Explore the ocean with Google Earth
We'd like to thank our extensive list of partners for the work and data they've contributed to this endeavor. If you have bathymetric data or sea floor imagery you'd like to contribute, please let us know.
Partners
BBC
The BBC is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world. Its mission is to enrich
people's lives programmes that inform, educate and entertain. It is a public service
broadcaster, established by a Royal Charter and funded by the licence fee that is paid
by UK households.
Broadmedia Corporation
Broadmedia Corporation, in partnership with National Geographic, operates the
Japanese-language version of National Geographic's award-winning Web site. The Broadmedia Group
has established a unique position as a content distributor with its own technology
platforms. Broadmedia provides content from domestic and foreign content holders to a
full line of media including TV, theatrical, internet, mobile and DVD. Through its
Technology Services segment, Broadmedia offers content delivery services using advanced
technology. In addition, Broadmedia sells broadband internet and mobile connectivity
services, and hopes to contribute to the development of a more prosperous community
through the dissemination of high-quality content.
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class scientific and cultural institution
based in San Francisco. The Academy recently opened a new facility in Golden Gate Park,
a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural
history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof.
Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography
Command
Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMANVMETOCCOM) enables the
safety, speed and operational effectiveness of the Fleet by illuminating risks and
opportunities for Naval and Joint forces posed by the present and future natural
environment.
Cousteau Society
The Cousteau Society is a membership-supported, not-for-profit organization dedicated
to the protection and improvement of the quality of life for present and future
generations. More than one hundred books and 115 films to date have documented a
variety of habitats: Antarctica, Haiti, Cuba, the Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotu
Archipelago, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, the Andaman Islands,
Borneo, Indonesia, Madagascar, South Africa, Lake Baikal and the Amazon, Mekong, Danube
and Yellow rivers among others. Recent expeditions include the Caspian Sea, the St.
Lawrence River of Canada and the Red Sea.
DOER Marine
Founded in 1992 as a marine consulting firm. In 1995, the firm's scope and capabilities
for ROV and submersible support services grew and led to the demand for full
engineering and operations capacity. In 2003, the company moved into a 55,000 sq. ft.
facility in the historic Alameda Marina where it continues to grow. Today, with a full
team of innovators including engineers, field operation supervisors, project management
staff, technicians and key advisors, DOER Marine is able to address client needs from
basic consulting to full analysis and implementation of solutions for even the most
challenging underwater tasks.
Eco-Nova Productions
Eco-Nova Productions Limited is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Incorporated in 1994,
we have been successfully producing international caliber television programming for
over a decade. Eco-Nova is the largest producer of documentary television in Atlantic
Canada and the largest producer of underwater documentaries in Canada as a whole. Our
Oceans of Mystery series is currently being broadcast in 154 countries and our Sea
Hunters series is now in 172 countries worldwide.
Feodor Pitcairn Productions
Feodor Pitcairn Productions studios are located in Pennsylvania, USA - our subject
matter however is to be found all over the world, below the oceans surface. From French
Polynesia, to Alaska; from the Channel Islands off the coast of California to the
legendary ecosystem of the Galapagos - our mission is to capture the life and beauty of
the worlds oceans in a way that will inform, engage, and enlighten. Particular to our
mission is the innovative use of cutting edge technology. Feodor Pitcairn was a pioneer
in recognizing the advantages of using Sony Broadcast television cameras underwater
compared to film.
FishBase Information & Research Group (FIN)
FIN is a small NGO dedicated to support species information systems such as FishBase
and SeaLifeBase.
GloverWorks Consulting
Sole-proprietor consulting firm focussed on ocean science and ocean policy.
Harte Research Institute
The Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies is a recently endowed
research institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The mission of HRI is to
support and advance the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of
Mexico by providing international leadership in generating and disseminating knowledge
about the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and its critical role in the economy of North
America. HRI encourages a tri-national responsibility and cooperation among the United
States, Mexico and Cuba.
International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN)
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find
pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It
supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings
governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local
communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is
the world's oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership
union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000
volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000
professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private
sectors around the world.
James Cook University
James Cook University is Australia's leading tropical research university. We take our
name from the eighteenth-century British navigator and explorer Captain James Cook,
whose epic voyages contributed to the world of science. The University was proclaimed
in Townsville on 20 April 1970, two hundred years after Cook charted the eastern
seaboard of Australia, including northern Queensland.
