California is truly a special place with beautiful coasts and ocean. Its 1,100-mile coastline is a defining feature of our state's identity, providing breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant marine ecosystems, and a profound connection to the Pacific Ocean. California has long been a national and global leader in marine conservation, advancing science-based policies to ensure California's oceans are healthy and benefit Californians today and in the future.

However, our coasts and ocean face significant threats as climate change, pollution, and extractive activities continue to stress marine ecosystems. Sea level in California will rise an average of 1 vertical foot in the next 30 years, likely resulting in extreme flood vulnerabilities and lost beaches throughout the state.

California has established important protections through legislation like the Marine Life Management Act, which became law in 1999, serving as a framework to ensure conservation of marine ecosystems based on science-driven decision-making. Other important Acts and initiatives include the Coastal Act, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, and the 30x30 Land and Oceans Conservation Goal.

We’re also recognizing the state’s Marine Protected Area Network, established by the Marine Life Protection Act, which protects and conserves our state’s unparalleled ocean biodiversity and wildlife. This scientifically-based network is already showing incredible results for population and biodiversity. We continue to celebrate the MPA Network and we support strengthening it to increase benefits to California’s ecosystems, to local communities, and to enhance marine research and education. 

We must protect Californians from extreme heat, dangerous weather events, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise. We're urging state legislators to stop offshore oil drilling, restrict the use of set gill net fishing, reduce plastic pollution, ensure clean waters, defend budgets dedicated to protecting our ocean and environment, advocate for strengthening and expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and defend the Coastal Act.

California Ocean Day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and policymakers to come together to celebrate our ocean, raise awareness of the environmental challenges it faces—including climate change, sea level rise, pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and habitat degradation—and recommit ourselves to bold, collaborative action to safeguard it for future generations.