California Ocean Summit to debut in Santa Barbara this December

Registration is open for the first California Ocean Summit, a three-day gathering set for Dec. 9-11 in Santa Barbara. The event aims to bring scientists, policymakers, investors and innovators together to speed ocean solutions, attract capital and shape California’s role in ocean stewardship.

Why it matters: - The California Ocean Summit is designed to connect ocean science, policy, philanthropy and investment around practical solutions for ocean health and coastal resilience. - The event aims to help move capital toward blue innovation and turn shared ambition into coordinated action. - California’s research base and policy influence make the state a focal point for ocean leadership.

What happened: - Registration opened for the inaugural California Ocean Summit, set for Dec. 9-11, 2026, in Santa Barbara. - The three-day summit will bring together scientists, policymakers, investors, innovators and advocates from California and beyond. - An invitation-only kickoff reception took place Aug. 22 at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. - Steering committee members, sponsors and community partners attended the reception to launch the lead-up to the summit.

The details: - The summit will feature working sessions, expert panels and keynote addresses. - The program is built around three goals: shape California’s future ocean policy, invest in ocean innovation and advance a shared Declaration for Ocean Stewardship. - A Blue Innovation Showcase at the Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub will highlight emerging ocean startups and technologies. - Public programming at the Santa Barbara Public Library will include film screenings and author meet-and-greets. - Guided field excursions on Dec. 11 will take attendees to Santa Cruz Island and conservation sites along the Central Coast. - Evening programming includes a screening of Ocean with David Attenborough with the Santa Barbara Symphony performing the score live. - UCSB Arts & Lectures is partnering on the screening. - Dr. Dawn Wright, chief scientist of Esri, will open the summit with a keynote. - Confirmed participants include Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Laura Francis of Sea Forward Fund, Tom Quigley of Superorganism, Peter Bryant of Builder's Vision, Dr. Cat Burns of NatureVest at The Nature Conservancy, Matthew Stotts of Cerulean Ventures, Gracie White of Conservation International Ventures and Robert Mazurek of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. - The Working Summit, scheduled for Dec. 9-11, requires registration and has limited tickets. - Free public events during Summit Week will be open to the broader community. - Select UCSB Arts & Lectures events, including the Ocean with David Attenborough screening, will require tickets through UCSB Arts & Lectures.

Between the lines: - The summit is being positioned as more than a conference; it is meant to create a durable network linking research, policy and capital. - Organizers are leaning on culture and public programming to widen participation beyond the invite-only working summit. - The opening reception and the confirmed sponsor list show an effort to build momentum well before the December event. - Assemblymember Gregg Hart said California is uniquely tied to the ocean through its economy and identity, and that the state has a chance to show what coordinated leadership can do. - Laura Francis, founder of Sea Forward Fund, said the summit aims to weave together art, storytelling, science, philanthropy and policy to inspire action beyond California.

What's next: - Sponsorship and partnership opportunities remain open. - Interested organizations can visit sponsorship information or email info@calocean.org. - Registration for the Working Summit is available at register here. - The summit’s public programming and ticketed UCSB Arts & Lectures events will roll out during Summit Week. - More information is available at the summit website.

The bottom line: - California Ocean Summit is trying to make Santa Barbara a launchpad for ocean stewardship, with the goal of turning ideas, investment and policy into measurable action.