Marine Conservation Research Institute

The Marine Conservation Research Institute (MCRI) is part of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. The mission of MCRI is “to expand and enhance the body of scientific knowledge relating to the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems and to preserve this valuable resource for future generations through research, conservation, and education focused around the Aquarium of the Pacific.”

MCRI has a Board of Directors consisting of scientists, business leaders, and other interested parties and supporters to help guide the organization and its research goals and objectives.

MCRI connects the scientific community with the public by providing information about ocean-related issues and research. The MCRI website provides concise and informative overviews of the most important conservation topics relating to the ocean. By clicking on the topic links on this page or searching this site, you will be given an overview of each topic and links to the most current and reliable websites created by trusted scientific organizations.

The Aquarium is saddened to share that Dr. Roy Houston, emeritus professor of biology at Loyola Marymount University and a director of our Marine Conservation Research Institute, has passed away on August 19, 2024. He served on our advisory board for many years and made numerous contributions to MCRI and Aquarium programs. Dr. Houston’s family has asked that In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Aquarium of the Pacific in his memory.