KOLOSSAL is an ocean exploration and conservation nonprofit in Venice, CA. We go BIG to explore and protect our ocean.

Situated at the nexus of cutting-edge technology, marine conservation, and ambitious ocean exploration that would hopefully make Jacques Cousteau smile, KOLOSSAL contains multitudes. And we’re proud of it.

To the IRS, we’re a 501(c)(3) charity, but to the public, we want to be an inspiration. 95% of our oceans remain unexplored, which is about 95% too much for us. We are working on high-profile expeditions to find and film exotic sea creatures in their natural habitats, shining light on these amazing (and rarely seen) species to inspire excitement and pique the public’s interest. By turning these largely unknown animals into symbols, we can launch ambitious conservation campaigns and push attention toward ocean preservation in a positive tone. And we do all this with a sense of fun inspired by the funky beach culture of our home base in Venice, California.

What do you get when a scientist, a salesman, an accountant, a screenwriter, a speech pathologist, and a research analyst walk into a bar? When they all happen to be friends, and when they all have a shared passion for the ocean, you get KOLOSSAL. Established in 2016, we envisioned an environmental organization whose primary message was based in optimism and hope to inspire the world to protect our most valuable resource: the ocean. Ambitious but with a grassroots mentality, we want to prove that ocean exploration isn’t exclusively reserved for the select few. Through our efforts, we look to disrupt the traditional research model and help pave the way for the next generation of explorers. With so many potential discoveries to be made, we’ll need to assemble as many explorers as possible.

While the colossal squid is likely prehistoric, it wasn’t until 1925 that humans knew of its existence. Fishermen discovered two colossal squid arms in the stomach of a sperm whale, and thus birthed the species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. Since then, only a few, intact specimens have been captured or viewed alive, and never in their natural habitat: the deep sea. Because of the mystery surrounding this enormous creature, the colossal squid is the perfect animal to ignite the public imagination and inspire people to explore and protect the deep sea.

And we need to find it now. The colossal squid lives in the Southern Ocean, an area continuously threatened by overfishing in one of the last, pristine marine habitats in the world. The colossal squid can be a symbol for the importance of expanding protection of the high seas, the deep sea, and the urgency to transition from our reliance on imported seafood to domestic, sustainable options.

The barriers to deep-sea research have been historically high. Due to the often prohibitive costs, research is almost exclusively conducted by a small number of expert researchers on a limited number of research vessels. KOLOSSAL wants to change that: we want to use this expedition to develop easy and low-cost deep-sea research platforms that can be readily shipped and easily deployed by partly trained volunteers on any seagoing vessel. 

The centerpiece technology for this expedition – is an innovative deep-sea platform called ‘A Camera for Kraken Baiting and Recording’, or ACKBAR, developed by technology partner SubC Imaging. This camera trap is designed to be one of the easiest and least expensive deep-sea research platforms. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the colossal squid’s initial discovery, we want to celebrate this amazing species by giving the world an up-close and intimate introduction.

KOLOSSAL creates mini-documentaries on ocean conservation issues to promote an urgent and specific call to action for viewers to immediately engage on a piece of legislation, or major decision, that can protect the ocean, such as the award winning “Act on Plastic” on YouTube.

We collaborate with our KOLOSSAL expeditions and work with partner conservation groups, and supporters to help increase engagement on issues that can have a big impact on the health of the ocean.

Ocean conservation issues KOLOSSAL seeks to engage on with mini-documentaries and rapid action grassroots advocacy campaigns:

Plastic pollution

Deep-sea mining

Marine protected areas

Overfishing

Climate change/ocean acidification

Promoting local, sustainable seafood

The success of our missions depend on adventurous supporters and sponsors who are passionate about ocean exploration, exotic marine life, and conservation.

And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, ask us about becoming a “Deep Thinker,” KOLOSSAL’s program for founding supporters. Deep Thinkers unlock exclusive benefits as key supporters of the crew. Contact us for more information!

Thank you to KOLOSSAL’s ‘Deep Thinkers’ for generously supporting our mission of ocean exploration and conservation:

Kraken Spiced Rum

Plastic Oceans International

Courtney and Gordon Gould

Andrew Stern

Conservation X Labs

Howard Miller III

Maureen and Jerry Huelsenbeck