OCEAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

DRAFT

ANNUAL REPORT 2008

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ORCA’s mission is to protect and restore marine ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies and science-based conservation action.

A MESSAGE FROM KEITH & EDIE

Dear Friends,

At long last, the ORCA Kilroy has arrived in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon! To date,

we have deployed 14 prototype units which are collecting 24-hour data on the health of

this magnificent ecosystem. Despite technological setbacks, ORCA’s engineering team

has persevered and while there is still much development to accomplish we are delight-

ed with our progress thus far.

ORCA is also developing an

exciting new conservation

tool, FAST (Fast Assessment

of Sediment Toxicity), a low

cost protocol for quickly

detecting toxins in marine

sediments, so toxic hotspots

can be identified. In addition

to moving into a new para-

digm of water conservation, ORCA physically expanded as well! With support from St.

Lucie County, ORCA has opened a second facility, our Conservation Technology Center

in Fort Pierce, steps away from the Indian River Lagoon.

Financially, ORCA had an excellent year in 2008, raising funds from three diverse cat-

egories- individuals, government and foundations. As with many non-profits, we have

seen competition increase for dwindling resources, but we have invested in top notch

staff to produce excellent communications materials and an exciting strategic fundrais-

ing plan for 2009.

In recognition of her expertise in ocean related technology, Edie was asked to join the

Advisory Board for Google Earth 5.0- affectionately called Google Ocean- and that

relationship has resulted in an exciting ongoing discussion about Google’s potential

involvement in ORCA’s programs, EITS and Kilroy.

Lastly we want to thank our donors for their support.

Without your generous funding, we would not have the

resources necessary to sustain and propel our growth,

communicate to a diverse audience, and cultivate those

contacts so vital to a young non-profit’s success.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...

JOHN HANKEDirector Google Earth & Google Maps

ORCA HARNESSES THE POwER OF A NETwORKED COMMUNITY

we are excited about the ORCA Kilroy

because its data is available to everyone, so

groups that have disparate interests can

harness the power of the social network to

enact real change like never before. Everyone

from federal agencies to elementary science

classes can become invested in their local

aquatic resources and act together to restore

and protect them.

we also wish to thank ORCA’s Dr. Edie

widder. with her assistance, Google Earth 5.0

aka “Google Ocean” has become a textbook

example of the interface between science and

the burgeoning social networking community.

Edie’s in-the-water experience in producing

technological instruments that answer scientific

questions is just what the water conservation

community needs to enact effective change.

we at Google Earth are delighted to work

with her to bring information on the ocean

to everybody and giving them the pow-

er to make a difference in their local

community.

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps— we must step up the stairs.” -Vance Havner

Rarely do individuals—especially scientists of Edie’s significant caliber—have the gumption to step outside

the ivory tower and take the initiative she has in reaching the public at large. with her willingness to embrace

new technologies as with the Kilroy, with her courage in starting a venture such as ORCA, there just aren’t

too many individuals who have the backbone and the vision that Edie has. She has all the right ingredients,

but courage is the foundation for it all. Edie and I have been splashing around in various parts of the ocean at

the same point in history, and that’s partly what gives me the particular perspective that I have concerning

the mark she’s making on the world—at just the time the world needs it most.

SYLVIA EARLE World-renowned American Oceanographer

One of our planet’s most pressing environmental concerns is the

declining health of our marine ecosystems. Founded in response

to this global crisis, ORCA envisions a totally new approach to

ocean conservation— one that works “in-the-water” to directly

protect these fragile habitats from the myriad of unseen water

pollutants, toxic algae blooms and destructive invasive species.

A key priority is the ORCA FAST (Fast Assessment of Sediment

Toxicity) Program™, a new and low cost method for rapidly

identifying toxic hotspots devastating critically important

coastal habitats. ORCA will then deploy its revolutionary ORCA

Kilroy technology to track the pollution’s origin to its source.

Next, the ORCA Land-to-Sea Program will use its FAST and

Kilroy data to offer tangible solutions to coastal

residents, governments, and industries to dramatically reduce

the impact they are all having on nearby water habitats.

The concept of protecting water as “habitat” requires innovative

strategies instead of trying to apply what has worked for land con-

servation. Simply buying parcels of land and posting no trespass-

ing signs can significantly protect terrestrial habitat. This is often

not possible in the water, so tools like Kilroy and FAST must be

implemented so entire communities can understand the damage

their collective actions can have on coastal environments. On the

flip side, Kilroy and FAST allow these same communities to mea-

sure the impacts of their positive behavior-changing efforts- from

youth groups campaigning to reduce the use of phosphate soap to

home owners and farmers agreeing to reduce pesticide, herbicide,

and fertilizer use or community-wide activities to reduce polluted

runoff- Kilroy and FAST will give feedback on the significance of

their actions towards habitat improvement.

