Thank You Ocean: Protecting California’s Ocean

What does a seafloor map look like, and who uses one? How does California use Marine Protected Areas as underwater laboratories? In this Thank You Ocean Report, we continue our conversation with Cat Kuhlman, the California Ocean Protection Council’s Executive Director, as she explains some of the innovative and collaborative projects the council is working on.

Upcoming Meetings

May 2014 – TBD
Sacramento

August 27, 2014
1 – 4 pm
Natural Resources Auditorium, First Floor
1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento

December 3, 2014
1 – 4 pm
Natural Resources Auditorium, First Floor
1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento

Secretary Laird urges Congress to fund Coastal Zone Management grants at $71 million

On December 31, 2013, Secretary for Natural Resources and OPC Chair John Laird sent the attached letter to the California Congressional delegation to encourage them to support funding for the Coastal Zone Management grants (within NOAA) in the FY13-14 budget at $71 million. This level of funding is consistent with allocations established by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

West Coast Governors and BC Premier urge increased federal investment in ocean acidification research

On December 11, 2013,  Governor Brown, Governor Kitzhaber (OR), Governor Inslee (WA), and Premier Christy Clark (BC) sent a letter to President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper urging increased federal funding for ocean acidification research. The letter was prompted by the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy, which specifically calls for action on ocean acidification.

For more information on the Pacific Coast Collaborative, please visit: http://www.pacificcoastcollaborative.org

Rapid Assessments for Selected California Fisheries

As part of implementing the California Sustainable Seafood Initiative (AB 1217 (Monning), which requires California to design and implement a voluntary sustainable seafood program, the OPC tasked the California Ocean Science Trust (OST)  to conduct rapid assessments of 11 nominated fisheries (Table 1).  The 11 fisheries were selected with input from staff at the OPC, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and the Fish and Game Commission and were chosen based on management interest, seasonal landings, economic value and likelihood of meeting sustainable seafood certification standards.