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 Marine 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 invite you to review the draft Action Plan and share your feedback during the public comment period until May 13, 2026.
Submit Public Comment
Please fill out this form or send your comments to copcpublic@resources.ca.gov with the subject line “Draft Aquaculture Action Plan” by May 13, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).
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 will address marine aquaculture: the culture and husbandry of marine algae and shellfish in marine waters, and marine algae, shellfish, and finfish in land-based operations occurring along the coast. The Action Plan will focus on commercial marine aquaculture; aquaculture intended for harvest for sale.
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 continue to protect and enhance public health.
Goal 3: Facilitate sustainable development of marine aquaculture in state waters
Within each of these goals there are specific, time-bound actions the State will take to reach the goal. The development of the draft Action Plan was informed by multiple engagement efforts with the aquaculture industry, tribes, scientists, and other partners.
Completing the Action Plan will advance OPC’s Strategic Goal 4, Objective 4.1. Learn more in OPC’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: Safeguarding Our Coast and Ocean for All Californians.
Public Listening Session
OPC will host a public listening session on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to walk through the draft Action Plan and answer your questions.
Your feedback will inform the final Action Plan and help shape the future of sustainable commercial aquaculture in California. Thank you for supporting this important work!
Council Meeting Presentation
The final Action Plan is anticipated to be presented at the OPC Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This hybrid meeting will take place at the California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters Auditorium (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) and via Zoom. See the meeting webpage for details.
Timeline
October 14, 2025- December 14, 2025: Early tribal consultation period
October 23, 2025: Presentation to the Aquaculture Development Committee
January 2026: Partner Workshops
March 10, 2026: Invited tribal consultation on the draft Action Plan
March 12, 2026: Presentation to the Marine Resources Committee
- Video recording, timestamp 7:46
March 24, 2026: Presentation to the Aquaculture Development Committee
April 13, 2026: Draft Action Plan released and public comment opened
April 24, 2026: Public listening session
May 13, 2026: Conclude public comment and tribal consultation on the draft Action Plan
June 2026: Release final Action Plan
June 16, 2026: Consideration of approval of final Action Plan at the June 16, 2026 OPC Meeting
Resources
- Draft Statewide Marine Aquaculture Action Plan
- Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Aquaculture
- Guide to Leasing, Permitting, and Authorizing Commercial Aquaculture Operations off the California Coast
Staff Contact
Katie Cieri
Sustainable Fisheries and
Aquaculture Program Manager
Katie.Cieri@resources.ca.gov