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Innovative Marine Science for a Sustainable Future

Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory scientists and our partners study the ocean's role in climate, weather, and extreme events, as well as its impact on marine ecosystems.  Together, we provide foundational information to respond to a rapidly changing planet.

About us
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The Bell Shimada at sea, an enormous spray of seawater engulfing one side
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GOES 18 earth image.

The Ocean's Role in Climate, Weather and Extreme Events

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Sampling bottles in a CTD partially submerged in water.

Environmental Impacts of Ocean and Atmospheric Chemistry

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Gold and pink coral in front of seaweed forest.

Drivers of Change in Marine Ecosystems

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Publications

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Ocean carbon sink observed (1959-2022) and projected (to 2100) graph.

Data

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Technology and Innovation

Jobs and Internships

PMEL Highlights

Featured Publication |
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Sunlight streams through green water onto vertical strings of kelp.
Read more about When Do You Call a Cod a Cod? - New Guidelines Improve Accuracy of Marine eDNA

Imagine being able to identify every fish, mammal, invertebrate, and microbe in a patch of the ocean just by sampling a single cup of water. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a process that allows scientists to detect the genetic fingerprint left behind by marine organisms. While eDNA has become a valuable tool for monitoring ecosystem health, it has faced a major hurdle: how do we ensure that we accurately identify species from our eDNA sequences? A new study co-authored by NOAA scientists at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological

When Do You Call a Cod a Cod? - New Guidelines Improve Accuracy of Marine eDNA

Featured Story |
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Juvenile red rock crab stands underwater on pebbly ground.

PMEL-coauthored research receives UK nomination for the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize

Featured Story |
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Ocean waves approach dark green and brown hillsides under sunny blue skies.

NOAA PMEL scientists provide analysis and expertise for 2026 California Coast and Ocean Assessment report

Search Archive
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In the News

| research.noaa.gov

Another ocean drone joins NOAA’s growing fleet

| today.ucsd.edu

Fund for Science and Technology Awards $15 Million to Scripps Oceanography

| cicoes.uw.edu

New compendium opens access to 47 years of data on Alaska waters

Our Value to Society

The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) provides trusted scientific information, critical observations, and groundbreaking research to advance knowledge of the global ocean and its interactions with Earth systems. The work of PMEL scientists and engineers strengthens society's capacity to improve weather/climate predictions, fisheries management, and coastal resilience. PMEL is committed to finding answers to the world's most difficult and pressing environmental challenges.