California Aquaculture Action Plan
The Ocean Protection Council, California Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Game Commission, State Lands Commission, the Coastal Conservancy, the California Department of Public Health, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture are collaboratively developing a Statewide Aquaculture Action Plan that will provide a comprehensive, standardized framework and policy for sustainable commercial marine aquaculture in California. The Action Plan will outline the state’s approach to improving aquaculture governance, regulation and oversight; protecting the environment and public health; and establishing a foundation for the sustainable development of marine aquaculture. We anticipate releasing a draft for public review and feedback in Spring 2025 and presenting the Final Action Plan for adoption at the June 2025 OPC meeting.
The purpose of the Action Plan is to increase coordination among state agencies and improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in planning, facilitating, permitting, managing, and fostering sustainable marine aquaculture.
The Action Plan builds off of the priorities established by the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture, and feedback heard during partner engagement. The Action Plan is the integral next step in realizing California’s vision, and is centered around three goals:
Goal 1: Improve California’s aquaculture governance framework through increased interagency coordination and transparency
Goal 2: Maximize environmental sustainability and protect public health
Goal 3: Facilitate sustainable development of marine aquaculture in state waters
Each goal will include implementation actions with timelines for completion.
The Action Plan will address marine aquaculture: the culture and husbandry of marine algae and shellfish in state waters including within estuaries, and marine algae, shellfish, and finfish in land-based, recirculating tank operations occurring along the coast. The Action Plan will focus on commercial marine aquaculture; aquaculture intended for harvest for sale.
Timeline
October 14, 2025- December 14, 2025: Early tribal consultation period
Winter: Targeted engagement
March 2026: Initiate tribal consultation on the draft Action Plan
April 2026: Release draft Action Plan and open public comment
May 2026: Conclude public comment and tribal consultation on the draft Action Plan
June 2026: Release final Action Plan; consideration of approval at the June 16, 2026 OPC Meeting
Resources
Staff Contact
Katie Cieri
Sustainable Fisheries and
Aquaculture Program Manager
Katie.Cieri@resources.ca.gov