Explore the ocean with Google Earth
We'd like to thank our extensive list of partners for the work and data that they've contributed to this endeavour. If you have bathymetric data or sea floor imagery that 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 with 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 website. 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-storey rainforest all under one roof.
Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) 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 organisation 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 advisers, 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 calibre 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 ocean's 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 world's 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 recognising 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 focused 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 environmental and developmental challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organisations, 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 organisations 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 as well as 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. It takes its 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 with the financial support of the Nippon Foundation in 1997. MIRC undertakes high-grade quality control of the oceanographic data compiled by the Japan Oceanographic Data Center, and produces useful data products for users of various fields.
Marie Tharp Maps
Marie Tharp Maps represents the life’s work of pre-eminent 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 runs down the centre of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, clearly shown on this map, 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 programme 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 celebrated its Silver Jubilee in November 2008, following twenty-five years of groundbreaking work to save our seas. 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 impact 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 Visualisation Programme 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 centre, 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 centre 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 non-profit scientific and educational organisations. 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 as well as supporting an education programme 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, as well as conserving and managing 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 as well as 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 as well as educating 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 dramatically retreated in recent years, as shown in these time-spanned images.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organisation 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) non-profit corporation dedicated to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems as well as the species that they sustain through the development of innovative technologies and science-based conservation work. ORCA is currently developing Kilroy, the first marine habitat water quality monitoring system of its kind in the world. This low-cost system is designed to work in vast networks reporting on ecosystem health 24 hours a day to identify the source of water pollution, track its damaging impact on fragile habitats and document the effectiveness of clean-up efforts. To highlight the three dimensionality of Google Ocean, ORCA provided a unique video, some of which was taken with its Eye-in-the-Sea, of bizarre deep-sea animals and their remarkable behaviours, 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 graduates for careers in public service as well as seeking to strengthen democracy through increased civic engagement, policy research and outreach. The School began operations on 1 July 2006 as a merger of the long-standing School of Public Policy and Management as well as 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 organisation (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 programmes of teaching, research and service. Recognising the essential roles of science and biology in the lives of citizens today and tomorrow, we emphasise biological literacy in our teaching and outreach programmes.
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, reducing uncertainty about the complex processes and structures that sustain life in the seas as well as their role in the Earth system.
Rutgers University, Ocean Biogeographic Information System
OBIS was established by the Census of Marine Life programme (www.coml.org). It is an evolving strategic alliance of people and organisations 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 programme and is not limited to data from CoML-related projects. Any organisation, 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 centres 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 pre-eminent 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 programmes.
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 the 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 faculties, all members of the Department of Biology.
Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) The Sustainable Seas Trust is a for Public Good, Charitable Organisation developed specifically to provide long-term sustainability of marine resources for the coastal people of Africa. It is involved in conservation research, capacity building and the 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 programme of Stanford University has pioneered electronic tagging of highly migratory fishes around the globe. Started 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, as well as developing chemical and genetic analysis techniques to study population dynamics in wild tuna stocks.
Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP)
The TOPP programme is an international, interdisciplinary research programme to study the migratory behaviour of open ocean animals in the North Pacific. Started in 2000 as part of the international Census of Marine Life, the TOPP programme is a collaboration of over 100 scientists from seven countries, utilising 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 centre 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 modelling, 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 successes 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 impact that 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, which comprises 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 the consequences of global warming, invasive and endangered species, the impact 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 micro-organisms. Nucleic acid sequencing and biotechnology tools are employed in the research underway that is 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 successes 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 impact that 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 that 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-fold mission to conduct interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and citizens as well as providing an advisory service to policy makers, the 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 centres 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 7,300 surf spots and 2,200 diving 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 videos 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 organisation 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 as well as communicating a basic understanding of the oceans’ role in the changing global environment.