Introduction For thousands of years, ocean currents have flowed around the globe, influencing weather patterns and shaping ecosystems as they go. This global conveyor belt has a “motor” called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) that drives our currents, but climate change is weakening it. It may be surprising that global warming impacts ocean currents, but the warmer our planet gets, the more likely our dynamic ocean and weather patterns will shift. In this article we’ll explain what the AMOC is, how warming temperatures affect it, and what this means for ocean currents, people, and our planet. Oceanic current map developed from satellite data. Photo Credit: Benjamin Storer / University of Rochester The Disaster: A Weakening AMOC To understand the implications of a weakening AMOC, it helps first to understand how our ocean currents normally function. Surface currents are driven primarily by wind while deeper currents are driven by salinity and temperature. Both of these factors can influence the density of water which creates the pressure changes that drive deeper currents. This is known as thermohaline circulation. Because of these influences, our ocean currents are able to travel around the planet, bringing water from the equator to the poles and back. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation specifically refers to the system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean that carries warm equatorial water northward and colder water southward. A map of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Warm equatorial waters travel northward, bringing heat with them. Cold, salty water sinks in the North Atlantic, ultimately powering ocean currents worldwide. Photo Credit: NOAA Let’s pretend you are a water molecule floating through the AMOC system. We’ll start along the equator. Here you are warmed up by the intense equatorial sunlight. As you float northward, you are picked up by the Gulf Stream, a strong ocean current leading you upward along the coasts of the Americas. Every second, 17 million cubic meters of seawater is carried northward by the AMOC (an equivalent of 6,800 Olympic swimming pools!) The Gulf Stream carries you farther away from the heat of the equator and you eventually begin to cool. By the time you reach the North Atlantic, you’ve become much, much colder. In fact, it is so cold that the water around you freezes into sea ice. As this sea ice forms, salt is left behind and the salinity of the ocean water increases. Compared to where you started, the ocean is now both colder and saltier, and both of these characteristics make the water denser. Denser water sinks. You begin to rapidly drop toward the bottom of the ocean. This sinking is incredibly powerful, and it drives the AMOC cycle, acting as a motor to the ocean current system. As you float down, you also travel back southward where you will eventually resurface near the equator in a process known as upwelling. Upwelling brings nutrients from the deep sea to the surface, which helps support marine life. When you surface, you are warm again and ready to continue traveling the globe. All ocean currents are connected, and the AMOC (particularly the sinking in the North Atlantic) is powerful enough to drive the flow of water around the planet. The AMOC allows for the transfer of heat from the equator northward which helps regulate the weather in Europe, keeping it from freezing over despite its high latitude. But climate change threatens to shut the whole system down. With rising temperatures, the water in the North Atlantic is becoming less dense. This is both because warmer water is inherently less dense and because it is now too warm for the sea ice to form. Additionally, melting ice and increased rainfall are adding back more freshwater. The combination leads to less salty and therefore less dense water. Without dense water to rapidly sink, the motor of the AMOC is slowing down and threatening to disrupt ocean currents everywhere. The Impact Some data suggests the AMOC has already slowed down by as much as 15% since 1950. So what happens if the AMOC shuts down entirely? Without the AMOC, Europe would no longer receive the extra heat from the equator that the AMOC provides. This would make for much colder winters. Additionally, the climate is a very fragile and interconnected system, so while Europe would be the most directly affected, these changes would also impact weather patterns globally. An AMOC collapse could affect the Indian monsoon season and create droughts in parts of Africa. It could also increase sea level rise on the East Coast of the US and affect rainy/dry seasons in the Amazon, etc. The AMOC brings warmer temperatures to Europe by distributing heat northward from the equator. Without it, Europe would see much colder and harsher winter weather. This image is of the Dolomites in Italy. Photo Credit: Anastasia Gubinskaya / Getty Images Recovery / Conclusion The AMOC collapse is an example of a climate “tipping point”, meaning that it would have massive repercussions and would be nearly impossible to reverse. While research has not yet determined how soon or how