The Ocean Protection Council has convened an Aquaculture Leadership Team, made up of representatives from the California Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Game Commission, State Lands Commission, the Coastal Conservancy, the California Department of Public Health, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to collaboratively develop a Statewide Marine Aquaculture Action Plan (Action Plan). 

The Action Plan will provide a comprehensive, standardized framework and policy for sustainable commercial marine aquaculture in California. The Action Plan is intended to increase coordination among state agencies and improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in aquaculture planning, permitting, and management. The Action Plan focuses on marine algae and shellfish aquaculture in marine waters and marine algae, shellfish, and finfish aquaculture in land-based systems along the coast.

The Action Plan is centered around three goals:

• Goal 1: Improve California’s aquaculture governance framework through increased interagency coordination and transparency. 
• Goal 2: Maximize environmental sustainability and continue to protect and enhance public health. 
• Goal 3: Facilitate sustainable development of marine aquaculture in state waters.

Within each of these goals there are specific, time-bound actions the state will take to reach the goal. The development of this draft Action Plan was informed by multiple engagement efforts with the aquaculture industry, tribes, scientists, and other partners.   

We invite you to review the draft Action Plan and share your feedback during the public comment period until May 13, 2026.