ORCA’s conservation tools can do more than track pollution. Kilroy

can detect bioluminescent organisms that are often harbingers of

toxic red tides. It can be used to monitor the density, distribution,

and movement of economically valuable ocean resources, includ-

ing shellfish, gamefish, and endangered species. Future generations

of Kilroys will have acoustic tags to identify captured and released

sea turtles, marine mammals, and stock enhancement programs.

These same tags could be used to identify vessels as they approach

Marine Protected Areas, alerting the stewards of these important

resources about visitors. Leading conservation organizations are

extremely excited by ORCA’s potential to revolutionize conserva-

tion efforts in bodies of water throughout the nation.

PRESERVE & PROTECTPROTECTING THOSE wHO CAN’T PROTECT THEMSELVES

ALExANDRA COUSTEAUOcean Conservationist

ORCA’S LEADERSHIP wILL CHANGE THE NATURE OF MARINE CONSERVATION I believe water will be the defining crisis of our

century — from droughts, storms, and floods

to degrading water quality. we inhabit a water

planet, and unless we protect, manage, and

restore that resource, the future will be a very

different place from the one we imagine today.

And we won’t meet that challenge by just telling

people to do something. Today’s environmen-

tal movement works primarily with low-tech,

low-impact tools. we haven’t reached out to

the public in an inspiring, engaging way. I am

working with ORCA to implement cutting-edge

communications tools that are truly relevant to

people’s lives. I believe Keith’s business experi-

ence combined with Edie’s technological in-

novation provides the perfect mix for coupling

conservation and impactful communication.

what has impressed me most is that they have

a clear understanding of the challenges they

need to tackle now, as well as a well thought

out plan for applying the technology of Kilroy

into meaningful conservation efforts.

TAKE ACTIONENCOURAGING BETTER LAND PRACTICES

LAND-TO-SEA INITIATIVETAKING THE NExT STEP FROM INFORMATION TO ACTION

ORCA’s Land to Sea InitiativeTM is the next step in achieving ORCA’s mission to

protect and restore marine ecosystems. Too frequently, we have witnessed scientific

presentations on water quality given to concerned citizens filled with dire predic-

tions of toxic algal blooms, loss of species diversity, and a decreased quality of life

for coastal communities. Unfailingly, the response is, “What can we do to be a part of

the solution?” The response is typically a lukewarm referral to a website that is both

unhelpful and uninspired. ORCA’s response instead is ACTION.

In response to these citizen requests, the Land to Sea Initiative will deploy an

environmental auditor to identify areas of improvement that a resident can make in

their own home. These include changes in behavior, as well as landscaping and energy

efficiency improvements. Furthermore, these recommendations will be followed by

referrals to licensed professionals and assistance identifying and receiving economic

incentives. ORCA will publicize the efforts of these proactive citizens by coordinating

press releases and hosting award ceremonies, which serves both to recognize worthy

individuals for their environmental stewardship and promotes the Land to Sea

initiative throughout the community.

ORCA recognizes that Kilroy has a potential beyond being a powerful informational

tool. The publicity and education surrounding its deployment has already caught the

interest of the citizens who see a problem with our current exploitation of our coastal

resources and want to be a part of the solution. The Land to Sea Initiative provides

those citizens with the guidance and support they need to make measurable

environmental improvements to their lifestyle and promote others to do the same.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” -Robert Frost

MONITOR & RESTOREREAL TIME MONITORING TECHNOLOGY AT wORK

KILROY & FAST PROGRAMS ORCA is the nation’s first nonprofit marine conservation organization dedicated to developing

“in-the-water” technologies that will provide the data resolution required for science-based

conservation to succeed. No other marine conservation organization is working to improve

marine habitat by focusing on developing technologies and conservation strategies to identify

and eliminate problems in the water.

