May 2026 Edition
A monthly round-up of news and trends important to the AltaSea community.
AltaSea Community Spotlight
Sustainable aquaculture, marine carbon dioxide removal, and ocean-based renewable energy are shared focuses of all Deep Blue Decade partner sites. Future-proof workforce development and STEM education will also be cornerstones—preparing young people to inherit the fight against climate change.
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AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program today launched a new partnership to accelerate innovation, workforce development, and community engagement at the intersection of ports, marine transportation, and the blue economy.
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A settlement about water pollution requires the city of Los Angeles to stop illegal discharges and clean up water pollution. In response, they’re deploying robotic rovers into the water to clean up debris.
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The wait is almost over. Officially opening its doors for a first look this summer, the highly anticipated 42-acre West Harbor district is set to revolutionize the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro.
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If you’ve ever taken a stroll along Harbor Island on San Diego Bay, you’ve probably walked right past them and didn’t even notice. But if you take a closer look along the water line, especially at low tide, you can see a one-of-a-kind pilot project that’s changing the way we protect our coast.
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Come see where innovation meets reality!
A field trip to AltaSea isn’t just a day by the ocean — it’s a chance for students to see the
future of sustainability in action and imagine their own place in it.
Become a member today!
AltaSea remains committed to supporting science-based solutions to climate change—solutions that both protect the oceans and benefit local communities. But we can’t do it without your support. Please make a tax-deductible donation and join UrgentSEA, our new membership campaign, today.
Welcome New Members!
Irene A. | Yolanda D. | Alex D. | Angel D. | Anne D. | Deanna D. | Maynard D. | Eve H. | Monica H. | Elizabeth J. | Manijeh M. | Brigette P. | Carol S. | Terry T. | Rebecca U.
RSVP today!
This event will spotlight the exciting reopening of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium following its major renovation, alongside a forward-looking conversation on how partners like Suntex Marinas are shaping the future of recreational boating in California.
This session will bring together leaders from across the ecosystem – including startups, investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders – to explore shared opportunities, challenges, and pathways for collaboration.
This event follows the Port of Long Beach Harbor Tour and is a short 20-minute drive. It will be hosted at AltaSea on the harbor, which is home to several local startups, including Sperra’s concrete 3D printing lab.
Further Reading
Marine Science
A new study found that cultivating seaweed species alongside marine finfish in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) operations, where seaweeds receive nutrient-rich effluent from fish production, can significantly reduce—and even eliminate—key waste products from marine finfish farming.
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Marine Science
These fridges are part of what the university calls its “living library”: a biobank, or long-term storage for at-risk marine life forms. Biobanks act as insurance policies against species extinction, and as research hubs for scientists studying species genetics, growth and resilience in the age of environmental crisis.
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Sustainable and Innovative Business
The blue economy is the sustainable utilisation of ocean resources to promote socio-economic development, climate resilience, and the maintenance of ecosystem balance. Oceans contribute approximately US$2.2 trillion annually to the global economy, based on 2023 estimates by UN Trade and Development and are expected to exceed US$3 trillion and generate 40 million jobs by 2030, several of them in startups and innovative entrepreneurial ventures.
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Sustainable and Innovative Business
The global food system is entering a period of structural change. As populations grow and dietary preferences shift toward higher protein consumption, traditional agriculture is facing mounting pressure.
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Education
This month, the UCLA Emmett Institute explored the intersection of climate goals, affordability concerns, and environmental protections by hosting a symposium titled “Can Abundance Be Sustainable?” The all-day, public event at UCLA School of Law brought together academics, community advocates, policymakers, journalists, students and—not one but two—heads of utility regulatory bodies.