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The Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies operates the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Santa Catalina Island. The marine lab is an ideal location for underwater research, providing convenient access to a variety of near-shore and open water environments. Three decades of ecological and oceanographic research in this area provide a rich context for new studies. The WMSC marine life refuge, established in 1988, comprises relatively pristine soft sediment and kelp forest habitats that are home to a diversity of organisms. Deep oceanic water for blue-water diving is a short distance offshore.
Those interested in subtidal research at WIES should visit our dive site or contact the USC Dive Safety Officer, Gerry Smith, at (310) 510-4022 or gsmith@usc.edu for more information.
Our Waterfront Facilities
The lab supports scientists who need to use scuba or snorkeling for their research. Waterfront facilities include boats, scuba cylinders, air fills, and safety equipment. Nitrox in standard and custom blends is available to qualified divers. For information on space availability, please call the office at (310) 510-4015; for housing and waterfront fees, please see our website.
Our Scientific Diving Program
WIES conducts a University diving safety program in accordance with the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) standards. USC is an organizational member of the AAUS; we recognize dive certifications at other AAUS institutions through reciprocity. Nitrox training workshops are also available to divers in the USC scientific diving program and other AAUS programs. Please contact the Dive Safety Officer for details. You may also look at our Dive Safety Manual (2.2MB PDF File) or download the divelog spreadsheet (Excel File).
Your Diving Equipment
For safety reasons, each diver must provide his/her own dive gear. The following equipment is required:
The following equipment is recommended:
WMSC houses the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, an important emergency resource for divers in the local area. The chamber is supported by Los Angeles County, USC and private donations.
The Catalina Conservancy Divers are volunteer divers dedicated to long-term subtidal monitoring around Catalina, including some sites within the WMSC marine life refuge. Their research focuses on gathering continuous water temperature profiles and quarterly census data on conspicuous kelp forest organisms.
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The Lab and Underwater Research