Pike Spector (he/him)
@baronvonurchin.bsky.social
Biodiversity Program Manager at the California Ocean Protection Council (@opc-california.bsky.social). #Kelp forest lover, Phycology In General; here for SciComm, ecology, open data, dad jokes, and natural history #phycyeah! He/him. MSc
Hot off the press! Check out our new Strategic Plan! It’s full of ambitious and exciting goals rooted in the best available science and the needs of California!
🌊 We’re excited to share OPC's NEW 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, our roadmap through the end of the decade to safeguard our coast and ocean for all Californians!
📘 Read the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: bit.ly/OPC-STRATEGIC-PLAN
📘 Read the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: bit.ly/OPC-STRATEGIC-PLAN
December 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Hot off the press! Check out our new Strategic Plan! It’s full of ambitious and exciting goals rooted in the best available science and the needs of California!
#phycyeah this rocks!!! 😍
Seaweed pressing as an art and a science: our newly reestablished herbarium collection at Scripps and the history behind it #Phycology
An art and a science: Scripps Oceanography showcases 5,000 seaweed pressings
UC San Diego’s Smith Seaweed Ecology Lab is digitizing its collection of more than 5,000 pressings and making it accessible to the public
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#phycyeah this rocks!!! 😍
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
The Queen of Limu! 😍 #PhycologyFriday 🌊🦑
Isabella Aiona Abbott was the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive a PhD in science and a leading expert on Pacific marine algae. She discovered over 200 seaweed species and her work is still influential today. adalovelaceday.subst...
Prof Isabella Aiona Abbott, Phycologist and ethnobotanist
Isabella Aiona Abbott was the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive a PhD in science and a leading expert on Pacific marine algae.
adalovelaceday.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The Queen of Limu! 😍 #PhycologyFriday 🌊🦑
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Eisenia arborea (the “Southern sea palm”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
December 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Eisenia arborea (the “Southern sea palm”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
This quarter, in our weekly meeting of ecologists in the department, we’re observing & journaling about patterns in nature. Because of our lab’s recent focus on seaweeds’ morphological traits, we led a cyanotype activity today. It was super-fun, & the results were great! #PhycologyFriday #SciArt 🌊🦑🐡
December 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This quarter, in our weekly meeting of ecologists in the department, we’re observing & journaling about patterns in nature. Because of our lab’s recent focus on seaweeds’ morphological traits, we led a cyanotype activity today. It was super-fun, & the results were great! #PhycologyFriday #SciArt 🌊🦑🐡
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
The Bay took over the highway during this morning's #KingTides in Marin.
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Bay took over the highway during this morning's #KingTides in Marin.
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Science and marine life folks! Does anyone on here study sea anemones (or know someone who does)? I'm particularly interested in talking to someone about the biomechanics of their tentacles and stinging cells. 🧪🦑
a close up of a sea anemone with a lot of tentacles
Alt: a close up of several sea anemones in different colors (white, yellow, brownish orange) waving their tentacles
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Science and marine life folks! Does anyone on here study sea anemones (or know someone who does)? I'm particularly interested in talking to someone about the biomechanics of their tentacles and stinging cells. 🧪🦑
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Rhodymenia californica (“roseweed”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
November 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Rhodymenia californica (“roseweed”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Science needs to guide our decisions, now more than ever.💯
As science is being defunded, ignored & even attacked we’re doubling down on scientific partnerships.
📺 Join us on Dec 4 from 12-1 pm to learn more. Register for our discussion here👉🏼 ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
As science is being defunded, ignored & even attacked we’re doubling down on scientific partnerships.
📺 Join us on Dec 4 from 12-1 pm to learn more. Register for our discussion here👉🏼 ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Science needs to guide our decisions, now more than ever.💯
As science is being defunded, ignored & even attacked we’re doubling down on scientific partnerships.
📺 Join us on Dec 4 from 12-1 pm to learn more. Register for our discussion here👉🏼 ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
As science is being defunded, ignored & even attacked we’re doubling down on scientific partnerships.
📺 Join us on Dec 4 from 12-1 pm to learn more. Register for our discussion here👉🏼 ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
If a politician:
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
November 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
If a politician:
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
🌊 Join us virtually or in-person for the next Council meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.!
