Southern California Marine Institute

What Southern California Marine Institute does

Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI) is a strategic alliance of 25 universities, colleges, and foundations — nine California State University campuses, USC (including the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island), UCLA, Occidental College, Pasadena City College, the Los Angeles Community College District, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service West Coast Region, The Bay Foundation, and the California Science Center Foundation — that operates shared marine research infrastructure in the Port of Los Angeles. Founded in 1983 and headquartered at 820 S. Seaside Ave., Terminal Island, CA, SCMI is governed as a non-profit consortium with strong operational ties to California State University Long Beach; its core assets are the R/V Yellowfin research vessel, 10,000 square feet of deep-harbor waterfront with working docks and dive operations, a research laboratory with a closed circulating seawater filtration system (3,000- and 2,400-gallon reservoirs servicing 14 tanks), and the federally-leased Palos Verdes Reef Restoration site — the first offshore restoration rocky reef in California history (constructed 2020).

SCMI's product surface spans five interlocking lines. The CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island is a 15-unit Fall-semester program hosted at USC Wrigley, with CSU undergraduate tuition of $4,171, CSU graduate tuition of $4,978, and non-CSU/non-resident tuition of $10,831 — plus $7,963.20 in USC Wrigley board, lodging, and facility fees. The AAUS Scientific Diving Certification is a four-week course limited to 12 participants, priced at $1,700 for non-members, $600 for SCMI members, and free for OSI members. The Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) is a five-day SBSA-standard course, free for CSU/OSI students and staff, $250 for SCMI members, and $500 for non-members. Research services include POSSE — a real-time shore station in Fish Harbor streaming air/water temperature, humidity, wind, dissolved oxygen, and pH data — and the Palos Verdes reef, which produced a 329% increase in fish populations within four years of construction.

Commercially, SCMI monetizes through three channels: recurring consortium membership fees from its 25 member institutions, recurring educational program tuition (Catalina Semester, AAUS, MOTC), and project-based research grants — including Port of LA Community Investment Grant funding for POSSE. Distribution is community-led and institutional: students are sourced primarily through member-university pipelines, the R/V Yellowfin is booked directly through the SCMI website, and the consortium relies on academic marketing, professional bodies (AAUS, SBSA), and earned media (Quanta Magazine, Daily Breeze, LAist, CSULB news) for top-of-funnel awareness. SCMI's parent is CSULB; no venture, private equity, or strategic corporate ownership is disclosed.

Name

Southern California Marine Institute

Legal name

Southern California Marine Institute

Website

https://scmi.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southern California Marine Institute is a non-profit consortium of 25 Southern California universities and foundations that operates shared marine research infrastructure — including the R/V Yellowfin vessel, Terminal Island waterfront, and the Palos Verdes Reef — and delivers CSU marine-biology education, AAUS diving certification, and MOTC training to consortium member students and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Research and Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Monitoring, Sensors & Instrumentation (SCADA-integrated analyzers, probes, samplers) (EUANAJAC), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Marine research consortium
• Scientific diving certification
• Marine biology education
• Ocean environmental monitoring
• Offshore reef restoration

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Program Fees: Tuition and fees from educational programs including the CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island, AAUS Scientific Diving certification, and MOTC certification courses. Revenue generated from tiered pricing based on institutional membership status.
2. Consortium Membership: Consortium membership fees from 25 member institutions including CSU universities, USC, UCLA, Occidental College, Pasadena City College, and others representing the Ocean Studies Institute.
3. Research Grants and Funding: Funded research projects including Port of Los Angeles Community Investment Grant Program for POSSE monitoring station, and collaborative projects with institutions like the Vantuna Research Group at Occidental College.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SCMI is a marine research consortium offering shared research infrastructure (R/V Yellowfin research vessel, laboratory and waterfront facilities, real-time environmental monitoring stations), hands-on educational programs (CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island, AAUS Scientific Diving Certification, MOTC certification courses), and collaborative research services including the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project. The institute serves 25 member institutions across Southern California by providing unified access to marine expertise, research assets, and training certifications that no single institution could independently maintain.

