Understanding California's dynamic ocean, and assessing anthropogenic impacts on its marine environments
The California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) is a long-term oceanographic and marine ecosystem monitoring and research program that that surveys the physical, biogeochemical, and biological dynamics of the marine environment with the goal of serving data and science in support of sustainable marine resource management.
Oceanographic Data
Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and many more environmental variables from CTD sampling and underway systems
Marine Ecosystem Data
Marine mammals, seabirds, fish eggs & larvae, zooplankton, phytoplankton, primary production, bacterioplankton, and eDNA from net tows, CTD sampling, and underway systems
Latest News
Farewell to Natalya Gallo: CalCOFI Postdoc
We would like to wish Natalya Gallo, the outgoing CalCOFI postdoctoral scholar, a fond farewell and
Welcome Julia Coates: CalCOFI Committee
We are excited to welcome Julia Coates, Senior Environmental Scientist and Specialist at the California Department
First All-Female Scientist CalCOFI Cruise
The Summer 2020 cruise made history for CalCOFI by having the first all-female science party in
Next Cruise: 2611
Winter CalCOFI Cruise – January 2026
NOAA FSV Reuben Lasker
San Diego to San Diego
Loading: 6 January 2026 (Port of San Diego)
Offloading: 2 Feb 2026 (Port of San Diego)
CalCOFI conducts four research cruises per year; typically in January, April, July, and October.
Cruises depart from and return to San Diego, CA and occasionally San Francisco, CA. Depending on the season and number of stations targeted, cruises are between 15 to 25 days.
Check the Cruises page for dates of upcoming cruises and summaries of completed cruises.
CalCOFI is a unique partnership between government and academic organizations including NOAA’s Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
