What we don't pick up... ends up here.
Our seafloor surveys look for plastics and other trash
THE LOBSTER STUDY
We're testing for contaminants that might be harmful to humans or to the marine ecosystem. This study compares the chemical compositions of lobsters from California, Canada and Australia.
THE SHRIMP STUDY
This toxicology study compares farmed and fresh-caught shrimp from different regions.
SEAFLOOR CLEANUP
Raydog is our trash-finder submarine drone for surveying the seabed to find discarded objects that can contaminate the ecosystem, like lost engines, fuel barrels and paint cans, and lost plastic and fishing gear.
HELP US FIND SEA STARS
In 2013-2014, 99% of some sea star species along much of the North American Pacific coast experienced a massive die-off. THE SEA STAR SURVEY is a search for sea stars along the Pacific Coast.
OCEAN EVENTS
Our aggregated calendar includes ocean field trips, festivals, conferences, and ocean cleanup events.
BEING PLASTIC-FREE
Is eliminating single-use plastics just a dream? Here are some ideas to help reduce plastic in your life and our environment.
SEND US YOUR PHOTO!
Marine Puzzles! We'll make a jigsaw puzzle with your picture that you can play online! (Free, no sign-in or download required.)
MEMBER BENEFITS
Watchdogs members get benefits like discounts at restaurants and businesses, and are automatically entered into the monthly Treasure Raffle.
MARINE BINGO
It's the fastest, funnest way to learn to love the ocean... and retain what you learn. The complete educational game set includes 25 bingo cards, 52 encyclopedic sea animal flash cards/playing cards, seashell bingo markers, and an online teaching program with tools including powerpoints, videos and instructions for different games.
The things we have admired were beginning to decay. We said, 'we have to do something. We have to enter the fight... protect what you love.'
We're speaking out for the ocean.
You can, too.
We are people who care deeply about the health of the ocean and the food products that come from it. As a member-based nonprofit action company, our mission includes research, education and active projects like seafloor cleanup events.
We want to engage the public and enable ways for people to get involved in ocean ecology. In addition to our campaigns to reduce single-use plastic waste and agricultural chemical run-off, we provide:
- Seafood toxicology lab reports
- Seafood contamination alerts
- Visual seabed surveys and seafloor cleanup
- Consolidated mariner resources
- Marine bio field trips
- Unique learning games for Next-Generation Science Standards
- Safe-For-Kids online games
- Public Ocean Crimes Hotline
- Educational videos & PSAs
- Support for other nonprofits' education & cleanup activities
Yes, we are a Nonprofit California Benefit Company (ID# 5312804). However, we won't be relying on handouts. We earn our way by delivering relevant information, member benefits, public services and education, and unique and valuable services and products.
As a member-based action company, we intend to:
- Get the next generations excited about the ocean
- Enable resources for community involvement in ocean ecology
- Use the most advanced technologies to understand and monitor ocean health
- Detect and help to eliminate sources of contamination
- Publicly promulgate clear test results on marine and seafood samples
- Support other nonprofits focused on ocean and environmental remediation
- Apply environmental policy pressure on companies and legislators
- Remind people to think about the ocean, and what we flush into it
Healthy oceans are essential for life on Earth to continue through the next generations. Who's keeping watch? While governments focus on general climate and political crises, marine ecology research and seafood toxicology studies are taking a back seat as temperature and chemical changes are taking place in our oceans. We think federal and state resources and plans are inadequate to provide essential data on ocean health and ocean product contamination.
Ocean degradation refers to the rapid changes in water and sea life chemistry that have occurred in the past few decades, due to contaminants ranging from petroleum and nuclear waste to the vast quantities of sewage dumps and chemical pollutants which affect all sea life and Earth's ecosystem at large.
Science will be the basis of discovering and eliminating our major sources of contamination. The first thing we need is more complete data, which tells us what problems we have and provides clues to help identify and correct polluted areas. Current testing protocols are too infrequent and largely unpromulgated. Marine Watchdog's goal is to recruit support to enable thorough testing of ocean environmental systems and sea life; publish the results publicly, clearly and transparently; and apply pressure on polluting companies and legislators to enact stronger protective measures.
Ocean crimes are activites that destroy ocean life and violate international policies.
Today, ocean crimes are largely overlooked, and human industry continues to contaminate the water and seafood products with petrochemicals, radiation poisoning, microplastics and toxic metals like mercury. All major ocean products are at risk of contaminants,
including tuna, salmon, crab, lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and even Fillet-O-Fish sandwiches.
Firstly, our research focus is on marine life chemistry. Through sample collections and comparative scientific studies with new technologies, we'll learn and face the truth about microplastics, radiation and other contaminants in our seafood and other ocean products such as salt and seaweed. Marine Watchdogs is also highly focused on education about ocean health and purity in the North Pacific fishing regions — ocean waters between California, Hawaii, Alaska and Mexico.
You don't have to be a Watchdogs member to follow our pledge. Watchdog members agree to:
- Do no harm. Try to avoid adding to environmental pollution that contributes to ocean degradation.
- Share information. Show others how to avoid contaminating the marine environment. (But don't be annoying.)