Sediment toxins remain a significant and unmeasured component of the health of the

ecosystem. In response, ORCA has developed the Fast Assessment of Sediment ToxicityTM

(FAST) program. FAST is a “canary in a coal mine” method to assess relative toxicity of

sediment samples using broad-spectrum toxicity tests. In essence, FAST quickly identifies

pollution sinks in aquatic environments. On its own this information will identify regions of

high toxicity, but will not indicate the source of the pollution. To meet that challenge, ORCA

has developed a low-cost marine ecosystem monitoring network called the ORCA KilroyTM,

which uses state-of-the-art sensors to continuously measure an array of water quality

parameters- speed, direction, temperature, salinity, depth, turbidity and prevalence of key

micro-organisms- streaming that data via cellular signals and web-based interfaces twenty-

four hours per day. Kilroy uses 21st century technology to provide instantaneous data,

enabling conservation and enforcement managers with the critical information they need to

achieve their mission of healthy coastal environments.

Combined, FAST identifies sinks and Kilroy identifies sources. ORCA’s goal with FAST and

Kilroy is to create a web-based pollution gradient map that uses data provided by FAST to

provide a color illustration of toxic sediments along the coastal and freshwater habitats

(similar to satellite images of sea surface temperature) and overlay that information with

Kilroy data to indicate pollution sources. We believe this level of information, displayed on an

easy-to-understand web-based map will empower local stakeholders to resolve the pollution

issues in their backyard. Similar to an Adopt-A-Highway program, ORCA’s FAST sampling

sites and Kilroy networks can be set up along an entire watershed to collect data on every input

source and, for the first time, provide the information needed for each community to enforce

the Clean Water Act, provide a real-time measure of pollution, and measure the effectiveness

of pollution mitigation.

Initial development of the FAST program was funded through a grant from the Springbank

Foundation. With these funds ORCA was able to hire Dr. Beth Falls to direct the FAST

Program. Springbank’s vision and support has attracted additional program sponsors.

St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District funded a proof of concept grant, the Community

Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties awarded ORCA a two year grant to develop

a pollution gradient map of the Indian River Lagoon, and Strategic Diagnostics, the maker of

one of the toxicity assays used in the FAST program, provided an in-kind donation of supplies

to complete standardization and collection protocols.

DID YOU KNOW?LESS THAN 1% OF THE wORLD’S FRESH wATER

(OR ABOUT 0.007% OF ALL wATER ON EARTH) IS

READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR DIRECT HUMAN USE.

ADMIRAL JAMES D. wATKINS(Retired)Co-Chair Joint Commission On Ocean Policy Coastal waters are one of the nation’s greatest

assets, yet they are being bombarded with pol-

lutants from a variety of sources. Our failure

to properly manage the human activities that

affect the nation’s oceans, coasts, and Great

Lakes is compromising their ecological integ-

rity, diminishing our ability to fully realize their

potential, costing us jobs and revenue, threat-

ening human health, and putting our future at

risk. ORCA’s Kilroy is the sentinel we need to

identify and respond to pollution in the water.

The ecosystem based approach to ORCA’s

programs are the solutions needed to address

water quality issues at the local, regional and

national scale.

LESLIE LILLY PRESIDENT/CEO Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

The innovative Kilroy system will for the first time create data that will allow greater accountability for clean water protec-

tion regulations, having a transformative effect on water protection and conservation in South Florida and beyond. Kilroy

data improves mitigation efficiency by allowing resource managers to effectively target problem areas and prioritize.

Furthermore, it provides an immediate measure of success so politicians that support Kilroy-based projects can demon-

strate responsible use of government funds for mitigation projects that result in positive change for our natural environment.

ORCA has grown remarkably fast since its inception in 2005.

The Claneil Foundation Proactive grant has enabled the organization

to grow holistically, allowing the concurrent development of a

strong communications, marketing, and fundraising team while

ORCA’s conservation and technological programs mature to the

point of deployment. ORCA’s fundraising and initial policy efforts

have been managed exclusively by fulltime volunteer Christin

Paglen, a former Nature Conservancy executive and attorney,

devoted to conservation. As ORCA’s relationships grew, ORCA’s

Social Investment department’s resources also needed to grow;

however, the priorities of sustaining the organization’s engineering

and technology innovations did not allow for that growth—until

the organization received a Claneil Proactive grant.

Support from the Claneil Foundation allowed ORCA to hire Giancar-

lo Cetrulo, a former non-profit director of the largest conservation

corps in the nation, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. During his

nine years with the Corps, Giancarlo utilized his masters degree in

marine biology to run a marine aquarium and coastal habitat resto-

ration program through the employment of at-risk youth. Giancarlo

is ORCA’s first Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. In

addition to writing grants, Giancarlo is creating a strategic plan for

grant solicitation to identify funding sources at federal and state

agencies as well as family and community foundations. His goal is

to prioritize ORCA’s funding needs, identify sources of income with

strong potential, research grant requirements, and coordinate with

the ORCA team to produce successful proposals. ORCA is grateful to

have someone of Giancarlo’s capabilities on board, but without sup-

port from the Claneil Foundation ORCA couldn’t sustain his efforts.

