2025-05-15T07:42:34-07:00 2024-06-30 952076568 Leaf & Cole LLP 2810 Camino Del Rio South Suite 200 San Diego CA 92108 990 2023-07-01 952304740 HUBBS-SEA WORLD RESEARCH INSTITUTE HUBB 6192263870 2595 INGRAHAM STREET SAN DIEGO CA 92109 LENELL CARTER CFO 2025-05-15 true true JILL BRANCH P00727664 6192947200 X 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z DON KENT 4724788 false X WWW.HSWRI.ORG X 1963 CA Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (the Institute) was organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of California. The primary purpose for which the Institute was formed is to conduct biological, environmental, and other general scientific studies, and to engage in the development of the technologies which will enhance public awareness and mankinds dedication to the public service responsibility in both the public and private sector. 14 14 64 63 0 5144155 4524086 189368 61976 23247 32808 17844 64954 5374614 4683824 0 0 3156069 3681620 0 236690 1863259 2018931 5019328 5700551 355286 -1016727 8546563 7739579 919123 1085509 7627440 6654070 X Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (the Institute) was organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of California. The primary purpose for which the Institute was formed is to conduct biological, environmental, and other general scientific studies, and to engage in the development of the technologies which will enhance public awareness and mankinds dedication to the public service responsibility in both the public and private sector. false false 3532470 61976 SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD Conducted scientific research on 25 sustainable seafood projects, feeding a hungry world and restoring depleted fish populations. Aquaculture is a practical solution to renewing regionally and economically important marine fisheries, producing domestic supplies of sustainable seafood and reducing the need for fresh water to produce terrestrial animal protein as a food source.During the previous fiscal year, we made significant progress in our white seabass fin clip feasibility program under the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP), with support from NOAAs Saltonstall-Kennedy program. Volunteer anglers and citizen scientists actively participated in collecting fin clips from white seabass they caught, utilizing kits provided by HSWRI. In addition, muscle tissue and otoliths were extracted from white seabass heads donated by anglers and commercial processors, as part of the Save Your White Seabass Head Program. These samples were sent for analysis with fin clips and muscle tissue genotyped for genetic parentage assignment by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to differentiate hatchery-raised and wild fish. Otoliths were sectioned and analyzed for age and stable isotopes by HSWRI and partner institutions, further informing the interpretation of the genetic data. These efforts, contributed valuable insights into white seabass populations, supported sustainable fisheries management, and restorative aquaculture practices.We also completed a project aimed at understanding how water temperature during early development influenced sex determination in California halibut. Using eggs from our broodstock at our Mission Bay facility, we reared juvenile halibut under controlled thermal conditions ranging from 15C to 23C using a specially designed recirculating aquaculture system. Our research demonstrated that higher temperatures resulted in a higher proportion of males, with 98.2% male at 23C, 74.5% male at 19C, and a near 1:1 sex ratio at 15C. This study provided valuable insights for optimizing sex ratios and growth in hatcheries through thermal manipulation, contributing to our future stock enhancement and aquaculture efforts. Additionally, our findings may have broader implications for understanding the impact of global warming on wild population demographics.Our team worked on several projects this past year aimed at improving the feasibility of aquaculture as a commercial industry for food production. We tested a commercial-scale self-cleaning larval rearing tank designed to enhance the production of California yellowtail and white seabass. While the self-cleaning tank did not affect growth, it improved survival for white seabass and reduced labor by fourfold compared to control tanks. Additionally, we studied nutrient transfer from broodstock diets to eggs in California yellowtail, discovering that fatty acids from both commercial pellets and cut bait were incorporated into eggs within 10 to 19 days of feeding. This knowledge will help optimize broodstock diets for better egg quality. Finally, we evaluated the impact of different diets on egg quality in yellowtail broodstock, revealing the need for further research to develop nutritionally complete feeds that can support sustainable aquaculture practices. Together, these projects highlight our efforts to advance aquaculture as a viable source of healthy seafood protein to meet the needs of a growing world population. Over the past year, we made significant strides in advancing Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems to enhance sustainability in the aquaculture industry. We developed a modular, land-based Integrated Multi-Trophic Recirculating Aquaculture System (IMTRAS) that combines culture systems for California yellowtail, sea cucumbers, mussels, and macroalgae (seaweed) to optimize resource use, reduce water consumption, and lower nutrient discharge. Initial trials demonstrated encouraging growth rates for both fish and macroalgae, with a local macroalgae serving as an efficient biofilter, significantly reducing nitrogen levels in the system. In a complementary study, we evaluated macroalgae's growth and nutrient removal in effluent from white seabass raceways, confirming nearly 100% ammonia removal and high algal productivity. Future efforts will focus on refining species density ratios to maximize nutrient recycling and expand seafood production. These projects highlight our ongoing commitment to developing sustainable and restorative aquaculture practices. 325145 OCEAN HEALTH Conducted scientific research on 7 projects on ocean health, promoting a healthier planet where humans and marine life thrive together. To advance ocean health, we study ways to prevent disease transmission, promote ecosystem health and resilience, and provide rapid first response to marine life strandings and entanglements. HSWRI is responsible for stranding response and coordination for 222 km of the north and central east coast of Florida (~40% of Floridas east coast), as well as response within about 1800 km2 of estuarine waters. HSWRIs response area covers three coastal counties, including the federal lands within and surrounding the Kennedy Space Center, and HSWRI responds to more strandings than any other organization in Florida. This portion of Florida averages 67 strandings a year and is one of the most active areas for strandings in the southeastern U.S., receiving both live and dead cetaceans, including large whales, from mass strandings. HSWRI provided 24/7 first response to stranded whales and dolphins in Florida for over 50 events, including a rare beaked whale, striped dolphin, sperm whale, and killer whale, a species not observed stranded in the Southeast US in about 70 years. Response this year included 16 live-strandings, including Floridas second (and Brevard Countys first) grey seal stranding. Data collected by our team in Florida was included in a collaborative study examining the accumulation of trace elements, including essential nutrients and toxic heavy metals, in stranded toothed whales along the Florida and Georgia coasts. The entire dataset, gathered from tissue and fecal samples from 90 individuals across nine species, revealed that Risso's dolphins and short-finned pilot whales exhibited the highest concentrations of harmful metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. The study also found increasing levels of certain elements in pygmy and dwarf sperm whales over time, signaling growing environmental exposure. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of toothed whales as indicators of ocean health and environmental contamination, with far-reaching implications for human health.Our team in Florida published a comprehensive study examining the morbidity and mortality patterns of common bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon from 2002 to 2020. The study analyzed 392 stranded dolphins, identifying causes of death in 57% of cases. The leading causes of death were inflammatory diseases, such as pneumonia, and trauma, mostly from human-related activities like entanglement and propeller strikes. Starvation peaked during the 2013 unusual mortality event, underscoring the vulnerability of this population. This research provides essential baseline data for the conservation and management of dolphins in the region.Over the past year, we have furthered the Institutes mission by establishing key partnerships with regional leaders in restorative aquaculture in Florida. Specifically, we have developed collaborations with organizations specializing in seagrass restoration and shellfish cultivation to enhance habitat recovery efforts. These partnerships allow us to tackle challenges associated with human disturbances, habitat degradation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. By working across sectors, we can create more sustainable marine environments, supporting biodiversity and improving ecosystem resilience. 182505 ANIMAL BEHAVIORConducted scientific research on 1 grant-funded animal behavior project, using sound to harmonize human and animal interaction. By understanding how marine life uses sound for communication and survival, we can reduce impacts of human-made noise, minimize entanglements, and injuries and use sound to warn marine life of hazards.This year, our team contributed to a collaborative project that presented an analysis of the acoustic repertoires of Icelandic killer whales, examining group-specific calls across five locations from 1985 to 2016. The study identified 91 distinct call categories, with some overlap in calls between regions, particularly in Vestmannaeyjar and Breiafjrur, while certain areas featured unique call categories. The occurrence of specific calls remained relatively stable over a 14-year period but varied year-to-year in correlation with the movement of individuals. The study provides a more comprehensive and updated analysis of the call type repertoire of killer whales in Iceland, expanding on the foundational work of HSWRI scientists from 1988, supporting our commitment to understand the dynamics of animal behavior and communication. The program continued testing low-cost underwater video monitoring and sound data collection systems that will be useful for monitoring the biological community and behavior of animals around human structures in the ocean, including offshore aquaculture structures. Pilot testing near our white seabass net pens in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, CA were conducted to monitor biodiversity around the structure. This research provides insight into opportunities for low-cost monitoring in areas where wildlife potentially aggregates and interacts around human activity in the ocean. This year, we welcomed a new postdoctoral researcher to our Animal Behavior and Senses Lab, whose research continues to focus on the communication systems of toothed whales. Our team is actively leading projects investigating vocal learning in belugas and how human-made noise impacts their signature signals. In addition, our team is focusing on identifying the specific calls narwhals use to maintain contact with their social groups, with the aim of exploring how these vocalizations might be used for monitoring purposes. In addition, research is underway on mother-calf communication and vocal learning in toothed whales. This research is a critical contribution to our understanding of how these species communicate and respond to environmental changes and individual and population level interactions. 