FROM THE TOS PRESIDENT

Paula Bontempi

Greetings TOS Members:

December is upon us—I hope that many of you are planning a break with friends and family. Please give yourself the grace to enjoy a moment of peace. 

I am just home from the triennial International Ocean Colour Science Meeting in Germany. It was wonderful to connect with old friends and colleagues and hear inspiring talks on observing ocean carbon, water quality, biodiversity, and many new properties from space. It was amazing to see so many student and early career scientists presenting new frontiers in optical oceanography and satellite remote sensing science and technology. Our ocean planet needs the energy and ideas of this next generation of explorers to advance ocean research and management from space and suborbital platforms.

During the conference I began to wonder about the return on investment of global research and development. Earth’s global ocean economy has resources valued at an estimated US$24T according to the UN/World Wildlife Fund/World Bank. The ocean economy generates ~US$2.5 trillion in blue sector revenue annually (e.g., fisheries, tourism, shipping, etc.) and employs nearly 600 million people worldwide, which makes it the 7th largest economy globally. Valuing the ocean’s assets is vitally important to inform effective decision-making. Thus, observations and research that you undertake elucidate the oceans’ unknowns and enable a forecasting ability to ensure a robust global economy. It would be incredible to watch the world build an interdisciplinary and international platform to support and share ocean knowledge with the public, seamlessly blending natural science, social, and economic data. Perhaps such a resource has been launched or is in development.

My hope for 2026 is that science and scientists continue to build public trust and a shared, bold, and inclusive ocean scientific vision. Scientific progress touches everything from disease prevention to food security. Conducting research teaches people how to inquire and we, as scientists, must continue to be free to do so. Scientific inquiry involves the same skills as using a Large Language Model/AI—to gain the information one seeks, one must know what question to ask. Losing the skill to know how to ask a question and for one to simply accept a generated answer without question truly breaks with scientific integrity. Higher education and research institutions must continue to renew our scientific talent and upskill and reskill our professionals. We must ensure the entire global candidate pool has the opportunity to build skillsets—new fields must be open to all, not just those who can afford higher education or degrees.

Our endeavors should consider the well-being of communities, ecosystems, and institutional partners to revolutionize how sectors work together sustainably. Sharing ideas/solutions/roadmaps for sustainable practices might ensure that emerging nations have resources they need for their future. Global challenges require global solutions and will bring opportunities and economic prosperity.

It has been a pleasure, honor, and privilege to work with the TOS Council, employees, and all of you this year. Thank you, all, for all that you do. I look forward to the coming year to use our voices and build the future together. 

With best wishes for the season,

Paula

If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to renew your TOS membership for 2026. Your support enables the Society to maintain a robust Honors program, produce Oceanography  magazine, host member activities at the biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting, convene events of community interest, and support the efforts of the Council in implementing the Strategic Plan. Please contact Jenny Ramarui if you have any questions.

This compelling webinar series was designed to demystify the “hidden curriculum” in marine science—important information that is crucial for career development, but rarely taught in the classroom. The live webinar series is complete but you can watch recorded webinars and find useful resources on the webinar series page.

As many of us begin planning our schedule for the Ocean Sciences Meeting in February, we would like to bring your attention to several TOS-related activities. Get details on the TOS Booth, Honors Breakfast, and Membership Meeting, TOS-supported activities, including workshops on developing your CV/resume and best practices for building a professional online profile, and more.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ocean Optics XXVII for a week of insight, collaboration, and connection. This event brings together a diverse ocean optics community, including oceanographers, limnologists, optical engineers, Earth observation scientists, resource managers, and policy professionals from across the globe, all united by a shared passion for optics in aquatic environments.

READ THE NEW EARLY RELEASES

FEATURE ARTICLE • Cost-Conscious Measurements in the Coastal Waters of Bangladesh
By R. Loodh et al.

ESSAY • Tales from the Deep: Audio Narratives from the Scientific Ocean Drilling Community

MEETING REPORT • Ten Pressing Questions (and Answers) About Marine Fungi and Opportunities for Collaborations in the Ocean Sciences
By A.S. Amend et al.

Tammy Silva, Research Marine Ecologist, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA