M o n t e r e y B ay a q u a r i u Mr e s e a r c h i n s t i t u t e

Strategic Plan2006

Mission StatementThe mission of MBARI is to achieve and maintain a position as a world center for advanced research and education in ocean science and technology, and to do so through the development of better instruments, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean. MBARI emphasizes the peer relationship between engineers and scientists as a basic principle of its operation. All of the activities of MBARI must be characterized by excellence, innovation, and vision.

— David Packard MBARI Founder

Table of ContentsForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Strategic Plan

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Constitution: Goals and Metrics for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Research Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Institutional Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Appendix I: Analysis of MBARI’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Appendix II: Values Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

� • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

MBARI’s VisionMBARI is the world leader in creating the capacity to achieve advanced understand-ing for informed stewardship of the ocean in a world of expanding human impact.

Foreword

The ocean harbors the largest percentage of Earth’s biosphere and gives life to the rest of our planet. Yet the future of the ocean is now less cer-tain than during any previous period in human history. The ocean

and its ecosystems are changing rapidly in response to both human and natu-ral phenomena before we have even explored, much less understood, the pres-ent state. These changes are causing havoc to human civilization which rests on a foundation of environmental stability. Our capacity for understand-ing the complexity of the ocean, and for forecasting a realistic view of its future that we will partially create, is limited by the lack of technology for observ-ing the ocean and maintaining a sustained presence in that harsh environment.

Against that backdrop, MBARI looks forward to its third decade of service in devel-oping and fielding new technologies that enable breakthroughs in ocean explo-ration, observation, and experimentation. Our objective is to establish Monterey Bay as the best characterized and understood model for ocean processes of global and societal relevance. Our research plan focuses on three interconnected themes: human perturbations, natural rhythms, and processes at the edge of the ocean, where humans most impact the ocean and are most impacted by it. The knowledge gained will lead to Monterey Bay being the region of choice for validating new tech-nologies and management approaches to ocean conservation and environmental stewardship that can be applied worldwide.

This plan is meant to be a living document, updated periodically to reflect changing priorities in a changing world and the progress that MBARI makes in meeting its objectives.

Definition of TermsGoals: The points that mark the ultimate state that MBARI wants to reach. The analogy is the goalposts in a football game.

objectives: The near-term achievements that will mark MBARI’s progress in pursuing its goals. The analogy is the next first down in a football game.

strategies: The approaches that MBARI will adopt to reach its objectives. The analogy is the plays called on each down of a football game.

Strategic Plan • �

MBARI Strategic Plan�Creating�the�capacity�for�advanced�understanding��of�the�ocean�in�a�world�of�expanding�human�impact.

I. Introduction

Oceanography is a young and dynamic science in which progress is closely coupled to the development of new instruments, tools, and meth-ods. In the last several decades, it has evolved from a science driven by the

national interests of defense and mineral extraction to a science additionally grap-pling with the global concerns of climate change and global competitiveness. Today we stand at a cusp: our understanding of the ocean, as it informs policy decisions by government, may determine the nature of the world in which our descendants live.

Several factors suggest that MBARI is poised to make exceptional contributions to defining how mankind can best preserve and benefit from the ocean’s contributions to the habitability of this planet:

• Reports published by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (Box 1) and the Pew Oceans Commission reaffirm the importance of the ocean to the health of the planet and the well-being of our society; they insist repeatedly that there be more investment in ocean exploration and observing to provide a sound basis for decision making. MBARI anticipated these needs years ago, and is already well positioned for impact.

• The interdisciplinary nature of ocean research and the specialized facilities required have dictated the creation of oceanographic institutions that apply cutting-edge technologies to key questions in marine science. The Packard Foundation’s investments in institution building at MBARI, rather than funding disconnected research projects at diverse institutions, has created an environment where interdisciplinary teams are well equipped to address the forefront issues.

• MBARI stands apart from other oceanographic institutions by tackling those aspects of marine research that are technology-limited through its science/engineering partnership (Box 2) and by bringing those technology develop-ments quickly to practical marine application through its dedicated, premier marine operations group.

http://www.oceancommission.gov

1 Strategic Importance of Ocean Research

“ The importance of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes cannot be overstated; they are critical to the very existence and well-being of the nation and its people…Sustained investments will be required to: sup-port research and exploration; pro-vide an adequate infrastructure for data collection, science, and man-agement; and translate new scien-tific findings into useful and timely information products for managers, educators, and the public.”

An Ocean Blueprint for the 20th Century

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

� • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

II. Constitution

MBARI is defined by the enduring aspects of our institution, including our goals and the metrics we use to determine whether we are successful.

Goalsa. Transform and advance understanding of the most significant unsolved prob-

lems in oceanography by developing, adapting, and demonstrating innovative technologies.

B. Utilize those developments to discover and understand how the natural sys-tem operates, responds to, and interacts with anthropogenic influences.

c. Transfer the knowledge gained and the technology developed to communi-ties outside of MBARI, including policy makers, government laboratories, resource managers, and the public.

Metrics�for�Successimmediate

• MBARI research is published in first-tier journals.

• MBARI developments are highlighted in technology publications.

Five-year time frame• MBARI technology is in demand for adoption by groups external to the

institution, and that demand is met through external partnerships, licensing, copying, or other strategies as appropriate.

• Results of MBARI research and development shape the direction of outside research programs by focusing research topics and indicating promising tech-nical approaches.

ten-year time frame• MBARI technology defines industry standards.

• MBARI research results impact communities beyond our research peers.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/esp.htm

Field trials of a “first generation” (1G) ESP have proven that remote detec-tion of bacteria, toxic phytoplankton, and invertebrate larvae based on DNA sequence is feasible.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Pol-icy highlighted the importance of developing new tools for monitor-ing the health of the world’s oceans and waterways. The ideal instru-ment would rapidly and remotely detect bacteria, harmful algae and invasive species based on unique criteria, such as genetic code. Iden-tifying these organisms from their DNA outside of a laboratory poses many technological challenges. To overcome this impediment, scien-tists and engineers at MBARI devel-oped an Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), an autonomous, in situ instrument system that acquires water samples, concentrates small organisms by filtration, and applies reagents to identify their genetic material. A “second generation” (2G) ESP, now under development with support from several federal agen-cies and private foundations, will be deployed from moorings, ROVs and cabled observatory platforms, spanning surface waters to the deep ocean.

2 Tackling the Technology-Limited

Aspects of Ocean Research

Strategic Plan • �

III. Research Plan

MBARI is a small institute and so must focus its efforts on important problems that are suited to its technically sophisticated approach to ocean research, special-ized marine assets, and location. Our selection of research objectives, themes, and strategies in this plan is driven by a realistic assessment of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (Appendix I) and is consistent with our institutional values (Appendix II).

Our principal research objective for the next five to ten years is to establish Mon-terey Bay as a significant test bed and model for ocean research on issues of global and societal relevance listed below. We will focus on those aspects of these themes that have not been addressed adequately elsewhere owing to the risks of technology development, current shortfalls in observing and measurement systems, or the dif-ficulty of performing ocean experiments. Monterey Bay will become the standard against which new models are tested and other oceanic locales are compared. This understanding will establish Monterey Bay as the region of choice for validating new technologies and management approaches to ocean conservation and environ-mental stewardship.

Research�Themes

MBARI will pursue three interconnected research themes of great societal interest that are well suited to our current marine assets and well represented in the ocean waters of and near Monterey Bay.

• Human perturbations to the ocean, such as ocean acidification (Box 3), eutrophication, and toxic blooms caused by pollution and coastal run-off. MBARI will employ several approaches to understanding the response of natural systems to human perturbations, such as controlled experimenta-tion and monitoring longer-term changes to natural systems following policy changes, such as the establishment of marine protected areas.

• Natural rhythms of the complex ocean systems (Box 4), such as quantify-ing and understanding variability in the ocean food web on the seasonal, El Niño, and North Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) time scales.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/foce.htm

The Free Ocean Carbon Experiment (FOCE) apparatus on the floor of MBARI’s test tank. This device main-tains a lower pH state in the interior of the array to monitor the effects of increased CO2 in the ocean.

