Latest News
Dive into what’s new at OPC and stay informed on California coast and ocean news!
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Updates from the June 10, 2025 Council Meeting
The meeting marked a major milestone in California’s effort to conserve 30 percent of coastal waters by 2030 (30×30), while advancing key goals across OPC’s Strategic Plan. Council actions supported stronger protections for marine biodiversity, deeper tribal partnership in sea level rise adaptation, enhanced enforcement of marine protected areas (MPAs), and increased community resilience in…
Categories: Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, OPC Meetings, Report Release, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement, Water Quality -
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…
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OPC’s Draft 2026–2030 Strategic Plan Now Available – Webinar June 18 & Public Comment Period through August 1, 2025
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is pleased to share the Draft 2026–2030 Strategic Plan—a roadmap for protecting California’s coast and ocean in the years ahead. This draft reflects OPC’s continued commitment to resilience, equity, collaboration, and science-based decision-making. We […]
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Where Land Meets Sea: Celebrate World Ocean Week in California’s Interconnected State Parks and Marine Protected Areas
World Ocean Week (June 1-8, 2025) is a time to celebrate, explore, and protect our blue planet—and there’s no better place to do that than along California’s coast. Many of our coastal state parks are gateways to marine protected areas […]
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Monthly Newsletter – California Coast and Ocean News – May
The May 2025 OPC newsletter is available!
Categories: Coastal Habitats, Dungeness Crab Task Force, Equity and Environmental Justice, Event, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Leadership and Staff Updates, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Monthly Newsletter, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, OPC Meetings, Other Public Meetings, Outreach and Education, Public Comment Opportunity, Sea Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Tribal Engagement, Water Quality -
California Ocean Day 2025 Celebrates 20 Years of Advocacy, Action, and Ocean Leadership
On May 6, 2025, hundreds of ocean advocates from across the state gathered in Sacramento to mark the 20th annual California Ocean Day—a milestone celebration of two decades of grassroots organizing, legislative engagement, and shared commitment to protecting California’s ocean, […]
Our Strategic Priorities
Our work is guided by the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean: 2020-2025, with a focus on four strategic goals. Click on a goal below to learn more about the partnerships and projects shifting that vision into a reality.
Climate Change
Safeguard Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Communities in the Face of Climate Change
Equity
Advance Equity Across Ocean and Coastal Policies and Actions
Biodiversity
Enhance Coastal and Marine Biodiversity
Blue Economy
Support Ocean Health through a Sustainable Blue Economy
View the 2026-2030 Strategic Planning webpage.
Annual Coast and Ocean Report & New Report Card
We are committed to reporting annually on implementation of our strategic priorities and providing an overview of critical issues impacting California’s coast and ocean. Read our 2024 Annual State of the Coast and Ocean Report for a retrospective of activities and accomplishments.
In early 2026, OPC will release a Report Card that uses a scientific, indicator-based approach to grade California’s coast and ocean health.
View the Annual Reports and Report Card webpage.