kristen Koch plans, develops, and manages a multidisciplinary program of basic and applied research on the living marine resources in the in the California Current and in freshwater ecosystems of California. She oversees several international research programs, including the U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program and research conducted in the eastern tropical Pacific and throughout the broader Pacific. Prior to being named Director, she served as the Deputy Science and Research Director of the Center for eight years.
John A. Crofts
Deputy Director
John Crofts is Deputy Director of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. John began his NOAA career in 2001 as a NOAA Corps Officer. He most recently served as the Center's Chief of Staff and in a variety of scientific, advisory, and management positions throughout NOAA. He most recently served as the first operational Commanding Officer of NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker leading multiple surveys in the California Current and Gulf of Alaska. Prior to NOAA, he worked as a fish biologist for the Florida Marine Research Institute.