The Claneil Proactive grant also enabled us to hire Chris Hayden to

oversee ORCA’s communications efforts and to develop ORCA’s

website and social-networking capabilities. Professional communi-

cation of ORCA’s mission, programs, and needs is vital to our

success on multiple levels, from local community recognition- such

as Dr. Widder’s selection as “Environmentalist of the Year” by the

Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County, to in-depth discussions

with the chair of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Admiral

James Watkins. After meeting with Keith and Christin Paglen,

Admiral Watkins noted, “ORCA’s presentation materials indicate

not only a great deal of professionalism, but a clear understanding

of the salient issues important to water conservation.”

Another important hire is Lauren Guerrero. Lauren is a former

marketing professional who has been hired locally to help ORCA

manage its growing relationships with major donors. One of her

primary responsibilities will be to help Christin grow ORCA’s

Kilroy Society, a network of devoted donors pledged to contribut-

ing $1,000 a year to ORCA’s mission. Led by Doug Warns (a retired

non profit executive, Audubon board member and ORCA volunteer),

ORCA’s goal is to obtain $1 million in unrestricted giving through

this giving club.

These latest members of the team will ensure that ORCA grows

sustainably and strategically. While technological challenges have

delayed the march of ORCA Kilroys across the nation, the delay has

allowed for a greater attention to be paid to sustainable fundrais-

ing, high quality communications, and the cultivation of important

contacts in those areas targeted for future Kilroy deployment.

CAPACITY BUILDINGINCREASING ExPOSURE TO INCREASE REVENUE

CONSERVATIONIN ACTION

FROM THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON TO THE NATION

The potential of the ORCA Kilroy system to revolutionize water quality monitoring and

mitigation has not escaped the attention of Florida stakeholders and they have been more

than eager to be on ORCA’s team. ORCA’s strategic plan is to use the government and com-

munity-based partnerships we are currently developing as templates for applying Kilroy to

more complex systems in the Chesapeake Bay, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, etc. That is

not to say Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is not complex. Ecologically, it is one of the

most diverse and productive estuaries in the United States. The number of IRL stakehold-

ers are numerous, but it does not approach the complexity and abundance of water systems

that traverse multiple states and flow near cities with massive populations.

Given the challenges associated with deploying new technology and simultaneously developing

a new paradigm for communicating water quality information to interested stakeholders, the

IRL is an excellent place to get Kilroy’s feet wet. To that end, ORCA has developed strong rela-

tionships with government agencies, including St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Martin Counties, and

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. These agencies have provided funding and

permits to install Kilroy monitoring systems in the IRL. Furthermore, the non-profit commu-

nity organization Indian Riverkeeper, has identified supporting ORCA’s effort to install a Kilroy

network array in the IRL as its primary objective for this year. George Jones, the Indian River-

keeper says, “As a marine conservationist for over 30 years, I have never been more excited about

the potential for a technology to help resource mangers do their jobs than ORCA’s Kilroy system…

I can think of no higher priority than putting a Kilroy network to work in the Indian River Lagoon,

and have it become a model for other Waterkeepers with the International Waterkeeper Alliance

to use in the protection and defense of their water bodies. We all need to demand clean water, and

Kilroy will help us transform the Federal Clean Water Act from a hard-to-enforce document to

the standard that all water-related actions must meet.”

The Chesapeake Bay remains our target for the next level of expansion and while ORCA is

creating the templates for Kilroy deployment and its resulting conservation programs in

Florida, its leadership, supporters and volunteers are actively pursuing relationships necessary

for transitioning into the Chesapeake Bay. These include major landowners and community

philanthropists such as Peter Stifel, as well as Tom and Anne Wyman. These well-connected

individuals have introduced ORCA to retired Admiral James D. Watkins, chair of the U.S.

Commission on Ocean Policy, Laird Wise, an engineer based in Maryland, and Ali Tyler, a

global industrialist in wastewater treatment. Independently, ORCA has developed ties to a

variety of research institutions interested in bringing Kilroy technology to the Chesapeake Bay,

including Dr. Denise Breitberg with the Smithsonian field station in Annapolis, as well as Dr.

Lou Codispotti at the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Lab who are ready to assist in the

installation of a Kilroy network once we overcome our engineering challenges.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” -Robert Frost

ORCA’s Duerr Laboratory for Marine Conservation

The Internet has brought

many unique benefits to

marketing, one of which

being lower costs for the

distribution of information

and media to a wider global

audience. The interactive

nature of Internet marketing,

both in terms of providing

instant response and elicit-

ing responses, is a unique

quality of the medium.

Both informative and inter-

active, ORCA’s new website

(currently under develop-

ment for launch in Summer

2009) will not only help

drive donations but also get

the public involved in saving the ocean. Our e-mail campaigns will drive those both

familiar and unfamiliar with ORCA to our website. Features on the current site,

like our Eye-in-the-Sea, enable visitors to see live deep sea activity. The world’s

first unobtrusive deep-sea observatory, is now installed 3,000 feet deep in the

Monterey Canyon 22 miles off the California coast and is sending video back to

shore and then over the internet. Also under development, and set to launch with

our new website, is the ORCA marketplace. Potential contibutors can, for example,

download our Seawatch Card, which guides consumers when making seafood pur-

chases, simply by making a small donation. Also available will be ORCA branded

items such as organic cotton T-Shirts, metal canteens, coloring books, etc. Our goal

in increasing our exposure on the web is not only to make the public aware of our

critical mission, but to increase donations and revenues in support of that mission.

Critical to ORCA’s growth are donations from individuals whose gifts, both large and

small, are also vital to our efforts to save the ocean for future generations. Key is the

recruitment of contributors to our family of ORCA benefactors who have made a lasting

commitment to our ocean by making generous donations or by naming ORCA a beneficiary

in their estate plans. Membership in our Kilroy Society and Legacy Gifting groups is a way

for us to recognize this profound

contribution to our future and a way

to thank our supporters worldwide

for their thoughtful, selfless and

generous show of support for ocean

conservation.

These special members are kept

informed about our strategies,

achievements and challenges in

protecting our ecologically important

waters. Plus, benefits such as a

personalized certificate of member-

ship, ORCA’s annual report, email

updates, exclusive event invitations

keep our members involved.

NETwORKINGwEBSITE DEVELOPMENT & EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

GEORGE JONESIndian Riverkeeper

KILROY DEPLOYMENT IS A HUGE STEP FORwARD Deployment of ORCA’s Kilroys in the Indian

River Lagoon will be a huge step forward for

improvement and restoration efforts as well

as the quality of life for area residents.

The independent nature of the Kilroy data is

essential as is its availability to everyone. Too

many environmental issues become politicized

through lack of shared information. I can think

of no higher priority than putting a Kilroy

network to work in the Indian River Lagoon,

and have it become a model for other water-

keepers with the International waterkeeper

Alliance to use in the protection and defense of

their water bodies. we all need to demand clean

water, and Kilroy will help us transform the

Federal Clean water Act from a hard-to-enforce

document to the standard that all water-related

actions must meet.

DID YOU KNOW?THE OCEAN COVERS 71% OF THE

EARTH’S SURFACE AND CONTAINS

97% OF THE EARTH’S wATER. LESS

THAN 1% IS FRESH wATER, AND

2-3% IS CONTAINED IN GLACIERS

AND ICE CAPS.

ORCA COMMUNICATIONSINCREASING VISIBILITY THROUGH PRINT & wEBThe Claneil Proactive grant has enabled us to expand and improve upon ORCA’s communica-

tions efforts and to develop ORCA’s website and social-networking capabilities. Professional

communication of ORCA’s mission, programs, and needs is vital to our success on multiple

levels, from public awareness of our ocean’s plight, local community participation,

and ultimately exposure on a national level.

KILROY SOCIETY &LEGACY GIFTING

INCREASING OUR NETwORK OF DEVOTED DONORS

DRIVING INTERNET ExPOSURE

World Ocean Day E-mail Campaign

Kilroy Society Brochure (top left) & Legacy Gifting Brochure (above)

Expenses FY 2008

86%

10%4%

ProgrammaticAdministrativeFundraising

Revenue FY 2008

41%

10%

47%

2%

IndividualsFoundationsGovernmentEducational Sales

Revenue FY 2008*Individuals

Educational Sales

GovernmentFoundations

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2008GROwING TO FACE THE CHALLENGEIn 2008, ORCA generated revenue from a balanced array of sources—government, private

foundations and individuals. Strong financial support in 2008 allowed us to complete our

fiscal year 2008 with an operating surplus of $560,595. Our programmatic efficiency was

extremely high (especially for a new, technology driven non-profit) with 85 cents of every

dollar spent on programmatic activities. Most importantly, despite our fundraising success,

fundraising costs represented only 4% of total expenses.