An underappreciated consequence of fossil fuel use is the fact that much of the CO2 released to the atmosphere is eventually absorbed by the ocean due to strong cou-pling in the ocean-atmosphere sys-tem. This CO2 influx has caused an increase in ocean acidity (reduced ocean pH) by approximately 30% over the past 150 years. Predictions are that by the end of this century, pH values of the world ocean will drop to values lower than observed on Earth for 100 million years or more. It is unknown how such large changes in CO2 chemistry will affect the biology and biogeochemistry of the oceans. MBARI is conducting groundbreaking studies to increase our understanding of the fate of the future high-CO2 ocean.

3 Human Perturbations to the Ocean

� • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

• Phenomena at the edge of the ocean (Box 5), such as biogeochemical processes in ocean upwelling systems, the stability of methane hydrates, the formation and dynamics of submarine canyons, chemical exchanges with estuaries, and biogeochemical processes in fluid seeps. An important aspect of this research theme is how these phenomena might respond to changes in natural and anthropogenic influences, such as temperature, ocean chemistry, sea level, aquifer pumping, and sediment supply to the coastal ocean.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/bog.htm

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4 Natural Rhythms of a Complex Ocean

Time series showing variations in temperature (upper) and chlorophyll (lower) in Monterey Bay between 1989 and �00�.

For nearly two decades MBARI has maintained a time series in Monterey Bay that monitors how the changing physics of the ocean in response to both natural and anthropogenic forcing affects the chemistry and biology of the ocean. Small increases in surface temperature lead to relatively large decreases in plant pro-duction in the upper ocean by damping the upwelling that brings plant nutrients to the surface. Perfectly natural effects such as El Niño events and longer- duration but poorly-understood decadal oscillations dominate the record, with attendant repercussions for primary productivity and the health of commercial fisheries. The longer-term trend of increasing temperatures from global warming are particularly prominent in California waters. The chemical and biological con-sequences will become evident in the coming decades.

MBARI’s ROV Ventana carries the vibracoring system to the bottom of Monterey Bay.

ROV-mounted vibracorers, remote instrument nodes, and a ROV-AUV deployed multibeam mapping sys-tem are providing data that illus-trate the passage of sediments as they are transported from the land, across the shore and into the deep-sea in unprecedented detail. These systems have indicated that major submarine gravity flows occur in the upper canyon on a sub-annual frequency, document hyperpycnal flows within the canyon, track pene-tration of agricultural pesticides into deep sea, provide records that illu-minate the impacts of 19th century land-use practices, and are allow-ing the events associated with large earthquakes and their recurrence interval to be documented.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/rov.htm

5 Phenomena at the Edge of the Ocean

Strategic Plan • �

Research�Actions• Challenge MBARI researchers to develop a targeted five-year plan with assess-

able milestones for a focused, multidisciplinary research program that will make measurable progress on understanding key processes in Monterey Bay, based on the results of the scoping studies currently underway. The objec-tive is to advance significantly our understanding of the connections between natural or anthropogenic factors and fundamental ocean processes. Studies of some processes might quite naturally precede others depending on their relevant time scales, complexity, and the schedule for delivery of required technology. After five years, evaluate the success of the effort in Monterey Bay, with possible outcomes being a large-scale experiment in Mexico or Peru, two developing countries within range of our marine assets, and next-generation field programs within Monterey Bay.

• Create a technology roadmap of instrumentation and observing systems to be deployed and proven in Monterey Bay, but with global application. This road-map will identify gaps in existing instrumentation and build on MBARI’s substantial recent progress with in situ sensing of marine chemistry, biology, and geological events.

• Target platforms development with the goal of reducing the total lifecycle cost of acquiring high-quality scientific data from the ocean.

• Develop a data archive for Monterey Bay that can be easily accessed by users who are not data providers and which can be integrated seamlessly with related data sets from the larger oceanographic community.

• Establish partnerships with individuals, institutions, government laboratories, and initiatives beyond MBARI (Box 6) to broaden the collective expertise and set of marine assets focused on Monterey Bay. These partnerships will help export lessons learned, methodology, and technology developed in Monterey Bay to other locations and into operations.