certain that collapse might be, it is clear that the AMOC is slowing down, and even a little bit of that weakening could have serious implications. That’s why it is important that we take immediate action to slow emissions, curb climate change, and avoid it altogether. In order to keep our ocean currents and our weather patterns stable, we need to protect the AMOC and avoid another disaster at sea. Citations / Directories Citation No. 1: “Effects of Climate Change”, Written by Unknown, Published on Unknown Date. Published by NOAA. Retrieval Date: August 30th, 2026 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_currents/05conveyor3.html Citation No. 2: “Oceans Explained AMOC”, Written by Unknown, Published on Unknown Date. Published by National Oceanography Centre. Retrieval Date: September 1st, 2026 https://www.noc.ac.uk/discover-the-ocean/oceans-explained/the-atlantic-meridional-overturning-circulation Citation No. 3: “ What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?”, Written by Unknown, Published on Unknown Date. Published by NOAA. Retrieval Date: September 8th, 2026 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/amoc.html Citation No. 4: “What would happen if the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) Collapses? How likely is it?”, Written by MIT Climate Portal Writing team, Published on November 7th, 2024. Published by Climate Portal. Retrieval Date: September 9th, 2026 https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/what-would-happen-if-atlantic-meridional-overturning-circulation-amoc-collapses-how-likely Citation No. 5: “What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?”, Written by Unknown, Published on Unknown Date. Published by NOAA. Retrieval Date: September 9th, 2026 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/amoc.html Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Three J’s Kitchen Presence News Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A photograph of the gorgeous coast near Trieste, Italy. Credit to Dovolenkářka. Today’s article focuses on the oceans surrounding Trieste, Italy. Trieste is a port city located in Northern Italy along the Adriatic Sea. It has a fairly large population of 198,668 individuals. It is located near the Italian-Slovenian & Italian-Croatian borders. The city links these 3 countries, as well as the rest of the Mediterranean, making it a center of trade. Modernly, it is considered the Mediterranean endpoint of the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, an international development initiative developed by the Chinese Government. Trieste is often colloquially referred to as the “City of Science”, given its heavy research presence. Across Europe, it has the highest number of researchers per capita, at an astounding 37.1 per thousand individuals. In addition to its scientific prowess, it is also known for its contributions to the coffee industry, affectionately referred to by lovers of the drink as the “City of Coffee”. Annually, residents of Trieste consume twice the mean of the average Italian. The city is packed with historic cafes, coffee breweries, roasters, & important companies. Apart from its statuesque architecture, vibrant culinary scene, & domineering research industry, Trieste is known for its natural beauty. With wonders such as the Miramare Nature Reserve, Rosandra Valley Reserve, & Carsiana Botanical Garden, the city is home to thousands of fascinating creatures, both terrestrial & marine. Trieste’s coastlines boast brilliant biodiversity, from Fan Mussels (Atrina fragilis), to Peacock Blennies (Salaria pavo). Thousands of species large & small call the waters surrounding Trieste their home. As a result of these robust ecosystems, an eco-tourism economy has developed. Coastal walks, snorkelling, boat excursions, & scuba diving are all available at the UNESCO MaB Miramare Reserve. In this article, we will discuss the salinity, tides, temperatures, & marine geography, the most prominent ecosystems, marine flora, & marine fauna of Trieste. With that being said, let us delve into the beautiful blue waters of Trieste, Italy! The Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, Depth, & Marine Geography of Trieste The salinity around Trieste fluctuates wildly depending on the season, weather, & local conditions. Salinity in the Gulf of Trieste may vary from 35 to 38 parts per thousand (practical salinity units). (Salinity is measured in 1000-gram increments of water, & for every 1000 grams of water, a certain amount of salt is present.)This measurement is called parts per thousand, or practical salinity units. Factors such as seasonal freshwater runoff from rivers, namely the Soča (Isonzo) River can play a role in influencing the salinity. Water leaving the region through processes such as evaporation can increase salinity, while water entering the region through freshwater inflow may decrease the salinity. As such, the salinity in the region varies significantly depending on seasonality & local conditions, with the average hovering around 37 parts per thousand (practical salinity units). The tidal charts for Trieste may be found on a plethora of websites, including https://www.tide-forecast.com/, https://www.tideschart.com/, & https://www.thetidechart.com/. Tides are relatively low, with a maximum tidal range of approximately 130 centimeters (4.3 feet) during especially strong spring tides. Tides generally stay between 40 & 60 centimeters (1.3 to 1.9 feet). Trieste’s waters are generally calm, with gentle waves. The temperature charts for Trieste may be found on similar websites, including https://www.seatemperature.org, https://seatemperature.info/, & https://seatemperature.info/. The average annual sea temperature is approximately 63.5° Fahrenheit (17.54 Celsius). According to this average, it is recommended that anyone who desires to engage in diving, or a similar aquatic recreation should use a 4 to 5-millimeter-thick wetsuit. A few of the most popular beaches around Trieste include Beach Barcola, La Lanterna, Topolini Beach, Liburnia Beach, & Sisitiana. A photograph of Liburnia Beach near Trieste, Italy. This beach is known for its lovely pebbled shores, & calm coastal waters. Credit to Mitja Kemperle. In the Gulf of Trieste, water reaches a maximum of 121 feet, with an average of 61 feet. The seafloor around Trieste is predominantly flat, & composed of Holocene-aged (8,800 to 10,000 years ago) marine sediment. The Marine Ecosystems of Trieste Ecosystem Type No. 1: Intertidal Zones An intertidal zone is an area of coastline that is exposed to air at low tide, & is covered with water at high tide. It is a very important location for many small marine animals, such as gastropods, crustaceans, & bivalves. Many animals will take advantage of the nutrients & microorganisms that come in with the high tide. Tide pools are a kind of rock formation located in the intertidal zone, in which water becomes trapped to form a small pool at low tide as the tide recedes, creating a miniature sea of sorts. These pools generally have species from the phyla Echinodermata & Mollusca in them. Around Trieste, these zones are also inhabited by a species of endemic brown macroalgae known as Fucus virsoides. This brown macroalga provides important habitats to the local marine life. Ecosystem Type No. 2: Soft Muddy Seabeds Much of the seafloor in the Gulf of Trieste is composed of soft, flat, muddy seabeds. These seabeds are a hotspot for benthic, or bottom-dwelling marine life. They act as a space for benthic fish such as the common sole (Solea solea), & peacock blenny (Salaria pavo). In addition to benthic fish, they act as a hotspot for molluscs & echinoderms such as the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lindus), brittle stars, sea cucumbers, & sea stars. A noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis) sticking out of the seafloor, surrounded by all manner of marine life. This photograph was taken off the coast of Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. Credit to Ullstein Bild. Ecosystem Type No. 3: The Pelagic Zone The open waters around Trieste are home to larger marine life such as the Blue Shark (Prionace glauca), bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), squid, sea turtles, & dolphins. Blooms of the jellyfish species Rhizostoma pulmo can also be found from spring to autumn. As a result of the water column being so shallow, water can vary significantly in temperature depending on seasonal conditions. The Marine Flora of Trieste Trieste is home to an abundance of marine flora, including common eelgrass (Zostera marina), little neptune grass (Cymodocea nodosa), & the endemic brown macroalgae Fucus virsoides. Common Eelgrass (Zostera marina): A seagrass meadow of what is believed to be Zostera marina. Credit to Sue Scott. Common eelgrass, also known as seawrack, is a true seagrass native to the North Pacific & Atlantic. It is characterized by bright green slender blades, usually 7.8 to 19.6 inches (20 to 50 centimeters) long. This species is frequently found along the coast, & is known for favouring muddy or sandy shorelines. It is known for forming dense aggregations known as meadows, which act as an important habitat for juvenile fish. This species is also an important food source for seabirds. Little Neptune Grass (Cymodocea nodosa): A photograph of a patch of Little Neptune grass. Credit to Bernat Garrigós. Little Neptune grass is a species of true seagrass native to the Mediterranean Sea, & Atlantic Ocean. It is recognized for its long, thin, dark green blades. Fucus virsoides: A photograph of a patch of Fucus virsoides. Credit to Alchetron. Fucus virsoides is a species of brown macroalgae endemic to the Adriatic Sea. Although it once formed extensive underwater forests, it is now considered endangered. It is the only species of its genus known to inhabit the Mediterranean. Favouring rocky coastal waters, this species may be seen growing along the sea cliffs around Trieste. It is important to note that algae isn’t technically a plant, & is instead a heterokont/stramenopile, making it a protist. The Marine Fauna of Trieste From the shores to the pelagic, Trieste is positively teeming with marine animals. Creatures include the common sole (Solea solea), peacock blenny (Salaria pavo), common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lindus), blue shark (Prionace glauca), bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), squid, sea turtles, common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo), bull ray (Aetomylaeus bovinus), & assorted brittle stars, sea cucumbers, & sea stars. A photograph of a scuba diver jumping into the gorgeous Miramare Marine Reserve. Credit to Hostel Museum. