In June 2026, the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) adopted the Statewide Marine Aquaculture Action Plan, California’s first roadmap to improve governance, ensure environmental protections, and facilitate sustainable development of marine seaweed and shellfish aquaculture. 

The final Action Plan is the result of a collaborative, multi-year effort. In 2021, OPC established an interagency Aquaculture Leadership Team, consisting of the California Coastal Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Fish and Game Commission, California State Lands Commission, California State Coastal Conservancy, California State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The Leadership Team’s first action was to release the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture, which established the state’s vision for a sustainable and robust aquaculture industry informed by the best available science. The Action Plan reflects priorities outlined in these Guiding Principles and 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 goal are specific actions the state will take to develop and refine a consistent, comprehensive management and regulatory framework for marine aquaculture in California. The Action Plan was developed through interagency coordination, tribal consultation, multiple community listening sessions, and partner workshops to ensure robust partner engagement. The state will continue to coordinate with key tribal, industry, and eNGO partners and provide opportunities for public engagement throughout its implementation.

The first step for implementing the Action Plan is already underway; in June, OPC approved $500,000 in funds to California Sea Grant to support the development of an Aquaculture Science Plan that will inform aquaculture governance statewide. Proactively managing marine aquaculture along the California coast is essential for providing communities with healthy, sustainable seafood while supporting the state’s economy and safeguarding our natural resources.