IV. Institutional objectives and strategies

The organizational actions we will take build on our strengths, repair our weak-nesses, take advantage of external opportunities, and avoid external threats. The Research Plan above is structured in such a way as to capitalize on our uniqueness, take advantage of past investments in ocean observing, mitigate MBARI’s weakness in technology transition, offset the small size of the institute through focusing and partnering, and respond to the rising concerns for ocean health. Other facets of the SWOT analysis (Appendix I) are tied less directly to the Research Plan, and are therefore addressed in the Institutional Plan.

Illustration of the numerous platforms deployed in Monterey Bay as part of the AOSN experiment.

In 2003, more than 45 research-ers from 16 different institutions converged at MBARI to conduct the most ambitious experiment in ocean prediction ever attempted. The Autonomous Ocean Sampling Network (AOSN) combined sophisti-cated new robotic vehicles returning data to shore in near-real time with the most advanced ocean models to improve the ability to jointly observe and predict wind-driven upwelling in Monterey Bay. “Adaptive sam-pling” control strategies redirected the mobile observing platforms to regions in the three-dimensional ocean where additional informa-tion was most critical for accurate future forecasts. This smart sampling strategy allows researchers to make the most of the invariably limited observing assets.

6 Building Research Partnerships

http://www.mbari.org/aosn

8 • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Objective�A:��Increase�institutional�flexibility.

strategy a1: Evaluate the strategic relevance of major MBARI assets, taking into account the useful lifetime of those assets, with an eye to either retiring or passing on to other users equipment that is no longer in development but still on the research forefront in order to free up resources for new developments (Box 7).

strategy a2: Prepare an Ocean Access Plan to project MBARI’s fleet, platform, and other access needs for the next decade and beyond, based on the evolving needs of the Research Plan. This plan should guarantee that MBARI continues to control its own ship schedule in order to be able to respond to unexpected opportunities (Box 8).

strategy a3: Increase the flexibility of MBARI staff members through more oppor-tunities for cross-training within the institute.

strategy a4: Develop a plan to encourage more exposure to research personnel with different experiences and perspectives, such as through sabbatical exchanges with academic and government oceanographic labs, additional postdoctoral fellows, etc.

strategy a5: Increase the flexibility of MBARI space by having more project labs that are assigned on a temporary basis.

Photo mosaic of digital still images taken from the Tiburon Coolpix camera showing the carcass of a juvenile gray whale.

In Louis Pasteur’s view, scientific breakthroughs are not products of luck; they are products of prepared minds capable of seizing unexpected opportunities. Institutional flexibility—a capacity to redirect time, effort, and resources—and the scientific wisdom to exploit truly novel discoveries are commodities that MBARI values and seeks to maintain. A recent example was the accidental dis-covery of bone-eating worms (Osedax) and their bacterial symbionts, both new to science, living on a recent whale fall in Monterey Bay. Because MBARI con-trols its own ship schedule, scientists were able to follow up in the ensuing months after the discovery to monitor the succession of organisms that feasted on this whale, thus adding new insight to the contribution of extreme events to deep-sea biodiversity and community dynamics.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/whalefall.htm

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/drill.htm

An MBARI operations team installs the rock drill on the ROV Jason II for an expedition on the Juan de Fuca Ridge.

MBARI developed an ROV-mounted drill sled that was used for many years by MBARI geologists to obtain core samples from hard rock litholo-gies in the seafloor and to provide low-noise installation sites for seis-mometers. As MBARI demand for use of the drill sled waned and outside interest grew, MBARI and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution entered into an agreement whereby the drill sled was sold to the National Deep Submergence Facility using funds from the National Science Foundation. This capability is now serving scientists nationwide.

7Handing Off Our Assets to the Community

8Maintaining the Flexibility to Respond to Exceptional Discoveries

Strategic Plan • 9

Objective�B:��Enhance�partnerships�to�mitigate�small�size,�provide�opportuni-ties�for�information�and�technology�transfer,�and�build�solid�relations�with�our�research�neighbors.

strategy B1: Participate in national initiatives that are aligned closely with MBARI’s strategic plan and technology developments (Box 9), such as the National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observing Initiative and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ocean Exploration Program.

strategy B2: Build relationships with government oceanographic laboratories (Box 10) which have complementary expertise and which transition technology into operations (e.g. Naval Research Laboratory, Southwest Fisheries Center, etc.)

strategy B3: Take advantage of regional initiatives well aligned with MBARI’s stra-tegic plan that also provide outlets to the non-research community, such as the proposed Center for Ocean Solutions being jointly pursued by Stanford Univer-sity/Hopkins Marine Station, MBARI, and Monterey Bay Aquarium/Center for the Future of the Ocean.

strategy B4: Encourage an active group of adjunct researchers who vigorously con-tribute to MBARI goals.

Objective� C:� � Expand� opportunities� to� communicate� our� knowledge� and�understanding�of�the�ocean�to�audiences�other�than�our�research�peers.

strategy c1: Create a new Education Strategic Plan, well aligned with the Research Plan. Include working actively with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to find areas of mutual benefit for educational collaborations that involve exhibits and programs to educate the broader public.

strategy c2: Undertake at least one pilot program in which MBARI research results are used to inform and influence ocean policies or management decisions.

strategy c3: Explore what educational roles might be filled by MBARI in regional initiatives with neighboring educational institutions.

http://www.mbari.org/about/sp/moos.htm

MBARI’s Monterey Ocean Observing System (MOOS) mooring combines solar power and satellite communi-cations with a fiber-optic cable that allows two-way communication to clusters of instruments on the sea-floor.

In 2000, MBARI began an institute initiative to develop core technolo-gies to enable ocean observatories. We took on the high risk task of designing and testing a mooring with fiber-optic cable to provide two-way flow of power and data between the seafloor and the sea surface. MBARI led a community effort to implement plug and work technology for observatory instru-mentation, a capability critical for streamlining the deployment of instruments on extensive, distrib-uted observing systems. MBARI’s integrated teams of scientists, sys-tems engineers, technicians and marine operations staff are well suited to undertake these diffi-cult programs. Key technologies developed under this initiative are now pioneering the way for the NSF’s Ocean Observing Initiative, a national program that will result in a revolutionary change in the way oceanography will be undertaken over the next few decades.

9 Participating in National Initiatives

10 • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Objective�D:�Maintain�and�enhance�MBARI’s�reputation�as�an�environmen-tally�responsible�research�institution.

strategy D1: During preliminary design reviews for new systems, weigh the envi-ronmental impact of various design alternatives as one of the factors in selection of the final technical implementation.

strategy D2: Be alert for opportunities to pass on the data, models, and under-standing gained in pursuit of MBARI’s research plan to organizations overseeing the environmental health of Monterey Bay and other locales. (Box 11).

Objective�E:��Maintain�MBARI’s�reputation�as�an�attractive�place�to�work�by� being� alert� for� opportunities� to� improve� the� quality� of� life� for� MBARI�employees.

strategy e1: Support local initiatives to build affordable housing.

strategy e2: Remain competitive in salary and benefits.

strategy e3: Continue to monitor employee satisfaction and issues of concern annually.

11 Information for Policy and

Management Decisions

http://www.mbari.org/lobo/loboviz.htm

Red dots show locations of LOBO moorings in the Elkhorn Slough sys-tems of wetlands.

Ocean observing systems must provide information that reaches an audience that is broader than the science community in order to build support for long-term opera-tion. This information must be timely, cost effective, and relevant to a variety of users. These systems should provide a unique perspec-tive on environmental processes and be sustainable in large numbers if they are to address problems of regional, national and global scales. One example of such a system is the Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Obser-vatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough. Developed by MBARI’s Chemical Sensor Laboratory, the LOBO sys-tem was deployed to examine the impacts on coastal ecosystems that result from intense agricultural activities around Monterey Bay. Alteration of coastal waters by nitro-gen fertilizers is a global problem. LOBO can provide sustained infor-mation for improved management of these environments.

Collaborations with workers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Energy’s National Energy Technol-ogy Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, NASA, and NOAA are making it possible for many MBARI scientists and engineers to undertake research and technology transfer activities that otherwise would be not be possible given limited resources. Carbon dating of seafloor lava flows, novel methane hydrate research, and application of cutting-edge satellite imaging techniques, eco-system models, and new techniques for detection of toxins and microorgan-isms are all supported through such joint projects. At the same time, MBARI’s association with national laboratories is serving as a vehicle for informing government agencies and policy makers of fundamental discoveries and developments that may be relevant to shaping future resource management decisions.

10 Working with National Laboratories to Further Research and Development Activities

Strategic Plan • 11

Appendix I: SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Private funding — MBARI’s funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation allows us to take on high-risk, long-lead-time, interdisciplinary, and integrated projects that are more difficult to accomplish in a traditional academic research environment.

institutional culture of partnerships — MBARI successfully teams scientists with engi-neers to tackle the technology-limited areas of ocean research, and researchers with marine operations to conduct difficult experiments underwater.

Positioning — Thanks to past institutional investment in technology, marine facilities, human resources, and interdisciplinary research, MBARI is well positioned to take a lead-ership role in new international initiatives in ocean exploration and ocean observing.

attractive work environment —MBARI’s beautiful location on the shore of Monterey Bay, modern facilities, and collegial and dedicated staff make for a very pleasant working environment that allows us to attract and keep top talent.

Weaknesses

size —In comparison to our oceanographic peers, MBARI is a small institution, which limits the scope and number of projects we can undertake among the spectrum of prob-lems that comprise the forefront of modern oceanographic research.

technology transition — MBARI has not pursued as aggressively as it could relation-ships which can transition MBARI technology to operations, such as with private com-panies and government laboratories.

Flexibility — MBARI’s ability to make long-term investments in projects and infra-structure can make it difficult to maintain flexibility.

connecting to the non-research community — MBARI has underinvested in connect-ing to the public with the importance of its discoveries, and needs to strengthen its special relations with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Packard Foundation.

Opportunities

importance of the ocean—Increasing appreciation of the central role of the ocean in human health, climate stability, economic competitiveness, national security, and envi-ronmental quality is creating new demand from resource managers and policy makers for ocean information.

new program initiatives—NSF and NOAA have created funding for new programs in ocean observing and ocean exploration, two areas where MBARI is well positioned to assume leadership and compete successfully for research grants.

Distinguished neighbors—As a potential mitigation to MBARI’s small size, it is sur-rounded by a number of prestigious institutions with overlapping interests, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Stanford University (including Hopkins Marine Station), University of California at Santa Cruz, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.

1� • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Threats

economic trends—The reduction in net worth of the Packard Foundation’s stock portfolio and the mounting federal deficit threaten the two major sources of MBARI’s research and capital facilities funding.

Mounting burden of regulation—Obtaining the required permits to conduct research in the Monterey Bay area has become expensive and restrictive because of ever-increasing regulation.

affordability—The high cost of housing coupled with the poor rating for California schools makes living in the Monterey area difficult for young families.

Appendix II: Values Statementuniqueness — MBARI was founded by David Packard to be an alternative to the tra-ditional academic oceanographic research institution. MBARI is to be characterized by a peer relationship among scientists and engineers. The institute will be defined by its unique mission, vision, and values.

innovation — David Packard challenged us to develop and apply new methods, instruments, and systems to long-standing problems in ocean science, to advance our understanding of the oceans and ocean processes, and to identify new directions where technology will accelerate progress in ocean science. We value asking the hard questions, posing new problems, taking risks, and accepting failure at times. We will strive for revolutionary, rather than incremental, progress in ocean science.

independence — As an institution, we will set our own course and define our own agenda. We will be self-reliant and self-directing.

Leadership — We will use our unique character and assets to set new directions for ocean science and to develop new technology to accomplish these goals. We will com-municate with the broader oceanographic community to ensure that our work is rel-evant and influential.

integrity — We value excellence in the conduct of all activities at MBARI. Our motives are neither profit-driven nor politically based. Instead, our objective is the advance-ment of knowledge about the ocean and ocean processes. We will adhere to the highest standards of excellence, as reflected by the quality of our scientific results, methods, and technology. We will make effective and responsible use of our resources. We will conduct all interactions, and implement all MBARI policies and procedures with honesty, fair-ness, and consistency.

Fellowship — Together, all staff will emphasize equality, teamwork, mutual respect, and good citizenship. We will encourage and benefit from the diversity of capabilities and work styles of our staff.

Philanthropy — We will share technology, data, and knowledge with the external ocean-ographic community, educators, and the general public for the common good.

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