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “Trieste Gulf”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Tourism. https://www.turismofvg.it/en/sea/sea-trieste-gulf?LangSetCMS=en Citation No. 2: “The 33 best beaches in and around Trieste”, Written by the Wanderlog Staff, & Published on February 28th, 2025. Published by Wanderlog. https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/110104/best-beaches-in-and-around-trieste Citation No. 3: “Species and Habitat”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by AMP Miramare. https://www.ampmiramare.it/en/species-and-habitat/ Citation No. 4: “Interactive Identification Key for Marine Organisms of the Gulf of Trieste”, Written by Nataša Dolenc Orbanić, Claudio Battelli, Janja Plazar, Petra Furlan, & Nastja Cotič, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the University of Trieste. https://dryades.units.it/home/index.php?procedure=ext_key_home&key_type=var&key_id=10002 Citation No. 5: “Wetsuit thickness & temperature guide”, Written by Mark Evans, & Published on April 24th, 2023, at 3:05 PM. Published By Scuba Divers Magazine. https://divernet.com/content-marketing/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-guide/#Scuba_diving_wetsuits Citation No. 6: “Submerged and buried Pleistocene river channels in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea): Geomorphic, stratigraphic and tectonic inferences”, Written by Ana Trobec, Andrej Šmuc, Sašo Poglajen, & Marko Vrabec, & Published on June 1st, 2027. Published by Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169555X16310893 Citation No. 7: “Multi-platform study of the extreme bloom of the barrel jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) in the northernmost gulf of the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Trieste) in April 2021”, Written by Nydia Catalina Reyes Suàrez, Valentina Tirelli, Laura Ursella, Matjaž Ličer, Massimo Cello, & Vanessa Cardin, & Published on May 31st, 2022. Published by EGUsphere. https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2022/egusphere-2022-393/ Citation No. 8: “Thickness of marine Holocene sediment in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea)”, Written by Ana Trobec, Martina Busetti, Fabrizio Zgur, Luca Baradello, Alberto Babich, Andrea Cova, Emiliano Gordini, Roberto Romeo, Isabella Tomini, Sašo Poglajen, Paolo Diviacco, & Marko Vrabec, & Published on June 14th, 2018. Published by Copernicus Publications. https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/10/1077/2018/essd-10-1077-2018.pdf Citation No. 9: “Trieste, sightings of bull rays: Unique Mediterranean case but threat to mussel farms”, Written by Chiara Zampiva, & Published on July 17th, 2026. Published by Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2026/07/17/trieste-sightings-of-bull-rays-unique-mediterranean-case-but-threat-to-mussel-farms Citation No. 10: “Common Eelgrass”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by The Wildlife Trusts UK. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/seaweeds-and-seagrass/common-eelgrass Citation No. 11: “Little Neptune Grass”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by PlantSnap. https://plantsnap.com/plant-care/cymodocea-nodosa Citation No. 12: “Fucus virsoides in the Adriatic Sea: a glacial relict in the era of climate changes”, Written by Emannuelle Descourvières, & Published on April 16th, 2026. Published by the University of Trieste. https://arts.units.it/handle/11368/3108140 Citation No. 13: “Ecophysiological responses of Fucus virsoides (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) to past and present nutrient conditions in the northern Adriatic”, Written by Emmanuelle Descourvières, Martina Mulas, Sara Natale, Raquel Sánchez de Pedro, Alessandro Alboresi, Cosimo Solidoro, Vinko Bandelj, & Annalisa Falace, & Published October 7th, 2024. Published by the University of Trieste. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00227-024-04523-1.pdf Citation No. 14: “9 Beaches in & Around Trieste”, Written by Kat Smith, & Published on April 16th, 2026. Published by Mamma Mia Indeed. https://www.mammamiaindeed.com/articles/beaches-in-trieste Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Three J’s Kitchen Presence News Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A photograph of the beautiful coastline of Patagonia. Credit to golero/Getty Images. Today’s map is an antique 173-year-old nautical chart of Patagonia. This chart is rather large, at 26.5 inches long by 38.3 inches wide. It is in pristine condition, with minimal soiling, except for some discolouration on the far left. It focuses on the southern reaches of Argentina, as well as Chile. It also features the Falkland, & South Shetland Islands. In today’s article, we are going to examine this fascinating antique nautical map, discuss it, & analyze it. With that being said, let’s delve into the frigid, unforgiving waters of the South Atlantic! The Chart A 173-year-old antique nautical chart of Patagonia, produced by Aime Robiquet. Credit to raremaps.com. This chart features the southern tip of Patagonia, Tierra Del Fuego, as well as the South Shetland Islands. It is filled with useful navigation information, critical to any mariner of the era looking to navigate Patagonia. It is elegantly decorated with a minimalist cartouche consisting of curved & wavy lines. 