February 24, 2022

California Takes Decisive Action to Reduce Microplastics Pollution: State Adopts a First-in-Nation Approach to Protecting Ocean and Human Health 

SACRAMENTO, CA – In response to increasing concern about pervasive and persistent pollution caused by microplastics, the California Ocean Protection Council yesterday approved the first comprehensive microplastics strategy in the nation. This leading-edge Statewide Microplastics Strategy identifies early actions and research […]

Categories: Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Water Quality

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: Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Water Quality

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 Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, 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, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Grant Projects, Habitats, Marine Habitats, 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: Plastic Pollution, Water Quality

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