Programmatic

Sources of IncomeCharitable Contributions Individuals ....................................... $661,576 Foundations .................................... $155,991Government ......................................... $758,611Educational Revenue ........................... $36,034 Total Income ......................................... $1,612,212

ExpensesProgram Activities ............................... $897,438 Research & Development ........... $772,842 Conservation Programs .............. $124,596General & Administrative .................. $107,454Fundraising ............................................ $46,725 Total Expenses ...................................... $1,051,617

* Revenue is reported on a cash basis.

CONTRIBUTING FOUNDATIONSBay Branch Foundation

Claneil Foundation

Margaret Ewell Dickins Foundation

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

The Educational Foundation of America

Karl G. Estes Foundation

The Florida Wildlife Research Institute

Mellam Family Foundation

Alex G. Nason Foundation, Inc.

The National Science Foundation

The Prentice Foundation

Sand Dollar Fund

Springbank Foundation

William & Karen Tell Foundation

Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust

85%

Expenses FY 2008FundraisingAdministrative

5%

PAUL MILLARWater Resource Manager, Martin County, Florida

UNPRECEDENTED POTENTIAL FOR wATER QUALITY DATA – ENABLING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE BETTER ON-THE-GROUND DECISIONSORCA is the first agency to come along with

the capability to provide real-time information

on, not only in-the-water pollutants, but toxic

sediments as well. Kilroy allows you to catch

pollution events as they occur, documenting

not only the magnitude of the impact, but its

source and downstream direction. Further-

more, Kilroy doesn’t take weekends off, call in

sick, or cancel due to inclement weather. Run-

off from storms is probably one of the larger

impacts on water quality, but it is dangerous to

collect data from a boat during these events;

not so for Kilroy. Like mail carriers, Kilroy

delivers rain or shine!

DID YOU KNOW?MARINE BIODIVERSITY EQUALS

THAT ON LAND. YET LESS THAN

ONE PERCENT OF THE OCEAN’S

HABITAT HAS BEEN PROTECTED.

INNOVATIONNEw TOOLS, NEw DISCOVERIES

ORCA’S EYE-IN-THE-SEAWe have explored less than 5% of the deep ocean. There are great discoveries to be

made and great resources to be tapped: new species, new pharmaceuticals and new

industrial compounds. In order to develop effective strategies to preserve and protect

these valuable resources we need to greatly expand our understanding. How many

animals are there living in the vast depths of the ocean that remain unknown? How

many have we never glimpsed because they outrun our nets and avoid our bright and

noisy submersibles? What are their critical breeding zones and behaviors that might

be inadvertently disrupted by human activities?

We are poised on a new frontier – one that replaces expeditionary science and snap-

shot sample collection with a permanent observing presence that can monitor and

protect our planet’s vital ecosystems. It is a grand vision of a “wired ocean” and the

ORCA Eye-in-the-Sea is at the leading edge of that vision. This novel technology,

the world’s first unobtrusive deep-sea observatory, is now installed 3,000 feet deep

in the Monterey Canyon 22 miles off the California coast and is sending video back

to shore and then over the internet. The ORCA Eye-in-the-Sea will be able to collect

data continuously for months at a time and stream the video to shore,

observing the animal life in the dark depths with as little distur-

bance as possible. There has never been a deep-sea web cam

– until now – and this major technological achievement is

exciting both scientific and public interest.

“We need to act now to reverse distressing declines if this and future generations are to continue enjoying the many benefits we derive from our oceans and coasts.” -Admiral James D. watkins

OCEAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

LAND TO SEA INITIATIVE

FAST

ENFORCEMENT

RESEARCH

PHILANTHROPY

TECHNOLOGY

CONSERVATION

CLEAN WATER ACT

FAST ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT TOXICITY

EYE-IN-THE-SEA

ACTION

INNOVATION

CHALLENGE

KILROY

Duerr Laboratory for Marine Conservation • 1420 Seaway Drive, 2nd Floor • Fort Pierce, FL 34949 • phone 772-467-1600 • fax 772-467-1602

www.teamorca.orgORCA is a trademark of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. ©2009 Ocean Research & Conservation Association. All rights reserved.