3 compasses roses are available throughout, which would have assisted sailors in not losing their way in the formidable Strait of Magellan. It is in French, as it was originally published in Paris. Off the coast of Western Patagonia, the phrase “Les chiffres de Sondes experiment des Métres, Pour convertir les Métres en brasses il fault divisier par 1.62”, which roughly translates to “The figures from the experimental depth soundings are in meters. To convert meters to fathoms, divide by 1.62”. This would have been used by any sailor looking to gauge the depth of the sea surrounding them in order to ensure they would not run aground, & that they had enough swivel to support their anchor. Information for this chart was gathered from 2 primary expeditions, respectively from 1826 to 1830, & from 1831 to 1836. During the first of these expeditions, the HMS Beagle & the HMS Adventure were dispatched by the Royal Navy to explore Patagonia, Tierra Del Fuego, & the Strait of Magellan, with the goal of developing a more advanced understanding of the region for navigation & shipping. Captain Pringle Stokes, the commander of the HMS Beagle, unfortunately passed away by suicide during the voyage. He was quickly replaced by the 23-year-old Lieutenant Robert FitzRoy. After a hostage situation in which a group of Indigenous peoples from Tierra Del Fuego took hold of one of the Beagle’s tenders (support boats), resulting in Captain FitzRoy taking multiple Indigenous individuals hostage, the expedition ended relatively peacefully, having achieved its goals. Upon its return, the HMS Beagle was renovated to have the best scientific & navigational equipment available. A second expedition was then dispatched to the region in 1831, with Charles Darwin in tow. Darwin would go on to make some of the most consequential biological, geological, & geographical observations during this fateful journey, publishing Journal & Remarks, later renamed The Voyage of the Beagle (1839) as a result of the expedition. A watercolour illustration of a group of Indigenous peoples hailing the HMS Beagle somewhere in Patagonia. This illustration was done by English landscape painter Conrad Martens, who joined the HMS Beagle from 1833 to 1834. An Analysis of the Chart The chart was originally published in 1853 by Aimé Robiquet. Aimé Robiquet was a French cartographer, hydrographer, & publisher during the 19th century. Unfortunately, very little is known about his life, including his date of birth & death. His offices were located at Rue Pavée Saint Andre No. 2, in Paris, France. This chart was originally titled “Carte des Cotes de la Patagonie et des Mers du Cap Horn Dressee d'apres de Travaux du Cap.e R. Fitz Roy de la Marine Britannique”, which roughly translates to “Map of the Patagonian Coast and the Seas off Cape Horn, Based on the Surveys of Captain R. Fitz Roy of the British Navy”. Upon reviewing the publishing house, & time it was made, this chart was most likely manufactured using lithography. Lithography is a method of printing that arose in the 1820s, & remained the most popular method of printing in both color & grayscale until the early 1960s, when more efficient methods became available. Although it has existed since the mid-1790s, it took a long time to gain popularity in Europe due to technical difficulties. It only began gaining commercial popularity in the early 1820s. It is still used for certain kinds of printing today, such as fine art printing, however, digital printing is far more common. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the image is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho-press. Afterward, an exact copy of what was supposed to be printed is revealed. It is extremely useful for making high-resolution prints in high quantities. A stunning photograph of Yendegaia Bay National Park, Hornos Island, Chile. This island is located at the southern tip of Tierra Del Fuego, near Cape Horn. Credit to Andreea Lotak. Directories / Credits All credit for the map analyzed today goes to Rare Maps, a California rare & antique maps store. To purchase this chart, antique atlases, or other cartographic objects, please visit www.raremaps.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Rare Maps, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Three J’s Kitchen Presence News Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

We are a marine biology nonprofit organization, based in the United States. Our goals are to protect the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement.

