Status, Progress, and What’s Ahead

California’s iconic coast and ocean are core to the state’s identity and economy, but these special places are on the front lines of climate change and biodiversity loss. In the face of unprecedented challenges, the state has taken bold action to combat threats and build resilience to help people and nature thrive.

The 2026 Assessment Methodology further explores four data-limited indicators that could be included in future evaluations (Eelgrass and Seagrass, Coastal Flooding, Invasive Species, Marine Debris and Microplastics). These indicators were chosen from an initial list of 42 indicators suggested by the OPC Science Advisory Team and were prioritized based on understandability, data availability, and relevance to state management and policy priorities. Indicators were further refined through an iterative process of expert feedback, public and tribal input, and discussions among OPC and the Ocean Science Team (OST) staff.

Indicator selection and development was led through a partnership between OPC, OST and West Coast Ocean Alliance (WCOA), with WCOA participation led by the Southern California Coastal Research Program (SCCWRP). OST and SCCWRP collaborated closely, endeavoring to find opportunities for efficiency, synergy, and alignment. They convened expert working groups to collaboratively develop appropriate methods, identify and evaluate the most relevant data, and produce an assessment of system conditions using statewide metrics. The specific data sources and methodologies that supported indicator assessment are included in the 2026 Assessment Methodology.

This 2026 Report is based on non-indigenous science. Bringing together non-indigenous science with tribal science and Traditional Knowledges, through co-production and other approaches, can improve our collective understanding of the ocean, support the priorities of California Native American tribes, uplift tribal stewardship, and lead to the development of innovative solutions to social or environmental challenges. Future efforts to track change over time should include improved inclusion of tribal science and Traditional Knowledges in ocean monitoring and evaluation. This will help ensure approaches to understanding and communicating about the ocean are more comprehensive, accurate, and equitable.