Annual Coast and Ocean Report & New Report Card
OPC’s work is guided by the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean: 2020-2025. We are committed to reporting annually on implementation of our strategic priorities and providing an overview of critical issues and stressors impacting California’s coast and ocean. Read our annual reports for a retrospective of activities and accomplishments, plus indicators in our 2022 and 2023 reports that provide a snapshot of coast and ocean health in California.
In December 2025, OPC will release a Report Card that uses a scientific, indicator-based approach to grade California’s coast and ocean health. See below for more details and engagement opportunities.
The California Coast and Ocean Report Card
The first ever California Coast and Ocean Report Card will use a scientific, indicator-based approach to grade the health of California’s coast and ocean. As called for in the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan (Objective 3.6) and the draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the Report Card is intended to serve as a tool to inform the public and decision-makers about the status of the coast and ocean and to highlight areas where the state can focus solutions. The process of developing the Report Card will identify data gaps to inform future monitoring investments. The Report Card is being developed through a partnership between OPC, Ocean Science Trust, and the West Coast Ocean Alliance.
Approach
The Report Card will include biological components, physical stressors, and human dimensions, in recognition that the coast and ocean are part of a complex, social-ecological system.
| Ocean Acidification Hypoxia Ocean Temperature Coastal Flooding Harmful Algal Blooms Invasive Species Marine Debris | Mammals Kelp Fish Birds Rocky Intertidal Tidal Wetlands | Coastal Access Commercial Fisheries Sea Level Rise Planning Beach Size Beach Water Quality |
Ocean economy and equity are included as cross-cutting thematic areas but not scored as standalone indicators.
Timeline & Opportunities to Provide Public Input
To receive timeline updates with events and opportunities for public engagement, please sign up for the OPC newsletter.
Fall 2024
- OPC and OST sought public input on the Report Card indicators and accepted expressions of interest in contributing data and other resources to the Report Card.
- Fill out the submission form online (hosted by OST). Monday, December 9, 2024 was the priority deadline for input, but the survey will remain open through 2025.
- There were two optional virtual office hours as an opportunity to ask questions about the indicators and how the Report Card is being developed:
- Expert groups convene bi-weekly to develop indicators.
March 2025
- Early draft Report Card presented at the March 3, 2025 Council Meeting, piloting the Report Card design and indicator scoring approach, and offering an opportunity for public comment and feedback.
Winter – Spring 2025
- Further development of indicators and metrics.
December 2025
- Report Card complete and shared publicly.
OPC and OST Staff Contacts
Justine Kimball
Senior Climate Change
Program Manager
Justine.Kimball@resources.ca.gov
Jill Harris, PhD
Senior Science Fellow
Ocean Science Trust
Jill.Harris@oceansciencetrust.org