305133 4345253 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true true false true false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false true false false false false true true true false false true 16 0 false 64 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false X 14 14 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA FL X X LENELL CARTER 6192263882 2595 INGRAHAM STREET SAN DIEGO CA 92109 DONALD B KENT President 40.00 0.25 X 219937 0 25291 MARK DRAWBRIDGE SR. SCIENTIST 40.00 0.00 152088 0 27975 DANIELLE HAULSEE CSO/VP 40.00 0.00 X 144110 0 10976 BETHANY J SMITH CFO/SECRETARY 40.00 0.25 X 123998 0 21156 PAUL FRUCHBOM Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHRIS DOLD Trustee 0.50 0.25 X 0 0 0 ERMELINDA RUIZ MORETTI Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 REESE JARRETT Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE JENKINS Former Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT WEINER Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL KING Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 LOUIS ZIMM Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM LAKE FORMER Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT FLETCHER Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA MACKINNON Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 SHARON VIDAL FORMER Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BILL SHEDD Trustee 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN MORRELL FORMER Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID GARDNER Trustee 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 LAURILEE THOMPSON Trustee 0.50 0.25 X 0 0 0 NICK SANZONE Trustee 40.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 IAN STEWART Trustee 40.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 640133 85398 4 false true false 0 125816 296808 2548320 1553142 40964 4524086 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 6343 6343 PROGRAM SERVICE INCOME 900099 55633 55633 61976 32808 32808 0 0 30380 30380 30380 30380 0 75538 125816 40964 34574 34574 0 0 0 4683824 55633 104105 0 0 0 0 687271 178021 508314 936 0 2329291 1595306 584860 149125 0 430179 393419 -1094 37854 234879 214807 -597 20669 0 0 0 0 0 0 271291 199174 67473 4644 0 0 0 0 460312 301942 158370 77557 42001 28559 6997 0 0 0 0 382755 95017 287738 0 SUPPLIES 533585 443473 76834 13278 BUSINESS EXPENSES 224740 22756 198905 3079 EQUIPMENT 68691 38107 30476 108 ALLOCATED EXPENSES 0 821230 -821230 0 5700551 4345253 1118608 236690 298983 823811 729547 321597 551454 428037 0 0 0 1257849 1259654 0 21226 27874 8746898 6893824 2024159 1853074 990122 374237 0 0 0 2673223 2651295 8546563 7739579 294801 502976 20000 34637 26637 511139 503376 58546 52520 919123 1085509 X 3040083 2531029 4587357 4123041 7627440 6654070 8546563 7739579 -1016727 43357 X false true X true true true X 3805671 4443608 4727899 5144155 4524086 22645419 0 0 3805671 4443608 4727899 5144155 4524086 22645419 3003642 19641777 22910 19399 45704 41091 63188 192292 30244 4370 9955 22244 40917 107730 0 22945441 2569532 0.85600 0.85500 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false 24000 24000 5676551 5700551 435028 108757 false 396682 390035 400966 435028 1622711 2434067 60460 34000 26000 24000 144460 99171 97509 100242 108757 405679 608519 6304485 4780152 1524333 2017575 1719860 297715 424838 393812 31026 1853074 CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS DONATED FLORIDA PROPERTY 2630801 RIGHT OF USE ASSET 20494 2651295 BILLINGS IN EXCESS OF COSTS 32621 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 19899 52520 X 4768145 43357 40964 84321 4683824 4683824 5741515 40964 40964 5700551 5700551 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. The Institutes endowment was established to provide general support. The Institutes spending policy is to disburse funds available to meet the current program needs of the Institute. Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Institute believes that they have appropriate support for any tax positions taken, and as such, do not have any uncertain tax positions that are material to the financial statements. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 CONSOLIDATED ENTITY ACTIVITY $0 SPECIAL EVENT EXPENSE $40964 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S CONSOLIDATED ENTITY ACTIVITY $0 SPECIAL EVENT EXPENSE $40964 X false 60TH GALA 201354 125816 75538 24000 16964 201354 125816 75538 24000 16964 40964 34574 X X X X false false false false false false false false false DANIELLE HAULSEE CSO/VP 144110 10976 155086 DONALD B KENT President 219937 9083 16208 245228 MARK DRAWBRIDGE SR. SCIENTIST 152088 6626 21349 180063 gala food 1 24000 cost auction items 11 16964 FMV false false false Form 990, Part III, Line 4d OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: ANIMAL BEHAVIORConducted scientific research on 1 grant-funded animal behavior project, using sound to harmonize human and animal interaction. By understanding how marine life uses sound for communication and survival, we can reduce impacts of human-made noise, minimize entanglements, and injuries and use sound to warn marine life of hazards.This year, our team contributed to a collaborative project that presented an analysis of the acoustic repertoires of Icelandic killer whales, examining group-specific calls across five locations from 1985 to 2016. The study identified 91 distinct call categories, with some overlap in calls between regions, particularly in Vestmannaeyjar and Breiafjrur, while certain areas featured unique call categories. The occurrence of specific calls remained relatively stable over a 14-year period but varied year-to-year in correlation with the movement of individuals. The study provides a more comprehensive and updated analysis of the call type repertoire of killer whales in Iceland, expanding on the foundational work of HSWRI scientists from 1988, supporting our commitment to understand the dynamics of animal behavior and communication. The program continued testing low-cost underwater video monitoring and sound data collection systems that will be useful for monitoring the biological community