California Ocean Protection Council

Dungeness Crab Task Force Executive Committee Meeting – June 10, 2021

The Dungeness Crab Task Force Executive Committee will hold a conference call on June 10, 2021 at 10:00 am … read more

Announcement: Microplastics Risk Report and Trash Methods Playbook Available

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is pleased to share the results of two OPC-funded projects. The first is a report providing guidance for addressing microplastic pollution in California’s waters and assessing the risk of microplastics, and the second is a set of reports on validating trash monitoring methodologies and a playbook enabling local governments to use and understand available trash monitoring methods. Please see below for more information about each project.

Ocean Protection Council Meeting — June 15, 2021 — Teleconference

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a public meeting via teleconference from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

View the webinar

OPC Seeks Nominations for Dungeness Crab Task Force

The Ocean Protection Council is seeking nominations for the following non-commercial fishing representatives on the Dungeness Crab Task Force (DCTF):

— Two voting (2) members representing crab processing interests
— One nonvoting (1) member representing nongovernmental organization interests

If you are interested in representing crab processing or nongovernmental organization interests on the DCTF, please complete this brief two-page nomination form by June 1, 2021 at 5pm and email your completed form to Noah Ben-Aderet, Noah.Ben-Aderet@resources.ca.gov.

After OPC staff have reviewed nominees, they will recommend representatives for appointment to the Chair of the Ocean Protection Council, Secretary of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot. Recommendations will be based on experience and knowledge of the Dungeness crab fishery, experience with the DCTF, geographical balance, willingness and ability to effectively and respectfully collaborate among diverse perspectives, willingness and ability to represent others within their representative seat, and ability to consistently participate in DCTF meetings. OPC staff may contact nominees for brief interviews if needed. CDFW Law Enforcement Division will also contact nominees and determine if they are in good standing to represent the DCTF. Representatives are anticipated to be notified as soon as possible after June 1 and in advance of the next DCTF meeting planned for mid-October.

OPC will be sharing details regarding the public solicitation process for the non-commercial fishing members on the DCTF webpage and via the OPC listserv, as well as the DCTF listserv.

Coastal Environmental Justice Solicitation FAQ is now available

OPC is pleased to announce that a 2-pager on frequently asked questions for the Coastal Environmental Justice funding opportunity is now available. For more information on the Coastal Environmental Justice Solicitation, please see the Prop 1 webpage. As a reminder, Letters of Intent are due this Friday, April 23, 2021.

Coastal Environmental Justice Solicitation Office Hours on April 14

OPC staff will be available for virtual “office hours” using a webinar format to answer questions from prospective applicants and provide technical assistance. Office hours are scheduled for April 14, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 PM. The Office Hours webinar will be conducted as an open Q&A session and speakers are limited to 5-7 minutes to allow time for others to ask questions. If you need more time to ask specific questions on your project, you may request a 15-minute pre-consultation meeting when registering for the Office Hours Webinar. Please fill out this form to register for the Office Hours Webinar and/or request an individual pre-consultation meeting: OPC Prop 1 Solicitation: Office Hours Webinar Registration Form.

For more information on OPC’s Coastal Environmental Justice Solicitation, please see the Prop 1 Webpage. Letters of intent are due April 23, 2021.

OPC is hiring a Policy and Communications Program Manager

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring a Policy and Communications Program Manager (Staff Services Manager I, Specialist) to help advance OPC’s strategic priorities, with a specific focus on policy, communications, and community engagement. The Policy and Communications Program Manager will be responsible for legislative tracking and bill analyses, supporting policy development, leading communications, and community outreach efforts to elevate the work of the Council, and increasing equitable engagement on efforts to protect California’s coast and ocean. … read more

Now Accepting Applications: Ocean Protection Council Summer Internship

OPC is hiring up to five Student Assistants for its Summer Internship Program (Program). The purpose of the Summer Internship Program is to provide undergraduate college students with an opportunity to gain hands-on-experience with a small State agency focused on protecting and enhancing the state’s coastal and ocean ecosystems and ensuring easy, affordable access to and along the coast for all Californians. … read more

Now Available: Final Top Ten Recommendations to Address Plastic Pollution in California’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystem

The final Top Ten Recommendations to Address Plastic Pollution in California’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, which were amended and endorsed by the Ocean Protection Council its February 16, 2021 meeting, are now available here.

Coastal Environmental Justice Solicitation is Open!

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is pleased to announce the release of a solicitation for letters of intent on coastal projects that benefit communities entitled to environmental justice and improve water quality. Please see the solicitation for specific project types and priorities. OPC has up to $7.5 million to distribute through this round of funding, and letters of intent are due to OPC_Prop1grants@resources.ca.gov on April 23, 2021.

OPC staff will hold an informational webinar for prospective applicants on March 29 from 2:00-3:00 PM. This webinar will include going over the solicitation, the LOI template, and answering questions. To register for the webinar and get more information please complete the Webinar Registration Form . Please see the Prop 1 webpage for more information about the solicitation, letter of intent submission materials, and consultation opportunities with OPC staff.