March 16, 2023

OPC and California Sea Grant Microplastic Research Program Request for Proposals

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and California Sea Grant are seeking applications for two separate research calls to advance microplastics understanding and management in California, consistent with the priorities outlined in the California Ocean Litter Strategy and Statewide Microplastics Strategy. Proposals should […]

Categories: Funding Opportunities and Updates, Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Water Quality

October 26, 2022

Registration Open: California Ocean Litter Strategy Webinar

Join the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program for a bi-annual California Ocean Litter Strategy webinar. The webinar will include updates and developments from federal and California agencies on research and […]

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

July 1, 2022

A Reckoning for Plastic Pollution

By Mark Gold, D.Env. By now, everyone in the nation, if not globally has heard about California’s groundbreaking new circular economy and plastic pollution reduction law: SB 54. Senator Ben Allen, an OPC council member, authored the bill and received […]

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

June 10, 2022

California and Canada Partner to Advance Bold Action on Climate and Biodiversity

Building on California’s global leadership on biodiversity and climate, and following the partnership established with New Zealand last month, Governor Gavin Newsom and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced a new partnership on June 9 to advance bold action […]

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Water Quality

June 7, 2022

California Ocean Litter Strategy Workshop: June 21 and June 22

Registration is open for the California Ocean Litter Strategy Implementation Workshop! This virtual workshop will take place Tuesday, June 21st from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM and Wednesday, June 22nd from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Pacific Time). Join federal […]

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

May 26, 2022

California Proposes New Requirement for Tiremakers to Seek Chemical Alternatives to Protect Water Quality, Coho Salmon

California has the largest network of freeways in the country and its cities are known for heavy traffic. Vehicle and traffic emissions not only impact air quality – but can degrade water quality. When it rains, stormwater carries particles from […]

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

March 7, 2022

United Nations Adopts Historic Resolution to End Plastic Pollution

Today, after a week of debate, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi unanimously approved a resolution to end plastic pollution, setting the stage to create a legally binding treaty by 2024 to prevent and reduce global plastic pollution. […]

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

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

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