Japan Hydrographic Association
Marine Information ResearchCenter
Marine Information Research Center (MIRC) was established in the Japan Hydrograhic Association under the financial
support of the Nippon Foundation in
1997. MIRC conducts high grade quality control to the oceanographic data compiled by
the Japan Oceanographic Data Center, and produces
useful data products for users of various fields.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company providing ocean-based voyages to
the Galápagos, Antarctica, Baja California, Alaska, the Arctic, and beyond. Traveling
with a skilled team of field staff onboard our vessels, including Naturalists, Marine
Biologists, Underwater Experts, Video Chroniclers, and National Geographic Experts,
Lindblad has access to some of the key places highlighted within Ocean in Google Earth.
Collaborating on the project came naturally through Lindblad's longtime relationship
with Dr. Sylvia Earle, an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society.
Lindblad's president, Sven Lindblad, has received international recognition, including
the Global Tourism Business Award, Seafood Champion Award, U.N. Programme Global 500
Award, and recognition from HRH, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for his dedication to
the conservation and environmental stewardship of the Galápagos archipelago.
Marie Tharp Maps
Marie Tharp Maps represents the life's work of preeminent oceanographic cartographer
Marie Tharp and her World Ocean Floor Map. This map provided the world with an accurate
and comprehensive view of the ocean floor. Her ultimate discovery of the rift that is
clearly shown on this map, goes down the center of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and provided
proof of sea floor spreading and continental drift.
Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI)
MCBI is a non-profit NGO that seeks to protect ocean life through science and
conservation advocacy. MCBI program areas work to end destructive fishing practices,
assess climate threats to marine ecosystems, promote ecosystem based management and the
formation of new marine protected areas throughout the world's oceans.
Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our
seas, shores and wildlife. MCS is celebrating its Silver Jubilee in November 2008,
having carried out its groundbreaking work to save our seas for the last twenty five
years. HRH The Prince of Wales is its president. MCS has created a KML of fish that
consumers can eat, which come from sustainable sources around the world, and which are
fished with minimal impacts to the marine environment.
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke
University
The Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab at Duke University conducts research on the spatial
patterns of marine life in our oceans. Our work combines both fundamental research on
marine ecosystems with practical applications to improve marine resource management and
conservation. Our lab is the home for the Mapping and Visualization Program of the
Census of Marine Life and also the site of the OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu)
marine animal information system.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The mission of the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the
oceans.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
(MBARI)
The mission of MBARI, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, is to develop
better instruments, systems and methods for scientific research in the deep ocean. As a
private, non-profit research center, MBARI is funded by The David and Lucile Packard
Foundation. MBARI scientists propose and execute innovative studies, both experimental
and theoretical, in the ocean sciences. Engineers and operations staff, in partnership
with the scientists, develop or adapt supporting technology.
National Center for Ecological Analysis and
Synthesis
The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), located in downtown
Santa Barbara, is a research center of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
NCEAS supports cross-disciplinary research that uses existing data to address major
fundamental issues in ecology and allied fields, and their application to management
and policy. NCEAS is a unique institution with an explicit mission to foster synthesis
and analysis, turn information into understanding and, through effective collaboration,
alter how science is conducted.
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and
educational organizations. Founded in 1888, the Society works to inspire people to care
about the planet. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research,
conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating
geographic illiteracy. National Geographic's content includes new ocean expeditions,
legendary storytelling, and accurate, compelling content -- including photography,
video, maps, interactives, National Geographic magazine articles and more.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of
the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine
resources.
National Oceanography Centre, University of
Southampton
The centre is the country's focus for oceanography and represents an unparalleled
investment in marine and earth sciences and technology in the UK. The centre opened in
1995 in a purpose-built, £50 million waterfront campus on the city's Empress Dock. A
collaboration between the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of
Southampton, the centre houses around 500 staff and 750 undergraduate and postgraduate
students.
National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of
Colorado at Boulder (NSIDC)
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) is part of the Cooperative Institute for
Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder. NSIDC
supports research into our world's frozen realms: the snow, ice, glaciers, frozen
ground, and climate interactions that make up Earth's cryosphere. NSIDC manages and
distributes data about the cryosphere, creates tools for data access, supports data
users, performs scientific research, and educates the public about snow, ice, and
climate on Earth. Satellite images of sea ice and pairs of glacier photographs from the
National Snow and Ice Data Center reveal signals of climate change from Earth's frozen
regions, which are very sensitive to temperature changes. In response to a warming
Earth, both Arctic summer sea ice and the world's glaciers have shown dramatic retreat
in recent years, as shown in these time-spanned images.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world
with partners to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
With more than 100 marine projects in more than 30 countries and all coastal U.S.
states, the Conservancy focuses on marine conservation that benefits marine life, local
communities and economies.