For details and the full agenda, visit 🔗 bit.ly/OPC-DEC-2025
For details and the full agenda, visit 🔗 bit.ly/OPC-DEC-2025
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
🌊 Join us virtually or in-person for the next Council meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.!
For details and the full agenda, visit 🔗 bit.ly/OPC-DEC-2025
For details and the full agenda, visit 🔗 bit.ly/OPC-DEC-2025
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Coworker: “Only thing getting us through the day at this point is reckless optimism”
Hits better than espresso
Hits better than espresso
November 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Coworker: “Only thing getting us through the day at this point is reckless optimism”
Hits better than espresso
Hits better than espresso
And just in time for #phycologyFriday!
This is a big win for our efforts to restore California’s iconic kelp forests!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
This is a big win for our efforts to restore California’s iconic kelp forests!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
And just in time for #phycologyFriday!
This is a big win for our efforts to restore California’s iconic kelp forests!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
This is a big win for our efforts to restore California’s iconic kelp forests!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Happy Whale Explosion Day to those who celebrate!
55 years ago officials decided to deal with a [dead] stranded whale that washed up near Florence, Oregon the only way they knew how, by attempting to blow it up
"What about my dynamite?"
-S. Zissou
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
55 years ago officials decided to deal with a [dead] stranded whale that washed up near Florence, Oregon the only way they knew how, by attempting to blow it up
"What about my dynamite?"
-S. Zissou
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
The Exploding Whale: An infamous moment in Oregon history creates a strangely beloved icon
YouTube video by KATU News
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Happy Whale Explosion Day to those who celebrate!
55 years ago officials decided to deal with a [dead] stranded whale that washed up near Florence, Oregon the only way they knew how, by attempting to blow it up
"What about my dynamite?"
-S. Zissou
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
55 years ago officials decided to deal with a [dead] stranded whale that washed up near Florence, Oregon the only way they knew how, by attempting to blow it up
"What about my dynamite?"
-S. Zissou
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
What do California and the Amazon have in common❓Much more than you may know! Governor Newsom and key Brazilian Governor share more.👇🏼
www.newsweek.com/from-califor...
www.newsweek.com/from-califor...
From California to the Amazon—Local Leaders Are Changing the Climate Game | Opinion
The fight against climate change transcends national borders.
www.newsweek.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
What do California and the Amazon have in common❓Much more than you may know! Governor Newsom and key Brazilian Governor share more.👇🏼
www.newsweek.com/from-califor...
www.newsweek.com/from-califor...
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Zonaria farlowii (“banded fanweed”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Zonaria farlowii (“banded fanweed”) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
It’s never been more important to build bridges internationally to tackle global climate change.
Join us for a live update📺 from the UN climate summit on Wed at 12 noon PT.
ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us for a live update📺 from the UN climate summit on Wed at 12 noon PT.
ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 3, 2025 at 2:53 AM
It’s never been more important to build bridges internationally to tackle global climate change.
Join us for a live update📺 from the UN climate summit on Wed at 12 noon PT.
ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us for a live update📺 from the UN climate summit on Wed at 12 noon PT.
ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Reminder: Tomorrow’s election closing times.
- 7 p.m. ET - Virginia
- 8 p.m. ET - New Jersey
- 9 p.m. ET - New York City
- 8 p.m. PT - California
- 7 p.m. ET - Virginia
- 8 p.m. ET - New Jersey
- 9 p.m. ET - New York City
- 8 p.m. PT - California
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reminder: Tomorrow’s election closing times.
- 7 p.m. ET - Virginia
- 8 p.m. ET - New Jersey
- 9 p.m. ET - New York City
- 8 p.m. PT - California
- 7 p.m. ET - Virginia
- 8 p.m. ET - New Jersey
- 9 p.m. ET - New York City
- 8 p.m. PT - California
It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.
November 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Turkish towel (Chondracanthus exasperatus) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
October 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Turkish towel (Chondracanthus exasperatus) is our seaweed of the week! #PhycologyFriday
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
Communities and tribes across CA can apply now for funding to plan and prepare for sea level rise. Join an office hour on 11/6 for the SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program (Track 1) and the Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program! Learn more opc.ca.gov/sb-1-funding
October 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Communities and tribes across CA can apply now for funding to plan and prepare for sea level rise. Join an office hour on 11/6 for the SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program (Track 1) and the Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program! Learn more opc.ca.gov/sb-1-funding
Reposted by Pike Spector (he/him)