and behavior of animals around human structures in the ocean, including offshore aquaculture structures. Pilot testing near our white seabass net pens in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, CA were conducted to monitor biodiversity around the structure. This research provides insight into opportunities for low-cost monitoring in areas where wildlife potentially aggregates and interacts around human activity in the ocean. This year, we welcomed a new postdoctoral researcher to our Animal Behavior and Senses Lab, whose research continues to focus on the communication systems of toothed whales. Our team is actively leading projects investigating vocal learning in belugas and how human-made noise impacts their signature signals. In addition, our team is focusing on identifying the specific calls narwhals use to maintain contact with their social groups, with the aim of exploring how these vocalizations might be used for monitoring purposes. In addition, research is underway on mother-calf communication and vocal learning in toothed whales. This research is a critical contribution to our understanding of how these species communicate and respond to environmental changes and individual and population level interactions. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: EDUCATION AND OUTREACHConducted scientific research on 1 grant-funded education and outreach project, inspiring a love for science. We are committed to creating future citizen advocates for ocean health and marine life by advancing public appreciation for scientific discovery. HSWRI scientists work with students at all levels, committed to a K to Gray lifelong learning approach to inspiring all citizens to be ocean stewards with an appreciation for scientific discovery, targeting Title 1 schools for outreach and presentations. Seabass in the Classroom continued this year with 6 active schools across San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange counties participating in the raising and releasing of white seabass. Our new Education and Outreach Manager led efforts growing the program, by working to bring this program to Title 1 and minority-serving school districts that often lack robust STEM education programs. Further, we continued our work to inspire hands-on and experiential learning and career development opportunities, with more than 450 students visiting the Carlsbad hatchery and Mission Bay facilities for educational tours and career chats with scientists. Our Institute continues to prioritize paid internship opportunities for college-age students over the summer to provide them with invaluable hands-on experience working alongside our researchers. Student recruitment efforts placed a high emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, striving to provide students from all backgrounds with opportunities to learn technical and analytical skills and support their professional development. The Institute pledges to provide equal opportunities for employment, volunteering, representation, and advancement in all areas of our work. This past year, we remained deeply committed to public outreach and marine conservation education, engaging over 4,800 individuals across Florida and California. Through a range of programs, including school visits, community events, and educational talks, we provided opportunities for people of all ages to learn about marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Our outreach efforts aim to inspire the next generation of marine scientists and foster a greater public understanding of the challenges our oceans face. These programs are a vital part of our mission to promote the sustainable use and protection of marine environments. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The officers reviewed a paper copy of the draft 990 two weeks before the report is filed. An electronic copy of the draft report is circulated to the Finance Committee two weeks before the report is filed. The Finance Committee chair forwards any comments or concerns to the Chief Financial Officer. A draft electronic copy is the circulated to all HSWRI board members via e-mail for review one week before the report is filed. Any comments or concerns are forwarded by the CFO to the preparer for any revisions before filing. All these reviews are of the base 990 form and all schedules and other attachments to the report. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c HSWRI requires all officers, trustees and key employees to annually affirm in writing their understanding and conformance to HSWRIs written conflict of interest policy. This policy requires that all employees report any potential conflicts of interest to the Chief Financial Officer, who is an officer of the organization. Officers and trustees report any potential conflicts to Board Chair who convenes the Executive Committee, which determines whether an actual or perceived conflict exists and steps to mitigate or eliminate the conflict. For employees, this determination is made by the President. All parties to the potential conflict do not participate in the deliberations or decisions on the transaction. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b HSWRIs board has delegated the determination of the compensation of the President and key employees to the Compensation Committee. The Committees review and recommendation are based upon use of data as to comparable compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. A contemporaneous record of their discussions and decisions is maintained as part of the corporate record. The Presidents and key employee compensation was last reviewed in 2017. The Presidents last salary increase was in 2020. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 HSWRIs governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request to the Chief Financial Officer. Inspection copies are available for in person inspection at HSWRIs main office. Copies are sent upon request to the public via e-mail at no charge or via US mail at the legally allowable charge. 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