Tracking ocean pollutants to keep seafood safe
Scripps Center for Oceans and Human Health: advancing the science of marine contaminants and seafood security
Researchers will track nutrients and harmful chemicals in seafood to help people who eat fish make safer, healthier choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11373191 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This center brings together ocean and health scientists who will test seafood, fish, and coastal waters for both essential nutrients and harmful pollutants. They will study marine microbes and food-web pathways to understand how contaminants form and move into the seafood you eat, and use lab models to study developmental toxicity. Teams will work with coastal communities, fishers, and public-health groups to collect samples, share findings, and co-create clear guidance about seafood safety. The program combines field sampling, chemical and genomic analysis, laboratory experiments, and community outreach across multiple U.S. coastal sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who regularly eat seafood—especially pregnant or breastfeeding people, coastal fishers and their communities, and anyone willing to provide samples or answer surveys.
Not a fit: People who do not consume seafood or whose health concerns are unrelated to environmental contaminants are unlikely to see direct benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce clearer seafood guidance, improved contaminant monitoring, and reduced exposure for people who rely on fish for food.
How similar studies have performed: Past seafood-monitoring and pollutant-tracking programs have improved seafood advisories, but combining marine microbiome science, bioaccumulation mechanisms, and community-driven outreach in one center is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moore, Bradley S — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Moore, Bradley S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.