Theresa Sinicrope Talley
California Sea Grant Extension Specialist
As an extension specialist, Theresa Sinicrope Talley works with coastal communities to meet diverse needs surrounding ocean resources and livelihoods. Her work helps nurture healthy, safe, just and resilient ecosystems while further educating the public on timely ocean-related science issues.
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Talley is focused on balancing the use and conservation of coastal and marine resources. She works closely with regional commercial fishers, aquaculturists, agencies, non-profit groups and students. Her research includes studies of plastics and other contaminants in the environment; barriers and solutions to resilient food systems, and coastal wetland and estuarine ecology.
Now currently focused on California, her prior experience doing research and outreach in coastal ecosystems has spanned both coasts of North America, with experience in New England, California and Baja California, Mexico.
Expertise
• Coastal ecology, ecosystem restoration, and invasive species
• Climate resilience of ecosystems and communities
• Marine debris and watershed pollution
• Safe and sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and seafood
• Environmental and ocean literacy and workforce development
Research
Talley's research is grounded in ecological principles and incorporates human dimensions in order to address complex environmental issues and pursue novel opportunities that contribute to thriving and resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies, Using applied science, she improves our understanding of ecosystems and then shares the knowledge to foster well-informed decisions, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.
Education and Outreach
Talley uses science to spark interest, nurture curiosity and learning, and connect people with nature and place in order to encourage environmental stewardship, provide blue and green workforce training, and improve community well-being. Talley leads outreach activities for the public, school kids, environmental practitioners, and educators, and since 2005 has taught a diversity of ecology, biology and environmental science classes at UCSD (Muir College), University of San Francisco, and University of San Diego. Since 2005, Talley has also served as a science advisor and wetland scientist for the Ocean Discovery Institute. She is currently a lead for the California Commercial Fisheries Apprenticeship Program.
Featured Outreach Products
- California Seafood Profiles: Biological, fisheries and nutritional information on (eventually) every major fishery landed in California
- Fish to Families
- Oral histories from San Diego's fisheries and farms
- Testing the Feasibility of Urban Coastal Direct Seafood Markets
Recent Publications
Talley, T.S., C. Loflen, N. Venuti, D. Pedersen, R. Gossett, M.D. Baker. 2023. Contaminant risk and social vulnerability associated with crustacean shellfish harvest in the highly urbanized San Diego Bay, USA. Environments 10: 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10060091
Talley, T.S., C. Loflen, R. Gossett, D. Pedersen, N. Venuti, J. Nguyen, R. Gersberg. 2022. Contaminant concentrations and risks associated with the Pacific oyster in the highly urbanized San Diego Bay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 174: 113132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113132
Talley, T.S., R. Ruzic, L. Goodwin, N. Venuti, R. Mothokakobo. 2021. Using community science to address pollution in an urban watershed: Lessons about trash, diverse engagement, and the need for science mindsets. J. of Contemporary Water Research & Education 174: 21-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704X.2021.3359.x
Talley, T.S. and P. Halmay. 2021. Fish only become seafood because of fishermen: Commentary. Food Vision 2030. Objective 1, Pg. 20. https://www.sdfsa.org/vision
San Diego Food System Alliance. 2021. San Diego County Food Vision 2030. Contributor to Goal 3: Build Resilience: Objectives 1 (Preserve Agricultural Land and Soils, and Invest in Long term Food Production) & 2 (Increase the Viability of Local Farms, Fisheries, Food Businesses, and Workers). https://sdfoodvision2030.org/
Talley, T.S., N. Venuti, R. Whelan. 2020. Natural history matters: Plastics in estuarine fish and sediments at the mouth of an urban watershed. PLoS ONE 15(3): e0229777.
Talley, T.S., N. Venuti, R. Starr, C. Myrick. 2019. Evaluation of a White Seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) enhancement program in California. J. Kideghesho (ed.) Wildlife Management - Failures, Successes and Prospects. Download PDF
Talley, T.S., N. Venuti, C. Adams, J. Barkan, E. Bowlby. 2018. Building Climate Resilience of Urban Waters, Ecosystems, and Communities. Final Report for State Coastal Conservancy submitted by Ocean Discovery Institute in partnership with California Sea Grant and San Diego Canyonlands. Project no. 3760-101-6083007. 31 July 2018. Publication No. CASG-18-024 Full Report (PDF) (One-page summary, Post-award evaluation, Manzanita Canyon plant list)
Talley, T.S., H. Warde, N. Venuti. 2016. Local seafood availability in San Diego, California seafood markets. Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society 4(2): 40-49. Download PDF
Novoa, A., T.S. Talley, D. Talley, J. Crooks, N. Reyns. 2016. Spatial and temporal examination of bivalve communities in several estuaries of southern California USA and northern Baja California, MX. PLoS One. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148220
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk3Zg0hZGGQ
Fishing into the Future: A San Diego Story- Surfgrass Productions
Fish to Families- Surfgrass Productions
Enhancing the Wild: A Film about Repopulating Ocean Fisheries- K. Fejer
New San Diego Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship To Train Next Generation- NBC 7
Effort to restock ocean's white seabass unsuccessful- News10
The Time is Now, The Future is Here- Aquarium of the Pacific