Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Marine science and technology videos

MBARI's video lab has prepared a number of videos for both educational and research purposes. The video clips below represent a sampling of the full catalog of original videos available on MBARI's YouTube channel. The videos on this page have been divided into three categories: Science, Engineering, and Marine Life.

Marine Science Videos

There's no such thing as a jellyfish


Antarctic icebergs and the carbon cycle


Davidson Seamount: The Biology of an Underwater Mountain

Over the last two decades, marine biologists have discovered lush forests of deep-sea corals and sponges growing on seamounts (underwater mountains) offshore of the California coast. It has generally been assumed that many of these animals live only on seamounts, and are found nowhere else. However, new research from MBARI shows that most seamount animals can also be found in other deep-sea areas.

Boneworms on dead whales in Monterey Bay


Do the locomotion in the deep!

Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to observe deep-sea animal behaviors. This video shows highlights from high definition video recorded from the ROVs. Deep-sea organisms use a variety of ways to swim. Among them are fish that undulate tails, sea spiders that "stride" through the water with their legs, and feather stars that use arm strokes to propel themselves when they detach from the seafloor.


Even animals living in the deep ocean are affected by the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The ocean naturally absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, resulting in a more acidic habitat for ocean life. Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute use a series of specially designed chambers to study how deep-sea animals will respond to this change in ocean chemistry.

Challenges of the Deep


Marine Life Videos

Hide and Seek in the Deep



MBARI researchers Bruce Robison and Kim Reisenbichler used video taken by unmanned, undersea robots called remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to study barreleye fish in the deep waters just offshore of Central California. The ROV video revealed a previously undescribed feature of these fish—its eyes are surrounded by a transparent, fluid-filled shield that covers the top of the fish's head.

Anthology of Deep Sea Squids


The Vampire Squid - an ancient species faces new dangers in the deep


Eerie critters of the deep: BIG TEETH

A compilation of eerie, creepy, and scary deep-sea fish with BIG TEETH. In order of appearance: Aristostomias scintillans (Shiny loosejaw), Anoplogaster cornuta (Fangtooth), Tactostoma macropus (Longfin dragonfish), Chaenophryne, Chauliodus macouni (Viperfish), Tactostoma macropus (Longfin dragonfish), Chauliodus macouni (Viperfish), Tactostoma macropus (Longfin dragonfish).

Marine Engineering Videos

Tethys - A new breed of undersea robot


The Deep Environmental Sample Processor (Deep-ESP)

The Environmental sample processor (ESP) is an automated molecular biology laboratory. Floating in the open ocean or moored in the deep sea, it can detect microbes and other tiny living organisms using their genetic material. It can also detect other biologically important compounds such as toxins generated during harmful algal blooms. This video shows a test of the "Deep-ESP," which can operate as deep as 4,000 meters below the ocean surface.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle


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Last updated: Apr. 25, 2013