GLEN ELLEN, CA – Marine Conservation Institute applauds the State of California for passing the halfway mark toward its goal of conserving 30 percent of its lands and coastal waters by 2030 (also known as 30x30).The state's 2026 Pathways to 30x30 Progress Report, released earlier today at the annual 30x30 Partnership Summit in San Francisco, shows that 21.9% of California's coastal waters and 27.1% of its lands are now conserved. Since 2022, the state has counted more than 3.5 million acres of additional conserved lands and coastal waters.

California's progress on the coast includes a 10 million dollar investment to advance 30x30 in coastal waters. The funding supports restoration of kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, and dune ecosystems, and also expands tribally led stewardship. Additionally, the state launched its first Tribal Stewardship Policy this year. It sets a goal of expanding tribal stewardship by at least 7.5 million acres of lands and coastal waters.

"California continues to show what real leadership on ocean protection looks like," said President of Marine Conservation Institute, Dr. Lance Morgan, "Its network of marine protected areas is a model for the world, and it is backed by strong science, tribal partnership, and sustained investment. We congratulate the state and the Ocean Protection Council on this milestone."

Marine Conservation Institute shares the state's view that acreage alone is not the finish line. The Institute reaffirms its commitment to work with the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) to ensure the waters counted toward 30x30 deliver lasting, measurable results for marine life, climate resilience, and coastal communities. The Institute will contribute its science-based standards for effective marine protection through the Blue Park Standard and the Marine Protection Atlas database. It will also support OPC's priorities of restoration, long-term monitoring, and tribal co-stewardship.

"Reaching 30 percent is within reach for California, but what matters most is what that protection achieves in the water," said Marine Conservation Institute scientist Ali Rubin, “We look forward to working with OPC and partners across the state to make sure California's ocean stays healthy and resilient for generations to come."