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California Coast and Ocean News June 2025
June 12, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: California’s Marine Protected Area Network Recognized as International Gold Standard for Marine Conservation

SACRAMENTO – This week, California’s marine protected area network was officially accepted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a high-profile international certification that recognizes the most successful examples of biodiversity conservation worldwide. California’s system of marine protected areas, or MPAs, is the first nature network in the world to receive this honor.

Categories: 30x30, Coastal Habitats, Habitats, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Press Releases, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity
Godwit birds feeding in the sand at sunset
December 10, 2024

Updates from the December 9, 2024 Council Meeting

The December meeting advanced initiatives across three of OPC’s Strategic Plan goals to address climate change, advance equity, and conserve biodiversity. Key actions included funding for sea level rise adaptation planning, advancing 30×30 (protecting 30% of California’s coastal waters by 2030), and investments to support resilience of kelp forests.

Categories: 30x30, Career Opportunities, Equity and Environmental Justice, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Kelp, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, 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 19, 2024

Ocean Protection Council Meeting – December 9, 2024 – Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024. The agenda, meeting materials, and recording are available.

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Event, Grant Projects, Habitats, Kelp, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, OPC Meetings, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy
November 13, 2024

Global Urgency at “the People’s COP”: OPC’s Reflections on the United Nations Biodiversity Summit

By Michael Esgro, Senior Biodiversity Program Manager & Tribal Liaison  Last month, California joined leaders from across the world in Cali, Colombia for the United Nations Biodiversity Summit (known as the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention […]

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
September 5, 2024

California Biodiversity Day: Celebrating Our Coast and Ocean Heritage

California Biodiversity Day is coming up on Saturday, September 7, 2024, offering a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and protect the incredible amount of life that thrives along the California coastline. Established in 2018 as part of California’s first Biodiversity Initiative, […]

Categories: 30x30, Coastal Habitats, Habitats, Marine Habitats, Outreach and Education, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity
June 7, 2024

From Fishponds to Floating Turbines – Ocean Solutions on Display at Capitol Hill Ocean Week  

By Conner Smith, California Sea Grant State Fellow  The lead up to World Oceans Day on June 8, 2024 is often a time for big announcements in ocean stewardship. This year was no different. The Biden administration kicked off Oceans Week, […]

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Marine Protected Areas, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement