Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration Initiative

Graphic that reads: We are a network of partners aimed at catalyzing, coordinating, and implementing marine restoration efforts to recover critical rocky reef and kelp forest habitats, and associated species in California. — **PCOR Mission Statement** Launched in 2024, the PCOR Initiative is focused on increasing the pace and scale of marine restoration. © TNC

Kelp forest and rocky reef ecosystems support thousands of marine species and communities along the California coast, and they contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to California’s economy each year. However, changing ocean conditions, disease and human impacts have severely disrupted these ecosystems and associated species.

Underwater view showing the silhouettes of fish swimming through a kelp forest, their profiles backlit by sunlight penetrating into the water. — Kelp Forest Kelp forests provide critical habitat for many marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. © Ralph Pace

Kelp forest from above Drone footage of a kelp forest off the California Coast © Ralph Pace

A Crisis for our Coast

Since 2013, bull kelp forest canopy cover has decreased by over 96% in northern California. Kelp forest ecosystems in some locations in central and southern California have also experienced significant kelp forest losses in kelp, with severe repercussions for biodiversity, fisheries, and local communities.

This crisis extends beyond kelp. In 2001, the white abalone became the first marine invertebrate to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. After an outbreak of marine disease compounded by warm water events, more than five billion sunflower sea stars died from 2013 to 2016. This resulted in the species being listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In response to the loss of this apex predator, native purple urchin populations have increased exponentially, which have overgrazed vast areas of kelp forests and prevented natural recovery. The prospect of more frequent warm water events makes it even less likely that these vital and iconic ecosystems will be able to recover without human intervention.

2001

White Abalone listed on the Endangered Species List
94%

Reduction in global Sunflower Sea Star population in 2013
96%

Loss of California North Coast Kelp since 2014

Recovering Key Species and Habitats

PCOR is focused on recovering key marine habitats and species, starting with bull kelp forests, sunflower sea stars, & white abalone, while also launching an innovative workforce development program.

Bull Kelp

Creating the largest network of bull kelp restoration sites along the North Coast

Sunflower Sea Star

Establishing a breeding program for sunflower sea stars to support species recovery

White Abalone

Expanding production and outplanting of white abalone to build towards a self-sustaining population in the wild

Workforce Development

Launch a workforce development pilot program to support increased pace and scale of habitat restoration and species recovery efforts

The PCOR Initiative is working to match the scale of this crisis through a transformative collaboration. For several decades, scientists and practitioners have laid the groundwork for important marine restoration efforts across the state. With PCOR, we are forging a conservation network to accelerate the pace and scale of critical restoration.

The deep blue water of the ocean meets the rugged, rocky terrain of the California coast. — California’s rocky coast The Mendocino County coastline of California provides critical habitat for many species above and below the water. © Ralph Pace

An Ecosystem-Based Approach: Identifying synergies and opportunities for collaborations among organizations and across different species and habitat recovery efforts
Improving Infrastructure: Expanding existing restoration programs by providing significant resources for improved infrastructure and jobs 
Data Collection: Integrating systematic data collection across organizations and geographies and building shared protocols

Sharing Resources & Knowledge: Leveraging knowledge, infrastructure, and capacity across the PCOR network
Workforce Development: Building workforce capacity by piloting an innovative marine restoration training program
Community Engagement: Increasing public awareness of this vital work through community outreach and education efforts

Where We Work

From San Diego to Fort Bragg, we are focused on efforts all over California. Our partner organizations vary in specialties and locations along the California coast and collaborate cross-species and cross-geographies to advance restoration success at an increased pace and scale.

We work in labs, aquariums, local government, universities, federal and state agency offices, and above and below the Pacific Ocean. Click on our locations to learn more about what we are doing across California.

Fort Bragg & Mendocino

PCOR partners are working to expand kelp restoration to over 30 acres by utilizing kelp outplanting techniques and grazer suppression. This team works with the Sonoma kelp team to form the largest network for bull kelp restoration on the North Coast.

Mendocino County

Our workforce development workstream touches down in Mendocino County, where we are working on creating a certificate program in marine restoration at Mendocino College and piloting a workforce development training program. 

Sonoma County

In Sonoma County, PCOR partners are working to restore, monitor, and study kelp forests along the Sonoma coast. This team works with the Mendocino kelp team to form the largest network for bull kelp restoration on the North Coast.

San Francisco

In San Francisco, Cal Academy of Sciences is growing sunflower sea stars and their food systems, conducting related scientific research, creating new public exhibits about kelp forest ecosystems, & hosting outreach and education opportunities.

Moss Landing

PCOR partners are expanding infrastructure capacity for abalone, kelp cultures, and sunflower sea stars. Kelp and abalone grown here are outplanted to ocean restoration sites. Sunflower Star Lab is growing sea stars and conducting related research.

Santa Barbara

The Cultured Abalone Farm is significantly expanding infrastructure for rearing juvenile white abalone that will be outplanted to ocean restoration sites to support species recovery efforts.

Los Angeles

Aquarium of the Pacific is rearing sunflower sea stars and creating public exhibits about kelp forest ecosystems and white abalone recovery. Abalone partners are rearing abalone at conservation facilities, then outplanting to ocean restoration sites in southern California.

San Diego

In the San Diego area, PCOR partners are scouting for new outplanting sites, monitoring sites, and outplanting abalone. Outplanting includes post-outplant monitoring throughout the year.