The Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans
(PISCO) is a long-term program of scientific research and
training dedicated to advancing the understanding of the
California Current Large Marine Ecosystem along the U. S. west
coast. PISCO conducts monitoring and experiments along 1,200
miles of coastline incorporating oceanography, ecology,
chemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, and
mathematical modeling to gain novel insights that apply to
conservation and resource management issues. The program is led
by OSU marine biologist and new head of NOAA, Dr. Jane
Lubchenco, and involves scientists at OSU, Stanford, UC Santa
Cruz and UC Santa Barbara who lead local, regional, national and
international initiatives for marine environmental planning.
Since 2005, core funding has been provided by The David and
Lucille Packard Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore
Foundation. The program focuses on three important ecosystem
components: rocky shores, coastal currents, and kelp forests. PI