With changing demands on coastal and ocean space, competition over prioritization of uses is accelerating. We continue to track these emerging issues and are prepared to facilitate public discourse.
Community Engagement
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In July 2011, the Aquarium of the Pacific, together with the University of Southern California’s Wrigley Institute and Sea Grant programs, hosted a forum to discuss coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP). About forty representatives from colleges and universities, state and federal government agencies, various ocean and renewable energy industries, conservationists, and other stakeholder groups gathered to explore the concept of CMSP, and how it might be applied to the Southern California Bight, which extends from Point Conception in Santa Barbara south to our border with Mexico.
A report was produced that summarizes the discussion that took place during the forum and lays out a potential planning mechanism for CMSP in Southern California.
