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February 17, 2022

Landmark Statewide Microplastics Strategy Recommends Early Actions and Research Priorities to Reduce Microplastic Pollution

In response to increasing concern about pervasive and persistent pollution caused by microplastics, California has prepared a first-of-its-kind Statewide Microplastics Strategy that recommends early actions and research priorities to reduce microplastic pollution in California’s marine environment. The Strategy follows the […]

Categories: Marine Pollution, Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity
Wind Turbine
February 17, 2022

Preliminary Findings From First-Ever Study of Offshore Wind Development on Coastal Upwelling Now Available!

In California offshore waters, sustained northwesterly winds have been identified as a key energy resource which could contribute substantially to California’s renewable energy mandate (Senate Bill 100). These winds drive the upwelling of deeper, cool, nutrient-rich waters that sustains a […]

Categories: Offshore Wind, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy
February 17, 2022

Ocean Protection Council Meeting — February 23, 2022 — Teleconference

The Ocean Protection Council held a public meeting via teleconference at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022.  

Categories: Funding Opportunities and Updates, Marine Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification, OPC Meetings, Plastic Pollution, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Water Quality
February 16, 2022

New Report Details How Rising Sea Levels Will Reshape U.S. Coastlines Over Next 30 Years

Coastal flooding across the United States coastline will increase significantly over the next 30 years, according to Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States, a new report by an interagency sea level rise task force including the National Aeronautics […]

Categories: Climate Change, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change
February 2, 2022

Marine Protected Area Long-Term Monitoring Reports Released

Hot off the presses! Results from the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network long-term monitoring programs are now available online in seven technical reports. These projects represent collaboration between California researchers, the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), California Sea Grant, and the […]

Categories: Marine Protected Areas
January 13, 2022

OPC is Hiring an Environmental Scientist

OPC is hiring a limited term Environmental Scientist (Offshore Wind Program Manager) to help advance strategic priorities related to offshore wind development in California. The Environmental Scientist will also be responsible for grant and contract management including developing scopes of […]

Categories: Career Opportunities
December 31, 2021

OPC’s Year in Review: Meeting Challenges, Advancing Equity, Protecting Our Ocean

“As we look to 2022, our goal at the agency is to… continue California’s global leadership, combating climate change, transitioning our economy, and protecting our people and nature in the meantime. I believe strongly that people are resilient and that […]

Categories: 30x30, Aquaculture, Climate Change, Equity and Environmental Justice, Grant Projects, Marine Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Plastic Pollution, 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, Water Quality
December 21, 2021

Draft Statewide Microplastics Strategy is Available for Public Comment

OPC is pleased to release the draft Statewide Microplastics Strategy, which outlines a statewide research strategy and recommended early actions to reduce microplastic pollution in California’s marine environment, consistent with Senate Bill 1263 (Portantino, 2018). We welcome feedback on this draft […]

Categories: Marine Pollution, Plastic Pollution
December 15, 2021

California Seeks Feedback on Draft Strategy to Achieve 30×30 Conservation Target

To protect biodiversity, advance equitable access to nature, and combat climate change, the California Natural Resources Agency today released a groundbreaking document detailing strategies and opportunities to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.   The draft of Pathways to 30×30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature is […]

Categories: 30x30, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity
December 9, 2021

Prop 68 Climate Resilience Miniseries Episode 15: South Orange County Regional Coastal Resilience Strategic Plan

“Any type of solution to shoreline erosion and sea level rise will take a regional effort” – Susan Brodeur Today we are at Capistrano Beach in South Orange County talking with some of the members of the collaborative Prop 68 […]

Categories: Equity and Environmental Justice, Grant Projects, Outreach and Education, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity