Tuna Research and Conservation Center

The Tuna Research and Conservation Center is a collaboration between Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station and The Monterey Bay Aquarium. The mission of the Tuna Research and Conservation Center (TRCC) is to advance the knowledge and understanding of tunas and other highly migratory marine fishes through research, education, and conservation. This mission is accomplished with a joint program that combines the resources and personnel dedicated to this goal from Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The TRCC program draws upon the strength and excellence of both institutions, thus creating a unique hybrid between a private academic institution and public aquarium. Researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research associates, technical staff, aquarists, and visiting scholars are all part of the TRCC program. In addition, a large contingent of dedicated and experienced fishers, scientists and volunteers help to carry out the field activities. The TRCC program provides a successful model for future partnerships between academic researchers and aquaria, zoos or museum personnel attempting to bridge programs with an emphasis on science, conservation and outreach.