Product overview

SCMI is a strategic alliance of 25 major universities, colleges, and foundations in Southern California committed to marine research and education. The organization operates as a unified research institute offering the R/V Yellowfin research vessel for marine research, the CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island for undergraduate education, AAUS Scientific Diving Certification for research divers, and MOTC (Motorboat Operator Training Course) for boat operations. These core offerings are supported by specialized research services including the Port Observing Shore Station Element (POSSE) for real-time water quality monitoring, the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project for habitat restoration, and comprehensive Laboratory and Waterfront Facilities for marine research operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• R/V Yellowfin Research Vessel Research vessel serving as SCMI's home vessel for marine research and educational activities; available for booking by consortium member institutions and researchers for demonstration cruises, water sample testing, data collection, and species identification.
• CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island A 15-week intensive undergraduate program based at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Santa Catalina Island providing hands-on marine biology education and field research experience for marine biology and related undergraduate students.
• AAUS Scientific Diving Certification A four-week intensive Scientific Diving Training Program conforming to American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) standards for academic, research, or conservation diving; targeted at students and researchers needing scientific diving credentials.
• Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) An entry-level 5-day intensive boater training course providing fundamental training in boating knowledge, small vessel operations, and safe boating practices through the Scientific Boating Safety Association (SBSA) for small vessel operator crew at SBSA member institutions.
• Port Observing Shore Station Element (POSSE) A real-time environmental monitoring station in the Port of Los Angeles Fish Harbor collecting above-surface air temperature, humidity, and wind data, and below-surface water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH; streams automated data for research and education.
• Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project The first offshore restoration rocky reef in California, constructed in 2020 to restore critical habitat for fish and invertebrate fishery species impacted by historical sedimentation; 24 modules of square pyramid quarry rock structures on the seafloor.
• Waterfront Facilities Full-service waterfront at 820 S. Seaside Ave., Terminal Island, including research vessel and small vessels for coastal research, vessel storage and maintenance, machine and wood shops, warehouse, dive locker with compressor, and 10,000 square feet of deep harbor space with working docks and wharf.
• Laboratory Facilities Research laboratories (254 square feet equipped with fume hood and sinks), offices, conference room, classroom, and seawater circulating filtration system maintaining living marine specimens in tanks between 200-4000 gallons with two separate closed circulating systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fish populations up 329% off Palos Verdes Peninsula coast within 4 years of reef restoration

