The California Ocean Litter Strategy Project

This webpage provides information on the implementation of the California Ocean Litter Strategy. The Ocean Litter Strategy was jointly developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program and the California Ocean Protection Council. The Ocean Litter Strategy outlines actions that stakeholders and OPC can take from 2018 through 2024 to prevent and reduce ocean litter in California.

During the development of the Ocean Litter Strategy, participants agreed to the following implementation structure:

  • Every six months: Check-in webinars or conference calls
  • Every two years: In-person meetings to assess progress and address challenges in Strategy implementation
  • After six years: Update the Strategy

This site includes information on Strategy implementation, progress reporting, and how to get involved. If you would like to receive emails about the implementation process and upcoming webinars or events, please subscribe to OPC’s general email announcements and California Ocean Litter Strategy project email announcements (hosted by NOAA Marine Debris Program). 

Related Webpages

About the Strategy & Agency Leads

Project Resources

Photo of plastic pollution on the beach

Photo Credit: Sonoma Coast Surfrider

Project Updates

California Ocean Litter Strategy Webinar

Join OPC and NOAA Marine Debris Program for the next California Ocean Litter Strategy webinar on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

After registering, a confirmation email containing information to join the meeting will be sent.

Past meeting recordings and webinar slides are available on the Project Resources page. 

Ocean Litter Strategy Workgroup Updates

The Ocean Litter Strategy Stakeholders have developed workgroups centering around each of the six goals in the Strategy. The next workgroup meetings will be scheduled for Summer/Fall 2023.

  • Goal 1 and 2: Source Reduction – Policies and Incentives, EPR, and Changes in Product Design

  • Goal 3: Waste Management and Interception on Land

  • Goal 4: Research Existing and Emerging Issues

  • Goal 5: Behavior Change and Consumer Education

  • Goal 6: Ocean-based Debris Prevention and Cleanup

If you are interested in getting involved in a workgroup, please contact Kaitlyn Kalua (Kaitlyn.Kalua@resources.ca.gov) and Christy Kehoe (Christy.Kehoe@noaa.gov)