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
Welcome, Josie Adams, SIO CalCOFI’s new Research Associate
We are excited to welcome Josie Adams to the SIO CalCOFI oceanographic team. Josie is a recent graduate
Welcome, Luke Irza, CalCOFI’s new Research Associate
We are excited to welcome Luke Irza to the CalCOFI team. Luke will serve as a
Welcome, Rachel Pound, CalCOFI’s new Research Associate
We are excited to welcome Rachel Pound to the CalCOFI team. Rachel will serve as a
Welcome Zack Gold, CalCOFI’s new Molecular Ecologist!
We are pleased to welcome Zack Gold to the CalCOFI team. Dr. Gold will serve in
Data science team completes app to explore CalCOFI physical data
CalCOFI collaborated with the Central Coast Data Science Partnership at UCSB to develop an exploratory app
Environmental Policy Masters team completes an assessment on integrated social and ecological management in CA agencies
The UC Davis Environmental Policy and Management Program team in partnership with California Sea Grant, Delta
Spring CalCOFI Cruise – March – April 2026
NOAA FSV Bell M. Shimada
San Diego to San Francisco
Loading: 28-30 March 2026 (Port of San Diego 10th Avenue Marine Terminal)
Offloading: 25 April 2026 (San Francisco Pier)
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.
