ABOUT
Established in 1999
CCLEAN was designed by subscribing agencies to meet several regulatory objectives, particularly focusing on the preservation of ocean water quality.

OUR PURPOSE
CCLEAN is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a proactive effort to understand and mitigate the impacts of human activities on the marine environment. By monitoring pollutants and assessing their effects, CCLEAN provides valuable data that helps safeguard the bay’s ecosystem, supports sustainable practices, and informs future environmental policies.
OUR MISSION
Environmental Stewardship
The primary mission of CCLEAN is to safeguard the beneficial uses of Monterey Bay’s waters as defined by State regulations. These beneficial uses include:
Water Contact Recreation
Ensuring the safety of activities such as swimming, surfing, and other recreational water contact activities.
Habitat for Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species
Preserving and protecting critical habitats for species at risk.
Marine Habitat
Maintaining the health and vitality of marine ecosystems.
Wildlife Habitat
Supporting the diverse range of wildlife that depends on the Monterey Bay ecosystem.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
What are the primary sources of contaminants affecting nearshore waters?
Understanding where contaminants originate is crucial for effective environmental management. CCLEAN seeks to identify the most significant sources of pollution entering Monterey Bay’s nearshore waters, whether from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, stormwater, or other sources. By pinpointing these sources, CCLEAN provides the data needed to target interventions that reduce pollution at its origin, ultimately protecting the bay’s delicate marine ecosystems.
What are the effects of wastewater discharges on nearshore marine environments?
Wastewater discharges can introduce a variety of pollutants into marine environments, including nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens. CCLEAN monitors the impacts of these discharges on the water quality, marine life, and overall health of nearshore waters. By assessing the effects of these pollutants, CCLEAN helps determine whether current treatment processes are sufficient and where improvements are needed to protect the marine environment from harmful contamination.
Do nearshore waters and sediments meet the standards set by the California Ocean Plan?
The California Ocean Plan establishes water quality standards that are designed to protect marine life and human health. CCLEAN plays a critical role in ensuring that the waters and sediments of Monterey Bay comply with these standards. Through regular monitoring, CCLEAN identifies areas of non-compliance and works with regulatory agencies and local dischargers to implement corrective measures, ensuring that the bay meets the highest standards for environmental protection.
What are the current status and long-term trends in the quality of nearshore waters, sediments, and the associated beneficial uses?
Long-term environmental monitoring is essential for understanding how conditions in Monterey Bay are changing over time. CCLEAN tracks trends in water quality, sediment health, and the overall condition of the bay’s beneficial uses. This long-term data allows scientists and resource managers to identify emerging threats, assess the effectiveness of past interventions, and make informed decisions to protect the bay’s environment in the future. By focusing on long-term trends, CCLEAN ensures that Monterey Bay remains a healthy and vibrant ecosystem for generations to come.

Ensuring Sustainable Ocean Health
By addressing these critical questions, CCLEAN plays an essential role in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of Monterey Bay’s nearshore waters. The data collected and analyzed by CCLEAN informs resource management decisions, supports regulatory compliance, and helps protect the bay’s natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.
- CCLEAN Steering Committee
- Program ManagersAroon Melwani, Dane Hardin
- Quality Assurance OfficerPaul Salop
- Field Sampling
- Water & MusselsG. Cotten
Kinnetic Environmental, Inc. - SedimentT. Venello
Applied Marine Sciences - BiotaCoastal Conservation
and Research, Inc. - VesselsMoss Landing
Marine Laboratories
- Laboratory Analysis
- OrganicsSGS-AXYS
- Current Pesticides, MetalsPhysis
- NutrientsMoss Landing
Marine Laboratories
- Data Management
- Internal Data ManagementJ. Mohay
Applied Marine Sciences - CEDENM. Sigala
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories