Upcoming Launch of SeaSketch California – a mapping tool for California’s MPA Network

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of SeaSketch California, a cutting-edge, open-source mapping platform designed specifically to provide spatial data and analysis tools related to the 2023 petitions proposing changes to California’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 

Developed by Dr. Will McClintock and his team at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), SeaSketch California builds upon the success of MarineMap, which was instrumental in the creation of California’s MPA network. 

Thanks to OPC’s investment, SeaSketch California now serves as a one-stop shop for all spatial data relating to proposed changes to California’s MPA network. SeaSketch California is a public tool that can be used to synthesize complex data and generate detailed reports on habitat size and spacing within individual MPAs or across the network. This powerful, easy-to-use tool provides the public, policymakers, and scientists with the ability to see how proposed changes align with critical scientific guidelines and habitat protection goals. 

Join Us for the Official Launch

We invite you to see SeaSketch California in action at the upcoming Marine Resources Committee (MRC) meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025. This live demonstration will showcase the platform’s capabilities and how you can engage in adaptive management of California’s MPA Network. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to be among the first to explore this powerful tool! 

Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 

Location: California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)

Or join via Zoom. (How to Join the Meeting) 

The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. with the SeaSketch demonstration occurring in the afternoon.

Read UCSB’s Science + Technology blog to learn more!