We are partnering with California Sea Grant to develop a statewide Aquaculture Action Plan for California (plan), a priority identified in the Ocean Protection Council’s recently adopted Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean. The plan will be informed by a set of Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture collaboratively developed by the state’s Aquaculture Leadership Team (made up of state natural resource, public health, and food and agriculture agencies), ongoing direction from the Leadership Team, and extensive outreach and engagement with Tribes, stakeholders and the public. Globally, aquaculture is rapidly expanding, but domestic development has to date been minimal. ​California has an opportunity to advance sustainable marine aquaculture in a way that protects ecosystem health and serves as a model for other states around the nation. 
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Figure by Caitlin Fong
Goal of the project
The Aquaculture Action Plan will comprise 1) an overview of the state of aquaculture in California, 2) a series of potential scenarios for aquaculture in the state, and 3) a series of recommendations to achieve the targets in the scenarios, as well as key trade offs therein. ​The contents of the Aquaculture Action Plan are not mandated by the state, and therefore do not have direct power to change policy or existing codes, but rather will inform policymakers on viable opportunities and paths forward based on the best available science, community input, and standing policy structure.​

The Action Plan will integrate the vision and priorities within the Aquaculture Principles to develop an industry that is informed by best available science; is compatible with wild fisheries; is guided by comprehensive planning and collaboration; causes minimal harm to the environment; provides local, safe and healthy food production; supports living wages and equitably grows the state’s economy; partners with California Native American Tribes (Tribes); and protects public access. 
To learn more about our approach to this project click here.
What an Action Plan is...
  • A comprehensive, community-informed and science-based framework for marine aquaculture growth in California
  • Focused on marine algae and shellfish in state marine waters 
  • Also considering land-based, recirculating tank operations for marine algae, shellfish, and finfish
What an Action plan is NOT...
  • A government mandate to grow aquaculture in the state of California
  • A marine spatial plan or an aquaculture siting plan
  • Best management regulations
Project Timeline
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2021 - Phase 1: Development of the plan
Create a draft Action Plan based on input from the Aquaculture Leadership Team, aquaculture growth scenarios based on synthesis of the latest science, survey outputs and input from a Community Listening Group and a Science Listening Group.

2022 - Phase 2: Community Engagement
Refine the draft Action Plan with public input from regionally held community meetings.
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2023 - Phase 3: Refinement
Incorporate recommendations from community meetings and the Aquaculture Leadership Team into a final Action Plan for the state of California. ​
Project Updates: Phase 1

June 2021 ​Ocean Protection Council released the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture in California. Collaboratively developed by the state’s Aquaculture Leadership Team (made up of state natural resource, public health, and food and agriculture agencies).

July 2021 Two sessions were held with the community listening group providing an overview of aquaculture in California today and beginning preliminary discussions around where aquaculture could go in the future. 

August 2021 A listening session was held with the science listening group providing an overview of aquaculture in California today and beginning preliminary discussions around future scenarios.

October 2021  Community listening group session is planned as well as engagement with the science listening group.
Partners