William “Bill” Hamner, whose innovative and transformative way of thinking played an important role in MBARI’s development, passed away on June 6 at the age of 84.

Hamner had a keen interest in gelatinous animals, including jellies and tadpole-like larvaceans. In the 1970s, he developed the first protocols for scuba diving in open water to observe the ocean’s delicate drifters. Blue-water diving based on the techniques Hamner established is now widely used for studying jellies and zooplankton.

Hamner was a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1979 to 2005. During that time, he served as an inspiration and mentor to many future MBARI researchers.

“Bill was not bound by tradition; rather he established a new scientific strategy that became tradition for others,” said MBARI Senior Scientist Bruce Robison, a colleague of Hamner’s.

Recruited in early 1988 as MBARI was being created and staff and resources were being assembled, Hamner and his wife Peggy came to Monterey to work with MBARI, helping articulate the fledgling institute’s mission. 

Hamner was instrumental in the institute’s application of robotic technology for ocean exploration, particularly in the midwater. At the time, this expanse of open water deep below the surface, yet far above the seafloor, had not been well studied by direct access. Thanks to MBARI’s efforts to explore the midwater with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), scientists now recognize the incredible diversity of life in the midwater and the important roles these animals play in transporting carbon from the atmosphere to the abyssal seafloor.

MBARI’s efforts to explore the depths of Monterey Bay with ROVs were enhanced by specialized tanks for extended observations of delicate deep-sea animals in the lab. Hamner adapted a design originally developed by biologist Wolf Greve in 1968 for culturing planktonic organisms. The kreisel tank has a circular flow of water—fragile animals ride a “carousel” of water to minimize their contact with the sides of the tank. Hamner’s refined design allowed researchers to collect pelagic animals for further study in shipboard labs and on shore. 

Researchers at MBARI’s education and conservation partner, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, adapted Hamner’s kreisel design to display jellies, earning accolades for their groundbreaking husbandry efforts and captivating millions of visitors. Jellies are now on display at aquariums around the world, thanks largely to Hamner’s novel tank design.

Hamner was an adjunct scientist at MBARI until he retired from UCLA in 2005. His observations of larvaceans, ctenophores, and other organisms are still leading researchers to new discoveries.

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