Science Pub: Sea Bass, Selfies & Science

At Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 18 E. Ortega Street

Community scientists across coastal Southern California are revolutionizing marine science by capturing thousands of underwater photographs of the refrigerator-sized critically-endangered Giant Sea Bass during their scuba diving adventures. This talk by Molly Morse, M.S., dives into leading-edge research at UCSB using pattern recognition computer algorithms to analyze diver-submitted photos, automatically identifying individual fish and tracking their movement across California's kelp forests. Collaboration between recreational divers and university researchers provides groundbreaking insights into the conservation and recovery of the historically hard-to-spot “King of the Kelp Forest.”

Molly Morse is senior manager of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at UCSB, which uses the power of science and technology to implement solutions that restore ocean health. Morse leads applied conservation projects on local ocean life, marine reserves, and plastic pollution that use tools like data science, artificial intelligence, and community involvement. She has a bachelor’s in biology from Dartmouth College and a master’s in marine science from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. In her free time she can be found having dance parties with her kids and running along the Santa Barbara waterfront.

No tickets or reservations needed, but note that Science Pub is a popular program. Early birds get good seats, order food and drink at leisure, and enjoy a raffle to support science education and win Museum swag. Arriving close to 6:30 may land you in an overflow room or without a seat.

This event is part of the Museum’s ongoing Science Pub series of free science talks held on the second Monday of every month. For more information about Science Pub, contact Kelsey Perry at kperry@sbnature2.org.