Sep 2026 Edition
A monthly round-up of news and trends important to the AltaSea community.
AltaSea Community Spotlight
Secure your tickets today!
Join us for an unforgettable evening where world-class cuisine, captivating entertainment, and ocean innovation come together at AltaSea.
This year’s Blue Hour 2026 will feature Emmy Award–winning chef, writer, and global cultural ambassador Andrew Zimmern, headlining the evening with a live cooking and tasting experience celebrating sustainable seafood and the future of blue foods.
He’ll be joined by acclaimed chefs Dustin J. Trani and Chris Cosentino, along with 7–10 additional culinary leaders serving signature bites featuring sustainable, ocean-friendly ingredients.
Every bid makes a difference. Proceeds from the Blue Hour auction directly support AltaSea’s education programs, providing students of all ages with hands-on opportunities to explore ocean science, sustainability, and the growing blue economy.
The Blue Future Wall is dedicated to Dr. Melanie Lundquist, whose leadership and support since AltaSea’s inception have helped bring AltaSea from vision to reality. Dr. Lundquist’s generosity and ongoing belief in creating opportunities for young people have opened career pathways for students who might never have imagined a future in ocean science or the blue economy.
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Plans to develop a landside visitor center and adjacent park space next to the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro received an additional $4 million from the Port of Los Angeles, amid kudos from community leaders attending a recent public meeting.
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With less than two years before Los Angeles host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved more than $70 million in constructions projects to ready the waterfront near San Pedro for the boating competitions.
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This week, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles gathered to celebrate an extraordinary friend, philanthropist, and champion of the next generation: Dr. Melanie Lundquist.
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RSVP today!
Join us for our AltaSea Open House: Charting a Legacy of the Sea — a free public event. Learn the story of Moomat Ahiko and explore the history of Tongva maritime traditions, including the cultural significance of ocean voyaging, navigation, and the enduring legacy of the Tongva people.
Become a member today!
AltaSea remains committed to supporting science-based solutions to climate change—solutions that both protect the oceans and benefit local communities. But we can’t do it without your support. Please make a tax-deductible donation and join UrgentSEA, our new membership campaign, today.
Welcome New Members!
Robin A. | Natasha B. | Julia C. | William D. | Ann E. | JM F. | Jeanne G. | Holly K. | Brigette P. | Michelle R.
Further Reading
Marine Science
A humble picnic cooler is helping scientists in Palau address one of the biggest threats facing the ocean.
By turning a cheap consumer cooler into a portable incubator, researchers can transport heat-tolerant coral and buffer it from stressful conditions without relying entirely on expensive lab-style equipment.
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Marine Science
Two miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, in a world near total darkness and crushing pressure. a remotely operated vehicle glided silently through the water.
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Marine Science
Scientists cannot say exactly how many species remain undiscovered in the sea. Fewer than 250,000 marine species have been formally identified, while NOAA estimates that the ocean may contain 700,000 to 1 million species, excluding most microorganisms.
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Sustainable and Innovative Business
A vessel recently sailed through the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm off the Dutch coast to collect the first-ever harvest of seaweed grown between operating turbines, marking a milestone for a project testing whether offshore wind farms can serve more than one purpose at once.
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Sustainable and Innovative Business
In the latest hydrogen news, California’s Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) is adding 13 new hydrogen fuel cell buses to their fleet in the High Desert. This initiative is a key part of their ambitious plan to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035, showcasing a commitment to embracing zero-emission technology in public transport.
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Education
The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program at UC San Diego is welcoming its newest cohort of innovators ready to take their ocean-related ideas to the next level.
A partnership between Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Rady School of Management, this immersive program is designed to support ocean-focused startups across the growth continuum from early-stage startups to small and medium businesses.
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Education
In the field of marine science, even entry-level jobs often require extensive field experience and certifications. BU’s new Marine Science Career Accelerator (MSCA) program is designed to ensure that students graduating from BU’s marine science program (BUMP) have the requisite skills and experience to enter the workforce.