MBARI is a multifaceted marine research institute. It has many scientific disciplines within it's auspices. However with marine biology as the major scientific focus, the deep sea Gulper Eel chosen as the appropriate symbol for the research being done in the Monterey Bay Canyon.

This eel is a most unusual species, with a disproportionate sized jaw, which also distends. It also has a very soft and fluid body. GTD developed an artistic and stylized version for the logo. Several refinements during the creative process resulted in this final version. It works at a very small scale, as well as at a large size, on the side of the research vessel and the "remote operated vehicle."