California Ocean Day 2025 Celebrates 20 Years of Advocacy, Action, and Ocean Leadership
On May 6, 2025, hundreds of ocean advocates from across the state gathered in Sacramento to mark the 20th annual California Ocean Day—a milestone celebration of two decades of grassroots organizing, legislative engagement, and shared commitment to protecting California’s ocean, coast, and communities.
The event brought together scientists, students, tribal members, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations for a powerful day of action. With climate resilience, kelp forest restoration, and plastic pollution high on the agenda, participants worked to ensure California continues its bold leadership to protect the state’s coast and ocean for all.
Jenn Eckerle, Deputy Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency and Executive Director of OPC, provided remarks at the evening reception, thanking everyone for their dedication to protecting the coast and highlighting the importance of California’s leadership at this time. “Now, more than ever, California needs to lead and serve as a model for ocean conservation across the nation.” She also emphasized the importance of holding strong to our values of protecting communities and safeguarding nature and coastal access, and upholding our landmark environmental laws that are the bedrock of these values – including the Coastal Act and the Marine Life Protection Act.
Honoring Champions of the Ocean
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Founder and Executive Director, Julie Packard presented the 2025 Ocean Champion Awards to the following honorees:
- Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, recognized for her leadership in advancing California’s ban on single-use plastic bags and addressing microplastic pollution;
- Senator Catherine Blakespear, acknowledged for championing zero waste policies and the implementation of SB 54;
- Zoe Heller, Director of CalRecycle, honored for spearheading inclusive regulatory development under California’s landmark plastics law, SB 54.
In a heartfelt moment, Packard herself received the first-ever Ocean Day Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of dedication to ocean science, education, and advocacy. Her work has transformed public understanding of marine ecosystems and inspired generations of conservation leaders. After decades of serving as the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Executive Director, Ms. Packard will be stepping down. But she will continue to provide critical leadership as the President of the Aquarium’s Board of Directors. OPC extends our deepest gratitude for her years of ocean conservation leadership.
A Story of Loss and Action: Sequoias of the Sea
As a lead-up to California Ocean Day, OPC, California Natural Resources Agency, and Environment California hosted a public film screening of Sequoias of the Sea, an award-winning documentary that explores the cascading impacts of kelp forest collapse on Northern California’s coastal communities. Kelp forests are essential for ocean biodiversity and have historically supported thriving ocean-based communities on California’s north coast, but over 95% of kelp in this region has been lost since 2014 as a result of climate change.
The film follows the local, cultural, and ecological consequences of kelp loss and uplifts efforts to restore these critical ecosystems. Following the screening, a panel discussion featured the filmmaker and leaders from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Fish and Game Commission, and Fort Bragg’s Noyo Center for Marine Science, who each offered insights into California’s kelp recovery efforts.
Michael Esgro, OPC’s Senior Biodiversity Program Manager and Tribal Liaison, moderated the panel and emphasized the importance of honoring both science and Traditional Knowledges in advancing effective, place-based restoration. “Sequoias of the Sea is the story of local community members, from tribal members to dive shop owners to commercial fishermen, coming together to protect what they love. The film reminds us that kelp restoration isn’t just important for the environment – it’s essential for preserving an entire way of life on California’s north coast.”
The screening underscored the deep connection between storytelling and action, complementing OPC’s statewide kelp recovery efforts. OPC has invested in pilot projects, partnered with indigenous and fishing communities, and supported monitoring and research to drive large-scale kelp restoration across California’s coast.
Looking Ahead
California Ocean Day 2025 was not only a celebration of past progress—it was a rallying cry for the future. The event highlighted the power of collective action, cross-sector partnerships, and community-led advocacy to shape policy and inspire solutions. We know that a healthy ocean is good for everyone, supporting tourism and fishing industries, driving our $45 billion coastal economy, and providing a place for recreation, wonder, connection, and traditional practice. As California faces the challenges ahead, driven by climate change and biodiversity loss, OPC and its partners remain committed to creating a more resilient and thriving coast and ocean. Whether through legislative action, community engagement, or powerful films like Sequoias of the Sea, the message is clear: California’s ocean future depends on the choices we make together—today.
