Monthly Newsletter – California Coast and Ocean News – April 2026
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What’s Happening
Ocean Protection Council Meeting – June 16, 2026 – Teleconference and Public Forum
The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in-person public forum on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The agenda and meeting materials will be available on the meeting webpage by June 5.
Draft Statewide Marine Aquaculture Action Plan – Public Comment Period Through May 13, 2026
The draft of California’s first Statewide Marine Aquaculture Action Plan is available for public comment. The plan establishes a framework for sustainable commercial shellfish, algae, and finfish aquaculture along California’s coast, with a focus on improving permitting consistency, interagency coordination, and environmental protections. A virtual public listening session is scheduled for April 24, and the comment period is open through May 13. Visit our Aquaculture webpage to read the draft, register for the virtual listening session, and share your feedback.
OPC Announces New Science Advisory Team Members to Strengthen Ocean Stewardship
OPC announced new members appointed to its Science Advisory Team, in partnership with California Ocean Science Trust (OST), to serve as a key resource to inform and guide California’s coastal and ocean public decision-making in an era of rapid change. Learn more about the Science Advisory Team.
Celebrate Earth Day 2026
Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) for a family-friendly Earth Day Celebration featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Don’t miss fun-filled indoor and outdoor activities for all ages with live animal ambassadors, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, a virtual visit to a CA State Park, and more! Make sure to stop by the OPC booth inside to say hi!
Secretary Speaker Series – State of California’s Coast and Ocean: First-Ever Ocean Report Tells a Story of Progress and Pressure
For the first time ever, California’s Ocean Protection Council brings together the latest science in a clear, action-focused report on the state of our coast and ocean. Join California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, OPC Executive Director Jenn Eckerle, and a panel of scientists on April 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to hear what the data shows, what it means for California, and what comes next. Register for the Secretary Speaker Series.
Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund – Public Survey Available
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) invite public input to inform the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund (PPMF), established by Senate Bill 54 (2022). Share your priorities through this survey by June 26 or visit the PPMF webpage to view past webinar recordings and learn about future engagements.
Survey: Tracking Impacts of Federally Funded Programs on California’s Coast and Ocean
An ongoing survey is available to understand impacts to federally funded coast and ocean programs in California. Importantly, this survey will be used to identify critical environmental data and information gaps. Complete the survey.
Funding Opportunities
SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program
The next submission deadline for Track 1: Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Projects is Friday, June 26, 2026. Learn more about this funding opportunity on the SB 1 Grant Program webpage.
The last proposal deadline for OPC’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program was April 16, 2026. No future funding for this program is anticipated at this time.
Dive In
After Years of Closures, California’s Salmon Season Returns
This spring, California’s commercial ocean salmon fishery is open for the first time in three years. After closures in 2023, 2024, and 2025 driven by drought, warming rivers, and collapsing fish populations, state and federal managers announced that key salmon runs have improved enough to allow commercial fishing to resume. Recreational anglers also have significantly more access in 2026, following complete closures in 2023 and 2024 and just six opens days in 2025.
The numbers behind the decision are encouraging. Scientists project nearly 400,000 adult Sacramento River fall-run Chinook returning this year, more than double last year’s estimate. The Klamath River fall-run forecast is roughly 176,000 adults, also more than double. Managers are being careful: the season comes with trip limits, harvest guidelines, and in-season monitoring that can trigger early closures if needed. But the direction has changed…
Staff Spotlight
Nate Buchanan, California Sea Grant Fellow
Nate graduated with honors from Haverford College in 2022 and will earn his MA in Environmental Policy Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in May 2026. His research examines multijurisdictional governance challenges in sea level rise adaptation and focuses on advancing equitable, nature-based solutions to climate change in California. Prior to OPC, Nate was a Coastal Flood Adaptation Fellow at OneShoreline in San Mateo County, where he helped support place-based, multi-benefit sea level rise adaptation projects in the California policy context. He previously spent two years teaching English in Madrid, Spain. In his free time, Nate can be found playing novice volleyball, birding in salt marshes, and reading.
“I am thrilled to join OPC’s Climate Team as a 2026 California Sea Grant Fellow. California’s coastal management framework is truly one of a kind, and it is such an honor to be able to contribute to that legacy. I look forward to supporting OPC’s SB 1 grant program and advancing equitable, nature-based coastal resilience across the state. I aim to bring the lessons and perspectives I gained during my time as a Flood Adaptation Fellow at OneShoreline in San Mateo County to this role and continue supporting place-based, multi-benefit sea level rise adaptation projects throughout California.”
Photo of the Month
Have a stunning shot of California’s coast or ocean? Submit a photo to be featured as the Photo of the Month! Whether it’s a serene shoreline, vibrant marine life, or a captivating coastal sunset, share the beauty of our state’s coastline through your lens! Submit your photo.
Photo of the Month: Kyla Kelly / California sea lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf
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