Our goal is to understand and predict effects of the oceans on human health to assist resource and human health managers and individuals in making sound decisions that reduce or eliminate human health risks.

For many years, we have made great strides in understanding how humans impact coastal and ocean resources. Now, through this West Coast Center we can more completely assess how the oceans affect the health and well-being of people. Understanding these interrelationships will enable us to better predict and forecast serious threats to human health from viruses, bacteria, biotoxins, and chemical contaminants that can be present in the oceans and seafood and identify ways to improve the quality of ocean resources now and in the future.