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California State University Channel IslandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2024One of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium. Students from all CSU campuses can access SCMI facilities, the R/V Yellowfin research vessel, and participate in educational programs like the Catalina Semester.
• California State University Dominguez HillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium. Contributes to the combined marine resources of the consortium.
• California State University FullertoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium. Students have access to SCMI programs and facilities.
• California State University Long Beach (CSULB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island (Fall 2025). Home to faculty Dr. Bengt Allen, Dr. Darren Johnson, and Dr. Christopher Janousek who teach Catalina Semester courses. Houses the OSI Dive and Boat Safety Office.
• California State University Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium. Students access marine research programs and facilities.
• California State University Northridge (CSUN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host institution for CSU Marine Biology Semester on Catalina Island. Home to Dr. Larry Allen who conducted the Barred Sand Bass Study.
• California State University PomonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium.
• California State University San BernardinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium.
• California State University San MarcoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine CSU universities in the Ocean Studies Institute consortium.
• University of Southern California (USC) Wrigley Institute for Environmental StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns and operates the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island where the CSU Marine Biology Semester is hosted. Karen Lloyd from USC Wrigley conducts research on the R/V Yellowfin. USC is a founding member of the SCMI consortium.
• University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the SCMI consortium contributing to the combined marine resources.
• Occidental CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Vantuna Research Group led by Dr. Dan Pondella. Collaborative partner on the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project - SCMI is the lease holder for the first offshore restoration rocky reef in California.
• Pasadena City CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewest consortium member as of June 2024, bringing total to 25 members. Expands access to community college students for marine science education.
• Los Angeles Community College DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member representing community college education in the LA region.
• The Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member and environmental foundation involved in marine research, including kelp forest restoration projects.
• NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service West Coast RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in the SCMI consortium contributing to marine research and monitoring in the Southern California Bight.
• California Science Center FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member with historical involvement in diving operations and boat safety. Former employer of Darrell Montague, current OSI Dive and Boat Safety Officer.
• Scientific Boating Safety Association (SBSA)coreTechnology or IntegrationSBSA provides the Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) standards which CSU/OSI has adopted as the foundation for their small boat training program. CSU/OSI is an SBSA Organizational Member. Darrell Montague serves as SBSA Lead Instructor.
• San Pedro Ocean Time Series (SPOT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCMI assists research at the SPOT sampling station as part of past research projects, providing facility access and sampling support.
• Dr. Christine Whitcraft - CSULB (Salt Ponds Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPast research collaboration monitoring recovery of salt ponds in San Diego Bay following restoration of tidal flushing.
• Dr. Chris Lowe - CSULB Shark LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFish Tracking Study in Port of Los Angeles Harbor, studying white croaker movement patterns using acoustic transmitters.
• Dr. David Caron - USC (ECOHAB Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional NOAA-funded research project investigating harmful algal blooms comparing Monterey Bay with San Pedro shelf region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS): The standards body for scientific diving in the U.S. SCMI's AAUS Scientific Diving Certification program is built directly on AAUS standards and OSI is an AAUS Organizational Member, making AAUS both a governance and ecosystem relationship.

Broad incumbents

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: A large, independent marine research organization operating its own fleet, dives, and graduate programs. Comparable to SCMI in marine research and diving operations, but at significantly greater scale and with broader global scope.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): A privately-funded oceanographic research institute operating deep-sea research, autonomous vehicles, and coastal monitoring in Monterey Bay. Comparable to SCMI in operating a private marine research platform with continuous monitoring, though at much larger scale.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego): One of the largest U.S. academic oceanographic institutions, operating research vessels, graduate programs, and coastal observation networks. Overlaps with SCMI on marine research, vessel access, and education but at vastly greater scale and broader geographic scope.

Direct peers

• Bodega Marine Laboratory (UC Davis): UC Davis's coastal marine laboratory in Bodega Bay, California, runs research, education, and scientific diving programs similar in structure to SCMI. Both serve as university-affiliated hubs for marine field research and student training on the California coast.
• Friday Harbor Laboratories (University of Washington): UW's marine research and teaching station in the San Juan Islands offers coursework, scientific diving, and research vessel access to university students — a structural parallel to SCMI's Catalina Semester and AAUS certification offerings.
• Hatfield Marine Science Center (Oregon State University): OSU's coastal marine science center provides shared research facilities, a research vessel fleet, and educational programs for the Pacific Northwest academic community, closely mirroring SCMI's shared-infrastructure consortium model.
• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Florida Atlantic University): A university-based oceanographic institute that operates research vessels, dives, and graduate programs focused on coastal and estuarine research — comparable in mission and operating model to SCMI, though on the U.S. East Coast.
• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories: A CSU-system marine laboratory consortium on Monterey Bay that provides shared research infrastructure, vessel access, and graduate education across multiple California State University campuses — directly comparable to SCMI's CSU consortium model on the Southern California coast.

Emerging players

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: A privately-funded ocean research organization operating a global research vessel (R/V Falkor) and supporting open-access marine science. Comparable to SCMI in providing vessel-based research support and education, but at international scale and with different funding dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-california-marine-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Southern California Marine Institute