New England Aquarium
Founded in 1969, the New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and
marine conservation. The Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston,
with over 1.3 million visitors a year, and a major public education resource.
Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices
that threaten ocean life and human life. Through research, education, and science-based
advocacy, Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires, and empowers people to speak and act on
behalf of the oceans. In all its work, Ocean Conservancy strives to be the world's
foremost advocate for the oceans.
Ocean Research & Conservation Association
(ORCA)
The Ocean Research & Conservation Association is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation
dedicated to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems and the species they
sustain through the development of innovative technologies and science based
conservation action. ORCA is currently developing Kilroy, the world's first marine
habitat water quality monitoring system of its kind. This low-cost system is designed
to work in vast networks reporting on ecosystem health 24 hours a day to identify the
origin of water pollution, track its damaging impact on fragile habitats and document
how well clean-up efforts are working. To hi-light the three dimensionality of Google
Ocean, ORCA provided unique video some of which was taken with its Eye-in-the-Sea of
bizarre deep-sea animals and their remarkable behaviors, including rarely seen
bioluminescent displays. Video sequences include a six foot squid, discovered by ORCA
president and co-founder, Dr. Edith "Edie" Widder in the Gulf of Mexico that is so new
to science it cannot be placed in a known scientific family; a giant 6-gill shark in
deep waters off the Bahamas attacking a light emitting lure; huge jellies called
siphonophores in the Mediterranean-one magnificent, and one simply bizarre; and rarely
seen displays of bioluminescence in squid and swimming sea cucumbers.
Ohio State University, John Glenn School of
Public Affairs
The John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University is a non-partisan
interdisciplinary unit that prepares graduate students for careers in public service,
and seeks to strengthen democracy through increased civic engagement, policy research
and outreach. The School began operations on July 1, 2006 as a merger of the
long-standing School of Public Policy and Management and the John Glenn Institute for
Public Service and Public Policy at OSU.
Oregon State University, Department
of Zoology
The Department of Zoology promotes discovery and learning at all levels of biological
organization (molecular, cellular, organismal, population, community, and ecosystem).
Our integrative focus reflects the importance of strong disciplinary and
interdisciplinary approaches in research and teaching. We strive for excellence and
synergy in our coordinated programs of teaching, research, and service. Recognizing the
essential roles of science and biology in the lives of citizens today and tomorrow, we
emphasize biological literacy in our teaching and outreach programs.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is an independent, impartial provider of scientific
research, contract services and advice on the marine environment, with a focus on
understanding how marine ecosystems function and reducing uncertainty about the complex
processes and structures that sustain life in the seas and their role in the Earth
system.
Rutgers University, Ocean Biogeographic Information
System
OBIS was established by the Census of Marine Life program (www.coml.org). It is an
evolving strategic alliance of people and organizations sharing a vision to make marine
biogeographic data, from all over the world, freely available over the World Wide Web.
It is not a project or program, and is not limited to data from CoML-related projects.
Any organization, consortium, project or individual may contribute to OBIS.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the oldest, largest, and most important
centers for ocean and earth science research, education, and public service in the
world. Research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography encompasses physical, chemical,
biological, geological, and geophysical studies of the oceans and earth.
Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
(NMNH)
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution,
the world's preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to
inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its
unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs.
South African Institute for Aquatic
Biodiversity
Situated in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, the South African Institute for Aquatic
Biodiversity (SAIAB) is an internationally recognised centre for the study of aquatic
biodiversity. SAIAB runs a number of large, interdisciplinary and multi-institutional
programmes, such as the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP), as well as
internal programmes in the fields of freshwater, marine and coastal systems, ranging
from South African coastal, estuarine and freshwater systems, to exploration of central
African river systems and the Western Indian Ocean islands.
Stanford University, Hopkins Marine
Station
The Hopkins Marine Station, located 90 miles from the main Stanford University campus
in Pacific Grove, was founded in 1892 as the first marine laboratory on the west coast
of North America. The modern laboratory facilities on the 11-acre campus on Cabrillo
Point house ten faculty, all members of the Department of Biology.
Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) The Sustainable Seas Trust is a for Public Good, Charitable Organization developed specifically to provide long-term sustainability of marine resources for the coastal people of Africa. It is involved in conservation research, capacity building, development of marine protected areas, particularly those which include coelacanth ecosystems. Education and public awareness feature prominently in the aims of Sustainable Seas Trust.
Tag-A-Giant (TAG)
The Tag-A-Giant program of Stanford University has pioneered electronic tagging of
highly migratory fishes around the globe. Begun in 1994 by Stanford University
Professor Barbara Block, the TAG Team has tagged over 1300 northern bluefin tuna in the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They have perfected techniques for maintaining tunas in a
laboratory environment, and developed chemical and genetic analysis techniques to study
population dynamics in wild tuna stocks.
Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP)
The TOPP program is an international, interdisciplinary research program to study the
migratory behavior of open ocean animals in the North Pacific. Begun in 2000 as part of
the international Census of Marine Life, the TOPP program is a collaboration of over
100 scientists from seven countries, utilizing microprocessor-based electronic tags to
study 23 different species of marine animals including whales, sharks, tunas, sea
birds, turtles and squid.
Texas A&M University, Center for Coastal
Studies
The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi is a $46 million endowed research center of excellence focused on the Gulf of
Mexico large marine ecosystem. Our vision is to provide international leadership in
generating and disseminating knowledge about the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and its
critical role in the economies of the North American region. Our mission is to support
and advance the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. Our
research focus areas are coastal and marine policy and law, biodiversity and
conservation science, ecosystem studies and modeling, ocean and human health,
geospatial sciences, and socio-economics.
The Magellanic Penguin Project
The Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Washington Magellanic penguin
project started in 1982. One of the project's first success was to prevent a Japanese
company from harvesting penguins for gloves, meat, and oil. Long-term studies are rare
but critical in understanding and measuring the impacts humans are having on the
environment. Penguins are marine sentinels, and much of our work has focused on the
largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world at Punta Tombo, Argentina.
UC Santa Barbara,
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB) at the University of
California, Santa Barbara, comprised of approximately 35 faculty research groups, is
strongly committed to excellence in both education and research. Primarily engaged in
basic research, EEMB researchers use their scientific understanding to address some of
the world's most pressing environmental issues including consequences of global
warming, invasive and endangered species, impacts of environmental change, biological
control of introduced pests and parasites, biodiversity, pollution, harmful algal
blooms, and acid rain.
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park, is a research university with an active
marine biotechnology institute founded by Distinguished University Professor Colwell in
1986. The focus is on the molecular biology of marine systems, including marine
microorganisms. Nucleic acid sequencing and biotechnology tools are employed in the
research underway designed to understand the biocomplexity of the oceans.
University of Washington
The Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Washington Magellanic penguin
project started in 1982. One of the project's first success was to prevent a Japanese
company from harvesting penguins for gloves, meat, and oil. Long-term studies are rare
but critical in understanding and measuring the impacts humans are having on the
environment. Penguins are marine sentinels, and much of our work has focused on the
largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world at Punta Tombo, Argentina. We
provided information about the penguins for Google Ocean including the history of one
of the penguins we have followed including a track of where this Magellanic penguin
went during his first incubation trip using the ARGOS satellite. More information can
be found at our website
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has a three-part mission to conduct
interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and
citizens, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. VIMS
provides these services to Virginia, the nation, and the world. The School of Marine
Science (SMS) at VIMS is the graduate school in marine science for the College of
William & Mary. Chartered in 1940, VIMS is currently among the largest marine research
and education centers in the United States.
wannasurf.com
wannasurf.com ltd, via several websites, provides free high quality information about
surfing/diving/kitesurfing/skateboarding locations around the world, and attracts
hundreds of thousands of users every month. The information, photos and text are all
provided by the users, creating a hub for dedicated practitioners of sports that are
otherwise very fragmented and highly individualistic. The sites currently hosts over
7300 surf-spots, 2200 dive locations, illustrated by over 44,000 photos.
Wildscreen/ARKive
Wildscreen is a charity working to promote conservation and an appreciation of
biodiversity through the use of wildlife imagery. Working with Google, we have used the
world's best wildlife video and images from www.arkive.org to profile and map 250 of
the world's threatened marine species.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, independent organization
in Falmouth, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education.
Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its
primary mission is to understand the oceans and their interaction with the Earth as a
whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the oceans' role in the changing
global environment.