The Persaud Foundation is a marine biology nonprofit organization, based in the United States. Our goals are to protect the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation The Persaud Foundation We are a U.S 501(c)3 marine biological nonprofit organization, dedicated to protecting the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. We currently run an electronic newsletter called The Persaud Catalog , publish online courses about marine biology, & conduct local conservation & education events in Southern California. The Three Pillars Of Our Organization Our Online Courses: We believe in promoting ocean literacy, supporting the ocean through education, and fostering people's oceanic curiosity. For this reason, in August 2024, we officially launched our first course. We currently have twelve courses available, with two more under construction. Every course can be found here. For updates, please sign up for our mailing list! Our Electronic Newsletter: For those who wish to advance their marine biological knowledge, we publish an electronic marine biological newsletter approximately 7 times per month. We publish on a variety of topics within marine biology, from ecology to individual ocean creatures. We strive to have an article for everyone, & attract marine biological enthusiasts, professionals in the field, & all those with a curious mind. Each article can be found here. Our Public Conservation Events & Public Educational Events: We frequently conduct conservation events in California, such as Beach Cleanups. We cannot do this without people like you! To find out the closest beach cleanup, please consult our Events Calendar. We appreciate each & every volunteer that we get, & highly recommend getting involved if you want to make a difference. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us at thepersaudfoundation@gmail.com or consult our Eventbrite page. In addition to this, we currently conduct local oceanic education events, which can also be found on our calendar. Reach Out To Us! Name Email Subject Message Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Submit Thank you for submitting! We willl respond to your message as soon as possible. What exactly does your organization do & what is its mission? We are dedicated to raising ocean literacy, protecting the ocean through education, conservation, & public involvement. As of 2026, we operate a marine biological science communication newsletter, “The Persaud Catalog”, published approximately 7 times per month, a marine biological online course program, & we conduct public marine biological conservation events in California. We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, based in the U.S. What exactly are your online courses? We believe in protecting the ocean through conservation, & education. Education about the sea is essential to conservation, as people cannot understand the needs of the sea & its creatures if they do not understand our ocean & its creatures. We currently offer 12 online courses , with 2 more under construction and scheduled for release soon. Our courses vary in topic; however, they typically discuss marine creatures, as people cannot understand the needs of these marine animals if they do not understand the marine animals in the first place. Our online courses can be found here. What is the benefit of reading your newsletter? Our newsletter, The Persaud Catalog, publishes approximately 7 times per month, with article topics ranging from individual marine animals to how marine resources were used in different areas historically. In addition, we conduct interviews with marine scientists, ocean ecologists, conservationists, & science communicators alike to share the beauty, value, & wonder of the ocean & marine science with as many people as possible. We work our hardest to provide interesting, informative, & engaging articles to our supporters. Each of our articles can be found in the articles tab of our website, or, to search for a specific article or topic, please use our navigation bar. What is the Santa Monica Marine Fauna Survey Program? Our Santa Monica Marine Fauna Survey is a program designed to showcase the beauty of Santa Monica Bay, encourage more residents of the area to take an interest in their marine life, & provide a comprehensive list of the marine life in Santa Monica Bay. Anyone who wishes to support this project is encouraged to submit photographs here , where one of our staff or volunteers will process them, then use them to create a web entry on this page . Do you have an ocean question or question about our organization? Email us & we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Reach Out To Us

The Persaud Foundation is always looking for partnerships with other scientific organizations, student organziations, volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, & newsletters. To discuss a potential collaboration, please email thepersaudfoundation@gmail.com. Partnerships & Partnership Opportunities The Persaud Foundation is always looking for partnerships with other scientific organizations, student organizations, volunteer groups, & newsletters. These organizations or groups assist us in a variety of ways, & support, as well as assist us in our mission to protect the ocean through conservation, education & public involvement. To discuss a potential collaboration, please email us at thepersaudfoundation@gmail.com . A few of our current partner organizations, groups, or podcasts are listed below, & at the end of all of our articles. We also partner with businesses such as restaurants & bookstores who are looking to find ways to support the planet.