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.

Monterey Bay is a hub for activities like swimming and surfing. These recreational activities depend on clean, safe water. CCLEAN monitors water quality to detect and reduce contamination risks, ensuring that the bay remains a safe and enjoyable destination for everyone.

Habitat for Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species

Learn more >

Preserving and protecting critical habitats for species at risk.

Monterey Bay is home to rare, threatened, and endangered species that rely on specific habitats for survival. CCLEAN helps protect these habitats by monitoring pollution levels and other environmental factors, ensuring these vulnerable species have the conditions they need to thrive.

Marine Habitat

Learn more >

Maintaining the health and vitality of marine ecosystems.

Monterey Bay’s marine habitats, from kelp forests to deep-sea canyons, support a wide array of species. CCLEAN’s monitoring efforts help maintain the ecological balance of these habitats, ensuring they remain healthy and resilient in the face of environmental stressors.

Wildlife Habitat

Learn more >

Supporting the diverse range of wildlife that depends on the Monterey Bay ecosystem.

Monterey Bay provides crucial habitat for seabirds, marine mammals, and coastal wildlife. CCLEAN monitors these habitats to ensure they remain capable of supporting diverse populations, protecting the complex ecosystem that makes Monterey Bay so vibrant.

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.

WHO WE ARE

Steering Committee

Collaborators

Organizational Structure

  • CCLEAN Steering Committee
    • Program Managers
      Aroon Melwani, Dane Hardin
      • Quality Assurance Officer
        Paul Salop
      • Field Sampling
        • Water & Mussels
          G. Cotten
          Kinnetic Environmental, Inc.
        • Sediment
          T. Venello
          Applied Marine Sciences
        • Biota
          Coastal Conservation
          and Research, Inc.
        • Vessels
          Moss Landing
          Marine Laboratories
      • Laboratory Analysis
        • Organics
          SGS-AXYS
        • Current Pesticides, Metals
          Physis
        • Nutrients
          Moss Landing
          Marine Laboratories
      • Data Management
        • Internal Data Management
          J. Mohay
          Applied Marine Sciences
        • CEDEN
          M. Sigala
          Moss Landing Marine Laboratories