December 10, 2025

OPC Adopts Strategic Plan to Safeguard California’s Coast and Ocean Through the End of the Decade  

Yesterday, December 9, the Ocean Protection Council approved its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: Safeguarding Our Coast and Ocean for All Californians, an ambitious blueprint that will guide the Council’s investments and priorities through the end of this decade. Building on OPC’s […]

Categories: 30x30, Aquaculture, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Dungeness Crab Task Force, Emerging Contaminents, Equity and Environmental Justice, Habitats, Harmful Algal Blooms, Kelp, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, Offshore Wind, Outreach and Education, Plastic Pollution, Report Release, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement, Water Quality

November 21, 2025

Monthly Newsletter – California Coast and Ocean News – November

The November 2025 OPC newsletter is available!

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Event, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Grant Projects, Habitats, Kelp, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Monthly Newsletter, OPC Meetings, Outreach and Education, Report Release, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement, Water Quality

November 21, 2025

OPC Funding Helps Commercial Fishermen Recover Lost Gear to Protect Whales

As any fisherman will tell you, the ocean is a challenging place to work. In this dynamic environment, fishing gear is inevitably lost due to storms, strong currents, and interactions with other boats. If it isn’t recovered, lost gear can […]

Categories: Grant Projects, Outreach and Education, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

November 17, 2025

Ocean Protection Council Meeting – December 9, 2025 – Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The recording is available.

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Equity and Environmental Justice, Event, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Kelp, OPC Meetings, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement

November 17, 2025

Coastal Habitat Mapping White Paper and Webinar Recording

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) released a new Coastal Habitat Mapping Considerations White Paper, developed to explore options for statewide coastal habitat mapping efforts. The report offers recommendations for creating consistent, practical, and effective approaches to mapping California’s diverse coastal […]

Categories: Coastal Habitats, Event, Grant Projects, Habitats, Other Public Meetings, Report Release

November 7, 2025

Microplastics Research Public Webinar and Panel – Recording Available

Learn how California researchers, supported by the Ocean Protection Council and California Sea Grant, are tackling microplastic pollution.  OPC and California Sea Grant provided $1.9 million to fund five research projects addressing microplastics in California. These projects were selected through two […]

Categories: Other Public Meetings, Outreach and Education, Plastic Pollution, Water Quality

October 31, 2025

Apply Now: SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program and Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program – Office Hours: November 6, 2025

Join OPC staff for Office Hours on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to learn more about upcoming funding opportunities through the SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program and the new Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program. Applicants […]

Categories: Funding Opportunities and Updates, Other Public Meetings, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change

October 21, 2025

Monthly Newsletter – California Coast and Ocean News – October

The October 2025 OPC newsletter is available!

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Event, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Grant Projects, Habitats, Kelp, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Monthly Newsletter, OPC Meetings, Outreach and Education, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement, Water Quality

October 20, 2025

Cathedral Thinking: Finding Inspiration at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

By Michael Esgro, Senior Biodiversity Program Manager & Tribal Liaison  In mid-October 2025, OPC Executive Director Jenn Eckerle and I had the privilege of attending the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab […]

Categories: 30x30, Coastal Habitats, Habitats, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Outreach and Education, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity

October 14, 2025

Call for Tribal Representatives on the Marine Protected Area Statewide Leadership Team – Nominations close January 13, 2026

The Marine Protected Area Statewide Leadership Team (MSLT) is seeking nominations for tribal representatives to serve on this important advisory body that supports the management of California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. The MSLT promotes collaboration among agencies, organizations, and […]

Categories: Marine Protected Areas, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Tribal Engagement