NIMR's Mission Statement

Nelson Institute of Marine Research

Santa Barbara, California

OUR MISSION

Seaview's job is never finished. As long as there are destructive forces in the world, as long as there are secrets of nature to be probed, believe me, there will be work for us, on missions just as vital and as dangerous as this one.

Admiral Harriman Nelson.

Listen to Admiral Nelson

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Realizing that 75% of the earth's surface is covered with water, we must strive to better educate ourselves and join forces to "Save our Oceans" and protect the creatures within. In doing so, we will consequently save ourselves. The ocean plays a critical role in our everyday life and in the future of our planet. We believe that as more people understand this and begin to appreciate the earth as a water planet, they will take actions to conserve the ocean and the life it supports.

Mission

Although NIMR takes on occasional jobs for the government, its primary mission is to develop and effectively communicate a fundamental understanding of the processes and characteristics governing how the oceans function and how they interact with the Earth as a whole.

Goals

The Nelson Institute Of Marine Research (NIMR) supports scientific research and educational programs that seek to elucidate and find solutions to the critical problems facing the world's marine ecosystems. NIMR research programs are primarily aimed at understanding and, ultimately, managing important marine species and ecosystems throughout the world's oceans. Our general goal is to be a strong force in reversing the unchecked depletion of marine resources and the degradation of the oceans.

Specific goals of the Institute are:

To provide facilities and support for scientific research on marine environments
To provide a field laboratory for educational programs in all of the marine sciences.
To develop technology and training for low cost aquatic food production around the world
To study physical and ecological relationships on deep and shallow coral reef systems as well as other environments
To establish principles of larval recruitment processes and fisheries oceanography
To develop the scientific basis for rational habitat utilization through conservation and sound management principles
To define ecological requirements of important species residing in the coastal areas around the world with specific emphasis on the California coast-the home of NIMR
To support research and development of renewable and sustainable alternative energy sources